William Malcom McLeod 1830 – 1918 Scotland Part A

William Malcom McLeod was born in Rumsdale, Caithness and baptised in the Halkirk Parish (probably in the mission church at Achreny) on 8 June 1830. Alexander Sutherland and Christian Gunn were witnesses. My guess is that the witness Alexander Sutherland was Christina’s brother who may have been still living at Badbea.

William was named, according to Scottish naming patterns, after his mother’s father William Sutherland, plus in remembrance of his mother’s two brothers named Malcom who both drowned in separate incidents.

William appeared on the 1841 census, 9 years old and living at home in Rumsdale with his parents and siblings, Mary, Esther, James, Janet, and Farquhar. There are two young men Agricultural Labourers (Ag Lab) also living in the house.

The children are not shown as going to school but I think they would have at least gone to school in the winter. John and Christina saw the education of their children as being important and letters later written by William show he had a good grasp of English.

The New Statistical Account of Scotland (1840) Vol XV Chapter - Caithness pg 81 says there were 13 schools in the Halkirk Parish most of which were supported by the parents of the children. Subjects taught were reading, writing, arithmetic, english grammar, latin and book-keeping. 

• Quote: That the people are alive to the benefits of education is evident from their supporting so many schools at their own charges to instruct their children in the elements of reading, writing and arithmetic.

Rumsdale to Backlass John Thomson's Atlas of Scotland 1832

In the 1851 census William aged 20 had got a job at Backlass in the Halkirk parish as a shepherd. From his years at Rumsdale, William would have had a good training in the skills needed as a shepherd. His sister Elizabeth was living there probably helping run the house. Younger brother Farquhar was living there as well and going to school. There was a school at Backlass.

Backlass farm in the distance. While the area looks flat the land was marshy and swampy and not the best country on which to farm sheep.

Backlass Stone Circle and now deserted farm buildings in distance

According to family stories William next went to work on Orkney. Younger brother James was said to be there with him. 

Since lads William and James would have heard stories of Uncle Alexander Sutherland who with his wife Elizabeth McKay emigrated to New Zealand in1839. Although both William and James McLeod were working as shepherds in Scotland, land ownership would have never been a possibility, but they would have heard their Uncle Alexander (aka Sandy) had taken up land in New Zealand. The McLeod sons William and James were offered sponsorship by their uncle Alexander Sutherland.

Leaving for New Zealand Part B  - To be continued.