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| - MacAdam Website - (Descendants of Alban Bertram and Margaret Tena - MacDonald - MacAdam) Morell, PEI, Canada |
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| MACADAM HISTORY (Compiled by Michael Palmer, 2002) The following is a brief history of our Clan MacAdam, as summarized from the http://mcadams.org (Our McAdam Relatives In Texas) & www.mccadamshistory.com (MacAdam Historical Society) links. You can obtain more specific details of our MacAdam forefathers and foremothers from the website links above or from Kilmer Palmer's book. Kilmer's book concentrates on the direct lineage of the MacAdams whereas this summary will only touch on the brief generalities of the clan history. The MacAdams (spelled MacAdam, McAdam, MacCadem, MacKadam, MacKadem, McCaddam, McCaddomes, and MacKadom) originated in Scotland and came to the Americas via Ireland. They were a 'sept' or subgroup of the larger 'MacGregor' Clan. The MacGregors held lands in Glenstrae, Glenlochy, and Glenorchy in Scotland. The MacGregors held their land by 'right of first occupation' and not by title. As a result, they held their land by the sword. We were a fiesty, steadfast, stubborn, hearty, and patriotic bunch! The MacGregor motto was 'my blood is royal' because of their claim to royal descent. Throughout all the centuries of Highland history, they were notable for their deeds of valour. During the days of Robert The Bruce, one of the MacGregor chiefs supported Scottish independance with the whole might of his clan and clan septs. They also accompanied Edward Bruce in his invasion of Ireland. However, they were always warring against other clans in order to maintain their claim to the lands. King James of England & Scotland was outraged at the constant fighting between the clans. He decided to make an example of the MacGregors. The name became outlawed and the king declared that everyone and anyone had a right and duty to slay, harry, burn, and dispossess any MacGregors. Hence, the MacGregors adopted other surnames. The MacAdam clan traces it's descent from George MacGregor. After the MacGregor Clan became outlawed, George fled to Galloway, Scotland, in about 1445. He was soon caught and executed. His son, Adam MacGregor, changed his last name to MacAdam in order to hide his identity. From Galloway, the MacAdams began migrating to Ayr, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and shortly afterwards to Ireland and then to the Americas. Some famous ancestors of ours: 1. John Loudoun MacAdam (1756 - 1836), pioneer of modern roads. Much of what we know today about the importance of drainage is from his work. 2. Rob Roy MacGregor (1665 - 1733), a born leader with, "... fiery red hair and a mighty frame". He fought in the uprisings of 1708, 1715, and 1719 against English control of Scotland. What's The Meaning Of Our MacAdam Coat-Of-Arms? A MacAdam of Waterhead had saved the king's life when a stag had endangered him (goto www.mcadams.org and click on 'Scottish' and then 'McAdams Arms') Clan Potpourri! Lands Held By The MacGregors In Scotland MacAdam Historical Society Our McAdam Relatives In Texas - Successfully Showcasing A Family Reunion On The Web PEI Registry Tartan History General Information On Clans In Scotland MacAdam Tartan (Note 1) Family Clan Reunion Resource (Note 1: MacGregor tartan was used; MacAdam was a sept of MacGregor clan) |