A Thread of History

[Domehead]

The "Jacobite" tartan to which you refer was actually a silk scarf belonging to a female Jacobite sympathizer. It was first illustrated by William & Andrew Smith's Authenticated Tartans of the Clans and Families of Scotland, 1850

Legendarily, it was not a coordinated "regimental" denominator but political iconography.

It was sighted in other tartanological MSs. However, in the "Library Edition" of Henry Whyte and W & AK Johnston's The Clans & Septs of Scotland, 1906, they specifically sighted the Smith Bros and outlined the female Jacobite legend.

Regarding this specific sett, Donald C. Stewart, in The Setts of the Scottish Tartans, 1950, pg. 106, detailed a theory about construction in Spanish silk of Scottish setts and the possible reintroduction of original ideas from these same Mediterranean manufacturers.

James D. Scarlett in Tartan: The Highland Textile, 1980, denoted setts (439)-(445) under a section headed Jacobite Relics, pg. 172, which collates thread counts of tartans recovered during the '45, directly associated with Prince Charles Edward Stuart.

Domehead

[ThistleDown]

You might also want to keep in mind that deRos is not the same as Ross but pronounced almost identically. Since names usually have been recorded as they sound, Ross and Ros and Roz and Rose can be heard much the same, but refer to entirely different genealogies.

[Mac y]

I mostly just read here, but thought I may offer some thoughts as one who is in a similar position.

To have some solid information dating back to the 1600s is more than most may have I would imagine, although to get a better picture of your particular Ross being of the Clan Ross, as oppose to a variation of one of the names that has been previously mentioned, may prove difficult since you are already in the 17th century. That said, in my own family history a Mckenzie born in 18th century Beauly managed to marry and live out her life in Cruden, a small fishing village a decent trek away. People move, albeit it was more difficult and less common then.

Unfortunately, I cant offer help, but being in a similar boat, I look forward to see some of the responses to your post. Most especially the Scottish members as they may have more particular information or can point to sources that discuss the common moves and migrations within Scotland during that time period. In my head I am thinking, in regards to the United States, of the Great Migration or the Migration during the Dust Bowl. These events may not be as commonly known to those outside the US-dare I say they may not be as commonly known within the US either, but might there be instances in Scotland that parallel.

[tripleblessed]

You might also want to keep in mind that deRos is not the same as Ross but pronounced almost identically. Since names usually have been recorded as they sound, Ross and Ros and Roz and Rose can be heard much the same, but refer to entirely different genealogies.

A very relevant point, especially when the clerks were English and the names were spoken by Scots. In one of my lines,
a soldier sold after the battle of Worcester was identified on the list by a name apparently invented by the clerk. His
will and family in Virginia gave different usage.

In another of my lines, the names Ross and Rose alternated for about six generations. Each generation seemed consistent within the usage of the father, but the son would use the other. No explanation, and we've not been able to get that line back across the water.

Keep digging and enjoying the search. There's more available than some realize. A couple of my lines disappear from
tracking in the colonies, others can be traced to the Isles, but no specific place, some to galloglaigh lines, some to the Normans who arrived with David, some are known back over a thousand years. Rare, that, but it does happen.

Have fun.

[figheadair]

On the other hand, the Government sett was being worn on the British side at the time, so Blackwatch (later also Campbell) is decidedly not Jacobite.

By the time I assume you mean 1746. The Jacobite era dates from the last quarter of the 17th century and the Gov't tartan certainly didn't exist then. In fact, there's actually no surviving contemporary evidence it being wore before c1758.

The "Jacobite" tartan to which you refer was actually a silk scarf belonging to a female Jacobite sympathizer. It was first illustrated by William & Andrew Smith's Authenticated Tartans of the Clans and Families of Scotland, 1850.

It was sighted in other tartanological MSs. However, in the "Library Edition" of Henry Whyte and W & AK Johnston's The Clans & Septs of Scotland, 1906, they specifically sighted the Smith Bros and outlined the female Jacobite legend.

Regarding this specific sett, Donald C. Stewart, in The Setts of the Scottish Tartans, 1950, pg. 106, detailed a theory about construction in Spanish silk of Scottish setts and the possible reintroduction of original ideas from these same Mediterranean manufacturers.

I've actually had my hands on said silk sash. There's absolutely no way of proving that it is associated with the '45 era and my own opinion is that it's more likely to be first quarter 19th century.

[Domehead]

I've actually had my hands on said silk sash. There's absolutely no way of proving that it is associated with the '45 era and my own opinion is that it's more likely to be first quarter 19th century.

Figheadair,

Brilliant! Thank you for the clarification. It would have been better if I'd written "was reputed to be a silk scarf..."
Likely, I'll never get the chance to handle the specimens you have.

My tartanological education is "limited" to the conventional canon, your specific publications (incl. other contributors to the discipline) and collective cited & sourced material.
Hence, my very academic approach.

Thank you again.
I sincerely appreciate your contributions.

Slainte,
Domehead

[TheOfficialBren]

I can't contribute much here but golly this is a neat thread (pardon the pun) with lots of facinating information!

[Nathan]

By the time I assume you mean 1746. The Jacobite era dates from the last quarter of the 17th century and the Gov't tartan certainly didn't exist then. In fact, there's actually no surviving contemporary evidence it being wore before c1758.

Thanks for the clarification, Peter. Given the circumstances of the time, that would be a very important 13 years.

N

[J Ross]

It has been amazing to read the responses here. I appreciate the context that has been provided. It's easy when first learning of this section of history to run wild with ideas and hyperbole,creating links when there are none. Sometimes it is as simple as McCarrot running away with Lady MacOnion to Strawberry Fields. I did decide on the Ross Hunting Modern after the Jacobite Info.

It surely has provided me with several new rabbit holes to decide whether or not to plunder. What a wonderful community on this site.