Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 35.djvu/108

MacGregor clared that while circumstances had forced him 'to take part with the adherents of the Pretender,' he had 'sent his Grace the Duke of Argyll all the intelligence' he could 'from time to time of the strength and situation of the rebels' (ib.) He was, however, apprehended, and was for some time confined in Newgate. In January 1727 he was carried, handcuffed with James, lord Ogilvie (d. 1735), to Gravesend to be transported to Barbados, but before the ship sailed they were pardoned (Weekly Journal, 24 Jan. 1727, quoted in, London in Jacobite Times, li. 18-19). For the remainder of his life he lived peacefully at Balquhidder, his most eventful experience being a duel with Stewart of Invernahyle, to settle a dispute between the Maclarens and MacGregors regarding the possession of the farm of Invernenty. His opponent had the advantage of youth and wounded Rob in the arm. In his later years Rob was converted to Catholicism. He died on Saturday, 28 Dec. 1734 (Caledonian Mercury, quoted in, Domestic Annals, iii. 624), and was buried in the churchyard of Balquhidder. His testament dative, given up by his widow, Mary MacGregor of Campbell, and confirmed 6 Feb. 1735, is printed in Fraser's 'Red Book of Monteith,' ii. 449-50.

By his wife Helen Mary, daughter of MacGregor of Oomar, he had five sons : Coll, Ronald, James, Duncan, and Robert. Not long after his father's death Robert shot Maclaren of Invernenty when at the plough. He absconded, and his two brothers, James and Ronald, were brought to trial for the murder, but escaped on a verdict of not proven. Robert enlisted in the 42nd regiment, and after obtaining his discharge lived in the MacGregor country without molestation. James distinguished himself on the side of the Pretender in the '46, and was attainted of high treason, but succeeded by some secret means in making his peace with the government. James, Duncan, and Robert were accused of forcibly abducting Jean Key or Wright, a young widow (who had inherited some property by the death of her husband), from her house at Edinbellie, Balfron, Stirlingshire, 3 Dec. 1750, and compelling her to marry Robert. James was tried for his share in the crime on 13 July 1752. The jury brought in a special verdict of guilty under extenuating circumstances, but while the import of the verdict was under discussion he made his escape, and being outlawed went to France, where he died in great poverty in October 1754. Duncan, who was tried on 15 Jan. 1753, was found not guilty. Robert, who was apprehended in May 1753, and tried on 24 Dec. following, was condemned to death, and executed on 14 Feb. (Trials of James, Duncan, and Robert MacGregor, three sons of the celebrated Rob Roy, before the High Court of Justiciary in the years 1752, 1758, and 1754).

There is an engraving of Rob Roy in K. Macleay's 'Memoirs,' from a painting at one time in the possession of Mr. Buchanan of Arden. An engraving from a picture by J. B. Macdonald, R.S.A., in the possession of R. P. Greff of Coles Park, Hertfordshire, is prefixed to Millar's ' History.' A notice of various relics is given in Appendix to Millar's 'History.'  McGRIGOR, JAMES, M.D. (1771–1858), army surgeon, born at Cromdale, Inverness-shire, 9 April 1771, was eldest of the three sons of Colquhoun McGrigor, merchant, of Aberdeen, and his wife Anne, daughter of Lewis Grant of Lathendrey in Strathspey, Inverness-shire. He was educated at the grammar school at Aberdeen, and afterwards entered the Marischal College, where he graduated M.A.in 1788. He studied medicine at Aberdeen and at Edinburgh, and after his return to Aberdeen in 1789, while an apprentice to Dr. French, physician to the county infirmary, he was one of the founders of a local medico-chirurgical society among the students, which survives as the'ehief medical society in the north of Scotland. Desiring to become an army surgeon, he went to London, where he attended Mr. Wilson's lectures on anatomy, and after the outbreak of war with France obtained, by purchase through the regimental agent, the post of surgeon to De Burgh's regiment, an Irish corps then being raised, 