Chisholm History

Jacobite Sympathies - 18th Century

The 18th Century is the period of Highland history with which everyone is familiar, and the Chisholm's played their part in support of the Stuarts in the risings of 1715, 1719, and 1745, even uniting with the MacDonalds in loyalty to the Jacobite Cause.

   In 1713 Roderick, who at the age of twenty succeeded his father as chief in 1708 or 1709, married Elizabeth, daughter of MacDonell of Glengarry. In the rising of 1715 Glengarry was one of the earliest and most enthusiastic supporters, and his son-in-law brought two hundred of his clan, under a cousin, John Chisholm of Knockfin, to the Battle of Sheriffmuir. The failure of the rising meant the forfeiture of Roderick's estates - Comar, Invercannick, Breakachy, Knockfin, and the Forest of Affric, with Erchless, Buntait, and Mauld, which were held from Lovat. Whilst Roderick, himself, was proscribed, his eldest son and his brother Alexander of Muckerach, who evidently was not "out" in the rising, were allowed to receive some of the rents due to them. The estate was purchased by Mackenzie of Allangrange, a friend of the family, who in turn granted it to Alexander of Muckerach.

   Some members of the clan took part in the rising of 1719. A landing was made on the west of Scotland, and according to one account, the Chisholms were employed as scouts. They were not present at the Battle of Glenshiel, which ended that Jacobite attempt.

   With a number of other chiefs, Roderick obtained a royal pardon in 1727, but he was never allowed to regain his estates, which his brother administered until 1743, when it was transferred to Roderick's eldest son, Alexander Chisholm, younger of Comar.

   In 1745, Roderick's youngest son Roderick led the clan to follow Prince Charles Edward. This is presumed to be an attempt on his father's part to preserve the family's estate, if things fared ill. A further presumption is that he had his father's consent and possibly his orders, for Chisholm of Comar was not among those who protested the clan was raised against his wishes.

   The Chisholms were not present when the standard was raised in Glenfinnan, and also did not march into England, but remained with the Master of Lovat, harrying government forces in the North, and joined the main army at Stirling in February 1746. It is not known how large this contingent was. Roderick is said to have led eighty Chisholms at the Battle of Culloden. Of the eighty clansmen who charged the Hanoverian army, thirty were killed, including their leader, Roderick, whilst many others were wounded.

   Roderick was not the only member of his family present at Culloden, for two of his brothers, John and James were Lieutenants in the 21st Regiment (Royal Scots Fusiliers) which had been recalled from the Continent to serve under the Duke of Cumberland.