This report, letter, war record, will etc., was given my father,
John W. Kincaid by Mrs J.S.(Laura Kincaid) Blake,family accepted
authority, from Kincaid, West Virginia. I retyped the basic report,
but a digital scan of my photocopy can be furnished for serious
researchers.
KINCAID CLAN
The clan, or feudal system, originated about the 9th Century
at the time when the barbarians had conquered so many of the
civilized Roman provinces. It seems to be the result of the
fusion of the races, the result of a natural influence. This
institution was not peculiar to Scotland. It prevailed in every
European country of importance from the 9th to the 13th century
- Germany, France, and England.
The country to enjoy, or endure, the system longest was
Scotland where it was in vigor until 1745, when the disarming act
took effect. The system still exists as a legal institution.
Originally, a clan was a body of men believing themselves
descended from the same stock. The Chief occupied a castle to
which all members of the clan were welcome. The individuals who
composed the clan were vassals in name, but their blood relation
to the Chief made them his equals in birth. The feeling between
Chief and clansman was very strong. In many cases where the Chief
was banished, several members of the clan suffered voluntary
exile that they might minister to the wants of their Chief.
Of all the clans, doubtless clan Alpine or MacAlpine is of
oldest origin.
In 1745, during the reign of George II in England, the clan
system came to an end. Among the several acts passed were the
disarming acts that disarmed the Highlanders and forbid the
wearing of the tartan. The acts caused many to leave the home of
their birth and come to the United States. During the reign of
George III, the act forbidding wearing the tartan was repealed.
Today, the tartan and kilt are worn only as dress and holiday
occasions.
Associated with each clan was a particular martial tune; a
slogan or war cry, and a badge. (The badge was a flower or plant
found in the section occupied by the clan - usually worn in the
cap). The MacAlpine badge is a pine tree. Present national badge
of Scotland is the thistle. In the writing of Sir Walter Scott,
much is of the Highlanders and alludes to members of the early
family from which the Kincaids descended.
The following reference book:
1. Campsie Parish by John Cameron
2. Burton's history of Scotland, vol II
3. Leirguard's history of England
4. Chamber's Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Scotsmen
5. Nimrod's history of Stirlingshire
Much of the early history of the Kincaids which I have was
obtained by correspondence with Peter Kincaid of Scotland, now
deceased.
The Kincaids are among the oldest Scottish families,
tracing their ancestry from Alpine, first king of Scotland, and
from the Norman French.
Until the year 814, the Scots and Picts, the two principal
Scottish races, were constantly at war among themselves. In the
year 814, Alpine, king of the Scots, defeated the Picts, but was
slain the same year. After about ten years, he was succeeded by
his son, Kenneth MacAlpine, as king of the Scots. His territory,
included the Shires of Dumbarton, Argyll, and Stirling, the
latter being the home of the Kincaids (Stirlingshire).
Line of descent from Daird, who died 1219, leaving children,
John, later Earl of Chester; Margaret, who married Alan of
Galway; Isabella, who married Robert Bruce, Sr., and Ada, who
married Henry Hasting. In 1233, John de Balial married
Devergayll, daughter of Alan of Galway and wife, Margaret.
Christine, daughter of Alan of Galway and Margaret, married
William des Fortes, son of the Earl of Albemare and one of their
sons married a daughter of Maldwin, Fourth Earl of Lennox.
The first born of direct descent from the head of the clan
was always Chief, unless disqualified for leadership.
One way by which families were known was in the case of the
landed gentry, by the name of their property - as Francis, who
took the name of Kincaid from the name of his land - a 30,000
acre tract given him for leading a group of 30 men and recovering
Stirling Castle from the English. (This land lies in the Parish
of Campsie, County of Lennox, Stirlingshire - not far from
Glasgow). That family played an important part in the history of
Scotland.
Feudal chief, known as Lairds, of that Ilk.
The following church and court records will show the line of
descent:
1448 - Robert Kincaid was a witness to a charter granted
June 29th to Janet de Pentown.
Issue (child of Robert): Donald
1464 - Donald Kincaid Laird of that Ilk and Robert, son of
Donald, were witnesses to instruments in favor of Janet Stewards
of Albany of the lands of Baldarana, January 17th.
Issue: David, Robert, James
1486 - David Kincaid of that Ilk, witness to a charter
granted John Hamilton of Bardony to his son of the lands of
Balinkers County, Stirling, dated at Stirling, March 24th.
Issue: William, John, Janet who married Sir Alex Monteith.
William Kincaid was Laird of that Ilk in 1493. In that year
he was a witness to a charter granted by John Lindsey to David,
his son and heir of the lands of Erlia, Grohart County, dated at
Edinburgh, July 8th.
Besides his son, Patrick, whose daughter carried the Lands
of Kincaid to her cousin and husband, Tomas.
William's two sons: John and Peter to whom January 30, 1516,
letter of libitination was granted (Reg, Section Sig) 15th of
February. King James III granted a Carta to John de Kincaid and
his heirs of the lands of Boneside, a third part of the lands of
Hiltclaff and two cases of land by the hospital of St. Marie
Magdaline; the other by Blaknes Castle, County Linlithgow, all
resigned by Thomas de Walterstonne (RMS-955).
The lands of Bunaside, County Linlithgow, were resigned by
John and Tomas Kincaid in 1469 (RMS-L 1834).
Issue: Thomas
Thomas Kincaid Burgess of Edinburgh (RMS 1-1861). See Thomas
in next generation. His wife's name not on record.
Thomas Kincaid of that Ilk, who married Elisabeth Kincaid in
1506 at Linlithgow, July 3d. King James the IV granted a Charter
to Thomas Kincaid, son of Thomas Kincaid Burgess of Edinburgh,
and his heirs of the lands of Craglemart, with the tower, County
Edinburgh, which Patrick Kincaid of that Ilk personally resigned
(Life tenement reserved to Patrick and his wife, Egidie Ronstown
(RMS 1-2861).
In 1506, Thomas Kincaid and Elizabeth, his spouse of that
Ilk, mentioned in a charter granted to the Earl of Lennox to John
Stirling of Cragbernard, dated 24th day of May (RMS 1-3237).
In 1515, Thomas Kincaid of that Ilk, a witness to a letter
of reversion by John Lord Fleming of Bard, granting the lands,
Auchinreach and Auchtermony, lying in the Shire of Striveling,
dated 13the December. (Wigtown Charters No. 261).
In 1524, an instrument taken at the place, Drumeseer, upon
Thomas Kincaid of that Ilk, his going there and giving Catharine
Frissell, lady Freda and the write evidence of the lands of John
Tweedle of Drumelseer and his son for releasing the three
gentlemen, above-named (number 463), who were pledged of the said
Malcolm, Lord Fleming lying there in captivity. This was done at
the place of Drumelseer, the said 25th of November. (Wigtown
Charters No. 465).
In 1531, Thomas of that Ilk and Edward were witnesses to a
charter by Malcolm, Lord Fleming, to Robert Innes of Invermarky,
dated at Edinburgh, 31st of May (RMS-1 1348).
Issue: James, Edward
Elisabeth Kincaid, wife of Thomas, was a daughter of
Patrick Kincaid of that Ilk.
James V granted a charter to Thomas Kincaid of that Ilk and
Margaret Setown, his wife, of the Lands of Craglokhart, County
Edinburgh (RMS 1-1348).
In 1545 Thomas Kincaid of that Ilk was a witness to the
visit of Foundation of Collegiate Church of Bigger by Malcolm,
Lord Fleming, dated 16th January (Wigtown Charters 529).
Issue: Richard, Malcolm, George and Marion.
James Kincaid, son and apparent heir of Thomas Kincaid of
that Ilk, and Richard Kincaid were witnesses to a charter of
Malcolm, Lord Fleming, to John, his son, dated at Edinburgh,
299th September (RMS 17-2502).
In 1571, James Kincaid of that Ilk, James Younger of
Kincaid, Malcolm Kincaid of Kinkell and their retainers made an
attack on the Lennox of Wadhell. (This copied just as the Scotch
record is written).
The Stirlings attacked the Kincaids in June 1581; killed
Malcolm Kincaid, son of the Laird and nephew of Malcolm mentioned
above.
Issue: James, Malcolm, Isabelle, who married Thomas Peebles,
died 1619.
James Kincaid, who became Laird about 1584, died 1604. His
tombstone has the Kincaid Armor bearings and this inscription:
"Heir lyis one Honorabil man, James Kincaid, of that Ilk
Wha desist ye 13th of Febrover, Anne 1604"
(Parish of Campsie, Page 68)
In 1574 at helrude House, 15th of February, James VI granted
a charter to James Kincaid, son of heir apparent of James Kincaid
of that Ilk and Christine Leslie, his spouse of the land of
Graglekhart with tower, Furtalice, Manor (occupied by Stevin
Kincaid), County Edinburgh (Reg. Mag. Sib. III-2139). This is the
register of the Great Seal and is herein designated RMS).
In 1532, charter by James Kincaid, younger of that Ilk and
of Graglekhart, with consent of Christine Leslie, his spouse, in
favor of Stevin Kincaid, pertioner of Broughton in life rent and
of Robert Kincaid, his seond son and his heirs. Male, etc. of an
annual rent of 120 acres from the lands of Graglekhart manor,
posse, etc. to be held blench of the charter. Dated at Edinburgh,
9th of September.
Witnesses: Edward Kincaid, Burgess of Edinburgh; Robert
Kincaid Wrother - German of Stevin.
Seals attached, the first a fess, ermine between two mullets
in Chief and a castle triple towered in lease (Laing Charters No.
1047).
Issue: James, Robert, William, Patrick, Margaret, who
married Alex Johnstone and died 1732
Stephen and John, who went to Ireland; Christie Leslie,
mentioned above, wife of James Kincaid.
Sir Robert Hamilton of Girlington - in 1609 at Edinburgh,
19th of May.
James VI granted a charter to Sir Robert Hamilton of
Coalington of the land of Craglokhart. James Kincaid de iadem
Militon, the late James Kincaid de sodem militem, his father and
the late James Kincaid de sodem aurem (uncle) are all mentioned
in the charter.
James Kincaid Laird fromn 1604 died January 1l8, 1645. He
married Lady Margaret, daughter of Sir Robert Hamilton. In 1609
at Edinburgh, 13th of July, James VI granted a charter to George
Fouillie of the land of Craglokhart, resigned by James Kincaid of
that Ilk.
Issue: James, G. V. David, John, William, Thomas
James Kincaid Laird of that Ilk died about 1700. He was
succeeded by his son, John - his sons: David, William, Thomas
came to Pennsylvania in 1715 and with them their nephew, John,
who became know in Penn. as John the Clerk and whose son, John,
setled in Virginia, called John the Weaver. John Laird of that
Ilk had a younger son, Alexander who was pharmcist of Edinburgh.
His sons: Samuel, George, Robert, and James came to America in
1745; all of who settled in Virginia.
Samuel and George were married and brought their family to
America with them. Samuel had a son, John, who was about 9 years
of age when he came to America. He married Ann Grehan in 1759 and
in March 1760 their son, John Hr., was born in Amerst County,
Virginia.
In 1774 John and Ann moved to Bath County, and in 1784 they
moved to what is now Monroe County, West Virginia, where they
spent the remainder of their lives on Indian Creek. (Buried there
their son, John Jr., who married Elizabeth Galespie; served in
Revolution).
The son, John, later moved to what is now Fayette County.
(Big Creek which empties into Gauley, 2 miles above Gauley
Bridge).
They had a large family: Samuel, Mathew, James Galespie,
William, Sallie, Terry, Nancy Hughs, Magdalin Wyatt, Margaret
Ingram, Hannah Watts, Polly Burgess, Virginia Kincaid, who
married her cousin, William Kincaid, son of Samuel Kincaid, who
lived on Lick Creek near Meadow Bridge.
He had a brother, Thomas Kincaid, who lived on Lick Creek, a
brother, James, who lived at Grassy Meadows, a brother, Mathew,
who lived where town of Lowell now is, and a brother, Lanty, who
lived on Lick Creek.
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