Jacobite Memorabilia from Tornaveen House

The land at Tornaveen was bought in 1670 and has been in the same family ever since. An influential family in Aberdeenshire, their strong roots to the Jacobite cause were through the Clans of Fraser and Farquharson. In addition, the family also have longstanding connections with the MacDonalds of Uist and their daughter Flora Macdonald, whose association with Bonnie Prince Charlie is renowned.

LOT 291 | COLONEL JAMES ALEXANDER GRANTE (ACTIVE 1745-6) | RARE JACOBITE MAP OF GREAT BRITAIN 1745-6, PUBLISHED CIRCA 1749
engraving and etching, printed on paper, being a map of the routes, battles and sieges of the campaign of Prince Charles Edward Stuart in Great Britain, 1745-6 (Jacobite Rebellion (1745-6)), titled A CHART/ Wherein are mark’d all the different Routs of P. Edward in Great Britain, and the Marches of his Army, and the English. The Sieges are distinguish’d, and the Battles that were Fought in this Enterprise [process]/ This Chart with the Book will be very useful in History, the Dates of the principle Events, being marked with the greatest care and exactness./ More care has been taken in this Chart to mark out the motions of the Armies / than to make an exact Geographical Description of the Counties: An / old Map of Morden was our Model, as being proper for the Design. INSCRIB’D – to all –The HONEST | 63.7cm x 41.5cm | Sold for £5,000*

View Lot 291 ⇒

These connections have created a family tree with an assortment of interesting branches; from John Henderson of Caskieben (1743-1825) and his first wife, a Farquharson who died in 1788 and their son Alexander Farquharson Henderson, who bequeathed a substantial amount to Marischal college in Aberdeen. The initial line of succession ended with Alexander, however with John Henderson’s second marriage to Alexia MacDonald the line continued through their son, Captain John Henderson-MacDonald of Caskieben (1819- 1894) who served with the 78th Highlanders (latterly known as the Seaforth Highlanders). He placed great deal of importance on his Jacobite heritage, hence the addition of his mother’s maiden name, Macdonald – his mother herself a descendant of Flora MacDonald. The vast array of correspondence exploring these familial connections with the MacDonald’s of Uist only further illustrates the Captain’s interest in this lineage which he held in such high regard.

LOT 294 | A MID 18TH CENTURY SCOTTISH STEEL AND SILVER FLINTLOCK SCROLL BUTT HIGHLAND BELT PISTOL | BY JOHN CAMPBELL OF DOUNE
with rounded cock (replacement ) the signed lock in script, silver wire detail interlaced on butt, three stage barrel fluted breech, flared muzzle (blocked barrel) blank silver escutcheons belt hook and ramrod | Sold for £4,000*

View Lot 294 ⇒

For an ardent Jacobite to find such a lineage to Flora MacDonald who, at only 24, became the heroine of the Jacobite cause was no doubt a thrilling discovery. As is often discussed, she met Bonnie Prince Charlie when he arrived on the island of South Uist, evading Government troops after his defeat at the battle of Culloden. Coming from a family with split Jacobite / Hanoverian allegiances to some she seemed an unlikely ally. Against many of our families wishes, she helped the Prince escape into exile and the travelled from Uist alongside two servants and a crew of six boatmen; the Prince famously disguised as Betty Burke, an Irish spinning maid. They set sail in a small boat from Benbecula in 1746, to Skye. After hiding overnight in a cottage, the Prince was able to get a boat to the island of Raasay from Portree and, from there, safe passage back to France. They were never to meet again, however before they parted ways Charles is said to have presented Flora with a locket containing his portrait.

LOT 298 | A VICTORIAN 78TH HIGHLANDERS OFFICER'S DIRK | BLADE SIGNED BUCKMASTER, LONDON
the carved black wood handle with basket weave and feather bonnet, with collet set paste to pommel, the blade etched with regimental insignia and battle honours, the leather covered scabbard with gilt metal thistle and St Andrew mount set with bi knife and fork | Overall length 48cm | Sold for £4,250*

View Lot 298 ⇒

Captain Henderson-MacDonald’s commitment to preserving the legacy of the Jacobite’s and his family lineage is further illustrated when he bequeathed 1,000 for the building of a statue in Inverness, commemorating Flora Macdonald and her part in the ’45. Newspaper reports in 1899 record the unveiling by his daughter Alexia Beatrice Mary de dombal Flora Fraser (nee Macdonald 1859-1938). She married Francis Fraser, bringing another great Jacobite name to the family. Alexia Beatrice and her husband continued to preserve the collection and it is perhaps through the Fraser connection that the Lord Lovat mirror, lot 290, another fascinating item, found its way to Tornaveen. Alexia and Francis’s family continued this tradition to current vendor, their Great Granddaughter.

LOT 290 | JACOBITE INTEREST - SIMON FRASER, 11TH LORD LOVAT; GEORGE II DRESSING MIRROR | MID-18TH CENTURY
japanned and gilt-painted wood, mirrored glass, possibly later, with later 19th-century cresting and feet, stamped to rear of frame and backplate VI, bears printed label ...The last criminal beheaded in England was Lord Lovat, who was executed on Tower Hill, April 19th, 1747 and with a hand-written label inscribed Lord Lovat's dressing glass./ To think of him looking into it, and admiring himself! The old Wretch!/ H. A. N (?).; together with a FRAMED CARTOON of Lord Lovat, after William Hogarth, 14.5cm x 10cm (Qty: 2) | Sold for £1,750*

View Lot 290 ⇒

The lots that featured in our 2021 auction were in the family collection since the 18th century and by direct descent had been in situ at Tornaveen House.

*All sold prices include buyer's premium. 

Auction Information

SCOTTISH WORKS OF ART & WHISKY

Wednesday 18 August 2021

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Jacobite, Stuart & Scottish Applied Arts

Held once a year, every August, our specialist auction that showcases the cross section of the arts of the Jacobite period that played such an important role within the movement; from the traditional portraits, miniatures, fine silver, antique arms and rare manuscripts to the romantic and provoking relics of the rebellion and people within.

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