Page:The Celtic Review volume 3.djvu/234

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THE MACNEILS OF BARRA
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and other lands. According to another account, he was succeeded by Niall Uisteach, and this, I presume, was the case.

XI. Neil, son and successor of Rory the Turbulent, was laird of Barra in 1634. He married Margaret, daughter of Allan Maclean of Ardtomish, and by her had Gilleonan, Murdoch, John, Hector, Neil, and two daughters. Gilleonan succeeded his father in Barra. Murdoch is described by Macvurich in 1648 as a large, handsome, accomplished, and well-brought up man. John married Catherine, daughter of Lachlan Maclean of Torloisk. One of the daughters was married to Ranald Macdonald, second of Benbecula, and had Donald, who became chieftain of the Clan Ranald in 1725. The other daughter was married to Donald, brother of Ranald of Benbecula.

XII. Gilleonan, or Gailleon, married in 1653 Catherine, daughter of John Macdonald of Moydart, and had five children by her, Roderick, John, Margaret, Catherine, and Janet. Roderick succeeded his father; John settled in Kintyre; Margaret was married to James, second son of Alexander Macdonald of Kinlochmoidart; Catherine was married, in 1684, to Captain John Macdonald of Borniskittaig, son of the famous Ciaran Mabach; Janet was married to Hector Og, second son of Donald Maclean of Brolas. The present chief of the Clan Gillean is descended from Janet.

XIII. Roderick obtained a crown charter of Barra in August 1688. He married Isabel, daughter of Sir Norman Macleod of Bernera and grand-daughter of Sir James Macdonald of Sleat, and had by her Roderick, Gilleonan, Donald, James, and Penelope. The daughter was married to Angus Macdonald of Balfinlay, brother of Flora Macdonald.

There is a Barra tradition to the effect that Gilleonan was the eldest son, but that his father did not look upon him as possessing the ability required for managing the estate, and consequently gave it to Roderick. Gilleonan may or may not have been the eldest son. If not the eldest, he was at any rate the second son. He was married and left a