[MOIR (James).]

[Twenty-five letters addressed to the Jacobite Moir.]

JACOBITE RISING OF 1745

Manuiscript in ink, all on laid paper. Some still with the wax seals, a few with minor tears or lacking small pieces. 3 October, 1745 to 23 March, 1748, 1745.

£1,250.00

James Moir of Stonywood (1710-84) was a descendant of an ancient family who settled in Aberdeenshire. Moir was devoted to Prince Charles Edward Stuart, and during the Jacobite rising of 1745, Moir raised a battalion of men known as “Stonywood’s Regiment” to fight for James Francis Edward Stuart’s restoration to the British throne.

After the uprising’s failure, Moir fled Scotland; he settled in Gothenburg, Sweden, where he entered into trade. Moir had by this time changed his name to Jamieson to ensure his safety, as he had been specifically excluded from the Act of Indemnity of 1747. He was only allowed to return to Scotland in 1762.

These letters offer fascinating insight into this turbulent time in Moir’s life - from his involvement in the Jacobite rising to his activities in Gothenburg as a merchant. They shed light on to Moir’s network of friends, some of whom aided him in his escape from Scotland. Many are letters of business from Scotland, showing that Moir’s friends helped support him in his endeavours after fleeing the country.

The letters are as follows, with many addressed to “James Jameson [alternatively Jamison or Jameison], Merchant in Gottenbergh” (only different addresses noted):

(1) Addressed to James More of Stonnywood, from John Forbes. Small folio. 1 1/2pp. Aberdeen, dated 3 Oct. 1745.

(2) Addressed to James More of Stonnywood, “presently at Edinburgh”, from John Alexander. Small folio. 2pp. Aberdeen, dated 11 Oct. 1745.

(3) Addressed to James Moar, Merchant in Gottenburg, from William Urquhart. 4to. 1 1/2pp. Frasersburgh, dated 21 April 1747. Urquhart served as a Captain in the uprising. A letter of business, with a personal note: “This [letter] comes alongst with my son, Will: who has an inclination to push for his fortune abroad […]. [I] was advised by some of your & my best friends to send him over, persuading myself you would do your utmost service in procuring some business for him.”

(4) Letter from the same. Small 4to. 1 1/2pp. Ibid., dated the same as the preceding. With a personal note: Urquhart hopes that “by this time your Lady is with you”; Moir’s wife Margaret was only able to join him in Gothenburg after some time.

(5) Addressed to James Tayliour, Merchant in Gottenburg, from the same as the preceding. Small folio. 1pp. Ibid., dated 25 April 1747. It is unclear if Tayliour was also a pseudonym taken on by Moir, though the contents of the letter would suggest so (as they are similar to those of the preceding).

(6) From the same and James Whyte. 8vo. 1pp. Ibid., dated 21 July 1747. White served as a lieutenant in the uprising.

(7) Letter from Alexander Donaldson, “alias White”. 8vo. 2pp. Koningberg, dated 8 June 1747.

(8) Addressed to James Jacobsons (a nod to Moir’s Jacobite past?) Merchant in Gottenburgh, from Thomas Erskyne. 4to. 2 1/2pp. Scotland, dated 15 May 1747. Erskine was secretary to King James V and had been involved in the Rebellion of 1715. Due to his involvement in the previous rebellion, he did not take an active part in the rising of 1745, though he did contribute monetarily to the cause.

(9) Letter from George Elphinstone. 4to. 1pp. Halmstade, dated 15 May 1747.

(10) Letter from George Forbes. Small folio. 2 1/4pp. Aberdeen, dated 16 June 1747. Forbes was involved in the uprising of 1745.

(11) Letter from Alexander Bannerman. Folio. 1pp. Aberdeen, dated 26 June 1747. Bannerman was also involved in the rising, and he aided Moir in his escape from Scotland. Tears, no loss.

(12) Letter from Bannerman and Forbes. Small folio. 1pp. Ibid., dated 15 July 1747.

(13) From George Forbes. 4to. 2pp. Aberdeen, 13 Aug. 1747.

(14) Letter from I. Smith. 4to. 1/2pp. Copenhagen, dated 29 Aug. 1747.

(15) Letter from James Craufurd. 4to. 1pp. Rotterdam, dated 31 Aug. 1747.

(16) Letter from Moir’s brother, Charles (who was also a part of the Jacobite rising of 1745). Small 4to. 1pp. Maslerland (?), dated 5 Sept. 1747.

(17) Letter from Thomas Moreman. Small 4to. 1pp. Aberdeen, dated 10 Sept. 1747.

(18) Letter from J. Stuart. 4to. 2pp. Berlin, dated 4 & 5 Nov. 1747.

(19) Letter from Murd. Mackenzie. 8vo. 2 1/2pp., with separate sheet with address. Dated 7 Nov. 1747. Perhaps from a relative, as Moir’s wife was Margaret Mackenzie.

(20) Letter from Robert Sandilands (?). Small 4to. 1 1/2pp. Dated 3 Dec. 1747.

(21) Letter from George Calanach. 4to. 1/2pp. London, dated 4 Dec. 1747.

(22) Letter from I. Bettie (?). Small 4to. 2pp. Aberdeen, dated 5 Dec. 1747.

(23) Letter from George Forbes. Small folio. 1pp. Ibid., dated 22 Dec. 1747.

(24) Letter from Robert Arbuthnot. 4to. 1pp. Peterhead (?), dated 23 March 1748.

(25) Letter to Charles Irvine, Merchant in Gotenbere, from Alexander Gordon. Small 4to. 1pp. Dated 7 Sept. 1747. Though not directly connected to Moir, the Gothenburg connection, as well as the letter’s mention of “Major General Stuart” would indicate a link to Moir.

Stock No.
257338