18
The MacTavish Chiefly line was not involved either as
victim or conqueror in this “cleansing” of the Highlands.
Dugald’s imprisonment had saved the clan not just from
Culloden but from the bloodbath that followed. Thus when
other Highlanders were imprisoned, hanged or bankrupted
for their participation in Culloden, the Thomson clan was not
touched. Their absence from Culloden did not suddenly
neutralize the passions that had driven the clan during a
century of rebellion. That passionate drive to live freely,
worship freely and provide for the welfare of the clan would
soon become the driving force toward immigration.
T
HE
L
INEAGE
In Scotland’s People, Old Parish Registers, there is a
record of a presentation for baptism in August of 1722—
Alexander Thomson by Gabriel Thomson of Corcerhill.
Alexander Thomson (1722-1800), wrote that his father lived
and died in Corkerhill, Paisley, Renfrew, Scotland. It is also
noted in the Renfrew land records that the Corcerhill land
deeded to Alexander at the time of his marriage was signed
by Robert Thomson. The eldest son of Alexander was named
Robert. Alexander wrote about the exploits of his
grandfather, Gabriel. Following the traditional Scottish
naming patterns, which Alexander did follow, it can be
concluded that Alexander’s father was Robert Thomson and
his grandfather was Gabriel.
Bothwell