William MacGayhaye

William MackGayhaye was born William McGregor. He was the son of Patrick MacGregor of Ardchoille (called Aberach after his father). Patrick was the Chieftain of the Children of the Mist and is said to have fought under Montrose at Kilsyth in 1645.

William's mother was Marion McDonald of Auchatrichatan in Glencoe member of the family of the MacDonalds of Glencoe

In the latter half of the 16th Century this branch of the Clan led such wild and hunted lives in the misty mountains that they became known as MacEagh or “Sons of the Mist.” It may be that it is from this Gaelic patronym that James MacGregor took the name MacGehee.

The above information comes from a letter written to Gregor MacGregor
of MacGregor. Sir Gregor (1925-2003) was Chief of Clan Gregor for some 44 years before his death March 30, 2003 in Dundee, Scotland. He was succeeded by his son, now 24th Chief, Major Sir Malcolm MacGregor.

A Letter from the 23rd Clan Chief
Published in McGehee Descendants* Volume I

LIEUTENANT COLONEL SIR GREGOR MacGREGOR OF MacGREGOR, BART.
SCOTS GUARDS

BRITISH LIAISON OFFICER
UNITED STATES ARMY INFANTRY CENTER
Fort Benning, Georgia 31905
404/545-3434

2nd February 1970


The following information comes from, http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~guinevere60/mcg/pafg10.htm and http://mcgeheezone.com/family/index.php/mcgeheeclan/content/timeline/


There is an oath of allegiance dated April 11, 1652 in Virginia State Historical Library
See W.G. Stubbs: Early Settlers of Alabama
William changed his name from James MacGregor in order to be safe in America.

“At a Court held for Yorke County 17 November 1658. William Magahee aged about 40 years saith That hee see ye said Browne bring away the cannoe from ye Landing of Mr. Hawthorne & was goeing downe ye Creeke & Mr. Hawthorne calling after him hee
put hir in at Francis Spurriers landing & there left hir & further saith not.”
sign
William # Magahee

( This would make him about 20 during Montrose's campaign.)

One document states that he was killed by Indians. Another claims that he was scalped by Indians.

He was born about 1618 in Scotland. He died in 1675 in St. John's Parish, King William, VA.

It was also published in Year book of the American clan Gregor Society: containing the proceedings of ...‎ - Page 33
by American Clan Gregor Society - Reference - 2006

Mary McDonald is said to be the daughter of Sir James McDonald, 2nd Baron of Sleat and his second wife Mary Macleod.


Other information from the above website says that:
1653, April 14: York County, Virginia
William MackGahye is listed as a “headright” on a grant of 1000 acres to William Hoccaday. This means MackGahye is indentured to Hoccaday for a term of years, while the indenture accounts for a portion of the land grant to Hoccaday.

Whether or not James was William's given name, it was politically expedient for him to change his surname. The MacGregor clan were proscribed (forbidden by law) from using their name in 1621. This was a continuation into the next generation of a proscription in 1603.Responding to the King’s order to “extirpate Clan Gregor and to ruit oot their posteritie and name,” the Privy Council proscribed the names Gregor and MacGregor and prohibits any MacGregor from carrying arms. And in 1633 members of the clergy are forbidden to christen any child with the name Gregor.


William had two sons:

1. Thomas Mackgehee of St. John’s Parish, King William Co., VA

2. William Mackgehee, born about 1672 in New Kent Co., VA who married Mary Carr.

Patrick MacGregor

McGehee Descenants, by Ethel Clyde Woodall Grider says that Patrick MacGregor supported the Royal cause 1644-45 and he served under Montrose. His wife was Marion MacDonald
This may have been why he was outlawed, as is ascertained in Marks-Barnett families and their kin., by Marion Dewoody Pettigrew 1939.

Alexander McDonald of New Inverness, Georgia: and his descendants‎ - Page 23
by Daniel Huntley Redfearn - Reference - 1954 says, "Patrick MacGregor, Chieftain of that ilk, who led his clansmen unde Montrose in 1645, and was outlawed with his sons. His estates were confiscated---

Gray, Powers, and Their Interelated Families: Descendants of Col. Thomas ...‎ - Page 260
by Edwina Gray Powers Ames, Stanley Richard Ames - Reference - 1992 says that he led 1000 fighting men under Montrose.

Debrett's Barontetage of England, By John Debrett –1839 says, "Patrick MackGregor afterwards joined Montrose in support of the royal cause with above a thousand of his clan, Mr. Nisbet, in mentioning the
loyalists, says, 'The MacGregors also, a clan inferior to none in bravery anc activity, followed their chief, Patrick.'

Patrick was in particular esteem with Montrose, two of whose letters are carefully preserved, addressed to 'His special and trusty friend, the honorable Patrick, Laird of Macgregor:' that great man, in the strongest terms, expressed his hearty approbation of his unshaken loyalty, and assured him that 'His Majesty's affairs being once upon a permanent footing, the grievances of his Family and Clan should be effectually redressed.' But their chief hopes died with this great hero; though they werein consequence of their loyalty, restored to their name, by act of parliament, in the reign of Charles II. Patrick m. Marian, daughter of MacDonald, of Auchatrichatan, chief of the most powerful tribe of MacDonalds in Glenco, by whom he had 3 sons: 1. John; 2. James/William, a major in the army, who went to America, where he married and acquired a great estate. He was at last killed by a party of rebelIndians. But some of his posterity still flourish near New York; 3. Duncan, d. Unm. John the eldest son, was a steady loyalist: he m. Ann, daughter of MacGregor, of Ross.
The same account appears in The New Baronetage of England: Containing, as Well a Concise Genealogical ...‎ - Page 876--1804
Many researchers believe that James MacGregor changed his name to William MackGehee.

Marion MacDonald

Year book of the American Clan Gregor Society‎ - Page 20
by American Clan Gregor Society -1997 shows the marriage of Marion MacDonald to Patrick MacGregor, as does A History and Genealogy of the Habersham Family‎ - Page 9
by Joseph Gaston Baillie Bulloch - 1901 and History of Louisa County, Virginia‎ - Page 386
by Malcolm Hart Harris -1963

History of Louisa County, says that Patrick Ma Gregor supported the royal cause 1644-45 and names a son known as John Murray. McGehee descendants by Ethel Clyde Woodall Grider, Jane Nicholson Grider, agrees as does McKean historical notes: being quotations from historical and other records ...‎ - Page 181
by Frederick George McKean, Cornelius McKean - 1906

She was the daughter of James MacDonald, Mary MacLeod