Kintyre People


A genealogical database of individuals who lived in Kintyre during the early modern period, from roughly 1500 CE to 1800 CE.

First Name Last Name
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McAlester, Charles of Tore

McAlester, Charles of Tore

Male - 1741


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  • Name McAlester, Charles
    Suffix of Tore
    Gender Male
    Sasine 19 Mar 1717  Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    A contract of wadset granted to Charles McAlester of Tore by Ronald McAlester of Dunskeig for the 3 merklands of Dunskeig in Kilcalmonell parish for 1400 merks. 
    Sasine 6 Oct 1720  Dunbarton, Dunbartonshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    A contract of wadset granted by Archibald McAlester of Tarbert to Charles McAlester of Tore for a mill located in Kilcalmonell parish and the 3 merkland holding called Ardpatrick located in Kilberry parish. 
    Deed 9 Aug 1726  Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    As the nearest male heir to the deceased Archibald McAlester of Tarbert, through their shared ancestor John Dubh McAlester, Charles was granted and infeft of the following lands by John Campbell, the Duke of Argyll: Ashens, Oriens, Garvolan, Barmore, Auchnasay, and the castle and fortilice of Tarbert.

    Unfortunately, this deed appears to be lost but is specifically mentioned in a Precept of Clare Constant given by Archibald Campbell, the Duke of Argyll, to Charles eldest son, Archibald, who inherited his father's lands and title after his death in 1741. 
    Death 3 Apr 1741  Tarbert, Kilcalmonell parish, Argyll, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5, 6, 7] 
    Person ID I780  Kintyre People
    Last Modified 12 Oct 2026

    Father McAlester, Archibald of Tore
    Mother Unknown, Anonymous
    Family ID F131  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Campbell, Anna
    Marriage 1701  Argyll, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Notes 
    • Online family trees include a son named John who was born at Drumadoon and immigrated to North Carolina, but aside from his baptismal record there is no evidence that he survived into adulthood. His absence from the later sasines indicates that he did not survive, or perhaps there was another couple of the same name living at Drumadoon during the same period.

      The absence of any other baptismal or marriage records for this family in Kilmory parish (in Arran) indicates that they did not live there for any extended period of time. Upon their marriage, the Duke of Argyll granted Charles land in Kilblaan parish (now Southend parish) in Kintyre, and this may explain their absence from the Kilmory parish records.

      Based on the available evidence, I'm not certain that John was their child, but have included him for now.
    Children 
     1. McAlester, Archibald of Tarbert
    +2. McAlester, Mathew   d. 1768, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location
     3. McAlester, John,   c. 18 Oct 1709, Drumadoon, Kilmory parish (Arran), Bute, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location
     4. McAlester, Isobel,   b. 1713, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 23 May 1777, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 64 years)
    +5. McAlester, Ann
     6. McAlester, Jean   d. 28 Mar 1788, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location
    Family ID F134  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 5 Aug 2026

  • Notes 
    • Charles McAlester of Tarbert was listed as the brother german of Coll McAlester, the Baillie of Islay, by Coll's brother, Alexander. See the Eik for Coll McAlester.

      In his will, his son, Matthew, left £50 to an unnamed cousin, the son of his uncle, Alexander McAllister, tacksman in Arran. Alexander was the youngest child of Archibald McAlester and Finuella Boyle. See Register of Deeds, RD2_204_0545.

      On 12 May 1709 Charles McAlister of Cour received the tack to the "2 mkland of Brunerican and 4/1 land of Instreoll as presently possesst by the relict and heirs of milnhouse or their subtenants." Note that this is probably a mistranscription of "Tour" in Arran.

  • Sources 
    1. [S15] Sasine, (National Records of Scotland), RS 10/4/303d.
      RS 10/4/303d

      To Charles McAlester of Tore By Dugall McFarlane baillie, on behalf of Ronald McAlester (CMA R02) of Dunskeig with consent of Coll McAlaster his eldest son and of Alex. McAlaster (of Loup) superior of the lands and Hector McAlaster his eldest son.

      By Disposition: Lands of the 3 merkland of Dunskeig and pertinents in parish of Kilchalmonell. Details of alternative lands given in case of eviction. Ref. to wadset dated 1 Apr. 1700 between Alex. and Ronald McAlester, whereby said Alexr. granted wadset of lands to said Donald (must mean Ronald) for 1400 merks contained in heritable bond for annual rent of lands of Miln of Senochill. Wits. to Disposition: Hector McKeill (McNeill) of Lossit son of, Lachlan (McNeill) of Tirfeargus, Robert Chalmers writer in Campbellown, Ferquhard Campbell. Wits: Archd. McAllaster son of Loup, John McAlester in Achdoduncan, Ferquhard Canpbell brother of Laggenlochan, Donald McAlester Taylor in Campbeltoune (sic). Disposition dated: 2 Feb. 1717 Instrument dated: 2 Feb. 1717 reg.: 19 Mar. 1717

    2. [S15] Sasine, (National Records of Scotland), 466 recto - 467 recto.
      Folios 466 recto - 467 recto
      At Dunbarton 6th October 1720
      The Sasine underwritten was presented That upon the 13th August 1720 Compeared personally Iver McIlchear in Ardpatrick as procurator for and in name and behalf of Charles McAllester of Tore in whose favour the disposition in the Contract of Wadsett aftermentioned is made and granted and past with Donald Blue, Gardiner in Ardpatrick as Baillie in that part.

      Having and holding in his hand a Contract of Wadsett dated 11th August current and containing the Precept of Seasine after insert, made and past betwixt Alex. R. McAlester of Loup heritable proprietor of the lands with advice and consent of Mrs. Jean Campbell his lady and Hector McAlester their eldest lawful son for any right of liferent or fee respectively they may have, as also with the special advice and consent of Sir James Campbell of Auchinbreck, Sir James Campbell of Ardkinglass, Angus and Colin Campbells elder & younger of Skipridge, Ronald McAlester of Balnakill, John & Moses McDonalds sons in law to Loup, Archibald McAlester of Tarbet, friends, trustees, managers & overseers of the estate and affairs of the said Alex R. & Hector McAlesters (agreed by Articles of Settlement and agreement betwixt them dated 27th February last by past - they are not to take or make debts on the estate or grant any more heritable security by which the estate may be burdened) on the one part and the said Charles McAlester on the other part whereby for the sum of 1800 merks Scots paid by the said Charles McA. To the said Alex. R. McAlester of Loup, the latter did Wadsett, sell and dispone to him and his heirs heritably but redeemably, all and whole the one merk land of [?] miln lying in the parish of Killcalmanell, with houses, biggings (etc.) and all and whole the three merk land of Ardpatrick with houses, biggings, yeards (etc.) lying in the parish of Killberry together with the miln thereof (etc.)

      Written on date and at place aforementioned before these witnesses Coll McAllester son (?) of Ballmakill, Donald Carmichael, servitor to the said Arch D. McAllester of Tarbet, and the said Robert Chambers and Wm. McKinley. Signed: A. McAlaster, Jean Campbell, Hector McAllester.

      Possession given to the said Charles McAllester via Iver McIlchear on day and month and year aforesaid in presence of Arch D. and John McAllesters, sons of Loup, and Wm. McKinley, servitor to me [Robert Chalmers, Notary Public].

    3. [S20] Precept of Clare Constant, (National Records of Scotland), 489 verso - 490 verso.
      At Dunbarton the 15th June 1748 = Handwritten in Latin

      The Sasine afterwritten was presented.That upon the 26th April 1748 Compeared personally Colonel Dugald Campbell in Erskin, Attorney for and in name of Archibald McAllister of Tarbert and Alexr. Thomson a precept of Clare Constat given by Archibald, Duke of Argyll, in favour of Archibald McAllister now of Tarbert lawful and nearest heir male of the deceast Charles McAllister of Toir his father lands of Ashens, Oriens, Garvolan, Barmore and Auchnasay and Castle and fortilice of Tarbert - the Charter/Deed dated 9th August 1726 by John Duke of Argyll and Greenwich in favour of the said deceast Charles MacAlister and his heirs male (etc), failing whom the nearest heir male descended from John MacAllister Attavo(?) the late Archibald MacAllister of Tarbert (that is to say his fore Grandfathers Grandfather) [sic]. And which said Archibald MacAllister is the lawful and nearest heir male of the said late Charles McAllister his father.
      This document proves that Charles McAlester was infeft of the Tarbert estate in 1726 as the nearest male heir to the deceased Archibald McAlester of Tarbert, via their shared common ancestor John Dubh McAlester, who was Archibald's attavo (his grandfather's grandfather). Their exact genealogical relationship is unknown.

    4. [S17] Monumental Inscriptions.
      Transcription:
      "S.M.
      Caroli McAlister
      de Tarbert
      Qui obiit 3° Ap[ril] 1741
      Ætat[is]
      Anna Campbell
      Filia Gualteri Campbell
      de Skipness
      Tum ejus conjux
      hoc monumentum
      posuit”

      Translation:
      "Sacred to the memory of Charles McAlister of Tarbert, who died 3rd April 1741, aged [—], [and] Anna Campbell, daughter of Walter Campbell of Skipness, then his wife, [who] erected this monument."
      Monumental inscriptions. Scotland. Tarbert Parish Churchyard, Argyll, Scotland. 3 April 1741. McAlister, Caroli. Photo added by James Adam. Memorial: 171617065. https://www.findagrave.com/ : accessed 3 August 2026.

    5. [S9] Testamentary Records, 144–145.
      CC2/3/11
      Testament Dative for Charles McAlester of Tarbert
      18 Dec 1741

    6. [S9] Testamentary Records, 166–167.
      "...the time of his decease which was the sixteenth day of April 1741"
      CC2/3/11
      Eik for Charles McAlester of Tarbert
      13 Feb 1746

    7. [S21] Edicts of Executry and Curatory, (National Records of Scotland).
      CC2/8/35/10 - 09 Dec 1741
      Charles McAlester (Charles McAlister) of Tarbert

    8. [S15] Sasine, (National Records of Scotland), 237 verso - 238 verso.
      Folios 376 verso - 377 verso
      At Dunbarton the 15th Septr. 1703 That upon the 11th September 1703
      Compeared personally Charles McAlester of Tor and also Angus Campbell, younger of Skipness, as attorney for Anna Campbell, spouse to the said Charles McAlester, holding a Contract of Marriage made between the said Charles McAlester on the one part, and Walter Campbell of Skipness, elder, Father to the said Angus-Skipness younger for themselves and as burden taker for the said Angus Campbell therein designated lawful daughter and sister to the saids Walter and Angus Campbells and the said Anna herself.
      The said Charles McAlister and Archibald McAlester of Tarbet and the said Angus Campbell of Skipness provide to the said Charles and Ann, and the longer liver of them, in liferent and their heirs male to be procreat betwixt them dated 10th January 1701.

      Charles has acquired from Archibald, Duke of Argyll, a feu right to all and haill the two merk four shilling land of Bonnorkine and half of Inchreall, the 5 merk land of Inchdalrithe, the merk land of Karnbige, the four merk land of Lussaloch all lying within the parish of Kilbean, Lordship of Kintire, and the eight shilling and one penny land of Ballonagkimaly in the parish of Killcolmikill dated the 30th July last.

      Possession given in presence of Dougall Campbell in Glencordall, Archd. McDonald of Sanda, Malcolm McNeill of Ballemas Colilam in the Kingdom of Ireland, Duncan Flighvith baily of Campbeltown.