 |
| Flag of Scots rendering by M. McKenzie |
William Colquhoun (c1633-1675)
William Colquhoun was born in Scotland in the 1630s. At about age 16-17, as a Scottish Covenanter, he went to war, joining thousands of his fellow countrymen in support of Charles I and then Charles II against the Commonwealth of England (Republic of England and Wales) in what is known as Third English Civil War.
“Our maine fear to have our religion lost, our throats cutted, our poor countrey made an English province, to be disposed upon for ever hereafter at the will of a Bishop of Canterburie...” (The Letters and Journals of Robert Baillie, 1637-1662, Vol. 1, p. 66).
 |
| Battle of Dunbar. Leslie's Scottish troops (ctr), Cromwell's troops (l&r). English warships at bottom. Artist unknown. Public domain. |
 |
| 17th century English Civil War painting, artist unknown. Photograph courtesy of The McKenzie Family (watermarked). |
William and the several thousand other surviving Scottish soldiers were forced to march over one hundred miles, on foot, to Durham Cathedral, England. More than half of these soldiers died along the way, many of starvation or thirst, others died of injuries, illness, or were killed when trying to escape. Of those who made it to Durham Cathedral to be held prisoner for the winter, many died each day. Reportedly, prisoners of Durham in the past had burned woodwork in order to keep warm. This may have included the imprisoned soldiers of Dunbar (Wallace, 2013, p. 130)
 |
| Flag reportedly carried at the Battle of Dunbar 1650. Public domain. |
 |
| Interior of Durham Cathedral. Author: Oliver-Bonoch. Made available under Creative Commons Share Alike 3.0 license. |
It should be noted that prior to the mid-1600s, most American slaves were considered to be indentured, no matter the shade of their skin. But by 1650 in some parts of America, namely Virginia, lawmakers decided that slaves of color (e.g. Native American and African American) should be made permanent or perpetual slaves and that white slaves should be made to be “indentured” no matter if they were originally forced into slavery (like the Scots of Dunbar) or if they were contracted into “indentured servitude” (such as in order to pay off passage or a prison sentence). By 1705 in Virginia, this was firmly rooted into law. For people like myself, who have researched their ancestors and found that some people of color were free in America as early as the late 1600s, this is why. They (or their parents) will have been indentured originally, and many of them and their descendants remained free. After, 1705, this was an exceedingly rare or non-existent circumstance. Additionally, while some whites were initially forced into slavery, many others were contracted as indentured servants for a limited period (in order to pay off passage or some other debt) but were actually forced into more years of servitude, sometimes permanent slavery. To say the least, the life of a slave was a harsh and often short one (learn more in Maggie Delaney: Her Story). Our William, however, was originally forced into slavery by the English, but somehow became "indentured" when he arrived in America. In his case, the reason may not have been related to changing views or laws, but it may simply have been the choice of the slaveholder. The following text may shed some light:
Extract from a Letter written by Rev. John Cotton to the Lord General Cromwell, dated at "Boston in N.E. 28. of 5th 1651”... (likely in respect to the Scotsmen taken prisoner at the battle of Dunbar, 3 September 1650):
“The Scots, who God delivered into your hands at Dunbarre, and whereof sundry were sent hither, we have been desirous (as we could) to make their yoke easy. Such as were sick of the scurvy or other diseases have not wanted physick and chyrurgery*. They have not been sold for slaves to perpetual servitude, but for 6 or 7 or 8 yeares, as we do our owne; and he that brought the most of them (I heare) buildeth houses for them, for every four an house, layeth some acres of ground thereto, which he giveth them as their owne, requiring 3 dayes in the weeke to worke for him (by turnes) and 4 dayes for them themselves, and promiseth, as soone as they can repay him the money he layed out for them, he will set them at liberty” (New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 1, p. 380).
(*“Physick” refers to medical attention; “chyrurgery” or “chirurgery” refers to surgery.)
(John Cotton (1585–1652) had been a Puritan minister at St. Botolph's Church in Boston since 1612. He was deeply involved in the aftermath of the Battle of Dunbar. He'd also written to Cromwell that the Puritans in Boston were eager to have the Scots work as slaves in the New World. Their mission: to build a larger Puritan society in the Massachusetts Bay Colony with emphasis on hard work and discipline, through use of forced labor imposed upon the Scots. Our William had other plans for his life and religion. Continue reading for more.)
A freeman by 1664, William had purchased land at Block Island, Rhode Island and married Deliverance Peck (1639-1727), with whom he would have seven children between 1663 and 1674. Deliverance was the daughter of Rev. Joseph Peck and Deliverance Bosworth (1616-1675). Joseph Peck was a Puritan leader in Plymouth Colony who along with his brother, Rev. Robert Peck, came to America having fled religious persecution in England (Peck, 1868, p. 14). Joseph was also a purchaser of the land that would become Rehoboth, Massachusetts and was one of Rehoboth's first settlers (Peck, 1868, p. 17).
In 1665, William moved his family to Swansea, Massachusetts, founded as a refuge for Baptists in response to the harsh methods of the Puritans. William (as Wm. Cahoone) was among the first signers admitted to the town (Wright, 1917, p. 49). As cited in Wright, the town had been established under the following terms:
- That no erroneous person be admitted into the township as an inhabitant or sojourner.
- That no man of any evill behaviour or contentious person to be admitted.
- That none may be admitted that may become a charge of the place.
At a town meeting of the townsmen, December 24, 1673, it was agreed upon by and between the townsmen in behalf of the town and William Cohoun brickmaker that for and in consideration of a lot and other accommodations or grantes and given him from the town unto him the said William Cohoun. It was therefore agreed and concluded upon by the parties above as that the said William Cahoun shall supply all the inhabitants of the town with bricks at a price not exceeding twenty shillings a thousand in current pay putting between man and man (Proprietors Book of Grants and Meetings, 1668-1769, Swansea, Massachusetts).
Even after all he faced from the brutality war, captivity and then slavery, William was still willing to risk his life for others. On the evening of 22 June 1675, at about age 42, he was killed doing just that. It was the beginning of what is known as King Phillip's war. King Phillip was another name for Chief Metacomet of the Wampanoag tribe. When the town was attacked and many people were injured or killed, William and his family joined others for safety in the nearby home of John Miles, minister of Swansea, whose house was a garrison for troops. When it was apparent that some of the others would die without medical attention, William and another man set out to get a doctor in the neighboring town of Rehoboth, Massachusetts (Bliss, 1836). They knew that the risk was great, but they took the chance in order to save their friends. Both men were heinously killed. Their bodies were found just a short distance from their destination.
William suffered more pain and tragedy in his young life than anyone should ever bear. And we only know this small part of it. Through it all, he not only managed to survive, but to thrive; to become a successful craftsman, to own land, and start a family. All of this, while thousands of miles from his birth home and from any kin he might have known but was never to see again. We do not know all of the trials he faced. We do not know if his parents had been those former nobles of Luss who'd been exiled for sixteen years; and if so, whether his mother had died, an event which may have sent the boys into battle and that father back to beg for the mercy of his kin. We do know that that former Lord of Luss kept forever secret the events of his time away with the Lady, and that she and any children they may have had during those secretive years were never spoken of again, at least in any written history known of to-date.
We also know that whatever family William had was lost to him in Scotland, and that thousands of Scots fought hard for their freedom, crown, and country. Let us never forget that these were both children and men, nobles and poor men. Arguments flourish over whether William could descend from a noble house and still have been “let” to go to war so young, lest he become hurt or held for ransom. A quick history lesson should ease those thoughts. Unlike many fantasy stories, decidedly few were ever so fortunate to be sheltered away from the likes of war. Speaking specifically of Scotland, nobles (chiefs, lords) and all other able-bodied males were expected to defend their country, and it seems that most proudly did so. It is foolish to imagine that one young man out of the thousands of other young soldiers with noble blood would have been safe from having to participate. And we do know that during that war, every man and boy who was able was needed to fight, and that unfortunately most men and boys available to battle at Dunbar were inexperienced. Furthermore, DNA evidence now confirms that many of these soldiers were in fact only 13-29 years of age, just as William was. It's not a far reach to believe that many of these young men and boys lived within a hundred miles of Dunbar. Such places within that area include Haddington, Luffness, Belford, Edinburgh, Langholm, and even Luss.
Our William was a 17th century Colquhoun of Scotland. Of that we can be proud and sure. And no matter what his parental origins might have been, William Colquhoun remained stouthearted and true, even after all he'd endured, and he cared to help others with utter selflessness and courage, even in the face of the greatest dangers. Nobler roots could not exist.
************
Written by Maria C. McKenzie, a 10th Great-Granddaughter of William Colquhoun and Deliverance Peck through their eldest son Samuel Cahoon.
************
Continuations
William's Possible Parentage
William's parentage is not yet known to have been formally documented. However, there is wide speculation that his parents could be Sir John Colquhoun, 16th of Colquhoun and 18th of Luss, and Lady Katherine Graham, the sister of his legal wife. Firstly, I will note that I've read that William himself said, in his lifetime, that his father was “Sir John Colquhoun”. Currently, I know nothing more about this claim other than it was reportedly referred to in a newsletter published by the official Colquhoun Clan. I don't yet know which issue.
In summary, this Sir John was married to Lady Lilias Graham when they were both about 24 years of age. They had six known children. But evidenced 12 years later, John had fallen in love with Lilias's sister, Katherine. At the time, and under the law, this was more than an infidelity: to become involved with a relative was considered incest, even if you were only related by marriage. Lilias and Katherine's brother James, Earl of Montrose, was furious and had John charged, but the couple ran away into hiding.
John returned 16 years later without Katherine and requested the return of at least some of his property, which he received. Katherine was never seen again, yet I've seen no mention of James raising any argument against John upon his return as to her whereabouts. This could mean he was told she had passed - or that he knew the couple's whereabouts all along (and the family had simply kept it private). Furthermore, John didn't return with any children, which brings me to Willliam's story.
William was 16-17 when he was taken prisoner at the Battle of Dunbar. This was 16 years after John and Katherine ran away together. If Sir John was his father and Katherine was deceased, it's plausible this is the reason John ultimately returned home during the 16th year: He had no one left.
Some researchers have stated that William may have had a brother named John or John Cowen Colquhoun who was older than he and was also captured at Dunbar, survived the winter, and was sent elsewhere than New England. If he did have a brother and Katherine was their mother, I would suggest he was younger than William, as John and Katherine were gone 16 years, the age William was at the Battle of Dunbar and John made his public return. Also of note, Sir John did have previous children with Lilias and one was Sir John Colquhoun, 17th of Colquhoun, 19th of Luss (b. 1625).
It's important to me that our true relations be known, and William's parents were (and are) important, no matter who they are. This scenario fits but is not yet proven. If William did say his father was Sir John Colquhoun, we must at least consider his father was Sir John, 16th of Colquhoun. There was, however, one other Sir John Colquhoun at the time - 17th of Colquhoun, 17 years of age at the time of William's birth.
Update 8/8/2026
I had in my notes that William may have been born at Tullichewan, West Dunbartonshire, but am missing a note or evidence on why. Still looking, I have just learned that Tullichewan was an estate owned by the Colquhoun family from the 1600s until 1792 (West Dunbartonshire Council). Building of a castle began by the new owner that year. Whether or not there was a previous castle, a small home, or several, is not yet known. Whether or not William was indeed the son of John and Katherine, might they have been living (not “in hiding”, but simply “out of sight” of those outside the family) in a home on this forested Colquhoun estate for the entire 16 years they were officially unaccounted for?
A note about Tullichewan:
Originally called Tuloch Eoghain, “the hill of Eoghan.” In the 17th century it was acquired by the Colquhoun family, and was known as Tully-Colquhoun or Tillyquhoun; and then Tullichewan. The Tullichewan estate was sold by the Colquhoun clan to James Buchanan in 1792. (Wikipedia, with sources)
The Journey of the Scottish Prisoners of War, 1650 (video)
Sowams Heritage Area | Cahoone Brickworks
Historic UK | The Battle of Dunbar
British Civil Wars Project | The Battle of Dunbar, 1650
UK Battlefields Resource Center | Battle of Dunbar II
BBC News| Durham Palace Remains were Scottish Prisoners
References:
Bliss, Leonard Jr (1836). History of rehoboth, bristol county, massachusetts. Otis, Broaders, and Company, publishers. Boston.
New England Historic Genealogical Society (1847). The new england historical and genealogical register (Vol. 1)(p. 380). S.G. Drake, publisher.
Peck, Ira B. (1868). A genealogical history of the descendants of joseph peck. (pp. 17, Alfred Mudge and Son, publishers. Boston.
Wallace, D.C. (2013). Twenty-two turbulent years 1639-1661. (p. 130). Fast-Print Publishing.
Wright, Otis O. (1917). History of swansea, massachusetts, 1997-1917. (pp. 48, 49). Swansea (the town), publisher.
