I found the story of the Ayrshire stabbings interesting.
One branch of my family tree traces back to the Lairds of Grimmet, in Ayrshire. They once held estates at Attiquin, Grimmet, and Thomaston in that area, and were surnamed "McElwain". McElwayne", "McIlvaine", etc. The last of that surname in my direct descent died in 1852, and his tombstone spells the name "Mucklewaine". Phonetically, I suppose. Spelling was hit or miss in those days.
During Revolutionary War times, that particular Mucklewaine, at the age of 14, was what was then called an "Indian Spy", a Scout or Ranger who ran a 60 mile route on foot, continually, looking for signs of Indian incursion into the area, and responsible for warning 3 forts along that route if he found any.
Anyhow, 500 or 600 years ago, a McElwaine lad in his teen years was "cooling his heels" in something called a "caitchpoole" in Maybole, Ayrshire, just minding his own business. He was set upon by a few sword-armed grown men (Kennedys as I recall, of the Bargany batch of Kennedys), and defended himself from them as prudence dictated. He stabbed the bastards right back. Energetically. he apparently had a knack for it.
Several folks wound up stabbed that day, too, and the lad escaped relatively unscathed.
The more things change, the more they remain the same.
As for the McElwaines, my particular branch apparently ran afoul of the Crown in matters of religion, and were "transported" to plantations in or around Belfast. They hung out there for around a hundred years, and then came to America, landing on these shores around 1718, in what is now Delaware. They didn't stay there long. To further escape the Crown they headed for the hills...
... and here am I, in this current day.
.
One branch of my family tree traces back to the Lairds of Grimmet, in Ayrshire. They once held estates at Attiquin, Grimmet, and Thomaston in that area, and were surnamed "McElwain". McElwayne", "McIlvaine", etc. The last of that surname in my direct descent died in 1852, and his tombstone spells the name "Mucklewaine". Phonetically, I suppose. Spelling was hit or miss in those days.
During Revolutionary War times, that particular Mucklewaine, at the age of 14, was what was then called an "Indian Spy", a Scout or Ranger who ran a 60 mile route on foot, continually, looking for signs of Indian incursion into the area, and responsible for warning 3 forts along that route if he found any.
Anyhow, 500 or 600 years ago, a McElwaine lad in his teen years was "cooling his heels" in something called a "caitchpoole" in Maybole, Ayrshire, just minding his own business. He was set upon by a few sword-armed grown men (Kennedys as I recall, of the Bargany batch of Kennedys), and defended himself from them as prudence dictated. He stabbed the bastards right back. Energetically. he apparently had a knack for it.
Several folks wound up stabbed that day, too, and the lad escaped relatively unscathed.
The more things change, the more they remain the same.
As for the McElwaines, my particular branch apparently ran afoul of the Crown in matters of religion, and were "transported" to plantations in or around Belfast. They hung out there for around a hundred years, and then came to America, landing on these shores around 1718, in what is now Delaware. They didn't stay there long. To further escape the Crown they headed for the hills...
... and here am I, in this current day.
.
Diogenes was eating bread and lentils for supper. He was seen by the philosopher Aristippus, who lived comfortably by flattering the king.
Said Aristippus, ‘If you would learn to be subservient to the king you would not have to live on lentils.’ Said Diogenes, ‘Learn to live on lentils and you will not have to be subservient to the king.’
Said Aristippus, ‘If you would learn to be subservient to the king you would not have to live on lentils.’ Said Diogenes, ‘Learn to live on lentils and you will not have to be subservient to the king.’