Scotland County NcArchives Photo Person.....McLaurin, 1826-1898, Laughlin Blue ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Mary Modlin n/a November 2, 2011, 10:00 pm Source: Unavailable Name: Laughlin Blue McLaurin, 1826-1898 Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/scotland/photos/mclaurin2171gph.jpg Image file size: 13.7 Kb Laughlin Blue McLaurin, 1826-1898 Transcribed by Mary Modlin. This book is available for online reading or PDF download from Google. The subject of this sketch was a descendant of the ancient Scotch Clan of MacLaren, or, as it is more modernly spelled, McLaurin. Its war-cry was "Creag an Tuirc" -- "The Boar's Rock" -- and its badge "Buaidh-chraobh, no labbras" -- Laurel. Many are the theories suggested regarding the origin of the name of the Clan, the most probably being that they are descendants from Laurentius, or St. Lawrence. It would seem that the name might have taken its rise from the adoption of the laurel on its badge, as did the name of Plantagenet from the sprig of heather with which the first of the name decorated his helmet. In Gaelic the Clan is called "Clann mhic Labhruinn;" in English the name is often written MacLaurin. That the Clan was powerful and influential in Scotland is proven from history, and that they suffered heavily and fought bravely in the various wars is a matter of record. Mention of this family is made in the Ragnan's Roll of 1296, as swearing fealty to King Edward I, and contained the names of three branches of the Clan, Maurice of Typee, Conan of Balquhidder, and Laurin of Ardveche (Lochearnside). Subsequent history states that "the Clan Laurin served their Prince at all times, as at Bannockburn, at Flodden Field with King James IV, and after at Pinkie." The pseudo "alliance" between the Stewarts of Appin and the Clan Laurin was brought about in the fifteenth century by a marriage between one of the Stewart Lords of Lorn and the daughter of McLaurin of Ardveche, their son, Dugald, becoming the founder of the Stewarts of Appin. This alliance continued until the McLaurins rose with Prince Charles, and contributed to the Appin regiment a company under Captain Dugald Maclaren of Invernentile Balquihidder. Thirteen of this company fell at Culloden, the captain was wounded severely but managed to get home to Balquhidder. After hiding for a year he was captured, but on his way to Carlisle to be tried he made a remarkable escape, which, it is said, forms the basis of Sir Walter Scott's well-known novel of "Red Gauntlet." While the Clan, as a body, joined Stewart of Appin, a contingent of them fought under the Murrays of Atholl, whose chief, Sir John Murray, had acquired certain rights over Balquhidder. There were also among the Clan, supporters of the English Government. Colin McLaurin, an eminent Professor of Mathematics in the University of Edinburgh, was charged by the authorities to place the city in condition to resist Prince Charles's forces. He worked hard to put the old fortifications in order and assembled the defenders, in the college yard, where their arms were handed them, but by neglect or the connivance of some sympathizer, the advance guard of the Jacobites got possession of one of the city forts, and, after a half-hearted resistance, the capital surrendered with the exception of the college which the troops called the garrison. Professor McLaurin then withdrew to England, where he was the guest of the Archbishop of York. The result of the decisive battle of Culloden, the final downthrow of the Stewart cause, was the dispersion of the Clan, some of whom, later, sought new homes in this country, the freedom of which had been achieved. The history of the Clan is overflowing with their doughty deeds in the Clan feuds, the great feature of those days. On one occasion, in the twelfth century, a battle took place in Strathyre over an insult to a MacLearn when the Buchanans of Leny were practically annihilated. It appears from historical evidence, that the Clan enjoyed for generations the privilege, or right, of seating themselves in the Kirk of Balquhidder before one of another Clan dare cross the threshold of the door. This right caused many unseemly brawls even at the Kirk door. In the sixteenth century the MacLaurins suffered terribly in an attack and massacre by their neighbors, the MacGregors. This had its effect in the declining influence of the McLaurins. In the roll ordered to be made up in 1594, called the "Roll the Clannis in the Hielandis and Iles thathes Captains Chieffs and Chieftains quohm on they depend", the Laurens appear as one of the Clans of this description. It was in connection with some legal proceedings anent the McLaurins that Sir Walter Scott made his first acquaintance with the Highlanders, about 1786. The chieftainship of the Clan was claimed, in recent years, by the late Donald McLaurin, retired farmer, of Killin. He was one of the long line of the McLaurins who had been at Ardvech for over 600 years. Ardvech is near the head of Lochearn, and nearby is the ancient and recognized burial place of the members of the Clan. When the War of the Revolution broke out, Ewen MacLaurin, a native of Argyle, raised, at his own expense, the "South Carolina Loyalists," and it was but seven years after the conclusion of the War of the Revolution that other members of the Clan McLaurin came to America. The McCall and McLaurin families formed the greater part of the colony which emigrated from Appin, Argylleshire, Scotland, and settled upon both sides of the Little Pee Dee River near or upon either side of the boundary line between the Carolinas. As the McLaurins had held their Scottish lands for centuries, so, in like manner, their descendants still own the soil and the homes acquired by their fathers when they first entered this new land of promise. The pioneer emigrants of the Clan, Duncan McLaurin, and his brother, Laughlin McLaurin, are the forebears of Laughlin Buie McLaurin to whom this sketch is dedicated. Laughlin, the progenitor, had married in Scotland Ann McCall, and his two sons, Laughlin and Hugh, were of Scottish birth, while Daniel C. and John Lowndes, two other sons, were born in America. Duncan married Nancy, daughter of Major Daniel Carmichael, and raised a large number of children who now have descendants in the Fairley family of North Carolina and in the Douglas, Carmichael and McNair families of South Carolina. Thomas, in his history of Marlboro County, says: "In all the years since, the descendants of these old Scotchmen have clung to the grounds where their forefathers first felled the forests and built their family altars; quiet, unobtrusive people, yet valuable members of society they have always been." Laughlin Buie McLaurin was born near Laurinburg, North Carolina, February 1, 1826. His father was Hugh C., who married Nancy, the daughter of his uncle Duncan. Hugh C. lived with his wife on his farm near Laurinburg, raising their seven children, instilling into their minds the lessons of thrift, frugality, loyalty and honest dealing which, from time immemorial, has been ever the characteristics of the Clan. His education was confined to the schools of Laurinburg, which, at that time, were little more than elementary in their scope. Young Laughlin, as soon as he reached his majority, went to Old Hundred, or Laurel Hill, and became connected with the large general merchandise business of Noah Gibson. At once the lessons taught by his father began to bear fruit. Thus starting out, his salary was purely nominal, yet, out of his first year's income, he managed to save a respectable sum. He was not long in being promoted, and, later, became a partner of Gibson's son, F. B. Gibson, with whom he was still connected at the time of his own death in 1898. Old Hundred was on the stage line from Camden, South Carolina, to Fayetteville, North Carolina, connecting with through transportation lines from North to South. Until his route was abandoned, Laughlin would sell goods during the day and post his books at night while waiting for the stage, which, coming and going, deposited the mail at his store. Such was his energy and industry that he opened the first mail about midnight, made up the mail for the next coach, and rested content with such sleep as he could get until early morning, when the stage horn called him again to a resumption of his work. It was not possible for a man of his heredity to shirk duty when his country needed the service of her loyal sons, so that, when a call was made for men to defend State's Rights, Laughlin was amonth the first to answer. Cheerfully he laid down his pen for a sword and mounted his horse to do battle. The old war- cry "Creag an Turic" no doubt sounded in his ear, and the fighting blood of his ancestors urged him to take part in the struggle. Laughlin enlisted in Company E, Fourth South Carolina Cavalry. This company, known as the "Marlboro Dragoons," was organized January 12, 1862, W. P. Emanuel being its Captain. The ability of Laughlin as an organizer of business was so well known that he was very soon acting as assistant to his superior officers. His fauthful attention to duty, his unswerving loyalty, his high sense of honor - the attributes of his whole life - made him a valuable soldier and a friend to be relied upon. His company was on duty in the defence of Georgetown and other places in South Carolina until the spring of 1864, when it was transferred to Virginia and became part of Butler's Brigade in Hampton's Division. This company was sent at once to the front to assist General Lee in moving the base of operations from above Richmond to Petersburg. In order that General Lee might entrench before Petersburg unmolested, Hampton's Cavalry was thrown upon the flank of Grant's army at a place known as Haw's Shop, not far from Cold Harbor, and, on May 28, a most sanguinary battle, in which the Fourth South Carolina took part, was fought. The loss of the regiment was very great; out of 400 engaged 180 were killed or wounded. After this first fight on Virginia soil Company E was in the thickest of the numerous battles fought by Hampton's Cavalry until the close of the war. Laughlin was not wounded, but exposure and hardship brought on a severe illness and he was at home, incapacitated for active duty, during Sherman's raid in the early spring of 1865. His friends were very apprehensive that he would meet with severe treatment by Federal soldiers, but because of his serious condition, by a humane impulse of the enemy, a Federal officer was placed at his home to protect him. Owing to his condition he was not with his command when it surrendered with Lee at Appomattox. His services, so loyally rendered ended with the close of the war, and upon his return to health he resumed his mercantile pursuits. An interesting fact in the life of Laughlin McLaurin may be here related. Before the opening of the Civil War, the firm in which he was interested had been doing a considerable business with Thomas Fenner and Company, of New York, and when war was declared Fenner held several thousand dollars of the firm's money. At the close of the war Fenner sent a statement giving the amount of the original principal and the interest accumulated, and the total amount then on hand. This money was reinvested, and its successful use gave the firm an opportunity to reopen business and accrue a competence. The business integrity of Thomas Fenner and Company was of such material assistance to McLaurin that he and other men all over the Pee Dee section gave the Fenner Company their cotton business for years. In 1872, with his brother John, he engaged in business in Laurinburg, North Carolina, but after a few years the plant was removed to Bennettsville, South Carolina, and a partnership formed under the title of Everett, Gibson and Company, Merchants. Speaking of him, one of his partners says: "I have never known a more honest man than L. B. McLaurin. He was straightforward, kind and considerate, but woe unto the man who deceived him. He was in business in the days of long credits, and for a good many years of scarce money. He was always willing to accommodate a friend when in need. He acquired a comfortable income by hard and regular work and close economy. I do not remember ever to have seen him fail to help anyone in need who deserved aid. He helped a number of deserving young men through college, though he had never had the same opportunities that he made possible to others." Laughlin Buie McLaurin was a Democrat, and a member of the Presbyterian Church of Gibson, North Carolina. He married, first, July 1, 1880, Martha Thomas, who lived but one year after the marriage, and was buried with her infant in her arms. He married again, August 20, 1885, a sister-in-law, Margaret Elvira, daughter of the Rev. John Alexander William Thomas and Margaret Spears Thomas, of Bennettsville, South Carolina, born April 8, 1855. He died in Gibson, North Carolina, December 8, 1898. The offspring of his second marriage was Nancy Margaret McLaurin, born September 22, 1886. Nancy Margaret studied at the Greenville Woman's College, South Carolina, and the Woman's College of Richmond, Virginia. She was graduated in 1907; married May 9, 1911, Robert McKay Pratt, and has one daughter, Nancy McLaurin Pratt, born July 22, 1912. Several members of the McLaurin family in America have had careers of more than ordinary usefulness. T he Laughlin already referred to as having been born in Scotland married his cousin, Nancy McLaurin, and settled in Mississippi. Their sons have been prominent in that State, Anselm having been Governor and, later, United States Senator. Daniel, a brother of Laughlin, lived and died on Little Pee Dee River, South Carolina, leaving a large family. He was ever ready to serve his country with loyal fidelity. His grandson, Daniel C. Roper, of Washington, D. C., is now First Assistant Postmaster General. John Lowndes, another brother, was sincerely mourned as a great loss by the people whom, in various lines, he served so well. The present ex-United States Senator, John L. McLaurin, is a grandson of John Lowndes and a son of P. B. McLaurin, and is now State Warehouse Commissioner for South Carolina. Thus this old Scottish family is one already honored in the New World, and its sons and daughters are among those who, by their ability, uprightness and sterling character, have helped to make the title of American citizen respected and esteemed among the enlightened nations of the world. The Arms of this ancient Clan are as follows: MACLAURIN Or, two chevronels gu. in base a lymphad sa. sails furled, flags flying, and oars in action, a bordure, nebuly of the second. Crest--A lion's head erased ppr. on it an antique crown, or, all betw. two branches of laurel issuing from the wreath ppr. Mottoes--Dalriada; and, Aborigine fidus. Additional Comments: Source: Wilson, Leonard, Makers of America, Biographies of Leading Men of Thought and Action, The Men Who Constitute the Bone and Sinew of American Prosperity and Life, Volume II, B. F. Johnson, Inc., City of Washington, U. S. A., 1916, pp. 540-546. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/scotland/photos/mclaurin2171gph.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ncfiles/ File size: 15.7 Kb