Daryl Black Eagle Jamieson and Rich Gunn USA Clan Gunn President

Firstly can I introduce myself I am heriditary Clan Chief of the Pocasset Wampanoag Tribe Pokanoket Nation, otherwise known as  Daryl Black Eagle Jamieson Suki Wompsikuk (Black Eagle).   I live in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and have long known about my combined Native American and Scottish Ancestry.   My surname is Scottish and even have red haired relatives on my Father’s side of the family.  A few years ago I did a DNA test, this came back with a high percentage of Scottish, Irish and Scandinavian, this did knock me sideways – I’m a Chief from a long line of Chiefs, how is this possible?.    My Mother’s side of the family were Boyds and we also have Fergussons .  My Jamieson ancestor looks like it possibly goes back to the 1700s with a John Jamieson.

As well as being a police constable  I am a drummer and am often on the trail, here I meet so many people who have a similar story, they too have Native American and Scottish ancestry, this has always been of interest to me.  We are all living proof of how our ancestors really did unite.  People can think the colonists were separate and it was a constant battle, but many were welcomed in by my people and other tribes.

The biggest war we had was King Philip’s War, sometimes called The First Indian War (1675-1676).  It was a battle for survival.   The war is named for the main leader of the Native American side, Metacom, who had adopted the English name “King Philip”.  This in my opinion was the deadliest of wars, my ancestors were fighting for their lives.   So knowing this was the climate early settlers from Scotland would have settled on this land and the many stories and mysteries we have in Scottish legend and in my Native American ancestry is of great interest.

Some mysteries go back a lot further, the most famous of which is The Westford Knight.  an engraved stone of a Medieval Knight holding the shield.  On the shield is engraved the Coat of Arms of the Gunn Family.

chalk outline showing The Wexford Knight – photo from1954

The legend recounts how a Scottish Chief of the Clan Gunn, Sir James Gunn visited Westford, Massachusetts accompanied by Henry Sinclair of Orkney.  His expedition to the New World took him to what is now America, the land of my ancestors some ninety years before Columbus claimed to have discovered America.

The effigy of a mediaeval Knight in armour is reputed to be Sir James Gunn.

The two sailed to Massachusetts to what is Westford Massachusetts now on the highest hill by a small inland tributary.  Somewhere around that Hill James Gunn died and a stone was inscribed with the Clan Gunn Coat of Arms and a knight with a broken sword. This was in the land of the Massachuset Indians bordering Pennacook Land.

As part of their travels these Scottish explorers lived with the Mic Mac Indians and built a small encampment.  They then travelled  through other tribal lands .  The  Mic Mac guide probably carried Wampum beads from his nation as an ambassador to travel to our lands. The tribespeople do not like people travelling through their territories.

The Mic Mac Indians

There is no evidence to say that Henry Sinclair did indeed go on this trip but this is a story commonly told and still celebrated to this day. Henry Sinclair was also known as ’Glooscap’ to the Native Americans.  Clan Sinclair hold a yearly celebration of this.  Interestingly the Sinclair flag is very similar to that of the Mic Mac Indians.

Some believe a vital piece of evidence sadly got destroyed. In the 1800s an upright buriel of an  individual wearing medieval armour was discovered.  Warriors in some ancient societies were buried in an upright position.   It was right along the Taunton River in the town of Fall River, in Bristol County, Massachusetts.  To this day no one knows who it was.  After the body was recovered the story says it was burned in a fire.  The only thing that remains is a diagram.    Find out more >

Reports of the mystery of the upright buriel.

Another mystery is ‘The Boat Stone’ this is thought to be the marker of a medieval grave.  It shows a 14th century sailing vessel.

The Boat Stone. Could this show pre-Columbus explorers?

The group later travel to Narraganset Bay what is now Newport deep in the heart of the Pokanoket Nation and built a tower. This is now called the Newport Tower which has been the subject of the Freemason History. In September 2014 the New Hampshire Highland Games in Lincoln NH has the biggest Games on East Coast.  This is very close to the Westford Knight,  a 5-6 hour journey.

Newport Tower 1894

How much of this story is true we’ll probably never know but it is a story that really entwines Native Indians and the Scots and in doing so shows a mutual respect.

Back in 2014 I was privileged to attend a ceremony at the Westford Knight with the now Chief of Clan Gunn, Iain Gunn, at the time he was Clan Commander and was later made Chief, the first Chief for more than 230 years.

Clan Gunn Society of North America President Rich Gunn Annual General Meeting with Commander Iain Gunn of Scotland Clan Gunn with wife Bunty Gunn 2014 with Canadian Clan Gunn Hosted By Dean Bulpett Yankee Commissioner

CABAL OF THE WESTFORD KNIGHT by David S. Brody

It was Clan Gunn North America’s Annual Meeting. Iain Gunn and his wife Bunty came to the New Hampshire Highland Games. We had a general meeting of the Clan and Sunday then  traveled to Massachusett’s to see the Westford Knight inscription.  Accompanying us was the author David S. Brody who wrote Cabal of the Westford Knight, a fictional story based on the historical mysteries in Westford.

As part of the ceremony I presented lain Gunn and Rick Gunn with a warriors necklace and Ian & Bunty with Traditional Necklaces from our Nation.

So mysteries from the past are still bringing us together.

Commander Ian Gunn and Wife Bunty Gunn with Clan Gunn NA President Rich Gunn with Myself and my Son Warren Ousamequin Jamieson on our way to the Westford Knight in Westford Massachusetts 2014

At Newport Tower

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Sir Walter Scott – Elshie, The Black Dwarf

A statue of the black dwarf was commissioned by Andrew Clason (who bought Hallyards from the Campbells in 1836) and this is still situated just in front of just in front of the main house.

The Black Dwarf, also known as The Black Tinker (C’eard Dubh) is now almost forgotten, a character who was once highly feared, written about by Sir Walter Scott, and played a large part in legends from all across Scotland. The Black Dwarf is known on Islay and there are many stories about him in the Scottish Borders where he would be blamed for what ever mischief befell the sheep or cattle.

In the ballad called ‘The Cowt of Keeldar’ – ” The Black Dwarf was described as a fairy of the most malignant order – the genuine Northern Duergar. But the best account of The Black Dwarf came from just across the Border with the ‘History of the Bishopric of Durham” where it tells of two Northumbrians out shooting deep in the mountainous moorlands which border on Cumberland. They stopped for refreshment in a secluded dell by the side of a stream. After eating one of of the party fell asleep. His friend did not want to disturb him so went for a walk when they came across a being that did not seem to come from this world – it describes him as the most hideous dwarf that the sun had ever shined on. His head was full size, forming a frightful contrast with his height, which was considerably under 4 feet. He had long matted red hair – described to be like that of the pelt of a badger in consistency and the colour a reddish brown, like the hue of the heather bloom. Although small in height, his limbs were very strong. The huntsman stood horrified which offended the dwarf greatly. The dwarf told him he was the king of the mountains and the protector of all wild animals and he shouldn’t treat him with such disdain. The huntsman was humbled and apologised, saying he was ignorant of such things. The Black Dwarf began to talk more and told him that he belonged to a species of beings something between the angelic race and humanity. He also added that he had hopes of sharing in the redemption of the race of Adam. The Dwarf invited the man to visit his home which was near by.  But just at his moment the sleeping huntsman had awoken and had begun calling out for his companion to find out where he was. The dwarf disappeared, maybe not comfortable with more than one person.

It was believed that if the huntsman had accompanied the spirit he would have been torn to pieces or imprisoned for years in the recesses of some fairy hill.

Fergusson of Dunfallandy stolen by the fairies

Dunfallandy

There is an old Highland legend about how the heir of Dunfallandy was stolen by the fairies and restored to his mother. A few versions of this story exist but this one is based on a retelling of it by Mr. Charles Fergusson, Muir of Ord.

The only son and heir of the Baron Fergusson of Dunfallandy was stolen by the fairies, and, in spite of all endeavours, could not be recovered.

At last the lady of Dunfallandy took it upon herself to visit  the C’eard Dubh – the black tinker – a famous Athole wizard of the day, and a thorough master of the Black Art.   After performing some of his uncanny arts, the Ceard informed her that the young chief of M’Fergus was with the fairies in the famous hill of Dunidea, in Strathardle, the headquarters and stronghold of the Athole fairies, but that nothing could be done for his recovery till next Christmas Eve, when the hill would be open only for an hour or two before midnight, only then could he would try and recover the boy.

To prepare for this, the day before Christmas the Ceard Dubh acquired a long string with a beautiful red apple tied to the end of it.  As well as this,  a large bag full of a pungent preparation, dried before the fire and powdered as fine as snuff.

When the time came he made his way by Loch Broom and Glen Derby, arriving in good time at the famous hill of Dunidea.  His timing was right and he found the hill open and all the fairies dancing to beautiful music, and foremost in the revels he saw the young heir of Dunfallandy.

Dunidea Hill

Watching his chance, when the child came near the door, the Ceard rolled his red apple in on the floor, which caught the boy’s eye, and he grasped at it ; but the Ceard, pulling the string, drew the apple out, followed by the child till he came within reach of the Ceard, who at once seized him and made off.

The fairies soon missed their prisoner, and, like a hive of angry bees, swarmed out, and pursued the flying Ceard and soon overtook him. But just as they reached him he put his hand in his bag, and, taking out a handful of the powder he had prepared, he threw it up and the wind scattered it in all directions. This stopped the fairies, as they had to stay and gather every particle before they could go farther, which delayed them some time, and gave the Ceard another good start. Again as they reached him he threw another handful, and then went on across Strathardle and up Glen Derby, till at last, just as his supply was almost exhausted, he reached the pass of Atholeford, where the head of Glen Derby opens into Athole, and when once he got across the burn there he was safe, as the fairies could not cross running water that divided two parishes. When he got quit of his angry pursuers, the Ceard went on at his leisure by Loch Broom to Dunfallandy, where he safely delivered the young heir to his delighted parents.’

Frontispiece of the Black Dwarf,
first published by
Thomas Jonathan Wooler in 1817

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One sunny morning in 1923 a wealthy American tourist from Iowa was standing in Trafalgar Square gazing with admiration at Nelsons Column. A very well dressed and polite gentleman moved beside him,

“Its a Lovely Monument isn’t it?”
“Why it sure is”.
“The person on the top is Admiral Lord Nelson, he was killed at the battle of Trafalgar, thats why this is called Trafalgar Square”
“Gee thats interesting”
“Shame it all has to go though”
“Really”
“Yes I’m afraid that with the British economy in the state its in we have to sell it off, lions and all to make some money”

You can see where tho is going can’t you. Many of you may have heard of Victor Lustig, or at least you may have heard of his scam to sell the Eiffel tower to a gullible French scrap dealer. But Victor is small fry compared the Arthur Furguson.

Furguson was a retired actor from Glasgow, one day while strolling through Trafalgar square he spotted an opportunity. After the above exchange he then began to reel in his prey. He told the man the monument would go for only £6,000 as long as the buyer was the right kind of person, and of course would keep it a secret! To Furguson’s amazement the man wrote him a cheque on the spot and it was only while the hapless victim was attempting to engage some contractors to have Nelson Column removed that he discovered the scam. By this time Furguson was well away and  off on a new and lucrative career path.

Soon the police in London began to get a pattern of complaints; another American complained that he had forked out £1000 for Big ben and yet another had put down a £2000 deposit on Buckingham palace. Before the ‘old bill’ could close in on him though he had high tailed it off to Paris where he sold the Eiffel tower to yet another American.

So Furguson realised that by far his ‘best customers’ had been from the other side of the Atlantic, ‘surely there are some rich pickings to be had in the land of opportunity’. So in 1925 he headed over to America and assisted the Americans to offloaded a few of their unwanted landmarks which included leasing the White House to a Texan Cattle rancher for $100,000 dollars a year (first year payable in advance)

Now there is an old cliche in crime stories like this, there is always one last job and one fatal mistake and this story of course has that much needed element: With enough wealth to cover a very nice retirement Furguson’s vanity could not resist one last job. The big one! The Statue of Liberty!

The ‘mark’ to use a technical term was an Australian tourist. Furguson’s story was that the harbour was having to be widened and the statue had to be removed. Over the following days the Australian attempted to raise the $100,000 dollars deposit. All the time Furguson was not far from his side and at one point allowed himself to be photographed with his victim in front of the statue. A moment of vanity that would be his undoing.

Alas for Furguson the deal was taking too long and his impatience began to make his victim suspicious, he took the photo to the police who immediately knew this was the face of the person they had been hunting for some time! Furguson was arrested and his life of crime was over. Amazingly he only served 5 years and after his release moved to Los Angeles where he lived out his years from the proceeds of his enterprises.

Reading these stories you can’t help wonder at how easy these cons were, they seem quite unbelievable and there’s the rub! for it seems that our Mr Furguson was indeed himself a con! This story which has become legend and is even reported as fact by the BBC was most probably an elaborate hoax thought up some time in the 1970s some say the clue is in the initials ‘AF’ which also stands for ‘April Fool’ there are no official court records of his arrest and no grave in LA. It seems our Scottish Con Man was as unsubstantial as ‘Scotch Mist’.

Mark Twain said: Never let the facts get in the way of a good story. But we can end with the story of another great Scottish con artist who was most definitely real; Gregor McGregor!

McGregor was was a Scottish soldier, adventurer, land speculator, and colonizer who fought in the South American struggle for independence. While on his travels he dreamed up an elaborate scheme. McGregor wasn’t going to sell off a few civic baubles, that was pocket money stuff – no McGregor was going to sell an entire country!

On his return to London he announced that he had been appointed cacique (Prince) of the principality of Poyais, an Independent nation situated in the bay of Honduras. 12,500 Square miles of untapped mineral resources awaited those who wanted to invest in this small nation. McGregor even claimed to be a descendent of one of the survivors of the failed Darien Scheme. McGregor began to sell off the land rights from offices he had established in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Elaborate guide books were published describing the fertile soil, gold and silver mines and very friendly locals.

One ship sailed from London on 1822 with 70 settlers. a year later another with over 200 on board left from the port of Leith. After a long voyage they arrived to find no port and indeed no trace of the first ship, the survivors of this now trying to exist in what was an uninhabitable jungle. There were no government offices, no gold mines or arable land in fact there was no Poyais!

Eventually a passing ship spotted the survivors and they were taken to British Honduras. Meanwhile back in London McGregor had already prepared another 5 ships to travel to his fictitious land and fortunately these were stopped and turned back but not before considerable loss of life on the journey. Incredibly McGregor escaped prosecution and ran the whole scam again in France, again evading capture there before returning to London.

In the dictionary under the work ‘slippery’ there must be a photo of Gregor McGregor because even after his arrest and trial in London he served only a week in prison. even as late at 1837 he was still running his Poyais schemes and getting away with it. In 1839 he moved to Venezuela where he was regarded as a war hero for his part in their independence wars.

JM Barrie once said “There are few more impressive sights in the world than a Scotsman on the make” While he was almost certainly referring to those in more honest pursuit you can’t help but be amazed by the likes of Gregor McGregor

By the way would you be interested on the Scott Monument? we have to sell it off to make way for the trams you know!

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