Duncan McIsaac (1776-1857)

It has not been proven definitely that Patrick McIsaac and Ann Campbell are the parents of this Duncan McIsaac, but it is highly likely. A Campbell connection is established with Duncan’s second wife Johanna. This however, may have been a surname given to her at a first marriage, as Duncan’s tombstone states that his parents-in-law were a ‘Nathaniel and Catherine Palmer’.

When Duncan married Kezia Whitehead in 1812, he is recorded as a gunner on board the HMS Victory (Pallot’s marriage index).

Vanguard
There are two documents in the National Archives that refer to Duncan McIsaac’s navy service. One has been obtained which outlines his service in the navy from 3 April 1799 through to 4 November 1843. He was 22 on entry and was placed as an able seaman on the HMS Vanguard. He was onboard when in 1801, under the command of Captain Sir Thomas Williams, Vanguard sailed from Portsmouth on April 20 to join the Baltic fleet. The fleet, under Vice Admiral Pole, returned on August 10. Vanguard sailed again on August 19 with six other ships to cruise off Cadiz. The ship was victualled and stored for five months at Gibralta and sailed for Jamaica in December. In 1803, under the command of Captain James Walker, Vanguard was operating out of Jamaica. On July 24, two French ships put to sea from Cape Francois in San Domingo during a squall in an effort to evade the Vanguard and three other ships that were blockading the port. The French ships separated during the night but one (called the Duquesne) was overtaken the following day and captured after a short exchange of fire with Vanguard which lost one man killed and one wounded. In September the French troops in northwest Sant Dominigue were being closely pressed by the rebel slaves under General Jean-Jacques Dessalines. Captain Walker, off the Mole St. Nicholas, persuaded the General not to put the garrison of Sant Marc to death but to march them round to the Mole in safety where Vanguard would take possession of the shipping in the bay. The 850 men of the garrison, all very emancipated, were successfully evacuated. The American schooner Independence was captured by the Vanguard on November 16, and two French schooners Rosalle and St Rosario were taken on December 22. Vanguard was paid off by the end of 1805, at which time Duncan moved on to his next post.

Navy Service
Duncan became a sail mate, a gunner, and then a supervisory gunner. Ships he served on include the Malta (a captured French ship re-named), Pompee (another captured French ship), Albarcore, Pilot, Harlequin, Magnificent, Tamar, Nereus and San Jose. It appears that he served particularly well on the HMS Albarcore between 31.8.1815 and 18.12.1815 because it was after the service on this ship that he was given the rank of supervisory gunner. While on the HMS Magnificent between 9.9.1827 and 23.5.1828, Duncan was invalided in some fashion, but how is unknown. He continued to serve for fifteen more years, and by the end of his service had earned 44/1/2/- in payment.

Personal Life
Duncan and Kezia’s personal life between their marriage in 1812 and the birth of daughter Evalina in 1822 is currently unknown. It is likely that they had several children during this period, even if Duncan spent much of his time away with the navy. It is known that a daughter Margaret was born in 1813 in Hampshire and lived close to the family in Stoke Damerel.

When Kezia died, her address was given as William Street, Stoke Damerel. Duncan and second wife Johanna are listed in the 1841 Devon census at Gloucester Street, Stoke Damerel with daughter Evalina living with them. In the 1851 census, Duncan and Johanna are at 17 Portland Place, Morice Town.

Duncan McIsaac left a will upon his death in 1857 in which all his property was left to his then wife Johanna. The will was documented on 4.6.1856 and was witnessed by a Robert Clark and a John Henry Ball. A Henry Ball also witnessed the wedding of his daughter Evalina in 1843.

Johanna McIsaac died in the September quarter of 1858, in the Stoke Damerel District only a year and ahlaf after the will was proved. A will for her has not been located.

Duncan was buried in the Stoke Damerel grave yard. His gravestone reads as follow:-


 * ''Duncan McIsaac, Gunner R.N.
 * Who died in the faith of Christ
 * Jan 4th 1857 aged 79 years
 * Them also which sleep in Jesus will
 * God bring with him. 1 Thes IV


 * Also to
 * Nathaniel and Catherine Palmer
 * Father and Mother in law of the above


 * Also Johanna
 * The beloved wife of the above who
 * Died September 1st 1858
 * Aged 67 years


 * Also Henry James R J Blake
 * Great Grandson of Duncan McIsaac
 * Who died April 23rd 1863 aged 3 years 5 months
 * Also to James (undecipherable) Blake
 * Brother of the above
 * Died May 31st 1864 aged 1 year 4 months


 * Also Francis Hicks R.N.
 * Who died January 21st 1867 aged 57''

The Blake boys listed on the gravestone were the sons of James Charles Blake and Caroline Sarah Hicks. Caroline was the daughter of Margaret McIsaac who married Francis Hicks. Caroline and her husband James had 10 children altogether.

Children

 * colspan="3" bgcolor="#FFfce0" style="color: #000000;" |Children of Duncan and Kezia McIsaac
 * colspan="3" bgcolor="#FFfce0" style="color: #000000;" |Children of Duncan and Kezia McIsaac