: Caldwell Facts: First mention of Caldwell name in
: Scotland "Monestum de Passelat 1292
: Caldwell" from Maitland Club Papes (1882)
: (referring to Paisley Monestary) William Caldwell of
: that Ilk Prebend of Glasgow 1342 Entry of feu (Exchq
: Rolls) Chancellor of Scotland 1350-52

More evidence that the surname is of Scottish origin.

: A female descendent married Godfrey son of Gilchrist Mure
: of Cowdams who became Mure of Caldwell "The
: Laird" in right of his wife.

Well documented, however what must be considered is that this descendant was the heir of that line and not the "last Caldwell". We should all know by now that heirs to a given line do not constitute the entire or extended family.

Say for example that this female heir was the only heir in her fathers line. Now, what about her father's brother, her uncle? This brother was perhaps a younger son. As the younger, he would not stand as the first heir to his father as his oldest brother would.

If the younger brother had sons, they would not be heir to their uncles inheritance, their female cousin and daughter being an only child of the oldest male heir to their grandfather would.

Now, does the line stop there because this female heir married a Muir (Mure)? Not hardly.

: John Caldwell of that Ilk married Mary d of Sir Walter
: Stewart of Allanton Kintyre Plantation

In the context of the Caldwells who came to America in 1727, and those said to descend from William of Stratton through John who married Mary Sweetenham, it is recorded that William of Stratton was a descendant of William, Lord Chancellor of Scotland. It is not recorded, however, that William of Stratton was the only descendant of William, Lord Chancellor.

Therefore, other descendants of other descendants of William, Lord Chancellor, could have taken many different paths and/or had many different beliefs, and/or migrated to many different places.

Just as you and I don't act, talk, think, or move as one, it would be unrealistic to assume that all Caldwells before us would have.

: Covenanter Fined 300 Scots Pounds for aiding Cromwell
: 1662.

After Charles I's execution in 1649, the Scots proclaimed Charles II, King of Scotland on the condition of accepting Presbyterianism and the Covenants, which he signed in June 1649.

This was unacceptable to Oliver Cromwell and there followed a bloody battle at Dunbar where he showed no mercy, exiling survivors to Plantations in America and Ireland. (See expose' on Cromwell on this site). Until 1660 when Charles II was returned to the throne, the Covenanters were suppressed under Cromwell and his Putitans.

Now, John Caldwell m. Mary Sweetenham is recorded in Ireland prior to the Cromwellian invasions of Scotland and Ireland, placing them in time and space as part of the Ulster Plantations which preceeded the Cromwellian Plantations.

In 1662 Scotland came the the Act of Uniformity which banished all ministers who did not have a bishop's licence. Over 300 ministers were ejected from their lands and there were also fines imposed and collected by military force.

We really don't know the context in which this Caldwell "aided" Cromwell, or for what reasons. Remember, Cromwell rode against Scotland (and the Kirk) before riding on Ireland.

There are a number of reasons that this Caldwell might have been accused of aiding Cromwell. Maybe he provided livestock in exchange for Cromwell not burning his lands, destroying his home, or maybe taking his son or daughters, or any number of reasons.

Keep in mind, the people then don't think like we do now. These people were actually quite extreme - somewhat perhaps like the Taliban that we've learned so much about in these past few months. Maybe not fighting Cromwell to the death was reason enough for them to cite "aid to Cromwell".

: Involved in the Pentland Rising 1666

From scotclans.com;

"The covenanting ministers who rejected the Restoration settlement with Charles II’s additions, found themselves replaced by curates and without a living. The congregations had their own opinions, of course, and some, who became known as ‘Conventiclers’, regrouped to practice the Covenant with their ministers.

Such meetings were outlawed, with fines and imprisonment enforced by the military.

Following a scuffle at St John’s Town of Dalry, the Conventiclers moved into active resistance on 13 November 1666."

: One of the Commissioners for Renfrew
: Land & Title forfeit 1685
: Poll Tax 1695
: Died C 1702

I can see where this Caldwell would have lost title and lands. It looks on the surface that he may have been playing both sides against the middle during a less than tolerant time.