Accession: 214B.35.065
Editorial Title: William Alexander Lindsay to Julia Field-King, July 26, 1898
Author: William Alexander Lindsay 
Recipient: Julia Field-King 
Annotator: Unknown 
Date: July 26, 1898
Manuscript Description: Handwritten by William Alexander LindsayEditorial Note: William Alexander Lindsay (1846-1926) was a long-serving officer of arms at the College of Arms in London, England. on lined paper from London, England.
Archival Note: This letter includes both circled text and a notation in unknown handwriting. See scan of the original to view circled text.
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214B.35.065
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To Mrs. Field King.
Dear Madam-

I have made a preliminary search in order to verify the Sketches of pedigree which you left with me. last monthEditorial Note: In 1895, Mary Baker Eddy's student, Julia Field-King undertook her own research project to prove that Eddy was a direct descendant of King David of Israel. The background of this endeavor was known as the "Anglo-Israel theory," which promoted the idea that the Anglo-Saxon "race" was in fact descended from the ten lost tribes of Israel. Field-King was particularly influenced by a 26 volume work titled Our Race: Its Origin and Its Destiny by Charles Adiel Lewis Totten (1851-1908). In it, Totten attempted to prove that the genealogy of the British royal line could be traced back to King David. Although Eddy for a time showed some interest in Field-King's efforts, she eventually asked her to stop the research. Not only was the research failing to yield the results Field-King hoped for, but Eddy indicated that these pursuits were contrary to the fundamental teachings of Christian Science regarding the wholly spiritual nature of man.-

The first & second of these pedigrees purport to show that Marion Moor McNeill who married Joseph Baker in America at a date not stated was descended through McNeill of Taynish and Campbell of Lochnell- from Colin 3d Earl of Argyll. & thus from. Sir Duncan Campbell & Margaret Bruce. daughterAs Written:dau of the King. and thus from. David I. (who died 1153) and the previous kings of Scotland

The first essential point to prove is that Lochnell – was son of Argyll.

Enclosed herewith are notes from the Great Seal Register – that is the Register of Charters by the kings of Scotland granting lands - or confirming the grants of subjects — dealing with the Campbells of Lochnell- From these you will observe that while there is no son of Earl Colin named Ion Gorm in the Register - there was a John Campbell of Lochnell in 1536 who is not described as a relation of the Earls- Witnessing a charter to Archibald 4th Earl – eldest son of the 3d Earl – if he had been brother the fact would probably have been mentioned.

He is described as son in Douglas Peerage of Scotland - but without proof–

There is nothing to connect Archibald & Alexander with John. And Archibald married a Drummond whereas the suggested pedigree calls his wife a Macdougall.

The third of the suggested pedigrees Alleges the descent of William Graham who married Elenor Wyatt in America from Sir John Graham Son of "Wallis" - by whom is meant I suppose Malise Graham- Earl of Menteith given in Douglas Peerage as husband of Lady Ann de Vere daughterAs Written:dau of the Earl of Oxford- And thus from Robert II King of Scotland by his second wife Lady Eufemia Ross

Malise Earl of Menteith had a son John Graham proved by a charter from his father - recorded as in the note herewith.

This John is alleged in Douglas Peerage to be ancestor of several well known Graham families, but there is no evidence that he had a son Richard as alleged in the pedigree. The name Richard does not occur in Scotch families of the name– but does occur constantly in the Grahams of Netherby Co Cumberland - who are alleged in Douglas peerage to descend from John—

The pedigrees supplied to me, are of very little use as clues, the authorities for each descent alleged not being given - and very rarely a date - but I gather from other of the papers that the pedigrees are compiled from printed books only. which are of no authority whatever.

I cannot recommend you to proceed with this search. In order to obtain proof either of the descents alleged or of any similar descents it will be necessary to search the Records of the Supreme Court, called - Acts & Decrees for the 16th century. in respect of the two principal links I have searched for-

It will also be necessary to search the charter Chests of the Duke of Argyll & the Duke of Montrose for Campbell & Graham. This can only be done by special permission- which you would have to obtain. And the searches would be extremely expensive if allowed.

A report on the papers of the Duke of Montrose was made to the Historical Manuscript Commissioners in 1870 - (2d Report page 165).

And a 2d Report was made in 1872. (3d Rep. p 396) This latter Report deals with the Menteith charters and I have examined it without deriving any assistance.

To the best of my belief the Duke of Argyll's charters have not been printed.

For the examination and searches I have made my fee is five guineasEditorial Note: 5 guineas, or £5.25, in 1898 is the equivalent of £877.56, or $1,186.73, in 2025.. And if you stop the search I will deduct that sum. And return you the balance of £50Editorial Note: £50.00 in 1898 is the equivalent of £8,357.67, or $11,310.00, in 2025..

If you desire . An exhaustive search of unindexed records at Edinburgh - I will employ my usual. very competent agent to make it & I will enquire whether I may see the two collections I have mentioned. The balance may suffice for the former- And the expense of searching the latter (that is the private charter chests) would be. about 3 guineasEditorial Note: 3 guineas, or £3.15, in 1898 is the equivalent of £526.53, or $712.10, in 2025. a day without its being possible to define how many days may be necessary. Another £50 might & probably would cover it.

But the chance of success in proving what you wish is small- I doubt very much whether any of the work done in America even if I had all the papers is of any use- Not of course being founded on original Sources - but only upon. printed books of very little authority. It is so easy to speculate that A was son of B 400 years ago and often so difficult to prove it.

I think I have laid before you the whole case I cannot say that a proposition will not be proved- But considering the difficulty and expense (and in respect of expense I have not considered the subsequent steps in the pedigree –subsequent to the critical links mentioned–) I cannot honestly recommend you to go any further-

Awaiting your decision-

I am yours most truly
W A LindsayEditorial Note: William Alexander Lindsay (1846-1926) was a long-serving officer of arms at the College of Arms in London, England.
College of ArmsEditorial Note: The College of Arms is the official heraldic authority for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and much of the Commonwealth, including Australia and New Zealand. It is located in London, England., E C
26 July 1898

If you proceed further. I should like to take a copy of this letter
Campbell of Lochnell.
Reg Mag Sig III. No 1689.
John C. of L witness to a charter of sale. John Lawmond of Ardlawmond, to Archibald E. of Argyle 16 June. 1536 Nothing in Great Seal RegisterAs Written:gt seal reg to show that John was son to an Earl of Argyle. & the name Ion Gorm does not appear.
– IV. 1240
John C of Lochnanell. witness to a charter of sale.. (-for Affection) Hector Maclean peer of Dowart to Joneta Campbell daughterAs Written:dau of Archibald - E of Argyle. regardingAs Written:re her virginity at Dunnone. 26 Dec 1557.
– IV. 1592
John C of Lochnenell witness to a charter by Archibald E of Argyle to Mr John Carswell – Rector of Kelmartyn at Inverara 21 Jan 1559.
V. 1228
Archibald C. of Lochennell.. had a grant in fen farm - to him & Sibille Drummond his wife from the Abbey of Inchaffray, of lands of Auchinloche in barony of Mokcarne, Co Argyle. 23 July 1584
No evidence of any marriage to Mary C of Ardkinglass. who certainly was not heiress-
VI - 610
Archibald C peer of Loychenyell.. witness to a charter of Colin Ld Argyll at Tarbert 5 July 1574
IX. 856
Alexander Ea of Lochnavell had Royal charter of novodamusEditorial Note: A charter of novodamus, in Scottish feudal land law, is a fresh grant of lands to the grantee. It is usually granted to make some change in the incidents of tenure of land already granted, or to resolve doubts about the grant or its terms. of 7 merk lands of Kilmour in lordship of Lorne – (on his resignation) to him for life & in fee to John C peer of L. his eldest son 31 July 1638
Graham.
There is nothing in the Great Seal Register to show that John Graham (son of Malise Earl of Menteith & Lady Ann de Vere) had a son Richard.
Reg Mag Sig IINo1861
John Graham had a charter of land in the Earldom of Menteith from his father at Inchtolloch 8 Dec 1485.
There is nothing in the Index to the Acts of Parliament of Scotland to assist in establishing the suggested Graham descent - not to show that Campbell of Lochnell - was son of Argyle–

⇉ Handshift:unknown Genealogy
214B.35.065
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Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library
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To Mrs. Field King.
Dear Madam-

I have made a preliminary search in order to verify the Sketches of pedigree which you left with me. last monthEditorial Note: In 1895, Mary Baker Eddy's student, Julia Field-King undertook her own research project to prove that Eddy was a direct descendant of King David of Israel. The background of this endeavor was known as the "Anglo-Israel theory," which promoted the idea that the Anglo-Saxon "race" was in fact descended from the ten lost tribes of Israel. Field-King was particularly influenced by a 26 volume work titled Our Race: Its Origin and Its Destiny by Charles Adiel Lewis Totten (1851-1908). In it, Totten attempted to prove that the genealogy of the British royal line could be traced back to King David. Although Eddy for a time showed some interest in Field-King's efforts, she eventually asked her to stop the research. Not only was the research failing to yield the results Field-King hoped for, but Eddy indicated that these pursuits were contrary to the fundamental teachings of Christian Science regarding the wholly spiritual nature of man.-

The first & second of these pedigrees purport to show that Marion Moor McNeill who married Joseph Baker in America at a date not stated was descended through McNeill of Taynish and Campbell of Lochnell- from Colin 3d Earl of Argyll. & thus from. Sir Duncan Campbell & Margaret Bruce. dauExpanded:daughter of the King. and thus from. David I. (who died 1153) and the previous kings of Scotland

The first essential point to prove is that Lochnell – was son of Argyll.

Enclosed herewith are notes from the Great Seal Register – that is the Register of Charters by the kings of Scotland granting lands - or confirming the grants of subjects — dealing with the Campbells of Lochnell- From these you will observe that while there is no son of Earl Colin named Ion Gorm in the Register - there was a John Campbell of Lochnell in 1536 who is not described as a relation of the Earls- Witnessing a charter to Archibald 4th Earl – eldest son of the 3d Earl – if he had been brother the fact would probably have been mentioned.

He is described as son in Douglas Peerage of Scotland - but without proof–

There is nothing to connect Archibald & Alexander with John. And Archibald married a Drummond whereas the suggested pedigree calls his wife a Macdougall.

The third of the suggested pedigrees [?] Unclear or illegible Alleges the descent of William Graham who married Elenor Wyatt in America from Sir John Graham Son of "Wallis" - by whom is meant I suppose Malise Graham- Earl of Menteith given in Douglas Peerage as husband of Lady Ann de Vere dauExpanded:daughter of the Earl of Oxford- And thus from Robert II King of Scotland by his second wife Lady Eufemia Ross

Malise Earl of Menteith had a son John Graham proved by a charter from his father - recorded as in the note herewith.

This John is alleged in Douglas Peerage to be ancestor of several well known Graham families, but there is no evidence that he had a son Richard as alleged in the pedigree. The name Richard does not occur in Scotch families of the name– but does occur constantly in the Grahams of Netherby Co Cumberland - who are alleged in Douglas peerage to descend from John—

The pedigrees supplied to me, are of very little use as clues, the authorities for each descent alleged not being given - and very rarely a date - but I gather from other of the papers that the pedigrees are compiled from printed books only. which are of no authority whatever.

I cannot recommend you to proceed with this search. In order to obtain proof either of the descents alleged or of any similar descents it will be necessary to search the Records of the Supreme Court, called - Acts & Decrees for the 16th century. in respect of the two principal links I have searched for-

It will also be necessary to search the charter Chests of the Duke of Argyll & the Duke of Montrose for Campbell & Graham. This can only be done by special permission- which you would have to obtain. And the searches would be extremely expensive if allowed.

A report on the papers of the Duke of Montrose was made to the Historical Manuscript Commissioners in 1870 - (2d Report page 165).

And a 2d Report was made in 1872. (3d Rep. p 396) This latter Report deals with the Menteith charters and I have examined it without deriving any assistance.

To the best of my belief the Duke of Argyll's papers charters have not been printed.

For the examination and searches I have made my fee is five guineasEditorial Note: 5 guineas, or £5.25, in 1898 is the equivalent of £877.56, or $1,186.73, in 2025.. And if you stop the search I will deduct that sum. And return you the balance of £50Editorial Note: £50.00 in 1898 is the equivalent of £8,357.67, or $11,310.00, in 2025..

If you desire [?] Unclear or illegible . An exhaustive search of unindexed records at Edinburgh - I will employ my usual. very competent agent to make it & I will enquire whether I may see the two collections I have mentioned. The £50 will balance may suffice for the former- And the expense of searching the latter (that is the private charter chests) would be. about 3 guineasEditorial Note: 3 guineas, or £3.15, in 1898 is the equivalent of £526.53, or $712.10, in 2025. a day without its being possible to define how many days may be necessary. Another £50 might & probably would cover it.

But the chance of success in proving what you wish is small- I doubt very much whether any of the work done in America even if I had all the papers is of any use- Not of course being founded on original Sources - but only upon. printed books of very little authority. It is so easy to speculate that A was son of B 400 years ago and often so difficult to prove it.

I think I have laid before you the whole case I cannot say that a proposition will not be proved- But [?] Unclear or illegible considering the difficulty and expense (and in respect of expense I have not considered what the subsequent steps in the pedigree –subsequent to the critical links mentioned–) I cannot honestly recommend you to go any further-

Awaiting your decision-

I am yours most truly
W A LindsayEditorial Note: William Alexander Lindsay (1846-1926) was a long-serving officer of arms at the College of Arms in London, England.
College of ArmsEditorial Note: The College of Arms is the official heraldic authority for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and much of the Commonwealth, including Australia and New Zealand. It is located in London, England., E C
26 July 1898

If you proceed further. I should like to take a copy of this letter
Campbell of Lochnell.
Reg Mag Sig III. No 1689.
John C. of L witness to a charter of sale. John Lawmond of Ardlawmond, to Archibald E. of Argyle 16 June. 1536 Nothing to in gt seal regExpanded:Great Seal Register to show that John was son to an Earl of Argyle. & the name Ion Gorm does not appear.
– IV. 1240
John C of Lochnanell. witness to a charter of sale.. (-for Affection) Hector Maclean peer of Dowart to Joneta Campbell dauExpanded:daughter of Archibald - E of Argyle. reExpanded:regarding her virginity at Dunnone. 26 Dec 1557.
– IV. 1592
John C of Lochne [?] Unclear or illegible nell witness to a charter by Archibald E of Argyle to Mr John Carswell – Rector of Kelmartyn at Inverara 21 Jan 1559.
V. 1228
Archibald C. of Lochennell.. had a grant in fen farm - to him & Sibille Drummond his wife from the Abbey of Inchaffray, of lands of Auchinloche in barony of Mokcarne, Co Argyle. 23 July 1584
No evidence of any marriage to Mary C of Ardkinglass. who certainly was not heiress-
VI - 610
Archibald C peer of Loychenyell.. witness to a charter of Colin Ld Argyll at Tarbert 5 July 1574
VIIIIX. 856
Alexander CEa of Lochnavell had Royal charter of novodamusEditorial Note: A charter of novodamus, in Scottish feudal land law, is a fresh grant of lands to the grantee. It is usually granted to make some change in the incidents of tenure of land already granted, or to resolve doubts about the grant or its terms. of lan7 merk lands of Kilmour in lordship of Lorne – (on his resignation) to him for life & in fee to John C peer of L. his eldest son 31 July 1638
Graham.
There is nothing in the Great Seal Register to show that John Graham (son of Malise Earl of Menteith & Lady Ann de Vere) had a son Richard.
Reg Mag Sig IINo1861
John Graham had a charter of land in the Earldom of Menteith from his father at Inchtolloch 8 Dec 1485.
There is nothing in the Index to the Acts of Parliament of Scotland to assist in establishing the suggested Graham descent - not to show that Campbell of Lochnell - was son of Argyle–

⇉ Handshift:unknown Genealogy
 
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William Alexander Lindsay (1846-1926) was a long-serving officer of arms at the College of Arms in London, England. In 1895, Mary Baker Eddy's student, Julia Field-King undertook her own research project to prove that Eddy was a direct descendant of King David of Israel. The background of this endeavor was known as the "Anglo-Israel theory," which promoted the idea that the Anglo-Saxon "race" was in fact descended from the ten lost tribes of Israel. Field-King was particularly influenced by a 26 volume work titled Our Race: Its Origin and Its Destiny by Charles Adiel Lewis Totten (1851-1908). In it, Totten attempted to prove that the genealogy of the British royal line could be traced back to King David. Although Eddy for a time showed some interest in Field-King's efforts, she eventually asked her to stop the research. Not only was the research failing to yield the results Field-King hoped for, but Eddy indicated that these pursuits were contrary to the fundamental teachings of Christian Science regarding the wholly spiritual nature of man. 5 guineas, or £5.25, in 1898 is the equivalent of £877.56, or $1,186.73, in 2025. £50.00 in 1898 is the equivalent of £8,357.67, or $11,310.00, in 2025. 3 guineas, or £3.15, in 1898 is the equivalent of £526.53, or $712.10, in 2025. William Alexander Lindsay (1846-1926) was a long-serving officer of arms at the College of Arms in London, England. The College of Arms is the official heraldic authority for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and much of the Commonwealth, including Australia and New Zealand. It is located in London, England. A charter of novodamus, in Scottish feudal land law, is a fresh grant of lands to the grantee. It is usually granted to make some change in the incidents of tenure of land already granted, or to resolve doubts about the grant or its terms.