Notes |
- 1 - WILLIAM MURRAY: Vice.-Lieut.; co., Sterling; Lieut.-Col. of the Yeo.; born 1773; married 1799, Anne, daughter of William Maxwell; was succeeded by his cousin:
(http://groups.msn.com/ANCIENTMURRAYGENEALOGY/murrayoftouchadamandpolinaise.msnw)
2 - Sacred to the Memory of
WILLIAM MURRAY of Touchadam & Polmaise
Late Lieutenant Colonel, Stirlingshire Yeomanry Cavalry
Born 6th July 1773, died 12th September 1847
Also of
ANNE MAXWELL his wife
Married 1799, Died 1846
(Monumental Inscription - St. Ninian's New Churchyard, Kirk Wynd, St. Ninians, Stirling (1 mile south of Stirling Town Centre) Map Reference: NS 796 916)
[http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/scottishwargraves-ftopic692.html]
3 - The documents and letters in the Murray of Polmaise collection admirably demonstrate the military, social, legal and economic problems of serving in the Yeomanry Cavalry at the time, particularly in times of unrest when the yeomen were frequently called out. As men of some standing they had to defend the interests of the property-holding classes. As farmers, they could be subject to pressures and threats from malcontents close at hand, since they represented military authority in their locality whether or not they were in uniform. They had their own business to conduct and the seasons and weather did not wait on their military duties. The extent of training in military arts and techniques varied considerably between individual and troops. Added to this their legal position was far from clear. Yeomen could find themselves facing prosecution in Court for injuring rioters while on duty.6 This happened to the Manchester Yeomanry after Peterbo, although the yeomen were exonerated. Aid to the Civil Power meant that once the Yeomanry Cavalry, Volunteers or Militia had been called out and embodied by the Civil Authority (Lord Lieutenant, Magistrates, civic authorities) they were duty bound to use military force if other methods were ineffective to suppress civil violence. The extent of force was a matter of judgement.
THE STIRLINGSHIRE YEOMANRY
The Duke of Montrose was the Lord Lieutenant of Stirlingshire. At this time he was resident in London and his duties devolved on the Vice Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace, William Murray of Polmaise and Touchadam. Major Murray commanded the Stirlingshire Yeomanry which consisted of five troops-Stirling, Falkirk, Fintry, Campsie and Kilsyth.
The officers of the Stirlingshire Yeomanry cavalry at the time, with dates of their seniority, were as follows:
Major: William Murray of Polmaise (captain on formation in 1798, later Lieutenant Colonel Commandant 13 July 1820)
[http://web.ukonline.co.uk/tom.paterson/history/AHRstir1820.htm]
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