Harris Merchants 1851 - 1901

A list of those appearing on the census returns followed by a few observation:

1851
Malcolm Macdonald, 66, Obe, Merchant and Innkeeper
Murdo Ferguson, 30, Obe, Farmer's Son – Merchant
William Macrae, 60, Kentulavig, Rag Merchant
Richard Watson, 32, Rodel, Fish Merchant

Duncan Macrae, 27, Scarp, Merchant

Angus Macdonald, 50, Obe, Farmer and Formerly Merchant
Mary Macleod, 30, Leaclee, Retired Merchant

1861
Norman Macleod, 57, East Tarbert, Merchant (Grocer)
John Kerr, 54, East Tarbert, Merchant (Grocer)

Finlay Macelod, 28, Borve, Merchant
Donald Macelod, 54, Leackin, Egg Merchant
Malcolm Mackinnon,53, Leaclee, Merchant
John Macdonald, 60, Grosebay, Merchant
William Macrae, 16, Nisheshevee, Merchant

Alexander Macrae, 54, Kentulavig, General Merchant
Roderick Macdonald, 35, Obe, Merchant
William Ferrier, 29, Obe, Rag Merchant


Duncan Boyd, 25, Bernera, Merchant
Malclom Campbell, 27, Bernera, Merchant

1871
Angus Macleod, 40, Tarbert, Merchant
Donald Macleod, 26, Tarbert, Merchant
Malcolm Macleod, 62, House at Tarbert, Merchant
Roderick Mackay, 44, House at Tarbert, Merchant
James Macpherson, 47, House at Tarbert, Merchant
John Ferguson, 34, Tenants House, Merchant

Kenneth Maclennan, 35, Main Road at Harris, Merchant
Donald Macleod, 56, Ardasaigh, Merchant
Kenneth Campbell, 29, Scalpay, Merchant

Alexander Macdonald, 30, Kentulavig, Merchant
Roderick Macdonald, 43, Obe Shop, General Merchant
John Kerr, 40, Strond, Merchant
Malcolm Macsween, 37, Strond, Merchant

Kenneth Campbell, 29, Scarp, Merchant

1881
John Macleod, 68, Merchant-Silks, East Tarbert No. 19, b. Harris
Norman Macleod, 44, Merchant-Grocer, East Tarbert 24, b. Harris
Roderick Ferguson, 22, Obbe, Merchant
Donald Kerr, 60, Strond, Merchant
John Kerr, 50, Strond, Merchant
Finlay Morrison, 24, Strond, Merchant
Alexander Paterson, 38, Strond, Merchant

1891
Murdo Mackinnon, 50, East Tarbert, Merchant
John Mackay, 48, East Tarbert, General Merchant
Malcolm Mackay, 25, East Tarbert, Merchant
Angus Macleod, 60, East Tarbert, General Merchant
Norman Macleod, 54, East Tarbert, Merchant (General)
Angus Macleod, 36, East Tarbert, General Merchant
Donald Macrae, 38, East Tarbert, Merchant
Robert Morrison, 35, East Tarbert, General Merchant and Joiner

Roderick Macleod, 40, 6 Direcleit, General Merchant
Norman Macinnes, 53, 2 High St, General Merchant
Donald Macaskill, 32, Ardasaigh, Merchant
John Macleod, 25, Ardasaigh, Merchant
Malcolm Campbell, 47, Caragrich, General Merchant
John Macleod, 30, Caragrich, General Merchant
Marion Fraser, 35, Colum, Merchant
Donald Macaskill, 39, Rushgarry, Merchant
Angus MacCuish, 21, Stromore, Merchant
Kenneth Maclennan, 52, Little Borve, Merchant
Ann Macleod, 55, Little Borve, Merchant
Angus Paterson, 45, Bernera, Merchant

Norman Macleod, 92, East Tarbert, Retired Merchant
Roderick Mackay, 60, East Tarbert, Retired Merchant

1901
Peter Macdonald, 29, N Harris, Merchant (gen)
John Macinnes, 35, N Harris, General Merchant
Murdo Mackinnon, 60, N Harris, Merchant (grocer)
Angus Macleod, 69, N Harris, Gen Merchant
Finlay Macleod, 32, N Harris, General Merchant
Angus Macleod, 25, N Harris, General Merchant
John McVicar, 36, N Harris, General Merchant
Christina Morrison, 49, N Harris, General Merchant
Kenneth Morrison, 31, N Harris, General Merchant

John Macaskill, 42, Ardasaigh, General Merchant
Angus Maccuish, 31, Cuidinish, Provision Merchant
John Macleod, 42, Caragrich, General Merchant
Kenneth Macdonal, 47, Drinishader, Merchant 'General'
Ewan Macaskill, 33, Kyles Scalpay, General Merchant
Donald Macdonald, 36, Kyles Scalpay, General Merchant
Roderick,MacCuish 47, Leaclee, Crofter, Grocer and General Merchant
Norman Macleod, 64, Leackin, General Merchant
Neil Murray, 36, Leackin, General Merchant

John Mackay, 44, Obbe, Merchant

Kenneth Campbell, 60, Scalpay, Merchant Fishcurer
Angus Paterson, 56, Bernera, General Merchant
Christina Macaskill, 32, Bernera, General Merchant

John Macleod, 78, Carigrich, Retired Merchant
Malcolm Campbell, 57, Carragrich, Retired Merchant

Apart from the obvious explosion of merchants that occurs during these 50 years, we also can see the growth of  importance of Tarbert at the expense of the South coast's earlier dominance.

This is accompanied by the rise of merchants dotted across the island's settlements, perhaps reflecting the increasing importance of cash in the economy as well as demographic changes?

It is unfortunate that we have no clues as to any specialisations that may be hidden within the term 'General Merchant', particularly in the case of Tarbert/N Harris.