It is thus fully established
that Captain Murdoch Mackenzie's genealogical chain fails at the
very outset - is broken in its initial link. The Hon. John Mackenzie
of Assynt had only one son. His name was Kenneth, not Murdoch,
and he died without issue. If any additional proof be required to
show that the male line of the Hon. John Mackenzie of Assynt has
long been extinct, it will be found in the fact that on the death
of Earl Kenneth, known as "the Little Lord," in 1781, the succession
to the representation and ancient honours of the family of Kintail
and Seaforth, devolved upon the heir male of Colonel Alexander
Mackenzie of Assynt, who was the fourth son of Kenneth Mor, third
earl, and a younger brother of the Hon. John Mackenzie of Assynt,
apart altogether from the conclusive parole evidence given by very
old people at the Allangrange Service in 1829. This effectually
disposes of Captain Murdo Mackenzie.
Now as to the more plausible but equally baseless claim of Captain
William Mackenzie of Gruinard, and his cousin, the late Major-General
Alexander Mackay Mackenzie of the Indian Army. Captain Murdoch
Mackenzie's claim having failed, we must go back another step in
the chain to pick up the legitimate succession to the honours of
Kintail and Seaforth.
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