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1996 Kim Beall
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Colonel Ninian Beall
1625 - 1717
The most widely circulated Beall family story is, of course the story of the original Beall on this continent, Colonel Ninian Beall, who was captured in the Battle of Dunbar, an ill-fated religio-political war in Scotland in 1650, and was sent, along with 149 other Highlanders, into virtual slavery in Barbados. Scottish song and literature is in fact full of references to these Highlanders, whom certain interests in Scotland at the time tried to eliminate from the Isles.
I have always thought that Ninian's story is an inspiring tale of how a man can lose everything, but then turn around to regain even more, build a life to admire, and contribute greatly to history and society. In fact I think it would make a killer movie - is there a screenplay-writer in the house?
Articles I have collected and transcribed here:
To the best of my knowledge, all of the above material is of expired copyright and in the public domain. If you are aware that it is otherwise, please notify me. I have done my best to transcribe the articles faithfully as they originally appeared, to the point of retaining typos, and even, though it made me cringe, to retain the erroneous use of the word "Scotch" to describe Ninan's ethnic heritage, instead of the proper "Scottish"!
Far off in sunlit places, Sad are the Scottish faces,
Yearning to feel the Kiss of sweet Scottish rain.
Where tropic skies are beaming, Love sets the heart a-dreaming,
Longing and dreaming for the homeland again.
Towering in gallant fame, Scotland my mountain hame,
High may your proud standards gloriously wave,
Land of my high endeavour, Land of the shining heather,
Land of my heart for ever, Scotland the brave!
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