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 Summer 2000 
Drummond Convention The Clan Drummond Society of North America held its first-ever national convention in Jasper, AL April 28, 2000. It was a rousing success, according to those in attendance. Those in attendance were: William R. Drummond & wife, Elkhart, IN; Roger Dr. Cargill & Robert I. Cargill, Endicott, NY; Audrie Drummond Ousley & husband Allen Ousley, Pensacola, FL; Jim & Shirley Metropoulos, Debary, FL; Joe & Sibyl Banks, Eutaw, AL; Charles McRobbie, Methune, MA; Robert McRobbie, Derry, NH; Maxine Drennen Chesser & husband, Tucker, GA; Marcus (Jim) Wallace & son David Wallace, Corinth, TX; Tommy & Linda Drummond, Tuscaloosa, AL; Bobby & Joy Drummond, Northport, AL; Stanley A. Wade & wife, Jasper, AL; Toby L. Cargile, Natalia, TX; Marie Thomasson, Ft. Worth, TX; Sylvan & Angie Cargile, Natalia, TX; A. Foster Drummond & wife Katheryn, Elgin, AZ; Carol Ashbaugh, Morgantown, KY; Kenneth A. Drummond, Nauvoo, AL; Ethel Cargile Dove, Lytle, TX; Louise Eagan, Jasper, AL; John & Edna Cargile, Vance, AL; John & Paula Cargile, Coker, AL; Margaret Drummond Martin & husband Howard Martin, Chattanooga, TN; Norma Drummond Bellemare & husband Robert, Peabody, MA; Ray & Rachel Drummonds, Gadsden, AL; Lewis C. Drummond, Northport, AL; Warren & Gladys Drummond, Birmingham, AL; Greg Cargile, Calhoun, GA.
Jasper, Alabama
The convention received plenty of attention from the news media, and Mayor Don Goetz. Mayor Goetz of Jasper drew up a proclamation (see attached) designating April 28-29 as Clan Drummond Day for it and its related clan families. The Alabama House of Representatives also designated April 28-29 as Clan Drummond Day in Alabama (see attached). Jasper, Alabama prides itself as a city rich in Celtic blood. The name Drummond in Jasper, AL is synonymous with this county. It was a rich coal-mining town for years, and the Drummond Coal Mines kept many people employed, providing a great place to work and live. Unfortunately, at the time we held our convention, the Drummond name was a bit controversial, since a lot of people had just been laid off their jobs as some mines closed down. Stanley A. Wade, whose grandmother was a Drummond, has a "Drummond Family Reunion" each year in Jasper. "If all the Drummond's and their families were to show up at one time they would fill a football stadium," he told the conventioneers. Most of the Drummond's in this area descend from Malcolm Drummond, the 10th Thane of Lennox, born about 1300 in Scotland. His descendants became Earls of Perth. The most interesting Drummond of this lineage was William Drummond, born about 1620 in Inverness, Scotland. He came to Virginia about 1637, but returned to England twice and there married Sarah Swann of Kent County, England in 1651. When he returned to Virginia he was a Justice in 1656 in James City County, Virginia. He was Sheriff of James City in 1660; was Burgess in 1667. In 1663, Sir William Berkley, Governor of the Colony of Virginia, visited the province called "Colony of Carolina," which King Charles II of England had granted him and seven others on March 24, 1663. He appointed William Drummond Governor of the Colony of Carolina. Carolina was divided into two counties: Albermable and Clarenden. William Drummond became the first Governor of North Carolina, in the county of Albermable in 1663 and continued until his death by hanging January 20, 1667 for his part in "Bacon's Rebellion." Even though Sir William Berkley of Virginia had appointed William Drummond as Governor of North Carolina they had become enemies. The hostility perhaps began in 1666 when a dispute between them regarding 25 acres of the Governor's land in Jamestown, Virginia that William Drummond had leased. William Drummond was taken prisoner in the Chickahominy Swamp 18 January 1667 and was carried by captors to Colonel Bacon's house on King's Creek, and there presented before Governor William Berkley the following day. He was removed from Colonel Bacon's house in irons, to Colonel Bray's, and a court-martial was convened. He was convicted of treason within an hour after his arrival at Bray's house and was sentenced to be hanged at Middle Plantation (Williamsburg) within four hours after condemnation. (This was his home plantation - 25 acres referred to earlier). After William died all of his property was confiscated. His wife Sarah returned to England to get the property returned to her by contacting influential relatives and friends. Her case was presented to the King. The editor of the Colonial Records of North Carolina says of William Drummond after his death. "He seems to have been a good man and a patriot, and more worthy of respect and remembrance, perhaps, than any colonial governor ever in North Carolina." After the execution of William Drummond, some of the men who participated in his capture and trial, but remained warm personal friends, pretended to lower his unofficial body in the James River. Instead, he was hurriedly and secretly buried in a shallow grave deep in the swamp, and soon thereafter his body was carried quietly by night to the Swann family graveyard at Swann's Point in Surry County, and there given a speedy and simple Christian burial. Except for identification by a certain rough stone, his grave was intentionally unmarked. For a hundred years or more no word was spoken concerning the disposition of his remains, although family and descendants have always known by a whisper, a nod, or the flash of an eye, where his body was laid to rest. When his faithful and courageous wife, Sarah, died ten years later, she, too was laid to rest by her husband. Her grave was also unmarked. Their daughter, Sarah, was buried at her mother's feet when she died 18 April 1669. William and Sarah had six children: Edward, Francis, Janet, Mary, Robert, and Sarah. It was Freeman Drummond, whose gggg grandfather William Drummond, came to Walker County, AL. They settled in Walker County between 1845 and 1847. He was on his way to Texas, but in crossing the Warrior River, a wagon wheel broke on the rocks. There was no blacksmith in the community and he being a blacksmith, decided to stay. Freeman is buried at the old Drummond cemetery about a mile from Pisgah Baptist Church in Walker County, Alabama, near the community of Sipsy, Alabama. Convention News
Conventioneers were treated with bagpipe music by Dain Forsthye of Birmingham Alabama to begin the convention. It was a nice surprise. Dain just walked in and asked us if he could play. Dain also participated in the music and festivities at the Jasper Highland Games the following day. Charles (Chuck) McRobbie, president of the Clan Drummond Society of North America, and his brother, Robert McRobbie, flew to Jasper to attend the convention. Charles McRobbie made opening remarks. John W. Cargile, vice-president and editor of the Clan, read proclamations from the Alabama House of Representatives and the City of Jasper. Each attendee was asked to speak briefly about their family heritage. Some people knew more about their Scottish heritage than others. All were eager to learn more and many family charts were available for photocopying. Videotape was provided by Charles McRobbie of footage of our present day Earl of Perth as he toured the Drummond Castle and other sites and described scenes from the past of the great Drummond heritage. Lunch was served, and a silent auction was held. A math book, signed by a William Drummond in the 1800's, was the most popular item in the auction. The book was purchased by Toby Cargile of Natalia, TX. He is the son of Rev. Sylvan Cargile, a member of the Society. Rev. Cargile also led prayer before lunch. The afternoon was spent as attendees found manuscripts and family charts from others in attendance that drew their interest. A copier was available and it was well used. Most attendees who stayed the night ate dinner at Quigley's Tea Room, feasting on prime rib or shrimp. Quigley's also has a B&B behind the restaurant. Some attendees dropped by the B&B to chat before returning to their motel. The Jasper Highland Games were held the next day. Plenty of food, collector's items, music and other entertainment capped off the convention. Thanks to Roger and Robert Cargill for helping set up the tents. Charles McRobbie and Foster Drummond led us in Parade of Clan Tartans. The weather was a little warm in April, but not the scorching heat that hits Alabama in the summer. Robert Cargill, who is in his 90's, received a gift for being the oldest in attendance. Foster Drummond was presented a gift for traveling the greatest distance from Elgin, AZ. Marcus (Jim) Wallace and his son, David Wallace, set up the Clan Wallace tent next to Clan Drummond. Jim Wallace is a Society member through his Cargile connection. He stays busy at Clan Gatherings throughout the Southwest. We extend our prayers to David Wallace who came down with pneumonia shortly after he arrived back to his home in Corinth, TX. According to Jim, he has not fully recovered. No decision has yet been made as to when the next Convention will take place. Stay tuned.
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