Definition
James Small (died 21 August 1777) was a retired British Army officer who served as a factor (estate manager) for forfeited Highland estates in Perthshire and is noted for his efforts to improve the community of Kinloch Rannoch in the Scottish Highlands after the Jacobite uprisings.
Overview
Born into the Small family of Dirnanean in Perthshire, Small was the son of Patrick Small of Leanoch and Magdalen Robertson of Straloch. He pursued a military career, attaining the rank of Ensign in Lord Loudoun’s Regiment and serving at Finnart. Following the defeat of the Jacobite forces at the Battle of Culloden (1746), many estates of supporters of the Jacobite cause were confiscated by the Crown. In 1754 Small was appointed factor of the forfeited Robertson estates of Straun, near Kinloch Rannoch.
As factor, Small oversaw the redistribution of land to former soldiers, promoted agricultural development, and facilitated the construction of roads, bridges, schools, and churches. He worked with the poet‑scholar Dugald Buchanan to establish educational facilities for spinning and weaving, and he recruited skilled craftsmen to teach trades to the local youth. One of his less successful projects was an attempt to drain the marshy ground surrounding Kinloch Rannoch via a network of ditches known as “The Soldiers’ Trenches.” Small’s administration contributed to a gradual stabilization and economic improvement of the area. He died on 21 August 1777 in Chorley, Lancashire, while travelling to Buxton, and was buried at St Laurence’s Church, Chorley.
Etymology / Origin
The given name “James” derives from the Hebrew name Yaʿaqōb, meaning “supplanter.” The surname “Small” is of Scottish origin, traditionally a descriptive name referring to a person of slight stature or to the Old English smæl (“narrow”). The family of Small of Dirnanean was a recognized Lowland gentry line in Perthshire.
Characteristics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Military background | Ensign in Lord Loudoun’s Regiment; part of a family with strong military traditions (brother Major‑General John Small). |
| Role as factor | Managed Crown‑appointed forfeited estates; responsible for land allocation, infrastructure development, and community welfare. |
| Improvement projects | - Allocation of crofts to discharged soldiers. - Advising on road and bridge construction. - Establishing schools for textile trades. - Introducing masons, joiners, and wheelwrights to teach skills. - Drainage attempts (The Soldiers’ Trenches). |
| Family connections | Married Katharine Wilson (1739); three surviving daughters. Notable descendants include Charles Spalding (improver of the diving bell), Sir Archibald Campbell (1st Baronet of New Brunswick), Canadian fur trader John MacDonald of Garth, and, in later generations, Baron Falconer of Thoroton. |
| Legacy | Recognized for contributing to post‑Jacobite reconstruction in the Highlands; his administrative model exemplifies the role of estate factors in 18th‑century Scotland. |
Related Topics
- Factor (Scottish land management) – The role of a factor in overseeing estates, particularly forfeited lands after the Jacobite rebellions.
- Forfeited estates of the Jacobite era – Lands seized by the Crown and administered by appointed factors.
- Culloden (1746) – The decisive battle that led to the forfeiture of many Highland estates.
- Kinloch Rannoch – The Highland village where Small carried out his improvement work.
- Dugald Buchanan – Gaelic poet and educator who collaborated with Small on school initiatives.
- John Small (brother) – Major‑General and later Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey.
- Charles Spalding – Son‑in‑law of Small’s daughter, known for innovations in diving‑bell technology.
All information presented is drawn from established historical sources, including contemporary records and scholarly compilations of Scottish estate management after the Jacobite uprisings.