Ayrshire Templars (incorporating Irvine & Kilwinning)

[Susan Russell]

To celebrate his latest research on the Templars and Freemasons of
Ayrshire, A.J.Morton commissioned me to establish an official website
containing news and reviews covering his most controversial
discoveries. In 2006, he uncovered evidence linking inventor Nikola
Tesla with Scotland (http://teslainscotland.weebly.com/). In 2008 he
revealed the whereabouts of an overgrown medieval estate with links to
Bruce, the Knights of St. John and Robert Burns (http://
bourtreehill.weebly.com/index.html). In 2009, he discovered that
Robert Burns was not the author of The Master's Apron, an overtly
masonic poem attributed to Burns since 1902, but which was written by
an American statesman almost a century after the poet's death (http://
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6256836.ece).

In July we issued a press statement via Reuters and AP: A.J. had
produced a doctoral thesis detailing the long lost links between the
Templars and Freemasons (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/
scotland/article6719180.ece) and rocked the academic and masonic
community to the core.

Checked, and found to be solid and persuasive, by Dr. Gerard
Carruthers of Glasgow University (the man in charge of checking theses
and dissertations) and praised by Leslie Riddoch on the BBC Lunchtime
Show, the national and international press announced that A.J. had
found the last resting place of the Holy Grail. He hadn't, but he
found something else. Something real.

We are still looking for qualified scholars, or well-respected
Freemasons to comment on the research. Some of the comments will be
included in the final draft of his up-and-coming book. Though we
anticipated a mixed response, the results have been overwhelmingly
positive.

Please visit the official A.J.Morton homepage (http://aj-
morton.weebly.com/) and official Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/
pages/AJMorton/117762517483?ref=mf) to find out more.

Kind regards,
S. Russell

---

Tags: kilwinning morton aj a.j.morton templars irvine ayrshire grail
dan brown templar freemasonry freemasons treasure bannockburn bruce
masons abbey archaeological dig indiana jones

[WORK]

---EDIT---

Sorted links:

[Joanne Crawford Ph.D.]

Kevan,

See links below. The slickness of the presentation makes me suspect
the guy is a crackpot, however, his forthcoming book might be worth
taking a look at. Wondering if he has any interesting leads as to
whether our own ancestors might have been templars. Probably not
specific enough, but might be worth taking a look at the book when
it comes out.

J

[Deane GeMMell]

Joanne

I know this message was to Kevin but thought you might be of some help to me
as well. I am a descendant of the Templehouse Gemmill's of Dunlop Scotland.
The Templehouse, and many connected properties, were held by my ancestors.
Templehouse in particular was definitely a Gemmill (Gemmell) holding from
before 1474 until 1962. We can document that. Up until 1850, when I
understand the laws in Scotland changed pertaining entailed land, the male
heirs were reassigned the property, first by Knights Hospitaliar, and then
by Lord Torpichan (spelling might be off) whom I understand used to be a
past master of Knights Hospitaliar and when it disbanded became Lord
Torpichan, as his heirs did as well. At that time both Thorn Farm in Dunlop
and Templehouse were sold. However in the case of Templehouse 3 sisters of
the heir managed to purchase it with approximately 50 acres (there was much
more) and they lived there for the rest of their lives. One had a daughter
but remained unmarried and that daughter, Mina Gemmill, or Minnie as the
townsfolk remember her, lived at Templehouse until she passed in 1962. At
that point no heirs could be located and also Minnie wanted the land to go
back to the crown "from where it came in the first place."

I find it interesting that the Temple Lands did not get merged into the
lands of the Hospitaliar when the Templars were supposedly disbanded but
were held separate. I visited the ancestral home in 2008 and plan to visit
again next summer. My daughter noticed that there is one quite distinctive
door knocker on a street in the town that has the Maltese cross held by two
fish. As an art historian that intrigues me. I have a strong suspicion
that the Templars just went underground in Scotland or merged with other
groups in some manner. What do you know on this if anything?

So on to my question. Have you any information on the small holdings of the
Templars, such as farms and such, and how they would have appointed someone
as landholder? I found an early 1600 book on Scotland by Timothy Pont who
mapped the land and mentioned the Dunlop Templehouse Gemmills and said "they
have a strange and peculiar relationship to the ancient knights Templar".
There are those in the family who think this is all fabrication but
certainly the land was Templar or why the name Templehouse, and also
certainly a man with the reputation of Timothy Pont would not include
hearsay in his book. As far as I know the family, my family, were very
quiet about any association and claimed nothing, which probably was the wise
thing to do since I suspect they were also involved quietly in the
Covenentry movement, and for political reasons had to keep things to
themselves. I do have some family legends I will share if you want to hear
them, otherwise I will spare you.

Any information would be wonderful. Any suggestions for my next visit in
the summer of 2010 would also be appreciated like: Don't miss this site or
that. I have a friend from Dumfries, another Gemmell, who has kindly invited
me to return and do some more exploration.

Sincerely

Deane GeMMell

[WORK]

Hello Joanne & Deane,

As far as I am aware, the thesis covers Torphichen, Dunlop and the
Gemmills and Crawfords and will probably be quite enlightening for
those interested in these regions and names. I'm not sure the label
"crackpot" is fair, since he works closely with Glasgow University and
insists on having all his research checked before going public. He
also detests the genuine crackpots in this field.

I myself constructed the Facebook and website. If slickness is an
indicator of madness, you can't blame Mr. Morton. :)

I'll let him know your thoughts however. Very interesting.

Kind regards,
Susan

[karen mckenzie]

Hi Deane,
I would be delighted to know of your stories and legends reguarding the Knights Templar. The secrecy is why the decendants didnt know the whole truth, that and persecution of course. I have concluded that the Templars were disbanded and the Hospitallers took their place, naturally, I would have no proof of the nonsenso that happened way way back before Robert the Bruce claimed himself the King. This is the truth I have been hoping would come to light for this generation. Thanks for speaking of it!!
Cheers!!
Karen

--- On Tue, 9/1/09, WORK <suzy_r...@ymail.com> wrote:

[Deane GeMMell]

Hello Susan,

Not sure what the "crackpot " remark is all about. Didn't come from me. I
did order a book, maybe the right one. Just want to get some information on
the templars and their association with my ancestoral family. Exactly what
thesis are you referring to so that I know if I am on the right track or
not? I will be flying into Glasgow next spring or summer and maybe I could
speak with the author as well. That would ne wonderful, even if a bit out
there in dream-land. I tried to see Dr. James Floyd from Edinburgh who
works for One name study but he was retiring about the time I was last in
Scotland so didn't get to meet him. I did, however, meet Willima Campbell
who has researched the family extensively and is my 5th cousin.

Thanks for your reply and information.

Deane

[WORK]

Hi Deane,

Hard copies of the original thesis are available for purchase on the
website:
http://aj-morton.weebly.com/purchase.html

This is the first time an account of the KNOWN connections between the
Templars and Freemasons in Ayrshire has been released to the public.
As such, there is no other publication that will give you a real
insight into Templar-Dunlop.

The crackpot comment came from Joanne Crawford (see above), but upon
review, A.J. reckons her reaction is only natural. He said, "so much
rubbish has been written about the Templars and Freemasons." This is
why he structured the work as a Ph.D. thesis and had it privately peer-
reviewed before going public. Perhaps Joanne didn't know this. He has
a strong reputation as a serious historian, and has uncovered several
things of historical import since starting his career.

Hope this info is of use to you. Perhaps you could persuade your local
university or library to purchase a copy if the price is too steep.

Kind regards,
SR

[Deane GeMMell]

Thanks,

A.J. has contacted me and we decided that I would wait for the book to be
published. The Thesis is a bit out of my financial range. I am not so much
interested in proving anything at any rate because I think A.J. Morton has
most likely done that nicely. So anxiously awaiting the publication and
title of his book based on his thesis.

Thanks for getting back to me.

[WORK]

Hi Deane,

That's great! I'm delighted it worked out for you. He told me to tell
you that the excerpt he sent you was taken directly from his thesis.
Hope it made sense to you.

Susan

[Deane GeMMell]

Hi Susan,

Thank A.J. when you next speak for me. I feel honored that he shared a bit
of his thesis with me. I am anxious to read A.J.'s book when it comes out.
As I mentioned before, I will be in Scotland next summer. Maybe we could
somehow have a moment to speak over a cup of tea.
That includes you too Susan.

[clive harry]

Dear All

I too have traced my ancestry via London and Ireland back to the Gemmells of Templehouse, Dunlop, Ayrshire in the 16th century.  I'm really keen to make contact with others who are linked to this family and would be delighted to find as much about their history and origins as I can.

Best wishes

Clive Harry

( Bristol UK. )

[DEANE GEMMELL]

Hello Clive,

I am a descendant of the Templehouse Gemmells of Dunlap. My branch shifted from Templehouse to Thorn Farm in 1700's. There were many local properties, such as the Netherhill farms, one of which is just up the hill from Templehouse, that were connected to Templehouse. I live in USA. My great Grandfather Robert Gemmell of Thorn immigrated (sort of) at 14 years old and stole away on a ship to America. He joined his sister Mary Gemmell Cochranin  in Illinois and lived for many years with them before he married my great grandmother Sara Thompson, 1st generation Scotswoman born her in the USA. I would be happy to talk to you about my beloved Templehouse Gemmills/Gemmells. Please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Regards

Deane Gemmell

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[clive harry]

Dear Deane

I have just found this reply and I'm delighted to be in touch.  My branch migrated to Ireland from Templehouse at the time of the Plantation of Ulster in the early 1600s.  Patrick is the first who I have identified as making the move.  I should very much like to learn more about Templehouse and the history of the family.  My email is cliveh...@gmail.com and I'd love to hear from you.

Best wishes

Clive

[mimbza]

Hi Deanne,

I can see this thread is old but I would be really interested to hear your stories also.  My partner is descended from the Templehouse Gemmells of Dunlop, his family later comes from the Leahead branch.  I have been tracing his tree and I have read a few things about the family.  

My email is rachelhmai...@yahoo.com.au if you want to contact me

Rachel

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