Robert Russell located John Mackenzie's, Tacksman of Galson, will. (1827 Mackenzie, John [Reference SC33/34/1 Stornoway Sheriff Court]).

John MacKenzie died in 1816 and we believe that William moved to Melbost Farm in 1837.

The will mentions that John has a brother named Lewis. It also lists the executors as:

John Mackenzie - Commissary Deputy of the Lewis

Evander MacIver Tacksman of Gress

Colin MacIver Tacksman of Coll

Kenneth MacIver Tacksman of Tolsta

Kenneth Mackenzie - Clerk/ Comptroller of Customs, Stornoway

There is a suplementary entry relating to the posessions of Mary Gillanders alias Mackenzie - wife of Alexander Mackenzie, Shipmaster but it is not clear how Mary is related to John MacKenzie of Galson,

This second declaration mentions

John Mackenzie, son of Donald Mackenzie, Junior merchant in Stornoway

John Mollison (Morrison?) Farmer Croigmaston ?

Daniel Reid Commander of Prince Ernest Augustus, Revenue Cruiser

Capt John Mackenzie Senior

We presume that William MacGregor took over the farm from John Mackenzie but haven't been able to identify from which branch of the Mackenzies John was descended. We thought that he might be one of the Lochend Mackenzies, as there is mention of a brother named Lewis, but we can't get the dates to fit.

I discovered through Willie Foulger, at the Stornoway Historical Society, that there is a memorial inscription in the Old Sandwick Cemetery, Stornoway which reads: -

"Erected by John Mackenzie collector of HM Customs Leith in memory of his father Donald Mackenzie who died 1847 aged 71 and his mother Eliza Mackenzie who died 1812 aged 27. Also of his paternal grandfather and grandmother John Mackenzie who died 1821 aged 97 (b 1724) and Isabella Mackay his wife who died 1827 aged 101 (b 1726) .

Also of his maternal grandfather and grandmother Alexander Mackenzie and Mary Gillanders his wife all of whom are buried here.

Also in memory of his brother Auley who was drowned at sea 1831 aged 21 and his brother Colin Eliza who died at sea 1846 aged 21".

but, again, I haven't been able to identify them in any of the Mackenzie records

There was another Auley MacKenzie:

WO 121/190/251

Description:

AULEY MACKENZIE

Born STORNOWAY, Ross and Cromarty

Served in 8th Royal Veteran Battalion; 78th Foot Regiment; 6th Royal Veteran Battalion

Discharged aged 30 after 11 years 4 months of service

Residence or place where pension paid stated in document.

See film image 730 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10347372