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Provided and typed by Dorothy Farish - [email protected]
The following information is taken from an old copybook written by Father William Cameron. The copybook and a cover letter was sent to the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation in Charlottetown on Feb.13, 1991 by John J. Burns, 10204 Martinhoe Dr., Vienna, Va. 22181. Thanks to John for giving us a correction on his zip code, and for sharing this article with PEIMHF. The original material was handwritten in about 1900/1901 when Willie Cameron was a young boy, and it supposedly represents material dictated to him by his grandmother, Nellie Brown. The photocopied copybook contains information concerning Grand River, Lot 16, the Barbara Weit River area and Indian River.
Nelly Brown (actually Helen (or Ellen) Brown), the person who dictated these notes to Father Willie Cameron, and who was the widow of Donald MacDonald Esquire, died January 22, 1902, aged 94 years. She was buried in St.Patrick's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Grand River on Jan. 24, 1902 by Father John T. Murphy. Nelly's husband, Donald MacDonald Esquire died April 14, 1859, aged forty-nine years and was buried on April 15, 1859 in St.Patrick's Cemetery, Grand River, by Father James MacDonald.
Notes that are in parenthesis are clarifications to this material, where possible. I have tried to organize the original material in a more logical way.- Dorothy.
Families Listed!
Alexander Brown
Donald Macdonald
The MacLellan's - John and Angus
Alexander Cameron
The MacLean's - Roderick and John
The Other Maclean's - Hugh, Hector, and John
Donald McDongald (McDougall)
The McKinnon's - Neill and James
James Smith
Donald Gillis
The MacLellans - More on the MacLellans
BROWN Alexander Brown was an officer and came to Prince Edward Island in the American War of Independence. Officer Brown was a sergant on board a war ship in Charlottetown with Captain Callbeck who had a family in the vessel. Brown was very well thought of.
Alex Brown got a grant of land in Lot 16. Other land he obtained was a grant of land on the other side of Charlottetown at Five-Mile House, and a lot in Charlottetown. He married Margaret MacWilliams , a Scotch girl. They were married by a justice of the peace. For a while they lived in Charlottetown, but he was determined to build vessels. He did build vessels up in Malpeque Bay. However, he became sickly and died after nine months of illness. He died at Brown's Creek and is buried across the river.
The grant of land in Lot 16 was lost to Brown's family by squatter's rights after Brown's death - as was the land in Charlottetown.
Bishop McEachern came three times from St.Andrew's to see Alexander Brown before the former officer died. Since the marriage before the justice of the peace wasn't considered a Catholic marriage, Alexander and Margaret were remarried before Alexander's death. Margaret was glad to turn Catholic to keep her sons - her husband had asked that the boys be given to the Bishop.
There were three boys - the oldest was William , the second was Hugh , and the third was James . A daughter, Margaret , was born after her father's death. She married Rod MacNeill, a ship builder living in Lot 16.
Alex Brown's widow married George Blood, a Protestant who turned Catholic. Poor, cruel wretch - smart but noisy. He went away and never returned.
Margaret Brown Blood's sister (Miss MacWilliams) married an Alexander Anderson in New London. Their youngest son, George Anderson, became a public auctioneer. Another sister married a James Coles in New London. A half-sister of Margaret's married an Alex Henry of Malpeque.
William Brown , the oldest son of Alex and Margaret, married Harriet McArthur , daughter of Neill McArthur, whose mother was a Catholic. The mother before her marriage to Neill was a Mrs. Roche. Her first husband and a son burned to death in a vessel on the sea. They formerly came from Quebec. Neill met her in Gaspe. At the time he met Mrs.Roche she had five children - 3 girls and 2 boys.
(Father Willie's grandmother (Nellie Brown) was a bridesmaid at the wedding of William and Harriet)
William and Harriet had the following children :
Anne Maria , who never married. She died in 1902.
Alexander , who died unmarried.
Helena , who died unmarried.
Hugh , who died unmarried.
William , who married Helen (or Ellen) Gorman, daughter of Thomas Gorman, Trout River, Tyne Valley.
Margaret , died unmarried.
Henrietta , who married James Gorman. They lived in Lot 7.
Veronica , who married John McIntyre. He used to keep a hotel. (Some of their children were baptized in the Brae)
Ellen Virginia , died unmarried. Her twin, James , married Maggie E. McDonald, daughter of Captain Hugh McDonald.
Bernard , who married Veronica McDonald, daughter of Captain Hugh McDonald.
William Brown and his brother Hugh built schooners and bought land where they settled.
Hugh Brown married Mary McKinnon from Barbara Weit . She had been a priest's housekeeper. Mary had a sister who married a man by the surname McCoy up at Tracadie in East Point. Mary's mother, after she was widowed, married a McMullin and had two sons, Angus and John, and a daughter who married a Gillis on Town Road.
Mention is made of the drowning of 6 men - an Alex McKinnon, another McKinnon, a McNeill, and three others. Looks like one of the McKinnon men who drowned was Mary's father.
Hugh and Mary had the following children :
Margaret , who married a John McKinnon.
Alexander
Kate
Mary Ann , who married Michael McInnis, son of Allan who married Donald McDonald's sister. (Donald of the Glen)
Albert . It is noted that he fell off a house on a heap of stones.
Agnes , who never married.
Matilda , who married Neill McNeill's wife's son of Roderick by second wife. (Figure that one out)
William and Hugh's brother James married Marjorie McDonald . Her father was a Lord McDongald (McDougall). Marjorie was raised at her mother's home because her mother and father were not married. She was actually a McDongald (McDougall), but was called McDonald after her mother. Her mother afterwards married a John McCormack. Marjorie had a step-brother McCormack. The family lived about 6 miles east of Charlottetown.
Marjorie's father, Lord John McDongald (McDougall), had two sons and two daughters. One daughter married Captain Cochrane and lived in Quebec.
Marjorie's mother was only three years of age when she left Scotland. This was the time the Scotch people were taken out to the eastern part of Prince Edward Island - around Bishop MacEachern's time. The MacDonald's in Bedeque and Allisrie (maybe Ellerslie) related to her. Father James MacDonald's people were also related to her.
(Old Donald McDongald (McDougall) was the grandfather to Father William Cameron's grandmother, Nellie Brown MacDonald)
To get back to James Brown and Marjorie. James used to sail in vessels to Newfoundland. He met Marjorie at a ball in Charlottetown. It was a made match. He promised to come after her when fall came. James then went to Newfoundland and bought rings and figaries. He then came home and took up groomsman Gilbert McArthur.
James and Marjorie were married by Bishop McEachern at her uncle Donald MacDonald's home at Tracadie. Donald was Marjorie's mother's brother. There was a big wedding. Geb McArthur danced all night. The Bishop, on being asked what kind of fellow Brown would be for a young girl of 18, recommended him.
James and Marjorie were married in 1805.
They came home on horseback. James bought an old farm of 220 acres for 180 (not sure if in dollars or pounds). This money was paid to agent Lawyer James B. Palmer - father of the Palmers, C.C.B. Knight of Garter & C. Captain Seymour (Captain in Army) (George Francis) was the man to whom Lot 13 was given. He had a great many titles. Seymour took part in persecutions of Irish Catholics.
Donald's sister, Nancy MacDonald, married a MacEachern. They lived near Donald MacDonald's in Tracadie.
James and Marjorie MacDonald Brown had the following children :
Nellie , who married Donald McDonald of Glen, the son of Major John McDonald, who was the son of Glen Donald McDonald who came from Garry or Caledonia Canal. Nellie and Donald first settled in Cavendish where Nellie worked for a Mrs.Fletcher.
Alexander , who married Catherine McLellan, the daughter of old Angus McLellan. She was the sister of Joe McLellan. (One of Alexander's children was Caroline Brown, who married Stephen MacDonald (known as Stephen Roderick), who was the son of Roderick MacDonald and Mary MacDougall of Grand River.)
William , who married Peggy McInnis, daughter of old Alan McInnis who was married to one of the McDonalds at Glen. (looks like Nancy)
John , who married Ellen McLellan, sister of Roderick McIntyre's wife. Daughter of old Alex McLellan.
Mary , who married Roderick Gillis, who was a brother of Peter Gillis. They lived at Low Point.
Hugh , who married Wilhelmina Ferguson, sister of Miss Ferguson the authoress.
Doctor James married Mary McCarthy. All her relatives were in Ireland.
Andrew , never married.
Margaret , who married Michael McDonald, son of old Fred (Farraher) McDonald.
Alfred , who married a German woman in Boston. (Possibly surname Phillips)
(From notes within the article, it would seem that Father Willie Cameron's grandmother was Nellie Brown who married Donald MacDonald of Glen.)
THE MACDONALDS The MacDonalds came to Prince Edward Island before the Browns did.
Glen McDonald, father of old Major, was Donald. He came from Garry or Calidonia Canal (?). Donald had the following children :
Major (whose name was really John)
Donald (known as Awgh Young)
Hector , who settled at Souris. He then apparently went to Cape Breton.
Allen , who settled at Newfrase.
There were several girls. One married a Campbell from down East (St.Andrew's or Tracadie). She had a son by the name of Joseph Campbell who married Marjory McDonald, daughter of Donald Awgh.
Another married a McCormack of Launching. It is noted that in Johnson's River an Angus Campbell had a daughter who married a Dongald McCormack, who was John McCormack's father. Dongald McCormack was the son who married to relatives of the Browns.
Major John McDonald , son of Donald or Glen, was a great piper. He married a Margaret McLean . The McLeans had come to the Island around the same time as did many of the McDonalds.
Major's and Margaret's children include :
Christy , (Christina) who married Donald McLellan, grandfather to Kevin. Donald was a brother to Angus.( These two - Donald and Angus - were the two McLellan brothers who settled on Lot 14 )
Archibald , who married a Mary McKinnon from Brackley Point.
Kate , who married Donald Gillis, who went to live where Neilly lives. Archy, his brother, had Alex ?'s place.
Angus , who married Mary McKinnon, daughter of old Neill and aunt of Uncle Jims.
Alex , who married Catherine Campbell from Cape Traverse.
Mary , who married Allan McInnis from Seven Mile Bay.
Nancy , who married David Cameron, son of old Peter Cameron.
Sarah (Sally), who married Donald McInnis, brother of Allan.
Lizzie , who married Donald Cameron, brother of David.
Donald , who married Nellie Brown.
Three children were born before Major came. Donald died on passage at the age of two years. Another was Christy.
Archibald MacDonald (Big Archy) and Mary MacKinnon MacDonald had the following children :
John - married first Ann Cameron, daughter of Archy. His second wife was Sarah MacKinnon, sister of Murdock MacKinnon.
Mary - married John Frazer in Vernon River.
James - first married Margaret Smith, daughter of Donald Smith. His second wife was Betsy Morrison, sister of William. His third wife was Betsy MacKinnon, daughter of Alexander.
Archibald - married Bella Gates from Nova Scotia.
Kate - married Donald Gillis. No children.
Angus MacDonald (Red Angus) and Mary MacKinnon had the following children :
James - married Sally McNeill, daughter of Kenneth McNeill and sister of John Kenneth.
John - married Sarah MacDonald, daughter of Archy MacDonald from Barbara Weit.
Ann - married James (or John) O'Connor.
Archy - married Julia Ann MacDonald, daughter of Alex (Farrher).
Peggy - married Martin MacDonald, brother of John's wife.
Betsy - married John Steele in Wellington.
Mary - married Michael McLellan. Lives in Bloomfield. Came from Eastward. Son of Big McLellan.
Dan - married Mary Ann McDongald (McDougall), daughter of old James McDongald (McDougall).
Alexander MacDonald and Catherine Campbell MacDonald moved up to Kildare. They had the following children :
Nancy - married John MacKinnon, son of Roderick MacKinnon. They lived in Cascumpeque.
Sarah - married a Cape Bretoner. He was a tailor. They lived away, but she died home.
Kate - married a MacLellan, a brother to the MacLellan who married Mary McDonald.
Mary Ann - married a Mr. Campbell of Barbara Weit. He was a brother to Johnathan Campbell who lived in Miscouche.
Matilda - never married.
John - lived in Charlottetown.
Archy - died young.
Stephen - went away to sea, then went to Colorado.
Mary MacDonald McLellan and Michael McLellan had the following children :
Peggy - married William Brown, son of James Brown.
Andrew - married Sophia McInnis, daughter of Alex from Cape Traverse. They lived in Summerside.
Mary - married Alex Neil MacDonald in Seven Mile Bay. After he died, she married a Mr. Inman.
Michael - married Mary Ann Brown, daughter of Hugh Brown. They lived in Miscouche and kept a hotel.
Archibald - married Ann Holland, sister of Holland in St.Eleanor's. They moved away.
Ambrose - married Mary Ann Harrington in Egmont Bay. Lived in Summerside.
Nancy - married Timothy MacDonald of Seven Mile Bay. They moved away.
Lawrence - married ? Lived in Kensington. He was a schoolmaster. (Robert's father)
THE MACLELLANS (by John R. McLellan of Indian River)
About the year 1787 John and Angus McLellan - with their families - came to the Island from South Uist, one of the western islands of Scotland. These form what are known as "The Hebrides". (the hand-written account is hard to decipher, but "the foot of Ben Corodale" and "near the point of Kisinish" are readable.
When their landlord, the chief of Clan Ranald, heard of their intention to emigrate, he tried to prevent them from doing so. He went among his other tenants, telling them that if they would buy any of the stock from the McLellans he would pull down their houses and throw the stones in the sea to gather kelp.
Notwithstanding this, the McLellans succeeded in selling all their stock. They sailed for America - their destination being Glengarry in Upper Canada - now Ontario, where manyof their country people had gone, but the captain of the ship in which they sailed deceived them, telling them that smallpox was prevalent in Quebec where they intended to land.
He landed them in Charlottetown where they met Lieutenant Colonel Robert Stewart, who then was part proprietor of Lot 18. He advised them to settle on his estate - telling them that or near the mouth of Indian River they would find a deserted French house.
It appears they did as he advised them, for they started for Indian River and as there was neither railway nor highway in those days they went up to the East River as far as Scotchfort, crossed to Tracadie Bay where they engaged a French schooner to take them to Malpeque. At Malpeque they borrowed canoes from the settlers to take themselves and their effects to their future homes on Indian River.
When they arrived it was too late to put in a crop, so they began clearing the land and preparing for the next year.
During the first year they endured many hardships and privations. Though the river teemed with fish and the shores with shellfish, there was a scarcity of other food stuff. The adults could get along well enough, but the children wanted bread.
Mrs.Angus McLellan (nee. Effie or Euphemia Stewart) used to take a canoe and paddle to what is now Reg Nors (?) Creek, leave the canoe there, cross to the woods to Bedeque Bay and board the timber ships from Greenock and Liverpool, where upon making her wants known, they would give her as much ship bread as she could carry. She would then return to her canoe and paddle back to Indian River.
The year after their arrival they put in a crop, buying their seed from their neighbours at Malpeque, a distance of about twelve miles by water. They had a querne which they brought with them from Scotland and with which they ground their grain.
After this, everything prospered with them and everything yielded abundantly. Their sheep, cattle and horses increased to their hearts' content.
The most felt want on the Island at that time was a Gaelic-speaking priest to administer to their spiritual needs. The Reverend James MacDonald, who came out with Glenaladale in 1772, died in 1785.
Opposite Indian River, about six miles across Richmond Bay, was a French settlement where there was a chapel which was visited occasionally by a priest from Quebec named Beaubien, and by the Abbe de Colonade from Charlottetown. Here they had their spiritual wants attended to - partly through interpreters - until the arrival of Reverend Aeneas McEachern from Scotland in 1789.
About this time the French moved to Miscouche and Reverend Father McEachern advised the Indian River people to build a church for themselves. This they did and he consecrated a cemetery for them in which these worthy people are now awaiting the sound of the last trumphet.
Bishop McEachern visited Indian River for the last time in 1834 when he baptized all the young children. And on June 24th, the Feast of St.John the Baptist, he confirmed all who were prepared - the writer of this sketch being among the number. After Mass he preached the first Gaelic sermon I ever heard - and the last, except for a few words by the late lamented Father McGilvary. I remembered the sermon for many years.
After the ceremony was over the people went out on the green before the church door, and when the Bishop came out he addressed one of the parishioners, Rod McIsaac, saying "I think, Roderick, you were late for Mass". Rod answered that they had a saying in Scotland that late plowing was better than no plowing at all. The Bishop then told them that this was the last visit to Indian River, as he had but a short time to live. McIsaac answered by saying "When you die, see that you put in a good word for us." The Bishop replied that he would make no rash promises, as he did not know how his own case would stand.
He then made them all kneel, and he blessed them and then made the Sign of the Cross on the four quarters of the parish, on their houses and belongings.
The people began to lament and say "When you are gone we will be as badly off as ever for a Gaelic-speaking priest."
He said "You now complain of the scarcity of priests, but the day may come when there may be complaints that there are too many of them to support, and that they will take the childrens' bread from the hearth."
He told them that when he would be gone, the Rev.D.B.MacDonald would administer to them in their own tongue. He then bade them farewell. Bishop McEachern died in the spring of 1835.
The Clan McLellan lived in the South of Scotland where the ivy-covered ruins of their castle still stands in the shire town of Kirk and bright.
The forefathers of the McLellans of Indian River and of their kin of Grand River belonged to the Clan McIan (John) of Glencoe. They never changed their surname to that of their chief - as a great many did for empty honours.
John and Angus - who came to this country - were the sons of Donald. Donald was the son of Angus; Angus was the son of Donald; Donald was the son of John; John was the son of Philip.
John McLellan (the one who came to this country) was reared at the home of the McLellan's, although his father's name was MacDonald. John is referred to as "the elder brother".
John , the elder brother, was married to Catherine McPhee of South Uist , by whom he had seven sons - Donald, Angus, Archibald, Alexander, Roderick, Philip, James - and one daughter, Catherine.
John's family all died within eight years. Five died within one year. Angus died October 8,1859, aged 84; Roderick died December 29,1860, aged 72; Donald died April 2, 1866, aged 96; Catherine died in 1886, aged 92; Philip died March 21,1867, aged 77; Alexander died March 22, 1867, aged 81; Archibald died April 4, 1867, aged 88; and James died December 24,1867, aged 75.
John's sons Donald and Angus settled on Lot 14 .
Donald married first Mary Gillis of Lot 14 , the daughter of Donald Gillis of Big Marsh - by whom he had 2 sons - Donald (who went to Indian River) and John - and 2 daughters - Christy and Nancy. He married as his second wife Christina MacDonald of the same place, sister of Squire Donald MacDonald, and daughter of Major John McDonald - by whom he had six sons - Angus, Archibald, Alexander, Augustine, James, and Matthias - and four daughters - Catherine, Ann, Mary, and Margaret.
John, son of Donald MacLellan and Mary Gillis, married Nancy McKinnon, daughter of Alexander McKinnon . They first lived where later Sandy McKinnon lived. John and Nancy bought one hundred acres of land from Cambridge after working in the Mirimichi area of New Brunswick.
John and Nancy MacLellan had the following children :
Alexander (Sandy), who married Mary McKinnon, daughter of James McKinnon.
Bennett , who had fits and died under an operation in Boston.
Anthony , who married a Henry woman, a Protestant from Sheep River. They lived in old house.
Mary , who married Patrick Luke. They lived in Egmont Bay.
Nancy , who married Joe MacDonald (Alisory). After he drowned she remarried to a John Lawler of Richmond.
Betsy , who married Archibald McInnis. She was his second wife.
Christy , daughter of Donald MacLellan and Mary Gillis, married Peter Clements. They lived in Wellington. Peter came from Cape Traverse and was related to old Peter Cameron's wife, who was a MacWilliams.
Christy's sister, Nancy, married John McNeill of Miscouche. She was his first wife. John and Nancy had two daughters, Mary and Nancy. After her death John married Kate Cameron, daughter of Ronald Cameron. They moved away.
Mary McNeill, daughter of John McNeill and Nancy McLellan, married James Alexander.
Nancy McNeill, daughter of John McNeill and Nancy McLellan, married David Cameron (young David).
Angus, son of Donald McLellan and his second wife, Christy MacDonald , married as his first wife Jennie McDonald, sister of Michael McDonald (Farr). His second wife was Nancy Plestid.
Angus and Jennie had the following children :
Mary , who married Paddy White of West;
Christy; Kate, and Joseph. Those last three never married.
Angus and Nancy Plestid McLellan had no family . Nancy had a daughter before marriage. Her name was Margaret. She married Jimmie John McNeill.
An Angus McLellan married Sarah Gillis, who was a sister of Donald's first wife, Mary Gillis. They had seven sons - John, James, Donald, Hugh, Stephen, Joseph, and Andrew - and two daughters, Mary and Catherine. (Nothing is noted about Angus being married three times, so I'm not sure if this Angus McLellan is the same one as the Angus who married Jennie McDonald and Nancy Plestid)
Archibald, son of John, married Ann Morrison of Point DeRoches . They had one son, Donald, and six daughters - Cicely, Catherine, Mary, Louise, Flora and Martina.
Alexander, son of John, married Sarah McCormack of St.Andrew's . They had three sons - Augustine, John and Joseph, and six daughters - Catherine, Mary, Nancy, Agnes, Ellen, and Bibiana.
Roderick, son of John, married Mary McDonald of Barbara Weit . They had five sons - John, Stephen, Alexander, Joseph, and James. They also had four daughters - Catherine, Sarah, Mary and Matilda.
Philip, son of John, married Flora Morrison of Darnley . They had four sons - John, Bennett, James and Philip. They also had two daughters - Catherine and Mary.
James, son of John, married Flora MacKenzie of Indian River . They had six sons - John P., Donald, Leo, James, Alexander, and Archibald. They also had six daughters - Catherine, Mary, Elizabeth, Lucy, Theresa, and Julia Ann.
Catherine, only daughter of John MacLellan and Catherine McPhee, married Peter Hickey . They had six sons - Angus, Thomas, John, Peter, William and James. They also had four daughters - Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Bridgit.
Angus McLellan, John's younger brother who came to this country, was married to Effie (Euphemia) Stewart of North Uist. They had two sons - Roderick and Donald.
Roderick, son of Angus and Effie, married Sarah MacCormack of Point DeRoches . They had five sons - Angus, John, Joseph, Donald, and James. They also had four daughters - Christiana, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Nancy.
Donald, son of Angus and Effie, married Catherine MacIntyre . They had two sons - Donald and John - and six daughters - Nancy, Effie, Mary, Margaret, Johanna and Matilda. There were other children, but they died young.
Mention was made of John and Angus coming to Prince Edward Island - or Island of Saint John as it was then known. Besides John and Angus, there were three sisters who came to this country and one sister remained in Scotland.
The sisters who came to the Island were married. One was married to Dongald Steele of Miscouche . Another married Donald Campbell of Tracadie, and the other married James Nowlan . The one who remained in Scotland was married to a Mr.McIsaac. She was the widow of the late John McIsaac of Barbara Weit .
Archibald McLellan, son of Donald McLellan and Christy MacDonald, married Jennie Beaton from down East . Archie and Jennie moved to an island off the Brae, Lot 9, P.E.I. Sometime later, I think, they moved to Nova Scotia.
Alex, son of Donald and Christy, married Margaret MacLean, daughter of John MacLean . Mention was made around this time of a Rory MacLean drowning. William and Archibald came home and persuaded their father to move away.
Augustine McLellan, son of Donald and Christy , drowned in the narrows coming from Cascumpeque.
James, son of Donald and Christy, married Catherine MacDonald (Alisory - on Town Road), daughter of Donald (All) - related to Grandmother Brown. Donald MacDonald was married to Angus MacDonald's sister. They had the following children: Augustine , Cornelius , Bella , Mary Ellen , Margaret , Daniel , Joseph , Peter , and Bernard .
On page 41 of the original hand-written article there is a notation of the family of Angus McLellan Sr. It mentions that a John McLellan married Sarah McIntyre, sister of Roderick. John and Sarah had the following children :
Lawrence , a captain in a vessel.
Donald , became a sailor and went away.
Angus , married Margaret Jane MacKinnon.
Michael went away.
Francis died.
Mary Ann married John P. McLellan, Fabien's son.
Sarah , Elizabeth and Cicily all became nuns.
Other McLellan's included on Page 41 of the original article are the following : (I am not sure who is who here, so I am just converting to word processing the hand-written info. given on the page)
1. James McLellan followed the sea. He was not married here.
2. Donald McLellan married Margaret McDongald (McDougall), daughter of Alex McDongald (McDougall).
3. Hugh McLellan married Nancy McKinnon out of James McKinnon daughter of Neill McKinnon. (?) Lived off island.
4. Stephen married Flora McInnis from Seven Mile Bay, daughter of John, brother of Allan. She could not agree home so they went to Summerside then off island.
5. Joe married Nancy McKinnon, daughter of Alex McKinnon.
6. Andrew McLellan first married Mary McLellan, daughter of Alex McLellan (Little Alex, ?'s father)
7. Mary McLellan married Neill McDonald, brother of Michael McDonald --- of Angus, Fred & Neill.
8. Catherine McLellan married Alexander Brown.
9. Old John McLellan was first cousin of old Major McDonald .
CAMERON Old Alexander Cameron came out first, married in Scotland to (not sure of woman's name) and settled here about the time the MacDonald's did. According to Margaret MacLean, who married old Major MacDonald, Archie Cameron came out from Lochabar in Scotland and settled down on point where Barnaby's old house was. He was a very swanky young man at a party, good to carry on, and fun at meetings.
Alexander's children were Ronald, Peter, George, Mary, Peggy, and Christy.
Ronald Cameron got the old place. He was a very religious man. He married Annie McInnis of Seven Mile Bay or Cape Traverse.
Ronald and Annie had the following children :
Archie , who married Kate MacDonald, daughter of Donald Awah. They lived in Quagmire (old name for Wellington Centre).
Mary , who married Michael Malone. They lived in Wellington.
John , who married as his first wife Mary Steele, daughter of old Dongald Steele of Miscouche. They lived in Wellington. His second wife was Nancy MacDonald.
(According to Immaculate Conception Church, Brae records a Ronald Cameron, son of John Cameron and Mary Steele married on Jan.27,1868, a Mary MacLellan, daughter of the late Phillip MacLellan and late Flora Morrison. Ronald was living at Lot 8 during this time)
James , who married a Hudson girl in Cape Traverse. He became well off.
Barnaby , who married Catherine MacDonald, sister to John's second wife.
Sally , who married John Steele, son of old Dongald Steele. In 1901 Sally still lived in Miscouche.
Kate , who married John McNeill. They lived in Miscouche.
Christy , who married Fred Gay. They lived in St.Eleanor's.
Annie , who married Damien Gillis, brother of old John Gillis. They lived in Miscouche.
Archie Cameron and Kate MacDonald Cameron had the following children :
Annie , who married John McDonald (Archy)
John , who married - , lived in town.
Donald , who married Mary Ann MacDonald, oldest daughter of John MacDonald (Farr)
Andy , who never married.
Elizabeth , who never married. She lived when young at Archy Campbell's and turned Protestant. She came out many times and brought fineries to her niece - Neill McLellan's wife, daughter of John McDonald "Archy".
Mary Cameron and Michael Malone had the following children :
Daniel , Maggie , Bridgit and Annie
Nothing seems recorded in the article about the families of John, Christy, and Annie. Kate's family went off island.
Old Peter Cameron , brother of Ronald and son of old Alexander Cameron, was a nice old man. He was a schoolteacher before marriage. He was also a great preacher and speaker and was a very polite man. He married Margaret MacWilliams of Cape Traverse . She was a sister to the old MacWilliams man who first went up West.
Peter and Margaret Cameron had the following children :
Donald , who married Lizzie MacDonald, sister of Donald MacDonald.
David , who married Nancy MacDonald, sister of Donald MacDonald.
Sally , who married Neilly Gillis, brother of old Hugh Gillis.
Margaret , who married Donald Steele, brother of John Steele of Miscouche. They lived in Muddy Creek.
Mary , who married Alexander MacDonald. They lived in the Brae. Related to "our MacDonalds"
Stephen , who married Mary MacNeill of Miscouche, sister to Alex and Neilly MacNeill.
Christy , who married Damien MacNeill.
Teresa , who never married.
Donald Cameron and Lizzie MacDonald Cameron had the following children :
John - he married off-Island in River Philip, Nova Scotia. Had one son.
David (young) - married Ann McNeill, daughter of John McNeill who married Kate Cameron.
Alexander - who married Mary Ross near town. Lived in Moncton.
Margaret - who married Dougald Currie.
Archibald - married in States.
Daniel - married Maggie Ball from Sheep River.
Mary Ann - died unmarried.
Angus - never married.
Joe - married Annie May Cochrane from West, niece of old George Cochrane of Lot 11 and/or Brae. Then married Mary Ann Noonan reared at Dongald's.
Catherine - never married.
Stephen - married Margaret Cameron, daughter of Stephen.
" Young" David Cameron and Ann McNeill Cameron had the following children :
Peter - married the daughter of Neil McDongald (McDougall). "Skiffish" (must be a nickname)
John - married Elizabeth McNeill, daughter of old Neill McNeill. Alex's father.
Philip - married Maggie McNeill, daughter of John McNeill (Rod'k)
Valentine - never married.
Augustine - never married.
Sophia - married Alex McNeill, Grand River.
James - never married.
Joe - never married.
Agnes - never married.
Sally Cameron (daughter of Peter Cameron) who married Neil Gillis, had no family.
No record of Mary's family given here.
Stephen Cameron and Mary McNeill Cameron had the following children :
Maggie - who married Stephen Cameron.
John and Joe - both died.
Mary Jane - who married John A. McNeill.
Sarah Ann - married Martin (?)
Peter - married Adeline Brigton.
George Cameron , son of old Alexander Cameron and brother to Ronald, married Mary Gillis , sister of Hugh Gillis. The notebook records the following besides this couple - so I presume that these are the children of George and Mary Cameron:
Alexis - died in England. Took to sea. Had a son "Joe on hill". The mother was Betsy MacKinnon.
John - married to sister of John McLean at Chapel.
Sarah - married Dan Gillis from Kildare, brother of Anslem.
James - first married Unice (Eunice ?) Dempsey. Next married Mary Fitzgerald from Kildare, daughter of Jim Fitzgerald.
Catherine - married a Mr. Dempsey. They lived in Summerside.
Joe - moved away & died.
Martin
MACLEANS Old Roderick and John MacLean first came to this part - also Margaret and Annie. Old John settled in Lot 16, then he went away to somewhere else in Canada.
Rod MacLean married Catherine Cameron from Lower Sixteen - a Protestant - no relations to other Camerons previously mentioned. Rod and Catherine had the following children :
Alex married Catherine Howatt from Tryon. They lived on McCormack's Point, up in the field.
John married Marim English from (?) (looks like "peace field"). Lived down at chapel.
Allen married Maria Grant from Tyne Valley. They settled there.
William married John McLean, son of Hector McLean. (Must be a mistake by the writer of hand-written article)
Peggy married Allen McDongald (McDougall), son of old John McDongald (McDougall) of 16.
Kate married Archy McArthur from G.R where he lived. (This must be Grand River)
Nancy married Sam McFaden from Cape Traverse. Lived across bridge.
Charlotte married Stephen Rogers. Went to (?) where they now live. (Looks like "Brae")
Alex MacLean's children :
Rory married Rachel MacLean, daughter of Hector McLean.
Howatt married a Miss Howatt. He was killed up in Trout River by falling tree.
Alexander married Annie Thompson.
Margaret married Jno. McFaden. They lived in St. Eleanor's and kept a public house.
Eliza never married.
Agnes married away.
Annie , first wife of Paul Thompson.
Malinda married a Mr. McPhail. They lived in Summerside.
Adeline never married.
Catherine married Allen MacLean.
Barbara married John Cameron, George's son.
Caroline married William Caroll from Kildare.
Flora never married.
(Malinda became 2nd wife of Paul Thompson.)
John married M. McArthur.
Allan married Catherine McLean, daughter of Alex McLean.
Tom married an Anderson from New London - related to us through the Browns.
Margaret married George Caroll from Kildare.
Allan's children :
Seymour married away.
Albert never married.
Barbara married Jno. McKinnon from Scotch settlement between New London and town. Lived in Tyne Valley.
Ann married Allan Jr., John's brother.
Maria married a deaf schoolmaster. They lived in Summerside.
William's children :
Allan married Ann McLean (Allan's daughter mentioned above)
John married Elizabeth Ann Burns.
Rory drowned here at bridge.
Margaret Stewart married away.
Barbara married away.
(Writing unclear, but looks like children of John who married the Burns woman from Bedeque)
John married in Mirimichi.
Ann married William McLean, her cousin.
Kate went away to the States.
Margaret married Alex McLellan, brother of Jim McLellan.
Allen married and went to California. He died there.
Daniel , William , Susan Ellen and Archibald all moved away with the family.
OTHER RACE OF MCLEANS There were Hugh , Hector and John .
Hugh lived in 13 (Lot 13) near Montgomery's and near William Brown.
Hector lived in 16 (Lot 16) near the Ferry.
John lived in Brae. He first lived in the Cove. (maybe Augustine Cove)
MCDONGALDS (McDougall) The old progenitor of this clan was Donald McDongald (McDougall) who worked at Lord McDonald's. He married Kate (MacDonald or MacKinnon)
Donald McDongald's (McDougall) family :
Alexander married Nancy MacKinnon from Grand River.
Neill married Kate MacKinnon, daughter of Roderick MacKinnon.
" Ewen " Yon Jonathan married Nancy McNeill from Barbara Weit - related to Alex McLellan's "Euchun" (?)
Roderick married Nancy MacKinnon, daughter of James MacKinnon of Big Marsh.
Michael married Nancy Gillis, aunt of Frank Gillis and sister of Roderick Gillis.
Nancy married Alex McLellan, brother of "Euchern's" father.
Mary married Roderick MacDonald, son of Donald "Awgh".
John and Donald both died.
Alexander McDongald's (McDougall) family :
Donald married Kate MacKinnon, daughter of Murdock MacKinnon.
Neill married Cecily MacKinnon, daughter of Roderick MacKinnon.
Peter married Martha McDonald, daughter of Donald MacDonald (Ashfield)
Peggy married Donald McLellan.
Mary married John McLean from Cape Breton.
Annie married John Hickey from Indian River.
Neill's family :
Mary married Joe McPhee in Richmond.
John died.
Roderick married Mary MacKinnon, daughter of James MacKinnon from Big Marsh.
Donald and Kate died.
Nancy married John Jim Farrh. (?)
Agnes married Peter Cameron.
Jane married Angus McPhee.
Christy married William McLeod.
" Ewen's" family :
Donald , Neill , John , Alexander , Mary , Mileadis (?), and Kate . Kate married a Morrison.
MCKINNON Neill and James McKinnon were the two that came to Grand River .
Neill was married to the 2nd wife when he came out from Scotland. Settled down where Stephen lived. (Stephen who?)
James McKinnon married here a Minnie Gillis , daughter of John Gillis who lived where Neilly McNeill lives. They settled in Big Marsh on farthest point. (Other sources give Minnie's name as "Mertina")
SMITH James Smith was the first that came out. He settled up near Lot 12. One of his sons, Donald Smith, came to Grand River and lived in 13 (presumably Lot 13). He married Peggy McCormack - a half-sister of Mrs. James Brown. Peggy had brothers Dongald McCormick and John McCormick.
James Smith and Peggy had the following family :
James , who died in Boston. News of death came on day Mother died. Good looking. (Mother must have been Father Cameron's grandmother's mother).
John , who married Christy Gussie Picton. They lived in Richmond - first in Summerside.
Alex , who married June Cologne from the States. First they lived in Summerside, then they moved away.
Chrysostem , Mary Ann , Joe , Rebecca and Elizabeth never married.
Simon married Annie Hogan.
Margaret married as the first wife of James McDonald, son of Old Archy.
GILLIS Donald Gillis first came to Big Marsh. His children included :
John , who married Nancy McNeill, sister of Roderick McNeill. Lived at Chapel.
Laughlin , married Mary Gillis, sister of Finlay Gillis.
Angus , married to a Miss McLean.
Daughter married Donald McLellan.
Daughter married Angus McLellan.
Daughter married Roderick McKinnon.
John Gillis and Nancy McNeill Gillis had the following family :
Donald married Peggy Gillis, daughter of Finley Gillis.
Mary married Alex McDonald (Farr.)
Kate married Jim McDonald (Farr.)
Peggy married a Mr. McCormack from East.
Betsy married John McDonald from West.
Cicely married Alex McInnis in Big Marsh.
Roderick went away.
John married a Miss McInnis, sister of Alex McInnis.
Laughlin and Mary Gillis had the following family :
Roderick married a woman from Miramichi first, then he married Kate Gillis, Joe's sister.
James married first the daughter of Murdoch McKinnon, second, Cicily McIntyre, widow of Hugh McDonald.
John married a McIntyre woman at Kildare.
Nancy married Donald McIntyre from Kildare.
Betsy married a McNeill or McIntyre from Kildare.
Marjory married Anthony McKinnon.
Donald , Mary , and Sally never married.
Angus Gillis and his wife had the following family :
Donald , who married Mary McInnis from Seven Mile Bay.
Alex married Mary Ann Ellis, daughter of James Ellis.
John married Peggy McArthur.
Roderick married Nancy McLellan, daughter of Donald
Rachel married Fred McDonald from Kildare. They lived on the Western Road.
Nancy married Michael McDongald (McDougall).
Another Gillis, whose name was Finlay , married Kate McKinnon, daughter of Roderick McKinnon's brother. Finlay and Kate settled in Lot 13. They had the following family :
Roderick married Mary Brown, daughter of James Brown.
John married Nancy McIntyre from Kildare.
James married Nancy McIntyre, daughter of Donald McIntyre.
Neill married a McIntyre from Kildare.
Murdock and Sally never married.
William married Martina McKenzie - daughter of Nancy McLellan, daughter of Donald by Alex McKenzie from Malpeque. (?)
Peter married Mary McIntyre, daughter of Donald McIntyre.
Kate married Murdock McKinnon.
Peggy married Donald Gillis at Chapel.
An Interesting Sketch of the McLellan Family Who Settled at Indian Rver
Summerside Journal 28 July 1941, page 4, col. 1
First Members of the Clan Came to the Island from the Isle of South Uist in Scotland.
Some time ago a Mrs. McLellan, nurse in a New York hospital, while visiting Summerside asked Tourist Officer Patrick Ryan if he could secure for her some information with regard to the McLellan family of Indian River and, always ready to oblige, Mr. Ryan, taking a trip to Indian River was fortunate in securing a copy of an article written in the year 1898 � forty-three years ago � by the late John R. McLellan, which he forwarded to the enquirer who was deeply appreciative of receiving same, which was "just what she wanted."
As there are doubtless many people among our readers who would be pleased to read the article in question, The Journal takes pleasure herewith in reproducing same, a copy of which was supplied by Mr. Ryan.
The McLellan Settlers of Indian River
About the year 1787 John and Angus McLellan, with their families, came to this Island from Glaich Liath, at the foot of Ben Corodale, on the East side of Beinn Mhor, on Loch Oinhart, near the Point of Uisinish, South Uist, one of the Western Islands of Scotland.
When their landlord, the Chief of Clan Ranald, heard of their intention to emigrate, he tried to prevent them. He went among his other tenants, telling them that if they would buy any of the stock from the LeLelans (McLellans) he would pull down their houses and throw the stones into the sea to gather kelp. Notwithstanding this, the McLellans managed to sell their stock. They sailed for America, their destination being Glengarry, Upper Canada, now Ontario, where many of their country people had gone, but the captain of the ship in which they sailed deceived them, telling them that smallpox was prevalent in Quebec, where it was their intention to land. He landed them at Charlottetown where they met Lieut.-Col. Robert Stewart, who was then proprietor of Lot Eighteen. He advised them to settle on his Estate, telling them that at or near the mouth of the Indian River they would find a deserted French house. It appears they did as he advised them, for they started for Indian River, and as there was neither railway nor highway in those days, they went up the East River as far as Scotch Fort, crossing to Tracadie Bay, where they engaged a French schooner to take them to Malpeque. At Malpeque they borrowed canoes from the settlers to take themselves and their effects to their future home at Indian River.
When they arrived it was too late to put in a crop, so they began clearing the land and preparing for the next year. During the first year they endured many hardships and privations. Though the rivers teemed with fish and the shores with shellfish, there was a scarcity of food stuffs. The adults could get along well enough, but the children wanted bread. Mrs. Angus McLellan, nee Effie Stewart, used to take a canoe and paddle to what is now Raynor�s Creek, leave the canoe there, cross through the woods to Bedeque Bay, and board the timber ships from Greenock and Liverpool, where, upon making her wants known, they would give her as much ship�s bread as they could carry. She would then return to her canoe and paddle back to Indian River.
The year after their arrival they put in a crop, buying their seed from their neighbors at Malpeque, distant about twelve miles by water. This year having grown wheat and other cereals, they had plenty of bread. They had a quearn, which they brought with them from Scotland and with which they ground their grain. After this everything prospered with them and everything yielded abundantly, their sheep, cattle and horses increasing to their heart�s content.
Their most felt want on this Island at the time was a Gaelic-speaking priest to administer to their spiritual needs, the Rev. James McDonald, who came out with Glenaladale in 1772 having died in 1785.
Opposite Indian River, about six miles across Richmond Bay, was a French settlement where there was a chapel which was visited occasionally by a priest from Quebec named Beaubien, and by the Abbe de Colonne from Charlottetown. Here they had their spiritual wants attended to, partly through interpreters, until the arrival of the Rev. Aeneas McEachern from Scotland in 1790.
About this time the French moved to Miscouche, and Rev. Father McEachern advised the Indian River people to build a church for themselves. This they did, and he consecrated a cemetery for them, in which those worthy people are now awaiting the sound of the Last Trumpet.
Bishop McEachern visited Indian River for the last time in June 1834 when he baptized all the children, and on June 24th, the feast of St. John the Baptist, he confirmed all who were prepared, the writer of this sketch being among the number.
After Mass he preached the first Gaelic sermon I ever heard, and the last, excepting a few words by the late lamented Fr. McGillivary. I remembered the sermon many years.
After the sermon was over, the people went out on the green before the church door, and when the Bishop came out he addressed one of his parishioners, Roderick McIsaac, saying: "I think, Roderick, you were late for Mass." Roderick answered that they had a saying in Scotland that "late plowing was better than no plowing at all."
The Bishop then told them that this was his last visit to Indian River, as he had but a short time to live. Mr. McIsaac, above mentioned, said to him, "When you die, see that you put in a good word for us." The Bishop replied that he would make no rash promises, as he did not know how his own case would stand.
He then made them all kneel and he blessed them and made the Sign of the Cross over the four quarters of the Parish, on their houses and belongings. The people began to lament and say, "When you are dead we will be as badly off as ever for a Gaelic-speaking priest." He said, "You now complain of the scarcity of priests, but the day may come when there are complaints that there are too many to support, and that they will take the children�s bread from the hearth." He told them that when he would be gone the Rev. D.B. McDonald would administer to them in their own tongue. He then bade them farewell. He died in the spring of 1835.
The Clan McLellan lived in the South of Scotland where the ivy-covered ruins of their castle still stands in the shiretown of Kirkeudbright.
The forefathers of the McLellans of Indian River and of their kin of Grand River belonged to the Clan Mac Ian (John) of Glencoe. They never changed their surname to that of their Chief, as a great many did for empty honors.
John and Angus, who came to this country, were sons of Donald, son of John, son of Philip.
John, the elder brother, was married to Catherine McPhee of South Uist, by whom he had seven sons � Donald, Angus, Archibald, Alexander, Roderick, Philip, and James, and one daughter, Catherine.
Donald and Angus settled on Lot 14. Donald married first Mary Gillis of that place, by whom he had two sons, Donald and John, and two daughters, Christy and Nancy, and secondly to Christina McDonald of the same place, by whom he had six sons: Angus, Archibald, Alexander, Augustine, James, and Matthias, and four daughters: Catherine, Anne, Mary, and Margaret.
Angus married Sarah Gillis, sister to Donald�s first wife. They had seven sons: John, James, Donald, Hugh, Stephen, Joseph, and Andrew; and two daughters, Mary and Catherine.
Archibald married Ann Morrison of Point DeRoche. They had one son, Donald, and six daughters: Cicely, Catherine, Mary, Louise, Flora, and Martina.
Alexander married Mary McDonald of Barbara Weit. They had five sons: John, Stephen, Alexander, Joseph and James, and four daughters: Sarah, Catherine, Mary, and Matilda.
Philip married Flora Morrison of Darnley. They had four sons: John, Bennett, James, and Philip, and two daughters: Catherine and Mary.
James married Flora McKenzie of Indian River. They had six sons: John P., Donald, Leo, James, Alexander, and Archibald; and six daughters: Catherine, Mary, Elizabeth, Lucy, Theresa, and Julia Ann.
Catherine married Peter Hickey. They had six sons: Angus, Thomas, John, Peter, William, and James; and four daughters: Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Bridget.
Angus, the younger brother who came to this country, was married to Effie Stewart of North Uist. They had two sons, Roderick and Donald.
Roderick married Sarah McCormack of Point DeRoche. They had five sons: Angus, John, Joseph, Donald, and James; and four daughters: Christina, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Nancy.
Donald married Catherine McIntyre. They had two sons: Donald and John; and six daughters: Nancy, Effie, Mary, Margaret, Joanna, and Matilda. There were other children but they died young.
Besides the two brothers before mentioned, three sisters came to this country, and one remained in Scotland. Those who came to this Island were married, one to Dugald Steele of Miscouche; one to Donald Campbell of Tracadie, and one to James Nowlan. The one who remained in Scotland was married to Mr. McIsaac. She was the mother of the late John McIsaac of Barbara Weit.
John�s family all died within eight years, five of them died within a year.
Angus died Oct. 8, 1859, age 84.
Roderick died Dec.29, 1860, age 72.
Donald died April 2, 1866, age 96.
Catherine died in 1866, age 92.
Philip died March 21, 1867, age 77.
Alexander died March 22, 1867, age 81.
Archibald died April 4, 1867, age 88.
James died Dec. 24, 1867, age 75.
Angus� family:
Roderick died Nov. 11, 1855, age 76.
Donald died May 9, 1859, age 78.
There are many things I might mention, but as I only set out to trace the family tree for three generations so that those now living could trace up their own line, I will conclude this rather imperfect sketch of family history.
John R. McLellan
Indian River.