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Submitted by Sherri Smith - There are additional generations of this family to share. Please direct Queries and requests for source information to the email link above!
The Descendants of Duncan McWilliams and Christian Downie
Thank you to my kin and family, Doris McWilliams, Inez McWilliams, Neil Harrison Shaw, Gordon McWilliams, Karin Allen and Lisa Stewart for sharing information on our family branches!
Also special thanks to Paul McKinnon, kin on another side of my tree, for transcribing our McWilliams lease and to Dave Hunter for his work putting my word document in a format that it can be shared online, his time is invaluable.
Duncan McWilliams married Christian Downie in Campbellton, Argyll Scotland in Dec 7, 1754. I believe Christian was of Campbellton. Duncan is believed to be of Caithness.
Passenger list for Ship Edinburgh, 1771/72 to PEI shows one Duncan McWilliam, 4 in hold. Either Catherine is not a daughter or the wife, Christian died in Scotland? Seeking source of the information in An Island Refuge that suggests David�s parents came together to PEI with David and a sister. Is it possible it was Duncan, David and two sisters, what is source for information within this book.
Question: Did Duncan know other family on PEI or come with a friend and his family aboard Ship Edinburgh?
Land Lease dated 1794 from Samuel Holland to David (1761/62) also Government land grant 1789 Princetown to a Duncan, which I think is David. I think it possible David was born Duncan or his father a David and both names were used. I
Children to Duncan McWilliams and Christian Downie:
1. Unknown born 1755 Source: LDS
2. David McWilliams b 1761/62 Source: An Island Refuge, Inez McWilliams, Neil Harrison Shaw, Gordon McWilliams and cemetery records.
3. Catherine McWilliams b unknown in Scotland married Robert Urqhart, Oct 7 1793 (Catherine is in question because of the number passengers aboard ship state 4, and the book An Island Refuge suggests Duncan and his wife came to PEI which I am not sure of and would like to find source of this suggestion in the book therefore I have chosen to leave her in this tree for the time being) Check PEI archives for witnesses to this marriage.
4. Christianne McWilliams b. Oct 26 1769 in Southend Argyll
Christianne McWillams married Alexander Anderson Jr, Sept 6 1790 in Rustico. Alex is a half brother to a Janet Anderson, who father is Alex Anderson of New London Harbour, lot 20.
HER OBIT � Died Feb 26, 1868 age 98 a Native of Caithness, came to this Island in 1772. (obit in the Examiner). This makes her born 1770 age 2 upon arrival and quite close to date of birth of Christian born in Scotland above.
Sources: Family files at PEI Archives by GA Leard, Robert (Bob) MacWilliams of USA (believed to be Raymond Robert, my kin), IGI/LDS, Island Register and her obit.
Notes: Duncan reportedly died not long after coming to PEI in early life. Source: An Island Refuge. Possibly buried in Covehead (An Island Refuge suggests family first stayed there, or Tryon).
I tend to think Malpeque. First census is in 1798 showing David but Duncan is not around. Also PEIGS lists a government land grant issued to Duncan 1789 in Princetown, which is and around Malpeque. Can not find this grant in archives as yet. Duncan and possibly his wife died between 1789 � 1798.
Children of Christianne and Alex:
Alex b Aug 22, 1796 Catherine b Mar 7 1792, and nine others
Source: Master Index 1 and 2, family files in the PEI archives, LDS.
Generation No. 1
1. DAVID M'WILLIAMS, b. Abt. 1761/62 in Unknown Scotland; d. 22 Oct 1818, Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI, Canada. Buried Tryon People's Cemetery.
Generation No. 2
2. DAVID M'WILLIAMS (DUNCAN) was married MARY THERESSA (TRACY) MUTARD/MUTTART 12 Feb 1784 in Coffin's Village, Tryon, St. Johns Island (PEI) by Rev. Desbrisay.
She is the daughter of BALTHAZAR MOUTARDE/MOTHART and MARGUERITE ULRICH. Theressa was born Mar 1766 in Bellechasse, QC, Canada, and died Abt. 1838 in Dunblane, at son James' farm, Lot 8, Prince Co., PEI. Theressa is buried in the Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery in Brae. A lot if information is available on Theressa�s interesting family.
Source: An Island Refugee, Gordon McWilliams
Notes for DAVID M'WILLIAMS:
David came here with other Scottish settlers as a child. His father is believed to have died not long after arrival. David settled on the Tryon Point Road on the Creek Farm. To provide farms for his sons, he moved and took a section of land between Tryon and North Tryon. It was here the sons lived until they moved to Western PEI. It would appear that David emigrated in 1772 with his parents and sisters. This note from the tree of Karin Alan on the Island Register suggests David was the only boy. It agrees with my findings of children of Duncan and Christian.
Emigration: 1772, from Scotland aboard Edinburgh
Occupation: farmer
Notes for THERESSA (TRACY) MUTARD/MUTTART:
Theresa left David after Margaret was born in 1793, refusing to bear any more sons. She took Margaret and moved to Big Clear with her sister, Sophie. There are no records of a divorce and she obviously returned as she is buried in the Brae.
Children of DAVID M'WILLIAMS and THERESSA MUTARD/MUTTART:
i. John McWillams b. 1783, Tryon Lot 28, Prince Co., St. John's Island (PEI) d. August 12, 1856, Cassiville, Wisconsin, USA., married abt 1820 PEI to Catherine Clark b. April 21, 1799, PEI, d and buried in Cassville, Wisconsin.
John McWilliams above maybe the man that is in the notes of George Leard in the PEI Archives as being jailed because he could not pay his bills
Children to John McWilliams and Catherine Clark :
David McWilliams b. March 27, 1821
Michael McWilliams b. June 17, 1823
George Jackson McWIlliams b. Sept 13, 1825
Mary Ann McWilliams b. Sept 13, 1827
Elizabeth McWilliams b. Jan 20, 1830
Charlotte Lord McWilliams b. 25 January 1832 bapt 26 March 1832 (must have died)
Charlotte McWilliams b. 25 July 1833, bapt. 6 October 1833 United Church, Bedeque married 1st, Asa de Hart about 1853, PEI and 2cnd married Abner McDonald in Cassville Wisconsin on Jan 5, 1860 She d. Dec 19,1917 Escondido, California. She and Abner first went from PEI to Upper Canada to Wisconsin/
Source: PEI baptismal records, Lisa Stewart and Gordon McWilliams
3 ii. JAMES McWILLIAMS, b. 1785, Tryon Lot 28, Prince Co., St. John's Island (PEI) d. 01 Dec 1864, Millburn, Lot 9, Prince Co., PEI, buried in West Cape Presbyterian Church Cemetery
iii. GEORGE McWILLIAMS, b. 1787 Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., St. Johns Island (PEI) d. 1847 married Ada Crocket, b. 1795 d. June 5, 1881, both buried in Bethel Cemetery. They had 100 acres at West Cape.
Children to George McWilliams and Ada Crockett:
Phoebe McWilliams b. Oct 29, 1822 d. Oct 24 1898 in Mimnegash
married John Costain Mar 18, 1845. John b. Apr 16, 197 d, Dec 15, 1883
John McWilliams b. Nov 29, 1824 d. July 10, 1910 married a Ms Hill or Hillman b. 1852 d. June 23, 1929 age of 77.
Abigal McWilliams b. Jan 15, 1827 d. ? married widower Roger Brooks
Louise McWiliams (Lucee) b. Feb ? 1829 married Alexander Campbell, a tailor.
Charlotte McWilliams b. abt 1831 married 1st Silas Glenwood Betts, or Silas Betts Glenwood? on July 6, 1847 lot 8. Silas was born 1815 died Dec 30, 1904 age 89.
Children:
Amasa, Jacob, George, Jemima, Martha, Angeline, Clfford, Julianne, Benjamin and Ada
(See Betts family file on register for more information)
Jacob McWilliams bapt. Aug 17, 1835 married Ada/Eda Unknown � not certain Jacob is kin.
Elizabeth McWilliams b. ? married either a Betts or a Clark.
Source: Doris McWilliams tree, Gordon McWilliams and Lisa Stewart
Continued Children of David McWilliams and Theressa MUTARD/MUTTART
iv. JOSEPH McWILLIAMS, b. 1790 Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., St. Johns Island (PEI) d. 1887 married Judith Crockett b, 1817 d, 1913 age 98.
Children to Joseph McWilliams and Judith Crockett:
David McWilliams b. May 23, 1818 Tryon, Lot 28 Prince Co, St. Johns Island (PEI) d. July 22, 1894 married Jane Enman b, May 11, 1843 died May 11, 1926 age 84. Resided in West Devon. Children buried with them James W d. July 29, 1800 age 10 and Lora May d, Aug 11, 1869 age 2 mts 8 days, all buried in Tryon Cemetery.
Joseph McWilliams b. ? married Lydia McNaught
Edie/Adah McWilliams b. July 25, 1820
Jane McWilliams bapt. Sept 1, 1822 in the Bedeque Registry d. ?
married Charles Thomson
Eunice McWilliams b. July 26, 1825 married William Simmons by license Dec 14, 1850.
Eliza McWillams b. Sex 1, 1826 married John Kent of New Glasgow in 1848 by license Feb 9, 1848
Elizabeth McWilliams b. June 11, 1829
Lydia McWiliams b.? married Edward Francis, Dec 31, 1844 Rev J.H. Reid, J.P.
Theophilus McWilliams b. Feb 11, 1834 married a Ms Robinson
Maria (Murih) McWiliams bapt. Aug 28, 1836 married George Simmons
v. DAVID McWILLIAMS, b. 1792, Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., St. John's Island (PEI); d. 06 Sep 1885, West Cape, Lot 7, Prince Co., PEI, buried in Bethel United Church Cemetery at Springfield West. David married Sarah Wood b. ? d. Feb 13, 1882 buried in the Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery, Brae.
Children of David McWilliams and Sarah Wood:
Joseph McWilliams b. d.
Elizabeth McWilliams b May 19, 1826 married John McNeil. Had one child
Jane McWilliams b. 1829 d. Dept 29, 1910 marred John McNeil, Sept 15, 1845 by Rev. James Finlay.
Notes: Jane married her sister�s husband and they had more children. John drowned?
Continued Children of David McWilliams and Sarah Wood:
Horatio McWilliams b. April 1, 1832 d. Mar 22, 1921 married 1st Catherine Power, b. ? six children born and married 2cnd to Margaret Currie b, Apr 1, 1854 d. Feb 7, 1924, four children born
Amos McWilliams b. Sept 23, 1836 d, Sept 19, 1918 married Honora Stymest of Summerside, Oct 6, 1875. Honora b. Sept 23, 1852 daughter of William Stymest and Esther Edmonds, Tabushinac, NB. Honora d. June 9, 1937 Her grandparents were Ben
Stymest III and Charlotte Heirlihy of Tabushinca, NB.
Alfred McWilliams b, 1840 d. April 28, 1928 age 87 married Clara Winslow. Alfed was an MLA. No children.
Sarah McWilliams b. 1857 d. 1925 married Joseph McNeil of McNeil Bros., 7 Mile Bay, on Oct 9, 1872
Continued Children of David McWilliams and Theressa MUTARD/MUTTART
vi. MARGARET McWILLAMS, b. 1793, Grand River, Lot 28, Prince Co., St. John's Island,; d. 26 Nov 1877.
Generation No. 3
3. JAMES McWILLIAMS 1785, Tryon Lot 28, Prince Co., St. John's Island (PEI) d. 01 Dec 1864, Millburn, Lot 9, Prince Co., PEI, buried in West Cape Presbyterian Church Cemetery
He married MARGARET LEARD Bef. 1806 in Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI, daughter of SAMUEL LEARD and MARGARET ROGERS. She was born 1787 in Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., St. John's Island (PEI) and d. 24 Aug 1842 in Tryon Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI, buried Tryon People's Cemetery. Margaret remarried a Howatt.
Notes for JAMES M'WILLIAMS:
Occupation: Miller-operated a saw and grist mill at Milburn, Lot 8, several miles inland at the Big Pierre Jacques River which runs in from Egmont Bay between Glenwood and Hebron Property: 1880, The home on the Haliburton Road was split between Donald Currie and son.
Children of JAMES McWILLIAMS and MARGARET LEARD:
JOSEPH McWILLIAMS, b. 1806, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI, Tryon Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI, d. Sept 11, 1862 married in 1843 to Frances Dawson b. Jan 20, 1816 d. Nov 16, 1859. Moved to California.
MARGARET McWILLIAMS, b. 1812, Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI, d. 21 Apr 1885, Summerside, Lot 17, Prince Co., PEI, buried Summerside People's Cemetery married 1830 to James Leard
JAMES McWILLIAMS, Sept 11, 1811 b. Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI d. Millburn, Lot 9, Prince Co., PEI, buried Milburn United Church Cemetery married Mary J Sharp(e) in 1837. Had at least two daughter�s Mary Jane McWilliams and Lucy McWilliams. See below Mary Jane marriage to J. Day.
4. JOHN McWILLIAMS, b. 1819, Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI, d. 06 May 1884, Cape Traverse, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI, Canada buried Cape Traverse Free Church of Scotland Cemetery married Jane Howatt.
SAMUEL McWILLIAMS, b. 15 Jun 1820, Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI, d. 16 Jun 1911, Millburn, Lot 9, Prince Co., PEI, buried Milburn United Church Cemetery married Ada Boulter b. Sept 4, 1821 d, Feb 16, 1916 from Bedeque in 1843 she is also buried in Milburn.
AGNES McWILLIAMS, b. 14 Aug 1822, Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI,; d. 03 Apr 1823, Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI, buried Tryon People's Cemetery
ANN McWILLIAMS, b. 1823, Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI, d. 16 May 1903, Lot 8 buried Knutsford Methodist Church Cemetery married Henry Boulter
WILLIAM BRAMFORD McWILLIAMS, b. 1824, Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI,; d. 05 Sep 1919, Bedeque, Lot 26, Prince Co., PEI, buried Millburn West United Church Cemetery married Mary Grace Boulter in 1857
GEORGE MILLER McWILLIAMS, b. 19 Feb 1825, Tryon Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI, d. 27 May 1905, Montrose Lot 3, Prince Co., PEI, buried Greenmount Church of Christ Cemetery married Betty HIbbet and moved to Nova Scotia
STEPHEN BANFORD McWILLIAMS, b. 15 Oct 1831, Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI, d. 11 Sep 1899, West Point, Lot 8, Prince Co., PEI, buried West Point Presbyterian Church Cemetery married Margaret Maddox
ELIZABETH M'WILLIAMS, b. 02 Apr 1838, Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI,; d. 1920, Hamilton Road, Lot 18, Prince Co., PEI, buried Millburn West United Church Cemetery married Nathaniel Boulter in 1857. He b. 1833 died 1905
Generation No. 4
JOHN McWILLIAMS, b. 1819, Tryon, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI, d. 06 May 1884, Cape Traverse, Lot 28, Prince Co., PEI, Canada buried Cape Traverse Free Church of Scotland Cemetery. John married Jane Howaatt on Mar 5, 1846, Tryon by Rev. Mr. Sharp. Witnesses: James Howatt and James Leard. Jane b. 1829 died Jan 20,1888. She was the daughter of William Angus Howatt and Margaret Leard
Note: John� s mother was a Magaret Leard who remarried to a Howatt after the death of John�s father James. Question: This is either a different Margaret Leard than John�s mother or he married his half sister.
Children of John McWilliams and Jane Howatt:
i. Hannah Grey MacWilliams, b. December 03, 1846 in Cape Traverse, PEI, d.1923 buried Free Church Scotland Cemetery, Cape Traverse, PEI married Robert W Carruthers June 27,1865 in Summerside, PEI, b.May 17, 1840 in PEI, d. June 12, 1927 in Augustine Cove, PEI
More about Hannah McWiliams: Christening: February 20, 1849 Cape Traverse, Prince Edward Island
ii. Theodore Wright MacWilliams, born December 03, 1846 in Cape Traverse,
d. December 08, 1879 married Amelia DeLouzel , September 02, 1873; b, bef. 1856 in Gaspe, Québec.
More About Theodore Wright MacWilliams: Christening: February 20, 1849, Cape Traverse, Prince Edward Island
iii. William Major MacWilliams, b. September 01, 1851 in Cape Traverse,
d. August 23, 1862 in Cape Traverse buried Free Church of Scotland
Cemetery, Cape Traverse, PEI
iv. Philip Franklin MacWilliams, b. June 13, 1855 in Cape Traverse married Mary Elizabeth Howatt September 16, 1876 b. June 18, 1858 in Cape Traverse, d. April 03, 1934 in Boston, Massachusetts.
v. George Arthur MacWilliams, b.May 05, 1859 in Cape Traverse, d. November 13, 1937 in Augustine Cove, Prince Edward Island, married Eva Guignion August 10, 1882 in Cape Traverse b. October 26, 1863 in Gaspe, Québec d.1944 in Augustine Cove. Both buried in Free Church Scotland Cemetery in Capt Traverse. PEI
Continue Children of John McWilliams and Jane Howatt:
vi. Jonathan MacWilliams, b.November 09, 1859 in Cape Traverse
5. vii. Robert Muirhead MacWilliams, b. February 04, 1860 in Cape Traverse,
PEI d. May 01, 1937 in Cape Traverse married Dorthea A Adams August 18, 1885 buried in Free Church of Scotland Cemetery, Cape Traverse, PEI
viii. Joseph MacWilliams, born April 18, 1862 in Cape Traverse, d. September 11, 1962.
ix. Margaret Brow MacWilliams b. July 26, 1870 in Cape Traversed. 1903 in Cape Traverse married John Franklin Campbell September 11, 1891, b. August 13, 1866 in Cape Traverse, d. 1928 in Cape Traverse burial in Free Church of Scotland Cemetery, Cape Traverse, PEI
Generation No. 5
Robert Muirhead MacWilliams, b. February 04, 1860 in Cape Traverse,
PEI d. May 01, 1937 in Cape Traverse married Dorthea A Adams August 18, 1885 buried in Free Church of Scotland Cemetery, Cape Traverse, PEI
Children of Robert Muirhead MacWilliams and Dorthea A Adams:
6 i. Edward MacWilliams, b. February 10, 1886 in Cape Traverse Prince Edward Island, d. 1978 married Edith Jane Stanley b. 1882 d. 1959 buriel in Free Church of Scotland Cemetery, Cape Traverse, PEI.
More about Edward MacWiliams:
Edward was an Ice Boat Captain, Fisherman, Farmer and some say Historian. He was known as Captain Edwin MacWilliams. He can be found on the Island Register�s page, Burial Sites of Interesting People. There were many stories written about Edward in local newspapers about his Ice Boat days. He was also the first owner of the first vehicle in Cape Traverse, PEI when he bought a Model T Ford. There is an article on this as well.
Generation No. 6
i. Edward MacWilliams, b. February 10, 1886 in Cape Traverse Prince Edward Island, d. 1978 married Edith Jane Stanley b. 1882 d. 1959 buriel in Free Church of Scotland Cemetery, Cape Traverse, PEI. (for more information on Edith�s parents see Shaw family file on the Island Register)
Children of Edwin MacWilliams and Edith Stanley :
7 i. Raymond Robert MacWilliams b. Apr 8, 1904 Cape Traverse, PEI d. Oct 5 1995? iin Boston, Massachusetts married Naidean Mary Riggs Oct 30, 1926 in Providence, Rhode Island. Naidean b. Sept 15, 1904 in Charlottetown, PEI d. Feb 5, 1988 in Boston, Massachusetts.
More about Naidean Mary Riggs:
She is the daughter of John Riggs b. Oct 5, 1889 to Thomas M Riggs b. Feb 2, 1844 and Elizabeth b. Feb 6, 1846 and Amy May Day b. May 7, 1884 to James A Day and Mary Jane McWilliams.
Amy May McWilliams married James A Day May 6, 1853 in Cape Traverse, PEI.
A sibilng to Amy May Day is Lucy Day b. April 17, 1886
Siblings to John Riggs are: Charles Riggs b. July 31, 1882, Harry Riggs b. Apr 3, 1885 and Dudley Riggs b Feb 15, 1886.
Mary Jane McWilliams is tbe daughter of James McWilliam and Mary Sharp(e). Her father is the son of James McWilliams and Margaret Leard - see above.
James A Day is the son of Simon Day b. 1803 England d. Apr 12, 1889 and his third wife Christy MacDonald b. 1814 Isle of Skye, married on Sept 4, 1844 Charlottetown, PE (see Island Register from more information on Day family)
Ii: Norman Stanley MacWiliams b.Feb 23, 1907 in Cape Traverse d. ? married Dorilda Mable Howatt b? d? Believe buried in Free Church Scotland Cemetery Cape Traverse
iii. Hazen Harrison MacWilliams b, Aug 29, 1909 d, Feb 20, 1984 married Doris L. Gillispie
iv. Wendell Earl MacWilliams b. ? in Cape Traverse, d. June 1999 ? married Mildred Muttart at Tryon United Church buried at Tryon United Church Cemetery.
8 v. Inez Bovyer MacWilliams, b. June 17, 1918 in Cape Traverse, d. January 28, 2003; married 1st Victor Shaw b. Jan 22, 1911 to Chester Emil Shaw b. December 05, 1883, d. May 28, 1954. and Margaret Edith Beer married in 1906. Victor�s grandparents were Neil Shaw and Rachel MacKinnon. (see Shaw family tree on Island Register) Victor d. Nov 15, 1999. Inez married 2cnd to Leonard Cosgrove. Inez is buried with Victor at the Crapaud People�s Cemetery.
Generation No. 7
Raymond Robert MacWilliams b. Apr 8, 1904 Cape Traverse, PEI d. Oct 5 1995? iin Boston, Massachusetts married Naidean Mary Riggs Oct 30, 1926 in Providence, Rhode Island. Naidean b. Sept 15, 1904 in Charlottetown, PEI d. Feb 5, 1988 in Boston, Massachusetts.
8v. Inez Bovyer MacWilliams, b. June 17, 1918 in Cape Traverse, d. January 28, 2003; married 1st Victor Lloyd Shaw b. Jan 22, 1911 in 1937 in Summerside, PEI and married 2cnd to Leonard Joseph Cosgrove b. April 1, 1916 in North Bay, Ontario. Inez is buried with Victor at the Crapaud People�s Cemetery. Len returned home to Ontario a few years before Inez�s death. No children with Leonard, Leonard had a family in Ontario.