[Notes from Editor: As page numbers in electronic editions do not correspond to those in original printed versions, they are omitted from any Tables of Contents or Illustration Lists in works that we transcribe. Spellings are left as they were in the original work. Sentence & punctuation anomalies are also (mostly) left intact. Footnotes follow the paragraph in which they are referenced, enclosed by square brackets. Richard MacNeil]
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HISTORY
OF
THE COUNTY
OF PICTOU
______
CHAPTER VII.
FROM THE CLOSE OF THE AMERICAN WAR TILL THE ARRIVAL OF DR. M'GREGOR - 1783 -
1786
The next accession of settlers to the county, and the largest
it had yet received, was at the peace of 1783. These, however, were not loyalists
from the revolted colonies, as in some other counties. It might have been
well for them and for the county, had they occupied such a rich district as
Pictou, instead of the rocky shores of our southern coast. The most who came
here were disbanded soldiers, with a few families who had emigrated from the
old country about that time. The largest body of them were of the 82nd , or
Hamilton Regiment, as it was called. The main body had been employed in garrison
duty in Halifax, with the exception of an expedition to Casco Bay, in the
State of Maine, under General McLean. Another portion were employed in the
Southern States, at least some of the men saw severe service there. The most
important event, however, which befell the regiment was, the loss by shipwreck
of a transport on the coast, near New York, when, of thee hundred men on board,
only eighteen were saved, who were taken off the rigging to which they had
clung for some time.
Being disbanded in Halifax at the close of the war, a large tract of land
was set apart for them in Pictou, principally of the grants of Fisher and
others, which had just been escheated, in spite of the efforts of Wentworth,
who strove to maintain the titles of the old grantees, but only succeeded
in upholding his own. This tract , which has since been so well known in the
county as the 82nd grant, embraced the shore on the south side of the harbour,
at Frasers Point, and from the upper part of Fishers Grant around the coast,
almost to the eastern extremity of the county, including Fishers Grant, Chance
Harbour, Little Harbour and Merigomish, with the excemption of the Wentworth
grant and some of the smaller grants previously made at Barneys River, and
extending into the interior to the depth of three or four miles. It was said
to " contain in the whole 26,030 acres, allowance being made for a town
plot, common, glebe and schools, and for other public uses." It was divided
as follows: to the Colonel, (Robertson, of Struan, in Perthshire,) the Big
Island, hence often known as Robertsons Island, estimated at 1,500 acres,
though in reality containing considerably more; to Capt. Fraser, 700 acres
at Frasers Point, which obtained its name from him; to four other officers,
500 acres each; to another, 300 acres; to thirty-two non commissioned officers,
200 acres each; to two others, 150 acres each, and to 120 privates, 100 acres
each. The following is the description of the grant, which was dated 15th
February, 1785:
"Six certain several lots or tracts of land, containing on the whole
22,600 acres.
" One tract beginning at west boundary of land granted to Robert Patterson,
near the head of Merigomish harbour, thence to run south by the magnet 373
chains of 4 rods each, thence west 120 chains, thence south 38 chains, thence
west 109 chains, thence south 26 chains, thence west 187 chains, 50 links,
or until it comes to Wentworth grant; thence north 276 chains to the harbour
aforesaid; thence by the several courses of the said harbour, running east
up to the grant made to Robert Patterson as aforesaid; thence crossing on
that line to the west side said harbour, and running west down the harbour
and round the sea-coast, running east to the bound first-mentioned, containing
11,388 acres. Also, one other tract beginning at a stake and stones on the
west point of the entrance into the harbour of Merigomish, thence to run south
48o west 300 chains, thence north 78o west 107 chains, thence north 12 chains,
thence north 45o west 48 chains, to the harbour of Pictou; thence bounded
by the several courses of the said harbour and sea-shore, running east to
the bounds first mentioned, containing 12,000 acres. Also, one other tract
beginning at the point between East and Middle Rivers in Pictou harbour, thence
to run south 65o west 43 chains, thence south 67 chains, thence east till
it comes to the East River aforesaid, thence bounded by the several courses
of the shore to the bound first mentioned, containing 500 acres, hereby granted
wholly to the said Colin McDonald. Also, one other tract beginning at the
first mentioned bound of the last described tract, thence to run south 65o
west 43 chains, thence south 104 chains, thence north 85o west till it comes
to the harbour of Pictou, thence bound by the several courses of the said
harbour to the bounds first mentioned, containing 700 acres, hereby granted
wholly to the said John Fraser. Also, one other tract, beginning at the northern
bound of lands granted Archibald Allardyce, on the aforesaid harbour of Pictou
thence to run south 85o east 158 chains,or until it comes to lands granted
to Rod. McKay thence north 48 chains, thence west 34 chains, thence south
3 chains 50 links, thence north 85o west to the harbour, and by the several
courses of the said harbour to the bound first mentioned, containing 500 acres
hereby granted to the said Donnet Fenucane. Also one other tract beginning
28 chains to the east of land granted to R. Patterson aforesaid, thence to
run south 140 chains, thence east 75 chains, thence north to the sea-shore,
thence running westwardly by the several courses of the sea-shore to the bound
first mentioned, containing 950 acres, and containing in the whole
of the aforesaid tract of land, 26,080 acres of land, allowance being made
for a town plot, common, glebe and school, and for other public uses, excepting
always the land marked on the plan as reserved, and being all wilderness land."
The ground reserved for a town was at Fishers Grant, which was laid out to
contain every public convenience, and was duly named Walmsley, but as our
readers are aware, it was a town only in name, and we venture to say even
its name is entirely unknown to the majority of the young generation of Pictonians.
By the tenure of the grant, " all mines of gold, silver, copper, lead,
and coals" were reserved, and also an "entire right to all His Majesty's
subjects to fish on the coasts of the tract hereby granted, where it butts
upon the sea-shore." We hope, therefore, none of those resident on the
grant will attempt to hinder any of the lieges of Queen Victoria from this
privilege. It proceeds: "also saying and reserving to His Majesty his
heirs and successors, all white or other pine trees of the growth of twenty-five
inches diameter and upwards, at twelve inches off the earth, and if such trees
shall be so cut or felled without license for so doing, either from the Surveyor-General
of the Woods or his deputy, or from the Governor of the Province for the time
being, the lot or share of land which said trees shall be so cut, shall be
forfeited and the lands revert to His Majesty, his heirs and successors."
Surely with such a penalty nobody on that grant has ever cut down any big
pine trees on his lot, and surely Her Majesty, as the lawful heir of George
the Third, must have a large reserve of masts for her navy. But somehow we
don't see them there nowadays.
The grantees were also required to pay a quit rent of two shillings sterling
for every hundred acres on the Feast of St. Michaels (which we may inform
our ignorant readers is on the 29th September) in every year, the first payment
on the first term after the expiration of ten years from the date hereof.
There were also the same conditions as to working as in Cameron's grant.
We have given the conditions of the various early grants, as curious exhibitions
of the ideas of the times, but it is to be observed that those issued at the
same period in the other counties were in the same terms. At this time, however,
a condition was inserted, not in previous grants, as follows:- "If the
land hereby given and granted shall, at any time or times hereafter, come
into the possession and tenure of any person or persons whatever, inhabitants
of our said Province of Nova Scotia, either by virtue of any deed of sale,
conveyance, enfeoffment, or exchange, or by gift, inheritance, descent, or
marriage," (most likely, we think, it would at some time in some one
of these ways)," such person or persons being inhabitants, as aforesaid,
shall, within twelve months after his, her of their entry, take oaths prescribed
by law, and make and subscribe the following declaration, that is to say:___
"I,_____ _______, do promise and declare that I will maintain and defend,
to the utmost of my power, the authority of the King in his Parliament, as
the Supreme Legislature of this Province," before some of the magistrates
of the said province, and such declaration and certificates of the magistrate
that such oaths have been taken, being recorded in the Secretary's office
of the said Province, the person or persons so taking the oaths aforesaid,
and making and subscribing the said declaration, shall be deemed the lawful
possessor or possessors of the land herby granted."
The land was surveyed by Squire Patterson and a son of the Surveyor-General,
and divided into lots, which were duly numbered. The men were drawn up on
the Barrack Square in Halifax, and each man drew his lot by number.
The attempts made in the Colonies to form settlements by disbanded soldiers
have not generally been very successful. Governor Lawrence, writing sometime
previously to the Lords of Trade and Plantations on this subject, says:---"According
to my ideas of the military, which I offer with all possible deference and
submission, they are the least qualified, from their occupation as soldiers,
of any men living, to establish a new country where they must encounter difficulties
with which they are altogether unacquainted." This was soon realized
in the present attempt. Some came and looked at the land they had drawn, and
without cutting a tree upon it, returned to Halifax and re-enlisted. Others
sold out for trifling sums. The county records, for 1785 particularly, contained
a number of transfers of their lots, sometimes " with their right to
a town lot and their share of provisions," for sums of four or five pounds.
A number never sold, and their land has since been unoccupied, or occupied
without title.
Still a good number came to settle their grants, some arriving in the fall
of 1783, others in the spring of 1784, and thus the whole shore of the eastern
part of the county was in some measure occupied. A large proportion of these
settlers were reckless and profligate, but a number proved steady and industrious,
and from them are descended many of the most prominent and useful members
of society in the county at the present day. The most of them were Scotch,
and of these the majority were Lowlanders; but a number were Highlanders,
of whom a considerable proportion were Catholics, principally from the Island
of Barra, who had enlisted under that persuasive influence which Highland
Lairds were accustomed to exercise over their dependents. A number of these
afterward removed into the neighboring county of Antigonish. We give in the
appendix a list of grantees, with such notices of them as we have been able
to obtain. [Appendix F.]
[Beginning of Appendix F
F.
List of Grantees of the 82nd Regiment.
Col. Alex Robertson. Obtained the big island of Merigomish as his share, hence sometimes known as Robertson's Island. Never lived on it himself, but some relatives of the name settled upon it. Employed an agent, who built a large house on it, which he called Struan House. At his death, his property in this county descended to his nephew, Oliphant, of Gask.
Capt. John Fraser. Lived at Frasers Point, appointed a magistrate October 15th, 1784. His wife and two sons followed him from Scotland, one of the latter, John, being afterward known as Collector Fraser, the other common Simon, called also Major, and sometimes Colonel Fraser, afterward employed in bringing out passengers.
Alex. McDonald. Unknown.
Colin McDonald. I believe the same that known as Cole McDonald, who lived on the Big Island, near what is still known as Coles Brook.
Donnet Fenucane. His land
located to the west of Frasers Point, but his history unknown.
These three received each 500 acres.
John McNeil. Received 300 acres, but history unknown
Non-commissioned officers receiving each 200 acres.
Charles Arbuckles. A native of Falkirk, moved afterward to the Ponds. Married to a daughter of B. McGee. His descendants numerous.
David Ballantyne. Removed to Cape George, where his descendants are numerous.
George Brown. Settled on Frasers Mountain.
John Brownfield. A native of Derry, in Ireland, and a Presbyterian, died near French River, where his descendants still are.
James Carmichael. A native of Perthshire. His descendents well-known.
Robert Dunn. A native of Glasgow, settled on the property now owned and occupied by his sons.
John Fraser. A Highlander from Inverness. One of 18 who survived out of a detachment of 111 men, employed in the Southern States during the war, the rest having been cut off by fever. He lived at Fishers Grant, where he was one of the first Elders of Pictou congregation. Afterward removed to French River, where his descendants still are.
Deffey Gillies. Believe the same as James Gillies, who lived where R. S. Copeland now resides, afterward removed to Big Island, where his descendants still are.
James Peacock. Lived near Chance Harbour, but do not know what became of him.
John Robson. From being able to bleed, and his skill otherwise, he was usually known as Dr. Robson. His descendants still there.
Charles Robinson, properly Robertson. Was a son of the proprietor of the estate of Lude, at the foot of the Grampians. Was a student attending college when he enlisted. One daughter, married to Robert Patterson (Black.)
John Scott. Sold out to John Fraser, 1785.
Robert Smith. His lot where the Merigomish church now stands. His descendants still there.
David Simpson. Had been a student at college, but he and some others having indulged in "a spree," some eighteen of them found themselves in the morning with that King's shilling in their pockets. Their professors endeavored to obtain their discharge, but without success. From his education, he obtained some office in the Regiment. His lot, on which his descendants still live, the farthest up in Merigomish, in the grant. He was afterward employed as a schoolmaster in several parts of the county.
Robert Stewart. Usually known as Smashem, from this being a favorite expression in describing battle scenes. He acted as agent for Col. Robertson, and lived on the Big Island, at a point which has since received the name of Smashems Head.
Robert Miller, Gerard Cullen, heirs of John Eves, John Fowler, John Foot, Thomas Loggan, Archibald Long, John Morton, Alexander McKinnnon, John McNeill, Jun., George Oswald, James Robertson, Alexander Stewart, James Struthers, William McVie, William West, Archibald Wilson. History unknown.
Receiving 150 acres each.
John Baillie. A native of Sutherlandshire; afterward took up land at the mouth of Baillies Brook, which received its name from him.
Archibald Cameron. History unknown.
Privates receiving 100 acres each.
Andrew Anderson. A native of East Lothian, and the first settler on Anderson's Mountain. Died 3rd August, 1845.
John Bradaw (properly Brady). Sold out.
David Boggey. Died at Fishers Grant, leaving no family.
Duncan Chisholm. Removed to Baillies Brook, where his descendants still are.
William Campin or Campden. Sold out and removed to Truro.
John Colly. Suppose the same who afterward settled on Middle River, where his descendants still are. A native of Elgin.
James Dansey or Dempsey. An Irishman; settled at French River Bridge. His descendants still there.
British Freedom. Strange is this name is, there is in the Registrar's office in Pictou a deed from him of his lot, under this inspiring name. Hence I presume that he moved away.
Hardin Ferdinand. A very stout, well-made Irishman, who afterward enlisted in Governor Wentworth's Regiment.
Thomas Flemming or Fleeman. Sold out and removed away.
Robert Ferrett, properly Gerrard. An Irishman; afterward removed to Rogers Hill.
Alexander Gordon. "Died at Fishers Grant on the 18th inst, after an illness of eight days, which he bore with resignation to the divine will, for which he has always been exemplary, Mr. Alexander Gordon, aged 80 years, leaving a circle of relatives and friends to mourn their loss. He was of the old 82nd Regiment, and one of the earliest settlers in the district of Pictou."-Bee, August 31st, 1836.
John Ives. A native of Nottingham, England, but married in the North of Ireland. Died in Halifax, and his children, the eldest, the late George Ives, Elder, then 12 years of age, came to take possession of their lot at Fishers Grant. His descendants well known.
William Kirk. Afterwards removed to St. Marys, where his descendants are numerous. A grandson in the Dominion Legislature.
Andrew Muirhead. A Lowland Scotchman; first settled at the Ponds. His descendants at Little Harbour and other places.
Hugh McCarthy. A tailor. Sold out and removed to Truro.
John McDougall. Blacksmith in the Regiment. Lived at Fishers Grant. The ferrymen, Donald and Williams, his sons.
Angus McQueen, and native of the Isle of Skye; settled at Little Harbour; a number of his descendants still in that neighbourhood. Donald McDonald (Lochaber), Donald McDonald (Bann), Angus McDonald. These four the first settlers in Little Harbour.
Charles McKinnon. From the Isle of Barra. Moved to Baillies Brook where his descendants still are.
John McNeil, Donald McNeil, Murdoch McNeil, Matthew McNeil, John McNeil, Jun. Isle of Barra men, most of whom removed to Antigonish County.
John and James McPherson. Settled at Fishers Grant; John dead in 1785. James at his death described as a native of Badenoch. Their descendants still there.
William Robinson. A Scotchman. His descendants settled there.
William Sharp. Died at the Beaches.
William Symptom. Married to Ives' widow, lived at lower part of Fishers Grant.
John Small. Afterward the Elder, belonged to the Grenadier Company. One of the 18 saved from the wreck of the Transport. For some time in an American prison, but with fifteen others made his escape; and passing through the American lines reached a British man-of-war. But afterward drowned near his own house, at a part of the Harbour of which it was said that he knew every foot as well as his own farm.
James Truestate, properly Truesdale. Sold out and removed to Truro.
James Arthur, Wm. Adams, William Bilboa, William Branon, Michael Branon, George Brown, Charles Brown, John Brown, Archibald Cameron, Robt. Clawson, Finlay Campbell, Donald Campbell, sr., Donald Campbell, jr., Alex. Campbell, Matthew Campbell, John Chisholm, Archibald Cochrane, Thomas Connelly, Robt. Dewar, John Dickson, Alex. Dickson, Dennis Dirkham, Lawrence Donnachie, Charles Dunce, Francis Gobbiel, Angus McDonald 2nd, Angus McDonald 3rd, Peter McDonald, John McDonald, Roderick McDonald, William Gowe, Peter Gowe, Richard Griffin, James Gibes, Robert Gardner, Patrick Hayne, or Kane, Archibald Henderson, Wm. Hodges, John Holmes, Patrick Hunt, John Ives, Wm. Jack, Alex. King, Alex. Kennedy, John Little, John Lunn, Wm. Lamplash, Peter Lamplash, Thomas Matheson, John Munro, Hugh Miller, John Muir, John Morton, Samuel McBawe, Neil McCallum, John McCladdy, Bryan McDermaid, Archibald McGavy, John McGillivray, Alex. McKenzie, Robert McKenzie, Alexander McLean, Ewan McLean, Alexander McLean, Samuel McLean, John McLeod, Kenneth McLeod, John Patterson, William Riddle, Robert Reid, Thomas Ryan, George Robertson, Alex. Shaw, Charles Stewart, David Skervine, John Sovereign, Patrick Skey, James Struthers, John Scott, John Stevenson, Matthew Talbot, Thomas Townsend, Robt. Thyne, Wm. Wood, Thomas Wood, John Wright, Robt. Warren. Unknown.
We find also in the County Records, the names of the following as soldiers of the 82nd, whose names are not in the grant, viz.: John McIlvain, Robert Irvin, Wm. McKay, John McGarvie, Wm. Hogan, George Osborne, Thomas Crowe, as selling out their lots. There were others also who occupied theirs, such as Owen McEwan, or McKowan, a native of the County of Down, whose descendants are numerous.
End of
Appendix F]
We must now notice another band who arrived----some of them at this time,
and others not till a little later, who first occupied the upper settlement
of the East River. These belonged to the 84th Regiment, known at that time
as the Royal Highland emigrants. It consisted of two battalions, originally
embodied in the year 1775, though not numbered as the 84th till the year 1778,
when each battalion was raised to 1,000 men. Their uniform was the full Highland
garb, with purses made of raccoon instead of badgers' skins. The officers
wore the broadsword and dirk, and the men a half basket sword. The first battalion
was raised among the discharged men of the 42nd, Fraser's and Montgomery's
Highlanders, who had settled in Canada or the old colonies at the peace of
1763. It was stationed at Quebec, under the command of Col. Allan McLean,
where it did good service in defence of that post, and was thus the principle
means of preserving the Province to the British crown. The other battalion
was raised principally among immigrants arriving in the United States or Nova
Scotia. At the time the war broke out, a large number were on their way from
Scotland to settle in various parts of the old colonies. In some instances
the vessels were boarded from a man-of-war before arrival. * After arrival
they were induced partly by threats and partly by persuasion, to enlist for
the war, which was expected to be of short duration. They were not only in
poverty, but many were in debt for their passage, and they were now told that,
by enlisting, they would have their debts paid, have plenty food as well as
full pay, and would receive for each head of a family 200 acres of land and
50 more for each child, "as soon as the present unnatural rebellion is
suppressed," while, in the event of refusal, there was presented the
alternative of going to jail to pay their debts. Under these circumstances,
most of the able-bodied enlisted, in some instances fathers and sons serving
together. Their wives and children were brought to Halifax, hearing the cannon
of Bunker Hill on the passage.
_______________
[* The tradition in several families is, that they were captured by a British
man-of-war. I do not understand how this could be. A number were on their
way to Virginia. ]
This battalion was under the command of Col. Small. Stewart, in his history
of the Highland clans and regiments, says:" No chief of former days ever
more firmly secured the attachment of his clan, and no chief certainly ever
deserved it better. With an enthusiastic and almost romantic love of his country
and countrymen, it seemed as if the principal object of his life had been
to serve them and promote their prosperity. Equally brave in leading them
in the field, and kind, just, and conciliating in quarters, they would have
indeed been ungrateful, if they regarded him otherwise than they did. There
was not an instance of desertion in the battalion. Five companies remained
in Nova Scotia during the war. The other five joined General Clinton and Lord
Cornwallis to the southward. At Eutaw Springs, the Grenadier company was in
the battalion, which, as Col. Alex. Stewart, of the 3rd Regiment, states in
his dispatches, drove all before them."
That portion of the regiment which remained in Nova Scotia, was stationed
at Halifax, Windsor and Cumberland, and the men were distinguished by their
good behaviour, in which they presented a remarkable contrast to the rest
of the army at that time.
At the close of the war, both battalions were disbanded. The first battalion
settled in Canada , the second in Nova Scotia. The transports, with the flank
companies, from the Southern army were ordered to Halifax, where the men were
to be discharged, but owing to the violence of the weather, and a consequent
loss of reckoning, they made the Islands of St. Nevis and St. Kitts, which
delayed their final reduction till 1784. The largest portion of the battalion
obtained their land in Hants County, where they formed the township of Douglass,
but a number of them settled on the upper settlement of the East River. The
first who came was James Fraser [Big] who, in company with Donald McKay, the
elder, followed the river up till he reached the intervale, a little below
St. Paul's Church, where his grandson Donald resides, which he chose as his
future home. We may mention that intervale land was then eagerly sought, and
that it was this that principally attracted the settlers to such a distance
from shore. Accordingly he and fifteen of his comrades took up a tract of
3,400 acres, extending along both sides of the river,* on the east side ,
from Finlay Fraser's, a little below Springville, to a little above Samuel
Cameron, Esq.'s house, and on the west side, from John Forbes' to James Fraser's
[ Culloden ]. This grant, usually known on the East River,as " the soldiers'
grant ," is in the same terms with that of the 82nd. The settlers also
received a town lot at Fishers Grant and a supply of provisions.
___________________
[* The discharges we have seen are dated 10th April, 1784, but the grant is
dated 3rd November, 1785. There was, however, always delay in the issue of
the old grants. Curiously enough I could find no record of this in the Crown
Land office at Halifax. It was surveyed and the lots laid off by Squire Patterson.]
They made a beginning of settlement here, as near as we can ascertain, in
the summer of 1784. We may say of these as well as those of the same class
who settled on the West Branch, that they were very different from disbanded
soldiers in general, being sober and industrious, and many of them serious.
But they had for some time great hardships to endure. Till they made a blaze,
there was no path to the neighboring settlement. All their seed and supplies
for their families, they were obliged to carry on their backs, or in winter,
to drag on handsleds. And from their seclusion from the rest of the settlement,
they were for a time exposed to peculiar privations. We append a list of these
grantees with notices of them. [Appendix G.]
[Beginning of Appendix G
G.
List of Grantees of 84th Regiment on East Branch.
On the east side of the River.
Donald Cameron. 150 acres. With his brothers, Finlay and Samuel, afterward mentioned, were natives of the parish of Urquhart. Served 8 years and 4 months. His son, Duncan, long the elder, was a drummer boy in the Regiment, having served two years, and being 15 years of age at his discharge.
Alex Cameron. 100.
Robt. Clark. 100.
Finlay Cameron. 400. Enlisted in Canada with the view of joining his friends in Nova Scotia. Returned thither to bring his family at the peace. Was drowned shortly after his arrival, along with John Chisholm at the Narrows.
Samuel Cameron, Jr. 100 acres.
James Fraser (Big). 350 acres. A native of Strathglass. Settled where his grandson Donald, lives, a little below St. Pauls.
Peter Grant. The first elder in this settlement.
James McDonald. Long the Elder; said to have been the strongest man in the Regiment. Removed to the London District of Ontario. Hon. James McDonald his grandson.
Hugh McDonald. 100.
On the West side.
James Fraser, 2nd. Usually known as Culloden; 100 acres; farthest-up settler on that side. His descendants there still. Rev. James W. Fraser descended from him.
Duncan McDonald. 100 acres.
John McDonald. 250 acres; brother of James.
Samuel Cameron. 300 acres; brother of Donald and Finlay, already mentioned.
John Chisholm, Sen. 300. A Roman Catholic from Strathglass; drowned with F. Cameron, as mentioned; father of Mrs. John McKenzie, Sen., West River.
John Chisholm, Jun. 200 acres. Son of the last.
John McDonald, 2nd. 250
acres.
End of
Appendix G]
About the same time with the occupation of the East Branch, or a little after,
the West Branch was occupied, principally by men of the same regiment. The
first to make their way thither were David McLean afterwards Esquire, and
John Fraser, who made their way along the bed of the river to the falls, at
Gray's Mills, where they spent the night sleeping in the open air. Their grant
however did not come out for some time after. The one in use is dated 13th
December 1797, and includes a number of other parties, who had settled on
other parts of the river. This grant is not on record, but there is one registered
for the same quantity of land with nearly the same names, dated 1st April
1793. We subjoin a list of the grantees with brief notices of them.[ Appendix
H]
[Beginning of Appendix H
H.
List of grantees at West branch and other places on the East River, 18th December, 1797.
William Fraser. 350 acres. From Inverness, land situate at Big Brook, now owned by his grandchildren.
John McKay. 300.
John Robertson. 450. At Churchville.
Wm. Robertson. 200. Son of the last, also near Churchville.
John Fraser. 300. From Inverness, Springville, now occupied by Holmes and others.
Thomas Fraser. 200. From Inverness. An elder and noted for piety. His lot was at the head of the West Branch.
Thos. McKenzie. 100. Settled near Fish Pools.
David MacLean. 500. A sergeant in the army, or as some say a petty officer in the Navy. Was captured by the Spaniards, and afterward exchanged as a prisoner. He was a better scholar than usually found among the settlers, was a surveyor, a magistrate, an elder in the Church, and a leading man in that section of the county.
Alex. Cameron. 300.
Hector McLean. 400. From Inverness. Land still occupied by his descendants.
John Forbes. 400. From Inverness. Land on East Branch River.
Alex McLean. 500. Brother of Hector. Land opposite Stellarton, part of it still occupied by his descendants.
Thos. Fraser, Jr. 100.
Jas. McLellan. 500. From Inverness. Land above the Fish Pools, on the opposite side of the River, occupied by his descendants.
Donald Chisholm. 350. From Strathglass, originally a Catholic, but became a Presbyterian. St. Columbas Church built on part of his farm.
Robert Dunbar. 450 | Three brothers from Inverness. All we believe in 84th. Their land still occupied by their descendents. |
Alex Dunbar. 200 | |
William Dunbar. 300 |
James Cameron. 300. Of the 84th. Land still occupied by his descendants.
John McDougall. 250. In the Registrar's book," J. M. Douglass."
John Chisholm. 300.
Donald Chisholm, jun. 400. From Inverness. Land occupied by his grandsons.
Robert Clark. 150. Of the 84th, but moved away. Land now occupied by Mr. Thomas Fraser.
Donald Shaw. 300. From Inverness. Land occupied by his grandsons.
Alexander McIntosh. 500. From Inverness. His land now partly occupied by Hopewell Village.
John McLellan. 100. From Inverness. Land occupied by D.H. McLean and James Fraser.
The most of those marked
as from Inverness were from the parish of Urquhart, in that county, and served
in the 84th. In the record of the grant, dated 1st April, 1793, there are
the additional names of Colin Robinson, William Robinson, William McKenzie,
William Robertson, heirs of John Forbes, Hugh Dunoon, and Thomas Fraser, but
Hector McLean's is omitted.
End of Appendix H]
The same summer (1784) there arrived at Halifax a vessel with immigrants,
of whom some eight families, all Highlanders, removed to Pictou, all of whom,
so far as we know, settled on the East River. Perhaps the most noticeable
of these were Thomas Fraser, who settled nearly opposite where New Glasgow
now stands, and who was long known as Deacon Thomas, and John Robertson who
was the first settler at Churchville. A list of these settlers so far as we
have been able to obtain, we subjoin. (Appendix I.)
[Beginning of Appendix I
I.
List of Highland Emigrants by Halifax in 1784.
Thomas Fraser. A native of Kirkhill Parish. Settled nearly opposite new Glasgow, where he was known as Deacon Thomas, and his descendants are still so distinguished.
William Fraser (Ogg). Settled just above him.
---- Fraser. Usually known as " basin."
Alexander McKay. A brother of Roderick and Donald, already mentioned as passengers in the Hector. Had served in the Fraser Highlanders at the capture of Louisburg and Québec. Near the latter place received a ball in his leg, which he carried till his death. Was a very powerful man. Lived to be 97 years of age, and almost to the last, a reference to the campaign at Québec would stir up his blood. Settled near Fish Pools, where his son lately resided.
Thomas McKenzie. Settled near Fish Pools, where Thomas Grant now resides.
Alexander Fraser or McAndrew. From the Parish of Kilmorack, settled at McLellans Brook, but did not live long.
Simon Fraser. Also an Elder. Settled on McLellans Brook, where his son, William, filled the same office for 50 years.
John Robertson. A brother-in-law of Roderick and Donald McKay. The first settler at Churchville. His first clearing was made where John Robertson, miller, nowresides.
There was also a family
of Frasers, who came, we believe with this band. The father died, the widow
married William Dunbar, and the only son moved into Antigonish County.
Oxen | Cows | Small cattle | Sheep |
230 | 356 | 450 | 1500 |