Skye Pioneers and "The Island"
Founding of Uigg

In a little Minute Book in the custody of Samuel MacLeod, Uigg, in the handwriting of Malcolm MacLeod, K.C., a native of Uigg, is the following brief authoritative history of the founding of that district.

Uigg in Queens County, Prince Edward Island, was settled in the year 1829 and 1831 by immigrants from the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The immigrants of 1829 were chiefly from Uig, in Skye, and in memory of the place of their birth, they called their new home in the woods of Prince Edward Island, Uigg. The first map in this book shows the original farms and the names of their first permanent occupants. Beginning on the eastern side of the Murray Harbor Road (which was made through this settlement in 1828) and on the south side of the settlement, there are William MacPhee, Donald Kelly, James Campbell (who had bought out one Allan McDonald, called Allan MhacHamish), Norman MacLeod and Alexander Martin; who had entered into possession of their farms in 1827, James Campbell, however, only going into actual possession in 1829 as successor to Allan MhacHamish. Donald Ross and David Ross (whose father lived on the road crossing from Orwell to the Murray Harbor Road) had taken their farms but did not go into actual possession till a few years after 1829, probably 1833 or 1834. Roderick McLeod and John McLeod (with their father, Norman McLeod), Angus McDonald, James McLeod, Murdoch McLeod, Malcolm McKinnon and James McDonald, went into possession in 1829, the year in which they arrived from Skye. A few years afterwards the Rev. Samuel McLeod bought and entered on the north half of James McDonald's farm. Michael Chisholm, whose people were from Strathglass, near Inverness, was several years later in coming. To the westward of the Road were Donald Gordon, Donald McDonald and William McLeod (known as Ulliam Sceighdear), who arrived from Skye in 1831. Donald Shaw was born in Pinette on this Island, and he and John Matheson (from Skye also) went on their farms about 1833. The farm marked Fletcher was originally occupied and before 1829, by one Gay, from Lot 49, called by the Highland people "Gaieach Cam," who built a saw mill. His son, John Gay, afterwards occupied the farm and sold it to John Fletcher, who built a grist mill further up the stream (where John F. McLeod's mills were) sometime about the year 1840 or 1845. The farm marked Archibald McDonald was taken by Archibald (son of James) some ten (10) years after the original settlement. Of the farms to the rear or eastward, the one marked Roderick McLeod was taken by him about 7 or 10 years later than 1829. His brother, Ewen McLeod, went into possession of his farm 2 or 3 years still later. Of the original occupants above named there are only Roderick McLeod and his brother John and David Ross, still living on the land of which they took the original possession. James McDonald and his wife (a sister of Roderick, John and Samuel) are still living, but removed from Uigg several years, and are now living with their daughter at Green Marsh, on Murray Harbor Road. Of the original settlers, Norman McLeod, James McLeod, and Murdoch McLeod, were an older generation, and were brothers. John McLeod, Roderick McLeod and the Rev. Samuel McLeod were also brothers, and sons of Norman, known as Tormoid 'ic Neal 'ic Murchuidh, Gillie Brighe, 'ic Murchuidh. Angus, James and Donald McDonald were also brothers.

In these days the whole face of the country was covered with a dense forest, and the first settlers, perfect strangers to the use of the axe on their arrival, had little but their labour to depend on for making a living and rearing and educating numerous families.

The first school house for the settlement was built about 1840, to the northward of the stream of the Orwell River, and to the west of the Murray Harbor Road, near the top of the ascent from the brook, in a dense spruce bush, a portion of William McLeod's woods. It was a long building, perhaps 20 x 15 or 18 feet, roofed with boards and slabs, having the spaces between the round logs filled with moss. The fireplace was open, having its sides or "jambs" of wood like inverted sleigh runers. The first teacher was one Donald Kelly (a relation of the Donald Kelly whose name appears on the map), who arrived from Skye in 1839 or 1840. He and his wife and one or two children lived in the school house for a year or two. Parents paid him one pound per annum of the then currency ($3.24) per pupil, and gave him besides, for his support, one bushel of wheat each family.

The Rev. Samuel McLeod was a Baptist minister and up to the time of his death officiated ministerially for the people with no stated stipend, with no pay whatever for many years, and indeed never required or expected anything. Any small help or offering made him was always reluctantly received. Of the families of the settlement shown on the first map, only Nos. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21 and 22, were stated worshippers at his services. The rest of his congregation were persons of his denomination from the adjacent country. At first the Sunday and weekly meetings were held in the dwelling houses of the farms above mentioned, and also in the McLeod's own house; the meeting being held, in the houses on successive Sundays. In summer they placed temporary seats on their barn floors as being more roomy and cooler than their dwellings. The services were conducted in Gaelic and for Psalmody they used the version of the Gaelic Psalms authorized by the Church of Scotland. Mr. McLeod was a man of extensive information, sincere piety, good abilities as a preacher, an original thinker, and a man universally respected. All who knew him were his friends. Gradually his services became partly Gaelic and partly English, and for some years before his death, the services were conducted entirely in English. This became necessary owing to the deaths of the older people and the preference of the younger generation for English, and in some cases their ignorance of Gaelic, and the addition to the church of persons whose mother tongue was English. About the year 1852, the people built a small wooden church on the ground used as a burial ground, and from that time the services in dwellings ceased. For the first 15 or 20 years few changes took place in the occupations of the farms, and although deaths occurred occasionally, families, as a rule, kept together, and the population of the settlement increased very fast. But after that time, the young men first, later the young women, began to go abroad, and the older generation yearly died more rapidly, so that at this date there is almost an entire change in the occupants of the farms.

This map was copied by a surveyor (a stranger) from a map a few years older than this writing, and for correct use of it, it is necessary to state that the farms marked Samuel McLeod 50ac. and Malcolm McLeod 50ac. now are owned by Malcolm McLeod, son of Rev. Samuel McLeod,. Murdoch McLeod on that map is not the original Murdoch McLeod, but a son of the old Norman McLeod. The farm marked Donald Ross is occupied by Donald Martin, house-joiner. The farm marked Malcolm McLeod (formerly Angus McDonald), though owned by Malcolm McLeod (Barrister), is actually occupied by his father, Roderick McLeod, already mentioned as one of the original settlers.

A piece of ground indicated on the map, was from the first set aside for a burying ground. The first person buried there was Norman McLeod, the old man already mentioned, who died in the year 1837. No record of burial was kept. To supply that omission, this book was prepared. There are yet living persons who remember the first burial and can still identify every grave. From the information of such persons and from the families and friends of the deceased, the record of the earlier burials is made up. The dates in some cases have been taken from existing tombstones, from friends and relatives; in other cases, approximated ; and in some cases cannot be got.

The above sketch indicates the changes in the last 52 years. Whoever lives and takes the trouble of noting the changes in the next fifty years will have to narrate still greater and more rapid changes, but he will not have to write about a more honest, industrious, or worthier people, than the first inhabitants of Uigg.

Malcolm McLeod (Barrister)
Saturday, 27th Jan., 1883.

COPY OF CLEARING PAPER
P.E.I. REGISTER & GAZETTE, TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1829.

84 Immigrants including women and children from the Isle of Skye arrived here on Sunday. They left their native place about 6 weeks ago in a ship for Cape Breton along with a number of settlers for that Island. They seem all to be in high health and judging from appearance in easy circumstances.

With prudent foresight characteristic of their race they came provided with 12 months provisions and an ample stock of warm clothing. They have all relatives already settled in the Island chiefly about Belfast, and with the exception of one family it is, we understand, their intention also to locate in that thriving settlement.

Custom House, Entered June 1st, 1829.
"Mary Kennedy," Cape Breton, 84 passengers.

John Roderick McLeod.
Uigg, P.E. Island
Saturday, 27th January, 1883.

OCCUPANTS OF FARMS IN 1929

1. Hugh Martin, son-in-law of John Campbell.
2. Samuel Campbell, son of John.
3. Simon Donald Campbell, son of John.
4. Samuel Hume, son-in-law of Donald Campbell.
5. Adrian Reynolds, married, Euphemia Macpherson, Granddaughter
6. of Malcolm Campbell.
7. John A. MacLeod, son of John F. MacLeod, miller.
8. John J. MacLeod, brother of Rev. D. B. MacLeod.
9. John W. MacLeod, grandson of William Taylor MacLeod, Dundee.
10. John MacLeod, son of Murdoch.
11.
12. William Mackinnon, son of Charles.
13. Samuel MacLeod, son of Malcolm.
14.
15. John Daniel MacQueen, son of Donald
16. John Smith, Pownal.
17. Ernest Shaw, son of Allan.
18. Archibald Macpherson, son of John.
19. Donald Mor MacLeod, son of Malcolm.
20. Sir Andrew Macphail, son of William.
21. Murdoch E. MacLeod, son of Roderick.
24. Daniel, son of Neil Macpherson, and Joseph Chisholm, son of Anselm Chisholm.
C. Joseph McIsaac, cousin of Daniel Macpherson.
D. Wellington MacLeod, Orwell Cove.

1829 SETTLERS

LOCAL PLACE-NAMES

UIGG, named by the Skye settlers of 1829 after Uig, in Skye. Donald Macdonald, a Skye schoolmaster, who arrived in 1841, and taught in the grammar school, is said to have varied the name to Uigg.

ALBERRY PLAINS. This whole district was early swept by fire. After that it was called the Barrens. Following the fire berries grew in abundance. Hence Edward Plaidwell, a U.E. Loyalist, settler in the district, named it Alberry Plains.

DUNDEE, named by Mary Kettle, wife of John Martin, after her birthplace in Scotland. She arrived in 1842 and died in 1918, aged 94.

LYNDALE, named by Ewen Lamont, a Skyeman, at a public meeting called for the purpose, about 1880.

VERNON, is called after Admiral Sir Edward Vernon (1723-1794) uncle of Francis, Lord Orwell. The Admiral used to dilute the sailors spirits with water in the interests of temperance. He was known as "Old Grog" in allusion to his wearing a grogram coat in foul weather. The watered rum became known as grog.

ORWELL, is named after Lord Orwell.

UIGG SCHOOL

In 1906 there was published in the Charlottetown Guardian a list of former pupils of the famous Uigg Grammar School, almost all of whom were born in this school district. To this list have been added a few additional names.

LAWYERS:
Malcolm McLeod, K.C., Charlottetown.
Duncan C. McLeod (B.A. McGill), K.C., Charlottetown.
Neil McLeod (M.A. Acadia), County Court Judge, Summerside.
Daniel C. Ross (B.A. McGill, London, Edin.), K.C., Toronto.
Donald A. Mackinnon (LL.B. Dal.), K.C., Charlottetown.
Donald Mackinnon, K.C., Charlottetown.
Malcolm A. Macqueen (B.A. Queen's), Winnipeg.
Alexander R. McLeod (B.A., McGill, Oxon), Vancouver.

MEDICAL DOCTORS:
Hugh Martin (Glas. Univ., New Orleans), Fredericksburg, Va.
Angus McLeod (Harvard) Cambridge, Mass.
James McLeod (McGill), Charlottetown.
William McKinnon; Newfoundland.
Gamaliel Gillis (U. of Penn.), Montague Bridge.
Archibald McLeod (McGill), New Westminster.
William J. Macphail (Wash. D.C.), Orwell.
Sir Andrew Macphail (McGill), Montreal.
Donald McLeod (Trin.), Orwell.
Artemas J. MacKinnon (McGill), Lincoln, Neb.
Alexander Ross ( Trin. ) , Charlottetown.
Isabelle Macphail (Tufts), Orwell.
Charles H. Martin, Boulder Univ., Idaho.
John J. McPherson (Queen's), Castor, Alta.
Malcolm McKinnon, Heatherdale, P.E.I. William Judson, Alexandria.

CLERGYMEN:
Donald Gordon Macdonald (Acadia, B.Th. McMaster), Vancouver.
J. A. Macdonald, Colorado.
John A. Gordon (M.A., D.D. Acadia), Montreal.
John Gillis, Lyndale.
Alexander B. Nicholson (B.A. Queen's, Princ.), Prof., Kingston.
Donald M. Campbell (Pine Hill), Saskatoon.
Malcom C. Martin, Fresno, Cal.
Samuel A. Martin, Churchill, Man.
James Campbell Martin, Roseneath, P.E.I.
Father Kenneth C. McPherson (Laval), Uigg.
Father Plus McDonald (Laval), Glencoe, P.E.I.
Malcolm James McPherson (M.A. Dal. Pine Hill), Uigg.
James A. Crawford (B.A. Dal. Edin.), Cardigan.
Donald McLean, Charlottetown.
James D. McLeod (B.A. Acadia), Uigg.
Fletcher Jordan (B.A. Acadia), Murray Harbor.
Malcolm A. McLean (M.A. Acadia), D.D., Lynchburg, Va.
George B. MacLeod, Toronto.
D. J. MacLeod (M.A., LL.D.), Charlottetown.

ENGINEERS:
(Col.) James Alexander Macphail (McGill), Kingston.
Wm. M. Macphail (McGill), Portland, Oregon.
John Goodwill Macphail (Queen's), Ottawa.
George R. McLeod (McGill), Montreal.
Ernest Jenkins (Queen's), Vancouver.
Aubrey Jenkins (Queen's), Portland, Oregon.
Albert Martin (Dal. Cornell), Montague Bridge.
Murdoch W. McLeod, Dundee (Mechanical).
Daniel W. Musick, Kinross (Mechanical).

SCHOOL TEACHERS:
Donald McDonald, Schuyler, Nebraska.
Walter D. Ross (Dal), Kinross.
Catherine McKinnon.
Christy McKinnon.
Margaret Macphail (Mrs. Albert Jenkins), Orwell.
Katherine Macphail (Mrs. Sam A. Martin), Heatherdale.
Janetta C. Macphail, St. John, N.B.
Bella McLeod (Mrs. Angus Gillis), Victoria Cross.
John Walter McLeod, Vancouver. Annie McLeod, Orwell.
Mary Jane McLeod (Mrs. Rev. D. B. McLeod).
Bella McDonald.
Katherine McLeod.
Christy McLeod (Mrs. Angus McLeod), Oakland, Cal.
Ada Musick (Mrs. J. A. Moore), Pownal.
William H. Musick, Lipton, Sask.
John Gillis, Head Montague.
John Gillis, Kinross.
John Sam-Martin, Uigg.
Catherine Martin (Mrs. Kenneth McLean), Alberry Plains.
Marjorie Martin (Mrs. Lauchlan McKay), Stanley Bridge.
Christy Campbell.
Alex. McKenzie, North River.
Effie McKenzie (Mrs. Capt. Neil Campbell).
Alexander A. Munro, New York.
James A. Campbell ( Dal. ), Heatherdale.
Mary Campbell (Mrs. Angus Alex. McLeod), Kinross.
John Ross, Hamilton, Ont.
Margaret Ross.
Annabella Ross.
Mary Ross.
Katherine Ross (Mrs. Daniel W. McLeod), Vernon Bridge.
Estelle Jenkins, Vancouver.
Janie Martin, Uigg.
Alexander Robert Macqueen, New Glasgow, N.S.
Peter Alex. Macqueen, Townsville, Australia.
Donald C. MacLeod, Murray Harbor Road.
Donald A. Shaw, Uigg.
Katherine Shaw (Mrs. Angus Martin) Glen Martin.
Donald J. Shaw, Uigg.
Peter Gordon, Uigg.
Alex. McLeod, Athabasca Landing.
Bella McLeod, Vancouver. John Martin.
Florence McPherson, Uigg.
Ann McLeod (Mrs. Alex. Martin, M.P.) Valleyfield.
Kate McLeod, Uigg.
Duncan Martin, Orwell Head.
Rhy P. McLeod, Uigg.
Katherine A. McLeod (Mrs. Hodgson).
Chester McPherson, Uigg.
Katie McLeod, Uigg.
Haddon Spurgeon McLeod (Guelph Agr. Coll.)
Mary McLeod (Mrs. Dr. McDonald), Calgary.
Mary McPherson, Uigg.
Murdoch G. McLeod, Omaha.
John McKinnon, Uigg.
Margaret McKinnon (Mrs. Geo. H. Brehaut), Little Sands.
Joseph McPherson, Uigg.
Michael McPherson, Uigg.
Roderick Martin, Valleyfield.
Sarah Mutlow, Vancouver.
Ella McLeod, Uigg.
Cyrus McKinnon, Uigg.
Alexander McLeod.
Donald McLeod.
Mrs. McRae, Rice Point.
John McLeod (Killed in action in Great War), Kinross.
Mary McLeod (Mrs. Wilfred Furness), Kinross.
Kathleen McLeod, Kinross.
Margaret McLeod, Uigg.
David Douglas Ross, Kinross.
Florence MacLeod, Uigg.
Margaret MacLean.
Malcolm MacLean, Heatherdale.
Norman Campbell, Uigg.
Norman Ross, Uigg.
Alistair MacLeod, Kinross.

DENTIST:
Bruce Findlay, Vancouver.

BANKERS:
James M. Campbell, Ceres, Cal.
John Nicholson, Ellis, Kansas.
Munro MacLeod, Charlottetown.

Through the courtesy of Mr. H. H. Shaw, Chief Superintendent of Education, Charlottetown, the list of teachers who appear on the Government records as having taught in Uigg Grammar School and Orwell School is herewith reproduced. (Before 1849, Angus Martin, and Donald Kelly, taught in Uigg) :

               UIGG                                               ORWELL
1849  Hugh Martin
1850  Hugh Martin
1851  Peter Ross
1852  Alex. McLean
1855  William Ross                                       John Brooks
1856 Donald McDonald                                  John Brooks
1857 Donald McDonald                                  John Currie
1858 Donald McDonald                                  John Currie
1859 Donald McDonald                                  John Currie
1860 Donald McDonald                                  John Currie
1861 Donald McDonald                                  Peter McQueen (61-2)
1862 William Macphail                                   Peter McQueen
1863 William Macphail                                   Peter McQueen
1864 - William Macphail                                 Martin H. Finlay
1865-66 William Macphail                              A. R. McQueen
1867-68 Matt. Dickienson                             A. R. McQueen
1869-70 Duncan McLeod                              A. R. McQueen
1871-72 Peter Gunn
1873 D. C. Ross                                           Flora J. McLeod
1874 D. C. Ross                                           Finlay D. Martin
1875 Gamaliel Gillis                                      Miss A. McLeod
1877 D. J. McLeod                                        John Anderson
1878 Maggie Murchison
1879 John McKinnon                                     Maggie Murchison
1879 Maggie McPhail                                    Maggie Murchison
1880 John McKinnon                                     William McPhail
1880 Maggie McPhail                                    James H. Campbell
1881 John McKinnon                                     James H. Campbell
1881 Maggie McPhail
1882 D. A. McKinnon                                    Kathleen McLeod
1882 John McKinnon
1883 Katie Ross                                           Kathleen McLeod
1883 D. McLeod
1884 Katie Ross
1884 Don. McLeod                                        John McIsaac
1885 Marjory Martin
1885 Don. McLeod                                       Wellington McLaren
1886 Marjory Martin
1886 D. M. Campbell                                    Alethe Gunn
1887 Effie McKenzie
1887 D. M. Campbell                                    Alethe Gunn
1888 Lizzie McKinnon
1888 D. M. Campbell                                    Alethe Gunn
1889 Alex. Ross
1889 Lizzie McKinnon
1889 Alex. Ross                                           James McPhail
1890 Ada Musick
1890 Donald McDonald                                 Alex. B. McLean
1891 Ada Musick
1891 Duncan Martin                                      A. B. McDonald
1892 G. R. McLeod                                       Albert J. Fraser
1892 Belle MacLeod
1893 Geo. R. McLeod                                   Kenneth McPherson
1893 Christy McLeod
1894 Kenneth McPherson                              Joseph S. O'Neill
1894 Christy McLeod
1895 Kenneth McPherson                              Lizzie Irving
1895 Katie Ross
1896 M. J. McPherson                                   Ella McKenzie
1896 Belle McLeod

The following resident pupils of Uigg school or descendants of resident pupils won the Rhodes Scholarship:
Alexander R. MacLeod (McGill), barrister, Vancouver.
Norman Robertson (U. of B.C.), professor, Vancouver. His mother, Floretta McLeod, daughter of Norman "Captain" MacLeod, was born in Uigg school district and attended Uigg school.
Louis Brehaut (Dal.) professor. His mother, Margaret Mackinnon, daughter of William Mackinnon, was born in Uigg school district, and attended Uigg school and later taught there.

UIGG CENTENNIAL

The Centennial of the founding of Uigg was celebrated on Saturday, August 17, 1929 on the Uigg school grounds. Several hundred descendants of the early pioneers of the district were present to honor the memory of their ancestors.

Rev. James Campbell Martin, a son of one of the pioneers acted as chairman and gave an excellent and scholarly address. He read a letter from Rev. Donald Gordon Macdonald of Vancouver deploring his inability to be present and giving a vivid description of the life of Uigg as he remembers it over eighty years ago. He referred particularly to the powerful influence for good exercised by Rev. Samuel MacLeod.

The chief speaker was Rev. Dr. J. A. Gordon, of Montreal, who, though eighty-five years of age, spoke with the fervor of youth. Dr. Gordon's recital of his boyhood days and his picture of the pioneer settlers was so unusually graphic and interesting that a distinguished critic declared it the best address of the kind he had ever heard.

Sir Andrew Macphail of Montreal, spoke briefly in terms of deep appreciation of the nobility of character of the early pioneers and urged the present generation to emulate them.

Rev. Dr. Malcolm A. MacLean of Lynchburg, Va. ; Rev. Henry Pierce of Orwell; John S. Martin and William MacLeod, Dundas, all stressed the debt the present generation owes their forefathers.

On the following day the Baptist Church, Uigg, was crowded to hear Dr. Gordon, who was assisted by Revs. J. C. Martin, H. Pierce, M. A. MacLean and A. R. MacLeod. Solos were sung by Mrs. Seth Henderson, Mrs. Garrett, Mrs. Vanidestine and Mrs. Geo. R. MacLeod. These four ladies and the organist Mrs. Walter Scott, all belonged to the fourth generation of their pioneer ancestors.

A few weeks before the incidents above mentioned took place the writer visited Uig, Skye. He was then struck by the great similarity in thought and habits of the two people. A century of separation has not severed the spiritual bonds connecting them. The deeply religious spirit that animated Skye when the Belfast pioneers saw its shores fade away in the distance is the spirit of Skye today. Character now as then is prized as in few other lands. It is only when one visits that misty island that a true measure can be taken of the extraordinary contribution Skye has made to Canada and other lands. Although so small in area, for generations it poured out in a steady stream its sons and daughters for the enrichment of those lands so fortunate as to receive them as settlers. In their adopted homes Skye men and women have stamped the imprint of integrity and fidelity upon the life of the community and have earned for their birthplace fame, and for themselves an enviable reputation for honesty and obedience to law that is the envy of other communities less fortunately endowed.

Although Skye today is reduced to a population barely half of what it was eighty years ago, the quality of those who remain is as high as ever. Sunday is still a day of rest, the Bible is still the oracle of God. The church services are solemn assemblies of the whole people; the sermon, both Gaelic and English, an earnest and moving message. The same insatiable desire for learning that characterized the pioneers of P.E.I. can still be discerned in the place from which they came among even the poorest of the peasants and the fishermen. Among the gentry this is especially the case. Preeminent in pursuing the traditions of the Misty Isle stands Allan R. Macdonald of Waternish. No man alive today knows more of Skye men living and Skye men dead than this profound student of Highland history and tradition. A living bond between the Present and the Past he is appealed to by Skye men in every clime to unravel the tangled family skeins and is never appealed to in vain. From his unerring hand goes forth such a record of Highland honor and devotion in the Past as ensures its emulation in the Present and its survival in the Future.

THE FOLLOWING DISTINGUISHED SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF
BELFAST ATTENDED THE BELFAST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Malcolm James MacLeod (Dal. Princ.), Minister, Collegiate Reformed
Church of St. Nicholas, Fifth Ave., N.Y.
Hector MacLeod, banker, Hutchinson, Kansas.
David W. Mackenzie (Dal.), M.D., Royal Vict. Hosp., Montreal.
Ewen Mackenzie (Dal.), Barrister-at-law, Lethbridge.
Harry Mackenzie (Dal.), Barrister-at-law, Charlottetown.
Kenneth J. Martin (Dal.), Barrister-at-law, Charlottetown.
Donald C. Martin (Dal.), ex-M.P., Barrister-at-law, Charlottetown.
Daniel A. Macdonald, C.J., Court of King's Bench, Manitoba.
Angus A. McLean, Barrister-at-law, ex-MP., Charlottetown.
Hector C. Macdonald (McGill), ex-Atty. Gen. P.E.I., late County
Court Judge, Charlottetown.
Robert Anderson, ex-Mayor of Vancouver.
Angus MacSwain (McGill, Harv. Edin., and Lond.), M.D., Santa Clara, Cal.
James Nicholson, ex-M.P., Eldon.
John A. Nicholson (McGill), Registrar, McGill Univ., Montreal. Daniel Macdonald, M.D., North Pinette.
John D. MacLean (McGill), M.D., ex-Premier of B.C., Victoria. Donald A. Macdonald (Dal. and Yale) Minister, Point Prim. Archibald Murchison, Minister, Point Prim.
John Murchison (Lane Theo. Sem.), Point Prim.
Dr. Beaton (Dartmouth), Flat River.
Dr. Riley (U. of Penn.), Flat River.
Daniel McDonald, M.D., New York City.
Whitfield Larrabie (Harvard), M.D., Eldon. Margaret Eliza Mackenzie (Dal.), M.D., Pinette.
Florence McDonald (Trinity), M.D., Pinette.
Annie D. McRae (Trinity), M.D., Pinette.
Annie McRae, M.D., Los Angeles (Ponds, Belfast).
Roderick C. McRae (Dal.), C.E., Chicago.
Donald McRae, Belfast.
Annie Young, M.D., Pinette, Dean of Schools, Florida.
Kenneth Mackenzie, M.D., Belfast.
Mary Mackenzie (Dal.), Vancouver. William McLean, Banker, Portage, Belfast.
Alexander McLean (Queens), Minister. Sarnia, Ont.
Angus McLean (U. of Penn.), M.D., Souris East, P.E.I.
J. B. Macdonald (Dal.), Minister, M.D., Pinette.
Charles MacLeod (Dal.), Minister, Eldon.
John McLeod (Dal.), Minister, Surrey.
Donald McLeod (Dal.). Minister, Surrey.
Angus A. Macleod, M.D., Oakland, California.
Donald Sinclair (Dal. Edin.), Minister, Eldon.
Fingal Smith, Cranbrook, B.C., Editor.
Angus A. McLeod, Point Prim., Artist, New York.
Stewart MacMillan, M.D. (Harvard), Belfast.
Ambrose Fraser, Librarian, Charlottetown.
Allan Fraser, Pinette, Minister, Cascumpec.
John MacDougall, M.D., Manitoba. John MacMillan, M.D., Boston.
Parmenas McLeod (U. of Tor.) Minister, Preeceville, Sask.
Thomas McLeod (B.Sc. McGill).

THE BELFAST RIOT

The first day of March, 1847, has ever been memorable in the history of Belfast, for on that day took place the famous, if unfortunate, Belfast riot.

The following extract from a letter recently received from Mr. A. D. Fraser, librarian, Charlottetown, gives the essential facts of this sad affair:

"I find by reference to the Journals of the House of Assembly and the papers of that period, that the disturbance occurred on Monday, the 1 st of March, 1847.

"At the General Election held in August, 1846, Messrs. John McDougall and John Small were declared elected for the Third District (Belfast) of Queen's, and they took their seats when the Assembly met in January (26th), 1847, but a Petition was presented by Messrs. Douse and McLean asking that the election of McDougall and Small be declared void, as there had been intimidation and violence at the Poll. The election was declared void, hence the special election of March 1st, 1847. This election was brought to a sudden close by the Riot, but another election was held on the 19th of March at which Douse (William) and Alex. McLean were duly elected.

"The Irish were the supporters of McDougall and Small, and the Scotch of Douse and McLean.

"You may be aware that the Poll was held a little to the west of Belfast Church on the road leading to Pinette. Malcolm McRae was waylaid and beaten with fatal results, quite near to where the Orange Lodge was situated on the road to Pinette, just below the Belfast Church.

"The Government reports on the matter are very vague. A short Report by the High Sheriff, William Cundall; a Report by Daniel Hodgson, Coroner, and Dr. W. H. Hobkirk, who was sent out to attend the injured. I have never seen anything like an accurate list of the casualties.

"At the election of March 19th there were on hand the 14th Company of Infantry under Captain Dwyer, a Company of Horse under Captain B. Davies, and one hundred and twenty Special Constables.

"On that day William Douse left town at seven a.m., addressed the electors, was elected, returned to town, took his seat in the House and made a speech before five p.m. There was no opposition at this latter election."

(Sgd.) A. D. Fraser,
Librarian.

When the Assembly met in Charlottetown on the 26th day of January, 1847, the members took their seats in that imposing pile, the Colonial Building, at that time not quite completed.

Alexander MacLean, one of the candidates, was from Portage, Belfast. He was commonly known among his Highland neighbors as "Gasda," meaning "goodfellow."

Political passions were greatly aroused. Rev. John MacLennan, minister of the Belfast Presbyterian congregation, and the priest of the adjoining Roman Catholic parish, after consulting together, admonished their respective flocks to exercise forbearance and observe the law.

It was generally understood that an outbreak of lawlessness might occur. The Scots allege that many Irish who had gathered from distant parts of the province, came armed with clubs. It is also alleged that they started intimidation and coercion as soon as their opponents began to appear. Whatever the facts of the case may be, a party of about twenty Irishmen meeting Malcolm McRae, of Flat River, a native of Applecross, Ross-shire, Scotland, on the road on his way to the Poll, fell upon him with shillelaghs and fractured his skull. He died soon after, in his forty-fourth year. The indignation of the Scottish relatives and neighbors of McRae was extreme. Their Highland passion could not be controlled. They determined at once to avenge this wanton and lawless attack. Couriers on horseback were sent along the road to warn the settlers. "Young" John MacLennan spent the forenoon feverishly preparing sticks with which to arm the Scots. By noon about two hundred had assembled and were armed. A scarf was tied across the shoulder of each to distinguish friend from foe. Thus prepared they lined up near the polling booth. Opposite stood about three hundred similarly armed Irish. Forward both lines swept as if on parade. The clash of stick on stick resounded above the shouts of the warriors. After the melee was over, the Scots remained masters of the field. Many on both sides had received wounds from which they never recovered. The Scots aver that over a dozen Irish were killed on the field, or died shortly after from the effects of wounds. Both sides concealed their losses but it is positively known many on each side were so badly injured that they never fully recovered. Amongst them was William McLeod, of Lyndale, who received head wounds from which he always suffered. Malcolm Campbell, of Uigg, also bore traces of his part in the fray. His stories of the battle, coupled with a ready display of his cranial scars, lent such romance to his presence that he continued to be an ever increasing source of wonder and delight to succeeding generations of schoolboy worshippers.

After the fight was over, better judgment prevailed, and in the intervening eighty years nothing has occurred to mar the cordial relations existing between these kindred races.

Malcolm McRae of Vancouver, grandson of the first, if only, victim of this memorable affray, when recently spoken to in Vancouver, where he resides, stated that as far as the tradition in the McRae family goes the above is in the main a true outline of the facts of the case.

The strength of some of these Highlanders was prodigious. Rory McLeod, of Pinette, father of Capt. Malcolm McLeod, who died in Vancouver in 1924, was recognized as one of the strongest men in Canada. While yet a boy he gave an exhibition of strength that won him a prize. In a grocery store in Charlottetown he was challenged to exhibit his prowess. He was finally offered a bedtick full of oatmeal as a gift if he could lift it. One of the homemade linen bedticks, manufactured in the hand looms on the farm from native flax, was produced. This was filled with oatmeal, and, thus filled, weighed about twelve hundred pounds. Rory Mor, without hesitation, got under this huge ungainly mass, and with it over his shoulders walked to the dock, from whence he took it by boat to his Belfast home.

He was frequently compared with Angus MacAskill, one of the world's greatest giants. Born in Harris, Scotland, in 1825, when six years of age he emigrated with his parents, nine sisters, and three brothers, to St. Ann, Victoria Co., Cape Breton Island, N.S., where he was known as Gillie Mor St. Ann. Although his father was only five feet nine inches in height, and his mother an average sized woman, he was seven feet nine inches in height. He was three feet eight inches across the shoulders. The palm of his hand was six inches wide and twelve inches long. He wore a shoe eighteen inches in length. His strength was enormous. In disengaging himself from an anchor of tremendous weight, which he had lifted to his shoulder, he received an injury from the effects of which he ultimately died. This man only, would the Belfast people admit, was more powerful than Rory McLeod of Pinette, their hero.

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