THE SCOTS CANADIAN Issue 51 Newsletter of the Scottish Studies Society: ISSN No. 1491-2759 Fall 2020 Foundation’s focus now on Student Support

By David Hunter, President, in these trying times, I am Scottish Studies Foundation so grateful for the funding that the Scottish Studies here are times when it seems that the Foundation continues to days are long gone when we had receive in its support of the Thundreds of people at our Annual work that is being carried Tartan Day event; when we had two out by the Centre for boatloads of 250 people out on Lake Ontario Scottish Studies at the on our Annual Tall Ship Cruises; when our University of Guelph. “Oor Club” sessions were fully booked; and Since the cancellation of when we had to bring in extra chairs for all our in-person events we attendees at our Annual Fall Colloquia. have been looking at other Alas no more — and all because of the ways in which to attract tiny but deadly organism of the type that was interest and support to our first discovered by Glasgow-born June cause and will shortly be Almeida who, while working at the Ontario presenting a series of online Cancer Institute in the 1960s, used an lectures via Zoom on a electron microscope to reveal a virus with variety of topics of interest short spiky projections on its outer surfaces to Scots-Canadians and Guelph Students on campus prior to COVID-19. — the first sighting of a coronavirus. which will allow “attendees” Until further notice all tuition will now take place online. Sadly, because of the virus we must now to participate and to ask all stay physically apart from one another. questions. be a first for the University of Guelph’s But “the blood is strong” and that intangible It is now over a year since we completed history department and support from the bond between all of us in the Scots-Canadian the funding of the Digital Archive Room at Scots-Canadian community in making this a community remains as firm as ever. And so, the University of Guelph and the ability to reality will be crucial. digitize and put items online has been As well as contributing to students’ tuition especially fortuitous, given the need for fees, scholarships, which are awarded on the professors and students to be able to work basis of academic excellence, can have a and study from home. Exciting teaching and significant beneficial impact on a recipient’s research is being done this semester using future. As Kevin put it…"Having an official digitized documents that will expand our award on a student's transcript is a reflection knowledge of Scottish history. The of their high level of performance, as well as University of Guelph, with unparalleled tangible, monetary support for their studies. documentary collections, faculty expertise In a highly competitive applicant pool for and student interest, remains the centre of further studies and for work applications, it THE SCOTTISH STUDIES such teaching and research outside Scotland. will set them apart as having been Now, with the archive project out of the recognized and supported financially for FOUNDATION way and as we approach our 35th their academic excellence by their university. P.O. Box 45069 anniversary, our focus shifts to student For Scottish Studies, it allows us to reach out to a new group we have not focused on — 2482 Yonge Street financial support. Professor Kevin James, who took over the position of Scottish our talented pool of undergraduate scholars Toronto, Ontario in history — and find ways of identifying the Canada M4P 3E3 Studies Foundation Chair at the University of Guelph in June, is especially enthusiastic best and the brightest, rewarding them in a Charitable registration about this initiative, stressing its importance tangible way, and encouraging their studies No. 119253490 RR0001 for undergraduate students, who are very — perhaps even guiding them in the www.scottishstudies.com energetic participants in the University’s direction of deeper research at the graduate diverse Scottish Studies classes, and who are level, related travel or employment.” Membership Secretary: key to the continuing dynamism of Guelph’s By contributing, you will be helping the Catherine McKenzie Jansen Centre for Scottish Studies. brightest minds achieve their full potential. [email protected] Kevin has already established two All donations, great or small, will be greatly fellowships each of which pays $1,000 appreciated. Newsletter Editor: annually to students, and he would like to see So thank you for your support, best wishes David Hunter the endowment of an undergraduate to you all, and stay safe. [email protected] scholarship in Scottish Studies. This would

Through the Foundation’s support, I am in 5. Programmes of research on business From the Chair a position to undertake a number of and economic histories which explore the initiatives to support our students and global Scottish imprint and examine advance teaching and research at a time entrepreneurship, innovation and when these tasks have been reconfigured in resilience, as part of a wider exploration the interests of public health on campus. The of “Global Scotland.” Centre for Scottish Studies has: Regrettably, the Fall Colloquium cannot 1. Established a multi-disciplinary take place due to public-health restrictions, advisory council to generate ideas and but we are hopeful that a Spring Symposium offer feedback on new projects; will feature Prof. Timothy Shannon (Gettysburg College) and Prof. Tanja 2. Funded a summer student, Brenna Bueltmann (University of Strathclyde), the Clark, to work with my colleague Prof. Frank Watson Book Prize winner (Indian Susannah Ferreira and the McLaughlin Captive, Indian King: Peter Williamson in Library’s Archival and Special America and Britain [Harvard University Collections team, led by Melissa McAfee Press, 2019]),and McKenzie Lecturer and Ashley Shifflett McBrayne, on the respectively. The Spring Colloquium may Scottish land charters, which Prof. take place by means of virtual Ferreira is using for teaching and communication: we will know more in the research across a range of courses in the fall. Our staff, and especially post-doctoral scholar Dr Sierra Dye, are taking the lead on year ahead; This is the first report from Dr. Kevin James the International Review of Scottish Studies since his appointment last June to the 3. Established a fund to support and are participating very actively in the life position of Scottish Studies Foundation strategic acquisitions by Archival and of the Centre. Chair and Director of the Centre for Scottish Special Collections in the area of It is a pleasure to return to the Board of Studies in the Department of History at the Scottish Studies, to strengthen our world- Directors of the Scottish Studies Foundation University of Guelph. renowned holdings; after a decade and a half, and after having observed how the Foundation has supported 4. Established two $1,000 As a first-hand witness to the Foundation’s countless students and advanced Scottish generous and unwavering support of Scottish undergraduate fellowships connected to research. Thank you to the Foundation for Studies at the University of Guelph over the Centre for Scottish Studies to attract tireless support over many years. I am many years, it is an honour to work with its the best students working in Scottish privileged to hold the chair that the Board and membership in a new capacity. I history; and Foundation endowed, honoured to work with still recall the excitement that attended the 5. Agreed upon a framework in you again in this new capacity, and dedicated pledge that created the Scottish Studies to supporting your ongoing initiatives and Foundation Chair, and the countless activities collaboration with Chief Librarian Rebecca Graham to support a visiting reciprocating the commitment you have and contributions which led to its realization. demonstrated to me, to my colleagues, and to scholar grant, when conditions permit. It is a great privilege to follow Professor Scottish Studies scholars over many decades. Graeme Morton and Professor James Fraser I have had very fruitful discussions with Best wishes to you all. in occupying the chair that the Foundation colleagues at universities in Scotland and made possible — and to follow in their Canada, Scottish government representatives, footsteps in advancing the work and profile community partners, alumni and students of Scottish Studies at the University of who are keen to participate in the life of the Guelph. Since my appointment on June 1, 2020, I Centre for Scottish Studies in creative new have benefitted enormously from the ways. Over the course of those discussions, I generosity of friends and colleagues in the have identified some critical strategic areas Foundation and at the University of Guelph, of research and teaching focus, which I hope for which I am very grateful. Thank you to will involve the participation of the Prof. Elizabeth Ewan and Prof. Linda community: Mahood for so energetically working in 1. Teaching and research on our acting capacities, and to Prof. James Fraser priceless medieval land charters; for his leadership in previous years as Scottish Studies Foundation Chair. Professor 2. A programme of research and Cynthia Neville has been a source of great teaching focussing on tourism and travel support to me and the community: we are in rural landscapes, which is my area of very fortunate that she is participating in the research interest; life of the Centre as an adjunct faculty 3. Collaborations with partners member. Dr Sierra Dye, our Scottish Studies nationally and internationally to Postdoctoral Scholar, Mariah Hudec and Lisa highlight the value of our Jacobite Baer-Tsarfati have provided critical support collections; in the Scottish Studies Office. Amy This year’s Frank Watson Prize goes to Beingessner now joins us there and we thank 4. Projects which explore Scottish food the book that tells the story of “Indian Mariah for superb work and wish her well as history, which build on the University of Peter,” the Aberdeenshire boy taken to she continues her PhD studies at Guelph. Guelph’s global leadership in Scottish Philadelphia and sold for £16 in 1743. and food research; and

2 The Scots Canadian

June Almeida — a perfect extension for the strong photography skills she had learnt discoverer of the first as a teenager. As well as giving her a wage, coronavirus the job at Glasgow Royal Infirmary provided her with the By Dr. Lara Marks time to study and in 1952 she obtained the technical une Almeida has recently attracted a qualification, Associate of the great deal of media attention in the midst Institute of Medical Laboratory J of the COVID-19 crisis as the person Technology (A.I.M.L.T.). responsible for the first visualization of a In 1952, at 22 years old, she human coronavirus. Yet this barely scratches moved with her parents to London the surface of her achievements. Leaving and was hired by John W.S. school at the age of 16, June managed to Blacklock, a professor of forge a major career based on her pathology at St Bartholomew's outstanding skills in electron microscopy. Hospital in London, to become his This she did in the midst of bearing a laboratory technician and research daughter and raising her as a single parent assistant. Like June, Blacklock following divorce. June's pioneering had spent time at Glasgow Royal advances in immune electron microscopy put Infirmary. His expertise was in her at the forefront of many key diagnostic tissue pathology, breakthroughs in virology in the 1960s and particularly tuberculosis, and he 1970s. had a strong reputation as an June was the eldest of two children born to enthusiastic teacher and for his Jane Dalziel Hart (née Steven) and Harry attention to detail. Leonard Hart. Her mother was born in It was in London that she met June Almeida using a Philips EM300 electron Glasgow and her father in London. The her first husband, Enrique Rosalio microscope at the Ontario Cancer Institute in the couple met when Harry moved up to (known as Henry) June, a 1960s. Credit: Joyce Almeida. Glasgow to work as a bus driver and Jane Venezuelan artist who came to was a shop assistant. With her parents having England in 1926 as a teenager. The two of of the object being investigated, a little money, June was born and raised in a them married in December 1954. They both magnification three times more powerful flat on the second floor of a tenement shared a love of classical music and enjoyed than contemporary optical microscopes. building on Duntroon Street in Dennistoun, a playing the recorder together. In search of a With no prior experience of electron respectable working-class neighbourhood better life, the couple decided to emigrate to microscopy, she successfully mastered the near the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. In 1940 Canada two years after marriage and settled technique. The first project she undertook the family was struck by tragedy when June in Toronto. with Howatson used the electron microscope was ten years old. They lost her brother to Once in Toronto she took a job at the to study cells growing on a glass surface. diphtheria. He was just six years old. His newly opened Ontario Cancer Institute Soon after this, they used it to investigate the death left a lasting impression on June, (OCI). Affiliated to the University of relationship between viruses and cancer, an helping to ignite her interest in the biological Toronto, the Institute was Canada's first area that was just beginning to gain scientific sciences. dedicated cancer hospital. While originally traction. June was driven by a passion for trained in histopathology, the only vacancy In 1960, when June was 30 years old, she knowledge from an early age and was a on offer to June at the Institute was to work gave birth to their baby daughter, Joyce, and voracious reader of classics, fiction and with the electron microscope. She took on returned to work soon afterwards because she nonfiction. After attending Alexandra Parade the position of technician and research and Henry could not afford to be without her Primary School, June went to Whitehill assistant with Allan F. Howatson, an salary. Senior Secondary School, where she received immunologist with expertise in electron Being in Canada at a time when there was an excellent Scottish State education. She microscopy in the Division of Biological less emphasis on formal academic degrees shone academically, and particularly enjoyed Research. than in the UK, June was rapidly promoted to science. In 1947 she was awarded the Little did June realize on joining the position of junior scientist and Whitehill School's science prize. Despite Howatson how much electron microscopy encouraged to pursue her own independent June's strong academic ability and her dream would shape the rest of her career. First research. of going to university she was unable to do developed by Ernst Ruska and Max Knoll, In 1962 she published several papers as so because her family lacked the financial two German scientists, in 1931, the electron lead author. These contained observations means and she had no means of getting a microscope provided a means to study the about the molecular structure of several grant to support her. This meant that she had structure of a wide range of biological and viruses, including verruca vulgaris (the virus to leave school at the age of 16 to seek work. inorganic specimens at a much higher of the common wart), rabies virus and After completing her Scottish Higher magnification than previous microscopes. varicella (chickenpox) virus. In many cases Leaving Certificate, in 1947, June trained as Seven years later, James Hillier and Albert this was the first time their shape and a laboratory technician in the department of Prebus, two scientists based at the University properties had been seen. The beautiful histopathology at the Glasgow Royal of Toronto, managed to adapt the German pictures June produced of these viruses with Infirmary, a large teaching hospital. Paid a prototype to create a more compact device the electron microscope depended upon salary of 25 shillings a week, June quickly that was much cheaper and more effective good sample preparation. This took a lot became adept at using the microscopes to for undertaking biological research — one of fine-tuning and many hours of fiddly analyze tissue samples. The technique proved able to produce an image 7,000 times the size work. As Kenneth McIntosh, one of her

The Scots Canadian 3 contemporaries put it, “It took attention to continued to advance her skills and establish and 1965, leaving thousands of infants with detail, not just with the eyes, but preparing her expertise in the area. Her talent soon tragic congenital deformities. The clear the materials, everything had to be exactly came to the attention of David Tyrrell, the pictures of the rubella virus produced by right.” head of the Health Common Cold Research June and her team, helped pave the way to a June quickly grasped that the Unit in Salisbury. He had been wrestling for better understanding of how it worked with morphological patterns of viruses revealed a number of years to visualize a virus that he the immune system. by the electron microscope provided an and his team had isolated from throat swabs After spending three productive years at St important tool for the classification of and nasal washings taken from boarding Thomas' Hospital, June moved with viruses. In 1963 she wrote a paper setting out school boys (aged 12-17) suffering from the Waterson to the Hammersmith Postgraduate a potential virus classification framework. common cold. Medical School in 1967 where she was By 1963, June's micrographs had appeared Although Tyrrell and his colleagues had appointed a research fellow in the department in several major scientific publications and managed to cultivate small quantities of the of virology. June's first years at the she had been promoted to assistant lecturer virus, labelled B814, they did not have an Hammersmith were taken up with and research associate at the OCI. Indeed, electron microscope to see it. On hearing investigating the hepatitis B virus, a highly her career was very busy, being called upon about June's abilities from Waterson, Tyrrell infectious pathogen linked to acute and to give numerous presentations both locally decided to send her a collection of organ chronic liver disease that frequently causes and at scientific conferences abroad. Her tissue samples in bottles to investigate. The premature death. innovative methods soon attracted the samples were infected with a variety of well- For many years, June did not need a attention of Tony Waterson, a virologist, who known viruses, including influenza, as well formal university degree for her work, but by by chance happened to visit Toronto in 1964. as B814 and another virus called 229E the end of the 1960s it was clear that her He had a forte for electron microscopy and isolated from the respiratory tracts of medical future career would be hampered without had just been appointed to the chair of students at Chicago School of medicine who one. In 1970 she completed an M.Phil thesis microbiology at St Thomas' Hospital Medical had the common cold. with London University. A year later she was School in London. Waterson invited June to On putting the samples under the awarded a DSc on the submission of her become his scientific assistant on a grant microscope, June quickly noticed that the strong scientific publications. from the Medical Research Council. B814 virus had an almost similar shape to By 1970 June had risen to become Senior Waterson's offer was highly fortuitous that of influenza viral particles. What made Lecturer at Hammersmith but left in 1972 because June's husband Henry was anxious them distinctive was their viral particles when she was recruited by the Wellcome to return to the United Kingdom. displayed short spiky projections on their Research Laboratories in Beckenham, Kent, It did not take long, however, for Henry to outer surfaces. This gave them the to help in their development of diagnostic regret the decision to leave Canada. June appearance of a solar corona, which led June, assays and vaccines for different viruses, refused to move yet again but Henry returned Tyrrell and Waterson to call the new group including hepatitis B. to Canada, leaving June behind to single “coronaviruses,” derived from the Latin word In 1982 June married again. Her second handedly bring up their daughter who was corona meaning crown or halo. husband was Phillip Gardner, a fellow just seven years old. She had to do this while Initially, the collaborators struggled to find clinical virologist who helped to demonstrate continuing her demanding job. It was the a journal that would accept the new finding. the immunofluorescence technique for the point just when her career was really taking This was because reviewers judged June's rapid diagnosis of many viral infections, off. Not having much in the way of money, micrographs of the B814 virus to be just poor especially those of the respiratory tract. June was luckily able to call upon her images of influenza viral particles. They both took early retirement in 1984 and parents' help with childcare. (She and Henry Eventually June and Tyrrell managed to moved to a house in Bexhill, a seaside town divorced in 1967.) get their work published in 1967. A year later in East Sussex in south east England which June arrived at St Thomas's in 1964, just the journal Nature reported that an informal they originally discovered on a short holiday. as Waterson and Robert Curran, a newly group of virologists had recognized the name Phillip Gardner died in 1994 and in her appointed professor of pathology, were in the “coronaviruses” for a new group of viruses. later years June enjoyed taking care of her midst of reconfiguring a department based on Despite having helped to identify the first two granddaughters during school holidays one run for many years by Ronald Hare, a human coronavirus, June made little of it at for her daughter, who qualified as a bacteriologist who, back in the 1920s, had the time and quickly moved on to looking at consultant psychiatrist, and continued to worked on antibiotics with Alexander other viruses. This was because for a long occupy her inquisitive mind by learning Fleming. time virologists regarded coronaviruses as no computer skills and teaching herself the flute. The first electron microscope appeared in more than a curiosity because of their unique She also embraced digital photography and the department just after June arrived on the molecular structure. They were also not kept up a strong involvement in local scene but getting access to it was not easy considered of much interest because most community life and kept busy until she died because Curran regarded it as his preserve were associated with the common cold in at home from a heart attack in 2007. and anyone who wanted to use it needed his humans, a condition usually associated with permission beforehand. This, however, did only mild symptoms and which was self- Thanks to Dr. Lara Marks for permission to not deter June who frequently used it when limited. It was only much later, with the use material from her research into the life of he was not around. Being very determined outbreak of severe acute respiratory June Almeida. Dr. Marks is Visiting and not one to stand on ceremony, June saw syndrome (SARS) in 2002, that their Research Fellow, Department of Medicine, no reason to follow Curran's rules. While a significance was fully grasped for human University of Cambridge and Managing source of annoyance for Curran, there was health. editor of WhatisBiotechnology.org nothing he could do about it because of her In 1967, June and her colleagues produced forceful personality. the first immune electron micrograph of the June eventually got her own electron rubella virus. This had become a matter of microscope, made by Siemens, which meant urgency following the outbreak of a she no longer had to worry about protocol. pandemic of rubella that swept through Over the course of the next three years June Western Europe and America between 1963

4 The Scots Canadian wildest place of the Pioneer Life in the Ottawa forest. I have retained the name, and, in Valley in 1833 compliment to my mother, have prefixed Andrew Russell and his wife Isabella with her maiden name. It is their three children left Scotland in May customary for the settlers 1832 and arrived in McNab Township, to give their lot a name, Ontario in October 1832 near present day and it behooved me to do Braeside. Andrew wrote this letter to his the same. mother which was published in “Chamber’s It frequently happens Edinburgh Journal” in the year 1833. that fires arise in the Andrew’s mention of M’Nab refers to the woods in this country; controversial 13th chieftain of the McNab and seven years ago, six clan (see page 6). miles long by three broad, of this township, MY DEAR MOTHER—You’ll no doubt was under fire, which Chats Rapids on the Ottawa River by Philip John Bainbrigge have passed many an anxious hour about us has consumed a good since we left you, and I am sure it will afford deal of the timber; but you the greatest pleasure and consolation to the most of it is only killed, and in the course never happened to any of the settlers from hear that we are all in the very best of health, of a few years, a great part of the hardwood these fires, as they never encroach upon the and in all likelihood, in a short time, to have is thrown down, and the underbrush clearances. Where fire had run, or where a in this country every comfort we could springing up. My Brule formed part of this clearance has been made, and then left in a desire. burning, and last autumn it was again under state of nature for four or five years, as was I might have written to you sooner, but fire, so that now there is scarce a living tree the case with six or eight acres of the lot I could not have done it so satisfactorily, for it upon the lot, and a deal of the timber settled on first, there sprung up in the is little more than a month since we were consumed, and in many places of the rear greatest profusion currants, gooseberries, finally on our own land, and in our own there is scarcely a stump left; and I may have raspberries, strawberries, plums, and white house. We had about eight weeks passage 20 or 30 acres under crop next spring, if I can clover, which it appears are all indigenous to from Leith to Quebec; but, upon the whole, procure a yoke of oxen and seed. this country. as comfortable as one as we could expect in I have hitherto spoken only of the lot I In a few years this will become a valuable so crowded a vessel. We left Quebec, the hold free; but upon settling on land here, two situation, as the summer after next it is same day we arrived, by the steamer for things are to be particularly considered, that expected a steamboat will ply daily from Montreal, where we remained five days, is firewood and water. I have plenty of Bytown to about 20 miles above this waiting the sailing of the track boats through excellent water on this lot. About the centre township. We saw this vessel building when the Lachine Canal. of it there is a fine running creek, that neither on our way up, and she was finished in time We had steam navigation to Bytown [now freezes in winter nor gets dry in summer; but to make a few trips last year to the Chats Ottawa], a distance of 120 miles from I had no growing firewood, and the common Rapids, 10 miles below us. Montreal, and then, partly by land, but estimate is that a settler should retain for that These rapids have been surveyed, and a mostly by canoes, a farther distance of 50 purpose from 20 to 30 acres of growing canal of three or four miles will be cut next miles, to this township, where we arrived in wood. In these circumstances, it became spring, to avoid them; so that, in the course the middle of August. necessary to obtain this; and as the chief held of another year or two, we will have a I met with a warm and hospitable the lot in the rear of the one I have been continued chain of steam-boats from reception from M’Nab. We remained with speaking of in his own hands, he agreed to let Montreal to about 20 miles above us. him until I fixed upon a lot of land, where me have it on the same terms as his other This township is as yet in its infancy, there was a small clearance, and a house; but settlers—that is, after three years, to pay him although it has been settled for about 10 we had not been on this lot more than a a barrel and a half of flour per 100 acres; and years. The settlers are only between fifty and month, when the former occupier made his as there is about 140 acres of this lot sixty, and being mostly from the Highlands, appearance, and claimed the lot as his. He adjoining the other one, also burnt in the and without capital or experience as farmers, had verbally given it up, but as he held the same manner; but there is a point of it which they have made but little progress. Settlers location ticket, we were obliged to leave it, the fire did not reach, that is within 500 yards in a new township have many and great and accepted the invitation of our then next of my house, which in a year or two I will difficulties to contend with at first, but the neighbor to remain with him until we fixed have to resort to for firewood. The soil of this worst of these are now over here, and we upon another lot. This person was then in the lot is somewhat like the other, and the finest may expect to make henceforth rapid midst of his harvest, and we gave him what part of it runs down to and overhangs the improvement. Within the last two or three assistance we could, and were thus gaining a lake, commanding a fine view of the lake and years, more enterprising men have settled on little knowledge of the customs of the opposite shores of Lower Canada. The lake the township. Two or three of the old settlers country, and, at the same time, becoming opposite me is from one to two miles broad. who have lots on the lake, have gained better acquainted with the nature of the land. The fire of 1831 left the greater part of my money by keeping taverns, where there is a I was cautious in fixing upon another lot, and free lot quite bare; but in the course of last very considerable trade from the number of went through the greater part of the township summer there sprung up a weed called Indian lumbering parties on the Grand River [now before I did so. I at last selected the one kale, the same plant that is cultivated by you Ottawa River] and the Madawaska; and upon which I am now sitting. This lot is as a garden flower, with which it is among the recent settlers are two what is here called a Brule, a French term, completely covered, and interspersed with Stirlingshire men, who keep a store, and are but completely adopted here, meaning a young trees, which have already attained the erecting extensive saw-mills at the mouth of place that has been burnt. A Brule is the height of two to three feet. Accidents have the latter. These mills are nearly ready to

The Scots Canadian 5 commence operations, and, when ready, they he and his family can manage, they pile up commence the erection of a flour mill, a and burn); and when this is done, he fixes great want here at present, the settlers having upon a day, and acquaints his neighbors Canada’s Feudal Laird to go to the neighboring township to get their around him, according to the extent of the flour made. land he has to log, five men being necessary Archibald McNab was the 13th chieftain Most of the settlers who have been here a to a yoke of oxen, and these are able to do of the McNab clan from the Loch Tay few years are in comfortable circumstances; about an acre a day; so that, if he has four or region in Scotland. In order to escape for the last season or two, they have been five to log, he requires as many yokes of heavy debts, he fled to Upper Canada able to procure the use of a yoke of oxen, by cattle and men accordingly, and on these where he negotiated for land along the rearing them or otherwise, and have now occasions they are usually very punctual in Ottawa River so that he might bring his from ten to thirty acres under crop. In attendance. He entertains them well at these clansmen from Scotland as settlers. He addition to the yoke of oxen, they have in times, having killed a sheep, or a cow, or ox, was empowered by the government to general from two to six milch cows, one or or perhaps pork or venison, with always tea assign up to 100 acres per family and was two couple of young steers, two or three or grog. At a raising, again, they muster in granted personally 1200 acres which young cows, half a score to a score of sheep, the same manner, about a dozen of men could be increased upon completion of and a few of them have a horse or two, and being necessary to put up a house, with a the development of the settlement. pigs, and plenty of the finest poultry. During yoke or two of oxen, to drive in the timber, In 1825 eighty-four settlers were met six months of the year, these animals cost after it is cut and ready. The person we on their arrival by McNab and his piper. them nothing, but are turned into the woods, resided with, and one of his sons, assisted me From there, they travelled by boat or where they feed luxuriantly, each settler’s in cutting the timber for my house, which walked through the bush for three weeks cattle generally keeping by themselves, and occupied us for about a week; and when this until they reached their new settlement at commonly take a circuit of three or four was done, I acquainted my nearest neighbors Chats Lake. miles round the clearance. The only of the day I had fixed on to get it put up, the Under McNab, they endured many inconvenience of this is the trouble of whole of whom attended, to the number of hardships. Provisions were scarce, and searching for the cows to be milked twice a thirteen, and put it up the same day. had to be carried long distances for the day, or for the oxen, when they are wanted A log house makes a very comfortable first three years. The already for work. The most docile cow has a bell put dwelling, being even warmer than a stone- impoverished Scots were hounded for round her neck, and by the sound of this, or house, when properly finished. Mine is built interest payments required on any money by their track they are traced, for they have of white pine, and covered with barwood and spent on their behalf and then forbidden generally to be searched for, seldom coming ash scoops, and is 30 feet by 18 over the the right to work outside McNab’s home of themselves; and every man’s cattle walls. The trees selected for a house are “serfdom.” are allowed to graze where they please, generally about a foot in diameter, and as the Young children in the settlement came except where the land is fenced, and a settler trees, from their growing thickly together, are close to starvation; meanwhile, the Laird fences only his cleared land. The crops straight, and without branches to within a gave lavish parties financed by the money cultivated here are principally wheat, Indian short way of their top, you can get a cut of 30 flowing in as income from his large corn and potatoes, with a little beer, rye, oats, feet off such a tree of nearly the same timber interests. Petitions were drawn up peas, and turnips, as well as pumpkins, which diameter at both ends, and these they very by the settlers and sent to public bodies are generally grown among the Indian corn. neatly dovetail at the corners, which makes a but McNab’s strong support of the Many of the settlers take only half a lot, very strong building which lasts a great many Family Compact, the ruling oligarchy of that is 100 acres, and are entitled by their years. A number of newly erected houses are the time in Upper Canada, caused their location ticket, as soon as they have done the covered with shingles, that is, the wood of pleas to fall upon deaf ears. settlement duties, namely, cleared 5 acres per the white pine cut exactly like the slates on At the time of the Rebellion of 1837, 100, to claim a patent deed at their own your house, and look as well and are very McNab was appointed “Laird Colonel of expense, which cost about £2, and this durable. For this sort of assistance on the the 20th Battalion of Carleton Light entitles them to vote for a member of part of your neighbors, you just pay them Infantry”. But his own clansmen, fearing Parliament. There is a general meeting of the back in the same way, by assisting them that McNab would gain even more power township held annually, on the first Monday when they call upon you. I have been at over them in a time of military service, of January, when all matters relative to the several of these bees, and a great deal of refused to serve under his command. internal government of the township are work is generally got through with. Finally, the Crown Lands Agent at agreed upon, and where we elect assessors, At the loggings, I was much struck with Perth was appointed to investigate, and, tax-collector, town-wardens, path-masters, the docility and great usefulness of the oxen, after surveying the settlers, concluded town-clerk, etc., and at which M’Nab votes which are generally yoked in pairs, and will that all charges against McNab were only as an individual, and has no control over scramble through among logs with a very valid. McNab, sensing trouble ahead, the settlers, except as a justice of the peace. heavy draught, with the greatest ease and quickly offered to sell his lands to In our patent deeds, government retains patience, where you could scarce believe government for £9,000 but in the end he the precious metals, and the white pine and they could escape without broken legs, and settled for £2,500. oak; but the two latter they do not prohibit us where horses would be useless, and are The government began issuing Crown from cutting, and, if they cut them, they pay equally, if not more, obedient to the call of grants to the settlers, removing the us for them at the customary rates. their driver than the horse. They are equally Laird’s feudal powers. His fortunes In clearing land here, and getting on with useful in the sleigh, the plough, and the continued to dwindle, though he tried operations, they have chopping bees, logging harrow. In the lower province they yoke suing his clansmen for his losses, he was bees, raising bees, etc. A man generally them by the horns, but here they place the unsuccessful, and returned to Europe and chops his own timber, that is, cuts it down yoke over the back part of the neck and front died in 1860 in France. into such lengths as a yoke of oxen can pull, of the shoulder. A yoke of good oxen, six and what from four to five men can pile up years old, when they become fit for the work — (all underbrush and small timber, such as cost about £20. Bye the bye, the horses of

6 The Scots Canadian this country astonish me. I saw some in the wolves are seldom seen, but sometimes other plants; but many of the stumps of the Montreal equal to any I have ever seen in my heard at night, and rarely molest any of our trees, cut down by these wonderful creatures life; even the carters about the wharfs drive domestic animals, as the woods are to form their dams and embankments, are horses that your gentlemen would be proud swarming with deer, upon which they still to be seen; and it is worthy of remark, to see in their carriages. principally prey. The lesser animals I have that in chopping down a tree we exactly The Grand River at this season is a most named now and then carry off the poultry; follow their mode of doing it. interesting scene. It is while the river is but the most of the settlers allow them to The sowing season commences about the frozen that the principal part of the traffic roost in the open places and breed in the middle of May; and those settlers who have between the different parts of the country fields, and they are of course quite exposed not oxen of their own, and cannot obtain the takes place, and the sleighs are seen moving to attack. The chief told me that, in one use of them, just hoe and rake in their seeds in all directions on the ice; those drawn by season, he had seventy turkeys carried off, in a very tedious and insufficient manner. horses always at a trot and frequently at a and he at length discovered that the culprit Seeds are continued to be put in till the end gallop, even with a load; one of the horses was a huge old wolf, that sheltered himself a of June and beginning of July, potatoes having a string of small bells around his neck little way from his house. being the last and by this time the full crops to announce their approach. Deer are so numerous that you seldom of wheat and rye are becoming ready for This is the season, too when our land roads pass through the woods without seeing them, the sickle. are best, and land travelling is now also except at this time of the year, when the cold On our best land we will sometimes have a excellent. The climate of this country is not forces them into the swamps for shelter. return of 30 bushels of wheat for each bushel so terrific as is frequently supposed by you; Some of the settlers have killed from twenty sown, but generally not more than 20. Farm we have, no doubt, very keen frost, perhaps to thirty of these animals this season. Their servants get from £24 to £30 a year, and their keener than with you, and it is more constant flesh is, I am told, much superior to that of board. Women get £12. Sheep are a very and continued; but we have also fine thaws the deer in Scotland. I never tasted venison at profitable stock, and thrive well. Wool sells when the weather is mild and pleasant; and home, but here I think I never tasted anything readily at 2s. 6d. per stone. My land, from its even during our keenest frosts, we have finer, being as fat and juicy as veal or lying high and dry, is well adapted for this through the day generally fine clear sunshine, mutton. We have hares, which at this season sort of stock; and I may have, in two or three the sun being much more powerful at this become white, but only about half the size of years , 40 to 50 acres in grass, besides 20 or season here than with you; and our day is yours; one of these I shot a few days ago, 30 for other crops, having at least this much about two hours longer in winter, and two which weighed about 4 lbs., and made land upon which there is not a living tree; hours shorter in summer, than yours; and it is excellent soup. We have also partridges, and although, in many parts of this land, dead principally in the night that the severity of nearly approaching in size to your pheasants, stumps and withered trees are standing, these the frost is felt. of which a great many are killed. When you would be no impediment to harrowing in the But you will, no doubt, think it is a come upon them, they generally take to the timothy and white clover, which would cut dreadful thing to live in this thinly-peopled tree, and are easily shot. for hay, or be made pasture, as might be country, and so far from neighbours! I We can pass through the woods here at all thought expedient; but if I am not able to thought so, too, before I experienced it, but times with perfect safety; and the settlers overtake this, the land will of course again now, I assure you, I find myself more at ease think no more of passing from one part of the become every year wilder. than ever I felt in a town, and we are scarce township to the other in the night than they This is a very healthy part of Canada, ever a day without seeing some of our do in the day; and boys of six or seven will sickness of any kind being very rare; and neighbours, or without invitations to go to go in search of their cows for a good many fever and ague, which are very common over see some of them; but these we seldom miles round their clearance, where they are about the great lakes are here quite unknown. accept, having always so much to do at acquainted, without the least danger; the But we have neither church nor school in this home; and we are always welcome guests at greatest hazard is in going into a part of the township; many of the young people are the chief’s (he is always called the Chief, or wood where one is not well acquainted, growing up without even learning to read; M’Nab — to call him Mr. M’Nab would be especially if the sun is not seen, for then you and, in return for the attention and kindness thought highly derogatory), and I am never are just as apt to go in the wrong as in the which have been shown to us by our down that way but I am invited to dine with right direction. neighbours, I have undertaken to give their him. Indeed, there is a spirit of hospitality The whole surface of the land here is children lessons in reading and writing, here which is quite unknown at home, and in covered with wood, except the meadows during an hour of the day, along with my travelling through the country there is scarce formed by the beavers. These are, in extent, own. I have about a dozen sometimes in a house you enter where you are not invited from a few acres up to 50 or more, and are attendance; and although some of them have to partake of their bed and board, without spread here and there throughout the whole nearly two miles to walk, they are seldom a money and without price. We have just now township, and furnish the settlers with day absent. invitations from two of the settlers that I excellent winter feeding for their stock. We have very few mechanics here; indeed formerly alluded to, who are storekeepers, Some of these meadows are as lovely I know of none, except two smiths, who have one of whom is also an extensive lumber- spots as I ever saw, their margins being also land; one shoemaker, and a tailor merchant, and who at first worked as a generally fringed with the beautiful dark employed by the storekeepers, who receives lumberer himself — from the one, to a ball green foliage of the evergreen, balm of twelve dollars a month, and board, but this he is to give in a few days; and from the gilead, and the spruce fir, whose tops tower man is generally half the week drunk. other, to take a drive in his sleigh on the above the surrounding wood. The beavers are In my opinion no man can do wrong in river, and to visit some of the settlers on the now entirely extirpated, the Indians coming to this country who is industrious opposite shore. considering them as their peculiar property, and sober, and who is not amply remunerated The wild animals of this part of the and always destroy the whole of them as for his labour at home; for it is beyond all country are the bear, the wolf, the fox, the soon as a township is surveyed. These doubt that the Canadas have as great natural marten, the minx, the skunk, the musk-rat, meadows are every year losing their beauty, advantages as the United States and are the porcupine, and squirrel. The first of these as the dams and canals of the beavers are running the same race in prosperity, and seldom or never acts but on the defensive; being choked up with alder willows and greatness. 

The Scots Canadian 7 Directors of the Scottish Lena Sarkissian Alan P. Gordon Peter Montgomery Studies Foundation: Sir Neil Shaw James M. Grant, Clan Grant Society of William & Audrey Montgomery President: David M. Hunter Bruce and Tracy Simpson Canada Allan D. Morrison Vice President: Maggie McEwan Robert Smart Mary Gregor Ian Morrison Treasurer: David H. Thompson Donald A. Stewart Jane Grier Madeleine Muntz Secretary: John B. McMillan John Mac Stewart James Haliburton David Murray Dr. Kevin James Dr. Roselynn M. W. Stevenson M. Gen. (Ret) James E. Hanna Catherine O’May Honorary Directors: Harry S. Alexander K. Stuart, C.M. Kathryn Harvey Ann Nicol Ferguson, William Somerville The Toronto Gaelic Society Jean Hedges Marguerite Noble Dr. Cicely Watson Alex B. Henderson Leslie Parada Honorary Patrons: Richard Wernham Iain Hendry Gordon Paterson Robert Buchan Lynton “Red” Wilson, O.C. Rev. J. Alvin Hingley Ed & Anne Patrick John E. Cleghorn, O.C. Patrons: David Hobbs Lloyd Preston Professor E.J. Cowan Margaret S. Adat Geraldine Howitt Darren B. Purse Harry S. Ferguson Olwen Anderson Maureen Hunt Patricia Rae John Anderson Fraser Robert Anderson David Hunter Alastair G. Ramsay Graham Fraser, C.M. Sharie Argue James Lamont Hunter Sheldon Rankin Douglas Gibson, C.M. Dr. Gary Ashby Margaret Anne Hunter Hazel Rayner Col. the Hon. Henry N.R. Jackman, Louis and Donalda Baldone John & Lorna Hutchinson Mary Arvilla Read C.M., O. Ont., KSt. J. Mary G. Barnett Andrew MacAoidh Jergens Sadie Reynolds Lewis W. MacKenzie Peter Hugh Baxter Dr. & Mrs. Ted Kinnin Rodger E.T. Ritchie Lewis MacKinnon William David Beaton Dr. Alison Kirk-Montgomery Kim Ritchie The Hon. Roy MacLaren Stephen Bennett Barbara Klich Michael Paul Roberts Kathie Macmillan Stewart Bennett Captain Olof & Mrs. Sheila Kuipers Mr. & Mrs. John D. Rooney Michael I. M. MacMillan Jetta Bickford Douglas Lackie Royal Scottish Geographical Society Robert McEwen, C.M. Ann Boden Susan E. Lahey J. Douglas Ross, FSA Scot Alice Munro John and Ruth Borthwick Ruth and James Lillico Dr. Robert and Laura Saunders Lloyd Robertson, O.C. Ian Buchanan Loch Ness Celtic Jewellery Mr. & Mrs. Gary Seagrave Bruce Simpson G. Laurence Buchanan Elizabeth & Leonard Skara Brae Collections Bill Somerville Robert Burns MacLachlan Lain Marie Scheffel Donald Stewart John Buttars Marion F. Livingston Dr. David J. Scott Jean Watson Driffield M. Cameron Ruth S. MacBeth Hudoneil Scott Richard Wernham Helen Campbell John H. Macdonald, FSA Scot Graham W. S. Scott, Q.C. Lynton “Red” Wilson, O.C. Donna Carmichael The Hon. Donald S. Macdonald, P.C., Rory Sinclair Isabella Carnegie C.C. Helen B. Smith Corporate Sponsors: Kevin Churchyard Miss Duncan MacDonald Robert and Isobel Smith The Harold E. Ballard Foundation John H. C. Clarry The MacFie Clan Society Stanley & Margory Smith Wm. Glen & Sons Elma Connor R. C. (Bob) MacFarlane (in memoriam) Bill & April Somerville Citibank Canada Dr. John H. Cooper Hugh K. N. Mackenzie Capt. Stephen Spence Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Phyllis M. Corbett Jim and Ann Mackenzie Jim & Kathy Spence Games Kenneth L. Coupland Margaret MacLeod St. Andrew's Society of Toronto The Willie and Mildred Fleischer Nola Crewe Dr. Alexander Macpherson Helen C. Stevens Charitable Foundation Donald A. Crosbie Mirabel Palmer-Elliot Allan E. Stewart, C.D Hal Jackman Foundation Antony A. Cunningham Dr. Kenneth and Mrs. Rhoda David R. Stewart Korn/Ferry Canada Inc. James Cuthill MacRitchie Helen Matthew Stewart Walter Stewart and Associates Custom Scottish Imports Gordon Main Ian G. Stewart Heather Doyle Jack K. R. Martin Donald Campbell Sutherland Benefactors: Dr. Kirsty Duncan Richard C. Meech Q.C. Mr. & Mrs. J.G.C. Templeton Walter M. and Lisa Balfour Bowen Dorothy Dunlop Gordon Menzies Dr. Paul Thomson/Michelle Perrone Dr. Colin R. Blyth and Valerie Blyth Heather J. Elliot William Irvine McArthur David H. Thompson David Campbell Margaret Eastham D.D.C. McGeachy Janis Todd John and Pattie Cleghorn Prof. Elizabeth Ewan Ian A. McKay J. James Wardlaw Ian Craig Dr. & Mrs. G.T. Ewan M.R. MacLennan Prof. David B. Waterhouse Richard Currie Alice Ferguson Margaret MacLeod Dr. Cicely Watson William H. Davidson Georgina Finlay Charles and Elizabeth MacRae Joanne Watson Mr. & Mrs. Harry Stewart Ferguson Dr. Harry K. Fisher Robert W. McAllister Mitchell Watt Thomas L. Foulds Ian Fisher Archibald H. McCallum Robert Watt Constance C. Gibson Allan C. Fleming Ms. Doris McArthur Ian White Alan Gordon James K. Fleming William McArthur Douglas Whitelaw Gordon and Shirley Grant W. Neil & Marie Fraser Dr. K. J. McBey Helen Grant Dr. William & Mrs. Margaret Fraser Valerie McElroy Scottish Studies Society Directors: Jon K. Grant, O.C. John Peter Fyvie Murray McEwen C.M. Acting President: William Somerville Marie Gregor John MacKenzie Gammell Maggie McEwan Vice President: Vacant Jane Grier Gendis Inc. & Associates Ian McFetters Treasurer: David H. Thompson Nona Heaslip Douglas M. Gibson Derek McGillivray Secretary: John B. McMillan James N. Hepburn John D. Gilchriese Alistair McIntyre, FSA Scot David M. Hunter Hon. Henry N.R. Jackman Mr. & Mrs. Ian Gillespie Gail McIntyre Richard MacFarlane Roger Alexander Lindsay of Craighall, Stan Glass Margaret McGovern Maggie McEwan FSA Scot Catherine Goldie Donald McKenzie Edward Patrick James M. Main Malcolm M. Gollert Capt. Duncan D. McMillan Dr. William Ross McEachern Henrietta Goplen John B. McMillan Joan and Don McGeachy Helen Grant Lois McRae Mary MacKay MacMillan, FSA Scot Jon K. Grant Douglas and Ilse McTaggart Margaret Nightingale Hon. Edwin A. Goodman, Q.C., P.C., Don McVicar Ontario Ancestors/The Ontario O.C. Douglas A. McWhirter Genealogical Society William A. Goodfellow Mary Elizabeth Mick 8 The Scots Canadian