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by Andrew B.W. MacEwen

1 he Falmouth was one of the first there" would be advanced by Mont- which at last produced the Gover- ships—perhaps only the second—to gomery. In return, they were bound to nor's dismission. bring substantial numbers of Scotch set- serve him for four years. Afterwards tlers to what is now Prince Edward they were to have farms of from two to The Reverend William Drummond, Island. It was sent out by James Mont- five hundred acres, at a fixed scale of who was a passenger on the Falmouth, gomery , Lord Advocate of Scotland, rent and under 1000 year leases, "a kept a journal which covers the period under the leadership of David Lawson, Cow or two in a present, or Compli- of the voyage and the first 11 months to take settlers to Montgomery's land in ment" as stock, and money "to enable on the Island. From this we learn tht the Lot 34 (the place later known as them to Settle" on four year bonds, with Falmouth was owned by Messrs. Stanhope or Covehead) where "there interest. Buchanan, Morrison & Co., Merchants had been a French settlement and some As Montgomery stated in a "Me- in Greenock, and that Captain John land cleared." Lot 34, Montgomery morial" written in 1791, "Lawson ac- McWhae was master. (Captain later wrote, uis generally of a tolerable cordingly went to St. John's Island in McWhae appears again in 1774 as good soil and has a considerable marsh 1770 and carried some servants with master of the Chance, bound for An- producing hay." him from that part of the country where tigua.) The journal corrects a tradition Lawson had been recommended to he resided." In a letter written to Gover- preserved among descendants of the Montgomery as one "acquainted with nor Fanning in 1798, he noted that the Covehead settlers that "DAVID the culture and dressing of flax." An "servants and settlers" who went with LAWSON came from Scotland in the agreement between the two men was Lawson were "very numerous." As vessel STANHOPE and called the place signed at Killearn, Stirlingshire, on 30 Montgomery recalled it, Governor Pat- where he landed after her." October 1769, with Lawson being terson made Lawson. No passenger list for the Falmouth is described as "Tenent at Miln of Calen- known to exist, but several items dar near Crief." Lawson obliged himself a Justice of the Peace and relating to her cargo are entered in the to go to the Island of St. John the next brought him into the Assembly Greenock Customs Books for late spring, there to take charge of Mont- which naturally led him, his wife March and early April, 1770. gomery's Lot 34 farm as "Grieve or and famiy into a more expensive Overseer," and to serve as such for manner of life than should have Across The Atlantic seven years after his arrival. His been followed by the Overseer of The Falmouth weighed anchor at recompense was to be one-half of the such a farm. And he became, Greenock at 5 p.m. on 8 April 1770 "free profites" of the farm. contrary to the Memorialist's most and, after an uneventful Atlantic cross- Lawson was to hire "such number of positive orders, a keen politician ing, reached St. Peters Bay on June Servants as he Judges to be necessary." and partizan for the Governor in first. At 9 a.m. Captain McWhae and The " S e r v a n t s" would receive the contest which long subsisted David, Will, and Belle Lawson went "reasonable Wages" from the time of between the Governor and the ashore. Drummond recorded that the landing, and their "Expences of going Chief Justice of the Island and ship then "set off toward the Cove," but

12 "Night coming on and a strong current, clearly unfamiliar with Island names and 4. Will Dewar and family, 3 September not knowing the particular place of lan- made a number of mistakes. Some of 1770. "Will Denar with his family set off ding, passed it and next day arrived at these are easily detected: for example, for Three Rivers having parted with Richmond Bay." There "most of our "Wrynhart" for Urquhart, "Francadie" David Lawson." company were sent on shore" and the for Tracadie, "Maljue" for Malpec, ship run aground. Drummond noted "Sarage" for Savage. Others are harder 5. The two Taylors, 22 September that in Princetown there were "a great to spot: "M. Swan" for McEwan, "Mr. 1770. "This day the two Taylors having many Scotch, Irish and French Hill" for Mr. Will, "McNale" for differed with David Lawson set out for families." Since only the French were McNab. Drummond mentions only the Three Rivers but by my advice there in 1768, the others must have Lawsons by name during the voyage, returned." come in 1769—but the ship on which but after the landing he names quite a they arrived appears to be unknown. few of the settlers. Those named or 6. Mr. Will and Eben Taylor, 2 They set off again for Stanhope at 5 referred to by Drummond are as November 1770. "On the 2nd Mr. Hill a.m. on June 7 and arrived at 7 p.m., follows: and Mr. Eben Taylors were married." the people and provisions being landed (Note use of the Scotch plural for the the following day. Lawson noted: 1. David Lawson, 24 and 27 April, family name.) 1770. 18 April: "The sickness which I arived on this Island the 8th of seized most of our company three days 7. Lawrence Brown and Jean Jamison, June 1770 with a Numoras ffami- before was this day very severe." 20 21 December 1770. "This evening ly not A Covered hous to put my April: "Sickness still severe." 21 April: Lawrence Brown and Jean Jamison head in without on pound of Meat "Our company still bad of the sea were married and bedded in the new without Milk or any subsistance sickness." 24 April: "The people now house." ffor ten days accept some oat almost free of sickness except David meall no salt accept salt water at Lawson." 27 April: "All our company 8. Mrs. David Lawson, Mrs. John which time I got some milch Cous now except D. Lawson are quite Lawson, Isabella and Elizabeth Lawson, as all our provisions was landed at recovered." 31 December 1770. "This evening at- three Rivers yow may Easily judge tended a French wedding with the two what sort of a life I had to suffer 2. David, Will, and Belle Lawson, 1 Mrs. and two Misses Lawsons." during the ffirst two weeks ffrom June 1770. "Proceeded at 9 to Launch betwixt fforty and ffifty servants yawl. Capt, David, Will and Bell 9. Alex McNab and wife, 1 January who Expected better provisions Lawson went on shore at St. Peters Bay 1771. "Alex McNale his wife and four then oat meall and salt water in which is within 10 miles of Stanhope others of our company set off for Three staide of salt. Cove." Rivers."

Various sources have been utilized in 3. William McEwan, 2 August 1770. 10. Robert Auld, 22 January 1771. reconstructing the Falmouth passenger "This day at Three Rivers a log of wood "Set off this day for St Peters with the list. Foremost is Drummond's journal, rolling down a steep place struck Smith and Shoemaker." (Auld is known entitled "Remarks and Observations by William M. Swan in the back of which to have been a blacksmith.) Mr. William Drummond in his voyage he died in five hours after and the day from Cowden to St. Johns Island in the following was buried with decency 11. John Lawson, 3 March 1771. "This Gulf of St. Lawrence in North there." day baptized John Laws son John." America." Excerpts from the journal were published in The Island Magazine No. 2 (1977), 28-31, but some further observations are in order. The present whereabouts of the original manuscript is unknown, but a typed copy was made and "bound into a note-book collection mm in 1932" at the New Canaan (Connec- liiil wmmmm ticut) Historical Society. The late Ira ij^^piiil Brown of Charlottetown, who knew of the journal as early as 1939, stated some 20 years ago that the original was ipm 111 owned "by a descendant in Florida." illll! •Hi The late H.R. Stewart, then Provincial Secretary, obtained a copy of the typescript, and "this is the source of all Ill the copies that we have knowledge of m including the one at the Public Archives 111! of Canada," the accession date of which Courtesy Andrew MacEwen is 12 November 1946. James McGregor (1797-1874). Son of no. 36 and his wife Jane Brown (1798-1881). Jane Brown was daughter of John and Isabella (Lawson) Brown, In Drummond's Journal grand-daughter of nos. 4, 21 and 25, and great-grand-daughter of nos. 2, 3, and 22. Whoever transcribed the journal was

13 12. John McLauchlan and Alex boy, I heard much talk of a Mr. and there is evidence that they actually Jamison, 11 April 1771. "John Lawson and others going out to came in 1772. MacLauchlan and Alex Jamison were America. They were decoyed out Finally, there are various family drowned in Francadie harbor. Jamison by one of the great proprietors to histories—namely, an anonymous Auld between 4 and 5 P.M. McLauchlan settle his land. They were to pay history, the Brown history, written by about 6." out a shilling rent per acre, and Charles S. McGregor (1860-1937) of they thought it cheap till they New York, the McEwen history, written 13. Sam (?) Brown and Belle Lawson, came out and saw it; but then they by H.D. McEwen (1859-1938) of 2 May 1771. "This day packed my found it dear enough. Morell, and the Miller history, written by things in Bell Lawsons and Sam Browns C. Winfield Matheson (1878-1968) of chests, I exchanged with Bell Lawson Rev. McGregor added that "Mr. Millar Calgary. The Auld history begins, for my trunk." ("Sam" may possibly be . . . was a very pious and intelligent man "1769 — In this year Robert Auld with a misreading of "Lau" or "Law" for . . . having been a member of Mr. his wife and part of his children came to Lawrence.) Barlas's congregation in Crieff." (This Stanhope, P.E.I, by vessel from Ayr- was probably the secessionist Anti- shire, Scotland." After naming his nine Other Accounts Biirgher congregation formed about children the writer adds, "John, Drummond's entries for the deaths of 1763.) William, Jean, & Mary were born in McEwan, McLauchlan, and Jamison Several years ago, Mrs. N.G. Ross Scotland & came with their parents on are corroborated by David Lawson in of British Columbia discovered that the said sailing vessel." However, Mary, his "Misfortunes." Lawson writes, various issues of the Nova Scotia Mrs. John Bovyer, died on 14 May Chronicle and Weekly Advertizer for 1847, "aged 75 years," so she must and besids all the preceiding the period 1773-1775 contained lists of have been born on the Island. misfortans the ffirst year I Came to names of settlers in St. John's Island The Brown history states that Mont- the Island I had on man kiled by who had mail waiting for them at the gomery, "under obligation to colonize the ffalling of A lairge pine tree Halifax Post Office. The names of this land, sent David Lawson as his that was Cutt ffor Loading the Falmouth passengers, with the paper's agent with a contingent of Colonists. vessel and also two Men drounde dates, are as follows: This was in the year 1770. Among on tracadie bay Comming ffrom these were Robert Auld, Lawrence fforten with some rume and 1773, January 19. David Law- Brown, John McGregor and John Molasses the loss of thos three son, Duncan McLaren Jamieson, a blacksmith, a Weaver, a men was twenty two pounds and 1773, July 5. David Lawson, Farmer and a tailor. These settled on a 5 gallons of Rume at 4/ per gallon Duncan McLaren. block of land in Western Covehead, ex- and 5 gallons Molasses at 2/6 per 1774, November 8. Duncan tending from the Bay shore westward to gallon. McLaren. the boundary Road adjoining Lot 33." 1775, January 3. Duncan "Lawrence Brown married Jane Lawson's "Account of what Cattle McEwen. Jamieson of Perthshire and had three yung and ould is in the settlers posses- 1775, April 18. Alex. McNab, sons and ten daughters." sion Agust the 8th 1774" names Duncan McEwen, Duncan The McEwen history contains an "William Robertson, 12, Dunckan Mc- McLaren. original letter written in 1899 by Edward quan, 6, Nill Callam, 6, Nill Shaw, 5, 1775, July 5. Alex. McNab, John McEwen (1814-1909) of New London, Robert Auld, 4, Lourance Brown, 5, Miller. the last surviving child of Duncan John Millar, 7, Totall yung and ould, 1775, October 5. John Miller. McEwen who came on the Falmouth. 45." Of these men, Neil McCallum He stated, came in 1771, Neil Shaw in 1772,, and the rest on the Falmouth. The same Next is a memorandum of "Families You want to Know the names are repeated in Lawson's "A List who came with David Lawson in Names of the first McEwens that of All the Cattle Horses and sheep on 1770," among the Ira Brown Papers in landed on the Island My Fathers stanhope ffarm and given of to settlers the P.E.I. Archives. Those named are Name was Duncan he Came from this 11th of Agust 1774." "Robert Auld, Smith, D. McCallum, Perthshire and Could Speake Rev. James McGregor of Pictou, Weaver, Lawrence Brown, Weaver, gaelic he was the only one of the N.S., met John Miller when he visited Peter Leitch, Weaver, John McGregor, family that Came to the Island I Covehead in 1791. In Rev. George Pat- Weaver." This list is followed directly by dont Know whare he landed likely terson, Memoirs of the Rev. James a statement concerning McGregor's two Ch.Town and setled at St. Peters MacGregor, D.D. (Philadelphia, 1859), sons: "Son John married Elizabeth on a farm Belonging to a Mr Wor- p. 212, he stated: Bovyer James married Jane Brown," rel Known as the Greenwich farm and this, again, by the statement that we have No Relations in Canada I found that Mr. Millar was from "Neil Shaw settled on lower [end] of that I Know of Father was only the parish of Muthill, twelve miles Uncle William Auld's farm. S[on] twenty when he Came to the from Loch Earne, where I was Malcolm settled on Little Duncan Island. born. He told me of Mr. Lawson, [Shaw]'s and Duncan settled on the MacEwan, and others, who came farm w[here] Shaw's Hotel now H.D. McEwen wrote that "Duncan out at the same time. At hearing stands." It is uncertain whether the McEwen married 1st Miss McLaren near Mr. Lawsons name, I instantly writer meant to include the Shaws ChTown. Duncan M'Ewen after raising recollected that when I was a little among those who came with Lawson, 1st family went to New London & mar-

14 ried 2nd time Miss Janet McGregor" the country." The list below accounts in which Lawson is described as "a (who afterwards, he added, married for some 45 to 50 passengers, more or widow [er who] resides with his eldest James Doyle and one Cameron near less. Others may yet be identified. son or son-in-law, who are both are Norborough). Duncan McEwen and opulent in their line." (Lawson was not Jean McLaren appear to have been a widower when he came to the Island, married in 1771, which strongly sug- as stated by Prof. Bumsted in Acadien- gests that she came on the Falmouth. sis, VII, No. 2, p. 80.) David and Helen There can be as little doubt, too, that Lawson had at least three sons and two her father was the Duncan McLaren daughters. known to have been on the Island as early as 1772 and who must have come 4. William Lawson, b. ca. 1744, d. at on the same ship with his daughter. Covehead in February, 1836, aged 91 Winfield Matheson's Miller history (obit. Royal Gazette). Apparently the gives information on several other eldest son, unless Montgomery meant families besides the Millers. He states, oldest surviving son in 1791. He m. 1st, ca. 1774, Mary Shaw (d. ca. 1790), daughter of Neil Shaw of Covehead; John Miller and his wife, issue, two sons, four daughters. He m. Catherine Mclvor, came in 1770 2nd, 30 November 1792 (St. Paul's), from Perthshire, Scotland, and Ann Graham "of Halifax"; issue, six settled on the land at Carr Head, sons, six daughters. Ann "perished in for many years occupied by Ira the storm, on the way from her sons to Carr. her own house," on 5 February 1824, David and Ellen Lawson described as "of Tracadie" (obit. P.E.I. came from Perthshire in 1770. He Register). A "Memorandum" written was agent for Montgomery, pro- about 1802 by John Hill states that prietor of Lot 34. They settled on William Lawson "can just read and write land extending from David Carr's Courtesy Andrew MacEwen Benjamin McEwen (1788-1867), "The ... he is a brother-in-law to Mr. Curtis." present east line westward to He was a Member of the first House of Stanhope Lane, which was Astronomer." Son of nos. 28 and 29, and grandson of no. 27. Assembly in 1773, as were his father known as 'Stanhope Farm.' and brother John. He had a lease of Robert Auld came from Ayr- 300 acres in Lot 34 on 1 May 1778, shire in 1770 and settled on land and another of 200 acres on 2 April at Cove Head occupied today by The Passengers 1787. Peter McDonald, C. Whelan, B. McCormac and George Bearisto I. Drummond and the Lawsons known as 'Yellow House' Farm. 1. Rev. William Drummond. He took 5. John Lawson, apparently 2nd son, an M.A. in theology at Edinburgh in b. ca. 1746; living in 1773 when he was Some of the Falmouth passengers 1761, was ordained, and served at a Member of the first House of undoubtedly came from Crieff, where Glasgow, Paisley, and Stanage. He re- Assembly; no further record. It was ap- Lawson lived and where weavers were mained on the Island until at least 12 parently his son John who was baptized numerous. An examination of the Crieff May 1771, and in 1772 became by Drummond on 3 March 1771 (see register has yielded tentative identifica- minister in Canaan, Connecticut. He Drummond List No. 11, above). tions of several passengers. More may was dismissed from this charge in 1777, be found in the Muthill register, not yet deposed from the ministry, and died 7 (name unknown), wife of read. later the same year. (For more informa- John Lawson, probably m. in Scotland. It is still difficult to estimate just how tion, see David Weale's article in The She is mentioned by Drummond with many came on the Falmouth. As noted Island Magazine, No. 2.) her mother-in-law and two sisters-in-law above, Montgomery spoke of them as on 31 December 1770 (see Drummond "very numerous," while Lawson men- 2. David Lawson, born probably about List, No. 8). No further record. tioned "betwixt fforty and ffifty servants" 1715. He was aged over 60 in the April, as being at Stanhope just after the lan- 1798 census, and was apparently living 7. Isabella (Belle or Bella) Lawson, ding. Governor Patterson, writing to the as late as 1802. (The lands of Calen- eldest daughter, b. 1775. She m., ca. Earl of Hillsborough on 21 October dar, though civilly within the parish of 1776-77, Cornelius Higgins (b. 1735, 1770, reported that "about one hun- Crieff, belonged ecclesiastically to the d. at Covehead November 1825 aged dred and twenty families had arrived parish of Monzie—hence, any records 90) who "came to this Island in 1765 and was a Magistrate for almost 50 that summer, part sent by Mr. Mont- pertaining to the Lawsons will be found years" (obit. P.E.I. Register) and, accor- gomery, the Lord Advocate of in the Monzie registers.) ding to his wife's obit., High Sheriff of Scotland, the rest by a Mr. Stewart, of 3. Helen , wife of David the Island. He is generally supposed to Lawson. Probably b. ca. 1720, m. ca. have been a brother of David Higgins of Abbreviations 1743. She was living 31 December Three Rivers. His widow d. at b. born m. married 1770 and died some time before Covehead, 17 September 1835, aged ca . circa g.s . grave stone December 1791, the date of a 80 (obit. Royal Gazette). Issue, five d. died "Memorial" by Sir James Montgomery sons, two daughters.

15 8. Elizabeth (Lawson) Curtis, younger aged 76.) They had 11 children. daughter, b. 1756. She m. ca. 1780-84 James Curtis (b. 1750; aged 34 in June 13. Jean (Jane) Auld, b. ca. 1768 in 1784). According to the Hill memoran- Ayrshire, d. 1840. She m., 2 January dum, Curtis "came to the Island as foot- 1788 (St. Paul's), Murdoch McLeod, b. man to Mr. Callbeck the then Attorney SSIS ca. 1760 in Portree, Isle of Skye, d. 17 General to whom he became clerk. Ml August 1813 ( Chappell's Diary). They Afterwards he was clerk to Mr. Higgins had eight or nine children, ... in 1784 Member of the Assembly . . . 1§B in 1797 Governor Fanning appointed 14. William Auld, possibly born in him assistant Judge . . . ." He was Pro- Scotland; date of death unknown. Ac- vincial Secretary and Deputy Registrar cording to the Ira Brown Papers, of Deeds in 1780, and the same year William "lived on the farm now oc- mentioned as "appointed to keep the cupied by Bearisto, for a time, and then Stores & utensils of the Loyalists & c." moved to Bannackburn." He m., 10 Curtis was many times Member of the October 1798 (St. Paul's), Janet Miller, House of Assembly, Speaker in 1803 daughter of John Miller. They had nine and 1805, agent for the Montgomery children. brothers, and High Sheriff for many Courtesy Andrew MacEwen years. Catherine Brown (1774-1885). She 15. William Dewar. See discussion in The St. John's volunteers muster roll became Mrs. Mclnnis, later Mrs. Drummond List, No. 4; no further of 1784 shows him as a private, aged Graham, and was daughter of nos. 21 record. The name is common in 34, with a wife and one child under 10, and 25, grand-daughter of no. 22. Her Perthshire. holding 100 acres of land at Little eye was pecked out by a rooster when Rustico Lot 34 from James Mont- she was seven years'old, but she was 16. , his wife, and gomery. The 1798 census shows Curtis able "to read and see without glasses to presumably, in Lot 34 with three males and one the day of her death," at almost 111 female aged 16 to 60. Curtis made his years of age. 17. Dewar, a child, and will at Murray Harbour, 9 January 1792, "now about making a voyage for Long Pond Cemetery is 18 November 18. Dewar, a child (if not more England, in a dangerous Season of the 1851, a year off the true date.) They children). Year." He left everything to "my Most were living in Lot 35 in 1798 with three Dearly beloved wife Elizabeth Curtis" daughters under 10. Their family even- 19. John Jamieson, whose name is whom he made "my sole Executrix" He tually consisted of three sons and seven known only from the Brown history. He d. at Covehead, 19 November 1819 daughters. presumably brought (obit. P.E.I. Register), aged ca. 69; his will was proved on the oath of James II. Other Men with Families 20. , a wife, and possibly Lawson on 11 May 1820.The next day 10. Robert Auld, a blacksmith from several children. Elizabeth gave a power of attorney to Ayrshire. He was b. ca. 1735 and was "Mr. John McGregor of Charlot- living in April 1798, aged over 60. On 21. Alexander Jamieson, who drowned tetown...Merchant"; McGregor, after- 25 April 1787 he had a lease of 200 in Tracadie Harbour. See Drummond wards High Sheriff, was son of David acres in Lot 34, 100 acres at the en- List, No. 12. McGregor of Lot 34. Elizabeth left a will trance to Mill Creek and another 100 dated 5 November 1834 (never proved) between Mill Creek and East Creek. He 22. Jean Jamieson, b. ca. 1750. She disposing of various household effects. is said to have settled on what was m., 21 December 1770, Lawrence She died at Covehead, 19 December known as the "Yellow House Farm." Brown (No. 4.1, below), survived him, 1834, aged 78 (obit. Royal Gazette). Curtis' accounts mention £168.7.1 and was living in 1807. The date of her She and Curtis clearly had no surviving received for rent on 200 acres in Lot 34. death is unknown. Robert Mont- issue; the two males in their household The date of his death is unknown. gomery, in a letter to James Curtis in 1798 are unidentified. Some of Cur- (dated at London, 15 April 1807) tis' accounts are in the Ira Brown 11. Jean Fissett, his wife, born about states: "The Widow Brown I presume Papers. 1745, probably living in 1798, date of has either accepted my offer, or left the death unknown. The Aulds brought two farm indeed the latter is the best thing 9. James Lawson, 3rd and youngest or three children with them. she can do, unless her son & she have a son, b. 1760 or 1763. He m., 20 July joint lease of so much only as they can 1797 (St. Paul's), Elizabeth Miller (b. 12. John Auld, b. 1766 in Ayrshire, d. farm to advantage." (Ira Brown 1771), 4th daughter of John Miller of at Covehead, 7 September 1842, aged Papers). Covehead. Lawson d. at Covehead, 10 76 (g.s. in Long Pond Cemetery). He November 1833 "of inflammation of the m., 7 July 1796 (St. Paul's), Margaret 23. Catherine Jamieson, b. ca. 1755, bowels," aged 70 (obit. Royal Gazette) Miller, daughter of John Miller of living in April 1798. She m., probably in or 73 (g.s. Long Pond Cemetery, Covehead; she was b. 1774 and d. 1 the late 1770s, William Burke. Burke Stanhope). His widow d. at Covehead February 1848, aged 79 (obit. The was b. 1738 and aged 46 in June 1784, 18 November 1850, aged 79 (obit. Islander) (Her g.s. in Long Pond and may himself have come on the Royal Gazette). (The date on her g.s. in Cemetery says she d. 25 January 1847, Falmouth, though there is no evidence

16 that he did. The muster roll of the St. John's Volunteers (dated 12 June 1784) lists him as a private, aged 46, with^a wife and three children under 10, holding 100 Acres at Little Rustico from Montgomery by lease; a note says he "Has settled and kept a ferry at Little §jijjj Rustico." mm Burke has a lease of two 50-acre parcels of land in Lot 34 on 14 May Jif 1787 (witnesses being Robert Auld and Lawrence Brown). One tract fronted on the west side of Mill Creek and ran west ••••i to the boundary line of Lot 33; the other was on the east side of Mill Creek adjoining Robert Auld's land. Three of his ^^^^^^^^^^^^H children were baptized at St. Paul's in •pHl ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^w 1791, 1794, and 1795. By April 1798 illllllll he had moved to Charlottetown (census Bill [ ^ t * f ffiftii record) and the same year a "Daughter iiiiiiiBiiiiMiBiii^Biiii of William Burk and Catharine Jameson ^^^^^^^^^^™ his Wife" was baptized at St. Paul's, the ^^^^^^^^^^^^M entry marked "Garrison." A note in the ^^^^^^^B ^^^^s ^•lilii^Kiiiiiiiiii Ira Brown Papers recorded a garbled tradition: "LAURIE BROWN married Miss Bourke, whose descendants are the gardners." •pill

24. Duncan McLaren, b. probably ca. 1730, undoubtedly came from Perth- shire. He was alive and thought to be on lillj the Island as late as 1775, after which there is no record. He died, or left the ••••Pf isiiii ^^^^^•11 1 Island before April 1798, along with any Courtesy Andrew MacEwen sons he may have had. Edward McEwen, Sr. (1814-1909), Sub-collector of Customs for New London. Son of no. 45, grandson of no. 47. 25. -, his wife. "his wife" rather than "his family." Matheson, but there may be confusion 26. Jean McLaren, the only child who with the wife of Neil Shaw of can be identified with any degree of cer- 31. John Miller, b. ca. 1730-35, aged Covehead). She was living in April tainty, b. ca. 1750. She m., probably in over 60 in April 1798, was living as late 1798, aged over 60. 1771, Duncan McEwen (No. 45, as 1807. See Rev. McGregor's memoir, below). As "Jean McEwen" she above. In a letter to James Curtis dated 33. Catherine (Kitty) Miller, b. 1758 or witnessed, in April 1803, an unrecord- at London, 15 April 1807, Robert c59, d. April 1828 "aged 69" (g.s. at ed transfer of a lease from her son-in- Montgomery wrote, West St. Peters). She m. ca. 1779, law Kemble Coffin to her son James William Douglas, who came from Kirk- McEwen. She died at an unknown The loss sustained by John Millar boan, Galloway, in 1775 on the Lovely date, probably ca. 1810. She had seven is considerable but I cannot allow Nelly, aged 21; "He was a magistrate sons and three daughters. a Tenant having so large a Stock and noted for his energy and common to be so far behind for years past sense." Douglas was b. 1753 and d. 13 27. McLaren, another child, and indeed I know from un- February 1835, at his residence "Cherry and perhaps doubted authority that Millar is a Hill" Hillsborough, aged about 82 (obit. very wealthy man but who always Royal Gazette, g.s. at West St. Peters). 28. McLaren, child, if not more. pleads poverty, & unless he pays His will, dated 17 June 1834, was prov- his rent and arrears I will make an ed 20 February 1835. They had seven 29. Alexander McNab (see Drummond example of him & this I desire you sons and three daughters. List, No. 9) was on the Island as late as will tell him from me. 1775. It is not unlikely that he was the 34. Isabella (Bella) Miller, b. ca. 1765, father of Donald McNab and Hugh Miller brought three daughters with living in 1812. She m., on 15 January McNab, named in the 1798 census. him and had four more daughters and 1785 (St. Paul's), Duncan Shaw, son of one son born on the Island. Neil Shaw of Covehead (who came 30. , his wife. They were from the parish of Southend, Kintyre, perhaps newly married when they arriv- 32. Catherine Mclvor, his wife (so nam- Argyllshire, in 1772). Shaw was ap- ed; Drummond mentions McNab and ed in the Miller history by C.W. parently dead by 23 January 1811

17 when "Mrs. Isabella Shaws land" at III. Young Single Men in-law William Clark (of Darnley), with Brackley Point was mentioned. Isabella 41. Lawrence Brown, b. probably ca. one witness being another son, Ben- administered the estate of Duncan 1745, m. Jean Jamieson (No. 22), un- jamin. He died 15 March 1831, "aged Shaw of Covehead, deceased, on 15 doubtedly with Drummond officiating. 85" (obit. Royal Gazette), and was February 1812. They had five sons and Ira Brown Papers: "LAWRENCE buried at New London Capes (Yankee two daughters. BROWN, it was said, was married on Hill). His widow m. 2nd, Michael James the beach, by the clergyman who came Doyle, shipwright, of Clifton, New Lon- 35. Mary Miller, b. ca. 1767 or '68 in in the vessel. The reason why the don, by whom she had one daughter, Perthshire, d. at Cavendish 22 February ceremony was performed there was Amelia. She m. 3rd, a Mr. Cameron, 1852, aged 84. She m. 13 February because he, the clergyman, was return- farmer near Norborough. She d. 1 Oc- 1790 (St. Paul's), William Simpson, Jr., ing in the vessel." Brown was living in tober 1864, and was buried beside her 2nd son of William and Janet (Win- April 1798 and died before 18 October 2nd husband at Clifton (g.s.). chester) Simpson who came from 1806, when James Curtis wrote to Morayshire on the John and Elizabeth "Mrs. Jane Brown, Cove Head," men- 46. William McEwen or McEwan, see in 1775. Simpson was born in Gerbity, tioning rents due for the Browns' 300 Drummond List, No. 3. He was most in the parish of Dundurcas, 15 June acre farm.) He had three sons and 10 probably a brother of Duncan, above, 1762, and d. at Cavendish, 22 daughters. and that William son of "John McQuan February 1840, age 77. He had a lease Weaver" baptized in Crieff, 10 January of 100 acres in Lot 34 from Mon- 42. ?Samuel Brown. If not a misreading 1746 (which would mean that Duncan's tgomery on 10 January 1792, but was ("Sam" for "Lau" or "Law") this was age at death is wrong, above). He was living in Lot 23 in April 1798. They had probably a brother of Lawrence Brown. accidentally killed by a log at Three three sons and five daughters. See discussion in text. Rivers, 2 August 1770.

36. ? Miller. (There may have 43. Peter Leitch. Perhaps the Patrick 47. John McGregor, b. either ca. been a child born in 1769.) ( = Peter) baptized 10 June 1750 ("Son 1745-46 or in 1749, son of James to Pat: Leech Weaver Crieff"); if so, his Drummond or McGregor and his wife 37. William Robbins, probably the mother was Catherine Fenton. He had Annabella McNicol. He was a weaver, William son of "James Robin Weaver" a lease of 200 acres in Lot 34 on 15 farmer and surveyor. He was appointed baptized in Crieff, 26 February 1738. May 1787 (Montgomery Accounts). Lit- a Deputy Surveyor on 28 June 1809. In (The name occurs on the Island as tle is known of his family. By a wife not or before 1811 he was put forward by Robertson, Robinson, Robins, and Rob- yet identified he appears to have had the Loyal Electors to run against James bins.) His close association with Duncan two sons—Peter, Jr., and John—and at Curtis: McEwen (No. 45) suggests that they least three daughters (1798 census). were related, perhaps half-brothers. He Mr. Justice Curtis the Candidate was aged over 60 in April 1798. He 44. D McCallum, weaver, of who has returned was and is a moved from Stanhope to St. Peters in whom nothing is known. A later ac- Judge of the Supreme Law Court 1787 and died there on 23 December count gives his name Dugald, which for which reason Mr. McGregor 1805 (Chappell's Diary.) He brought at may or may not be correct. He was not declined to oppose him and pro- least two daughters with him and had the Dugald McCallum who settled at tested against the Election, con- another daughter and one son, if not Cantyre, near Brackley Point. ceiving that a Judge could not be more children, born on the Island. constitutionally a Member of 45. Duncan McEwen, b. ca. 1745 in Parliament. 38. , his wife. Perthshire. He lived on the Dollary ( Speech by William Roubel Farm at Stanhope until 1787 when he reported in The Weekly Recorder 39. Jane Robbins, b. ca. 1767, m. ca. and "William Robinson" (No. 37) pur- ofP.E.L, 31 August 1811). 1786 Elisha Coffin, Jr., who was b. at chased 300 acres of land in Lot 39 from Nantucket, Mass., 9 October 1763, and George and Mary Burns. In 1788 Dun- On April 1812 Chief Justice Colclough, d. at Savage Harbour 14 September can McEwen of St Peters, Mariner, writing to Robert Montgomery regard- 1851, aged 87 (obit. The Islander), registered the Jennet, a shallop of 13 ing the general election that year,stated, buried at West St. Peters; he was the tons built at Covehead in 1786. In 1809 2nd son of Elisha and Eunice (Myrick) he purchased the 600 acre Campbellton Roubel and Palmer who went Coffin of Savage Harbour. Jane was liv- farm at New London, and was living down to inflame the people were ing 23 September 1807 and d. before 5 there by 10 August 1811. His 1st wife, chaired at China Point as the April 1809 when Phebe (b. 23 Jean McLaren (No. 26), died at St. saviours of the country as was one September 1807) "daughter of Elisha Peters. He married 2nd, ca. 1813, Jen- McGregor a surveyor who I had Coffin Widower and Janet Robinson his net McGregor, eldest daughter of John fined and confined having plead- late wife" was baptized (St. Paul's). He (No. 47); she was b. 4 April 1792 and ed guilty to three inditements for was a Justice of the Peace for King's baptized 21 March 1793. assaults on the Sheriff and his of- County. They had five sons and five McEwen was a member of the ficers and making a most daughters. House of Assembly in 1784 and 1803. outrageous riot in endeavouring His will ("Freeholder"), dated 9 March to rescue Mr. Rankin (Con Douly 40. Margaret Robbins, b. ca. 1769, m. 1831, names wife "Jannet" and their Rankin) who had been taken in 26 January 1790, John McEachern, three sons, Edward, Theophilus, and execution for a Martyr in the good farmer. Daniel, his son John McEwen, and son- cause.

18 McGregor may have married first a nexed is a document signed by nine 51. William Taylor ( 'Mr. Hill," daughter of Neil Shaw of Covehead, well-known Islanders certifying that "the misreading of "Mr. Will") See Drum- but this is very uncertain. His only bearer John McGregor is an honest in- mond List, No. 6. known wife was Margaret Gregor, bap- dustrious man and has conducted tized in Dundurcas, Morayshire, 13 Oc- himself as such, and is deserving of His 52. , his wife. tober 1765, 3rd and youngest daughter Excellencys consideration." Unfor- of Peter and Margaret (Enie) Gregor, tunately the petitioner's residence is not who came to P.E.I. on the John and given, but he can only have been John Sources Elizabeth in 1775, and settled at McGregor of Black River. The Montgomery/Lawson agree- Brackley Point, Lot 33. They married A muster roll of "Discharged and ment of 1769, Lawson's "Misfortunes," 25 March 1790 (St. Paul's) and had two Disbanded soldiers & other Loyalists" and his "Account of Cattle on Stanhope sons and two daughters. They lived at who arrived from Shelburne, N.S., on Farm" are from the Montgomery Papers Black River, Lot 33, where he died, 16 17 September 1784, contains the name now in the Scottish Record Office February 1832, "aged 87" (obit. Royal of John McGregor, age 35, of the 42nd (SRO), Edinburgh (GD293/2/79/38, Gazette); g.s. at Brackley Point says Regiment, with a grant of 100 acres in GD293/2/79/5 , a n d "March, 1837 Aet. 89"). His widow Lot 56. This evidence casts con- GD293/2/79/27 respectively). died in 1844. siderable doubt on the statement that he Transcripts made by the author are in A petittion applying for 200 acres of came on the Falmouth—unless, as is the P.E.I. Archives. Montgomery's land, by "John McGregor formerly a barely possible, he returned to "Memorial" of 1791 and his 1798 letter Private Soldier in His Majesty's 1st Bat- Scotland; the 42nd had sailed from to Gov. Fanning were transcribed by talion of the 42nd Regiment of Foot" Greenock for New York, 14 September Mrs. N.G. Ross of New Westminster, ( = Black Watch), dated at Charlotte 1776. B.C., from documents in the Canadian Town, 4 February 1825, states that Archives (MG-23, E-6). The letter is "your Petitioner came to this Island in 48. John McLauchlan See Drummond dated Edinburgh, 30 April 1798. The Order to have or procure the Land List, No. 12. "Memorial" was enclosed in a letter which he was entitled to for his services from Montgomery to Henry Dundas a little time after having his discharge" 49. Ebenezer Taylor. See Drummond dated Edinburgh, 3 December 1791. and that he had "served in the above List, No. 6. No further record. Extracts from the Hill memorandum Regiment during the American War for and Colclough's letter were sent to the the space of Eight Years and had his 50. his wife. author by Mrs. A.K. Morrow, formerly regular discharge from the same." An- of Halifax. Matheson's Miller history was compiled for Dr. A.F. Miller of Kentville, N.S., and is now owned by his grandnephew, Rev. Horace F. ^.«#: *aBflsfc-*H MacEwen of Charlottetown. H.D. McEwen's McEwen history is now owned by his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Bruce MacEwen of Charlottetown. Copies of these and of the other histories mentioned are in the P.E.I. Archives. The Ira Brown Papers, also in the Archives, contain much information. Other •##vws58r I l k ^m0m^ I sources are noted in the text. ^^^tf^^^B IlilP fPIBlP 1 The picture of Benjamin McEwen is from an old album belonging to his niece Elizabeth McKie (Mrs. George Anderson, French River) and now owned by her granddaughter Mrs. Janey MacKenzie. The picture of Mrs. Graham was obtained by Robert Mutch of Mt. Herbert from one of her descendants. The picture of James McGregor and his wife Jane Brown is owned by their great-granddaughter, Miss Eleanor R. Cheney, formerly of Fairhaven, Mass. Another copy is owned by Mrs. Arnold Boates of O'Leary, also a descendant. The picture of Edward McEwen was owned by his half-sister Amelia A.A. Doyle (Mrs. John McGregor) and is now in the possession Photo by Jim Hornby of Mrs. Boates, Mrs. McGregor's great- Memorial cairn at Stanhope. granddaughter. The prints reproduced are from the author's collection.