HCTONIANS ATHOME MDABROAB / /'%^.., BYREUJ.R MACPHIEM.A.I CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE / Cornell University Library F 1039P61 M17 Pictonlans at home and abroad : sketches olin 3 1924 028 897 977 Dafe Due )f' ^ ' ^^-f- l-WTT'-^ -- — ^^ r t^#^ *'f"*T-l9^ ■= 1 ELM TREE, EAST RIVER UnrlcT this tree Rev. Jas. McGregor precacheil the first sermon on the East River, Oct., 1786 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028897977 ^ictoniansi at i|ome ant ^tiroatr SKETCHES OF PROFESSIONAL MEN AND WOMEN OF PICTOU COUNTY — ITS HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS BY REV. J. P. MACPHIE, M. A. AUTHOR OF " THE HOMELAND OF THE BIBLE ' ^inktam tresis: BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS U. S. A. L^ ■ » 4- b Copyright, 1914, 631 J. P. MacPhie (ii) '^"1 I i: )i -I \' I M I! FOREWORD THE preparation of this book has been a labor of love. Although the author has been called to spend most of his life in other and distant fields, he has never wavered in his devotion to the place of his birth and the friends of his youth. It has at times been his dearest hope to repay in some measure, by some serviceable deed, the debt of gratitude which he owes to his native land. Hence the undertaking of this book, the aim of which is to rescue from oblivion the names, the deeds, the heroism of the pioneers of Pictou, and to show how not- able a contribution, in men and women, the county has made to the intellectual life and growth of the country. No fairer scenes than Pictou County presents can be found in the land. Merely as a piece of Mother Earth it is deserving of the most enthusiastic admiration and ardent attachment. Its beautiful elm-studded valleys, its clear, winding streams, its sunlit hills with their fertile fields gently sloping toward the sea, its bonnie, happy homes, its thriving towns, its peaceful villages, its in- finitely varied forests and even its rugged glens present charms which never pall. But the county's moral claim for its people's love and loyalty is stronger than the physical. No spot in our wide Dominion, of equal size and poptilation, has contrib- uted so much to all that is best in our national life. No- where else have religion and education so effectually joined hands for the uplift of the people and the promo- tion of good. Nowhere have righteousness and truth been more genuinely wedded, or produced finer fruit- age. In support of these statements the evidence in this book is confidently submitted. The gathering of the (iii) evidence has been a difficult task. It is not claimed that it is either exhaustive or absolutely accurate, but the author has done his best, and he has had the hearty co- operation of many to whom he is sincerely grateful. It has been said that Pictou is noted for coal and clergymen. Great as is the yield of coal, yet that which is Pictou's proudest product is her men and women. In less than a hundred years she has given to the church nearly three hundred clergymen. She has sent forth one hundred and ninety physicians, sixty-three lawyers, forty professors, fifteen m©n and eleven women missionaries, eight college presidents, four judges, two governors, two premiers and a chief justice for the Province, besides a host of journalists, politicians and business men of note and name. There is inspiration in studying the lives of men and women. It stirs within us a deepening desire to imitate and achieve all that was best in their lives. If this book will help the youth of the land to do this, it will have accomplished the main purpose of the writer. Our fathers have left us a precious heritage and a rare record. We owe them the debt of a grateful remem- brance. "Happy are the people," says John Fiske, "that can look back upon the work of their fathers and in their heart of hearts pronounce it good." June 1, 1914 J. P. MacPhie (iv) TITLES OF CHAPTERS Page I. The Pioneers of Pictou 1 II. The Religious History OF THE County 33 III. PiCTONIANS IN THE PuLPIT 61 IV PiCTONIANS IN THE MeDICAL PROFESSION 105 V. The Bench and the Bar 123 VI. The Story of Pictou Academy 135 VII. Pictou Educationists 149 VIII. PiCTONIANS IN Foreign Fields 177 IX. The Press and Printers of Pictou 191 X. Pictou in Politics 203 XI. Pictou in the Business World 217 (v) "A wise nation preserves its records, decorates the graves of its illustrious dead, repairs the great public structures, and fosters national pride and love of country by perpetual references to the sacrifices and glories of the past." — Joseph Howe. (vi) LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ELM TREE, EAST RIVER Frontispiece MAP OP PICTOU COUNTY opp. Page 4 LANDING OF THE HECTOR 8 HON. D. C. ERASER 24 PIONEER MINISTERS OF PICTOU 34 HON. JAMES D. MCGREGOR 40 GROUP OF DECEASED MINISTERS 54 CHURCHES IN NEW GLASGOW 62 CHURCHES IN PICTOU TOWN 66 PROFESSIONAL MEN OF PICTOU 74 GROUP OF RETIRED MINISTERS 78 REV. WILLIAM ERASER, D. D. 84 GROUP OF CHURCHES 90 MINISTERS OF TODAY 94 MINISTERS OF TODAY 96 PROF. WILLIAM R. GRANT, M. D. 110 THE BENCH AND THE BAR 126 REV. THOS. McCULLOCH, D. D. 136 PICTOU ACADEMY 140 GROUP OF EDUCATIONISTS 144 SIR WILLIAM DAWSON, LL. D. ISO COLLEGE PRESIDENTS 156 FOUR STUDENTS 162 GROUP OF FOREIGN MISSIONARIES 178 GROUP OF FOREIGN MISSIONARIES 186 MISSIONARIES IN THE FOREIGN FIELD 188 GROUP OF MEN IN PUBLIC LIFE 194 MEN IN PROFESSIONAL AND PUBLIC LIFE 204 TOWN OF PICTOU 220 TOWN OF NEW GLASGOW 226 (vii) THE PIONEERS OF PICTOU Our sires — brave hearts that crossed estranging seas, And broke the hush of the primeval wood, Who lit their candles in the soKtude, And met the saffron morn upon their knees — What though their homes were void of luxuries, Learning ne'er begged, nor altars smokeless stood. Nor Cheer nor Friendship lacked the joys their rude, Kind, log-heaped hearths could give, — It is to these I bare my head! They wrought without the aid Invention brings, ere smoke of Industry Hung o'er these lulls and vales; with care they made This place a garden of the mind; and we. Cradled in comfort, now bid Mem'ry hold The fragrance of their lives in jars of gold. Alexander L. Fraser. (viii) THE PIONEERS OF PICTOU Chapter I The "Hope" People THE beginnings of history-making in Pictou were modest; but they were highly promising if there is aught of force in the adage which says that well begun is half done. There was good augury in the very name of the brig "Hope," the first immigrant vessel which dropped anchor in the Harbor. Yet the future importance of Pictou was probably not even dreamed of by those con- nected with the little brig. At that time the enterprise doubtless looked hopeful mainly from a land-speculator's point of view. The "Hope," bearing officers of the Philadelphia Com- pany, so-called, and the families of half a dozen intending settlers, arrived at Pictou from Philadelphia, on June 10, 1767. The Company had obtained a Royal grant of 180,000 acres of land in the district. To this grant were attached the usual stringent settlement conditions. It was in compliance with those conditions that the expedi- tion had been sent out. The families who came by the "Hope," according to Dr. Patterson, were: Dr. John Harris, agent of the Company and his wife; Robert Pat- terson, the Company's surveyor, his wife and five children; James McCabe, his wife and six children; John Rogers, his wife and four children ; Henry Cumminger, his wife and four or five children; and a sixth family of unknown name — ^it may have been Hand. There is on record in the Pictou Registry, a deed to Recompense Hand of land adjoining that originally taken up by John Rogers. Of these pioneers the only name which has remained continuously prominent in the County, is that of Harris. J. Sim. Harris, the High SherifE, is a lineal descendant, in PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD the fourth generation, of Dr. John Harris. He is the fourth Sheriff in succession in that family. None but a Harris has ever been Sheriff of Pictou County. No descendant of Robert Patterson, bearing his name, is now resident within the County, although his blood runs in the veins of a number of well-known Pictou families. A few of McCabe's descendants bearing his name are to be found in the County. John Rogers gave his name to the district since known as Rogers Hill. His descendants are few, the most distinguished of them being Rev. Anderson Rogers of Halifax, late Moderator of the Presbyterian S3niod of the Maritime Provinces. The Cumminger name early disappeared from the County. The courageous little band which came in the "Hope" had to encounter the usual trials and di£&culties of pioneer settlers in a densely wooded country, remote from human neighborhood. But they had plentiful suppHes; were busy making improvements, and were cheered from time to time by the arrival of other families and individuals to join their settlement. Of the early followers of the"Hope" from Philadelphia the most important were Rev. James Lyon, a large shareholder of the Company, and Matthew Harris, an elder brother of Dr. John, who settled on the Davidson farm at West River, above the Saw Mill bridge. Additional settlers came from Truro. Of these the most noteworthy was William Kennedy, who located at the mouth of what has since been known as Saw Mill Brook, where he erected, in 1769, the miU from which the stream took its name. This mill was the first frame building erected in the County. Up to the 1st of January 1770, there had been 67 ar- rivals and four births at Pictou. But 36 had removed or died, and the total poptdation was 84. The first census, then taken, sets forth that the settlement possessed 6 horses, 16 oxen, 16 cows, 16 young cattle, 37 sheep and THE PIONEERS OF PICTOU 10 swine. Dr. Harris is credited with the ownership of a fishing boat and a small vessel, the pioneer of Pictou's subsequent extensive mercantile fleet. The settlers had that year harvested 64 bushels of wheat and 60 of oats. The heads of families were: John Harris, Robert Patter- son, Robert McFadden, Henry Cumminger, James Mc- Cabe, Nathan Smith, Rev. James Lyon, Barnabas Mc- Gee, William Kennedy, Moses Blaisdell, William Aiken, George Oughterson, Thomas Skead, Matthew Harris, Bamett McNutt, James Archibald, Charles McKay and Robert Dickey. The "town" or centre of the settlement, was located opposite Brown's Point, at the mouth of Haliburton Creek, since generally known as the "Town Gut." This most unsuitable site had to be accepted because when the Phila- delphia settlers arrived, Colonel McNutt, that notorious Nova Scotia land-grabber, had secured a grant of all the shore lands from Brown's Point to the mouth of Pictou Harbor, and thence around the coast to Cariboo Harbor. It was not until the escheating of McNutt's grant that the Harbor front was made available for settlement. After that, a village sprang up at Norway House Point. But it was only at a considerably later date that the present Town site began to be occupied. The nearest settlement to Pictou was at the head of Cobequid Bay, near what is now, the town of Truro. It was imperative that a safe means of access to this settle- ment, then known as Cobequid, should be immediately opened up. Accordingly, one of the first cares of the "Hope" settlers was to have a trail laid out between the two places. This path, known as the "Cobequid Road," was in no true sense of the word a road ; but it served most useful purposes. It was free from dangerous obstructions ; was clear-cut and direct, and could be easily traversed on foot or horseback. PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD It seems rather singular that exact knowledge of the location of this most important land route should so soon have perished. Even Dr. Patterson appears to have been able to secure only vague information as to the location of parts of it. But it can be clearly traced through the land Registry office. The Cobequid Road followed the line of the present West River Road from the Town Gut to "Belmont," the Evans farm. Thence it ran along the West River "old road" to a point near Leithead's stone house. Thence it struck across the face of the hill back of Durham, following exactly the south-west line of James D. MacleUan's lands, and came out near the late Robert Patterson's house. Thence, following the same direction, it crossed Auchincaim to the Four Mile Brook Road, a short distance from the house of the late Thomas Rogers, Postmaster. Thence it followed the present Brook Roads to Mount Thorn, over the top of which it passed, and thence down the Salmon River to Cobequid, now Lower Truro. The complete oblivion into which the very exis- tence of this road had fallen, even among the grand-child- ren of the settlers to whom it had been so important, was curiously illustrated some forty years ago when a rusted cannon ball was picked up in the woods at Auchincaim. There was much speculation in the district at the time, as to how this old round shot could possibly have come there. It was not until long afterwards that recovered knowledge of the actual course of the Cobeqiiid Road suggested a partial, but only a partial, explanation of the mystery. By whom or for what purpose such a piece of property as a cannon ball was being transported through the woods between Truro and Pictou, over the Cobequid Road, and how it came to be dropped in such a spot, cannot even be guessed. The Cobequid Road is said to have been laid out by Thomas Archibald and John Otterson of Truro assisted by John Rogers. The "Hope" pioneers with the exception of Rogers' \ny--.- THE PIONEERS OF PICTOU family, and possibly one other family, were all located along the north side of the "West River estuary, from the Town Gut to the "Harbor Head," when the ship "Hector" with her contingent arrived. The Truro settlers had been advised of the coming of the "Hope," and had sent a delegation to meet and wel- come those on board. The delegation consisted of Samuel Archibald, father of the afterwards famous S. G. W. Archi- bald, John Otterson, Thomas Troop and Ephraim Howard. Tradition says that the two last-mentioned bestowed their names as they passed on the outstanding hills still known as Mount Thom and Mount Ephraim. The whole County was densely wooded at that time. On the shores of the Harbor, extending up the river valleys and clothing the hills were magnificent growths of pine, almost every tree a gigantic model of its kind. The grove which covered the present site of the town is said to have been notably fine. To the north, more particularly around the shores of Cariboo, there were splendid stretches of Oakland. The coast-waters and streams were over- flowing with fish, the woods with game. With shelter, fuel and food thus at hand in richest abundance, the original pioneer band and the succeeding parties of settlers can scarcely have suffered the harrowing experiences which later imaginations have conjured up. No doubt they endured certain trials, and privations, like all pioneers. But they were young and vigorous; and their healthy joys must have far more than counterbalanced their troubles. The physical delights of pioneering are too often overlooked in listening to the reminiscences of old men and women regarding their youthful days in the wilds. One thing is certain — the children of the pioneers never ceased to regret the good old times, "the golden age" of their youth, when they and their neighbors' young folk gathered in the evenings, around blazing wood fires in wide, hospitable, log-cabin chimney places, and when PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD social intercourse had a peculiar freedom and charm, which was sadly missed in later and supposedly more happy years, of greater seeming comfort. The "Hope" settlers had completed the political or- ganization of the Pictou district, and their members had been materially increased from other sources before the next large band of immigrants joined them, six years later. These are facts which should be duly kept in mind, be- cause they suggest a very different idea of the relative importance of the two first bands of pioneers than that generally entertained. They also shed valuable light on the real condition of the Pictou settlement when the ship "Hector" arrived in 1773. Effective municipal government had, at that date, been established. The following is a list of its officials in February, 1775: John Harris Clerk of District Robert Meresom John Harris Overseers of Poor James Fulton Moses Blaisdale William Kennedy Surveyors of Lumber William Aiken Constable James Fulton Clerk of Market Abraham Slater Culler of Fish Before the "Hector" arrived, McNutt's grant had been, in 1770, escheated to the Crown. The whole Harbor front and Cariboo shore were thus thrown open to settle- ment. The "Hector" reached Pictou on September IS, 1773. Some forty or more years ago this date was arbi- trarily selected as Pictou's "Natal Day," a selection made for purely temporary purposes, which has been largely responsible for the popular modem belief that the real history of Pictou began with the coming of the "Hector." But the truth is, that September 15 was chosen because THE PIONEERS OF PICTOU Jtme 10, the "Hope" day was past at the time when it became desirable to hold a public picnic for a charitable ptirpose. The "Hector" People Those who reached Pictou by the "Hector," on Septem- ber 15, 1773, nvunbered, according to one statement, 189; according to another, 179. On January 1, 1770, there were 84 in the Pictou settlement. Probably a good many others had arrived in the intervening three years ; so that had the whole "Hector"contingent remained in the County they would scarcely have outnumbered those already in the settlement. But it appears from the list given by Dr. Patterson, which was compiled by William Mackenzie, who tdtimately settled at Loch Broom, and was admittedly the only specially educated member of the party, that of 57 heads of families or single men who came by the "Hec- tor," only 27 remained in Pictou. Thirtj' almost im- mediately left for other parts of the Province. Even of the 27 who fotmd ultimate resting-place in Pictou several at first went elsewhere; and they or their children only returned at later dates, when the settlement had been very materially increased by immigration from various other sources. These facts indicate that the "Hope" set- tlement was far from being submerged or eclipsed by the "Hector" party. It seems unlikely that those from the "Hector" who actually settled in the Coimty numbered as many as the ' ' Hope' ' people whom they found in original possession. Moreover, the "Hector" element was much weakened in influence by two special causes. With the exception of William MacKenzie, Alexander Cameron, George McConneU, Alexander Fraser and John Patterson, not many of its members could speak English at all fluently; and they scattered themselves over the County, while the "Hope" people were compactly settled together on the Harbor front. It was the descendants of the PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD "Hector" people rather than the first-comers of them who made their influence felt in the District. But there were certain marked exceptions to this which will be duly noted. The party had been recruited from many parts of the North of Scotland. Of those who shipped at Glasgow, John Patterson settled at Pictou ; and George McConnell, great-grandfather of the late Robert McConnell, the well- known journalist, at West River. Of those from Invemes- shire, William McKay settled on the East River, near Stellarton along with Roderick McKay, Colin McKay, Donald Cameron and Donald McKay; Hugh Fraser settled at McLeiman's Brook; Donald McDonald at Middle River; Colin Douglas at Middle River; Hugh Fraser at Twelve Mile House, West River; Alexander Fraser, at Middle River; James Grant, settled first in King's County but returned to upper East River; Alex- ander Cameron settled at Loch Broom; Alexander Ross, at Middle River; Colin McKenzie at East River, near New Glasgow; William MacKenzie at Loch Broom; John McLennan at the mouth of McLennan's Brook; WiUiam McLerman, his relative on the east side of West River; above Durham; Alexander Falconer, near Hopewell. Of those from Southerlandshire, Kenneth Fraser, after first settling at Londonderry returned and settled at Middle River, back of Green Hill; Walter Mvirray settled at Merigomish; James McLeod, at Middle River; Hugh Mc- Leod at West River; William Matheson settled first at Londonderry, but rettmied to Rogers Hill. Of those above-named, the following impressed themselves specially on the history of the County: — William McKay, who settled at East River became a Justice of the Peace; and exercised much influence in his day. One of his sons, William, prepared a map of Nova Scotia, which was pubHshed in London and was regarded as authoritative for many years. Another son, Alexander, owned the town site of New Glasgow. 8 THE PIONEERS OF PICTOU Roderick McKay of Beatdy, Invernesshire, also settled at East River. One of his daughters was married to Rev. Dr. McGregor, the pioneer Presbyterian clergyman of the County, and was the grandmother of James D. McGregor the present Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. Another of Roderick McKay's daughters was the mother of the late J. D. B. Fraser, of Pictou, who, besides being promi- nent in business, was a distinguished leader in the early temperance movement. R. P. Fraser, Esq., Collector of Customs at Pictou, is his son. Roderick McKay's son, the late Robert McKay, Esq., was long Keeper of the Rolls of the County. His grandson, John U. Ross, K. C, is Chairman of the Nova Scotia Public Utilities Commission. Alexander Cameron settled at Loch Broom which was so named because of its resemblance, from the Harbor ap- proaches, to Loch Broom in Invernesshire. He was of notable family, being a near relative of Cameron of Lochiel, who figured so prominently at the battle of Culloden, which yoimg Alexander Cameron witnessed as a runaway boy of fifteen. Many distinguished Pictou County names are in his line of descent. Among them, Rev. Alexander Blaikie, D. D., long a leading clergyman of Boston; Thomas Fraser, a Californian Senator, and Alexander Fraser, his brother who constructed the first ship railway across the Isthmus of Panama; the late E. M. Macdonald, M.P., a prominent journalist and at the time of his death Collector of Customs at Halifax; his brother A. C. Mac- donald of Pictou, barrister, at one time Speaker of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly and father of the late C. D. Macdonald, barrister, of Arthur C. Macdonald, a promi- nent Consulting Engineer and capitalist of London, Eng- land, and of Mrs. James Primrose of Pictou; John D. Macdonald, late Treasurer of the County of Pictou and his sons, E. M. Macdonald, K. C, M. P., barrister, at present representing the County in the Dominion Parlia- ment, Rev. Peter M. Macdonald, a leading clergjrman and PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD literary man of Toronto, and John D. Macdonald, editor and proprietor of the Pictou "Advocate"; the late Hon. W. D. R. Cameron, formerly of Durham, Member for Guysborough County of the Legislative Council of Nova Scotia; William Cameron, ex-M. P. P., at present Munici- pal Treasurer of the County, and Mrs. W. E. Maclellan of Halifax. This partial Ust of Alexander Cameron's better-known descendants furnishes striking evidence of the possible value of one good settler to a new country. Alexander Fraser, settled at Middle River. He also was of excellent birth. He was an immediate descendant of the Frasers, Lords Lovat. Along with the noble head of that House he was deeply involved in the "Forty-Five." Two of his brothers were slain at Culloden. His wife was Marion Campbell, youngest daughter of the Laird of Skreigh, Invernesshire, who had raised a troop for Prince CharUe, and was wounded at Culloden. A son of this couple was the first native-born Pictonian. From them descended the Rocklin Frasers, so prominent in the in- dustrial life of the County. John Fraser of Hopewell, is a grandson. His son, Thomas, the "Beachcomber" of the Morning Chronicle and formerly editor of the Halifax "Daily Echo," is at present a leading citizen of Saskatoon. Mrs. J. P. Esdaile of Halifax is Alexander Eraser's great grandaughter. Dr. Patterson states that Fraser was in most "comfortable circiunstances" when he left Scotland. WiUiam MacKenzie idtimately settled at Loch Broom, beside his particular friend and associate, Alexander Cameron, after having spent some years at Liverpool, Nova Scotia, where he married a daughter of one of the pioneer settlers of that place, a lineal descendant of one of the "Pilgrim Fathers," who came to Massachusetts Bay in the "Mayflower," in 1621. William MacKenzie also was of good family. His father was a gentleman of title and a scion of the Seaforth MacKenzie family. Young MacKenzie was a student of eighteen, when he left Scot- 10 THE PIONEERS OP PICTOU land. He engaged himself as schoolmaster to the ' ' Hector' ' party in a spirit of youthful adventure, but pressed also, no doubt, by the necessities of the times. The party broke up at Pictou, and he was never required to exercise his assumed vocation; but he became, which was of much more importance, the historian of the party. It was from his memoranda and diaries that Dr. Patterson obtained most of his definite authentic information concerning the "Hector" party. He had only one son, and nearly all of his grandchildren removed to the United States where, without exception, they prospered in business or industry. Only two of his lineal descendants are now in Nova Scotia — Mrs. W. E. Maclellan of Halifax and Mrs. John Carson of Pictou. He was known in his day as the "Peacemaker." It was he who donated the site of the first church erected in Pictou County, which was situated at Loch Broom, close to the east shore of the West River estuary, on lands lat- terly owned by the late Duncan McCabe. John Patterson, grandfather of the late Rev. Dr. Patter- son, the painstaking and talented historian of the Cotuity, settled near the future town, where he became a prosper- ous business man, a Justice of the Peace and a leading citizen. Several of his descendants, besides the late Dr. Patterson have been prominent as public and business men in Colchester and other counties of the Province. His Honor, Judge Patterson, of the County Court, New Glasgow, is a son of Dr. Patterson and a great grandson of John Patterson of the "Hector". Alexander Falconer, who settled near Hopewell, was the grandfather of the late Rev. Dr. Falconer, a few years ago Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presby- terian Church in Canada, whose two talented and highly distinguished sons are Dr. R. A. Falconer, President of the University of Toronto, and Dr. James W. Falconer, of the Presb5rterian College, Halifax, 11 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD William Matheson who settled at Rogers Hill was the father of the late William Matheson, of Durham, grand- father of the late David Matheson, barrister of Pictou, and great grandfather of E. S. Matheson Town Engineer, Yarmouth. Should it seem surprising to any that so many men of good birth came to Pictou among the pioneers, it is only necessary to point out that the same thing is now happen- ing in the Northwest. Sons of some of the best families in the United Kingdom are at present homesteaders and working farmers on the Canadian prairies. A few years ago the titled head of one of the oldest Baronetcies in Ireland died as a billiard-marker in a Winnipeg Saloon; and he was no scapegrace. He had gone to the West in the hope of restoring the fallen family fortunes, and had accepted the first employment available. It was only after his death that his identity was disclosed, although without proclaiming his title he had not changed his name. Spealdng of the times when Pictou was first settled, in connection with the fact that a noble Lord, a member of the Scottish House of Peers and the representative of one of the oldest families in Scotland was a glover in Edin- burgh, Burke, compiler of "Burke's Peerage" and "Landed Gentry", in his "Vicissitudes of Families" states that a Nobleman, one of whose family afterwards settled in Pictou County, ' 'used to stand for years in the Old Town, Edinburgh, selling gloves to those present ; for, according to the fashion of the time, a new pair was required for every dance. The only occasion in which he was absent from his post was at the ball following the election of a representative Peer, when he appeared in full dress, and joined with those present in the dance. It may be added that sons of the best families in Scotland are often found at trades in these times, arising from the difficulty of being provided for." 12 THE PIONEERS OP PICTOU The great disadvantage under which most of the "Hec- tor" settlers labored was lack of means. The fact that they were able to emigrate at all, at their own charge in those days of "hard times" is proof positive that they were the most prosperous and enterprising of their con- temporaries, and that they were much better off than the average of their countrymen at that time. Scotland was then in a state of extreme financial and industrial depres- sion. With reference to that period the latter half of the eighteenth century — Lord Rosebery, in addressing the annual meeting of the Edinburgh Savings Bank, in 1909, stated that "there was not then more than two or three hundred thousand pounds of current money in aU Scot- land," whereas at the date of his speech there were "over fourteen million pounds of deposits in the two savings Banks of Edinburgh and Glasgow alone." Lord Rosebery said, and his words are well worth pondering by all who would form just conceptions of the character of the "Hec- tor" settlers in Pictou, — "Our great grandfathers — my great grandfather, at any rate — was living at that time. Our great grandfathers did great things in those days on a mess of pottage — they had no more, but with it they helped to mould the Empire. They maintained their poor without legal compulsion. They sought nothing from external help; and they laid, in their nakedness, and barrenness, the foundations of the prosperity which reigns in Scotland at this moment. None of us would care to live as they did. Some of the poorest in our country at present wotdd shrink from the manner of life which was endured by some of the noblest in those days. We should not care to share their privations; but we should not be unwilling to be convinced that we possess their indepen- dence, their self-reliance, their self-respect; and I regard that as the greatest blessing resulting out of thrift — in- dependence of character. Whether Scottish pride arose out of Scottish thrift, or whether Scottish thrift arose out 13 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD of Scottish pride, I really cannot decide; but they are closely intertwined so closely that you cannot perhaps separate them. But, at any rate, the combination pro- duced a character which has governed the country." These are striking facts, vouched for by a very great and reUable man. Dr. Patterson's invaluable history of Pictou County makes it clear beyond dispute that the "Hector" settlers possessed "the thrift" and "the pride" of their country in the highest degree. The subsequent lives of them and their descendants have demonstrated beyond question that they possessed also the "governing character." At the close of 1773, there were thus in Pictou County, two very distinct pioneer strains, almost equal in num- bers — the "Hope" settlers of mixed American, English, South of Scotland and North of Ireland origin, who had been some years in the country, and the "Hector" settlers, of north of Scotland extraction, newly arrived and, for the immediate time being, a charge rather than a help to the struggling settlement, although they contributed so materially to its development and progress in later years. The South of Scotland People A year and a half after the arrival of the "Hector" came the third and last band of those who may properly be called the pioneers of Pictou. These were the south of Scotland people, sometimes erroneously spoken of as the "Dumfries Settlers." Their party was organized to take up lands in Prince Edward Island. They chartered their own vessel; sailed from the port of Annan, in Dumfriesshire, and arrived at Georgetown in the spring of 1773. Although exceptionally well outfitted, they were immediately overtaken by bad luck. A great plague of mice destroyed their first season's crop. The following spring they procured seed from Nova 14 THE PIONEERS OF PICTOU Scotia, and re-planted; but the mice ate the very seed in the ground. That autumn, to crown their misfortunes, supplies which they had brought from Scotland and stored at Georgetown Harbor were plundered by riotous New England sailors and fishermen, who were ashore on a drunken orgie on the eve of sailing for their homes. The settlers were left in dire straits for food; and suffered in- tensely during the succeeding winter. In the following spring, 1775, they removed in a body to Pictou. There were thirteen families and one single man in the party. With one exception they settled permanently in Pictou County. Seven of the party located at West River. These were Anthony MacleUan, WiUiam Clark, David Stewart, William Smith, Joseph Richards, John McLean and Charles Blaikie. Four settled on the Middle River, namely, John Crockett, Robert Marshall, Robert Brydone and John Smith. Two, Thomas Tumbull and Anthony Culton, went to the East River. One, WeUwood Waugh, remained in Pictou for a time, but later removed to Colchester County where he gave his name to Waugh's River. His half brother, Wil- liam Campbell, the bachelor of the party, settled at the Beaches, a mile below the present Town of Pictou. The members of this party added a new and specially valuable element to the primitive Pictou settlement. They came from one of the best agricultural districts in Scotland. They had been closely associated with the land aU their lives. Several of them were sons of land- owners; others had been tenant farmers. They knew how best to deal with the soil, and they had the means to enable them to put their knowledge into practice. They lost no time in getting to work. Most of them prospered from the beginning. This party, more than any of its predecessors, directly and indirectly influenced the future of Pictou. They seem to have been well satisfied with their new home; and at once, by means of letters to those 15 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD whom they had left behind, became the most eflEective of immigration agents. Through their representations their relatives and acquaintances in the South of Scotland were directed to Pictou; and continued coming in increasing numbers, for many years. The original members of the party were mostly from Galloway, that famous, old Principality in the extreme southwest of Scotland, made up of the Shires of Kirkcud- bright and Wigton; but a few of them were from Dum- friesshire and Ayr, or had connections in those counties. A glance at the names of those most prominent in the early commercial, industrial and political life of Pictou wiU show that a large proportion of them were from one or other of the south Scottish counties above mentioned. The monuments in the old Cemetery of Pictou, and the still older Durham Cemetery reveal an overwhelming preponderance of Galloway, Dumfries and Ayrshire names. These south of Scotland settlers imported live-stock, seeds and fruit-trees from the land of their birth. At West River traces of the famous black cattle of Galloway were distinctly discernible not many years ago ; and quite possibly are yet to be found. The sturdy Galloway breed of horses, too, left its mark in the county. But the Gallo- way people made a far deeper and infinitely more valuable impress on the social life of the county. From them, to mention an outstanding name, came Rev. Thomas McCtd- loch, the founder of Pictou Academy, who, although him- self a native of Renfrewshire, was the descendant of one of the oldest and most honorable of the baronial families of Kirkcudbrightshire, with a history dating back almost to the Norman invasion. The names of Thomas, Michael and William McCulloch, so familiar in Pictou history, are distinctly traceable through hundreds of years of the annals of Galloway. John Dawson, another of Pictou's worthy early settlers, who, following the southern pioneers, came 16 THE PIONEERS OF PICTOU to Pictou in 1791, and whose great grandson Mr. Bonar Law is now leader of the Conservative party in Great Britain, was also a Galloway man, a native of the Parish of Irongray in Kirkcudbrightshire. Of the members of the south of Scotland party, Wellwood Waugh, as already stated, did not remain long in Pictou. He was of the Waughs, Lairds of Bambarroch, Kirkcud- brightshire. His father had married a daughter of Dr. Wellwood, of London, hence the name "Wellwood." After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Waugh married a Mr. Campbell, and had a son, William Campbell, who came to Pictou with his half-brother Waugh, and settled at the Beaches. His sons, in.„after years, went to Tata- magouche where they entered into commercial and ship- building enterprises, and became prominently identified with the public life of Colchester County. Mrs. Patter- son and Mrs. John S. Maclean of Halifax are William Campbell's granddaughters, as was also the late Mrs. Howard Primrose, Pictou. Of the two members of this party, Thomas TumbuU, and Anthony Culton, who settled on the East River, there are few descendants bearing their names in the County. Dr. Albert Culton of Cumberland County is a great grand- son of Anthony Culton. Of the four who settled on the Middle River, John Smith early lost his life by drowning. His descendants if any are unknown. John Crockett's descendants are still to be found on the Middle River and a number of them in Upper Stewiacke, Colchester County, to which place one of his sons removed. Most of Robert Marshall's descend- ants bearing his name, have removed to the United States. David Marshall and Robert Brown, merchants of Pictou, are his great grandsons. There are few of the Brydone name now left in the County, but a large number of Robert Brydone 's descendants remain; among them have been two clergymen, three lawyers and four physicians. 17 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Of those who went to the West River, Anthony Maclel- lan settled at Durham where he purchased a large block of land on the west side of the River. In addition, he owned lands purchased from one of the Blaikies on the east-side of the River opposite Durham, which were re- conveyed by his son Anthony Maclellan, junior, to James Blaikie by deed dated February 23, 1800. It was out of this lot that Anthony Maclellan set aside the site of the old West River Church and of the older part of the West River Cemetery in which he was the first man buried, in the year 1786. A Mrs. Gerard was interred there a year earlier. With this exception, Anthony Maclellan's is the oldest marked grave in Pictou County. His eldest son James, was killed in 1793, by falling from a building which was being erected near the Ten Mile bridge. His remaining son, Anthony, succeeded to his property. Of his three daughters, Ann, was married first to William Smith and after his death to Donald McLeod; Catherine, to Joseph Richards, grandfather of the late Rev. John Richards; and Janet to John Collie, whose grandson is Dr. J. R. Collie, of River John and great grandson Dr. J. R. M. Collie of London, England. A somewhat striking incident, in this connection, was the marriage, at the same place and date, of the widowed Mrs. Smith and her daughter to Donald McLeod and his son, who by these marriages became respectively the forefathers of Judge John D. McLeod of Pictou and Rev. John M. McLeod, formerly of Charlottetown, and later of Vancou- ver, B. C. Anthony Maclellan was of the Maclellans of Bombie, Hereditary Sheriffs of Galloway. He was bom in 1720 and was fifty-three years of age when he left Scotland. In the list of his descendants are to be found the names of thirteen clergymen, six barristers, seven physicians, one member of the Dominion Parliament, many successful business men, among them the late John S. Maclean of 18 THE PIONEERS OF PICTOU Halifax, the late Daniel Macdonald, Collector of Customs, Pictou, the late Robert McConnell of the Finance Depart- ment, Ottawa, W. E. MacleUan of Halifax, Post Office In- spector for Nova Scotia, and, last but not least, Robert MacleUan, LL.D., the present honored Principal of Pictou Academy. On the east side of the River, opposite to Anthony Mac- leUan settled Charles Blaikie. His lands were extensive, including at one time or another all those now or lately occupied by his descendants on Green HUl, and aU of the David Matheson farm, opposite Durham, now owned by Mr. Hamblin. Charles Blaikie, too, was in very comfort- able circumstances on his arrival. He was a skiUful farmer, and the farmly have always been prosperous. One of his early descendants was the late Rev. Alexander Blaikie, D.D., long a prominent Clergyman in Boston. Another is Mr. Blaikie of Londonderry, a wealthy retired merchant, at one time a business partner of the late A. W. McLelan, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. Next above Anthony MacleUan, on the west side of the River, settled WUHam Clark on lands aU of which have ever since been continuously held by his descendants. No farmers in the County have been more enterprising and successful than they. Among the descendants of WUUam Clark have been three clergymen of the Presby- terian Church. Next above WUliam Clark settled David Stewart on lands which are now in the possession of his great grand- son, Robert Stewart. The Stewart name has at aU times been synonymous with integrity. Among Robert Stew- art's descendants are the two Drs. CoUie above named. Next above Robert Stewart settled William Smith, where his grandson WUson Smith, now resides. He was descended from a Dumfriesshire land-owning family, members of which had borne titles of honor. He too was possessed of considerable means. A milling industry was 19 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD early established at his place, which proved highly success- ful and was of great benefit to the surrounding country. His son, the late Anthony Smith, father of Wilson Smith and grandfather of James W. Smith of Pictou, head of the Atlantic Milling Company, was long a prominent and active member of the old Court of Sessions for Pictou County. This family too, has contributed most gener- ously to the professional as well as to the business life of the Province. Among William Smith's descendants have been one member of the Dominion Parliament, six clergy- men and three prominent barristers. Next above William Smith settled Joseph Richards, on the lands occupied by his descendants until Robert Rich- ards removed some thirty years ago to Manitoba, where he and his family now reside. A brother of his, Rev. John Richards, a Presbyterian clergyman, was called to Ontario, where he passed his life. Above Joseph Richards settled John Maclean, the far- thest south of the members of this party. He was of Dumfriesshire famUy. Rev. John Maclean of Richibucto, N. B., the father of the late John S. Maclean of Halifax, was his grandson. John Maclean, arriving in July, 1775, was one of the first-chosen elders of the first Presbyterian congregation organized in Pictou County, to which Rev. Dr. McGregor was called to minister in the autumn of 1786. The family have ever since been prominent in Church work. The late Howard Maclean, of Halifax, one of the most promising young barristers in Nova Scotia when his untimely death occurred was a great grandson of John Maclean, as was also the late J. J. Maclean of Hopewell. Mrs. George Arthur Bayne of Winnipeg is a great granddaughter. With such settlers on its banks it is not surprising that the West River should so long have been the ecclesiastical and educational centre of the County. To Durham was early moved the first Presbyterian Church, located origi- 20 THE PIONEERS OF PICTOU nally at Loch Broom. Durham did not receive its present name until the time of the late Lord Durham in Canada. The name was the suggestion of the late William Graham, merchant, and was confirmed at a public meeting held for the purpose. The late Miss Margaret Cameron of Dur- ham distinctly remembered the meeting, and that it was on Mr. Graham's motion that the name Durham was chosen. At the West River church all those settled around the Harbor, including the people of the Town, continued to worship until Rev. Thomas McCulloch arrived in 1803 when a separate congregation was organized in Pictou. In Durham Cemetery most of the pioneer settlers of West Pictou are buried. To Durham, at a later date, the Pres- bjrterian Theological Seminary for Nova Scotia was re- moved, and there established and conducted for a number of years. But Durham, as a village, did not start until 1822. The first lot was sold on March 19, of that year, by Anthony Maclellan, junior, to John Henderson, shoemaker. It was the half-acre lot, at the lower end of the village, on which Waller's blacksmith shop stands. The price paid was 14 pounds, 10 shillings— not a bad price for a begin- ning. But on April 13, 1824, two years later, Henderson bought the adjacent half-acre lot, for which he paid 25 pounds. Henderson must have been prospering, for on June 14, 1826, he bought 30 acres of land in the rear of his first two purchases for which he paid 100 pounds. Dur- ham seems to have been experiencing a "boom" at this time. On May 16, 1830, Alexander MacDonald black- smith, bought an acre lot adjoining Henderson's lots, — price 50 pounds. Two years later, on August 15, 1832, a large lot, in the southern angle of the Rogers Hill road was sold for 125 pounds. The following day it was re- sold to J. R. Ritchie for 175 pounds. From this time on, during a number of years, Durham grew and prospered greatly, owing to the development of 21 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD the timber trade of which it was a large purchasing centre. At one time it had four inns — ^three of them "licensed," and many places of general business. It had mechanical establishments of almost every kind; two churches, and the Presbyterian Seminary. In 1849, Durham Post Office ranked fifth in the Province in revenue collected, being, in this respect, at that time ahead of New Glasgow. The Post Ofiices, with a larger revenue than that of Durham were Halifax, Yarmouth, Truro and Pictou. With the decay of the timber trade Durham fell into rapid decline. But the surrounding country has lost none of its solid and long-established prosperity. The Early Settlers of the East River The East River is well known for the variety and the beauty of its scenery. On its banks are Springville, Bridgeville, and Sunny Brae, villages of abundant peace and plenty. It is well known for its rich deposits of iron and lime; its vales and hills, its towering elms and winding river, but it is stiU more famous for the men and women it has produced; for the district from Churchville to Ker- rowgare, a distance of about fifteen miles, has given thirty- five clergymen to the Presbyterian Church, a Gover- nor, a Chief Justice and a Premier to the Province. What a community produces along educational and religious lines depends not a little upon its antecedents. The early settlers of the East River were a sturdy stock, a sober, stalwart worshipping set of men and women, with iron in their blood, and a burning love in their hearts for the Church and the School. They yoked education and religion together, and the combination produced a fine type of men and moralities. The writer, thirty years ago, taught the Shorter Catechism in the public school at Sunny Brae. As far as can be ascertained the first settler in Church- ville was John Robertson. He emigrated from the High- 22 THE PIONEERS OF PICTOU lands of Scotland and arrived in 1784, in Pictou. He was a brother-in-law of Roderick McKay, who was one of the first settlers on the East River. The first clearing Rob- ertson made in Churchville was where John Robertson, miUer, once resided. John Fraser was among the first settlers of Springville. To distinguish him from others of the same clan he was called Iain Ruaidh, or Red John. He settled about 140 years ago on the place now known as the Holmes Farm, where he built the first frame house in Springville. It is still standing. Later, the property was bought by Senator Holmes and here he always lived and ended his days. The house is low, but comfortable, reminding one of "the lowroofed house of Socrates." Here the Hon. Simon H. Holmes, once Premier of the Province, was bom and bred. John Fraser, Red, had three sons James, Donald and William who settled in the community. One of his daughters married Simon Fraser, Basin: she was the mother of Thomas Fraser, Foreman, and consequently, grandmother of Graham Fraser, the Iron King of New Glasgow. Another daughter, married Mr. Fraser of Mc- Lennans Mountain and was the mother of William Fraser, Postmaster, New Glasgow. James, his eldest son, always called Seumas Iain Ruaidh, was a devout man and weU known for his honesty. He raised a large family, who were all of an intellectual turn. It was James Fraser who gave the name Springville to the place from the many sparkling streams in the vicinity. John Fraser, eldest son of James Fraser, who went always by the name of "Catach" was quite a celebrity in his day. His second son, Donald was the geologist of the East River. His second daughter was mother of James A. Fraser, Editor of the Eastern Chronicle. James Iain Ruaidh and David McLean were near neigh- bors and each had an inexhaustible lime quarry on his farm. In 1836, three thousand bushels of lime were manu- 23 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD factured and sold at the Albion Mines. In the same year twenty-five hundred tons of square timber were rafted down the river by the athletic sons of Sunny Brae — the Chisholms, Kennedys, Thomsons, McDonalds and Mc- Intoshes. David McLean was the father of the Rev. James Maclean D. D., and Dr. Duncan Maclean, both settled for a long time in Shubenacadie, N. S. James Grant, one of the passengers on the Hector settled first in King's Co., N. S. He came from Glen Urquhart, Scotland. He was married and some of his children were born in the old country. He moved from King's Co. to Cariboo, Pictou Co., and lived there for some years. Before coming to this country he gained some knowledge of milling. By this time the Upper Settlement people be- gan to raise considerable quantities of grain, especially wheat, but they had no mill to convert it into flour. So they persuaded James Grant to leave Cariboo and move to the East River. This he did, and settled at Mill- stream in 1790. He erected a mill on a stream issuing from Grant's Lake, on a site some twenty rods further down than the one now occupied by Grant's Mill. This was the first regular gristmill on the East River. James Grant died in February, 1822, age ninety-seven. He is described as a quiet, peaceful man. He lived for some years before his death on a farm subsequently owned by Duncan McPhie. When James Grant died, there were twelve families in MUlstream and Lime Brook: Duncan Grant, James Grant, dyer, Alexander Grant, miller, Robert Grant, elder, John Eraser, James Eraser, David McLean, Donald Eraser, Duncan McPhie, Donald Mor Eraser, David Mcintosh, and Donald Cameron. James Grant had fotu: sons and two or three daughters. One of his sons, Duncan, died in 1847 and was buried at SpringvUle Bridge, and was either the first or one of the first buried there. He once owned the farm on which the Rev. Angus McGillivray lived and died. 24 HON'. D. C. ERASER Lativ Lieutenant Governor of the Province THE PIONEERS OF PICTOU His sons, Alexander and Robert were men of influence and note and had much to do with the making of the life and the growth of the community. They succeeded their father in the milling business and were leaders in the Church and the State. Alexander Grant was married to Nellie McKay. The Rev. Robert Grant, the historian of the East River was their son. James, eldest son of Alexander Grant and NeUie McKay, was known as the Dyer. He owned woolen mills near Springville. His sons Alexander, John Walter, Hugh and Robert succeeded him. Robert Grant was married to Mary, daughter of James Robertson. He had three sons; James, who owned a saw mill at the head of Grant's Lake and was for many years an elder under the Rev. Mr. McGillivray; Alexander Robert, who owned a gristmill on Millstream; and Dr. William R. Grant, a distinguished professor in Pennsyl- vania Medical College. One of his daughters, married John Fraser, Basin. Another was the wife of Colin Robertson, Churchville. In 1784, a settlement of disbanded soldiers was made further up the river. They came to Pictou at the close of the American War. They were, originally, from the Highlands of Scotland. The first who came was James Fraser, Big James, who in company with Donald McKay, elder, settled on the intervale a little below where St. Paul's Church now stands. He and fifteen others took up a tract of over three thousand acres, extending up to Samuel Cameron's on the east side of the river, and to James Fraser's, Cullo- den, on the west side. They were a sober and industrious class of people and endured great hardship. But they endured it with characteristic Scottish tenacity and in the belief that the future had much in store for them. A few years rolled by and they had made homes for their families and laid the foundations for a God-fearing and prosperous community. To ponder over the hazards and hardships 25 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD they faced with such optimistic heroism, is but to admire and pay them a justly earned tribute. The names of these first settlers were: Donald Cam- eron, his brothers Samuel and Finlay, Alexander Cameron, Robert Clark, Peter Grant, first elder in the settlement, James McDonald, Hugh McDonald on the east side of the river. James Fraser, Duncan McDonald, John Mc- Donald, brother of James, John Chisholm, drowned at the Narrows with Finlay Cameron, John McDonald, 2d, John Chisholm, Jr. John McDonald was born at Glen Urquhart and be- longed to the Glencoe McDonalds. At the time of the Glencoe Massacre, 1692, one of the McDonalds fled to Glen Urquhart and settled there. John McDonald was a grandson or great grandson of that man. He was about eight years in the Royal Highland Emigrant Regiment, and three of his sons fought with him in the Revolutionary War on the Loyalists' side. He was married twice. By his first wife he had Duncan, Alexander, Mary and Christy. By his second wife, Margaret Grant, he had James, Ewen, Ann and EUen. Ann was married to Thomas Fraser, Basin. Ellen was married to James Robertson. The well known Deacon Robertson, Church- ville, was their son. Duncan, eldest son of John Mc- Donald, was married to Catherine Fraser. James, their third son, was born about 1759. He was a Corporal in the 84th regiment. He married about 1782, Mary Forbes, by whom he had Alexander, Edward and other sons. He left East River about 1834, and settled in Upper Canada where he died in 1857. He was an elder under Dr. McGregor and a very prominent man on the East River in his day. Alexander McDonald, his fifth son, settled near Bridgeville and was the father of Hon. James Mc- Donald, Chief Justice of Nova Scotia. Edward, second son of James McDonald, had a son John A. McDonald, who left the East River and settled 26 THE PIONEERS OF PICTOU in Ontario. John A. was the father of James A. Mac- donald, LL.D., editor of the Toronto Globe and one of the ablest political writers in Canada. He is a Presbyterian minister and still preaches occasionally. Ontario claims the honor of being his birthplace, but the East River is entitled to some recognition in any reference to his parent- age for both his parents were born there. James Fraser, CuUoden, married Ann Robertson, Churchville, and had John, Catherine, Margaret, Alex- ander and James. Alexander married Catherine Rankine, of Merigomish. The late Rev. James W. Fraser, of Scots- burn, was their son. Alexander Cameron settled on the first lot above CuUo- den. Donald Cameron with his brother Samuel were natives of Glen Urquhart. Donald served eight years in the army. He was settled on the saddle lot. It is said that the price given for it was a saddle. Thomas Fraser, who lived in Springville, purchased it from Donald Cam- eron and settled on it about 1815. He married Janet Fraser, widow of Hector Thompson. He left the lot to Simon and Donald Thompson, sons of his wife by her first husband. Duncan, son of Donald Cameron, was an elder in Dr. McGregor's time. John Campbell, son of James and Elizabeth Campbell was born at Garabeg, Glen Urquhart, July 24, 1790. He entered the army in 1812. He married Janet, daughter of Archibald Fraser, in 1812. He came to Pictou in October 1818. Peter G. was his eldest son. He mar- ried Elizabeth Kennedy, a sister of Donald Kennedy, Sunny Brae. His son, Donald K., is a minister in Illinois. One of his sons is a physician in Illinois. Donald, son of Charles Mcintosh, settled on the lot above Donald McDonald, Roy. He lived there for a few years and then sold to William Ciuin McDonald and removed to Fox Brook. William Ciuin was a teacher but gave it up for other pursuits. In the course of 27 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD time he started a store in New Glasgow. He put up a frame house on his lot, boarded it, but never shingled it. Donald McDonald, Roy, bought a piece of land near New Glasgow from Dr. Skinner. He exchanged it with William Ciuin for the lot in the Upper Settlement and gave it to his son, John McDonald, Roy. John finished the frame house which William Ciuin had begun and lived in it. It is a question who had the honor of living in the first frame house above Springville. It may have been an honor, but what of it ? Were not the men who were born in log houses as strong, as wise and good as the men born in frame houses? David Mcintosh, son of Charles Mcintosh, settled a short distance above his brother, Donald Mcintosh. David was born in Inverness, Scotland, and married Christie Chisholm. James Mcintosh, his son. Island, East River, married Catherine Grant. Two of their sons David C. and Finlay G., entered the ministry. Hugh, another son of David Mcintosh, married Isabel Poison and gave that man of weight and wisdom. Rev. Charles D. Mcintosh to the ministry. Two other sons entered the medical profession. Alexander McDonald, Roy, was a native of Glen Urqu- hart, came to Pictou in 1803, and settled at Sunny Brae. He married Christy Fraser and had four sons and four daughters. Squire McDonald of Springville was his second son. Alexander, his third son, was well known in Sunny Brae for many years. The Rev. Finlay R. Mc- Donald, a minister in Scotland, was the youngest son of Squire McDonald. John Thompson and his son Alexander settled at Sunny Brae in 1801. Alexander married Bella Mcintosh by whom he had John, Andrew, Alexander, William, James, Finlay, Christy, Janet and Mary. John Thompson had a brother Donald who settled at Nine Mile River. Rev. James Thomson of the West River was his grandson. 28 THE PIONEERS OF PICTOU Angus McPhie, in Glen Urquhart married Christy, daughter of John Thompson and had Duncan, Christy, John, Ewen, Alexander, Mary and James. He came to Pictou in the ship Aurora in 1803. Duncan, his eldest son, settled at Springville and was an elder in Rev. Angus McGillivray's day. His son, John McPhie, was one of the old Pictou magistrates. He died in May 1912 in the ninety-sixth year of his age. The first settlers in Sunny Brae were: Robert Mcin- tosh, Donald Kennedy, James Chisholm, John Grant, Duncan McDonald, John Thompson, John McDonald, Peter Cruikshank and John McGregor. They came to Pictou in 1801 and settled in Sunny Brae in 1802. Peter Cruikshank was a native of Strathspey, and came to Pictou in 1789. In 1792 he had two hundred acres of land and a cow. He was married and had Elizabeth, William, John, Alexander, Marjorie and Peter. Robert Mcintosh married Jessie, daughter of John Thompson, and had John, William, Jessie and others. Finlay, his son settled on Blanchard Road. He married Catherine Eraser. John Robert Mcintosh, his son, mar- ried Margaret, daughter of Donald McDonald, black- smith. Their son Finlay H., is pastor in Sydney, C. B. John McGregor was a man of great strength. When they were making the Big Miller's dam, he stood before a log that was rolling down the bank to stop it, but the log went over him and killed him. The Big Miller's dam was buHt about the year 1807. Donald McDonald, Breac, came from Kerrowgare, Scotland, in 1802. He was an intelligent man, and was an elder under Dr. McGregor. In 1811 he had four hundred acres of land, two cows and eight sheep. He had eight children. Finlay settled in Caledonia; Donald, his eldest son, settled in Sherbrooke, and was a tailor. His son, James McDonald, was born in Scotland in 1801. He was a tailor but gave up the tailoring business 29 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD for farming. He married Catherine, daughter of Alex- ander Fraser, Downie. He was ordained to the Eldership by the Rev. D. B. Blair and fully adorned his office. He was succeeded on his farm by his son, the late John A. McDonald, Kerrowgare. James A., his son, is a minister in the United States. Donald Ross, was born in Eddrachillis, in Sutherland- shire. He came- to Nova Scotia in 1816. He lived for one year on Irish Mountain, but removed to Iron Ore, and settled back of Alexander McDonald's place. He lived there twenty-two years. He then purchased the farm of James Mcintosh and occupied it. He had eight children. Jessie was married to Kenneth McKenzie, elder, Church- ville. Jane, who was born at Irish Mountain was married to James Gumming, elder, of Sunny Brae. William, his eldest son married Mary, daughter of William Gumming, and had by her, Donald, William, Peter, Hugh and John who settled in Ontario. Donald, his eldest son, has lived in New Glasgow for many years where he is greatly be- loved. He has been an honored elder in St. Andrew's Church for nearly half a century. Hugh Ross was an elder in the United Church, New Glasgow, and died some years ago. William Ross was an elder in Sunny Brae Church. He was married to Christy, daughter of Robert Grant, Finlay's brother. He had a large famUy, who were all actively identified with the church. Two of his sons, William and Robert D., entered the ministry. John Grant was born in Glen Urquhart and came to Pictou in 1801 and settled at Sunny Brae. He married Margaret Mcintosh, andhadbyher Peter, William, Robert, Catherine, and Finlay. Robert wasthree years old when he came to Pictou. He married Mary McDonald, and had five sons, John, Alexander, Peter, William and Duncan. A son of Duncan Grant, WiUiam M., is a minister in 30 THE PIONEERS OF PICTOU Ontario. "William, who settled in Providence, R. I., married Jessie McDougall, a sister of Roderick McDougall of Westville. One of his sons becarae a physician, another a lawyer, and two daughters are teachers in the Grammar schools. Providence. Marjorie, daughter, of Robert Grant, married Joseph McKay; two of their sons William R. and Robert G., are clergymen. Catherine, a sister of Finlay Grant, married Duncan McPhie, Springville. They had John, Christy, Alexander, Jessie, Margaret, Mary, Angus and Peter. Their youngest son, Peter McPhie, married Isabella Cruikshank. Their two sons, John P. and Duncan A., entered the ministry. Finlay Grant was born in 1800 and was one year old when he came to Pictou. He married in 1827, Ann, daughter of Alexander Fraser, Downie, and had Alexander, a merchant in New Glasgow and elder in the United Chtirch. John, an elder in Sunny Brae church who gave two sons Robert J. and William P., to the ministry; Wil- liam, who entered the ministry, gave two of his sons to the church, Melville and Clarence. The latter died while a catechist. Finlay Grant was ordained to the eldership by the Rev. John Macrae in 1834. He was a clear-headed, well-read and useful man. The descendants of John Grant who came to Sunny Brae in 1801 were numerous and took a leading part in the activities of the Chtirch. Fifteen of them entered the Christian ministry and fourteen were regularly ordained elders in the church. This is perhaps as many or more than was given by any other family in the county. 31 Chapter II THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COUNTY PICTOU County is probably the strongest Presby- terian community in Canada. Presbyterianism was first on the ground, and has continued in possession. So far as known, all who came in the "Hope" and "Hec- tor" were Presbyterians, with the exception of one man on the "Hope" and one family on the "Hector" who were Roman Catholics. The South of Scotland settlers were, without exception, Presbjrterians. The first settled minister. Rev. James McGregor, D.D., was .an ardent Presbyterian, as was also his coadjutor, Rev. D. Ross. These two, with Dr. McCulloch who came later, for over forty years upheld the blue banner of Presbyterianism, and planted the seed out of which grew many of the leading churches, not only in the County but in the Maritime Provinces. The early settlers in Pictou were almost exclusively Scottish. They and their descendants have proved themselves worthy of their nationality. They believed profoundly in the Word of God and in the blessings of education. They were ardent lovers of the Sabbath and the Sanctuary. The great truths and principles of Presby- terianism they brought with them to their new home, where they had much to do with the making and mould- ing of Pictou's religious life and history. No group of Scotsmen could long be content without the ordinances of religion; and hardly had the first ground been cleared and the first seeds planted in Pictou before its pioneers began to ask for the ministrations of their Church. One hundred and fifty years ago, there was not so far as known, a single Presbyterian minister in Nova Scotia. 33 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD One hundred years ago there were but eight or nine, and none at all in any of the other Maritime Provinces. Indeed, there were then only three other Presbyterian ministers in all Canada; Revs. George Henry and Alexan- der Spark of Quebec, and Rev. John Bethune of Montreal, the latter of whom held the first Presbs^erian service in that city, on March 12, 1786. West of Montreal there were at that time no Presbyterian ministers. Ontario was an almost tminhabited wilderness, and the Great North West was unknown. The first minister who labored in Nova Scotia was Rev. James Lyon who was an Ulster Scotsman. He arrived here in 1764 or 1765 and remained about seven years. He was a graduate of Princeton, N. J., and was ordained to the ministry in 1764. He was a member of the Philadelphia Land Company which sent the pio- neer settlers to Pictou in the "Hope"; and in all proba- bility it was arranged that he should be the minister for the new settlement. But it is found that for several years he ministered to the people of Halifax, Onslow and Truro. In 1769, he removed to Pictou with his family, remaining only about two years, after which he went to Maine. The only memorial of his visit to Pictou is that he gave his name to Lyon's Brook. A few years after Mr. Lyon's departure, James David- son, a schoolmaster, established a Sabbath School at Lyon's Brook for the religious instruction of the young. Mr. Davidson came from Scotland to Truro with Rev. Mr. Cock in 1772. Soon afterwards he removed to Pictou with his family; secured a lot at Lyon's Brook, and made his home there. On week days he taught the children reading, writing and arithmetic ; on the Sabbath he gathered them together in his house to teach them the Shorter Catechism and the Word of God. It is said that his was the first Sabbath School in the County, and probably in the Province. If this is true, 34 PIOXEER MIXISTERS OF PICTOU 1 John Maclran S Robert S. Patterson- 2 David Roy, D.D. 6 Angus McCillivray 3 Alexander McGiLLiN'RAY, D.D. 7 Duncan Ross 4 Alexander Slitherland 8 George Walker Donald A, Eraser 1(1 John L. NkiRDocii 11 John Stewart, D.D THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OP THE COUNTY then to an old-time school master belongs the honor of originating the Sabbath School idea, and Mr. Davidson was the first in line of a noble band of teachers, to whom, the county of Pictou owes much of its fame. This was many years before Robert Raikes began his world-wide Sabbath School movement. Mr. Davidson retiu-ned in 1776, to Truro, where he ended his days. In April, 1818, a Sabbath School was organized in Prince St. Chtirch, Pictou. Its promoters were Robert Dawson and John Geddie. Rev. Thomas McCulloch was pastor when the school started. It began with about eighty scholars. Ten years later the school had increased to 260. The first superintendents were Robert and James Dawson. The first teachers were John Geddie, F. Ross, DaArid Fraser and R. S. Patterson. In 1823 a Sabbath School Society was formed for the purpose of organizing schools in the outlying districts. In four years the number had increased to 75, chiefly through the agency of this society. The first Sabbath School in New Glasgow was organized about 1838, in St. Andrew's Church, by Rev. John Stewart who was then pastor. He taught the Bible Class, which was held in the church during the summer months, and in the winter months in the manse. Among the first teachers were John McKay, Alexander McKay, Dr. Forrest and the wife of Rev. John Stewart. From the time of the arrival of the "Hope" and "Hec- tor" the colony increased in numbers and influence. A steady stream of immigrants continued to pour into the county till, in 1786, the total population was about flve hundred. These were settled principally along the three rivers, East, Middle and West with a few families scattered around the shore, from Pictou to Merigomish. Rev. Mr. Cock of Trviro frequently visited the people and preached to them. Indeed, many considered him their minister, and traveled thirty mUes on foot to Truro to 35 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD observe the Lord's Supper — sometimes carr5ring their children there for baptism. But the time had come for them to have a minister of their own. Accordingly, a committee was appointed, consisting of Robert and John Patterson of Pictou, William Smith of the West River, Robert Marshall, Middle River, and Donald McKay of East River, to secure a minister. They agreed to pay eighty pounds for the first and second years. The call was sent to Scotland. It came before the General Associate Synod of Scotland at its meeting on May 3, 1786, when it was accepted by Rev. James McGregor who accordingly sailed for Halifax, from Green- ock, in the brig Lily, on the fourth day of June, 1786. Dr. McGregor was bom in Perthshire, Scotland in 1759. He arrived in Nova Scotia in July 11, 1786, when he was 27 years of age. He had had some experience in ministerial work in Scotland. He was a good scholar and a sound theologian. His knowledge of Gaelic was ac- curate and his mastery of the language complete, as may be seen from his "Gaelic Poems and Hymns," which are still in demand among Highlanders. He landed in Halifax, after a voyage of 37 days, and at once proceeded to Pictou, where he arrived on Saturday, the twenty-first day of July, 1786. His welcome was cordial. His first sermon was preached in Squire Patter- son's barn about a mile west of the present town. He preached in English in the forenoon from the text, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners", and in Gaelic in the afternoon on "The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." The second Sabbath after his arrival, July 30th, he preached at the East River, a little below what was after- wards Albion Mines. The third Sabbath's preaching took place at the lower end of the Middle River, at what was then Alexander Eraser's homestead. It was at this 36 THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OP THE COUNTY time he first met Robert Marshall, who was afterwards his life-long friend and helper. Early in October he visited the upper settlement of the East River. His first sermon in that section was preached at James McDonald's inter- vale, (now Cameron's) under the shade of a large elm tree, which forms the frontispiece of this book. The tree is still standing and flourishing vigorously. Occa- sionally, he preached at Mr. Charles Mcintosh's, about six miles farther up the River in a grove of trees, and at West Branch at Mr. Donald Chisholm's or at James Cameron's. Late in the Autumn, he paid his first visit to Merigomish, where for thirty years he continued at intervals to give supply. During the summer he preached in the open air, then during the winter, in private dwelUngs. For nine years, Dr. McGregor was the sole minister in Pictou County, preaching, visiting, traveling on snowshoes in winter, and in summer literally paddling his own canoe. His congregation was widely scattered, and his mission field extensive. Among the settlers who came to Pictou in 1783, were three Erasers, who all settled on the East River. Their names were; Thomas, Simon and Alexander Eraser. They are noteworthy because they were the first elders chosen to that office. Having been previously ordained as elders before leaving Scotland, they were elected by the people, and these three men, with Dr. McGregor, as Moderator, formed the first session in Pictou, Sept. 17, 1786, thus completing the organization of the congrega- tion which at that time comprised the whole county. The next year the session was increased by the addi- tion of Donald McKay and Peter Grant of the East River. Robert Marshall and Kenneth Eraser of the Middle River, John McLean and Hugh Eraser of the West River and John Patterson of the Harbor. They were ordained on May 6, 1787. 37 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD During the summer, the people built two log churches, the first in the county. The one was situated near the site of the old DufE Cemetery, a short distance above New Glasgow; the other on the Loch Broom side of the West River, beside a brook, on land, owned at that time, by William MacKenzie, who gave the site. Dr. McGregor describes the building of these churches. During the month of July 1787, the men were chiefly engaged in building the two meeting houses. Instead of having contractors, to build them, they agreed to divide the work among themselves. One party cut the logs and hauled them to the site; another hewed and laid them; another provided the shingles; those who had knowledge of carpentering made the doors and the windows; the glass and nails were bought. Moss was stuffed between the logs to keep out the wind and rain. The churches at first had no piilpits, and, when they were provided at a later date, they were not of mahogany, but of the white pine of Pictou. The buildings were some thirty-five or forty feet long, by twenty-five to thirty feet wide. The only seats in them were logs of wood with the upper side hewed. It is unnecessary to state that they were without cushions. There was a gallery, or rather, an upper story, with a floor seated with logs and slabs to which the young went up by ladders. Such were the first two churches of Pictou. They had no modern improvements. Even the luxury of a fire in winter was unknown. There were no carriages and no roads at that date Our dear mothers in Israel walked to church, or went by boat or horseback, in bonnet and shawl and gingham dress. The music was far from pre- tentious. The preacher and his sermon would now be considered antiquated. But the writer of this volume is old fashioned enough to think that no sweeter praise and prayers ever ascended to God than these devout pioneers offered in glen and glade and primitive building. 38 THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COUNTY With all our knowledge and progress, we have not got beyond them in essentials. In 1803, the old log chiirch near New Glasgow was replaced by a frame-building at Irishtown, (now called Plymouth). Here Dr. McGregor built a house made of brick, the first of its kind in the Eastern part of the Province. He employed a man from the old country to make the brick. Here he lived till near the close of his life. The fact that Dr. McGregor received no salary until he had been over a year at work did not pre- vent him from doing his whole duty as a minister. His salary was to be eighty pounds for the first two years, ninety for the third and foiarth and one hundred pounds cuixency per year thereafter, which was a very generous allowance for that time, more particvdarly in a new and struggling settlement. The salary at first was raised by an assessment on lands and cattle. With certain changes this was continued till 1815, when the method of obtain- ing the salary was changed to voluntary subscription. On the 27th day of July, 1788, the first Sacrament was held at Middle River, in the open air. It was dispensed on a beautiful green plot, on the left bank of the river, sheltered by a lofty wood. Here one hundred and thirty sat down in Nature's great cathedral, for the first time in this new land, to own a Saviour's djdng love. There the sacred Supper was dispensed annually till 1795. At the first communion thirty-eight new communicants joined. Each year there were a few additions till, in 1793, the num- ber had reached two hundred and forty. At the same time five hundred persons were under training with a view to becoming communicants. In 1793 a census of the County was taken. In 1769, there had been 18 families and a total population of 120. In 1786, there were 90 families and about 500 people. In 1793, there were 178 families, a gain of one hundred per cent in seven years. 39 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD For nine years Dr. McGregor labored alone. At the end of that time two young ministers arrived from Scot- land, Revs. Duncan Ross and John Brown. They reached Pictou in the summer of 1795, and remained there for a little time to rest. Meantime the sacrament of the Supper was dispensed at Middle River. Messrs. Ross and Brown assisted in preaching and serving the tables. The next step was for those three to organize a Presby- tery. Accordingly, at the close of the sacrament, on Monday, July 7, 1795, Messrs. McGregor, Ross and Brown held a meeting in Robert Marshall's barn, and formed themselves into "The Associate Presbytery of Nova Scotia." On this occasion Dr. McGregor preached on Neh. 2:20, "The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build." The meet- ings of Presbytery were occasions of rich enjoyment. Business was apparently a secondary matter, at all events, for five years, they kept no minutes of their pro- ceedings. But their meetings were scenes of hearty Christian fellowship and conference about the trials or successes of their work; intelligence from friends in the dear homeland, the new movement in Missions, the meaning of some particular text, or sometimes an hour of harmless mirth and merriment, these engaged their attention and made their meetings times of fraternal en- joyment. Dr. McGregor and Mr. Ross were associate ministers for the county till July 14, 1801, when a division was made. Thereafter West and Middle Rivers formed one congregation, with Mr. Ross as minister. East River, another, with Dr. McGregor in charge; and the Harbor a third, to be supplied by these two till another minister could be secured. In Nov. 1803, Rev. Dr. Thos. McCuUoch, with his wife and three children, arrived at Pictou from Scotland. His coming was a great event in the ecclesiastical and 40 Hox. JAMES D. McGregor Lrr.i'TicxAXT Gio\'fr\'i)r ur i hk Pri)\'ixce THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COUNTY educational history of the County, as well as in that of the Province. He had been assigned to Prince Edward Island, but owing to the lateness of the season, he was unable to secure passage. He was engaged to supply the Harbor congregation till spring. Before winter was over, the people gave him a call, and he was inducted as their minister, June 6, 1804. The town of Pictou, at this time, consisted of something over a dozen houses, a few bams, a blacksmith shop and the Court House. There was no church, and the people met in private dwellings and other places. Until that time the people of the Harbor had worshipped in the log church at Loch Broom, but they now set about the erection of a church of their own, and a frame building was built on the lot at present occupied by Prince St. Chtirch. That building served the congregation till 1848, when the existing church was erected. Dr. McCulloch resigned in 1824 to give his whole time to educational work. He was succeeded by Rev. John McKinlay who continued in charge till his death, 1850. He in turn was succeeded by Rev. James Bayne, D.D. Mr. McKinlay was a native of Scotland, and came to this country in 1817. For several years he was a teacher in Pictou Academy before he became pastor of the Harbor church. River John was organized into a congregation in 1808, with Rev. John Mitchell as its first settled minister. There were about fifty families at this time in the com- munity. Mr. Mitchell, who came from England, was in early life a rope-maker, but being anxious to preach the Gospel, he prepared himself for the work when about thirty years of age. He made several missionary tours in Canada before setthng in River John. Though originally a Congrega- tionalist, he united with the Presbytery of Pictou. His labors extended over a district now served by five or six ministers. Here he labored with great diligence and 41 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD faithfulness, giving special attention to the training of the young and the superintendence of prayer meetings. He died in 1841, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. He is described as a man of great cheerfulness. Rev. William Patrick was the first minister at Meri- gomish, and the fifth in the county. He came to Meri- gomish in 1815 and was inducted pastor. In early life he was brought up in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, but connected himself with the Anti-Burgher Church. Mr. Patrick labored with great fidelity, preaching on week days as well as Sabbaths, and faithfully attending to family visitation, prayer services and catechising. On May 7, 1844, the Rev. A. P. Miller was ordained as his colleague. On the 25th of Nov., 1844, he died, greatly beloved by his people, aged 73 years. An event of much importance to the Presbyterian Church took place on the third of May, 1817, when a union between the Burgher and Anti-Biu-gher Churches was consummated. The united body assumed the name of The Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia, and a Synod was formed and divided into three Presbyteries. Rev. James McGregor was chosen as first Moderator. Of the nineteen ministers of the Synod of Nova Scotia, fourteen had been connected with the Anti-Burgher Church, three with the Church of Scotland and two were Congregationalists. This union was productive of much good. The hearts of ministers and people were greatly encouraged. Now they were one body, ready to estab- lish and build up the Kingdom. Hitherto the Church had been dependent upon Scotland for its ministers; but it had long been evident that they must look elsewhere for their supply. Accordingly, in 1820, the Synod established a Theological Hall in Pictou for the training and education of a native ministry. Pictou claims the honor of being the birthplace of the first Presbyterian Theological School in Canada. The 42 THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COUNTY moving spirit in the enterprise was the Rev. Thomas McCuUoch, D. D., an enthusiastic educationist and a man of wonderful foresight. As early as 1805, two years after his arrival from Scotland, we find him planning a school for the education of young men which resulted in 1816 in the establishment of Pictou Academy, where several young men who had the ministry in view were prepared for entering upon a theological course. In the autumn of 1820 the Divinity HaU was opened with Dr. McCulloch as the first Professor of Theology. The classes were taught in one of the rooms at Pictou Academy. Twelve students entered upon the study of theology the first term. The young men supported themselves by teaching and met the professor at inter- vals of a fortnight to receive instruction in their theo- logical studies. In 1824, the first fridts of the church's educational efforts were realized in the licensing, ordain- ing and settlement of six of the students. These were Messrs. R. S. Patterson, John L. Murdoch, John McLean, Angus McGillivray, Hugh Ross and Hugh Dunbar. The first four were licensed on June 8, 1824 by the Presby- tery of Pictou. Three of these, Messrs. Patterson, Murdoch and McLean before accepting calls, proceeded to Scotland, where after passing a creditable examination they received the degree of Master of Arts from the University of Glasgow. One of the first of the graduates to be settled was Angus McGillivray. He became the worthy successor of Dr. McGregor in the Upper Settlement of the East River. He was inducted Sept. 1, 1824. For the long period of 40 years he continued to labor, amidst great discourage- ments, but with great fidelity. In 1864 he tendered his resignation and on the 20th of Jtily, 1869 he died in the 77th year of his age and the 4Sth of his ministry. His congregation included both the East and West Branch, a district now supporting five Presbyterian ministers. The 43 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD first meeting house on the East River was at Grant's Lake, on the farm now occupied by Joseph H. Grant. It was a log house, built in 1790, and served the East and West Branches. Having visited London and Edinburgh, Messrs. McLean, Murdoch and Patterson returned to Nova Scotia reach- ing Pictou after a passage of forty five days. They were soon settled in pastoral charges. Mr. McLean was or- dained in 1825 and in 1826 accepted a call to Richibucto, N . B . In a short time he was compelled to resign his charge on account of ill health. For two years he conducted a private academy in Halifax with success. He died in 1837, in the 37th year of age. During his brief ministry he was distinguished as an able preacher, and a zealous missionary; he took a deep interest in Sunday school work and was one of the first advocates of the cause of temperance. Mr. Mvirdoch was settled at Windsor and died there in 1873, in the 74th year of his age. His congregation extended all over western Hants and for nearly fifty years he preached there with ability and success. He was greatly beloved by his people and was the spiritual father of many children. He was a valuable member of the courts of the church. One of the ecclesiastical meas- ures which he brought before the Synod in 1840 was, that this Synod do form itself into a society to be called "The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in the Lower Provinces." Dr. Keir and Mr. Murdoch drafted the rules which were adopted. The successor of that domestic Missionary Society is the Board of Home Missions of the church of today of which Mr. Murdoch was a member as long as he lived. Bedeque, in Prince Edward Island was the scene of Mr. Patterson's ministry. At the time of his settlement in 1825 it is said there was not a wagon in the parish or a mile of road in which to run one. The country was al- most an unbroken forest. The congregation at first was 44 THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COUNTY small and during the greater part of his ministry he did not receive more than $300 per year and only half in money. He labored without interruption till a few years before his death in 1882, having been 56 years and a half in the ministry. Mr. Patterson was a distinguished student and a true friend of popular education. His zeal for missions is well known and second only in fervor to Dr. Geddie's. In 1827 Mr. Ross accepted a call to Tatamagouche and New Annan. Here he continued until 1840 when he accepted a charge in Prince Edward Island, where he died suddenly in 1858. Mr. Dunbar was an English and Gaelic preacher. He settled at Cavendish, Prince Edward Island in 1827. Resigning in 1840 he engaged in teaching but also preached regularly where he resided. He died in 1857. These six men have this prominence and honor in common that they were the pioneer native ministers of British North America, at all events of the Presbyterian Church. From this time forward the Church made rapid growth and progress. Congregations were formed, and suitable pastors settled over them. Home missions were established to aid the weaker churches. It was a time of strengthen- ing and enlargement. On April 16, 1813, over a hundred years ago, a Bible Society was organized at Durham, N. S., the first in the County and the second in the Province, that in Truro being first. The first contribution received for the Bible Society, London, from any place outside of England, came from Pictou County. Money was a rare commodity in those days, but, in 1807, two hundred and fifty-six dollars, and, in 1808, three hundred and twenty doUars were collected in the county and sent to the London Society. In 1825, the Society was reorganized, with head- quarters in Pictou. In 1840 the New Glasgow district was organized into a branch of its own. 45 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD For forty-four years Dr. McGregor labored in the County. He died on the third day of March, 1830. He had lived to see the congregation of which he was origi- nally the sole Pastor grow and develop into six congrega- tions with settled pastors, a Presbytery and a Synod organized to conduct the business of the church, an Academy and Seminary founded to educate and train ministers, and the cause of Presbyterianism firmly estab- lished in the Maritime Provinces. Dr. McGregor was twice married, first to Ann, daughter of Roderick McKay, by whom he had James, Christina (Mrs. Abram Patterson, Pictou), Roderick, Jessie (Mrs. Charles Fraser, Green Hill), Sarah (Mrs.GeorgeMcKenzie, New Glasgow), and Robert. In 1812 he married Mrs. Gordon, widow of Rev. Peter Gordon, by whom he had Mary (Mrs. (Rev.) John Cameron, Nine Mile River), Annabel (Mrs. (Rev.) John Campbell), Sherbrooke, and Peter Gordon. His successor in the New Glasgow congregation was Rev. David Roy, who was inducted, April 13, 1831. Four years after Dr. McGregor's death, Mr. Ross died, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. For thirty nine years he wrought with great faithfulness and diligence. Besides pulpit and pastoral duties, he gave considerable time to public affairs. He took a deep interest in educa- tion, being a trustee of Pictou Academy from its beginning, till his death. He was a pioneer in the organization of temperance work. The idea of a total abstinence Society originated at the West River, and the honor of forming the first Society on this basis in Nova Scotia, and the second in Canada, belongs to its founders. It was or- ganized in January 1828, and Rev. Duncan Ross, George McDonald and Donald McLeod were the prime movers. Mr. Ross' last public act was assisting at a Communion service in Pictou, town, and taking a leading part in the ordination of Alexander McKenzie, a young student 46 THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OP THE COUNTY from the Seminary. He married Miss Elizabeth Creelman of Stewiacke, and had a family of fifteen children. Two of the sons were Rev. James Ross, D.D., afterwards Principal of Dalhousie College, who succeeded him, and Rev. E. Ross of Truro. A daughter who was married to Mr. MUler, Rogers Hill, gave three sons to the ministry, and another married to Mr. Crockett, gave two sons. We now come to the story of the Kirk in the County of Pictou. For many years, a large number of the immi- grants, chiefly from the Highlands of Scotland, who had settled in Pictou, belonged to the Church of Scotland or the Kirk. They naturally had great affection for the church of their fathers, but continued to attend the Anti- Burgher Church, which was the only Presbyterian Church within their reach. From time to time, many of them were appointed elders and office bearers in Dr. McGregor's and Mr. Ross' congregations. A spirit of harmony and co- operation prevailed. But, alas! a root of bitterness sprung up. Upon this unfortunate story it would be vain to dwell. At that time Rev. Donald Allan Fraser came .from Scot- land and landed at Pictou in 1817. Sometime after- wards a large number of the Kirk people withdrew from the connection altogether, and formed themselves into the Church of Scotland in Nova Scotia with Rev. Mr. Fraser as their leader. Mr. Fraser was a man eminently qualified to gain the hearts and affections of the High- landers — young and handsome, an accomplished scholar and a powerful Gaelic preacher. The first congregation organized was at McLennan's Brook. There were about forty families settled there at that time, all Highlanders. They extended to him a call which he accepted. They erected a frame church capable of seating about five hundred persons. This was the first church in the County erected in connection with the Church of Scot- land. Beside it, they built a log house for himself and his wife. 47 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Next year a church was built at Eraser's mountaia about six miles from McLennan's Brook and two miles from New Glasgow. There were some twenty-five families connected with it, and it became in course of time, the nucleus from which St. Andrew's Church, New Glasgow was formed. Here Mr. Fraser continued to labor with great acceptance and success until 1837, when, to the regret of his congregation, he removed to Lunenburg. Thence he went to St. Johns, Newfoundland, and founded St. Andrew's Chtirch. He died, Feb. 7, 1845, greatly honored as a preacher and as a man. He was the first Presbyterian minister settled in Newfoundland. His son, late Hon. J. 0. Fraser, St. Johns, Nfd., spent his early manhood at McLennan's Brook. The next Kirk congregation organized was St. Andrew's Church in the town of Pictou. It first met for worship, in the old Court House, in 1822. In 1823, a wooden building was erected. Their first minister was Rev. K. J. McKenzie, a native of Stomoway, Scotland, who came to Pictou in 1824. He was a man of fine ability and a good preacher in Gaelic and English. His labors were chiefly confined to the Town where he took a prominent part in the educational and political questions of the day. He died in 1838, in the 39th year of his age. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Williamson. In 1849, Rev. Andrew Herdman became pastor and ministered for thirty years. In 1866, a brick and stone building was erected. It was burnt in 1893, but rebuilt shortly afterwards. The next organization after Pictou town was West Branch and East River formed into one congregation. The two districts were nearly equally divided in the num- ber of families, between the Elirk and the Anti-Burghers. For many years Dr. McGregor supplied the one section, and Mr. Fraser the other. Rev. Angus McGillivray succeeded Dr. McGregor in 1824. The Kirk people were without a settled minister 48 THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OP THE COUNTY until 1832 when Rev. John Macrae came from Inver- ness, Scotland to be their pastor. Both parties now had regular services, but there was only one church in each district occupied by Kirk and Anti-Burghers on alternate Sabbaths. In 1815 framed buildings were erected at St. Paul's, East River, on the hill above the present church, and at the West Branch, on a hill near Cameron's Brook, not far from St. Columba's Church. Mr. Macrae entered upon his work with great zeal and continued to labor most acceptably to the people for 16 years, when he re- turned to Scotland. In the Western part of the County, a congregation was organized at Gairloch and Saltsprings. These two dis- tricts contained about four hundred families, nearly all from the Highlands of Scotland. There first minister was Rev. Hugh McLeod who settled there in 1822. He was succeeded by Rev. Donald Mcintosh who remained until the disruption. Rogers Hill, now Scotsburn, was formed into a congre- gation about the same time as Gairloch and Saltsprings. The community was settled by Highlanders from Suther- landshire, who nearly all belonged to the Kirk. The first church (St John's) was built in 1823, and is the oldest church building in the County. Rev. Roderick Macaulay was the first minister. In a few years he went to Prince Edward Island, where he entered into politics and be- came speaker of House of Assembly. The next minister was the Rev. Donald McConnichie. He was a powerfid Gaelic preacher, and the Highlanders considered him very eloquent in the first and best of all tongues. He left for Scotland in 1844. In 1827 Barney's River was organized into a congrega- tion, with Rev. Donald McKichan as its first minister. He was a man of some ability and a faithful pastor. After a few years he removed to Cape Breton. At a later date he returned to his first charge, and remained there 49 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD till 1844. The people of Barney's River were nearly all Kirk men. For ten years the people were dependent on Home Mission supply part of which was given by Rev. Dr. McGillivray of McLennan's Mountain. The next pastor of the Kirk congregation was Rev. James Mair, in 1857. The Kirk grew and prospered. The grain of mustard seed had grown into a stately tree. During the period of twenty-six years, the Kirk had become strong and in- fluential. Then, suddenly, her progress was arrested by an unfortunate division. During all those years, a memorable conflict had been going on in the Kirk, in the Old Land, which resulted in the disruption of 1843 and the formation of the Free Church of Scotland, led by Rev. Dr. Chalmers. The ecclesiastical disturbance took a year to cross the sea, but it arrived in due time, and the Free Church in Nova Scotia was formed. It was a time of excitement and confu- sion. Old-time ties were severed; venerable associations were broken up. There were painful misgivings and divi- sions and hard feelings were engendered. But it is not necessary to dwell on this unhappy story. It is a thing of the past; there let it rest. That year, seven of the Kirk ministers in Pictou returned to Scotland to fill pulpits made vacant by Free Church ministers. A majority of ■ the people remained in the Kirk but they were, for most part, as sheep without a shepherd. Rev. John Stewart, New Glasgow, was of the first to join the Free Church movement. He became pastor of St. Andrew's Church immediately after Mr. Fraser's resignation, in 1837. In 1819 a frame church was built at Fraser's Mountain. It was originally a part of McLennan's Mountain congregation, but was separated in 1830, when the church was moved down to New Glasgow and placed on a site near the present St. Andrew's Church. This was the first church building in New Glasgow. 50 THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OP THE COUNTY When Mr. Stewart left the Kirk, about one hundred and forty-five families, and all the elders, save one, went with him, and they formed Knox Church, of which he became pastor. Mr. Stewart was born in Scotland, in 1800, and came to Nova Scotia in 1833. He was a man of fine natural gifts, enriched by a superior education. He spent himself most lavishly in the best interests of the Church and education. He rendered valuable service in establishing the Free Church College in Halifax and was highly successful in raising funds for it, and in encouraging young men to enter the ministry. He died, May 4, 1880, having completed his four score years in April. In 1844, a delegation from the Free Church in the Old Country visited the Maritime Provinces. At that time, about one third of the people of the Kirk at Scotsbum joined the Free Church. They worshipped in St. John's Church until 1862, when Bethel Church was built. Rev. Alexander Sutherland became their pastor. He was a stirring and energetic preacher. In 1859 he became a nainister of the Scotsburn and Saltsprings Churches, and in both charges gave full and fruitful proof of his ministry. He died in Nebraska, in 1897, in the 80th year of his age. Knox Church, Pictou, was organized in Jan. 1846, by a handful of mechanics and farmers whose sympathies were with the Free Church of Scotland. The church build- ing was erected in 1848. The first minister inducted was Rev. Mtirdoch Sutherland. He was called, because of his biiming zeal and piety, "the Robert Murray McCheyne of Nova Scotia." On account of ill health he resigned his charge in 1857, and returned to Scotland where he died. The next pastor was Rev. Alexander Ross who was inducted in 1850, and served the people for nineteen years. The people of Blue Mountain and Garden of Eden with Barney's River joined the movement in 1848, and 51 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD had for their leader the Rev. D. B. Blair, a rare and re- markable man who was, in his day, the best Gaelic scholar in America. In 1852, Mr. Blair and his people set about erecting a church which was formally opened for service, before a board had been nailed on its walls, because the congregation had no other place in which to worship. In three years it was completed, without debt. For forty years Mr. Blair served this congrega- tion and other sections adjoining with great ability and devotion. For ten years the Kirk in Pictou County struggled on without pastors. Rev. Alexander McGillivray, D.D., the only Kirk minister who did not return to Scotland after the disruption, wrought manfully and faithfully to repair the breach and to build up the church on the old foundations. Dr. McGillivray came to Nova Scotia, from Inver- ness, Scotland, in 1833. For five years he labored at Barney's River and Merigomish. He succeeded Mr. Fraser, in 1838, and continued there to discharge the duties of a minister with a devotion and earnestness rarely equaled, until his death, in 1862. He spread his labors over hundreds of miles of territory, to strengthen and encourage the pastorless churches. It was said of him, that he often tired out his horses, but the indefatigable Dr. McGillivray never tired. In 1848, the Synod opened a seminary at the West River of Pictou. Professor Ross who was pastor at the West River, had charge of the literary and classical depart- ments and Professors Keir and Smith the Divinity Hall. The classes met in the Temperance Hall in an ill venti- lated room above the little country schoolhouse not more pretentious than the log cabin that gave birth to the renowned Princeton Seminary. Each of the students acted stoker in turn, and not only kindled the fire, but also swept the floor. Sometimes the little upper room 52 THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COUNTY looked tidy and sometimes it did not. The old Tem- perance Inn where the students boarded is still standing. In 1853 five men graduated, James McGregor McKay, James Thomson, Henry Crawford, John M. Macleod and James Maclean. They were the first graduates who received all their collegiate education at the West River. They all settled in country congregations, were successful ministers, and all lived to participate in their ministerial Jubilee celebration. Revs. Mr. McKay and Mr. Thomson died at the ripe old age of ninety three years. Mr. Craw- ford died after he passed four score years, and Mr. Macleod lived hale and hearty until he was eighty seven. Mr. Maclean, died in 1914, in his eighty eighth year and the sixtieth year of his ministry. The West River Seminary gave a great impetus to the life and work of the Presbyterian church both at home and abroad. In 1858 the Seminary and Theological Hall with its professors and students were transferred to Truro, Nova Scotia. The Synod of the Free Church of Nova Scotia, realizing their need of a native ministry, also opened a coUege in Halifax in 1848. It continued over a period of nearly thirty years. In 1860 the Theological department of the College at Truro was removed to Halifax, and united with the Free Church College. In 1878, the Synod purchased the property at Pine Hill and the Theological Hall was transferred there where it has since remained. As in the olden times the Ark of the Covenant moved from place to place till David, in the days of Israel's national unity and prosperity, found a perma- nent resting place for it on Mount Zion, "beautiful for situation," so the Divinity Hall moved from place to place tiU the church in her unity and prosperity provided a beautiful and, we trust, a permanent home for it in Pine Hill. The present Principal and Professor of Theology is Rev. Clarence Mackinnon, D. D., a native of Pictou Covmty. 53 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD The Presbyterian College, Halifax, is the child of the several branches of the Presbyterian Church of the Maritime Provinces, once separated but now happily united. It had its origin in the humble theological school in Pictou nearly a century ago, and since its beginning, has sent out over four hundred ministers, who have gone to almost every part of the land. The good old fathers of the church who founded and maintained this school of learning have left us a splendid educational heritage, and we owe them the debt of a grateful remembrance. The other denominations have played an important part in religious history of the County. Among the early settlers of the Eastern part of the County, who came in the years 1791 and 1802 were a number of Roman Catholics who settled in Merigomish and along the Gulf Shore. The first resident priest was the Rev. James McDonald, who came as early as 1793. He was succeeded, about 1800, by the Rev. Alexander McDonald, who remained with the people till his death, in 1816. He died in Halifax, and his remains were carried by his people through the woods all the way to Arisaig where he had had his home. The first native priest was Rev. Donald McKinnon. He died when quite a young man. The first Roman Catholic church in the county was built at Merigomish, in 1810. In 1834 the first chiurch at Bailey's Brook was built; and, in 1869, that settlement was formed into a separate par- ish with the Rev. D. M. McGregor, D.D., as its first priest. Stella Maris, in Pictou town, was begun in 1823. The first priest located there was Rev. Mr. Boland who was settled in 1828. The present church, which stands on one of the most prominent sites in Pictou, was erected in 1865. Father McDonald, afterwards Bishop of Newfoundland, was then in charge. From 1881 to 1892 Rev. Roderick McDonald was pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. J. J. Chisholm. 54 ^ ■^"^ ht^ ^^H ^ J ta 4. i^H 1 James Maclean', D.D. 2 Isaac Mtrkay. D.D. J Alexander Falconer. D.D. GROUP OF DErE.\SED MIXISTERS 4 John C.kmeron 7 Willlxm McCulloch, D.D. .^ George Patterson, LL.D. ,s P. Gt. McGtRegor, D.D. 6 E. D. Miller, D.D. 9 J. .McGregor McKay THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COUNTY The Parishes and Priests of the Roman Catholic Church in the county at present are: Rev. W. B. Mac- donald, Lourdes, who has been stationed there for 38 years, Rev. J. D. McLeod, New Glasgow, Rev. J. J.McKinnon, Bailey's Brook, Rev. J. A. Butts, Westville, Rev. J. McLennan, Thorburn and Merigomish, Rev. Ronald Macdonald, Pictou. The Church of England was first established within the county in the town of Pictou. The leading spirits in the first organization were Dr. Johnsone and Robert Hatton, Sr. Through the influence of the latter, a lot was secured, and he himself put up the frame in the year 1826. Three years later the church was completed, Mr. Hatton's son, Henry, being foremost in the work. The church was con- secrated in 1829 by Bishop Inglis. The first rector of the parish was the Rev. Chas. Elliott, B. A., who was settled there, the 3d of April, 1832. He was appointed rector of the parish in 1834. The whole country was then his parish, and he preached once a month at Albion Mines, River John and other places. He was a man greatly beloved by his own church and had the respect of the whole community. He la- bored in the County for thirty-three years. He was suc- ceeded by Revs. Messrs. Prior, Wood and Geniver. Rev. D. D. Moore was Rector until 1873, when he resigned, and the Rev. T. C. Desbarres was elected. He was fol- lowed in the year 1874, by the Rev. James P. Sheraton, now Principal of WyclifEe College. Rev. Wm. Cruden was the next Rector, and in 1877 the Rev. John Edge- combe was appointed. The old Church having been enlarged at different times and now getting pretty old, it was decided to erect a new one. The corner-stone was laid on the 22d of May, 1879, and the fine large church in which the congregation now worship, was finally completed and the first service held on the 15th day of June, 1881. Rev. H. A. Harley suc- 55 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD ceeded Rev. Mr. Edgecombe in 1888. In the year 1852, the southern part of the parish, including Albion Mines, New Glasgow and adjoining Country, was constituted a separate parish. In 1876, the settlement of River John was separated from Pictou, and likewise constituted a parish. Christ Church, Albion Mines, was built in 1851. The earlier pastors were Revs. St. Blois, Wilkins, Bowman and Moore. The first curate at River John was Rev. M. Kaulbach. He was appointed in 1865. The Rectors and parishes at present are: Rev. A. E. Andrews, St. James Church, Pictou, Rev. F. Robertson, M. A., St. George's Church, New Glasgow, Rev. R. B. Patterson, M. A., Christ Chtirch, Stellarton, Rev. J. F. Tupper, St. Bee's Church, Westville, Rev. A. W. L. Smith, M. A., St. John's Church, River John, and Rev. W. W. Clarkson, Trenton. The first Baptist Society in the County was organized by James Murray, who came to Pictou in 1811, and after- ward removed to River John in June 18, 1815, where he baptized two persons and dispensed the communion. The society was formed on the principles of the Scotch Baptists or Disciples. The first society of the regular Baptists was formed in the year 1838 at Merigomish. A congregation was organized at River John in 1844. In 1874 a church was built at Barney's River and a small congregation worshipped there. The First Baptist Church, New Glasgow, is now the largest in the County. It was formed in 1875. The present pastor, is Rev. J. Clement Wilson. His predecessor was Rev. W. M. Smallman. The history of Methodism in Pictou County virtually begins with the opening up of the coal mines, although River John had long previously been a regular appointment of the Wallace Circuit. From 1825 to 1848 irregular visits were paid to Albion Mines (now Stellarton) by the Methodist ministers stationed at Wallace, Truro or 56 THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COUNTY River John. In 1845, in response to a request from the General Mining Association, among whose employees were a number of married Englishmen, Richard Weddal was sent to Albion Mines. There is no further record of appointments to this place until it was made a circuic in 1861, when Rev. J. Cassidy was stationed there. The Society in River John was organized by Rev. Mr. Snowball, in 1822. They built their first church in 1824. Since that time. River John has been one of the regular Methodist circuits. Pictou town did not become a circuit until 1868, al- though one or two unsuccessful attempts had been pre- viously made to place a minister there. This circuit be- came a mission in 1905. New Glasgow was, until 1888, a part of the Stellarton Mission. It is to a young woman from River John that New Glasgow Methodism owes its existence today. Miss Ellen Harbotu-ne from that circuit was married to a Mr. Walker and came to live in New Glasgow. She was a loyal Methodist, and united with the Church at SteUarton. At her request the minister from Stellarton frequently preached in a hall at New Glasgow. Rev. Douglas Chapman (1864-67) was probably the first to conduct these services. No serious attempt was made to establish a Methodist Church in New Glasgow vmtil the time of Rev. Isaac Thurlow (1880-83). During his pastorate, the old Free Church bmlding and lot were purchased. It was remodelled and put into its present condition at a cost of nearly $3,000. From a struggling mission, raising only $410 for its minister as late as 1899, New Glasgow became independent under Rev. E. E. Eng- land, in 1901, and is now one of the most desirable cir- cuits of the Conference. Trenton has been attached to New Glasgow since the time of Rev. W. I. Croft (1893-96). Services were first held in the Orange Hall. Later, the little Methodist Church 57 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD at Piedmont was donated to the Trenton Methodists. The Methodist Circtiits with their present nainisters are: Pictou, Rev. Robert Williams, Stellarton, Rev. John Phalen, River John, H. D. Townsend, Trenton, Rev. Thomas Hodgson, New Glasgow, Rev. F. E. Barrett. The census of 1911 gives the number of Presbyterians in the County 24,000, Roman Catholics 5600, Anglicans 2600, Methodists 2500, Baptists 1100. The population of County is 36,000. Out of this number 26,000 are Scotch, 5200 English, 2400 Irish, 1000 French, 376 Swiss, 240 German, 300 Negro, 172 Indian. The beginnings of the different branches of the Presby- terian Church in the County of Pictou have now been briefly traced; the Anti-Burgher Church from 1786; the Kirk from 1817, the Free Church, from 1844, and likewise, those of the other denominations. The result of the Presbyterian disruption, of 1844 was a renewed activity in that denomination. There was a spirit of rivalry be- tween the churches. If the different branches of the Church did not provoke one another to love, they certainly did provoke to good works. The Home Mission Board which was founded in 1840, prosecuted its work as never before. Foreign Missionary enterprise was launched in 1845, and Dr. Geddie the first Missionary of the Church, was sent to the South seas in 1846. That event started a new era of zeal and liberality in the Church, never manifested before. It also brought the Churches into closer touch with one another. In 1848 the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia and the Free Church established "schools of the prophets," one at West River, another at Halifax. From these two schools, came a splendid band of minis- ters and missionaries who went far and wide, founding and building up churches. The Kirk still kept on looking across the sea for a supply of ministers, and they came. In 1853, two young men came from Scotland — Rev. 58 THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COUNTY Alex. Maclean, D. D., a native of the County but educated in the old country, and Rev. Allan Pollock, D. D., sent over by the Colonial Committee to Nova Scotia, as a minister of the Church of Scotland. Dr. Pollock received and accepted a call to St. Andrew's Church, New Glasgow; and continued to be its pastor tUl 1875, when he was appointed Professor of Church history in the Presby- terian College, Halifax, and later Principal. In 1904, he resigned, and now resides in Halifax, rich in the love and esteem of the whole Canadian Church. Mr. Maclean was settled over the Kirk Congregation at Saltsprings, and held pastorates at Belfast, P. E. I. and Hopewell, N. S. In all these charges he gave full proof of his ministry. In 1911, his Diamond Jubilee was cele- brated by the Presbytery of Pictou. He now resides at Eureka, N. S., in his ninety-fourth year, enjoying an honorable old age. Four young men, all natives of the County; William McMillan, Simon McGregor, George M. Grant and John Cameron, were educated in Glasgow and returned to Nova Scotia and were settled in important charges. Gradually the ecclesiastical sky was clearing after the storm. It was found that men were forgetting their old differences and settling down to a new order of things. There were three branches of the Presbyterian Church in the Province, where two was one too many. October 4, 1860 is a memorable day in the history of the Presby- terian Church. On that day the union of the Presby- terian Church of Nova Scotia, and of the Free Church took place under the title of "The Presbyterian Church of the Lower Provinces." The Synod of the Presbyterian Church of N. S. was represented by Revs. John L. Murdoch and P. G. McGregor, Professors Smith and Ross. The Synod of the Free Church, by Rev. Mr. Forbes, Professor King and Rev. Dr. Forrester. The Union meeting was held in 59 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Pictou. A tent was erected on Patterson's hill, near the town. Over this tent floated a bright, blue banner with the legend in white lilies, "For Christ's Crown and Covenant." The spot selected was where Dr. McGregor preached his first sermon in the County. Here the two parties were declared one, amid great rejoicings. There followed years of growth and prosperity in all branches of the Church. Congregations multiplied. The supply of ministers increased. Educational institutions were strengthened. Missionary enterprise was promoted, both at home and abroad. "Then had the churches rest and were edified." This prosperity was shared in very largely by the Kirk brethren as well. With the coming of young men into the ministry a spirit of Union was manifest, and grew rapidly. Churches were tired of controversy and separation; and united co-operatively in educational and missionary, as well as in devotional services. A Union of co-operation was soon followed by a Union of Organization. In 1875, all branches of the Church were merged in the Presbyterian Church in Canada. 60 Chapter III PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT The Ministers and Churches in the Town of Pictou A BRIEF history of the local churches in the County, with a list of the clergymen connected with them, from their organization to the present time, is here pre- sented. It is much to be regretted that it is more or less imperfect, owing to the loss of records and the difficulty in securing definite information. What has long been known as Prince Street Church, Pictou, was originally a section of the field of Dr. McGregor and Mr. Ross. It was formed into a separate congrega- tion in 1801, as the Harbor District. In 1804, Rev. Thomas McCulloch came to it as its first minister. For twenty years he was the only clergyman in Pictou Town. He resigned in 1824, and was succeeded by Rev. John McKinlay who died in 1850. Rev. James Bayne, D.D., was inducted in 1851, and continued as minister until his death, in 1876. Rev. William Donald followed, from 1878 to 1883. He was succeeded by Rev. Alex. Falconer, D.D., who served for nearly a quarter of a century. Rev. Geo. C. Taylor followed. Rev. A. D. Archibald, M. A., the present minister was inducted in 1913. The first election of elders took place on May 6, 1787, when John Patterson and John Fraser were chosen to represent the Harbor District. In 1809 the session was increased by the addition of Geo. Ives, John Patterson and David Pottinger. The first minister of St. Andrew's Church was Rev. K. J. McKenzie, who was followed by Rev. Mr. Williamson. Rev. Andrew Herdman, of Scotland, was inducted into the charge in 1849, and ministered for thirty years. He was followed by Rev. Robt. Burnet, in 1880; Rev. John C. Callan, in 1886; Rev. Robt. Atkinson, in 1889; Rev. 61 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Andrew Armit, 1893, and Rev. W. T. D. Moss, 1897. The present incumbent. Rev. L. H. MacLean, M. A., was inducted March 23, 1904. The first minister of Knox Church was Rev. Murdoch Sutherland. The next pastor was Rev. Alexander Ross, 1860 to 1879. He was followed by Rev. James Carruthers, 1880 to 1885. Rev. Geo. S. Carson, B. A., was inducted in 1885, and resigned to become Editor of the Presbyterian Witness. Rev. Wm. McNally followed from 1908 to 1910. The present minister. Rev. A. W. Thomson, was inducted in 1911. The first Session consisted of Donald Ferguson, Murdoch McKenzie, Alexander McLeod. Alexander McKenzie, William McKenzie and Alexander Murray. Over a dozen young men from this church have given themselves to the ministry. Below are the names of the clergymen born in Pictou Town with place of birth and brief reference to those who are dead, and the present addresses of those who are still living. A few of the ministers mentioned in this chapter were not born in the county, but came into it when quite young, and were brought up and educated in it. The ministers belonging to denominations other than Presby- terian are so indicated. Robert S. Patterson, M.A., Pictou; Died in 1882. He was minister of the congregation at Bedeque, P. E. I., fifty-six years and six tnonths. This is, perhaps, the longest unbroken pastorate in one congregation in the history of the Canadian Church. John L. Murdoch, M.A., Pictou; Died in 1873. John Geddie, D.D., Pictou; Died in 1872. The founder of the New Hebrides Mission. William McCulloch, D.D., Pictou; Died in 1895. He was minister of the oldest regularly organized Presby- terian Church in Canada for over fifty years. He was or- dained at Truro, Feb. 14, 1839, and his whole life was spent in this one congregation. He was a man of eminence as a pastor, a presbyter and educator. He was a son of Dr. McCulloch of Pictou Academy. 62 a li'liri iliilfiil. V r:3g," "'jin-i ii r>Tfftaw- ■_ .-.*-t^-^*^*»*iSi\'-:,.*bisf^-^ i iiii^ CHURCHES IN NEW GLASGOW 1 First Presbyterian Church 2 United Church 3 St. Andrew's Church PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT Daniel M. Gordon, D.D., LL.D., Pictou; Kingston, Ont. D. M. Stearns, D.D., Pictou; Germantown, Pa. Born in 1844; educated in Pictou Academy; teacher for a number of years in the Maritime Provinces; ordained in Boston, 1880. From 1886 to the present time he has been in the Reformed Episcopal Church. In 1892 he went to his present charge, where he is still pastor. He is a noted Bible Class teacher, and conducts Bible Classes weekly in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, etc. His church and Bible Classes help to support over a dozen missionaries in the foreign field. Isaac M. Patterson, Pictou; Died in 1892. He was Pastor in Annapolis, Maryland, Milford, N. J., and Bloomsburg, Penn. James Patterson, Pictou; Deceased. He was a son of Matthew Patterson and a minister in the Canadian Northwest. He was formerly a bookseller in Pictou. Francis A. Ross, Pictou; New Glasgow, N. S. He spent twenty-two years in pastorates in the West Indies. He also served as Chaplain in the Boer War. Retired. J. R. Dobson, B.D., Pictou; Montreal, P. Q. Pastor of St. Giles Church, one of the leading churches in Montreal. James C. Herdman, D.D., Pictou; Died in 1910. Mr. Herdman was a child of the Kirk Manse, born in 1856. He was ordained at Campbellton, N. B., in 1877. In 1885 he went west and took charge of Knox Church, Calgary, until 1902, when he was appointed Superintendent of Mis- sions for British Columbia and Alberta. William C. Herdman, M.A., Pictou; Halifax, N. S. A. W. K. Herdman, B.A., Pictou; Calgary, Alta. Sons of Rev. Andrew Herdman, late of St. Andrew's Church, Pictou. Peter M. Macdonald, M.A., Pictou; Toronto, Ont. Daniel J. Morrison, Pictou; Deceased. Graduated from Theological Seminary, Auburn, N. Y., and settled in New York State where he died. Donald Fraser, B.A., Pictou; St. Peters, C. B. 63 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD John W. Lowden, Pictou; Newark, Del. Donald A. MacKenzie, Pictou; Tillamook, Ore. Fenwick W. Fraser, Pictou; MasUlon, Ohio. CharlesTupperBaillie, Ph.D., Pictou; Trinidad, B.W.I. Pastor Susamacher Church, San Fernando, and assistant Professor in the Theological Hall. A. H. Foster, B.D., Pictou Landing; Durham, West River. D. R. MacLean, B.A., Pictou Island; Hazelton, B. C. Charles Elliot Mackenzie, Pictou; Galliopolis, Ohio. Mr. Mackenzie is a son of the late George A. Mackenzie, Pictou. He entered the ministry of the Church of England from Kings College, about thirty years ago, and after suc- cessful work in the Maritime Provinces, went to Ohio where he was appointed Archdeacon of the Diocese of Southern Ohio, U. S. A. He is a brother of President Mackenzie of Dalhousie University. Lewis M. Wilkins, Pictou; Deceased. Son of Hon. Martin I. Wilkins, and pastor of the Episcopal churches in SteUarton and Pictou. Frank Beattie, Pictou; Deceased. Mr. Beattie was born in 1834, and died at Wolfville, N. S., 1912, aged seventy-seven years. His first public work was as a temperance lecturer and organizer. In 1870 he was ordained, and gave nearly forty years to the work of the Baptist ministry. Robert McEwen, Pictou; Antigonish, N. S. Roman Catholic Church. Richard Power, Pictou; Ontario, Can. Roman Catholic Church. William E. Purcell, Pictou. Father PurceU was born in Pictou in 1874. He attended the public schools of Pictou and Pictou Academy. In 1889, he entered St. F. X. college and in 1893, he began his philo- sophical course at the Grand Seminary at Montreal, where he also took a course in theology. He taught for a time at St. Anne's college, Digby County, as professor of EngHsh. He was ordained a priest in 1898 and was curate at Chatham and Bathurst, N. B., and parish priest at Jacquet River before going west. He died in Montana, Aug. 23, 1912. 64 PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT The Ministers and Churches in New Glasgow The History of the churches in New Glasgow is largely the history of the Town, for they have played a foremost part in its life and growth. In 1787 a log church was bmlt on the West side of the river. This was used until 1803 when a frame church was erected at Irishtown. In 1834 the congregation was in- corporated under the name of James Church and in 1852 a large wooden building was erected in the town of New Glasgow. The first minister was the Rev. James McGregor, D.D. He came in 1786, and died in 1830. He was succeeded by Rev. David Roy, D. D., who came to Nova Scotia in 1830, and the following year was inducted minister of the con- gregation. He labored faithfully until laid aside by failing health in 1871. He died in 1873, aged 82 years, having preached the gospel for forty years with great energy and power. Rev. E. A. McCurdy, D.D., was minister from 1871-1891. He was succeeded by Rev. James Carruthers, 1892-1904. Rev. G. Ernest Forbes, was inducted in 1904, and continues in charge. On May 30, 1888, the new St. Andrew's congregation was organized. The ministers have been: Rev. Alexander Robertson, 1888-1896, and Rev. W. McC. Thomson, 1897-1906. On Nov. 5, 1907, James Church and New St. Andrew's united under the ministry of Rev. G. E. Forbes, with the name First Presbyterian Chtirch. On Nov. 5, 1912, the cornerstone of the First Presbyterian Chtirch was laid on the site of old James Church. It was opened and dedicated to public worship, April 12, 1914. The congregation worshipped in New St. Andrew's Church from June 1908 until the opening of their new church home. St. Andrew's Congregation was formed from the Church at Fraser's Mountain, and Rev. Donald A. Fraser, was 65 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD minister until 1837. Rev. John Stewart was the second pastor, 1838-1845. For eight years they were without a pastor after the disruption. Rev. Allan PoUock was settled there in 1853 and continued until 1875. The other ministers of this church have been: Rev. George Murray, Rev. George Coull, Rev. Archibald Bowman, Rev. S. J. McArthur, B.D. The present incumbent, Rev. James A. Ramsay, B.A., was inducted in 1898. Primitive Church was an off-shoot from James Church, and was organized, May 25, 1845. The first meetings were held in the old Temperance Hall. Primitive Church was built in 1849 on the corner of Provost and McLean Streets. In 1848 Rev. George Walker arrived in Pictou from Scotland. He accepted a call to this church and was inducted Sept. 20, 1848. He was its only pastor. In 1873 the church was enlarged. In 1874 it was burnt. In 1845 Knox Church was built by the Free Church adherents. Rev. Mr. Stewart was the minister of Knox Church, 1845-1866. He was succeeeded by Rev. John M. Macleod and Rev. Robert Gumming, D.D. In the autumn of 1874, the year of the great fire, the two congregations got together and formed the United Church. They continued to worship in Knox Church until January 9, 1876, when the present building was opened and occupied. Rev. Mr. Walker was minister of the United Church until 1878, when he was relieved by the settlement of Rev. E. Scott, the congregation making Mr. Walker, Pastor Emeritus. Mr. Walker was a preacher of great ability and power. He was a most faithful minis- ter, and in every way adorned his calling. He died Feb. 4, 1884, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. Rev. E. Scott, D.D. retired in 1891, and was succeeded by Rev. Anderson Rogers, D. D., who was pastor from July 1893 to March 1908. Rev. John H. Mac Vicar, D.D. was minister from December 10, 1908 to March 17, 1912. Rev. J. Macartney Wilson, B.D., was inducted in May, 66 CHURCHES IX PICTOU TOWX 1 Kn'OX C hurch -^ H<.tMK OF Re\'. Jas McCiRegok. D.D. 2 St. As-r)RE\v's Church 4 Prince St. Church PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT 1913. Peter A. McGregor has been treasurer of the United Church since its organization, and, for three years was treasurer of Primitive Church. The First Presbyterian Church, Trenton, was organized in 1889 and the Church built in 1890. Rev. A. W. Thom- son was pastor from 1889 to 1890; Rev. H. R. Grant, April 13, 1891 to April 1904; Rev. D. C. Ross, Nov. 8, 1904 to Sept. 1913. Rev. A. A. Macleod, present pastor, was inducted 1914. The Following Ministers were Born and Bred IN New Glasgow Peter G. McGregor, D.D., New Glasgow; Died in 1886. Dr. McGregor was the son of Rev. James McGregor, D.D. He studied Theology under Dr. McCuUoch. In 1843 he was called to Poplar Grove Church, Halifax, where he was minister for twenty-five years. He was an excellent pastor and preacher. In 1868 he was appointed General Agent for the Church in Nova Scotia, the duties of which he discharged with fidelity and success. John Forrest, D.D., LL.D., New Glasgow; Halifax, N. S. George Sutherland, New Glasgow; Died in 1868. Mr. Sutherland was one of the first graduates of the Free Church Seminary, Halifax, and was settled first in Nova Scotia and afterwards in P. E. I., where he labored for a time. He went to New Zealand in 1886, and was called to Dunedin. In 1870 he was called to Sydney, Australia, where he labored until his death, which was instantaneous, as he was removing his outer clothing on his return from a congregational meeting. J. A. F. Sutherland, New Glasgow; Winnipeg, Man. Robert J. Cameron, New Glasgow; Died in 1879. Mr. Cameron was educated at Glasgow University. He was called to St. Andrew's Church, St. John, N. B., in 1870, and labored there for six years. Resigning that charge, he removed to Scotland, where he obtained an important congre- gation, the duties of which, however, proved too great for his strength. He died at the Manse, Burnt Island, Scotland, in the thirty-sixth year of his age. Mrs. Cameron was a daughter of the Hon. James Fraser, New Glasgow. 67 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD A. H. Cameron, New Glasgow; Keremeos, B. C. A brother of the Rev. Robert J. Cameron. Hugh W. Fraser, D.D., New Glasgow; Vancouver, B. C. Dr. Eraser studied in Manitoba College; was settled at Fort William, Ontario, and Holland, Manitoba; went to China, and returned from there to San Francisco, where he was a minister for a number of years. In 1904 he came to Vancouver, B. C. Hugh R. Grant, B.A., New Glasgow; New Glasgow, N. S. General Secretary, Nova Scotia Temperance Alliance. Frank L. Fraser, New Glasgow; Kennewick, Wash. Brother of the Rev. Dr. F.raser. William Meikle, B.A., New Glasgow; Tuxford, Sask. Mr. Meikle, with the Rev. J. P. Gerrior, was for many years engaged in Evangelistic work. William L. Macrae, Abercrombie ; Golden, B. C. Donald M. Grant, New Glasgow; Cincinnati, Ohio. Charles J. Cameron, New Glasgow; Vancouver, B. C. John R. Fraser, New Glasgow; Avoca, N. Y. James A. Fraser, B. A., New Glasgow; Pittsburg, Pa. Alexander W. McLeod, New Glasgow; Summerland, B. C. Pastor, Baptist Church. George Macdonald, New Glasgow; Baptist Church, U. S. A. Samuel A. McDougall, New Glasgow; Chester Basin, N. S. Pastor, Baptist Church. Fred A. Sullivan, New Glasgow; New Hampshire. Pastor, Methodist Church. John Burns, came to New Glasgow when a lad; Died in 1851, aged 27 years. James Burns, New Glasgow; Bornin 1825; Died in 1907. Wm. Henry Burns, D.D., New Glasgow; Evanston, 111. Mitchell Burns, who was a potter by trade, came with his wife, Ann Morrow, from the north of Ireland, in 1830 or 1831, 68 PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT and settled on what is now the John Connolly estate at Potter's Brook, to which stream he gave the name. In 1847 the family removed to River John, where Mrs. Burns died in 1858, and Mr. Burns in 1871. They had a large and notable family of seven sons and four daughters. Three of the sons entered the Methodist ministry. John Burns died in early life at Sackville, N. B. James Burns was educated at Sackville, N. B., served several churches in the Maritime Provinces, and later in Chicago, and Idaho, where he died in 1907. He was a member, at one time, of Dr. Roy's Church. His daughter, Angeline, married Dr. Frederick Holmes, of San Diego, Cal. His eldest son, Jabez B. Burns, practices Dentistry in Poyette, Idaho. Another son, John Burns, is a Dentist in Oakland, Cal. William H. Burns was born in 1840 in New Glasgow; grad- uated from the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. He is a member of the Rock River Conference, and spent most of his ministerial life in Chicago and vicinity. He married Miss Ann P. Foster, daughter of Rev. Caleb Foster, Aurora, 111. He is the author of "The Higher Critic's Bible; or, God's Bible?" "The Crisis in Methodism", and other books. His only son, William Foster Burns, is a graduate of Princeton University and Chicago Law School, and is a barrister in Chicago. The eldest of the family, Stuart Burns, lived in New Glasgow; was a merchant in River John, but spent his later years as a druggist in Sydney, C. B., where he died. His son. Dr. W. F. Burns, born in River John, is now a practicing Dentist in Sydney, C. B. Anna Burns married William Perrin, farmer and tanner in River John. Their son. Dr. Albert M. Perrin, was born there, and is now practicing medicine in Yarmouth, N. S. Margaret Burns married George Langille, a mill owner in River John. Their son, M. K. Langille, is a Dentist in Truro, N. S. Robert E. Burns was a real estate dealer in New York and San Francisco, Cal. He died in Portland, Ore. Bion, his son, is a Dentist in San Francisco. Charlotte Burns married Alexander McDonald, a ship builder. River John, who now lives in Victoria, B. C. Samuel W. Burns, M.D., was born in New Glasgow, in 1836, is now practicing medicine in Shelburne, N. S. His eldest daughter, married Dr. Muir, Dentist, Shelburne. Thomas M. Burns, M.D., born in New Glasgow, 1838, practiced med- 69 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD icine in Shelburne, removed to Oakland, Cal., and died there. His son, Dr. Thomas M. Burns, is a Professor in the Denver Cross Medical College. Another son, Daniel C. Burns, is a lawyer and real estate dealer in Denver, Col. Carrie N. Burns married C. S. Lane, Dentist of P. E. I. Their eldest son, Franklin K. Lane, was born there July IS, 1854. He lived in Pictou when a child, where his father practiced his profession. The family moved to California, where the son graduated from the University of California, in 1886. In 1889 he practiced law in San Francisco. Prom 1897 to 1902 he was a member of the Interstate Commerce Commission. In 1913 he was appointed Secretary of the Interior, in President Wilson's Cabinet. Mr. Lane is a Democrat in politics and was his party's candidate for mayor of San Francisco, for governor of the State and for the U. S. Senate. He is a man of fine personality and high character. For a score of years he has been a prominent figure in the public life of the Pacific Coast and is today one of the public men of mark and standing at Washington. George W. Lane, another son, practices law in San Francisco, Cal. Frederick Lane, a third son, is a Dentist in San Francisco. The Rev. P. E. Barret, New Glasgow, N. S., pastor of the Methodist Church is a great grandson of Mitchell Burns. East River Ministers and Churches The East River Congregation was formed into a sepa- rate charge, in 1824, with the Rev. Angus McGillivray as its first minister. The West Branch Section was con- nected with it. In 1853 the church at Springville was built. The Church at Sunny Brae was erected in 1854, and was supplied by Rev. Mr. Blair for several years. In 1866, Rev. A. Maclean Sinclair became pastor of the Springville and Sunny Brae Congregations, and served them for a period of twenty-two years. Rev. John Calder was pastor, 1889-1892. In 1892, James Sinclair was settled as minister. In 1894 the Congregation was divided, Springville and Bridgeville forming a separate charge under Rev. Mr. Sinclair. He resigned in 1910; and in 1911 Rev. E. A. Kirker, B. A. became minister. The Bridgeville Church was built in 1894. 70 PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT The first regular minister of the Kirk at St. Paul's was Rev. John Macrae, 1827 to 1847. He was succeeded by his son, Rev. D. Macrae. Rev. Simon McGregor was the minister 1860-1869. He was succeeded by Rev. William McMillian in 1875. He continued pastor until 1888. The present St. Paul's church was built in 1855. The Sunny Brae and St. Paul's congregations were formed into a separate charge in 1894. In 1895 they called Rev. W. P. Archibald who was pastor until 1904. He was followed by the Rev. George A. Sutherland 1904-1911. The present pastor, Rev. D. K. Ross, was inducted Sept. 1912. The first elders of Sunny Brae were Finlay Grant, James McDonald and Duncan McMillian. They had worthy successors in James Gumming, William Ross, John A. McDonald and John Cruikshank. A brother of the latter, D. B. Cruikshank, is now an elder and clerk of the Session. Names of Ministers Born on East River Wm. McMillan, Churchville; Died 1889. He was educated for the ministry in Scotland, and was for a number of years pastor at Earltown, whence he removed to Saltsprings. He was pastor for 13 years at St. Paul's Church, East River. He was a diligent minister, and a warm- hearted friend. Simon McGregor, Churchville; Deceased. He was minister of the West Branch and East River Kirk Churches for eight years. He spent thirteen years in pioneer work in British Columbia. He went to Scotland in 1881, and was elected minister of Appin, in the North of Scotland, where he labored until he retired. He died in Edinburgh, deeply regretted. Angus McGillwray, Springville; Died 1869. James Maclean, D.D., Springville; Died 1914. Nearly the whole of Dr. Maclean's ministry was spent in Colchester County at Shubenacadie and Great Village. He was a graduate of the West River Seminary, and finished his studies in 18S3. He was an excellent preacher and minister and a most devoted friend. 71 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Ebenezer McLean, Springville; Deceased. He was a nephew of the Rev. Dr. Maclean, and was a student for the ministry, but died in early life. John D. McGillivray, Springville, Truro, N. S. Retired from the Ministry. James T. McGillivray, Springville. A student in theology, died Oct., 1856, aged 24 years. Sons of Rev. Angus McGillivray. Robert Grant, Springville; Died 1898. Studied in Pictou Academy and Edinburgh University. David C. Mackintosh, D.D., Springville; Shenandoah, Iowa. FiNLAY G. McIntosh, B.D., SpringviUe; Dorchester, N. B. Wm. R. McKay, B.D., Springville; Kong Moon, So. China. RoBT. G. McKay, B.A., Springville; So. Vancouver, B. C. Wm. MacDonald, B.A., Springville; Barney's River, N.S. Alver McKay, SpringviUe; HoUyburn, B. C. John A. Macdonald, B.D., Bridgeville; Died 1890. Son of Duncan Macdonald and Mary McPhie; born Nov. 6, 1849. While working at the carpenter's trade in Boston, he decided to devote himself to the ministry, and began his preparation in the New Glasgow High School. His studies being interrupted by a long illness, he was sent as a missionary to Trinidad, 1874 to 1877. He took a special course in Dal. CoU., 1877-79, continuing his study at the Pine Hill Divinity School. He attended Andover Theological Seminary, 1882- 84, but seeking a more favorable climate, served as home missionary in Arizona, and afterward at different places in California. He continued his studies at the Pacific Theo- logical Seminary in the class of 1885, and was ordained pastor at Lincoln, Gal., May 21, 1885. The last few years of his life was a continual fight with sickness but he supplied congre- gations as he was able. His ministry, though brief and only kept up by an indomitable will, bore abundant fruit. He was a man of sincere piety, an earnest preacher and a most devoted friend. His whole life was blameless and beautiful. He died at Elgin, N. S., Jan. 29, 1890, at the age of forty years. 72 PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT A. H. Fraser, Bridgeville; Broken Bow, Neb. A. J. H. Fraser, Bridgeville; Port Morien, C. B. James W. Fraser, St. Patds; Died 1913. For forty years pastor of St. John's Church, Scotsburn, N. S. Donald K. Campbell, St. Pauls; Ottawa, 111. John W. Campbell, St. Pauls. Student for the ministry. Died, Delaware, Md., Feb. 18, 1874. Simon W. Thompson, B. A., St. Pauls; Kindersley, Sask. Wm. Ross, B. A., Sunny Brae; Vancouver, B. C. Thirty-three years pastor Prince William, N. B. RoBT. D. Ross, Sunny Brae; Died 1895. As a minister and preacher he won the affectionate confidence of the people. He had a most winsome disposition and a keen sense of humor, which made him a most agreeable com- panion. He was settled in Wolfville, N. S., in 1882, where he labored for about 10 years, until failing health compelled him to resign. RoBT. J. Grant, B.D., Sunny Brae. Mr. Grant was cut oS in the prime of life June 10, 1898, at Montreal, Can. While attending the General Assembly he and four young friends had gone on bicycles to visit the Lachine Rapids, when returning to the city he was run over by an electric car. His death was instantaneous He was a young man of high intellectual attainments, and devoted piety, and had a distinguished course in college. For two years he was settled at St. George's Church, River John, and his brief ministry was rich in promise. He died in the thirty- first year of his age. Wm. Grant, Sunny Brae. He was educated in the Presbyterian College, Halifax, and an additional year at Princeton Seminary, N. J. His pastorates were at Earl town and West Branch, seven years; at West River Clyde and Brookfield, P. E. I., nine years; at Port Morien, C. B., thirteen years; and at Grand River, eight years; in all some thirty-seven years. In every pastorate his work was a success. His careful preparation for the pulpit was con- tinued to the last, when for a few weeks before the end he was unable to go to the church, he sent the prepared sermon in manuscript to be read. The last of his sermons thus sent 73 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD was read in the Grand River Church on Sunday, Dec. 16, 1906. He died on the following Tuesday. Mr. Grant was greatly afflicted in his family circle. Melville, his eldest son was ordained to the ministry, but ill health laid its hand upon him and he died in early manhood. Clar- ence, a younger brother, was suddenly called away when en- gaged as a theological student in a mission field, and Mary Sibella, a sister, died soon after her graduation from the university. FiNLAY R. McDonald, Sunny Brae. He was educated at the Academy. He pursued his theo- logical studies in Scotland, and after graduation was called to the pastorate of Cooper Angus, an important charge in Scotland, where he labored with fidelity for 21 years. He died in 1900. Wm. p. Grant, B.D., Sunny Brae; Truro, N. S. Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Wm. M. Grant, M. A., Sunny Brae; Ayr, Ont. FiNLAY H. McIntosh, M.A., Sunny Brae; Sydney, C. B. Pastor, Falmouth Church. Chas. D. McIntosh, M.A., Sunny Brae; River John, N.S. James A. McDonald, B.A., Sunny Brae; Youngstown, Ohio. Wm. C. Ross, B. A., Sunny Brae;' Halifax, N. S. A. W. Robertson, B. A., Centredale; Kennetcook, N. S. Duncan A. MacPhie, M.A., Centredale; Boston, Mass. Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance. Office, 507 Tremont Temple. J. P. MacPhie, M.A., Sunny Brae; New Glasgow, N. S. The Ministers and Churches in Hopewell Hopewell is a village of about 450 people, with a beauti- ftd country surrounding it. The first church was built in 1820, one and a half miles above the village. Rev. John Macrae was the first minister, 1827-1844. His son, Rev. Donald Macrae, succeeded him, 1857-1859. He returned a second time, in 1870, and remained four years. 74 W. E. Macleli.an John' A. Mace>()N"ai. PROFESSIOXAL MEN' OF PICTOU S John' P. MacPhie 4 W. B. Macdoxald 5 RctBERT D. Ross PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT It was during his first ministry that St. Columba's Church was built in 1859. From 1860 to 1869 Rev. Simon McGregor was minister. He was succeeded by the Rev. Peter Galbraith 1875; the Rev. Peter Melville 1881, the Rev. Homer Putman 1893, Rev. John Macintosh 1898, and the present Pastor, Rev. C. Munro 1908. Union Chturch, Hopewell was organized in 1854. The present church was completed and opened in 1857. The first minister was Rev. John Mackinnon. He was in- ducted in 1858, and served the Church for eighteen years. He was a preacher of great vigor, and a most faithful pastor. The Rev. A. Maclean, D.D., was his worthy successor, 1877-1891. The first elders were Peter Ross, Robt. Munro, John McLean, Robt. Dunbar, Thomas Grant, Daniel Shaw, Enon McDonald and Angus McPhie. Rev. Simon Fraser was pastor in 1892; Rev. Wm. McNichol, in 1895; Rev. Hugh Miller, 1908, and the present minister. Rev. Geo. A. Logan, 1912. TheFerrona Church was an off-shoot from the Hopewell congregation. It was organized March 3, 1896. Revs. W. H. Smith, A. M. Thompson and J. F. Policy have served it as pastors. Ministers Born and Brought Up in this District Rev. a. Maclean, D.D., Hopewell; Eiureka, N. S. Retired from the Ministry. Donald Macrae, D.D., Hopewell; Died 1909. Hugh Dunbar, HopeweU; Died 1857. Hugh Ross, Hopewell; Died 1858. Clarence Mackinnon, D.D., HopeweU; Halifax, N. S. Principal, Presbyterian College. Albert G. Mackinnon, M.A., Hopewell; Greenock, Scotland. Author of a series of books for young men: "Spiritually Fit"; "Tangible Tests"; "Truths for Today"; "God's Right of Way Through a Young Man's Life''. Rev. Clarence and Albert G. Mackinnon are sons of the late Rev. John Mackinnon. 75 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD John B. Maclean, B. D., Hopewell, Huntington, Que. Author of "The Secret of the Stream", thoughtful religious essays on Life and Literature. A. D. McIntosh, M.A., Hopewell; Souris, P. E. I. Jas. R. Macdonald, Hopewell. He was for many years a teacher in the public schools in the Province. Graduated from Princeton Seminary 1895, held pastorates in Fairville, N. B., Barney's River, Caledonia and Sheet Harbor, N. S. He died at Elmsdale, 1912. John W. Britton, Hopewell; Pugwash, N. S. Asa J. Crockett, B. A., Hopewell; Hopewell, N. S. Graduated from the Rochester Baptist Seminary. Donald Ross, D. D., Lome; Died 1907. At the age of 27 he entered the ministry and for four years was pastor in Seattle, Wash. Twenty-five years were spent in eastern Canada, when he removed to the West. He was a man widely known for his learning and for his faithful work. John R. Fraser, M.A., Lome; Uxbridge, Ont. Albert M. Macleod, B.A., Lome; Hyde Park, Mass. Wm. a. Ross, M.A., Lome; Moncton, N. B. General Secretary Sunday School, N. B. and P. E. I. D. K. Ross, B. A., Lome; Sunny Brae, N. S. John Cameron, D.D., Glengarry; Minister of Dundee, Canada for some time and for many years Parish minister of Dunoon, Scotland, where he died. Joseph Halliday, Glengarry; Orange City, Fla. Pastor Congregational Church. The Ministers and Churches of Stellarton. St. John's Church was organized in connection with the Kirk body. It was an offshoot from St. Andrew's Church, New Glasgow. Rev. Wm. M. Phillips was the first minister, inducted in 1863. In 1871, Rev. Chas. A. Dunn was settled over the congregation. He was followed by Rev. E. H. Burgess and Rev. D. M. Matheson. Rev. W. L. Cunningham, the present minister was inducted in 1908. 76 PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT Sharon Church is a child of old St. James' Church, New- Glasgow. The original Sharon Church was built on the banks of the River, near Dr. Donnelly's house. On the 5th of June, 1856, Rev. A. J. Mowatt, D.D., was settled as the first pastor of the church. Wm. McPherson was the father of the session of Sharon Church. He opened the first Presbyterian Sunday School when there were only eight scholars; and afterwards became the first Superintendent of the Sunday School. Dr. Mowatt was followed by Rev. Thos. Cumming, D.D. who served the church for ten years, 1875-1885. The Church was fortunate in having such able and eloquent ministers at its begin- ning. Rev. J. H. TurnbuU was pastor another ten years, 1885-1895. Rev. Wm. M. Tufts, B.D., became the fourth pastor in 1896, remaining twelve years. Rev. M. S. Ful- ton was ordained 1909, and resigned in 1913. The present pastor is the Rev. C. C. Mcintosh, B.A., inducted 1913. Ministers Born in Stellarton and Riverton. George M. Grant, D.D., LL.D., Stellarton; Died 1902. Chas. M. Grant, D.D., Stellarton; Dundee, Scotland. Retired from the Ministry. John Morton, D.D., Stellarton; Died 1913. Thos. Cumming, D.D. Stellarton; SteUarton, N. S. Retired from the Ministry. Robert Cumming, D.D., Stellarton; Trinidad, B. W. I. James Falconer, Stellarton; Santa Clara, Calif. Peter A. Dunn, B.D., Stellarton; Arbuthnott, Scotland. Minister of the Parish Church, Arbuthnott, Scotland. Wm. H. McDonald, Stellarton; Denver, Col. Joseph S. McKay, Stellarton; Port Hill, P. E. I. Mr. McKay, well known evangelist, was ordained by pres- bytery of P. E. I., in 1913. 77 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Chas. J. Connolly, Ph.D., Stellarton; Antigonish, N. S. St. Francis Xavier College. Richard Gilmore, D.D., Stellarton. He was born in Scotland but came to N. S. with his parents when four years old. They settled at Plymouth, opposite Stellarton, where they lived for several years. Afterwards they moved to Ohio, U. S. A. His parents were Presbyterians but he entered the Roman Catholic Church and rose to be Bishop of Cleveland, where he died some years ago. He was the author of several religious works. Alexander McKenzie, Riverton; Died 1860. He was the son of Thos. McKenzie and an uncle of Thos. Grant, Riverton. He went to Upper Canada where he spent most of his ministry. He founded the church at Goderich, Ont. For several years he was an instructor in the grammar schools at Goderich. John Cameron, Riverton; Died 1907. His grandparents were among the earliest settlers in Pictou County. He had the distinction of being Dr. McCuUoch's last student, and of ministering to him during his last illness. In 1844 he was inducted at Nine Mile River, Gore and Ken- . netcook, Elmsdale, where he labored with great energy and faithfulness for 32 years. Later he labored for some years at Bridgewater, N. S. He then retired to Bridgetown, N. S., where he died in the 90th year of his age, and the 63d of his ministry. Mr. Cameron was an ardent friend of education, a fearless champion of temperance. Alexander Falconer, D.D., Riverton; Died 1913. He became pastor successively in Zion Church, Charlotte- town; St. James' Church, Dartmouth; Grejrfriar's Church, Trinidad; and Prince St. Church, Pictou. In 1906 he was chosen Moderator of the General Assembly. With rare qualifications of head and heart he efficiently discharged the responsible duties pertaining to all the important positions which he occupied during his long and busy life. He was a ripe scholar, and a faithful workman in the service of Christ. Alexander Cameron, Riverton; Died 1913. He held pastorates at Middle Stewiacke and Bass River, N. S., and at New London, P. E. I. He gave 31 years of devoted service to the church. He was a brother of Rev. John Cam- eron. 78 1 John McMii.lax. D. D. 2 A. Maclean. D. D. RETIRED MINISTERS 3 Robert C'i'mminx;. D. I). 4 Thumas ('ummixg. D. D. 7 Samuel (.'. GuxN, D, D. 5 A. Maclean Sinclair. LL.D. (' John Murray PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT James D. Cameron, Riverton; Lonsdale, R. I. David K. Grant, M.A., Riverton; Olds, Alberta. Samuel MacNaughton, M.A., Riverton; Preston, Eng- land. Graduate of Dalhousie University, and completed his course in Edinburgh. He settled in the Presbyterian Church at Preston, England, in 1877, where he has since remained. He is a devoted temperance worker and the author of several books, among them, "Doctrine and Doubt", "Our Children for Christ", "The Wines of Scripture". The Ministers and Churches of Middle River Including Westville and Gairloch St. Phillip's Church was built and completed Jan. 8, 1871, with Rev. Wm. M. Phillips in charge. He was succeeded by Rev. Chas. Dunn who resigned in 1887; Rev. T. D. Stewart, 1888-1899; Rev. G. B. McLeod, 1900-1902; Rev. D. M. Gillies, 1902-1903. Rev. W.W. McNaim, present pastor, was inducted, 1904. The first Carmel Church was erected in 1870, but while the dedication services were in progress, it was burned to ashes. A new church was soon erected, and Rev. John Lees was called to be pastor, 1873 to 1879. Rev. Robt. Cumming, D.D., was called in 1881 and resigned in 1912, closing a most happy and successful pastorate of 31 years. Rev. D. A. Frame is present pastor, 1913. The first minister in Gairloch was Rev. Hugh McLeod, 1822. The second pastor, was Rev. Donald Mcintosh, 1833-1844. The church was vacant for nine years. The next minister was Rev. A. Maclean, 1853-1857. He was also pastor at Saltsprings. Rev. Alex. McKay, 1859- 1867. Rev. Neil Brodie was pastor for 13 years. He was followed by Rev. Thos. Irving and Rev. J. C. McLeod. In 1907, the Gairloch and Middle River sections were united with Rev. A. 0. Morash, as pastor. Rev. Geo. Christie is the present pastor, inducted in 1911. The present church was built in 1858. 79 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Ministers Born in this District. John D. Murray, Middle River; Died 1906. He was settled at Port Hill, P. E. I., in 1865. He held pas- torates at Moncton, Buctouche and Red Bank, N. B. He died, aged 72 years, of wliich he had been 41 years in the ministry. Alexander McBean, Middle River; Deceased. Secretary for the British American and Tract Society, Halifax, for many years. Duncan R. Crockett, Middle River; Deceased. For some years he rendered good service to the church in N. B. In 1882 he went to the U. S. locating at Greenwood, Mo. In 1891 he was called as Home Missionary in the Indian Territory, where he labored for many years among the Indians. John Thos. Crockett, Middle River; Deceased. Pastor of the Adventist Church, Nashville, Tenn. and other places. Both sons of the late John Crockett, Middle River. Their mother was a daughter of Rev. Duncan Ross, West River. Wm. Douglas, Middle River; Died 1904. He was born in 1856, studied at the Moody Institute, Chicago; for seven years engaged in Evangelistic work; for seven years pastor in Minnesota. In 1904, he went to the Pacific Coast. He died at Portland, Ore. A. Murray Porter, B.A., Alma. Graduated Union Theological Seminary, N. Y., 1914. John R. Douglas, B. A., Concord; Lake Megantic, P. Q. Alex. Robinson, Concord ; Died 1904. Educated at the Springfield School of Workers. Settled in Nebraska, 1888, and afterwards in Wyoming. Died in Boulder, Col. Duncan McDonald, Gairloch; Strathcona, Alta. ; Retired. Robert McDonald, Gairloch. Brother of Duncan McDonald, a student for the ministry. Free Church College, Halifax. Died of smallpox, Jan. 12, 1850. 80 PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT Walter Ross, Millbrook; Died 1882. He was settled at Carleton Place, Ont., in 1862, where he did faithful work. This was his only pastorate. He died in the 48th year of his age. A. H. Denoon, B.D., Westville; Antigonish, N.S. Thos. Johnstone, Westville; MaxvHle, Ont. Chas. Gumming, Ph. D., WestviUe, Professor in the Theological Hall, San Fernando, Trinidad. Son of Rev. Robert Gumming, D.D. John Kingon, Westville; Park River, Minn. J. H. Hamilton, B.A., Westville; New Waterford, C. B. John P. Gerrior, Granton; Oakland, Calif. Ministers and Churches in McLennan's Mountain, Blue Mountain, East River St. Mary's AND Barney's River Hugh Fraser, who came to Pictou on the Hector settled on McLennan's Brook. One son, Donald, known as Donald Miller came with him. Another son, John, long known as John Squire arrived a few years later. John McLennan another Hector passenger settled at the mouth of McLennan's Brook and gave his name to that stream. Rev. Donald A. Fraser was the first settled minister in McLennan's Mountain, 1817 to 1837. The second pastor was Rev. Alex. McGUUvray, 1838 to 1862. Rev. Wm. Stewart succeeded him in 1863, and was pastor for 44 years. In 1908 McLennan's Mountain congregation and McLen- nan's Brook united and Rev. E. A. Kirker had charge for two years. The present pastor Rev. Wm. Dawson, B.D., was settled in 1910. The first settlers at Blue Mountain came from Glen Urquhart, Scotland in 1818. The first church was built about 1834. The walls were built of logs, as boards had to be sawed by hand. The second church was erected in 1856, and the present church, in 1906. From 1834 to 1850 they had no regular pastor, but occasional supplies. The first settled minister was Rev. D. B. Blair, from 1850 81 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD to 1890 when he resigned, and Blue Mountain and Garden of Eden became a separate charge. Other pastors were Rev. D. M. Henderson, Rev. E. J. Rattee, and Rev. F. L. Jobb. Present pastor, Rev. W. H. Sweet, came in June 1909. The first settlers of Barney's River were from the Highlands of Scotland. William McKenzie settled at Barney's River in 1807. He had six sons who were all land surveyors and roadmakers. John, the eldest son had a high name as a civil engineer. He acted as assistant to James Crearer, Pictou, in locating and building the Albion Mines Railroad. He was a number of years in the Crown Land oiSce, Halifax. Adam, second son, was for many years supervisor of roads from Colchester County to the strait of Canso. James was deputy surveyor for the County of Inverness. Francis spent much time in Cape Breton making roads. Hugh, the youngest son, was for many years a surveyor , in South Africa. Donald Bruce came to Pictou in the ship Harmony in 1822 and settled at Upper Barney's River. Angus McKay, Donald McKay, Donald Douglass, John McLeod and Alexander Grant came on the same ship. Margaret, daughter of Donald Bruce married Edward Jackson, Pine Tree. George, his second son married Christy, daughter of Hector Murray, by whom he' had Hector and other children. He was an elder under Dr. Blair. Donald Robertson came from Perthshire, in 1801 and settled above Avondale in 1819. He died in 1834 aged seventy three years, leaving a large family. His wife died in 1870, aged one hundred years, one month and one day. They had forty-eight grandchildren, of whom Rev. Hugh A. Robertson, D.D., Erromanga, is one. Angus Murray, a native of Sutherlandshire, married Elizabeth McKay, by whom he had William, Andrew, and three daughters. He came to Pictou with his family in 82 PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT 1812. He taught school in New Glasgow for some time. His eldest son, William married in 1821 and had Angus, Andrew, Helen, Jane, Eliza and Mary. Eliza was married to William Murray, at Grand Narrows, C. B. and was the mother of the present premier of Nova Scotia. Premier Murray narrowly escaped being bom a Pictonian. In 1830 a church was erected at Kenzieville. It stood near the Cemetery. At the same time a church was built at Lower Barney's River, near John Copeland's place. Rev. D. McKichan, Kirk minister, was pastor of the two churches for many years. In 1846, Rev. D. B. Blair, Free Church, came to Barney's River and for 40 years was minister of the Free Church congregation. Other ministers of the Kirk were: Revs. James Mair, James McDonald, A. J. McKichan, J. R. McDonald, J. A. Cairns, E. GUlies, and D. K. Ross. The present pastor. Rev. Wm. MacDonald, came Feb. 25, 1913. The present church at East River St. Mary's was com- pleted in 1873, when the Kirk and the Free Church united. The following ministers served the congregation: Revs. Hugh McKenzie, Alex, Campbell, C. B. Pitblado, Robt. Gumming, John Ferry, Andrew Boyd, J. D. Mc- Farlane, A. D. Sterling, and Wm. MacDonald. Rev. J. H. Kirk is the present pastor. Ministers Born in This Section Wm. Eraser, D.D., McLennan's Brook; Died 1892. Dr. Fraser was born at McLennan's Brook, May 19, 1808. He received his academic and theological education at Pictou Academy of which Dr. McCulloch was then the head. At the age of twenty-six he was sent as a missionary to Upper Canada, and a year later, was settled at Bond Head, Ontario, his first and only pastorate. Here he labored most faithfully for forty-six years until his retirement in 1881 when he removed to Barrie. He was active in educational work; an earnest advocate of temperance and always a close attendant on church courts. In 1851 he was appointed clerk of the U. P. Synod; at 83 «* PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD the union of 1861 to the Joint Clerkship of the Canada Presby- terian Synod; andin 1875, to the Joint Clerkship of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. He con- tinued in this office until 1892, in his 8Sth year. Dr. Fraser was a man of calm, judicial spirit, excellent busi- ness qualities, unvarying industry and punctuality and always in perfect health till his latest years. He died on Christmas day, 1892. He was thrice married. In 1834 to Jane Geddie, sister of the Rev. John Geddie, by whom he had three children. Second, to Nancy McCurdy of Onslow, N. S., in 1844. Three sons of this marriage were Rev. J. B. Praser, M. D., Annan, Ont., Rev. R. Douglas Fraser, D.D., Editor and Business Manager, Presbyterian Publications, Toronto; and W. H. Fraser, M.A., Professor of Spanish and Italian, University of Toronto. Miss Jane Wells Fraser, daughter of the Rev. R. D. Praser, D.D., is assistant editor of the Presbyterian Publications. Third, he married Maria James Nicholas of Cuyahoga Palls, Ohio, and the children of this marriage were: George A. H. Fraser, M.A., Barrister, Denver, Colorado; and Miss Emma M. N. Fraser, M.A., Ph.D., Wheaton College, Norton, Mass. Simon Fraser, McLennan's Brook; Died 1912. He was a son of Alexander Fraser and Margaret Campbell, daughter of Alexander Campbell, Elder, McLennan's Brook. He was a graduate of Free Church College, Halifax. He settled in New Brunswick for some time, but went to Texas where he spent the remainder of his ministry. He died in the seventy-eighth year of his age. Alexander Campbell, McLennan's Brook; Died 1908. He was born in 1855. His first pastorate was at Noel, 1887; the second, Merigomish, 1892. He died in the 53d year of his age. His death came most unexpectedly. Having gone to Noel to attend the funeral of a loyal supporter of the Presbyterian Church, he was stricken while in the pulpit, and in a short time passed away in the same pulpit in which he began his ministry. "How beautiful it is for man to die, Upon the walls of Zion! To be called Like a watch-worn and weary sentinel To put his armour off — and rest — in heaven." Wm. McHardy, McLennan's Brook. Died while preparing for the ministry. 84 REV. WILLIAM FRASER, D. D. PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT John F. Forbes, Blue Mountain; Died 1905. He was born in 1834; received his education in Halifax and in Princeton Seminary. He was ordained 1867, as pastor of Union Centre and Lochaber, where he labored for 19 years. In 1886 he accepted a call to Durham, and from there, 8 years later, to St. Andrew's Church, Sydney, C. B. In all these charges he served with fidelity and success. He died in the 71st year of his age. Adam G. Forbes, Blue Mountain. He came to Pictou when an infant; educated at the Free Church College, Hahfax; his first charge was at Buctouche, N. B. From there he went to Ontario and some years later with a colony of his people, he went to No. Dakota, where he died in 1894. Geo. M. Ross, B.A., Blue Mountain, North Honan, China. David C. Ross, B.A., Blue Mountain; Lower Stewiacke, N. S. Alex. L. Fraser, B.D., Blue Mountain, Great Village, N. S. Published three volumes of poems. "Sonnets and other Verses", "At Life's Windows", "Fugitives". Hugh Miller, M.A., Garden of Eden; Glace Bay, C. B. Samuel McIntosh, Garden of Eden; Deceased. Student for the ministry. Rev. a. Maclean Sinclair, LL.D., Glenbard; Hope- weU, N. S. Rev. A. Maclean Sinclair is the highest authority in Canada on the GaeHc language and literature, and owns one of the best Gaelic libraries on the continent. He is also recognized in the Old Country as an eminent Gaelic scholar and student. He is the author of "Clarsach Na Coille", a collection of Gaelic hymns and songs, "Gaelic Bards", from 1411 to 1825, "The Mac Bards", two vols; "The Clan GUlean, or the History of the Macleans". This is a large and handsome octavo volume, and is the standard work on the history of the Clan. He is a regular contributor to the Celtic Magazine, Edinburgh, and other periodicals. He is a grandson of John Maclean, the well known Gaelic poet. In 1907, he was appointed lecturer in the Gaelic Language and Literature in Dalhousie University. 85 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD James McGregor MacKay, East River St. Mary's; Died 1911. His father was Alex. MacKay, one of the first settlers at East River St. Mary's. He prosecuted his studies at West River Seminary, being one of Dr. Ross' first students. In 1855 he was inducted into the charge of Parrsboro, which at that time had ten preaching stations, and was forty miles in length. In 1860 he was called to Economy and Five Islands where he remained for 18 years. His next charge was at Woodstock, N. B. In 1884 he accepted a call to Shediac. After 37 years of service he retired, in 1892, to New Glasgow, where he died in the 93d year of his age. His physical powers were remarkable. As a preacher he was evangelical; as a presbyter he was loyal to the Church; as a friend his hospitality was unfailing. It is noteworthy that he never missed a meeting of Synod; never had a month's hoUday, and, during his public ministry, there were only two Sabbaths on which he was unable to preach. Samuel C. Gunn, D.D., East River St. Mary's; Boston, Mass. For nearly twenty years minister of Scotch Church, Boston. Retired from the Ministry. Wm. Gunn, East River St. Mary's; Died 1900. Mr. Gunn was educated at Colgate University, N. Y., and was a pastor of the Baptist denomination. His first charge was at Springfield, N. Y. In 1878 he was appointed Chaplain of the Prison, Fort Madison, Iowa. For 20 years he served in this capacity, and accomplished a great work in the reforma- tion of the inmates of the prison. Adam Gunn, East River St. Mary's; Died 1903. Mr. Gunn was pastor for 16 years at Gore and Kennetcook, N. S., and at Cardigan, P. E. I., 10 years. In 1902 he went to the Northwest, but in the following year he died. A. D. Gunn, East River St. Mary's; Died 1898. In 1883 he was called to Upper Stewiacke, where he labored for four and a half years, until failing health compelled him to resign. He was a brother of Rev. S. C. Gunn of Boston. Duncan Cameron, East River St. Mary's; Pittsburg, Pa. Rev. A. G. Cameron, B. Sc, Sylvania, Pa. and Rev. A. H. Cameron, M.A., Detroit, Mich., are cousins of Rev. Duncan Cameron. 86 PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT Wm. a. Mason, B.A., East River St. Mary's; Wetaskiwin, Alta. John S. Clark, East River St. Mary's; Minneapolis, Minn. Prof, of Latin, University of Minneapolis. Hugh A. Robertson, D.D., Barney's River; Erromanga, New Hebrides. Author, "Erromanga, the Martyr Isle" A. J. McKicHAN, Barney's River; Winnipeg, Man. Retired from the Ministry. A. D. Sutherland, Barney's River; Fort Sill, Okla. Chaplain Field Artillery, United States Army. L. A. MacLean, B.A., Barney's River; Danville, Quebec. Wm. Craigie, Barney's River; Died 1890. Pastor, Baptist Church. Alex. J. McLeod, Barney's River; Denmark, N. S. Pastor, Baptist Church. Wm. Gordon, Barney's River. Pastor of the Methodist Church. He labored in California, where he died in 1904. Ministers and Churches in Merigomish, Sutherland's River, Thorburn, Little Harbor and Bailey's Brook The present church at Merigomish was built in 1869. The French River Chtirch, in 1861 or 1862. The two churches maintained a separate existence from 1860 to about 1895, when they were united into one charge. The ministers in order of induction were: Revs. Wm. Patrick, A. P. Miller, K. J. Grant, H. McD. Scott, Daniel McGregor, C. S. Lord, Wm. R. Muir, Alex. Campbell, and A. S. Weir. The present pastor is A. F. Fisher, B. D., April 13, 1911. Rev. Mr. Cock of Truro preached the first sermon in Merigomish at Morrison's house, about 1784. The first elders were Walter Murray, John Small, and George Roy. 87 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD The first settlers at Sutherland's River were from the Highlands of Scotland. The River was named after Sutherland, whose son, John, was the first child baptized belonging to Sutherland's River. Feb. 3, 1854 a site was bought for a church and the people proceeded to build. The congregation was made up of members from the three branches of the Presbyterian Church: the Kirk, the Free Church and the Presbyterian Church of N. S., united. This was the first union Presbyterian Church in the Province. The Congregation of Thorburn was organized in 1875, and the two made one charge. Rev. W. T. Bruce, M.D. was called in 1876, and resigned in Jan. 1881. Rev. Isaac Murray, D.D. was inducted pastor in 1882; Rev. A. W. McLeod 1885; Rev. James A. Mackenzie 1899. His successor was Rev. John Harris, 1912. James W. McLean has been clerk of the Session for 28 years, and choir leader for over 40 years. The Little Harbor Congregation was organized in 1864, and Rev. J. A. F. Sutherland was the first pastor. He was followed by Rev. Wm. Maxwell in 1868, who also had charge of Fisher's Grant. During his ministry the church was built. He resigned in 1880, and the pastors who succeeded him were: Revs. Robert Laird, McLeod Harvey, John B. Maclean, John W. Penman, R. J. Douglass, A. D. Mcintosh and A. J. McDonald (1910) the present pastor. Ministers Born and Bred in this District John Campbell, Merigomish; Deceased. For some years he was pastor of St. Andrew's Church, Hali- fax, and for 18 years minister of Buccleuch parish Church, Edinburgh, Scotland, where he died. Isaac S. Simpson, Merigomish; Chicago, 111. Wm. H. Smith, B.D., Ph.D., Merigomish; Fredericton, N. B. Pastor, St. Paul's Chiurch. PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT Edwin Smith, M.A., Merigomish; McLeod, Alta. A. A. Smith, B. A., Merigomish; Verschoyle, Ont. F. W. Thompson, B.A., Merigomish; St. John, N. B. Pastor, Calvin Church. Lawrence B. Campbell, Merigomish. Theol. Student. Son of late Rev. Alexander Campbell. W. B. MacDonald, Merigomish; Lourdes, N. S. Pastor of the Roman Catholic Church. John Chisholm, B.A., Sutherland's River; Montreal, Can. Pastor, Victoria Church. Alex. W. McKay, Sutherland's River; Deceased. Pastor for some time at StreetsviUe, Ont. James M. Sutherland, Sutherland's River; E. Pepperell, Mass. Pastor, Methodist Church. John Lamont, Sutherland's River; Deceased. Graduated but never had a charge. For many years he was a successful colporteur for the National Bible Society, in the Maritime Provinces. John A. MacGlashen, B.D., French River; Bridgeport, C. B. A. W. Pollock, B.A., French River; Deceased. Student in Theology. Drowned at French River. James A. McLean, B.A., Thorburn; Mahone Bay, N. S. John J. MacDonald, Thorburn; Brooklyn, N. Y. Pastor, South Presbyterian Church. Wm. MacPherson, Thorburn; Waterville, N. S. A. S. Weir, Thorburn; Swan River, Manitoba. J. F. McKay, Thorburn; Clyde River, N. S. William Forbes, B.A., Little Harbor; Tatamagouche, N. S. G. Ernest Forbes, B.A., Little Harbor; New Glasgow, N. S. Pastor, First Presbyterian Church. John G. Golquhoon, B.A., Little Harbor; Millerton, N.B. 89 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Edwin H. Burgess, Little Harbor; Sydney, C. B. Editpr, "Canadian Commonwealth". Author "At the Place which is called Calvary", a volume of sermons, and "For Canada and the Old Flag". Thomas F. McGregor, Chance Harbor; Hawarden, Sask. The Following are Clergymen of the Roman Catholic Church Donald MacKinnon, Ardness; Died at Grand Narrows, C. B. DuGAL MacKinnon, Ardness; Died at Dundas, Ont. J. J. MacKinnon, Ardness; Bailey's Brook, N. S. C. F. MacKinnon, Bailey's Brook; Sydney Mines, C. B. M. W. MacKinnon, D.C.L., Lismore; Vancouver, B. C. Donald M. MacGregor, D.D., Lismore; Judique, C. B. Ronald MacDonald, Lismore; Pictou, N. S. Ministers and Churches in West River and Green Hill The West River is one of the oldest congregations in the County. Rev. Duncan Ross took the pastoral over- sight of the congregation in 1795 and continued to be pastor for 39 years. He was succeeded by his son. Rev. James Ross, D. D., who was inducted in 1835, and resigned in 1852. James Watson followed him and remained for 5 years. In 1858 the congregation was divided into two separate charges. The one known as Central Church called Rev. James Thomson and the other congregation. Rev. George Roddick. At the close of 20 years' service, both resigned, when a reunion was effected, in 1879, and Rev. A. W. McLeod settled as pastor. In 1886 Rev. J. F. Forbes was inducted and Green Hill was united with West River. Rev. J. R. Coffin was called in 1895 and Rev. C. J. Crowdis in 1907. The present pastor is Rev. A. H. Foster, inducted 90 GROUP OF CHURCHES Presbyterian Church, Sprixgville 5 Hopewell Village and Church Presbyterian Church. Durham 6 Salem Church, River John St. John's Church, Scotsburn 7 St. James Church, Pictou Sharon Church, Stellarton 8 Village of Sunny Brae q CiRMp-r Chtircr WesTVILLE PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT in 1913. The West River congregation has always been a centre of educational and missionary endeavor. The church at Green Hill was biiilt in 1848. Rev. George Patterson, D.D., was the first minister, inducted 1849, resigned 1876. Rev. William Stuart was pastor 1877 to 1884. The other pastors were: Revs. Forbes, CoflBn, Crowdis and Foster. Names of Ministers Born in this District, with Place of Birth and Addresses of Those Still Living James Ross, D.D., West River; Died 1886. Ebenezer Ross, West River; Died 1891. Mr. Ross was inducted at Folly Village, 1849, and remained in this, his only charge until 1877, a ministry of 28 years. He then resigned on account of ill health, and removed to Truro, where he resided until his death. He was possessed of rare vigor and much learning. Duncan McDonald, West River; Deceased. He was a member of the first class of theological students under Dr. McCtdloch. John McDonald, West River; Deceased. Student for the ministry. John J. Richards, West River; Died 1889. Mr. Richard's whole ministry was spent in Brockville Pres- bytery, Ontario, where he was held in high esteem as a faith- ful pastor and preacher. James D. Murray, West River; Died 1914. Angus McKenzie, West River; Died 1911. He went to Kansas in 1872, and to the Pacific Coast in 1874 where nearly all his ministry was spent. He married Anna McPherson, Nova Scotia, in 1888. He was a faithful minister and did good work in the organization of new churches. John D. McLean, West River; Deceased. Missionary to Japan. 91 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD D. Stiles Fraser, B.A., Durham; Elderbank, N. S. His son, E. J. O. Fraser, B.A., was appointed Missionary to Korea in 1914. John M. Macleod, West River; Deceased. Mr. Macleod was one of the first who received his education at the West River Seminary. In 1853 he began his ministry at Richmond Bay, P. E. I., where he spent 6 years. His next pastorage was at Newport, N. S. From there he went to Knox Church, New Glasgow, N. S. In 1871 he was called to Zion Church, Charlottetown, where for 18 years he labored with zeal and success. He left the island in 1889 and went to Vancouver, to minister to a new congregation. Mr.Macleod was a vigorous preacher and a faithful pastor, and his mem- ory is cherished in all his congregations. He was the author of "The History of Presbyterianism in Prince Edward Island". William McC. Thomson, M.A., Durham; Port of Spain, Trinidad. Pastor, Greyfriars Church. A. W. Thomson, M.A., Durham; Pictou, N. S. Sons of the late Rev. James Thomson. D. McDonald Clark, B.A., Durham; Middle Stewiacke, N. S. David Clark, Durham; Died 1882. He was a son of the late David Clark, elder, and had the ministry in view. Henry MacDonald, Durham; Deceased. He died at Paterson, N. J., in 1899, just after being ordained. D. G. Cock, M.A., West River; Mhow, Central India. Forest L. Fraser, Durham; Penn Yan, N. Y. Pastor, Baptist Church. John McLean, M.A., Green Hill; Died 1837. Alex. Blaikie, D.D., Green Hill; Died 1885. Born 1804, educated at Pictou Academy and Halifax, a Missionary in the Western States, 1831-1835. In 1836 he became pastor at York, N. Y. and continued for nine years. In 1846 he came to Boston and established a congregation in connection with the United Presbyterian Church, and con- tinued pastor of it until he retired in 1880. His work in 92 PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT Boston was marked by great labor and patience. He was the author of "Philosophy of Sectarianism", and "History of Presbyterianism in New England", and other works. WiUiam Blaikie, author, lawyer, athlete, was his son. John W. McKenzie, D.D., Green Hill; Australia. Retired from Missionary Work. James A. Mackenzie, B.A., Green Hill; Elmsdale, N. S. Edward Grant, Green Hill; Died 1894. Inl869he was inducted at Kempt and Walton, and in 1872 was called to Upper Stewiacke to succeed the late Rev. Prof. Smith, D.D., and from that, in 1891, to Middle Musquodoboit, to succeed the late Rev. Dr. Sedgwick. Mr. Grant was 52 years of age, and for nearly 25 years he was a most faithful minister in the Church. D. W. Cameron, Green Hill; Died 1903. For many years Mr. Cameron was the pastor of Presbyterian Churches in Canada and the United States, but in later years entered the Church of England at Yonkers, N. Y., where he died. John G. Cameron, Green Hill; Died 1897. He was educated at Princeton Seminary, and ordained at the early age of twenty-one. The whole of his ministry was spent in Prince Edward Island, where he was greatly beloved as a man and a minister. His charges were in Bonshaw, Souris and Murray Harbor. George Gordon Mahy, D.D., Green Hill; Philadelphia, Pa. Secretary of the General Assembly's Committee on Evangel- ism, Presbyterian Church in U. S. A. Thomas McLean, Green Hill; Deceased. Was preparing himself for missionary work when he died. Norman G. Reid, Green Hill; Halifax, N. S. Theological Student. 93 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Ministers and Churches of Scotsburn, Including Rogers Hill and Plainfield St. John's Church (Kirk) was built in 1838. It was the first church in the place and is still standing. Rev. R. Macaulay and Rev. D. McConnachie were the first ministers. Rev. John Sinclair was pastor for five years. In 1860 Rev. John Goodwill was inducted and resigned in 1871 to go as missionary to New Hebrides. The last minister of the Kirk church was the Rev. J. W. Fraser who spent his whole ministry at Scotsburn. The Free Church was formed, after the disruption, in 1844, and in 1862 Bethel Church was built. Rev. Alex. Sutherland was the first minister. The other pastors in order of induction were: Revs. Alex. Stirling, 1871; J. A. Cairns, 1887; Thos. Cumming, D.D., 1898; W. A. Ross, 1908. Upon Mr. Fraser's retirement in 1907, St. John's Church and Bethel were united. Rev. A. D. Stirling is the present pastor, inducted 1910. Ministers Born in this District John Murray, Scotsburn, Stanley Bridge, P. E. I. Retired from the Ministry. James Murray, B.D., D.D., Scotsburn; Toronto, Ont. Pastor, Erskine Church. Robert C. Murray, Scotsburn; Died in India, 1888. George Murray, Scotsburn; Nicola, B. C. Retired from the Ministry. John Gordon, Scotsburn; Nelson, B. C. Aeneas Gordon, Scotsburn, Kings Kettle, Fifeshire, Scotland. Hugh McLeod, Scotsburn. Born 1826, graduated, Amherst College 1851, studied, Bangor Theological Seminary. Settled in Springfield, Ohio, as pastor of the Congregational Church. In 1857 went to New Hampshire, where he spent the most of his ministerial life. During the Civil War he served honorably as Chaplain in the Army. He died at Cambridge, Mass., Feb. 19, 1900. 94 1 James A. Mackenzie 2 D. Stiles Fraser MINISTERS OF TODAY .! H. W. Fraser, D. D. + James Murray. D. D. 7 Wm. H. Burn-s, D. D. 5 Duncan Cameron 6 Hugh R. Grant PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT Daniel W. McLeod, Scotsburn; Hollywood, Calif. Relinquished his studies for the ministry on account ofJU health. Prominent elder on the Pacific Coast for many years. Isaac Murray, D.D., Scotsburn; Died 1906. He received his theological training in West River Seminary, and Princeton Seminary, N. J. In 1849 he was inducted pastor of the congregation of Cavendish and New London, P. E. I., successor to Dr. Geddie. Here he labored for 27 years, wielding a large influence not only as a minister, but as an educationist and writer. In 1877 he was called to Thorburn and Sutherland's River. Here he remained for seven years, when he was settled in North Sydney, where-jhe remained until his retirement in 1896. Dr. Murray was a man of fine attainments, and one of the most faithful in his attendance upon Church courts. J. Allister Murray, Scotsburn; Died 1894. In 1857 he was settled at Annapolis, N. S. Three years later he accepted a call to Bathurst, N. B. He afterwards removed to Ontario where he labored during the remainder of his life. His chief work was at London, Ont., where he ministered for about twenty years. Mr. Murray was a very effective and forcible preacher. He was a brother of the Rev. Isaac Murray. A. D. Stirling, B.A., Scotsburn; Scotsburn, N. S. John Stirling, B.A., Scotsbtu^n; Cavendish, P. E. I. Sons of the late Rev. Alexander Stirling. John Stewart, Scotsburn; Deceased. Student for the ministry. He entered Dal. Univ., 1874 and won a scholarship. During his second year in coUege he died, aged twenty-three. He was a young man of fine ability. Hugh McIntosh, Scotsburn; Deceased. Alex. McKenzie, Scotsburn; Deceased. Mr. Mcintosh and Mr. McKenzie were both students for the ministry and promising young men. E. D. Miller, D.D., Rogers Hill. Died 1909. Rev. Mr. MiUer was a grandson of Rev. Duncan Ross. After a successful course of study he was ordained, on Oct. 28, 1872, in Shelburne. After he left Shelburne he labored with great zeal and energy in Lunenburg and Yarmouth, and was eminently successful in both places. After 16 years of work in Yarmouth he was called to Chalmer's Church, Halifax. 95 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD- He settled there in 1907. He was an instructive preacher, a sympathetic pastor, and deeply interested in all the enter- prises of the Church. His ministry spanned thirty-six very busy years. Duncan Miller, Rogers Hill; Deceased. James Miller, Rogers Hill; Deceased. Brothers of the Rev. E. D. Miller, and died while preparing for the ministry. John W. Matheson, Rogers Hill; Died in New Hebrides, 1862. Anderson Rogers, D.D., Rogers Hill.; Halifax, N. S. Dr. Rogers enjoys the honor of having formed the first Christian Endeavor Society in N. S., at Yarmouth, in 1885. James Fitzpatrick, B.A., Rogers Hill; New Annan, N.S. John R. FiTZPATRicK, Rogers Hill; Died 1893. Educated at Dalhousie and Presbyterian College, Halifax. Settled at Carleton, N. B., but resigned on account of ill health. He was brother of the Rev. James Fitzpatrick. Roderick McKay, B.D., Rogers Hill; Kingston, Ont. John A. Fraser, Rogers Hill; Oakland, Calif. Robert Murray, Rogers Hill; O'Leary, P. E. I. William B. MacCallum, Rogers Hill; New Richmond, Quebec. Roderick C. Jackson, Rogers Hill; Farmington, New Mexico. Alexander Sutherland, Plainfield; Died 1897. He was born in Lairg, Scotland, 1816. While a child his parents came to Nova Scotia. He was sent to Edinburgh to complete his education, and at the age of 28, he entered upon the ministry. His first charge in Pictou Presbytery, was 40 miles in extent. In seven years four congregations were organized and five new churches. In 1852 he removed to Prince Edward Island, where he labored for seven years and organized four congregations with two new churches. A call was sent to him three times from his former field, the third time urging him to return on the ground that four congre- gations that hesitated would enter the union of 1860 if he should return, which he did, and these congregations entered 96 J. R. DoBSON William P. Grant MIXISTERS OF TODAY ,^ WiLi-iAM. H. Smith 4 ANni.:RS()N' R(.)(.lrs, D. D. 5 F. H. Macintosh 6 (i. Erxkst FoRi!n:s 7 J. A. MacOlasiikn PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT without a dissenting voice. During the next few years he occupied Earltown, West Branch, Scotsbum and Saltsprings, gathering the fruits of seed sown during previous years. In 1874 he went to Canada where he labored until Aug., 1897. His ministerial jubilee was celebrated at Ripley, Ontario, 1896. Seventeen ministers were present and over one thousand people. He was always punctual in fulfilling appointments. Many times did he break the road before his horse through deep snows, while his coat was frozen about him. A large number of the ministers of our church received their first impulses and ideal under his ministry. William Sutherland, Plainfield; Deceased. His whole ministry was spent in Ontario, where he died. Alfred Fitzpatrick, B.A., Plainfield; Toronto, Ont. Director and Superintendent of Educational Work among the lumber camps of Canada. Luther L. Young, B.A., Millsville; Ham Heung, Korea. Ministers and Churches in the Saltsprings District The first minister of St. Luke's Church, Saltsprings, was the Rev. Donald Mcintosh. He was followed by the Rev. Hugh McLeod, from 1833 to 1844. For seven years the church was vacant. The other ministers in order of induction were: Revs. A. Maclean, D.D., 1851-1857; Alexander McKay, 1859-1867; WHUam McMillan 1868- 1876; James Fitzpatrick 1879-1891 ; Alexander Rotdston 1892-1898; A. H. Denoon 1899-1908; Wm. F. Burns 1909-1913. In 1845, twenty families went out from St. Luke's Church and were organized into a Free Church of Scot- land. The following year they began the erection of Ebenezer Church. In 1859 Rev. Alex. Sutherland became minister of the united congregations of Bethel Church, Scotsbum and Ebenezer Church. He was followed by the Rev. Alex. Stirling, 1871, Rev. J. A. Cairns 1887, Rev. 97 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Thos. Gumming, 1889. In 1908 St. Luke's and Ebenezer churches were formerly united. The present pastor is Rev. A. T. Macdonald. From 1845 to 1896 West Branch River John was part of the Earltown congregation. In 1896 it was united to St. George's Ghurch, River John. It became a separate charge in 1910 under the Rev. Thomas Johnstone who remained two years. The Rev. G. J. Maclnnes, B.A., present pastor was inducted March 3, 1913. Ministers Born and Brought Up in this District Hugh J. Fraser, B.D., Saltsprings; Summerside, P. E. I. Norman T. McKay, Saltsprings; Ready, Ont. J. Frank McLeod, Saltsprings; Harbor Greek, Pa. Alex. Rettie, M.A., Saltsprings; MiUerton, N. B. Daniel McGillivray, Brookland; Deceased. He received Ms early education in Pictou Academy, and took his theological course in Queen's University, Kingston. His first charge was Brockville, Ont., where he ministered for 14 years, after which he settled at London, Ont., where he re- mained 8 years. He was then called to Lunenburg, N. S., and remained 13 years in this charge, when his health broke down, and he went to British Columbia. He was forty years in the ministry. Mr. McGilUvray was a man of genial disposi- tion and his memory is cherished in all the congregations where he ministered. Andrew Gray, Brookland; Murray Harbor West, P. E. I. Archibald Gunn, Six Mile Brook. Studied at Dalhousie University and graduated from the Presbyterian College, Halifax, in 1878. His first charge was at Little Bay, Nfd. Prom there he was called to Windsor, N. S. He was for seven years minister at St. Andrew's, N. B. and another seven years at Bloomfield, P. E. I. Failing health compelled him to retire from the ministry. He re- moved to Westville where he made his home for eight years. He died on the evening of Easter, 1912. 98 PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT George Gordon Matheson, Six Mile Brook. ; Died 1897. He attended Pictou Academy in 1887 and studied at Spring- field School for Christian Workers. He was ordained to the ministry at Fergus Falls, Minn., 1893. For several years he was Sunday School Missionary in the Red River Presbytery Minn., holding evangelistic services, founding and aiding churches and Sunday Schools. He was an earnest Christian worker. Arthur Ross, M. A., Black River; Dawson, Y. T. John S. Ross, Black River; Vancouver, B. C. John Livingston, West River Station; Deceased. He was pastor of Dundee, Ont., for nine months, when he died. The congregation erected a monument to his memory with the inscription, — "In memory of John Livingston, born at West River Station, Apr. 6, 1821, died in Dundee, Aug. IS, 1860, aged 29 years. He was ordained to the pastoral charge in Dundee Nov. 30, 1859. He was a burning and a shining Ught." W. A. MacKay, B.D., West Branch River John; Black- water, Ont. Earltown, adjoining Pictou County on the Colchester side has produced a splendid lot of men in almost every profession and Une of calling. Among the clergymen are : Neil McKay, Adam McKay, Robt. Murray, editor of Presbyterian Witness, William Murray, Alexander Ross, Donald Sutherland, A. L. McKay, Angus McDonald, John D. McKay, missionary to South America, James Ross, Geo. A. Sutherland, J. H. Stewart, D. W. McDonald, R. J. Douglass and Melville Grant. Ministers in the Scotch Hill, Hardwood Hill and Cariboo District Some of the families belonging to Scotch Hill and Hard- wood Hill, attended the Scotsbum Church. Others worshipped in Pictou. Cape John was formerly connected with St. George's Church, River John. In 1908, Cape John and Cariboo was organized into a separate charge. Rev. G. R. McKean was the only settled minister. 99 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Ministers Born in this District John McMillan, D.D., Scotch Hill; Halifax, N. S. Stated Clerk, Halifax Presbytery. George McMillan, Scotch Hill; Died 1913. For 16 years he was the faithful minister at Kentville, N. S. Previous to this he ministered to congregations at Malpeque, P. E. I., and Harbor Grace, Nfd. He was a brother of the Rev. John McMillan, Halifax, and a scholarly and impressive preacher. A. N. McQuARRiE, B.A., Scotch Hill,; Died 1909. Mr. McQuarrie graduated from Queen's University in 1865, and went to Quebec, when for a number of years he was a successful professor in Morrin College. From there he went to Washington, D. C, where he taught for several years. For fifteen years he was a minister in Manitoba. He died at Winnipeg Dec. 1, 1909, aged 70 years. He was a diligent student, an acceptable preacher, and was held in high esteem by those to whom he ministered. John Campbell, Scotch Hill; Died 1873. Born at Scotch Hill, December, 1809. Studied at Pictou Academy, and Theology under Dr. McCuUoch, licensed by the Presbytery of Pictou, April, 1837. Ordained at St. Mary's, 1st November, 1837. Died September 4, 1873. Endowed by nature with strong mental gifts, great powers of physical endurance, animated with the spirit of his Master, he gave himself to his work with energy and zeal, undergoing the most arduous labors, in discharging his duties as a min- ister over a widely scattered field. Kenneth J. Grant, D.D., Scotch Hill; Vancouver, B. C. Wm. L. Campbell, Scotch Hill; Yarmouth, N. S. Collector of Customs. Alexander Hamilton, Scotch Hill; Old Orchard, Me. Pastor, Methodist Church. Kenneth McKay, Hardwood Hill ; Died March 28, 1914. In 1872 he was ordained at Richmond, N. B., where he re- mained 16 years. In 1888, he became pastor of a mission Church atHoulton, Me., thus organizing the first Presbyterian Church in the state. He resigned in 1910. Mr. McKay was an able and earnest preacher and one of the most genial and lovable 100 PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT of men. He married Miss Margaret Grant, a sister of Rev. Dr. K. J. Grant. He is survived by his widow and seven children. Alexander McKay, Hardwood Hill; Deceased. Mr. McKay was the first Nova Scotian who studied for the Church of Scotland, and returned to labor among his country- men. In 1852 he commenced his ministry in his native parish, Rogers Hill, and at the end of 2 years went to Belfast, P. E. I. From 1859 to 1867, he labored with great success at Gairloch and Saltsprings, N. S. In 1868 he removed to Ontario. He died in the 63d year of his age, and the 35th of his ministry. He was a devoted minister of the Gospel. D. O. MacKay, B.A., Hardwood Hill; Kingsville, Ohio. Hector McQuarrie, Hardwood Hill; Deceased. Settled at Wingham, Ont. Hector B. McKay, Cariboo; Died 1912. Mr. McKay was for some time a teacher in the Free Church Academy, Halifax. In 1855, he was ordained at Chipman, where he spent the first 7 years of his ministry. In 1861 he was called to Salem Church, River John, where he labored with great success. This pastorate lasted 24 years. In 1885 he went to Wallace where followed 11 years of great usefulness. He retired from the ministry in 1897, and Uved thereafter in Halifax, where he died, at the venerable age of 87 years. Kenneth McKenzie, Cariboo; Died 1904. For a year he was in charge of Baddeck, C. B., before his call and ordination there in 1857. This was his first and only charge. For 35 years he labored here, until his resignation and retirement, in 1891. For 5 years during his ministry he inspected all the schools of Victoria County. George Roddick, Cariboo; Died 1910. In 1858 Mr. Roddick was inducted into the congregation of West River, Pictou, where he was a faithful pastor for 21 years. Then catching the first strain of the call to the west he removed with his family, and a portion of his congregation, to Brandon Hills, Manitoba. There he engaged in farming and preached as opportunity offered. After an absence of 25 years he returned to his native County and settled in the town of Pictou. Daniel McKay, Cariboo; Addison, N. Y. 101 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Murdoch, S. MacKay, B. A., Cariboo; Waweig, N. B. Alexander Macaulay, Cariboo; Vancouver, B. C. Archibald Sutherland, Cariboo; Trenton, N. S. Graduate Presbyterian College, Halifax, 1914. Ministers and Churches of River John The early settlers of River John were of Swiss origin. Having undergone untold persecution in their native land, some of them left their native country and came to Hali- fax, N. S. From thence they proceeded to Lunenburg, where they endured the hardships of the first settlers. In 1772 twelve or thirteen families came to Tatamagouche and formed the first settlers of that place. In 1785 four families : George Patriquin, James Gratto, John Patriquin and George Langill, removed to River John, where they could obtain crown land. They became the first settlers there and had a noble ancestry. The first preaching re- ceived by River John's early settlers was by Dr. McGregor. Between Pictou and River John, at this time, there was an unbroken forest. Not a single dweller was to be found along the shore between these two places. The first settled minister was Rev. John Mitchell, who began his labors in 1808, and gave 35 years of service to this congre- gation. The Rev. James Waddell, was settled over the people in 1844. He resigned in 1858. Mr. Waddell was succeeded by the Rev. H. B. McKay in 1861, who minis- tered to this people for 24 years. In 1887 the Rev. G. L. Gordon was inducted, and was nainister for 21 years. The present pastor is Rev. C. D. Mcintosh, settled there Dec. 9, 1909. Two congregations existed for many years in River John, Salem and St. George's congregations. The latter be- longed to the Kirk body and was organized by the Rev. Geo. M. Grant. Its first pastor was the Rev. Robt. McCunn, who was settled in 1863, and spent a long and faithful ministry there. Then followed the Rev. J. A. Crawford 102 PICTONIANS IN THE PULPIT from 1898 to 1906. In 1896 the Rev. R. J. Grant was or- dained. His ministry was a short one, and terminated in his tragic death at Montreal, in 1898. On the 4th of January 1911, the two charges in River John were happily united. Ministers Born and Brought Up in This District David W. Johnson, D.D., River John; Truro, N. S. Editor of the Wesleyan, organ of the Methodist denomination. John G. Bigney, River John; Hantsport, N. S. Retired Methodist minister. Wm. H. Langille, River John; Glace Bay, C. B. Pastor, Methodist Church. Robert F. Allen, B.A., River John; Annapolis Royal, N. S. Pastor, Baptist Church. Charles W. Allen, River John; Hamilton, N. Y. Student Colgate University. Baptist. James A. Forbes, River John; Earltown, N. S. Paul F. Langille, B.A., River John; Fingal, Ont. Gilbert W. Langille, B.A., River John; Edgerton, Alta. George P. Tattrie, B.D., River John; Tabusintac, N.B. Johnson A. Henderson, B.A., Toney River; Chicago, III. Charles Ross, Toney River; Deceased. Pastor, Congregational Church. Malcolm McKay, River John; Oxford, Me. Pastor, Congregational Church. A. A. McKay, B.A., River John. Theological student, Presbyterian College, Halifax. Linton Dwyer, River John; Pawtucket, R. I. Pastor, Episcopal Church. 103 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Peter Melville, B.D., Cape John; Died 1912. Mr. Melville was pastor in New Brunswick and at Hopewell, N. S., for many years, where he left a record of efficient work. His scholastic attainments were of a high order. For eight years he studied in the University of Glasgow, and won valuable prizes in sharp competition with many others. He spent the closing years of his ministerial life in a parish in the North of Scotland. He died in Edinburgh in 1912. 104 Chapter IV PICTONIANS IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION ROBERT Louis Stevenson said there are men and classes of men that stand above the common herd — the soldier, the sailor and the shepherd not infrequently, the artist rarely, the clergyman rarelier still, the physician almost as a rule. On the score of priority in the field the physicians from Pictou may justly enter a claim for precedence over the other professions. For foremost among the little band of settlers, who, on June 10, 1757, arrived aboard the Brig Hope and laid the foundations of the town of Pictou, came Dr. John Harris, an agent of the Philadelphia company. It is to be taken for granted that Dr. Harris did not depend for a living upon his practice, for the Hope brought only 35 or 40 passengers, all told. Incidentally, it may be remarked that the first white child born in the county came into the world the very night of the arrival of the brig, when the doctor's own family received the addition of a son. He afterward became known as Clerk "Tommy" Harris, having the position of Clerk of Peace for many years. He died in 1809, and was buried in the Pictou cemetery, where a monument stood to his memory, long since fallen, on which was the inscription, "The first descendant of an Englishman bom in Pictou." We may add that Dr. Harris' daughter, afterward Mrs. Robert Cook, bom in 1769, was the first female child bom in Pictou of English parentage. Since that day, a century and a half ago, generation after generation of his successors carried on their appointed labors, and of many even the names have passed from the memory of men. Naturally, the earliest of these were not natives of the county. Among pioneer physicians of 105 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Pictou town and vicinity were Dr. Skinner, Dr. Johnstone, Dr. Elirkwood and Dr. Anderson. The physicians who first settled in New Glasgow were Dr. Wade, Dr. James Skinner, Dr. John Fox, Dr. Alexander Forrest, from 1832- 1875. Dr. James Donnelly practiced at Albion Mines, now Stellarton, for many years. He was a native of the North of Ireland. He died in 1866 in the fifty-sixth year of his age. But with the gradual increase of popvdation, of worldly goods and of educational advantages, her young men be- gan to take advantage of their opportunity to qualify themselves for more ambitious careers. The practice of the healing art evidently appealed with force to a con- siderable proportion as the partial list appearing upon subsequent pages will indicate. It is practically impossible to give a complete list of all the native sons and daughters of Pictou who, since the first settlement, have given them- selves to the medical profession. But of this list, it may be said with truth, of all her sons, of none may the county more reasonably feel proud than of those whose names appear herein. Far and wide are they scattered, living or dead, but in whatever place their lot was cast they brought credit to their native land. Not a few arose to eminence in the profession. The county in which they were bom today is recognized as a section where the best standards of medical knowledge and professional ethics are main- tained. The list below, with the name, place of birth, alma mater and present address, if living, shows 190 physicians of whom knowledge is available: Anderson, Alexander, M.D., Pictou; Harvard Univ., 1864; Petaluma, Cal. Anderson, Smith, M.D., Pictou; Univ. N. Y., 1892; Pictou, N. S. Anderson, Walter, M.D., Pictou; died in Vallejo, Cal. 106 PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS Arbuckle, James, M.D., Merigomish; deceased. Bailey, Cameron, V., M.D., New Glasgow; McGill Univ. 1909; Montreal, Can. Bailey, William J., M.D., New Glasgow; Univ. Penn., 1895; Connellsville, Pa. Bell, John, M.D., CM., New Glasgow; McGill Univ., 1898; New Glasgow, N. S. Benvie, Robert McLean, M.D., CM., Saltsprings; Mc- Gill Univ., 1907; Stellarton, N. S. Bruce, James Garfield, M.D., CM., Barney's River; Dal. Univ., 1908; Westville, N. S. Burns, Samuel Wesley, M.D., New Glasgow; Bell Med. Col., 1864; Shelbume, N. S. Burns, Thomas M., M.D., New Glasgow; deceased. Calder, Allister, M.D., CM., Springville; Dal. Univ., 1909; Glace Bay, C B. Calder, James Squair, M.D., Springville; Harvard Univ. 1886; Los Angeles, Cal. Cameron, Alexander, M.D., Glengarry; Glasgow Univ.; deceased. Dr. Cameron settled at Huntington, Quebec, where he was a distinguished and successful practitioner. Brother of Rev. John Cameron, D.D., Scotland. Cameron, Clarence B., M.D., CM., New Glasgow; Dal. Univ., 1911; Halifax, N. S. Cameron, Harold, M.D., CM., River John; Dal. Univ., 1901; River John, N. S. Cameron, John Thomas, M.D., Hopewell. Died at River John, N. S. Cameron, Murdoch, M.D., Saltsprings; Mexico. Cameron, Owen Haliburton, M.D., River John; Bait. Med. Col., 1892; Maccan Station, N. S. Cameron, William, M.D., Saltsprings; deceased. 107 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Campbell, Albert E., M.D., St. Paul's; Univ. of BufEalo 1886; Chicago, 111. Health Officer for the Illinois Central Railway system, Chicago, 111. Campbell, Alex. R., B.A., M.D., Merigomish; Dal. Univ., 1913; Yarmouth, N. S. Campbell, Duncan, M.D., West Br. River John; Tulane Univ., 1891; West Br. River John, N. S. Campbell, Robert, M.D., West Branch River John; deceased. He practiced in River John for a few years, then removed to Dartmouth, N. S., where he died. Chisholm, Hugh D., M.D., CM., Springville; Dal. Univ., 1907; Springville, N. S. Chisholm, James, M.D., New Glasgow; McGill Univ., 1900; Everett, Wash. Collie, James Ross, M.D., Middle River; Harvard Univ., 1869; River John, N. S. Collie, John R. M., M.D., CM., River John; Dal. Univ., 1911. Post Graduate course, London, England. CoPELAND, George, M.D., Merigomish; deceased. CuLTON, Albert, M.D., Stellarton; Bait. Med. Col., 1897; Port Greville, N. S. Gumming, Allison, M.D., Stellarton; McGill Univ., 1905; Vancouver, B. C Delaney-Barbour, Isabel, M.D., Churchville; Women's Med. Col., N. Y; New York City. Dickson, Charles H., M.D., CM., Pictou; Dal. Univ., 1901 ; Springfield, N. S. Dickson, Minar S., ,M.D., Pictou; Univ., N.Y., 1890; Dartmouth, N. S. Doull, James A., B.A., M.D., New Glasgow. Graduate, Dal. Medical Univ., 1914. 108 PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS Duff, Duncan, M.D., Churchville. Died in Detroit, Mich. Dunbar, Willaim R., M.D., CM., Abercrombie; McGill Univ., 1897; Truro, N. S. Dunn, George A., Lyon's Brook; Dal. Col., 1906; Pic- tou, N. S. Dunn, James B., M.D., Merigomish; Pittsbtirgh, Pa. Elliott, Alfred, M.D., River John; Bait. Col. Phys. & Surg.; Bridgewater, Conn. Medical director of the State Farm Hospital. Falconer, A. F., M.D., Hopewell. Died in Sherbrooke, N. S. Ferguson, John A., M. D., Cariboo; L. I. Col. Hosp; N. Y.; Brooklyn, N.Y Ferguson, William, M.D., Pictou; McGill Univ., 1894; New York City, N.Y. Forbes, Albert E., M.D., CM., Durham; Dal. Univ., 1900; Upper Stewiacke, N. S. Forbes, Arthur E. G., M.D., CM., Little Harbor; Mc- Gill Univ., 1906; Lunenburg, N. S. Fraser, Alexander, M.D., CM., West River; Dal. Univ., 1897; New York City. Eraser, Hugh D., M.D., Bridgeville; Jefferson Med. Col.; Philadelphia, Pa. Eraser, James, M.D., New Glasgow; Edinburgh Univ.; deceased. Eraser, John B., M.D., New Glasgow; deceased. Fraser, John F., M.D., West River; Harvard Univ., 1892; New York City. Brother of Dr. Alexander Fraser. Eraser, J. W., M.D., Pictou; deceased. Practiced in Prince Edward Island, brother of Rev. F. W. Fraser. Eraser, William E., M.D., Westville; L. I. Med. Col., 1897; Lynn, Mass. 109 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Fraser, William, M.D., F.R.C.S., New Glasgow; de- ceased. Was born at Island, East River, studied in Glasgow University, practiced in New Glasgow twenty-seven years, where he died June 20, 1900. Son James Fraser, Downie; was married to Mary M., daughter of late Basil Bell, New Glasgow. FuLLERTON, Thomas, M.D., Lyon's Brook; Harvard Univ.; deceased. Graham, John, M.D., New Glasgow; deceased. Graham, Judson V., New Glasgow; Dal. Univ., 1914; medical student. Grant, Daniel, M.D., Caribou; McGiU Univ., 1896; Portland, Ore. Grant, John, M.D., Little Harbor; deceased. Grant, John P., M.D., CM., Linacy; McGiU Univ., 1895; New York City. Grant, Norman McKay, M.D., CM., SteUarton; Queen's Univ., 1889; New Zealand. Brother of Rev. Hugh R. Grant and the Grant Bros. Druggists, New Glasgow. Grant, William R., M.D., SpringviUe; deceased. Was born in 1811 and died in Philadelphia in 1852, in the forty- first year of his age. Early destined for the church by his parents, he entered Pictou Academy where he received his early education. While there, he relinquished the study of Theology and in 1834 entered the office of Dr. Alexander Mc- Donald, Antigonish, as a medical student. Two years later he went to Philadelphia, which was to be his home and the scene of his labors and distinctions. Grad- uating from Jefiferson Medical College in 1839, he was im- mediately appointed demonstrator of Anatomy in his Alma Mater. In 1843, he was appointed Professor of Anatomy in the Pennsylvania Medical College — a position which he held to the close of his life and which he filled in an eminent degree. Dr. Grant was a distinguished physician and surgeon, as well as an excellent instructor. His many qualities of mind and heart endeared him to all, and few men were better fitted by nature and education for his work. 110 ^■Pf ^1 J'. MM if:; 1M ':^W^ If* ' ''°^"^"ljjll ^BBBm A^M. '^>j tii- '■^m L •■■ >v2:^Fr^^.^^WB? , ^ s^"... w -^"^^^ j# u "' ■■'. ■ . ify \ .■ , '\-J ■, ..^ ■«# 4l nl L l. Henry Lippincott. M D. 3 Graham Eraser 6 Hon. A. M. MacKay in A. W. H. Lindsay, M. D. y Thomas Cantley PICTOU IN POLITICS parties just as their columns were coming into conflict; and prevailed on both to retire. And so passed away the week — a week eventful in the history of Pictou, and of Nova Scotia. It was decidedly the most exciting election ever held in the Province. The bitter feelings engendered in that strife have long passed away. There are now few, very few, remaining who can even call them to recollection. Joseph Howe followed the polling to Pictou and reported the events there in the interest of his paper, the "Nova Scotian." Howe at that time was attached to the Party of Privilege and afterwards said that it was the impres- sions made upon him by Blanchard and the other Pictou reformers that turned his mind towards the popular side, as he expressed it, "those Pictou scribblers converted me." Next came the agitation for Responsible Government, and Pictou was the centre of the movement. Jotham Blanchard was the first public man in the Province, by voice and pen to press for Responsible Government, as we have it today. This he did through the columns of the Colonial Patriot and before the Home Government in 1831 when he went across to plead for justice to Pictou Academy. In 1836 the district of Pictou was established as a separate county. By that act, it received two repre- sentatives for the County and one for the township of Pictou. The first election under the new plan took place that year, when by a compromise between the parties, George Smith, a Liberal and an upholder of responsible government, and John Holmes, a Tory and openly opposed to the new order of things, were chosen. After a contest Henry Hatton was elected to represent the township. In 1838 Thomas Dickson succeeded George Smith, the latter being elevated to the Legislative Council. From 1840-1843 Holmes, Henry Blackadar, and Hatton were the representatives. The next four years. Holmes and George R. Young represented the County and Blackadar the 205 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD township. From 1847-1851 the members were Young, Andrew Robertson and Blackadar. George R. Young was a member without portfolio of the first real Reform Gov- ernment that came into power after the election o'f 1847. In 1851 the Liberals lost the County and for four years the representatives were Holmes, Robert Murray and Martin I. Wilkins. Mr. Holmes was one of the earliest settlers on the East River of Pictou. He came from Scotland when only eleven years of age. By his industry, intelHgence and public spirit he won the confidence of the people and for many years represented them in Parliament. In 1858, he was appointed a member of the Legislative Council and in 1867 to the Senate of Canada. He died in 1876, aged 87 years. In 1855 Captain George McKenzie and A. C. McDonald were elected for the County and Wilkins again for the township. Mr. McDonald was the first son of the soil to win the confidence of the electors of Pictou. He repre- sented the County in the Nova Scotia Legislature, in the Liberal interest, for eight years, and was Speaker of the House of Assembly before Confederation. Captain Mc- Kenzie was one of the old school politicians and a leading man in the county. For eight years he represented it in the Liberal interest. Mr. Wilkins, though not a native of the county, was long identified with it. He went against his party at Confederation and was elected in 1867 on the Liberal ticket, becoming Attorney General in Mr. Annand's Government. In 1859 the County was divided into two districts, Eastern and Western. From 1859 to 1863 Cap- tain George McKenzie and James McDonald represented the Eastern district and A. C. McDonald and R. P. Grant, Western. From 1863 to 1867, the Eastern district was represented by James McDonald and James Eraser, (Downie), and the Western district by Alexander McKay and Donald Eraser. 206 PICTOU IN POLITICS After confederation, in 1867, the Dominion Parliament was established and met at Ottawa, with one representative from Pictou County. An additional member in the Local House was at this time given to the county. Hiram Blanchard, a son of Pictou, who represented Inverness County from 1857 to 1867 was sworn in on July 4, 1867 as the first Premier of Nova Scotia after Confederation, holding the portfolio of Attorney General. He was with- out mandate from the people and his stay in office was brief, for at the general election which took place four months later, September 17, 1867, he was utterly defeated, only two seats being carried for the Government, his own, and Henry G. Pineo for Cumberland County. Mr. Blanchard was unseated at the election in 1867 and re- mained in private life until the general election, 1871, when he was again returned by Inverness and became leader of the opposition in the Provincial House until his death in 1874. In 1867, Pictou elected to the Local House three Liberals — Dr. George Murray, R. S. Copeland and Martin I. WUkins. In 1871, the pendulum swung back and Simon H. Holmes, Alexander McKay, and Hugh J. Cameron, were elected, and again in 1874. In 1878 Simon H. Holmes, Alexander McKay and Adam C. Bell, were chosen by the people. In 1878 Simon H. Holmes became the fourth Premier of the Province, being leader of the Government for four years. During his administration, several laws and measures of great benefit to the Province, were passed. In May, 1882, Mr. Holmes retired from politics to accept the office of Prothonotary for the Supreme Court at Halifax, which office he still holds. Upon the retirement of Mr. Holmes, J. S. D. Thomson became Premier and Adam C. Bell, Provincial Secretary. In an appeal made to the country, three months later, the Government was defeated, although Mr. Bell, with Robert Hockin and Dr. C. H. Munro were elected for Pictou. In 207 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD 1886, Bell and Munro were again elected with Jeffrey McColl, New Glasgow, the first Liberal elected in Pictou for nineteen years. Mr. Bell resigned in 1887, and ran for a seat in the Federal House, but was defeated. His place in the Legislature was taken by William Cameron, who was elected by acclamation, and again returned by popular vote in 1890 and 1894. From 1890 to 1894, Alexander Grant and James D. McGregor, with William Cameron, represented the county. James D. McGregor, New Glasgow, entered public life in 1890, and served for four years in the House of Assembly. He was returned again in 1897. In 1900 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Commons. In 1903 he was called to the Senate, and in 1910 succeeded another Pictonian, the Hon. D. C. Fraser, in the office of Lieutenant Governor of the Province. Mr. McGregor is a grandson of the Rev. Dr. McGregor, and senior partner in the firm of R. McGregor & Sons. He has long been promi- nent in Church and State. His elevation to the Governor's Chair was a well-deserved honor to a worthy citizen. Matthew H. Fitzpatrick represented the County in the House of Assembly from 1897-1901. In 1901 George G. Patterson was elected along with E. M. Macdonald and C. E. Tanner, and became a member of the Murray Gov- ernment, but failed of election, in 1906. Robert M. Mac- Gregor, son of the Hon. James D. McGregor, was nomin- ated in 1904 to succeed E. M. Macdonald in the Legisla- ture. He was opposed by A. C. Bell, whom he defeated. He was elected again in 1906 with Charles E. Tanner. John M. Baillie represented county at Halifax from 1906- to 1911. In 1909, R. H. MacKay was elected when Mr. Tanner sought to regain his seat. In the election of 1911, Charles E. .Tanner, Robert M. MacGregor and R. H. MacKay were chosen and are the present representatives. Mr. MacGregor is a member of the Murray Government, and Mr. Tanner Leader of the Opposition. 208 PICTOU IN POLITICS Reverting to the Confederation period, the County chose as its first representatives to Ottawa, James W. Carmichael, a Liberal, and a man of much ability, who served from 1867 to 1872, and again from 1874 to 1878. Redistribution in 1872 gave Pictou the right to send two members to Ottawa, and James McDonald and Robert Doull, were elected on the Conservative ticket. In 1898 Mr. Carmichael was called to the Senate, but resigned in 1903 and died on May 1, 1903 in his eighty-fourth year. Mr. Carmichael was the son of James Carmichael and Christian McKenzie, his wife, both natives of Canada, of Scotch descent. He was bom at New Glasgow, Dec. 16, 1819. Educated at Pictou Academy, married 1851, to Maria, daughter of Duncan McCoU, of Guysboro, N. S., (she died Dec. 1874). Mr. Carmichael was long one of the best and most prominent citizens of Pictou County. He was widely and honorably known throughout Canada, as a business man and as a public man. From 1874- 1878, John A. Dawson, represented the county in the Dominion Parliament with Mr. Carmichael. In 1878, with the return of Sir John A. Macdonald to power, James McDonald and Robert Doull, were once more successful. For many years, Mr. McDonald was in the political arena, As a young man, he showed great aptitude for political life and leadership. He afterwards became one of the most prominent politicians in Canada. Elected by his native county to the Local and Dominion Parliaments, he soon took a leading place as a public speaker and debater. That James McDonald's honor and ability was recognized by his contemporaries is evi- denced by the numerous responsible positions which he held. He was Financial Secretary for Nova Scotia, Rail- way Commissioner in Nova Scotia, Imperial Commissioner in a crown diffictdty in Jamaica and member of several national trade commissions. In 1878 he became Minister of Justice in the Sir John A. 209 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Macdonald's Government, and three years afterwards was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. His place in Parliament was taken by John Mc- Dougald, C.M.G., who was re-elected in 1882, 1886, 1890 and 1896, retiring in that year to accept the position of Commissioner of Customs for Canada, which he still holds. Robert Doull was the colleague of Hon. James McDonald from 1872 to 1874 and again from 1878 to 1882. In 1882, Charles H. Tupper, now Sir Charles H. Tupper of Victoria, B. C, came in and continued to represent the County until 1904. Edward M. Macdonald, first appealed to the Electors in 1894 at the Provincial election but was unsuccessful. In 1896 he was a candidate for the Dominion Par- liament with the same result. In 1897 he won the elec- tion to the House of Assembly, and again in 1900. He resigned to stand for the Dominion House but was again defeated by Adam C. Bell. He was, however, re- turned to the Legislature unopposed. In 1894, Charles E. Tanner was elected to the Legislature with Wm. Cameron and Alex. Grant. In 1897 he was defeated, but elected in 1901 and 1906. He resigned in 1908 to run for the Federal Seat against E. M. McDonald and was de- feated. He sought re-election to the Assembly, but was defeated by R. H. McKay. He was re-elected in 1911. In the general election of 1896, Adam C. Bell was nomin- ated in place of John McDougald and secured election as he did again in 1900. In 1904 Edward M. Macdonald was elected to a seat in the Dominion which he has since held, being re-elected in 1908 and 1911, having now repre- sented the County continuously in Legislature and Parlia- ment for eighteen years. The first Pictonian in the Legislative Council, was the Hon. James Eraser, Drummond, of New Glasgow, who was was appointed in 1867. Mr. Eraser was a man of much force and character and was a leader in Church and State. 210 PICTOU IN POLITICS He died in 1884, at the advanced age of 82. The next was the Hon. John D. McLeod in 1887. He served as Liberal Leader in the Council. Another Pictonian, a native of Durham, Hon. W. D. R. Cameron of Sherbrooke, became a member of the Council in 1892. In 1864 he settled in Sherbrooke and held office of Registrar of Deeds, from 1869-1902. He died at Halifax April 7, 1914, aged 77 years. The County of Pictou was represented in the Senate by the Hon. John Holmes, 1867 to 1876. The Hon. R. P. Grant, a native of Scotland, was appointed in 1887. The first Pictonian called to the Senate was, Thomas McKay, of Truro in 1881. Mr. McKay was born at Hopewell, Pictou Co., and was long engaged in mercantile pursuits in Truro, N. S. For seven years he represented the County of Colchester before he was called to the Senate. The next was Clarence Primrose of Pictou, followed by James W. Carmichael of New Glasgow, 1898; James D. McGregor in 1903 and Adam C. Bell, 1911, both of New Glasgow. Thomas Fraser, Rogers Hill, represented Cali- fornia in the Senate for several years. Mr. Primrose, was the son of late James Primrose, a native of Scotland. He was born at Pictou, Oct. 5, 1830. Educated at Pictou Academy and the Univ., of Edinburgh. Became the head of the firm Primrose Bros., Commission Mer- chants, Lumber and Shipping Agents. Adam Carr Bell was born in Pictou on November 11, 1847, and was the son of Basil Bell and Mary Carr. The progenitors of the Bells were natives of Scotland, and the Carrs were from England. Basil Bell was a distinguished man of letters and taught in the Pictou Academy when Senator Bell was born, while on his mother's side, Adam Carr was the first man to mine coal for commercial purposes at the Albion Mines. Mr. Bell received his education in the New Glasgow Schools, at Mount Allison University and at the Glasgow University, Scotland. Always a studious man of afEairs 211 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD and a strong, logical, graceful speaker with a fine presence and commanding appearance he was elected by the Con- servative party for the local house in 1878. In 1886 he was elected for Pictou County at the head of the poll of six candidates, but in 1887 resigned his seat to contest the County as an independent Conservative for the House of Commons, but was defeated For the next nine years he remained out of active politics, but was always interested in the public welfare, and was seen on the platform on several historic occasions. He was the first Mayor of New Glasgow in 1876 In 19 11 he was called to the Senate by the Borden Government. His death following soon after his appointment was universally regretted. Pictou has not only had men to represent her worthily on the floors of Parliament, but has sent out many of her sons to win political honors in other fields. Among the latter may be mentioned Robert Marshall of St. John, New Brunswick. In 1874 he was a candidate for the City of St. John, N. B., in the Provincial elections, but was de- feated. In 1876 he was returned for the Constituency and was elected for a second term. He was a member of the Government for some years until his retirement from politics, in 1882. He was born in Pictou County, April 27, 1832. His grandfather, was Robert, — commonly called, "Deacon Marshall," who came from Dumfries, Scotland, to Pictou, in 1775, with the South of Scotland people, and settled at the Middle River, where he built the first barn in the county, and where the Presbytery of Pictou held its first meeting. E. M. Macdonald, senior, son of the late George Mac- donald, of West River, and a younger brother of the late A. C. McDonald, was elected the first Dominion member, in 1867, for the County of Lunenburg. He was born at West River, in 1825, and was one of Joseph Howe's chief lieutenants. He was made Collector of Customs for Halifax, in 1870 and died in 1874. He was a brilliant 212 PICTOU IN POLITICS writer and speaker. Dr. Alexander Cameron of Glengarry was for many years a representative for the County of Huntington, in the Local Legislature for Quebec. Hon. Angus McGillivray, a native of Bailey's Brook, was first returned to Local Legislature for Antigonish in 1878, as a Liberal; and continued a member thereof, with but little interruption until his elevation to the Bench in 1902. He was Speaker of the Nova Scotia Assembly from 1883 to 1886, and a member of the Fielding and Miuray Governments. William A. Patterson of town of Pictou, represented the county of Colchester in the Local House from 1874 to 1886, and again in the Dominion House from 1891 to 1896. Guysboro County had a worthy representative in Hali- fax in James A. Fraser of McLellan's Brook from 1882 to 1890. He is now Editor of the Eastern Chronicle and Mayor of New Glasgow. D. C. Fraser, afterwards Hon. D. C. Fraser, represented the county of Guysboro for many years. From 1888 to 1891, he was leader of the Government in the Council, when he was elected to the Dominion Parliament from Guysboro. He continued to represent the County until 1904 when he became Judge of the Supreme Cotirt of Nova Scotia and in 1906 was ap- pointed Lieutenant Governor for the Province, which of&ce he held until his death in 1910. He was one of the best known and most popular men in the public life of Canada. In Ontario, Dr. Peter Macdonald, a native of Toney River, represented Center Huron from 1896 to 1904 in the Federal Parliament and was Deputy Speaker in the House of Commons from 1900 to 1904. A. E. Fraser of McLellan's Brook, represented the County of Cumberland in the House of Assembly from 1894 to 1902. The same county was also represented from 1901 to 1906 by Daniel McLeod, who was born near Hopewell. In 1906 the people of King's County chose a man of 213 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Pictou, Chas. A. Campbell, for their spokesman at Halifax. In 1911 the County of Cape Breton selected another, John C. Douglas, a Stellarton boy, to send to the Halifax Assembly, after having had as their Dominion Representa- tive from 1908 to 1911, James W. Maddin of Westville. In British Columbia, Pictou men have also come to the front. The records of that Province show that Robert Grant of Pictou was elected for Comox County in 1903 and 1907; Neil F. MacKay, a son of the late Alexander MacKay, M.P.P., of Pictou, represents Kaslo; and another, Wm. R. McLean, son of the late D. K. McLean of Pictou, represents Nelson. H. M. Tweedie, was born at Stellarton, son of the Rev. Mr. Tweedie, pastor of the Methodist Church. He represents Calgary Center in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. In Newfoundland, the memory of Hon. A. M. MacKay, a son of Pictou, who achieved distinction in telegraph work is still revered. His political career in Newfoundland, was in many respects unique. For nineteen years he was a member of the House of Assembly, and enjoyed the dis- tinction of never having been defeated. For many years he was a leading member of the Legislative Council. A Pictou man who has won distinction in distant Aus- tralia, is Hon. Simon Fraser, son of William Fraser, of Lome, where he was born in 1834. He went to Australia as a young man and engaged in bridge and road construction. He became active in public affairs and was elected to the Assembly in 1874, representing the County of Rodney, Victoria, for nine years. In 1886 he became a member of the Council and 1901 he was elected to the Senate. Hon. Senator Fraser, has taken a deep interest in all the public and religious interests of the Colony. He resides at Mel- bourne, Victoria. Another Mr. Fraser, from Lome, was Commissioner of Public Works in San Francisco, Cal., for some time. He was a brother of late John Fraser, post- master, Stellarton. 214 PICTOU IN POLITICS Pictou has every reason to be proud of the part her sons have played in the political life of the country. Summing up the list we find that she has given to the service of the State — two governors of Nova Scotia, a Minister of Justice for Canada, seven Senators, a Chief Justice of the Prov- ince, a Supreme Court Judge, Three County Court Judges, two Premiers of the Province, and four Legislative Councillors. The County has had a representative in every Provincial Ministry since 1875. 215 Chapter XI PICTOU IN THE BUSINESS WORLD THE influence of Pictou County in the development of the industrial and commercial life of Canada has been highly important. Her enterprising sons have held positions of responsibiHty throughout the length and breadth of the land; and her mariners have trod the quarter deck on every sea. Only a few facts and names however can be presented in this chapter. Pictou County is fifty miles long and about twenty miles wide, and contains 7 19,000 acres. It has one of the finest harbors on the northern shore of the Province with three fine streams, — East, West and Middle rivers, flowing into it. Along the shore the land is low and level, but in the interior it is hflly and undulating with flne natural scenery. From Eraser's Moiontain, Green Hill and Mt. Thom are to be seen ever-varjdng and most beautiful views of hill and dale, sea and land, fleld and forest. When the first settlers arrived in Pictou the whole of the county was covered with timber of the finest quality. White pine was particularly plentiful and common, but oak, fir, maple and aU kinds of wood were found of large size and in great abundance, and afforded a valuable source of income to the inhabitants ; and the lumbering industry was then, as it has been of later years, extensive and prosperous. In 1774 the first cargo of square timber was shipped to Britain. In 1803, some 50 vessels were loaded in Pictou Town. The cutting, hewing, hauling, rafting and shipping of ton timber, became for some years the chief business of many of the people of Pictou. As the timber was cut and removed men turned their attention more and more to farming. 217 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Pictou County has always been considered one of the best agrictiltural counties in the Province. With the exception of a few tracts of land here and there, the whole county is fit for cultivation. The first Agricultural Society in the Province was formed at West River, Jan. 1, 1817, with the Rev. Duncan Ross as President, Daniel Fraser, Treasurer, and John Bonnyman Secretary. They imported seed grain, agricultural implements and Ayrshire cattle. In 1818 they held a ploughing match on Mr. Mortimer's farm, near Pictou. Prizes were offered for the best acre of wheat, and for the man who could stump and plough the greatest quantity of new land. A similar society was organized on the East River in 1820. Coal was first discovered in Pictou County in 1798. Word was sent to England that there was coal in abundance in Pictou; that it was found on the margin of the East River ; that it was accessible to ships of light tonnage, and that the coal was of the best bituminous quality. A wealthy firm purchased the ground. This was the begin- ning of Pictou's coal industry. In 1827 the General Mining Association purchased the property, immediately commenced active development, and, before the end of the year, were producing coal on an extensive scale, using a steam engine for hoisting. Stellarton is the largest coal producing center in the County, and is a thriving business town. The Acadia Coal Company of Stellarton is the direct successor of one of the oldest mining corporations of the County. That it survives until today, and possesses as it does one of the most modern and the most complete coal-handling equipments in the country, speaks volumes for the great value of the coal fields of Pictou. It is said that the thickest coal seam in the world is found here — 38 feet in depth. This company owns the Acadia Coal Mine at Westville and the Vale Mine at Thorburn. Fifty years ago a wilderness of scrubby birch and 218 PICTOU IN THE BUSINESS WORLD hemlock covered the site on which the town of Westville now stands, with a population of over 5000. In the year 1854 prospectors began searching for coal, and discovered the outcrop of a seam on the north side of the town where the land slopes toward the Middle River. The Black Diamond Company was the first to commence operations, and was soon followed by the Acadia, and in 1868 by the Drummond. A railway was completed to Granton and later to Abercrombie, where there are wharves and all conveniences necessary for shipping coal. The works of the Vale Colliery at Thorburn were started in 1872. Thorburn is prettily situated and has a population of over 1200. A railroad six miles long leading from the colliery to New Glasgow is in operation. The total coal pro- duction in Pictou County for 1913 was 700,000 tons. In looking at the thousands of miles of railways in Canada it may be interesting to note that the first steam engine erected in Nova Scotia was at the Albion Mines, Dec. 7, 1827, and that the first railway built in Canada, and one of the earliest on the continent, was by the General Mining Association from its works at Albion Mines, six miles, to the old Loading Ground near Aber- crombie. It was begun in 1836 and opened in 1839. The rolling stock came out from England, in a sailing vessel. In this vessel there were the several parts of three engines, the names of which were the Samson, the Hercules and the Hybernia. The Samson was named for Scotland; the Hercules for England; and the Hybernia for Ireland. The Samson was the first one set up and the one that made the first trip. In 1830 the first steamboat was seen in the Harbor of Pictou. The "Richard Smith" was put in operation by the same company. She was commanded by Capt. Mc- Kenzie. The first steamer to cross the Atlantic wholly by her own steam power was coaled in and sailed from Pictou Harbor in 1833. 219 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD The first attempt to smelt iron in Pictou County was made by the General Mining Association in 1828, the year after the Company had commenced operations in this field. Just previously, iron ore had been discovered near McLennan's Brook, a short distance from the company's colliery. The ore was sent to England for analysis and, a favorable report having been made by the company's chemists, a deeper interest was aroused in the latent possibilities of the country. In 1829 an attempt was made to manufacture pig iron. For this purpose a blast furnace was erected at Albion Mines, the first in Canada. Iron was smelted to the extent of about 50 tons. The ruins of this furnace were standing until 1855. In 1872 the Hope Iron Works, afterwards the Nova Scotia Forge Company commenced operations in New Glasgow with a capital of $4000 with a view to manu- facturing railway and marine forgings. Six years later, the works were removed to a larger site, upon the banks of the East River, in the present town of Trenton. As the enterprise prospered, the principal shareholders of the company decided to engage in the manufacture of steel, at the same time organizing for this purpose a new com- pany called the Nova Scotia Steel Company with a capital of $160,000. The first steel ingots were made here in July, 1883, being the first produced in Canada on a commercial basis. One of the chief difficulties encountered by the Company was that of obtaining suitable ore. In 1894, the well known Wabana iron ore deposits of Bell Island, Nfd., was acquired. This deposit now forms the chief source of ore supply for the furnaces of the Province. In 1900, after purchasing the coal and other properties of the General Mining Association in Cape Breton, the Nova Scotia Steel Company was reorganized, and assumed the present name of the Nova Scotia Steel and Coal Company. New Glasgow is the seat of the manufacturing departments, 220 '•^'mi o i '•'ifcyfa C ' if^ * &. J ! 'kM^ C ' ^ ^W' V'. i t M''"' k: ' i o f- PICTOU IN THE BUSINESS WORLD finishing mills, forges and machine shops. The company's axle-shops are world famous. It is claimed that this branch of the New Glasgow plant has produced a greater number of axles per day than any other works in the Em- pire. There are said to be none of the same capacity on the continent of Europe. Fish-plates, tie-plates, track- spikes, nuts and bolts of the various standard sizes are produced. Another important new enterprise is the Eastern Car Company for the manufacture of railway cars. It was formed in 1912, and is virtually a creation of the Steel Company. A splendid site has been secured for it on the east bank of the East River, adjoining the Nova Scotia Steel Company. The shops and plant when complete will be capable of an output of 30 cars per day, and about 9000 cars per working year. In a survey of the vast consolidated interests of the Nova Scotia Steel Company and the Eastern Car Com- pany, it is difficult to realize that if, 30 years ago, one had visited the upper corner of the Graham Shipyard, in the town of New Glasgow, one would have found there the parent of it all — a small forge, whose main product was the iron-knees which were used for the wooden ships then being built there. Let it be noted that this company owes its existence largely to two sons of the soil, Graham Eraser, and G. Forrest McKay of New Glasgow. They now, naturally, possess a fair share of this world's goods, but their greatest reward for perseverance and toil in compara- tive obscurity in early days, must be the gratification of seeing, in less than four decades, their little forge shop expand into what is one of the largest steel industries in Canada. These men, along with Thomas Cantley, the present capable General Manager, have done a great work for Pictou County and for all Canada. The Town of Pictou was long the second in importance in the Province, and it still enjoys a peculiar character 221 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD and charm of its own. It has good reason to be proud of its history and institutions, its men and its ships. The corner stone of the first house in Pictou was not laid until 1789, but once it started, the growth of the village into a town, was rapid. The first leading business man in the town was Edw. Mortimer, an Englishman who came to this country while yet a young man, without means, went into the timber and fish business, first representing a Halifax firm in Pictou and then for himself. He first located himself a little above Mortimer's Point, near Squire Patterson whose daughter he married. Here he put up a small building, intended both for a house and a store. Afterwards he removed to the Point near the Stone House, where he had his home and where he built two large wharves out to deep water. Here he amassed a small fortune. He died suddenly, in 1819, at the age of 52, and his estate dwindled to practically nothing. He built Norway House, one of the historic and interesting places in the town. Beckels Wilson in "Nova Scotia" speaks of Norway House as the best house in Pictou, perhaps the best built private one in Nova Scotia, with its walls a foot and a half thick, fine fat timbers, plenty of honest freestone, and a great dry cellar and as sturdy today as the day he built it. Other business men of the early days of Pictou were John Dawson, Thomas Davidson, George Smith, William Mortimer, John Patterson, Abram Patterson, Henry Hatton and James Dawson who was the first book- seller in the Province outside of Halifax. William Matheson, Rogers Hill, began on a small scale and after- wards moved to West River, where he did a large country trade. Robert McKay began business in River John soon after Ed. Mortimer's death, with whom he had been a clerk. River John was at one time a prominent center for ship- building and business enterprise . The leading men were th e McKenzies, the McLennans, the Henrys, and the Kitchins. 222 PICTOU IN THE BUSINESS WORLD Business being now well established, a number of mer- chants combined to build a vessel to be a regtdar trader between Pictou and the Old Country. She was called the Enterprise and was built by Thos. Lowden, and launched in 1820. Captain Lowden may be considered the father of the ship building art in Pictou. He was a native of the South of Scotland and settled in Pictou town about 1788. In 1798 he launched the ship Harriet, which was, at that time, considered the largest and finest ship built in the Province. In 1825 came the terrible financial crisis in the mother country which for a time killed the shipping and timber business in Pictou. The day on which the intelli- gence came was long known as "Black Monday." Of what may be called the second generation of Pictou's business men, the late James Primrose, was one of the most prominent. He was the father of the late Hon. Clarence Primrose, Senator, and of the late Howard Prim- rose, almost equally prominent in their generation. James Primrose, senior, was a son of the Scottish manse, and came to Nova Scotia in his youth without any pecuniary endowment. By means of untiring industry and scrupu- lous uprightness, characteristics which he has transmitted to all his descendants, he made his way rapidly to the front in business and finance. He constructed at the east end of the Town, the handsome dwelling familiarly known as "The Cottage," now occupied by his grandson James and his two sisters. Miss Primrose and Miss Rachael. Associated for a time in business with Mr. Primrose was the late A. P. Ross, barrister, who early withdrew from the Bar to devote himself to commercial and industrial enterprises. More or less contemporary with these were such other successful business men as the late James Purves, William Gordon, William H. Davies, Roderick McKenzie, John Crearer, J. D. B. Fraser, John Yorston, James Kitchin, 223 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD David McCuUoch, John T. Ives, William Ives, James Ives, James Hislop, A. J. Patterson,- Robert Doull, Daniel Hockin, Richard Tanner, James P. McLennan, David FuUerton, all of whom made their mark in business, and most of whom have left descendants prominent in the social and public life of the Province. The history of New Glasgow dates back to about the year 1809. At that time there were not more than a dozen houses in the place. Today, it is a large industrial and business centre with a population of over 7000. The men who founded New Glasgow were James Carmichael, John McKay, Hon. James Fraser, James McGregor, Roderick McGi-egor, Alexander Fraser, John McKenzie, George McKenzie, Thomas Graham and John Cameron. New Glasgow was fortunate in its founders, for they were men possessing fine business ability and great force of character. They were not only interested in the com- mercial growth and progress of the town but in its moral and religious life. Most of the men were officers in the church; some of them took a deep interest in state matters ; many were zealous advocates of temperance, and all of them staunch upholders of law and justice. The credit of selecting New Glasgow as a business centre for East Pictou belongs to James Carmichael who opened a store there about the year 1810. In the early days of New Glasgow shipbuilding was the chief and only industry in the place. From 1840 to 1870 saw its palmiest days. Vessels of all sizes were built, numbers of which made successful voyages to all parts of the world, commanded by captains born and trained in the county. Prominent and foremost among the ship- builders of New Glasgow was George McKenzie, who not only built the largest vessels of the day, but commanded several of them. He made New Glasgow noted as one of the shipbuilding centers of Nova Scotia, and probably did more than anyone else to make the town. 224 PICTOU IN THE BUSINESS WORLD The opening of the Albion Mines Railway in 1839 gave a great impetus to the business life of New Glasgow. Con- sequently a large number of merchants started business there from that time to 1850, among whom were Alexander Douglas, John F. McDonald, James Fraser, Downie, WilHam Fraser, Basil Bell, Thomas R. Fraser, Angus Chisholm, Thomas Fraser, George W. Underwood and John Cameron. Associated with these as prominent citizens were William Lippincott, Robert McGregor, John Miller, William Chisholm, David Marshall, Kenneth Forbes, and George McKay who exerted a large influence in the development of the town at a later period. Among the early business men of Stellarton were James Mitchell, James Wentworth, Donald Gray, Alexander Grant and James Keith. In Merigomish, R. S. Copeland was for many years a leading shipbuilder. Later on David Patterson built ships in Merigomish Harbor. John Logan, tanner, the founder of the present community of Lyon's Brook, was a prominent business man in his day. Many natives of the county have made a place for themselves outside of Pictou in the business and industrial world. Beginning with Newfoundland, the late Hon. A. M. Mackay was Manager of the Anglo-American Tele- graph Company. He was born near Pictou in 1834 and died in 1905. From early life he was distinguished for his wonderful memory and had a positive genius for figures and mathematics. He began life first as a teacher, next as a telegrapher and was one of the first to read a message by sound. For nearly half a century he retained his position, putting the company on a successful basis and serving it with great fidelity. Like Cyrus Field he had a firm belief in the ultimate success of the laying of the Atlantic Cable, and he had a large share in bringing it to a successful completion. Judge Prowse of Newfoundland says no man can rob Mackay's memory of this undjdng honor. 225 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Perhaps the oldest representatives Pictou has in Mon- treal and those who have made the greatest material suc- cess are: Mr. David H. Fraser and his brother, Wm. H. Fraser The Fraser brothers are sons of Hugh J. Fraser, whose home was on the West River near Durham. They are now voted among Montreal's millionaires. Another successful business man is Archibald Ross of the firm of Ross & Greig, second son of the late David Ross of Saltsprings. Mr. Ross is a Mechanical Engineer and the firm acts as manufacturers' agents. Mr. A. P. Willis, another Pictonian has made for himself a reputation and at the same time a fortune by putting musical instruments into thousands of Canadian homes. Mr. Willis was born near Millsville in 1845. In 1873 he migrated to Montreal where he engaged in the sewing machine business, and selling of pianos and organs. After 25 years of selling, Mr. Willis decided to manufacture; and the company's factory at Montreal turns out about 4000 pianos every year. Mr. Alpine McLean, born near New Glasgow, was for many years a prominent business man in Boston engaged in the wholesale flour and feed business. He was a leader in the moral and religious work of the city. He died in 1913. Hugh R. McGregor was born at Brookville, Pictou County 1859. When he was 12 years of age he moved to Providence, R. I. In 1877 he went to Brown and Sharps to learn the machinist trade. In the third year of his ap- prenticeship he was appointed Assistant foreman of the building of Milling Machines, and in 1898 to the position of Mechanical Superintendent. The Brown & Sharpe Company employ over 5000 men and at the present time are manufacturing 39 different Milling machines. The names of many other Pictonians of influence and business enterprise might be added if the writer knew of their location and business. 226 & o o <; J o M Z o z o PICTOU IN THE BUSINESS WORLD The county has made an enviable record in the past ; it is still to do great things in the future. Pictou of today and Pictou of yesterday! What a contrast: The change seems almost miraculous, from the forest primeval to the present verdancy of its hills and valleys, with their well-tilled fields. Upon every hand, now, are comfortable homes, pretty villages, towns laid out with care, hand- some churches, modern school houses, fine academic build- ings, intersecting railways, vast coal and iron industries, and a population of thirty-six thousand enterprising, progressive and intelligent people. Now my task is done. It has been an arduous duty, yet a pleasant one. It has been an honor and a privilege to pay a tribute to these noble men and women who did so much for God and native land. These resolute men and women, who in strict morality and with high ideals laid the foundations of the social fabric enjoyed by us today, were spiritual seers and heroes. They won for us our fame, our freedom and our fortune. Too many of us have never fully acquainted ourselves with their heroism and their achievements. If every Pictonian were as well acquainted with the history of his native county as he should be, and as proud of it as he might well be, he wotild have a higher appreciation of the splendid moral and material heritage his forefathers left him, and would in common loyalty seek to honor their memory and emulate their virtues. 227 INDEX Abercrombie . 185,219 Coal Production . . . 219 Academy, Pictou 135 Cock, Rev . Daniel 35,87 Acadia Coal Company 218 Cock, Rev. D. M. . 187 Advocate, Pictou . . . .198 College Presidents . 149-159 Albion Mines 56,219,220,226 Colonial Patriot . 192,205 America's Oldest Paper 191 Colonial Standard . 197 Archibald, S. G. W. 5,203 Cobequid Road . 3 Arrival of the Hector 7 Council of Twelve . . . 138 Arrival oi the Hope . 1,3 County of Pictou Australia . 180,214 Population 2,7,39,58 Size 217 Bailey's Brook . 90 Creighton, James E. . 163 Barney's River . 82 Gumming, Rev. Robert 79 History of Churches 52,83 Gumming, Rev. Thomas 77 Ministers bom in 87 Baptist Church . 56 Dalhousie College . . . . 147,199 Barristers . 124-129 Dawson, Sir William 150-154,178,194 Bayne, H. A. . 141,160 Dawson, Geo. M. 163 Bayne, Rev. James 41,61,159 Dawson, W. B. . . 164 Bench and the Bar . 123 Dawson, James . 194,222 BeU, Hon. A. C. . 207,211 Dawson, John 16,222 Bible Society 45 Dawson, John A. 209 Big Election . 204 Davidson, James . 34 Blackadar, Henry . 205 Descendants of John Grant 31 Blaikie, Rev. A. 19,92 Denominations 58 Blailde, Chas. . . 19 Dentists. . 122 Blair, Rev. D. B. . 52,81,83 Dickson, Thomas . 124,205 Blancliard, Hiram . . 125,207 Disruption of 1843 50 Blanchard, Jotham 124,139,205 Dobson, Rev. J. R 63 Blue Motmtain Donnelly, Dr. Jas. . 106 History of Churches . 81 Doull, Robt. . 209,210 Ministers bom in . 85 Durham . 21,22,45,92 Bridgeville . . 70,72 "Dumfries Settlers" 14 Bums Family 68-70 Earltown . . 99 Cameron, Alexander . 7,9,10 East River Cameron, Rev. Duncan . 86 First Settlers 22 Cameron, Rev. John . . 78 History of Churches 70 Cameron, W. D. R. 10,211 Ministers bom in . 71 Cameron, William 10,208 East River St. Mary's Campbell, Don. F. . . 162 History of Churches S3 Campbell, Rev. John 100 Ministers bom in 86 Cantley, Thomas . 221 Eastern Chronicle . 195 Cape John . 99 Eastern Car Works . 221 Carmichael, James . 224 Education . . . 149 Carmichael, Hon. J. W. . . . . 209 Educationists, Pictou . . .149 Cariboo . . 5,101,188 Elders . 37,61,62,71,75 Census, first 39,58 Elliott, Rev. Chas. . . 55 Churchville 22,71 Enterprise, The 197 Church of England . 55 Clark, William . . . 19 Falconer, Rev. A. . 11,61,78 Coal Discovered 218 Falconer, Prin. R. A. 11 228 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Families in the Hector 8 Gordon, Rev. D. M. . . . .157 Families in the Hope 3 Goodwill, Rev. John . 183 Field, Cyrus 225 Grant, Alexander, M. P. P. . 210 Feirona . 75 Grant, Rev. Chas. M. . 186 First Grant, Rev. Geo. M. . 154,156 Agricultural Society 218 Grant, Rev. Edward 93 Bible Society 45 Grant, Finlay . 31 Churches 38 Grant, Rev. H. R. 67,68 Election 203 Grant, James . 24 Missionary . 177 Grant, Rev. K. J. 184 Native Ministers 43 Grant, Rev. R. J. 73 Premier . 207 Grant, Hon. R. P 211 Printing Press 191 Grant, Rev Wm. . 73 Presbytery 40 Grant, Prof. W. R. 25,110 Railway . 219 Granton 81,219 Sabbath School 34,35 Green Hill Sacrament 39 History of Churches 91 Session 37 Ministers bom in 92 Steamboat 219 Gunn, Rev. S. C. 86 Theological School 42 Temperance Society 46 Hardwood Hill 100 Fraser, Alexander . 10 Halifax Gazette . 191 Fraser, Rev. A. L. Harris, Dr. John 3,6,105 Fraser, Rev. D. A. 47,48,81 Harris, Matthew . 2,3 Fraser, Hon. D. C. . 127,213 Hector People 5,7,8 Fraser, David H. 226 Herdman, Rev. A. . . 48,63 Fraser, Rev. D. S. 92 Holmes, Hon. John 23,205,206,211 Fraser, Rev. H. W. 68 Holmes, Hon. S. H. . 23,128,207 Fraser, Graham 221 Hope People . 1,2,3 Fraser, Hon. Jas. . 210 Hopewell Fraser, James A. . 23,213 History of Churches 74 Fraser, J. D. B. 9,223 Ministers bom in . 75 Fraser, Hon. J. 0.. 48 Howe, Hon. Joseph . 139,205 Fraser, Hon. Simon . . Fraser, Thos. Senator . . 214 9 Iron Industry 220 Fraser, Rev. William . Fraser, Dr. William Fraser, William A.. . 83 110 . 165 Johnson, Rev. D. W. Journalists . . 103 . 193-200 Fraser, Wm. R. Fitzpatrick, M. H. Free Church 166 . 208 50,51 Kennedy, William Kirk Church . 2,3,6 47,50,139 Free Church College . . S3 Law, Bonar 17 French River . . 87,89 Lawson, Alexander 193 Fogo, Hon. Jas . 124,130 Lane, Franklin K. . 70 Forbes, Rev. J. F. 85 Legal Profession, first . 123 Forbes, Hon. J. G. . 127 Lindsay, Dr. A. W. H. 112 Foreign Missions . 178 Lippincott, Dr. Henry 112 Foreign Missionaries . 178-190 Lippincott, Dr. J. A. 112 Forrest, Rev. John . 158,199 List of Lawyers 129 List of Physicians . . 106 Gairloch 49,79 List of Educationists . . 162 Geddie, Rev. John 177-180 Little Harbor Geddie, Mrs. John . 180 History of Churches . 88 General Mining Association 218-220 Ministers bom in 89 229 INDEX Log ChuTclies . . 38 Logan, Daniel . . 196 Logan, John D. 166 Logan, John . . 225 Lome Ministers 76 Lowden, Thomas . 223 Lumber Industry 24,217 Lyon's Brook 34 Lyon> Rev. J. . 2,34 Macdonald, C. D. . 128 Macdonald, E. M. 9,212 Macdonald, E. M., M. P. . 129,208,210 Macdonald, Jas. A., Toronto 27 Macdonald, Rev. John A. 72 Macdonald, Rev. P. M. . 134,200 Macdonald, Dr. Peter. . 115,213 Macdonald, Rev. W. B. 89 MacGlashen, Rev. J. A. 89 MacGregor, R. M. 208 Mackenzie, A. Stanley 159 Mackenzie, Rev. C. E. 64 Mackenzie, William 7,8,10 MacKay, A. H. . . 142,168 MacKay, Hon. A. M. . . 214,225 MacEay, Ebenezer 169 MacKay, H. M. 169 MacKay, Ira W. 169 MacKay, R. H. . . 208 Mackinnon, Rev. C. 53,159 Mackinnon, Rev. John 75 Maclean, Rev. A. 59,75,79 Maclean, Dr. Duncan .118 Maclean, Rev. James 53,71 Maclellan, Anthony 18 Maclellan, W. E. . . 19,199 Maclellan, Robt. . . 19,142,144,170 Macleod, Prof. J. W 171 MacNaughton, Rev. S. . . 79 Macrae, Rev. Donald . 71,74,158 Macrae, Rev. John 49,71 Macrae, Rev. W. L. .185 McDonald, A. C. . 124,206 McDonald, Rev. F. R. ... 74 McDonald, Hon. James 26,125,206,209 McCabe, James . 1,3 McConnell, George 8 McConnell, Robt. 8,196 McCuUoch, Rev. Thomas 16,40,43,136,140,149,204 McCulloch, Prof. Thos. 167 McCulloch, Rev. Wm. 62 McCunn, Rev. Robt. 102 McDougald, John . .210 McGillivray, Rev. Alexander . 52 McGillivray, Rev. Angus . . . 43 McGillivray, Hon. A. -. 128,213 McGregor, Hugh R. . . . .226 McGregor, Rev. James 36,40,46,137,149 McGregor, Hon. J. D. 9.208 McGregor, Prof. J. G. 161 McGregor, Rev. P. G. 67 McGregor, Rev. S. 71 Mclnnes, Hector . 131,143 Mcintosh, Douglas 168 McKay, Rev. Alex. 101 McKay, Donald, Elder 25 McKay, G. Forrest 221 McKay, Rev. H. B. . 101 McKay, Rev. J. McG. 53,86 McKay, Roderick 9 McKay, Hon. Thos. 211 McKay, William . 8 McKay, Rev. W. R. 186 McKenzie, Rev. Alex . . 78 McKenzie, Capt. Geo. . 206,224 McKenzie, Dr. G. I. . 118 McKenzie, J. J. . 142,159 McKenzie, Rev. J. W. . 182 McKenzie, Rev. K. J. 48,194 McKinlay, Rev. John . 41,137 McLean, Alpine . 226 McLean, Rev. John 20,43 McLean, John S. . 20 McLeod, Rev. Hugh . 94 McLeod, Hon. J. D. . 128,211 McLeod, Rev. J. M. 18,92 McLennan's Brook . 47,220 McLennan's Mountain History of Churches 81 Ministers bom in 83 McMillan, Rev. John . 100 McMillan, Rev. Wm. . 71 McNutt, Col. 3,6 McPhie, John 29 McPhie, Peter . . . 31 Marshall, Robt., Deacon . 17,37,212 Marshall, Robt. . 212 Matheson, David . 12,124 Matheson, Rev. J. W. 181 Matheson, Mrs. J. W. . . 181 Matheson, William 12,157,222 Medical Profession 105 Merigomish History of Churches 87 Ministers bom in . 88 Methodist Church 56-67 230 PICTONIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD Middle River . History of Churches Ministers bom in Miller, Rev. E. D. Missionaries, Women Mitchell, Rev. John Mortimer, Edward Morton, Rev. John Morton, Dr. J. S. Munro, George Munro, Norman L. Murdoch, Rev. J. L. Murray, Daniel A. Murray, Dr. George Murray, Hon. G. H. . Murray, Prof. Howard Murray, Rev. Isaac Murray, Rev. John Murray, Rev. James Murray, Rev. Jas. D. Murray, Rev R. C. Murray, Walter News, Pictou New Glasgow Founders of . History of Churches Ministers bom in Shipbuilding Business men Nicoll, Sir W. R. Norway House Nova Scotia Steel Works Observer, Pictou Officials of 177S Oldest Grave in County Oldest Newspaper Olding, Nicholas P. Patrick, Rev. Wm. Patterson, Rev. George Patterson, Hon. Geo. G. Patterson, John Patterson, Robert . Patterson, Rev. R. S. . New Hebrides Philadelphia Land Company Physicians and Surgeons Pictonians in the Pulpit . Pictonians in Foreign Fields Pictonians in Medical Profession Pictou Academy . Pictou Educationists Picton Press 17 Pictou in PoUtics 203 . 79 Pictou Town . SO First settlers 1-3,7-8 . 95 History of Churches 61 188-190 Ministers bom in 62-64 . 41 Shipbuilding . 223 . 203,222 Business men . 222,223 183-184 Pioneers of Pictou 1-31 . 113 Plainfield 96,168 . 144,198 Pollock, Rev. Allan 59,66 199 Pottinger, David . 174 43,44 Presbyterianism 33,177 . 172 Presbyterian Church . . . 177,178 . 114,207 Presbyterian College, Halifax 54 83 Presbytery, first 40 172 Press and Printers, Pictou 191 95 Primrose, Dr. Alex. . 120 94 Primrose, Hon. C. . 211,223 94 Primrose, Howard 223 181 Primrose, James 223 186 8 PoUtics 203 Railway, First . 219 197 Religious History of County 33-60 Responsible Govenunent . 192,205 . 224 Richards, Joseph . 20 65,67 River John 41.102 67-68 History of Churches 102 . 224 Ministers bom in 103 224,225 Businessmen 222 155 Riverton 78 . 222 Robertson, Rev. H. A. . 182 220-221 Robmson, C. B. . 145,174 194 Roddick, Rev. Geo. 90,101 5 Rogers, Rev. A. 2.66,96 18 Rogers, John . 1,2 191 Rogers Hill 49,94-95 123 Roman Catholic Church 54,90 Rosebery Lord 13 . . 42 Ross, Rev. Alexander 62 173,195,198 Ross, A. P. . . 223 11,129,208 Ross, Archibald . . 226 . 7,11 Ross, Rev. Duncan 40,46,149,218 1,2,3 Ross, Rev. E. . . . 91 44,62 Ross, Rev. James . . 47,52,156-157,195 . 177,179 Ross, Rev. G. M. 187 . 1,2 Ross, Rev. R. D. 73 105-106 Ross, Donald . 30 61 Roy, Rev. David 46,65 177 lion . 105 Sabbath School, first 34-35 135-147 Saltsprings . . . 49,59 149 History of Churches 97 191 Ministers bom in 98 231 INDEX Scotsbum . . . . 49,59 Teachers, Pictou Academy . . 142-146 History of Churches . 94 Theological School, first in Canada 42 Ministers bom in . ♦ . 94 Thorbum . . . . 88,89,219 Scotch HJU . . . . 100 Tonge, W. C. . . . . .203 Scottish Characteristics 33,149,203 Townsend, Sir Chas. 125 Scott, Rev. E. . . . 197 Thomson, Rev. A. W. . . 185 Shipbuilding . 223,224 Thomson, Rev. Jas. . . . . 53,90 Sinclair, Rev. A. McL. 70,85 Trenton Six MUe Biook 98 History of Church . . . . 57,67 Smith, George . 205 Nova Scotia Steel Works . . 220 Smith, William. . . 19 Trinidad 183-185 Smith, Rev. W. H. . . 88 "The Bee" . . 194 Socrates . . 157 The Big Election . . . . 204 South of Scotland People . 14 The Samson . . . 219 Springville . 23-25 Tupper, Sir C. H. 210 History of Churches . 70 Ministers bom in . 71 Union of Churches Steams, Rev. D. M. 63 Union of 1817 . . . 42 Stellarton Union of 1860 . 59 History of Churches . 76 Union of 1875 60 Ministers bom in . 77 Coal industry . 218 Wabana Iron Ore . 220 Business men . 225 Walker, Rev. George . ... 66 Stevenson, R. L. . . . . 105 Waugh, Wellwood 15,17 Stewart, David . . . 19 West Branch River John 98 Stewart, Rev. John 50,66 West River Story of Four Students . . 159 First settlers 15 Stiles, John 193,194 History of Churches 90 St. Johns, Nfd. 41 ,214,225 Ministers bom in . . 91 St. Pauls 25,49,73 West River Seminary . 21,52,53 Sunny Brae Westville .... 218 First settlers . . 28-31 History of Churches 79 History of Church 71 Ministers bom in . . . 81 Ministers bom in . . 73 Coal centre . . . 219 Sutherland, Rev. A. 51,96,97 Willis, A. P. . . . . .226 Sutherland, Rev. Geo. . 67 Wilkins, Rev. L. M. . . . 64 Sutherland, Rev. M. . . . 51,62 Wilkins, Hon. M. I. 124,194,206 Sutherland's River Wilson, Deckels . 222 History of Church . . . . 88 Women Missionaries . 188-190 Ministers bom in . 89 Yarmouth Herald . . 193 Tait, W. D. . . 17S Yorston, Frederic . 200 Tanner, Chas. E. 129,208 Young, Rev. L.L. . . . . .187 232