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LOT HISTORIES
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F1 L19 Lot granted to Col. Wm. Kingsmill, barrister at law in Toronto and his son Nicol Kingsmill. From an essay project initiated by Col. Maclean about 1929, an 11 year old Crieff student wrote that the lot was first owned by a gentleman named Mr. Kingsmill, who bought it from the Crown in 1832, but he never lived or did any work on it.. Mr. Malcolm McPhatter bought it from Mr. Kingsmill in 1832, and gave 5 shillings for his bargain. He built a log house and barn, but shortly after the first house was built it got burned so he had to build again. This one was east of where the stone house was built. He was a blacksmith. He built a blacksmith shop on the farm, and shod both horses and oxen. He made the shoes, and also the nails to fasten them on, and he had to use dried hemlock bark for the fire in his forge. This was the first blacksmith shop in Puslinch. His father, Neil McPhatter who was responsible for starting the first log church in West Puslinch which opened in 1840, lived his last days and died in his son's house on this farm. Mr. McPhatter cut most of the bush, and broke up 16 acres with oxen for fall wheat. He owned the first horse in this district, which he brought as a colt from Toronto. He sold out in 1865 to David Ricker for $1800. This was said to be the first auction sale in this district. Mr. McPhatter moved north after they sold the lot. 1867 resident David Ricker Mr. Ricker grew the first buck-wheat in this part of the country. Most of his neighbours never saw buck-wheat growing before this. And then he left in 1873. The next owner was Darious Bethune. He paid the sum of $1750. Mr. Bethune worked the farm for a few years, but he never lived on it. He was the first around this part of the country to cut his crop with a reaping machine. The reaper was made in St. George. A man rode on the back and pushed out the grain with a wooden fork. In Dec. 1875 Mr. Bethune sold the farm to Donald McCormick for $2,000. Mr. McCormick had the pine stumps pulled and built into fences. He also built the stone house and bank barn that are on the farm now, and he lived on it till he died. when his family were leaving they had an auction sale. It was about 65 years after the first one. No one was present at the first one that was at the second sale. McCormicks sold the farm to John Sawyer for $5.550 cash in February 1927. 1832 Malcolm McPhatter’s first wife was Barbara Patton. Second was Catherine Graham. The charivari for the second marriage was heard in Aberfoyle. From the 1851 census: Malcolm from Scotland age 46, his wife Barbara age38 and family, Neal 15, Mary age 13, William age 11, Archibald age 9, Anne age7, Barbara age 5, Flora age 3, Malcolm age 2 . Donald 1853 1865-73 Ricker Family. Names Wm, David, John, Christopher; first auction in community was when they left for Muskoka. 1873-75 Darius Bethune worked it. Did not live here. His wife was a daughter of Louis Gregor of Crieff. 1875 Donald McCormick later m. Kate McGeachy His brother Jack erected blacksmith shop on site of previous one, 1880-1919. Donald’s daughters, Jane, Cassie and Helen grew up here. They moved to Galt after their father died and they sold the farm, 1927. 1927-1946 Jack Sawyer m. Jean Cowan paid $5,500. Daughter Annie 1946 Jack Huffmon; wife Florence Robinson sons Donald and Douglas. Jack died late in 1993, and the sons carried on. F1 L20 1. West lot off lot 20 severed. Big John Thomson bought the farm for his father Neil Thomson Fordyce the weaver lived on this lot in 1854. He erected a log house which was still there in the 1940's. In 1881 he sold the west lot to Malcolm McCormick. Malcolm Sailor McCormick 1815-1885 m 1.Catherine Wilkinson m 2.Nellie Carrothers Gibson. He built the frame house down the hill from the road at the top of the hill. (The yellow roses used to grow near the top). It was built there "so that every 'keeley' going along the road would not look in the window." In 1884 he signed it over to his wife. 1885 Malcolm died. Nellie and her brother Willie Carruthers lived there until 1908. Willie went back to Scotland. Nellie taught Mrs. McAllister the steps of Scotch Reel 1910 William and Eliza McCormick retired there. Wm. died 1911, but Eliza lived there till her death in 1930. She left the property to Jane, Cassie and Helen McCormick, who sold it to Jack Sawyer. The house burned in 1931 when George and Edna Paddock were living there. The property was vacant until Julkes built a new house about 1977. Frank Mayor was next owner. 2. East portion of lot 20: Neil Marshall owned the farm 1875-80. Dougald McPhee m. Flora McLelland of Uist log house on this lot, and barn east of the old one. Dougald's ancestry was as follows: Dougald McPhee, son of Goliath m Flora McLellan Peggy m.Big John McDonald, and they had.a son Angus whose wife was also a Newstead. Peggy’s sister m.McGeachy. There were at least three McGeachy boys, Archie, Johnnie and Dougall; one m. a Newstead, sister of Alex McGregor's wife. Angus McPhee's wife was a Newstead, possibly a daughter of one of the above sisters. The McDonalds lived c. 2 lot 11. Ann Jane Thomson did not marry and her brother built a house for her on this farm, There were stories about her; she probably suffered from dementia, and d in 1893. Later owners were John McAninch, 1923 Duncan McLean and 1946 Jack Huffmon. Later it was severed into 10 acre lots. F1 L21 Neal Thompson from Scotland age 75 in 1851 census with wife Mary age 73, daughter Jane born Scotland, age 37, and son Archibald age 29 His son Archibald Thomson m. Janet Wilkinson, who worked for the family shortly after she emigrated. He had the first stone house in this area built in 1855. Angus McDonald Crieff was the mason, and Peter Lamont (Lake) the carpenter. They farmed for a while, then moved to Waterloo, then to a farm at Arthur. Their family: 1. Neil 1854 2. David 1856 3. Archibald 1861-1937 4 .John 1863-1938 Souris Manitoba 5. Mary m. Robert Mitchell. Mary died in 1943. 1867 McCrones lived there; names Mary, Agnes, James 1877-1885 N. Marshall 1906 John McAninch m. Jane McPhatter 1853-1932 1. Hugh m. Margaret Cowan 2. Nelson 1880-1961 m. Marie Jamieson 3. Jane Ann 1882-1957 m. Fred Roszell 4. John James m. 5. Matthew went to Kindersley SK 6. Charlotte (Lottie) m. Alex Harbottle The McAninches retired to Morriston in 1915 1915 Duncan McLean (1861-1941) m. Christina McMillan (1860-1940) 1. Charles 1895-1964 2. Archibald CRT,GEF 1896-1930 3. Lachlan 4. Duncan 1908-1944 5. Kate m. Wes Main of Ayr 6. Christina 1902-1981 Charles, Duncan and Christina succeeded. Finally Christy burned the barn and tried to burn the house in 1948. Jack Huffmon bought the farm, and it was sub-divided after 1950. Jim and Jean Barber bought the lot with the house. Their sons John and Paul grew up there. By 1990 Bert and Helen Stephenson were living in the east lot, and the Mittons on the west corner. F1 L 22 Peter Diamond. From England, age 40 in 1851 census, with wife Elizabeth from England age 33, and children: John age 17, Sarah age15, Mary age, Elizabeth age 10, Ellen age 8, Peter age 7. Jane age 6, Joanna age 3, Sophia age 2, Catherine age 1. Charles Mickle managed the sawmill. 1851 Census: There is at present about 1000 logs on the premises. And its admirably surrounded by pine forest, about 5 miles long and 3 miles wide. (Martin Cantwell, enumerator. Mickle also had a mill on lot 26, conc. 7. On this lot there was steam power, an upright saw; lumber for the new houses and barns came from here. It operated in 50' and 60's. There were houses for the workers, and McCormicks lived here for about 6 years, 1859-65. There may have been a dancing school in one of them. Mickle purchased pines for $1.00 each. The Millman name is also associated with the lumber business here. 1867 resident Conrad Hosfield. By 1877 James E. McPherson (Black Jim) 1833-1915 (M. 1864) and his wife, Ann (Miller ) McDonald.(1841-1923) His son Angus (1881-1957) continued to 1926, when his sister Jenny died. He went to Toronto with Mansons. Children in the McPherson family were: 1. Angus 1881-1957 2. Isa (Bella) (1865-1944) m. Duncan Manson 3. Ellen , Mrs. Robert McIntyre Whitewood Sask. 4. Catherine Mrs. John Hood, Sheffield still alive age 87 in 1963 retired at daughter’s in Galt 1. Anne m Dean Scott of Galt 2. James Served in WWII with RCRs 5. Margaret Mrs. Reuben Wedge of Kirkwall Mr. & Mrs. Jake Crowder took it over until the 1940's. 1950 V. Hunt F L23 This lot was squatted on by Donald Potach who had a shanty and later disappeared. Neil Thomson was early settler; His sons, John and Archibald settled here too. Neil. (1774-1862) Neil's wife was Mary McLean, sister to Hector McLean. This proposed family may have errors. 1. Big John 1800 m. Ann Campbell lot 23 1867 resident 2. Neil m. Jessie McCaig d. young 3. Isobel 1807-1883 m. John Marshall lot 33, 34, rear 7th son Alexander of Cass City MI 4. Archibald 1807-1903 m. Janet Wilkinson 5. Mary m. McLaren lived Brock Rd Y 6. Peggy 1811- 7. (Ann) Jane b. 1813 bachelor. Arch built a house for her on lot 23 8. Sarah 1819 m John Millman Big John Thomson 1800-1880 who married Ann Campbell 1840, raised their family here. The pine log cabin was built in 1845; Peter Lamont was carpenter; the logs were hewed. Angus McDonald was the mason. Thomson gave the lot for the school. Family of John and Ann: 1. Bella 1845 m. John McLennan; m. in 1867 and went to Bruce Co., then to Manitoba 2. Mary 1848-1934 m Wm Fury, NWMP; They retire to Maple and are buried at Killean 3. Neil 1851-1868 died appendicitis
7. Alexander Sandy 1863-1918 succeeded to farm. He was a recluse. 1923 W. Crowder ; Col. McLean purchased the property. His employees lived in the cabin. Emslies, Frank, Priscilla and children Ken, Irene, Tom, Violet; c.1941-43 Reynolds parents, Donna Tennant, Leone & Abram
The School Master Walker who lived at the school in 1851 was from Ireland age 25. With wife, age 23, and their children, George age 3 and Rebecca age 1. F1 L24 John McDiarmid 1803-1898 emigrated from Perthshire with his wife Margaret Stewart 1805-1890 and the Stewart family. They took up lot 24 adjacent to the Stewarts lot 25. McKenzie says he was reared amidst the romantic scenery for which the vicinity of Loch Rannock, Perthshire is famed. Here he was born in 1803. In Scotland he married Margaret Stewart, and soon after left for New York, where he remained for a few years, coming to Puslinch in 1833 with Allan Stewart. He purchased lot 25 front of con. 1 which he soon sold and purchased lot 24 front of 1 on which he lived until his death in 1898. He was a member of Duff's session about 1842. Being trained amid the strong religious influences that characterized many families in his native land in those days, he always manifested an earnest active interest in the religious life of the congregation and in his family lived the consistent life becoming a Christian. 1867 resident. John & Archibald . His family: Mrs. Donald McKenzie, Bruce Co; 6 sons, Duncan 1837-1855 and Alex 1839-1871; Donald Dumfries; Allan with his family was well known in Aberfoyle and vicinity in recent years, but is now in NW; Archibald 1846-1935 and John in Puslinch. John who owns the homestead as well as lot 20, front 7, and resides on the former is an esteemed successful citizen, engaged in mixed farming. He married Agnes Mason 1860-1920; 1923 J. Berth; McDairmid family is Ida M and Margaret E. 1898-1966 Their children were 1. Margaret 1835 2. Duncan 1837-1855 3. Alexander 1839-1871 4. Archibald 1841 Kinloss 5. Donald 1843 Galt 6. Allan 1845 m. Margaret Aberfoyle & later NW 7. John 1847 m. Ida Mason 8. Hugh 1849 m. Maggie Nichol
John 1847-1935 and Ida Mason raised their two daughters on this farm. Ida m. Roy Coburn, Valens Margaret m. Jack Robson John Berta 1923 owned the property, then Col. Maclean purchased it and left it to the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The Dove ladies lived in the big house during summers, until the former Sec. of the Colonel died. They gave their Dove name to the house. The house of the Shepherd was built for the herdsman in the late 1930s. For a time it was rented to the Crieff School Teacher, Leeta Horning with husband Mel and their children Margaret, Bob and Ted. (1946-1950) F1 L25 Allan Stewart, son of Alexander Stewart of Perth, Scotland, came to this lot in 1833 with his sister Margaret and her husband John McDiarmid, who settled Lot 24. Duncan stoned McCormick's well. For Donald see lot 20 Rear Gore. John and Mrs. Robert Valens came in 1844. Parents came 1853 with rest of family to lot 21 RG (Hugh, Mrs. Lochiel Cameron, and Janet (See lot 26 Gore) 1885 Estate of J. Stewart Allan Stewart sold 4 acres 1862 to Presbyterian congregation for a manse. He built a store at the corner and the first P.O. was there. By 1877 Hugh had the property. Contractor for the manse was Wm Stratton sr. John Stewart m. Elizabeth McPherson of l. 27. They lived on this property as well, near the back. 1867 resident. After John and his wife died the family moved to the west. Mary McPherson McCaig remembered going there to play with her cousins. She was always warned not to eat, but she remembered having delicious roasted pork. Probably this was after her aunt Elizabeth had passed away. 1. Donald b July 14, 1851 m. Mary Booth in 1886 Vancouver (Mrs. Roach was a daughter.} 2. Annie Oct 15 1853 m. James Peebles Went from Strabane to Montana 3 Alexander b. 1858 m. Mary Eliz Code Qu'Appelle 1894 went to Lilyfield MB 4 Elizabeth b. 20-07-1859 m. Fairbairn Montana 5 Angus b. 05-07-1861 m. McNaughton 6. Allan c1863 6. Margaret b. 23-11-1865 m. Newitt 7. Allan c1865 8. James c 1867 went to California 9 John b. 02-08-1869 farmed Qu'Appelle 10 Duncan c 1873 d. Montana In 1906 James Riddick 1849-1937 had the farm and lived between the manse and the McKay house; retired to house across from D. McDonalds. James (Jimmie) played checkers with Harold Kerns when Harold was a young boy living on the hill. His wife Janet Charters (1849-1909) Their daughters, Mary Ann 1884 1970 m. John Scott and Jane married his brother. Mathew. James Hollinger m. 1. Stewart, sister to Mrs. Duncan McDonald; lived in the manse. His family 1. Victoria 2. Duncan 3. Kate m. Dan McDonald Jams Hollinger’s second wife asked Queen Stewart if she should marry and she was advised "You aren't very good looking, you'd better" 4. Ella m. Vern Wheeler 5. Jack n. Jessie McAllister 1923 R. McKay had the house at the corner. |