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LOT HISTORIES
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F1 L6 Neil Thomson here first; his widow sold to Neil McCormick (1808-1884) and Isabel McDonald (1814-1875) He and John co owned it in 1875-76. Neil McCormick 1808-1884 m Isobel McDonald 1842 over the anvil in her father, Alexander McDonald, at his blacksmith shop at Aberfoyle shortly after the McDonalds arrived; and they farmed F1 L6. Neil offered his services to the government side in the 1837 rebellion. He was son of John McCormick 1785-1839 & Catherine Wilkinson of F3 L16 Their family:
Ronald and William continued farming, with sister Kate keeping house for them. Catherine (Kate) and William died within 2 days of each other so there was a double funeral, an unusual event in this portion of Puslinch. 1906 John McCormick et al 1945 Angus McMillan m. Joy Gregor bought it. Their daughters, Mildred m. Alex Nichol and June m. Holm on the third concession. Angus built a retirement home which Alex and Mildred McMillan Nichol have owned since c 1980. F1 L7 Angus McKellar (1816-1886) m. Marian Bone c1819-1902 lot 1 Gore. They pioneered lot 7 1867 resident & John; Probably Angus a son of lot 2 Gore. Mrs. McKellar wrote in the McPhatter letters: that she was born in Dumfries Shire Scotland in 1821 and came to Puslinch with her father, the late Walter Bone in 1835 and in 1840 married Angus McKellar when Killean and district was all forest. We settled lot 7 on the first concession where we have lived ever since..I am one of the very first settlers who is left, not one other is left to remember the early days on the 1st, and the trials we the first settlers had to bear: carrying our flour on our backs from Galt. I can remember when the old log school was built and the contract was let to William Lamont. Size 28 x 36 feet: one door and 5 windows with rough boards for seats and desks. The trustees were A. McMaster, Angus McKellar and Mr. McPhatter. The first teacher was Neil Currie. Wolves, bears and deer were numerous in those days . The wolves were very destructive. Angus McKellar still there 1871. Family: 1. John b c 1842 2. Wattie c 1844 m. Mary McLarty lot 8 rear gore
3 Marguerite m. Edward Couch (Galt) 4 Mildred m. Henry Kern (Kitchener) 5 Esther m. Rod Edwards (Burlington) 6 Joan m. Bernard Walker (Galt) 7 Marion lived in Galt 8 Earle May 5 (Chatham) 3. Annie (Ann Smith) b c 1846 4. Mrs. Jardine (Mary) b c 1848 5. Janet b c 1850 m. Big Sandy Wilkinson 6. Archibald b. c 1852 m. Alvira Bartels d. 1917 7. William b c 1857 d. 1930 bachelor; also farmed here 8. Mathilda m. Big Jack McCormick 1882 Ohio Their daughter Lillie stayed at Archies till her Aunt died. Lillie m. a state governor; she died in Atlanta City in 1969. Her brother Archibald d. 1968 Sister Alma 9 Dougald b c 1870 10 William b c 1870 11. Alex Oakland California went to school c 1871-78 12. Duncan m. went to school 1871-78
1919 Fred and John Beckett bought it; 1923 K.E. Beckett; still in 1950; A.R. Whitham Matthew Goetz.c 1975 bought farm, and built new home. F1 L8 Archibald McMaster (1791-1875) married Catherine Cook (1798-1882) m. 1823 Isle of Arran 1867 resident;. Archibald's brother Rev. John is also buried Killean. Archibald McMaster pioneered the front and rear farms and he donated lot for school (1 acre) 1845-50. 1867 resident: John; Archibald & John in 1871. 1885 A & R McCormick. 1923 R. Burmaster
Children of Archibald MacM & Catherine Cook: 1 EUPHEMIA b)2/23/2824 m John McLarty; 2 FLORA b)7/3/1825 m Peter Stewart, they moved to North Dakota in the late 1800's; 3 CHARLES b)3/7/1827, bachelor; 4 JAMES b)1/13/1829 m Christina McLarty (my great-grandparents), they lived in Puslinch Twp in 1851 & 1861 Con. 2, Lot 8, s-100 acres; they also went to ND about 1887; 5 MALCOLM b)ca 1832 m Margaret Shaw, lived Minto Twp, Wellington Cty. Con. 2, Lot 33; 6 ALEXANDER b)9/10/1833 m Mary Cleghorn McAlister res 1861 Minto twp., Lots 31, 33,34, 37 of Con. 3; 7 CATHERINE COOK b)9//10/1833 m Thomas McAlister, a cousin, moved to Colorado but possibly buried in an unmarked grave In Killean Cem; 8 MARY COOK b)12/31/1835; 9 JOHN b)ca 1839 died in Washington Territory. McMaster Family Hold Reunion at Puslinch (from a clipping c. 1934) "A happy event took place at Puslinch Lake recently, when representatives of five generations of the McMaster family gathered at the pretty sheet of water and pleasant surroundings to spend an afternoon together. Some had not met for thirty or forty years, others had never met before. A profitable and very enjoyable time was spent together, picture taking, old-time chats by four generations and baseball (a good game it was) after which all sat down to a grand picnic tea. After justice had been done to the inner man, an organization was formed: The descendants of Archibald McMaster. Officers included Mrs. Wm Hutchison, Galt; Mrs. F.R. Johnston, Guelph; Miss Annie McMaster, Palmerston; Miss Lillie McLarty, Hamilton; Mrs. David Champ, Regina Sask; Mr. John Ord, R.R. 3 Guelph. With power to coopt. The object of the organizationn is to endeaver to get in touch with the different branches of the family tree, of which there are many connections in other parts and ...A biographical sketch shows that in the early thirties of 1800 Archibald McMaster with his wife, Catherine Cook and family emigrated from the Isle of Arran Scotland, to Canada. After spending a year or two with Mr. McMaster's brother John in Hull, Quebec they came west to Ontario and settled on lot 8, concession 1, Puslinch.. Their family was Euphemia, Flora, James, Charles, Mary, Malcolm, Alexander, Catherine and John. Of this family, only the widow of Alexander McMaster survives at 20 Central St. Guelph. Of the second generation, there were Mr. & Mrs.Wm Hutchison,Galt, Mrs. & Mrs. George Hutchison, Galt. Archie, John, Flora and Annie McMaster of Minto, Mr and Mrs. F.R. Johnston, Guelph, Nr & Mrs. C. McLarty,Hamilton, and Mr. & Mrs. James McIntosh, Guelph Township. etc down into the 5th generation..." Archibald and Catherine's family:
2. Flora married Peter Stewart, son of John on front 2 lot 11. 3.James m. Christina McLarty and who probably farmed the rear lot, 4. Charles d. 1874 age 47; 5. Mary 6. Malcolm January 1879 age 24 married Mary Petty, age 18, daughter of David Petty and Mary Ord. 7. Alexander b, 1833 Hull Quebec m. Flora McAllister 1878 in Minto; 8. Catherine 9. John who continued on the homestead. McMasters went west and Ronald McCormick purchased the farm. He sold it to James B. (Jimmie) King about 1905. King was a Remittance man. He had been a merchant seaman since he was old enough to climb aboard ship. He received inheritance money while docked in Montreal, read in Family Herald or Farmers' Advocate of the farm and came on the train to purchase it. He bought the farm with the spring crop planted, and when harvest came the neighbors arranged a bee to help him take it in. (Wilkinsons, McLartys, McKellars, McCormicks, Burmasters, and Fergusons and John Barley-corn.) The final harvesting was a field of peas next to the school (now west and overgrown). Jimmie, a driver and the democrat were sent to town to replenish the liquor stock. On route home a barrel fell off and they couldn't reload it. A scout was sent to find them. The teacher closed the school. (Neil McCormick watched it all and told the story.) The racing wagons would be hastily loaded with a few bundles of peas and speed back to the barn for their drivers to quaff their share. Some wag entwined the nearby hay rake times in the rope that drew up the slings and before the unsteady driver of the team pulling the rope could be halted the hayrake was at the peak of the barn rom whence if fell with an almighty crash. Jimmy with his money was a target for itinerant salesmen and had been sold an "unbreakable stove and a set of cast-iron frying pans. already the owner of 2 stoves, the harvesters were invited to break the unbreakable stove so Jimmie could get his money back. Frying pans couldn't do nor could Sandy "The Rabbit" Wilkinson step dancing on its top. The brawny arms of some of Killean's tug of war team soon reduced it to a pile of junk however. Thanks to the call of darkness and the need to do chores at home, the harvesters departed. Never a farmer, Jimmie was very soon back to the sea ad ships. He retired to live with the Burmasters on lot 8 after sailing for many years on the S.S. Robin Hood, whose mercantile wanderings had carried him to many parts of the world. His cockney accented "Ah ben der" was his answer to many a geographical question. His retirement saw a new generation of young people to indulge in fun at his expense. 1923 R. Burmaster 1950 M. Bauman Bennetts lived there in the 70's F1 L9 Angus Blue occupied the lot first. A relative of his, Peter Blue had been one of the survey gang headed by David Gibson and both took up tracts. George Page,who was probably from Quebec, was the first settler, and he kept the first tavern.& was a miller. The 1851 census described Page as a Canadian, Catholic age 27 with his 29 year old Irish wife Ellen, and Canadian born children Anne age 7, Stephen age 1 and a 20 year old labourer, Erial Page Angus Blue carried on after Page, with tavern and hotel as well as being a miller. The tavern and adjoining log buildings were a few hundred feet west of the stone house Angus Blue, d 1864, is buried almost opposite the Thomson plot at Killean cemetery. Wm. Blue also purchased lot 13 conc. 1. Later he purchased lot 16 conc. 2. He was step son of Neil McPhatter. He was the communities's first carpenter. He lived near the lake. d. Apr. 15 1871. His brother Angus who ran the hotel after Page, later lived F2 L16; Donald was R2 L16 . Janet m. John Martin and Margaret m. James McPhatter. Grace Blue m. Malcolm Smith and daughter Grace who m. Wm. Grey of Puslinch. William Grey was born in Quebec. His parents were Wm and Ann Grey. He was age 38 in 1865 when he married Grace Smith, age 20 or 30. She was born in Toronto, the daughter of Malcolm Smith and Grace Blue. This from early assessment records, and Crieff Parish Register. Willie Blue's cure for getting butter was to take a forked ash and stir the cream with one switch and thrash the cow with the other. J. Oakham was the next owner. By 1875 Donald Ferguson c1831-1891 , native of Strathspey had a store and post office. Donald Ferguson m. Isabel Marshall 1840-1908 Puslinch born; Fergusons came to Puslinch in 1857. Married in 1863. 1867 resident Owned lot 9 C 1 and lot 11 RG Socially Mr. Ferguson was a most entertaining companion, possessed of a wide range of general information, and a good grasp of public affairs, gathered in his travels, and by reading, which were combined with the humor and impulsiveness characteristic of the Highlander. Owing to his knowledge of Muskoka, and his capacity for conducting business, he was appointed by the Crown Lands Department Inspector of Colonization Roads in that district. In politics Mr. Ferguson was a pronounced Reformer, but the unbounded hospitality so characteristic of him was extended to both parties during their campaigns. Family: 1. Isabella 1862-1926 2. Marshall 1867-1933 m. Nellie Amy 196-1970 lived Killean 3. Willie 1870-1872 Tomb stone inscription:
Unsound their rest That o'er this plot of ground molest Except they be my kinsmen near They have no right to slumber here." 3. Jennie 1875 -1908 4. Maggie 1882-1949 m. John H. Tait of Lakeview. She had 2 daughters, Belle Mary & Elsie, who by 1983 weighed 250 lbs and were living in Toronto; bur Killean 5. Mary 1866-1941 m. Neil Wilkinson 6. Ann(ie) Avon 1872-1906 m. Richard .W Ball c 1896 Died of pneumonia bur Killean 1. Harold b c1897 2. Maggie 1899-1981 3. William b c1904 7. Donald c.1877 was in Weyburn 1905; Williston ND Donald Sr’s brother Lewis c1848- took up his brother's business m. Neil McCormick's daughter Jean; moved to Galt where he was a merchant. Family of Marshall Ferguson 1867-1933 1. Bella Galt 2. Angus 3. Donald 4. Ian 1923 M. Ferguson Bob Barber bought the property (had it in 1950) and the barn burned. F1 L10 Archibald Thompson, a native of Killean, Kintyre, came to Canada in 1830 and took up Lot 10, front and rear. In 1831 his father, James Thomson came to Puslinch with six sons settled on this farm. This family all died in the prime of manhood. Family of James and Betsy McPhatter Thomson 1. Archibald 1806-1862 Killean 2. Donald 1810-1843 or 44 Killean 3. Neil 1812-1844; settled on lot 6 conc 1 but died. 4. Malcolm 1830-1834 The cemetery was created for his burial 5. James 1814-1840 Killean 7. Mary 1816 m. in Dakota 6. Angus 1818-1852; later settled lot 14 front Gore 7. Barbara blind, m. Angus Gilchrist; they lived at east corner of farm 1. Jimmy (Gun) watchman Galt Main & Beverley 2. Johnny b c 1853 m. cousin Morton, London 3. Little Archie Dakota John Gilchrist, age 80, wrote Col. Maclean May 10, 1933, that he left Killean in 1866. He wrote of being at John Thomsons, and of John Thomson singing in Gaelic probably at Killean school. I assume J. Thomson was his first cousin. He says J. Thomson later attended J.K. Smith's church in Galt as 3 of his married daughters were living near Galt. See below. John Thomson 1867 resident, still there 1875. 1885 Charles Brado. John Gilchrist 1854-1944 purchased the farm, married Eliza Ann Paddock,1857-1952, daughter Thomas. He also owned lot 11; he was County Commissioner and Council member in 1896; Reeve in 1901-02; was known as Yorkie; Their children were 1. Thomas John 1888-1973 2. Charlotte 1891-1952 3. Katherine 1898-1945 This family left the farm in 1913 Kreugers, related to Schamburgs lived on it. They may have worked for John Gilchrist. Their son Chris m. Jane Paddock Their son John had a son Philip (Clyde) whose daughter m. Lewis McDonald. Schnieders also lived there in the 1880s. 1923 W. Stenael 1950 Edward Feick Stan and Gary Collins built a new home in the 70s, and the Richardsons did likewise on the west side adjacent to the cemetery. Neil Wilkinson, father of Mrs. Peter Gilchrist had his blacksmith's forge on the corner of this lot. He and his family moved on to Minto. |