Ceuid Mile Failte
From the Shores of Morar to the Estrella
William Norin
Copyright 2010 by William Norin
Smashwords Edition
PREFACE
Most of you who read this material will do so because you are interested in a specific individual or perhaps a family. That is as it should be for one of the reasons I have conducted this research was to learn about all of our ancestors: the Gillises, the McDonalds, the McAdams, the Mac Isaacs and the rest.
CHAPTER 5 SETTLING IN CALIFORNIA
CHAPTER 7 MEANWHILE IN ESTRELLA
CHAPTER 8 WHEN THE DALTONS RODE
CHAPTER 9 FOUNDING PHILLIP’S SCHOOL
CHAPTER 10 MEANWHILE BACK IN CANADA
CHAPTER 11 ANOTHER GENERATION IN ESTRELLA
IMAGES
MC DONALD FARM EQUIPMENT ON ESTRELLA
AUTHOR’S NOTES
If you think we might be related or recognize your family in this document or even want to add to, or correct, please let me know by dropping me an email.
bpnor@ca.rr.com
or cruise my Web Page:
Http://www.noringenealogy.com
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Commencing with the first Christian century the Scots and the English were inconstant conflict with one another. There were long periods of unrest when under the leadership of Scottish kings fierce battles were fought for control of both the Highlands and the lower country of Scotland and England, as well. So it was no surprise when in 1745 the exiled Stuart Prince Charlie, and seven followers landed in Moidart, an eighteen mile long district in the Western Highlands. Charlie raised his father’s flags immediately at Castle Tioran and declared he would proceed south to recapture the British Throne for Edward. He was in the heart of Clanranald country and his Jacobite army came from a relatively small area of Appen, Glencoe, Lochaber, Loch Shiel and Moidart. Charlie and his band of 8,000 highlanders proceeded to march and fight across the lowlands into England. They actually came within one hundred and thirty miles of London before being driven back into the Highlands where they were soundly crushed by a force of well-armed Englishmen in the battle of Culloden Moor. The Highlanders were virtually cut to pieces with cannon-shot and volleys of musketry against which their swords and shields were of little affect. This was the last war fought on British soil.
Ann Gillis, Lauchlin MacDonald's sister, sang the following patriotic ballad to her grand children in Gaelic. She was undoubtedly relating the experiences of our proud ancestors:
0h Sound the pit rock loud and high. From O’Groats to Isle of Skye. Let a’ the clans their slogans cry And rise and follow Charlie. From every hill and every glen are gathering fast the loyal men. They clasp their dirks and shout again Hurrah-Hurrah for Charlie. On dark Culloden’s field of gore hark hark they shout Claymore! Claymore! They bravely fought what could they more. They died for royal Charlie. No more will see such deeds again deserted is each Highland glen and lonely cairns are oer the men who fought and died for Charlie
BONNIE PRINCE CHARLIE
Moidart, where Charlie and the Jacobites landed, was Mac Donald country so it seems highly likely that our MacDonald progenitor, Lauchlin Mac Donald (1720-1790) would have been at a ripe age to have participated in Culloden.
Following this terrible defeat the persecution of the Scots accelerated. In 1746 Parliament passed an act prohibiting the highlanders from carrying arms, wearing the kilt and even playing the bagpipe. Our ancestor, Loughlin MacDonald, was born in the early days of the Jacobite rebellion. He certainly must have suffered many of the injustices of his clan and perhaps-followed Prince Charlie into battle. Laughlin, like thousands of others, would have been a tenant farmer whose family was driven out of Scotland by the Highland Clearances, a move by the landlords to take over the farmlands for the more prosperous sheep rais ing.
No British group has had greater impact on Canada than the Scots. Many were among those fleeing the American Revolution and they were followed some decades later by a wave of poor farmers and artisans from the Highlands.
Gordon Donaldson argues in “The Scot Overseas” that the notion that this latter group were reluctant to make the trip is mistaken. By the 1820s the clearance or eviction of tenants for the sake of sheep farming was well underway .... The notion that scheming landlords, for their own financial profit, shipped to American tenants who were living in plenty, or even comfort, at home, is preposterous. The truth is that people who had experienced the miseries of life in the Highlands in the 1840s clamored for assistance to enable them to leave the country.
CHAPTER 2
A SCOTTISH HERITAGE
Laughlin MacDonald, our progenitor, was born in the Scottish Highlands in the town of Morar, district of Moidart, in 1720. Morar was a possession of MacDonell of Glengarry, an early branch of Clan Ronald. However, in the Nova Scotia clan policy the Morar people are considered a part of clan Ronald proper. Geographically Morar was some distance from the main centers of Glengarry. The name Moidart is composed of the Gaelic words “maud” (sea spray) and “ard” (high), the height of the sea spray.
Laughlin I died in that local seventy years after his birth but not before raising three sons, Hugh, Angus and Donald. Our MacDonald genes carry a tradition of defending British interests against the tyranny of Napoleon Bonaparte. Donald MacDonald mentioned above served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the in the Army of the Prince of Burgundy and was killed during the Peninsular War in La Corunna, Spain in 1809. Under the leadership of Sir John Moore, another Scotsman, 38,000 British troops challenged Napoleon’s rule in Spain in the early part of the 19th century. They lost the battle after being chased across half of Spain.
Only six years later another of our ancestors, Allen MacDonald, who was also a Colonel in the British Army, took part in one of the bloodiest battles in European history, the battle of Waterloo. Here Napoleon met his final defeat and once again one of our antecedents gave his life in battle.
Laughlin’s two remaining sons, Hugh and Angus, were married and though they themselves stayed in Scotland, most of their children migrated to the new world. Alexander, John, Donald and Lauchlin, four sons of Hugh, settled in Nova Scotia, landing in Pictou in 1827. It is said they and the McIsaacs sailed their own vessel across the Atlantic (that is a little hard to believe.) A fifth son of Hugh’s, Ronald, remained in Scotland. Alexander and Donald made their residence at Brown’s Mountain, northeast ofAntigonish, Nova Scotia. Laughlin II married a Miss MacEachern and from Pictou he also too moved to Brown’s Mountain, thence to Glendale and finally to Grand Mira where most of his eleven offspring were born. His children were Angus (1801), Donald (1806) and Allan (1815). These three were born in Scotland. The others who were born in Nova Scotia were Hugh, Ronald, Joseph (1833), Anna (1836), Kate—called “Little Kate”, “Big Kate” and Margaret. All of these children eventually married.
Laughlin II and his wife died and were buried at Northside, Grand Mira. The children and their families moved to the East Bay Area with some living in Northside and others in Sydney Forks. No one dared live on the south side of the lake for British warships sailed up and down the lake close to the southern shores. A young man who ventured too close to the shore would be shanghaied into the British Navy.
Son Allan, who grew to the age of ninety-nine, was a rather interesting chap. In 1859 he began a career as an immigration agent. He sailed from Sydney on the ship Mary Ellen and brought back over sixty families who settled throughout Nova Scotia.
Son Donald married Theresa Gillis, a native of East Bay and the first white child born there. They first settled in Grand Mira but moved to East Bay in 1846. Theresa’s parents were Donald Gillis and Mary McDonald who were among the first white settlers to come to East Bay, arriving there from Prince Edward Island.
CHAPTER 3
TRACADIE SETTLERS
In 1772 John Mc Donald, the Lord of Clan Glenaladale acquired a vessel, The Alexander which he would use to bring immigrants to the New World. There were farmers and fisherman from the Hebrides Islands and the Western Highlands of Scotland. Many were escaping from religious prosecution. Among the passengers was Donald Gillis . Donald, from Brunacory, South Morar, Scotland was indentured to the Lord.
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Indenture and Tack Betwixt Donald Gilles and John & Donald MacDonald - 1771
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It is contracted, Indented, and finally agreed betwixt John MacDonald, Esquire of Glenalladale and Donald MacDonald, his Brother German on the one part, and Donald Gilles (Click here to see more about the Gillis line) in Brinacory in North Morar on the other part, That is to say the said Donald Gilles hereby becomes bound servant to the said John and Donald MacDonalds , their heirs, Administrators and Assigns for the full and complete space of six years after his entry which is hereby declared to begin and commence from and after there with of May last one . and seventy one and the said Donald Gilles Binds and Obliges him during this space faithfully and truely to attend and serve his said masters at any works they shall find necessary to employ him in at all times by night and by day, workday and holyday and not to absent himself during that spaces there from without his masters or their overseers leaves first asked and given and that he shall cheerfully and willingly obey his said masters or their overseers lawful orders and commands.
And that also he shall not willingly hear or sees any hurt or prejudice to his said Masters in their name or Effects but shall hinder and impede the same at the utmost of his powers and timelessly acquaint them therewith.
And further, That he shall not reveal nor divulge any secrets wherewith he shall be entrusted by his said masters, And More Over that he shall not embezzle or fraudulently put away any of his master's goods or Effects and others belonging to them.
And on the other part, The said John and Donald MacDonalds Bind and Oblige them, their heirs and Executors to pay the charges of Bringing the said Donald Gillies to the Island of St. John in North America And likewise to pay him Three Pounds Sterling besides his maintenance yearly for the first two years and Four Pounds Sterling during the remainder of the said term of six years. Also at the end of said term, to give him Two Hundred acres of land which they hereby Demise and Sell?? [illegible]and to farm Sell to him, his heirs, and Assigns from and after the term of Whit Sunday next after the Expiry of this Indenture for the space of two thousand nine hundred and ninety six years Saving and Reserving to his Majesty, his heirs and Successors all rights and priviliges. Saved and Reserved in the Original Grant of the Toll wherin the said two hundred acres shall happen to be given wherefore The said Donald Gilles Binds and Obliges him, his heirs, Executors, Administrators to pay unto the said John and Donald MacDonald, their heirs, Executors, Administrators and Assigns on the fifteenth day of May, One thousand seven hundred and seventy eight one penny Sterling for each of said acres for the preceeding year the like sum for each Acre for the year thereafter, after which to pay three pences Sterling per acre yearly for seven years. Thereafter to pay sixpences Sterling per Acre yearly for seven years more, at the end of which to pay one shilling Sterling per acre yearly for ten years and afterwards to pay one shilling and six pences Sterling per acre during the remainder of said two thousand nine hundred and ninety six years and that over and above the Quit Rents and Taxes imposed or to be imposed on the said lands.
And Finally both parties Bind and Oblige them to implement fullfil and perform their respective parts of the premise to each other under the penalty of Thirty pounds Sterling to be paid by the party failing to the party observing or willing to observe their part of the premises.
In witness wherof both parties have hereunto set their hands and seals and unto another a Duplicate hereof this.
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered.
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With him were his wife and at least one son, William. After sailing up the Hillsborough River and marveling at trees, something they had never seen before,, they settled in Pisquid, Lot 36, and formed what were later to be called the Tracadie Settlers. In 1787 Donald petitioned for land in Lot 37. In 1792 he obtained 200 acres from William Spry in Lot 37. It appears that this is the land that son William farmed. The 1798 census for Lot 37 says that Donald was 60+ years old, hence he was born pre 1738. The 1827 census, of which there is one page for Lot 37, does not show a Donald Gillis.
When the American Revolution broke out in 1773 John MacDonald organized an army from Isle St Jean PEI), because Donald was still indentured it is assumed that he would have been part of the army, also an 1820s list of Loyalists, which included soldiers, listed a Donald Gillis.
After much toil over several years the Settlers learned that they would not be able to own the land as they had been promised so several families decided to move, some to elsewhere on the Island and others to Nova Scotia. Donald and his friend Duncan Curry were a party of two who decided to sail to East Bay, N.S and scout that out as a possible sight where the families might relocate. It may be that they and some other early settlers already had some information about this new land for they may have talked to army veterans after the fall of the Fort at Lewisberg. The British Army had a number of Scottish Highlanders at the time.
After visiting East Bay in 1811 Donald and Duncan returned to PEI to inform the others that Crown Grants could be acquired were they to move to Cape Breton, so in 1812 several families, mostly Scots, left for East Bay, Nova Scotia.
CHAPTER 4
ON TO NOVA SCOTIA
Donald Gillis and his wife, Mary, acquired their Crown Grant near the water of the Bras d’ Or, a very desirous place to settle. The land grants in East Bay ran from the water's edge back about one and a quarter miles to include an area of 200 acres.
The following document was Donald’s crown grant application:
Item no.: 682 Mfm no.: 15790
Grantee: Gillies, Donald Year: 1811
Petition to Nepean: Petitioner, age 30, is a native of Prince Edward Island,
has recently removed to Cape Breton. He is married and has a family.
He asks a lot in the Bras d' Or Lake above the narrows, bordering on the marsh.
Note: complied with.
Donald Gillis’ land was at Tweednooge at the head of the channel. His 350 acres he called Gillissmore and was bordered by the land of Donald McIsaac who followed Curry and Gillis to East Bay in 1813. Shortly thereafter a number of other Scots came over from PEI, namely the MacEacherns, MacDonald’s, MacPhees, and MacInnises. Many of their descendents can be found in East Bay today. Shortly thereafter they had their first girl child, Theresa (1815), the first white child born in East Bay.
It is said that the Mic Mac Indians, even though hostile at best, were fascinated by this child for they had not seen a white baby before. They were constantly concerned about the immigrant mother's ability to care for the child in her strange surroundings. They visited her regularly for the first year and if the child was ill they brought their native remedies to cure her. She became a legend among the Mic Macs in East Bay. Theresa had eight siblings, one was brother Hugh who would come to California later with his nephews, Lauchlin and Michael.
Another sibling was Mary Gillis who married Augustine Mc Donald, postmaster in East Bay. She looks rather ominous here.
A favorite story in the pioneer settlement concerned Theresa's mother, Mary Gillis, my great great grandmother. She was at home alone with her children in their log cabin when she heard a scraping at the door. She immediately peered out the small cabin window only to see a ferocious large black bear trying to break into the cabin. She hastily grabbed a shovel of hot cinders from the fireplace, swung open the door and tossed them in the surprised bear's face. He roared loudly and raced back to the forest. He never did visit her again!
When the settlers first arrived they found an immense task before them. The forest covered the land to the water's edge. They had to conquer the forest, till the soil and make a living and home. They were mostly soldiers who were more familiar with the sword than the plowshare. Like Donald Gillis and his neighbors, Curry and MacIsaac, many of the settlers acquired land near the water for they had been accustomed to fishing and the use of boats in Scotland.
The only local inhabitants were the Indians who were quite numerous. The nearest settlement was Sydney. Of course there were no roads but a trail ran up along the shore line of East Bay.
The Indians who owned most of the land along East Bay tended to be arrogant toward the few white settlers. They were only partly civilized and saw themselves as the lords of the land. A land grant application made to the crown by the settlers illustrates the problems they incurred with the Indians:
“Item no.: 854 Mfm no.: 15791
Grantee: McNab, Charles, Year: 1812
Petition to Nepean: Petitioner, together with the whole body of Scotch settlers on the Bras d'Or lake ask that land reserved for the Tomwa Indians on the Tomwa Indian River be granted to McNab as a mill site, and that the Indians be induced to settle elsewhere. This calls, too, for a general survey of the district as the Indians have been giving trouble to new settlers twelve miles distant. McNab asks 1000 acres in certain defined lots. The petition also asks for 800 acres in the same locality for John and Donald McKecharan, Donald McGinnis, and John McAdam. Petition signed by:
New settlers on the south-west Arm:…” A long list followed which contained among others, Donald X Gillis.( note the “x” all the settlers were shown this way. They probably only spoke Gaelic.)
An interesting example of the Indians' behavior is illustrated by this tale told by Father Michael Mackenzie in the East Bay Parish Records:
“When fishing or spearing in water through the ice, as soon as a white man would cut a hole in the ice the Indian would come and put his spear in it and tell the Scotchman, 'This is my hole. You go makeum more holes.”
Because they were numerous and strong, they got what they wanted. The Indians also took care to select the best land closest to the best fishing.
The Bras d’Or was surrounded with trackless forests. No human habitation existed except for the Mic Macs and the place teemed with fish and virgin soil. Soon ships visited Nova Scotia from Scottish ports. They brought lumber back to Scotland along with mail from the new immigrants to their relatives at home.
Before the immigrants lay weeks and months of weary labor and of lonely winter days when cold and hunger could hardly be endured. Their first work was to build houses. These were miserable huts built of round logs cut on the spot and covered with bark. There was generally only one room. The winters were tough and fires had to be kept going night and day. Many of the pioneers would lose their way in the dense forests, perishing in the snow.
The general dress of the women was blue cotton print with a white spot of sprig and a cotton handkerchief on their heads. They spun and manufactured their own clothes. During winter months, women in every home were busy weaving cloth for family needs, a work suit of heavy gray homespun for each man and boy, a finer weave of half-cotton and wool was made into dresses and petticoats for women and girls, also shirts and underwear for men and youths. Many skeins of yard were spun to be knitted in summer months. They were their own tanners and cobblers. Both men and women wore homemade shoes, boots or moccasins made from hide. They kept a pot of tallow on the stove they used for candles and dipped their home knit socks in that to waterproof them for wear in the snow and wet weather.
Nothing but root vegetables such as potatoes and turnips could be raised the first two years, owing to the limited extent of their fields. They planted the potato crop with a hand hoe in burnt wood and there the spuds grew so well. They milked cows, made cheese and churned butter. Meal was scarce, and they had to live on potatoes or fish alone. Potatoes were boiled separately in their skins and, being dry and mealy, were more palatable than when added to the boiled dinner, as it was termed. Salt cod and dried cod with fat pork scraps and onions was a tasty meal. Salt herring and potatoes was a staple diet much like the food in their Scottish Island homes. They gradually developed herds of sheep and cows and some swine.
A round iron covered oven, much like a Dutch oven, was used for baking bread and bannocks. It was laid on live coals and other embers were placed on the cover with a heavy ash packed on top to control heat. They had no matches and had to keep cinders alive to start a fire. If not, they had to go to a neighbor for ashes and hot clinkers. This made a thick, crusty wholesome bread. Usually one daughter did all the cooking, toasting oat cakes, as well as attending the dairy work. If the best farmers could make two barrels of meal in one year, it was considered very good. Most raised a little wheat, but it was kept for sacrament.
There was a real communal spirit. They often had "raising bees" wherein they helped a neighbor to construct his log house.
With the influx of new settlers it became necessary to provide for their spiritual needs. In 1815 the Maritimes were under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Quebec. In 1821 New Brunswick, PEI and Cape Breton came under the direction of Bishop MacEachern of PEI.
The first English-speaking missionary regularly stationed in the Bras d' Or Lake District was Father William Dollard, a native of Ireland. He was appointed in 1818. The settlers at this time built a chapel where the present cemetery is located between the current church and the lake. Father Dollard's health finally became impaired from sleeping in an Indian camp. He was forced to leave for Quebec and never returned.
The second pastor of the Bras d' Or mission was Father Fraser. He came in 1822 and left the following year.
The third pastor was Father William B. McLeod. He was a native of the Bras d’ Or.
The fourth pastor was Father McKeagary who came in 1830. He remained in East Bay and Narrows until the former became a separate parish in 1838.
In the year 1838 the Bras d’ Or missions were divided and East Bay became a separate parish with Father Neil MacLeod as pastor. Father MacLeod presided over the marriage of L&M's sister Kate to Senator McDonald in 1865. Ten years later when Murdock returned home to take a bride, once again Father MacLeod married them. Father Mac died in 1891 and is buried at the Mission Cemetery.
Father Neil was responsible for the construction of the present church, the largest in the order at the time, and which still stands proudly today in East Bay. It replaced the smaller structure which was located closer to the water where the cemetery is currently situated.
A long series of priests followed Father Neil, but it is doubtful that any of them contributed as much as he to the settlement of East Bay.
Donald McDonald and Theresa Gillis had eight children: Ronald (1836), Ann (1839), and Catherine (1842) ( these three were all born in Grand Mira ) and Michael (Murdock, 3/15/44), Loughlin (9/28/45), Daniel (10/24/52), Agnes (1856); and Mary (perhaps named after Theresa's mother).
MURDOCK MC DONALD
Their births were in an area of East Bay called “Meadows Road”. Ronald in later life grew a van dyke. Michael grew to a height of 5'10", had a fair complexion, brown eyes, brown hair and later, a large mustache. "Lochie" had a dark complexion, brown eyes, dark hair, and a mustache. He was purported to be only 5'9" as an adult, but I believe that he may have been taller. He certainly looked taller to me.
At this time, there was a pronounced aversion to taxation by the citizens of the Maritime Provinces.
Cape Breton was rejoined with Nova Scotia in 1820 and there was a provincial allowance to augment local assistance to schools. Nevertheless, the subscription schools, as they were called, could only be afforded by the more prosperous citizens and, by 1850, a time when Loughlin and Michael were about to first enroll, only half of the children in Cape Breton were in school.
It is known that early there existed a school at the Northside near the church and a school at the Southside.
The emphasis which was originally placed on religion led to a focus on education as the children had to be instructed in the catechism and teachings of the church. Thus schools appeared which were few in number and small in size and which had some connection with the parish church or church organization.
The early schools were constructed of roughly-sawn, unpainted boards like the homes. They were 16 feet square with one end taken up by a huge fireplace. The teacher's desk was on a platform in front of the fireplace. Crude desks made of planks about eighteen inches wide lined three sides of the room. They were built to accommodate six pupils with separate rows for girls and boys. In front of these were backless benches. The pupils faced the walls to do their writing and turned around, swinging their legs over the bench, when they were called upon to recite a lesson. The floors were of rough spruce with some type of small stove to heat the one room.
There were no school-owned books as such. Pupils brought to school what they could find at home. The Bible and the old American Dilworth Speller were the principal volumes. The speller contained stories of Harry, the good boy who obeyed his mother and Tommy, the bad one who the bears ate! There was also a tale about a good-natured woman who thawed out a frozen snake, which afterwards ate all her children. (And we speak of excessive violence on TV!)
In about 1850, American textbooks flooded the country. Loyalist ancestors must have turned over in their graves. The books contained more about the United States than about their own country. It is believed that these books may have been an important factor in the beginning of the exodus of Cape Breton people in the years following. Could pictures and tales of the West in their story books have stirred the wanderlust in Loughlin and Michael and brought about their eventual journey to California? Could be!
It is said that Murdock (this was the name Michael preferred) "by wide reading and close observation became well posted, and was a versatile and entertaining conversationalist." (These were his own words in his autobiography. No humble man was he!) Murdock had a very neat and easy to read penmanship in later life. Loughlin's hand, in contrast, was very sloppy and difficult to read. Murdock, Ronald and Loughlin, if not all the children, had studied and read much Gaelic literature and spoke with fluency the Gaelic language. Loughlin taught some Gaelic words to Truman McDonald when the latter was a boy.
The pupils used slates first; later they had scribblers. The scribblers were made of very cheap paper and could be purchased for five cents. There was strict discipline as long switches were plentiful. A pupil was often whipped with a birch switch for speaking Gaelic while attending school. A teacher boarded three weeks in each home in the community. The salary was first as low as $100 per year. One of the first teachers was an old English professor who wore high boots. The pupils sometimes filled these boots with clay whenever the opportunity presented itself.
The monetary system at that time before Canadian Confederation in 1867 was pounds, shillings and pence.
Community life in early East Bay more than made up for the long hours of planting, cultivating and harvesting crops. "Frolics" were held in neighbors' homes to celebrate the harvest. Violin and bagpipe music was played while square dancing, step-dancing, sword dancing, and the highland fling were enjoyed; many of these activities are still popular today in East Bay!
The women contributed to the welfare of the community. In the spring they sheared the sheep and washed, combed and made rolls with the wool. The wool they spun into fine yarn with their spinning wheels, dyed it the desired color and then they set up their looms and all winter the sound of the shuttles could be heard in every home. The whole community joined hands in singing heartily and at the same time rendering the homespun cloth thicker and better in quality.
The workmanship and craftsmanship of these people was astonishing. East Bay was the home of some of the best carpenters of the time—MacEacherns and McDonalds.
During the winter when the bay was frozen solid there were horse races held. The young assembled in the evening for skating and coasting which was followed by a "ceilidh" (party) at the nearest home. The usual place for relating stories at night was during the "ceilidh" in the poetic language of the Gael. Just as their ancestors in Scotland, the Nova Scotians believed the hills and valleys were peopled by spirits, witches and spooks in the trees and here and there a man with "the sight" who saw visions and had dreams of unusual happenings. Ann Gillis told her children ghost stories about the scary "bawkin." (Ghost)
All families have their skeletons if one looks long enough. Our family had Alexander MacLean.
In Jack London's best selling novel, “The Sea Wolf” the pirate was this same gentleman. Alex was born in East Bay Parish, Cape Breton in about 1866. At twelve years of age he sailed as a cabin boy with his uncle, a sea captain. He became the most notorious pirate of the nineteenth century. He had a running feud with the English all his life. He preyed mostly on English shipping. The English offered fabulous rewards for his capture—dead or alive. They did not capture him. The Sea Wolf's contention was that the only way in which he differed from the other sea captains of his era was the fact that they had a license. When one reads the marine history of the Barbary Coast, you might be inclined to agree.
The McDonald property on Meadows Road, land which the family has owned for some one hundred and seventy years, adjoined the farm where their clansman, the Sea Wolf, was born.
Sister Agnes Clair, daughter of Agnes McDonald, who lived with Senator William McDonald who is mentioned later, was supervisor of all the schools run by the Sisters of Halifax. One day her St. Peter's School in Dorchester was showing the film The Sea Wolf. When told the pirate was her relative she almost collapsed on the scene. The family evidently had not displayed his picture on the mantle.
One of our cousins remembers in her childhood being told about the Sea Wolf by her granny. "Grandmother Gillis loved telling us about Captain McLean's mom who spoke the Gaelic and when Alex came home for a visit they would make a toast. She would raise her glass and say in her best Gaelic "A glance-a-ca capaini a Capt. McLean.” Guess it meant "good luck to you.
One researcher says that London actually knew McLean and that is how he got his material, from actual facts and not written or verbal records. She also said that Mr. McLean was not at all pleased with London for his portrayal of Wolf Larson
Larson left Nova Scotia to hunt seals in the North Pacific and Bering Sea. In actuality none of the other seamen who sailed their small vessels around Cape Horn to the northern sealing grounds were remotely as savage as the Sea Wolf. While most of them had strong character as required in their profession, they had no record of cruelty as has often been contributed to them.
A letter from Ronald Donald and Theresa's son in Lingam to his fiancée, Alice, in 1862 is shared at this point for it gives us insight into the early years of Ronald, sister Kate, Alice, and Laughlin as they participated in the society of youth in Cape Breton. Ronald seemed to be showing some reluctance toward losing his freedom.
“Lingan, 20 July 1862
My Dear A1ice,
I received yours a few days ago and I am much gratified to think that I have one more true friend than I could ever count before. I trust there may never be any obstacle put itself in the way to mar that true friend ship that exists between us at present. I beg you wilt accept my best thanks for your candid reply to my proposals and with which I cannot be otherwise than pleased. I tended to have me over to the Mines (Sydney Mines) on Saturday next tomorrow but the weather is so fearful gloomy I do not think I will venture to go but I hope to be able to go soon. Joe Botilier gave us a spree over here last week and my sister Kate who is with me was there and enjoyed it very much. Of course, I missed your nice figure on the floor but there were several smart girls there. I carried on a little flirtation with one of the Mep (Miss) Howleys a namesake of your own but could not of course go the whole hog (!) as the ( ? illegible)says, pardon the expression but I had to say to her I was engaged before I could be excused. I go in to see them now occasionally as they live next door to us but my visits are only short. You might persuade Bob to take a drive over this far and take you with him. You could spend a few weeks at your aunts (? illegible) at the Bay (East Bay) and a week with my sister. I could give you some sleigh drives as I have the pony perfectly subdued. I make it very pleasant for my sister for I have plenty of time to drive her around but you will see whether you can come when I go over to the Mines. You might ask your ma to let you come over with me.
I hope you have enjoyed yourself at Don Murphy's wedding.
Although the evening was very stormy and on all such occasions I hope you will consider yourself as free as the birds of the air to partake of the sports and share in the amusements in any good company where you may be invited and I hope you will grant me the same freedom although we are separated for awhile I hope it may not be long. I flatter myself enough to think you will be glad to hear of anything to my future prosperity.
I was in doubt all Winter whether I would have my situation here next summer in the event of the business carried on here changing hands but I have learned from Mr. Right that I may consider myself as one of Mr. Cunard's clerks here now and they said they would be glad to retain me in the situation. Between myself and Lauchy (Loughlin) now we draw fifty dollars a month and at that I think we may do very well.
Please accept my best thanks for the newspapers you have been kind enough to send me. Tell Richard and James I wish them very much joy. I am sorry to hear that poor Martin (Martin Pheron, Alice's brother-in-law, Maggy's husband) had nothing to do at last accounts. How does Maggy (Alice's sister) bear up under it? Give them all my kind regards and I hope I may soon see you all. I hope you will not forget me in your daily prayers and I will be as good to you. I intended to have this sent by Robb Bradbury but I find he did not leave as soon as I expected. I was glad to see some of the boys yesterday at Low point.
Dear Alice, I miss your society very much in the evenings, Sunday especially. If the roads are at all fit I will try to get over next Saturday. I will always be delighted to hear from you that I may be assured of your (? Illegible) for yours
most affectionately.
R. M. McDonald
Excuse the hurry as the boys are off and I must close”
On February 7, 1865 at East Bay, William McDonald, a merchant of Glace Bay, married L&M's sister Kate. Witnesses were Michael McDonald and Elizabeth McDonald. Reverend McLeod, who would later preside over the marriage of Michael and Elizabeth also conducted this ceremony.
The following letter which contains two parts was also written to Alice Hamilton but this time approximately a year after her marriage to Ronald. It was from her sister Mary Anne (Maggie). It would appear that both Loughlin and Daniel were living with Ronald and his wife at Lingan. The baby would be Ronald and Alice's first child, Robert Joseph. Donald, like Loughlin, worked in the mercantile store with Ronald. This missile was written only three years before Loughlin and Murdock came west.
Sydney Mines March 14th 1865 St Patrick’s Day
My dearest dear Sister
I received yours of the 9th in due course and would have answered it by the last mail only that Bob's presence I know would pleasantly supply the place of an answer. I was glad to hear you were well but sorry to hear baby's cough continues. You must not be anxious about him for there is a cough going through the children here.
Dear Sister you are wishing for the fine weather. I wish for it too as it will hasten your visit to home. I know you will be sorry for Charles going to Halifax. I will in one sense. I hope his behavior there wi11 be a source of joy as thus our sorrow may be turned into joy. My father is going around as usual, he is somewhat thinner than before his illness. Mother is in the enjoyment of her usual health. Old Mrs. Cook was buried yesterday, this is a real quiet St. Patrick's Day. Edward and Nora came down to Map (Mass), we had not Map (Mass) today. I think the priest must be unwell for he published he would be here to-day. The event you inquired about I think will take place about the middle of next month. About Father McDonald. I have not the least idea of what he intends doing, he has not been to our house since his first relapse. Christy was out there for a fortnight, she frets very much about him.
Dear sister I did not get the braid for baby's cloak yet. I must try for it soon. I suppose you will soon be making his short clothes. I hope you will make them nice. Biddy Madigan had a young son. Mip (Miss) Walsh is not well yet, she had no school last week. You will please to send the New York Ledgers from where Amy's settled in her new home now Nora says don't forget them. Ann Mooney and Mrs. Murphy are getting quite well. Bob is at the Bar. There was nothing worth mentioning happened here to-day. With love from all mine to Ronald, Laughlin, Dan and Kip (kiss) to baby and great much to you.
I am as ever fondly your own sister,
Mary Ann
Saturday Morning
Dear Sister,
Maryann is going to Harriet's, her girl left yesterday. Mrs. Adams’, Ann Carr, baby died last night, suddenly took a fit.
Bob is only after getting up, he is sorry he did not go back to Cow Bay.
I am hurried as I have all the odd jobs to do today. Goodbye dear sister.
Kiss the baby.
Your sister
Maggie
Following the Civil War in the U.S., a group of Irish American emigrants, the Fenians, was organized in New York State. This militant body was a forerunner of today's I.R.A., a group that had extremely strong allegiance to their mother country and home rule. They proceeded to plot an invasion of Canada.
"We promise," declared the Fenian general in charge of the Canada plan in February (1866), "that before the summer sun kisses the hilltops of Ireland, a ray of hope will gladden every true Irish heart. The green flag will be flying independently to freedom's breeze, and we will have a base of operations from which we can not only emancipate Ireland, but also annihilate England."
The theory was that, if only a foothold could be won on which the Irish flag could be raised, then independent Ireland would be recognized as a reality.
One wing of the army made an abortive attempt to capture the small island of Campo Bello off the coast of New Brunswick. The ship purchased for this invasion never even set sail. Fenian’s energies were then switched to the Vermont border and some three thousand Fenians were assembled in Buffalo. On the night of May 31, 1866, eight hundred of them crossed the Niagara River and occupied the village of Fort Erie on the Canadian shore. It was a small victory for, after a short skirmish with some Canadian student volunteers at Lime Ridge, the Irish group was forced to retreat. In the battle, the Canadians lost 12 of their troop and about 60 Fenians had been captured and there were some desertions. The U.S. finally intervened and this short-lived "war" was over, but not before there had been a national subscription of a11 able-bodied men in Nova Scotia, among them being Loughlin, Michael, and perhaps, Ronald. The latter, however, may have been too old. Certainly, at 14, Donald would have escaped the draft. I am told that Uncles Bob and Johnnie used to tease Loughlin about being an officer in this military organization, so he probably achieved some rank, and may have only served a few weeks or months, as the emergency didn't last long. Being stationed away from where the action took place, there is serious doubt that they saw any combat, if that's what it could be called. Loughlin and Michael served in the 4th and 1st Cape Breton Battalions, respectively. In later life they drew bounty (pension) payments of $100 each.
Although in the overall perspective of history the Fenian Raids seemed to be a series of very minor skirmishes, historians believe these battles did have a dramatic impact on Canada's move for independence.
"It was fear of the U.S. that caused the Canadian leaders to sink their sectional differences in a Pact of Confederation. This was brought about partially due to the Fenian Raids in Canada from American territory in 1867."
The following year L & M came west, accompanied by their newly widowed Uncle, Hugh Gillis.
One adventurer pessimistically described the ship's voyage to the tune of Pop Goes the Weasel.
"A Ripping Trip" (Like Pop Goes the Weasel)
You go aboard of a leaky boat,
and sail for San Francisco You've got to pump to keep her afloat
You have that by jingo. The engine soon begins to squeak
But nary think to oil her Impossible to stop the leak
Rip goes the boiler Pork and beans they can't afford
With forty pounds of "assigners" The engineers a little tight
Bragging on the Mail Line Finally gets into a fight
Rip goes the engine When home you tell an awful tale
And always be thinking How long you had to pump and boil
To keep the tub from sinking Of course you'll take a glass of gin
Twil make you feel so funny Some city sharp will rope you in
Rip goes your money
Put’s Golden Songster
In October of 1868, Loughlin and Murdock, at the ages of 23 and 24, traveled to New York City, probably by ship from Halifax. Ships sailed out of New York four times a month on the 1st, 16th, 19th, and 24th. Sailing day was always exciting, with the entrance to the docks clogged with drays, shouting porters and wide-eyed passengers. During this year 40,000 people would travel to California in this manner. This was nearly half of those who came west; the remainder came overland. By water, the trip averaged 21 days, contrasted to three months overland. One hundred pounds of luggage could be carried for free by each first class passenger. As a shipping company ad said in the New York Times at that time, "Medicine and attendance are free."
The two Canadians (technically. Englishmen) sailed Captain King's Ocean Queen from New York on October 16, accompanied by Hugh Gillis, their 46-year old uncle of Canadian birth. The Ocean Queen was a 2,715-ton vessel which was built in New York in 1857 for $450,000. It was originally christened the Queen of the Pacific. It was first owned by the San Francisco/Nicaragua Steamship Company and was 327 feet in length. Later it was sold to PMSS. The Queen was a wooden side-wheel steamer with three decks, two masts, two stacks, and an eagle figurehead. It was used as a troop ship during the civil war. It carried 804 passengers on this trip and it was owned prior to 1865 by Cornelius Vanderbilt, at which time it was used in the trans-Atlantic service. Ships of the middle 19th century were fitted with sails as a matter of course and sometimes the sheets were helpful in augmenting the engines as well as providing a means of getting into port should the engines or coal supply fail. Their journey took place a little over a year after Canada had achieved its liberty on July 1, 1867.
Upon leaving New York Harbor, the boys would have heard the firing of three or four guns at Fort Lafayette. From New York, the ship sailed to Charleston and then to Tybee Light below Savannah. In both ports, it hoved-to, rather than entering the harbor. Passengers and mail were brought out to the ship. The reason the ships hove to was for had they entered the harbor, state laws required that their colored crew members be bonded. They then sailed to Havana, New Orleans and back to Havana. After circling the western tip of Cuba, they headed directly for Aspinwall, Isthmus of Panama.
Because the passenger list reported in the newspaper didn't carry their names, but did carry this notation at the end of the roster: "…and a large number in second class and steerage," it is assumed that one of the latter categories is how the boys traveled. (If so, they would not have the free medical service.) Steerage cost $100 each for the entire trip. Steerage passengers slept in cleared spaces below deck and in the aft part of the ship. Berths were arranged in threes, with one above another. Each berth was built to accommodate three persons. The inner occupant had to climb in and out over his two berth mates. Did Loughlin and Murdock let their uncle have the outer spot?
Food was served to the steerage passengers in the galley. Tables were not served in steerage, the passengers being divided into masses of four to twenty-four members who chose one of their members to go to the galley where the food was served and bring it to them in buckets. They then proceeded to eat as a group off a clean spot on the deck. Some passengers bitterly described the pushing and shoving that were involved when the steerage folks vied for their share of the food from the galley. Meals consisted of salt beef, pork, yams, rice and sea biscuits with soup occasionally, fresh meat on Sunday and Thursday, coffee for breakfast and tea for supper.
One needs to put in perspective the significance of two historical events in order to better understand Michael and Loughlin's wanderlust:
the end of the Civil War in the East and the conclusion of the gold rush in the West. As one author stated:
When the dust of the gold rush had settled and the formalities of Appomattox were over, America suddenly found itself straddling a continent. A generation of Americans were eager to put the bitter lessons of Shiloh and Gettysburg behind them, and the words Oregon and California offered hope of a fresh start in a new land. And what a land! As early as the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804-06, tales had been trickling back of mountains that dwarfed even the Rockies, of canyons without bottom, giant trees poking holes in the sky, muscle-bound salmon tail-walking up cataracts, game animals practically falling into the stewpots in Schmoo-like ecstasy, grazing ranges stirrup-deep with grass and rich bottom lands just waiting for the bite of the plow. The incredible tales recounted by the early 19th century explorers and trappers turned out to be accurate.
Even yet a third factor intervened soon after Loughlin and Michael's departure West. It was not until the Big War was over and the work on the Transcontinental Railroad resumed that any real effort was made to bring "civilization" to the raw new state. However, with the completion of the first railroad linking the Atlantic Seaboard with the Pacific Coast in 1869, a new era was underway. Once again men "back East" looked to California; but this time they saw in California more than just the gold of the Mother Lode Country.
Although a post-war depression was slowing the economy back in "the States," for California the 1870s was a time of healthy growth. More settlers headed for California and now the newcomers were of a more substantial breed than so many who had come during the gold rush era, men looking to develop the state rather than to exploit the quick riches of the gold fields. Enter the era of expanding industry for the West Coast.
Loughlin, Michael, and their uncle arrived at Aspinwall on October 25, nine days after they left New York. The harbor would be choked with vessels from all ports on both sides of the Atlantic.
Americans and other white foreigners were usually very wary and would venture no further than the hotels and saloons owned by Americans and other Caucasians which had sprung up along the beach between the fenced compound of the Aspinwall railroad station and the walled city. Riots between Americans and Panamanians in the coastal city several years earlier had left scars which even that late had not healed.
After arriving the boys and their uncle would have walked up main street with the rest of the passengers. The train left from the consul office and they would follow the Chagres River across the Isthmus. Not far from the Atlantic seaport town the small train would suddenly plunge into the Black Swamp with its wild animals, colorful birds and profuse vegetation. Soon the young Canadian travelers would see Monkey Hill with its thousands of white crosses marking the area's local cemetery.
Their engineer, if an old timer, would blast his whistle as a salute to the dead. Next came the native village of Gatan where in addition to the Panamanian natives lived the railroad's superintendent. Their journey would next take them across the Rio Gatanover an iron truss garden bridge of ninety-seven foot span. Nearby on the left our heroes would see Lion and Tiger Hills, so called because thousands of monkeys made the nights miserable during railroad construction days.
Once again they would clatter into the dense forest. This time they would see cedro trees, a sprinkling of mahogany, lignum vitae and other varieties, all covered with orchids.
The Chagres wound its way along the deep valley and the trains followed it past several more native villages to Frijoles Station where scarlet and purple passion flowers dominated the landscape. Next they crossed the Chagres over the great iron bridge at Barbacoas and a half mile later they reached San Pablo Station. Soon they would arrive at Matachen Station, the halfway depot. There the natives would bring them fruit, cakes and dulces during a short layover. There was also a saloon here which offered "English beer and French claret." From Cruces in the east to Panama on the West Coast was the prettiest part of the journey with dense mangrove forests lining the route. The total trip which took four hours, interestingly twice as fast as today, was forty-seven miles long and the fare was $25 gold which could be considered steep for that time, but few complained when they considered the option . . . the infamous "Horn" or the long trip by wagon across the plains. The railroads offered steerage passage in cattle cars for $10 gold and extended the "privilege" of walking its tracks from sea to sea for $5.00. Let's hope our Canadian kin chose the more expensive option.
After arriving in Panama they would have taken note of the vast collection of ships from all over the Pacific moored along the 500 foot waterfront. Shortly following their arrival they were ferried by trans port boat to the ship Colorado, which was waiting for them in the harbor. Once on board, they would have bunked in until morning.
At 6:00 A.M. on October 26, 1868, Loughlin, Murdock and Uncle Hugh proceeded on the Pacific Mail Steamship Company's Colorado with 781 other passengers, 49 mail pouches and 9,543 packages of merchandise (How's that for trivia!). Eighteen months earlier on New Year's Day 1867, the tiny paddlewheel Colorado had ventured out the Golden Gate to initiate American Steamship service in the Pacific. She was bound at that time for Hawaii and the Orient. The Colorado was credited later with opening up the China trade.
The Colorado's original keel was laid on June 6, 1863 in New York. The ship came into service following the summer of '65. It cost $1,000,000. It was a one-stack, three masted, 3,728 ton side wheeler, 341 feet in length. It had 52 staterooms on the main deck, with berths for $1,500 in steerage. Life saving equipment was not adequate for they had only twelve boats on the ship.
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