Arran families in Canada and still on Arran

The names of those who sailed in the brig called Caledonia in the Clearances nearly 200 years ago are well known on Arran in today’s life, representing many of the island’s best-known families. Jim Henderson concludes his series on the Sannox emigration with a list of some of them.

Archibald McKillop had been the Duke’s tax collector and led the first expedition to Canada. Born in Lochranza in 1824, he was educated at Edinburgh University. A brilliant man, he joined the army in Canada and rose to be a Colonel. His son Archibald was equally talented and graduated from Toronto University. Unfortunately, while visiting his mother on a festive break at Lac Joseph he was struck on the head by an ox, which resulted in making him totally blind within two years. Despite this, he became a distinguished academic and teacher, and was widely and affectionately known as the blind bard of Megantic County.

Donald Blue, born on Arran in 1794, married Ann McKillop in 1824. The pair later went to Ontario and there raised five children.

Dugald Cambell married Mary McKillop while they were both still on Arran, and had four children by the time they emigrated. The fourth one, Donald, was born in Lochranza. He opened the first store at Listowel, located 600Km south of Montreal and 50 Km east of Toronto, in 1856. He was also engaged in farming and became a large property owner. An eminent and very active conservative councillor, he became the first Mayor and Justice of the Peace for Listowel.

Angus Brodie and Isabella Walker were married in Sannox by the Rev. McKay in 1822. Their son Neil was five when they boarded the Caledonia. Angus became Mayor of Inverness, the Canadian town named by the settlers after the Scottish city, and ran the municipality from 1858-1864. People respected him as a formidable politician.

Alexander Cook, son of Archibald Cook and Mary McKelvie, were married in Galston in March 1859 and emigrated the following year. Mary McKelvie, née Burns, was a close relative of the famous poet Robert Burns. She and her husband moved to Illinois where they raised 10 children.

James Fullerton came of the Kilmichael Fullertons of Brodick, who can trace their history to the time of Robert the Bruce in 1307. James married to Janet Murphy, and their eldest son James was born in Corrie. In 1848 this younger James walked south from Megantic County through the bush to Bedford near Boston (a distance of approximately 200 km) where he found work on a farm. He married Mary McMillan in 1851. They created a prosperous farm in the Bedford area, overlooking the City of Manchester. Their descendants became accomplished singers and taught vocal music at the State Normal School of Iowa.

William Gordon was born at Corrie-burn in 1818. In 1851 he travelled from Megantic County to the Californian gold fields, returning one year later after a successful trip. He married Mary Goudie in Quebec to settle in Lowell Massachusetts, 50 km south of Manchester in New Hampshire.

Three Mckinnon brothers went out to Quebec area. All of them were born in Sliddery, James in 1800, Donald in 1801 and John in 1803. James was a schoolteacher, and married the widowed Mrs John Kerr of Megantic County in 1838. They had one daughter. Donald married Mary Sillers and had 10 children, and John married Margaret Sillers and had 12 children.

John Murchie married to Margaret Hendry while they were both still on Arran. Their son William was born at Achadh Mor in 1805 and grew up there. The three of them arrived at Quebec on the brig Foundling in 1831 William married Elizabeth Sillers in 1838 and reared 10 children.

If anyone has more information on ancestors who went from Arran to Canada and would like to share it, we would be delighted to hear from you.