Colin McDonald c. 1829 - Margaret Chisholm b. 1841 - 1926

[rljstewart]

Looking for information on the family of Colin McDonald c. 1829 and Margaret Chisholm b. 1841.

Colin shows up in the 1871 Census in Pictou, Gulf Shore as a merchant.

I believe he is the father of John D. McDonald b. 1868 who married Catherine Wall b. 1865. Many of the family subsequently moved to Glace Bay, Cape Breton.

Any information on the parents of Colin and migration (possibly from Knoydart, Scotland?) would be most appreciated.

With Thanks,

Robyn Stewart
[e-mail]

[rljstewart]

Further to above, I was able to obtain a copy of " A History of the County of Antigonish, Nova Scotia" by Rev. D. J. Rankin.

In the Chisholm section, pg. 115 "Chisholm (Buidhe)", it notes "Margaret (Chisholm), was married to Colin MacDonald, of Merigomish, with issue: John, Married to Kate Wall, of Margaree..."

I was also able to find a marriage record for Colin MacDonald and Margaret Chisholm. It notes Colin as being a merchant / Knoydart - born in Merigomish, and his parents being John and Janet McDonald.

I found a cemetery transcription for the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Merigomish (Rootsweb). There is a burial for Collin McDonald d. 1891. I don't have a death date for the Colin I am looking for but I know his wife moved with their children to Glace Bay (she is buried there).

There is also a transcription for John McDonald (no dates) with wife, Janet d. 1870 64 years at this cemetery.

Looking for any information on the parents of Colin McDonald: John McDonald and Janet McDonald (nee ?), likely of Merigomish.

With Thanks,

Robyn Stewart
[e-mail]

[rljstewart]

I have been able to find further information on Colin MacDonald and Margaret Chisholm.

The 1891 census notes that Colin was a Lighthouse Keeper. The book "Along the Shores of Little Harbour" notes that Colin was the first lighthouse keeper for the Kings Head lighthouse when it was built 1882.

I located Colin's obituary in the Antigonish Casket Jan 7 1892. It states that he died suddenly at the light house Dec 20th 1891 in his 63rd year, and was a native of West Merigomish.

I found a further note that his wife, Margaret Chisholm, continued to operate the lighthouse for a further 5 years: www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=2101

I believe that the marker in the St. Andrew's cemetery, Egerton belongs to this Colin MacDonald (d. 1891). Margaret Chisholm's death certificate also states that she is buried in Egerton.

The Egerton RC cemetery is on land that belonged to Angus Gillis MacDonald "pioneer" "of the River" Glenaladale". He came with John MacDonald of Glenaladale in the settlement of PEI. He then came over to Merigomish of which he was one of the first settlers. Angus Gillis MacDonald is also buried at Egerton with, I believe, many of his descendants.

If anyone has information on the descendants of Angus Gills MacDonald it would be much appreciated. I have found some unconfirmed sources (family trees) but they are not consistent. I believe Colin MacDonald is a descendant of Angus Gillis MacDonald but would like to prove.

There is an article in the Antigonish Casket (1 OCT 1891) "County Antigonish (New Series) No. Xii Arisaig District" that apparently provides information on Angus Gillis MacDonald. I cannot locate a copy of this article and if anyone has this article I would like to obtain a copy for review.

With thanks,

RS