Scottish Presence in Eastern Ontario
Contributor: David Johnston
Eastern Ontario is brimming with Scottish history. You can see it everywhere. Have you passed by any of the locations highlighted in this article?
Glengarry was founded in 1784 by Scottish loyalists, mainly from Clan Donald, and other Highland Scottish emigrants from the Mohawk Valley in New York following the American revolution. The Crown granted them land and helped with supplies the first winter, as compensation for their losses in New York. Some veterans received land instead of pay for their salaries. In addition, the settlement was founded as a destination for Scottish emigrants arriving after the recent Highland Clearances. Great Britain hoped the new immigrants would help settle and develop this area, which became known as Upper Canada and later Ontario.
Encampment of the Loyalists at Johnstown by James Peachey, ca. 1784-1790, Library and Archives of Canada
St. Andrews West
Pioneer cemetery The Parish of St. Andrews (named for the Patron Saint of Scotland) was founded in 1784 by 38 families of Scottish descent. These families (United Empire Loyalists) had travelled north from New York State after the American Revolution and were granted land by the British Crown in return for their military service.
Located on the site of the original log church which was built in 1784, this replica was erected in 1991. The pioneer graveyard is the burial site of Ontario’s First Premier John Sandfield MacDonald as well as that of explorer Simon Fraser. The oldest tombstone still legible is that of Alexander McDonell whose epitaph reads “killed by the falling of a tree” –1799. This stone can be viewed near the south wall of the log church.
Quinn's Inn was built in 1865 by John Sandfield MacDonald, who served as Ontario's First Premier, from 1867-1871. Two years before becoming Premier, Mr. MacDonald built a stagecoach stopover on the site of Quinn's Inn. He was laid to rest directly across from Quinn's Inn in the St. Andrew's Cemetery, one of the oldest in Ontario. Located on what was once the main stagecoach route between Montreal, Kingston and Toronto known variously as the Line Road, the King's Road or Dundas Street. It was Macdonald's wish that the basement of the hotel be kept for use by the parishioners for the serving of lunches after wedding and funerals.
The building continued in operation as a hotel until it was gutted by fire in 1879 and was purchased by William and Elizabeth Masterson in 1895, who it is believed, renovated the interior. The building opened under their management as a store, barber's shop and post office a few years later. In 1924 Frank Quinn became owner, followed by his sons Maynard, Alfred and Ernest in 1948. It continued as a general store until 1989 when it was purchased and historically restored by the Quinn family. Currently Quinn's Inn is owned and operated by the Belmore Family.
Martintown
The Martintown Grist Mill was built in 1846 by Alexander McMartin. It replaced the original wooden grist, saw, and carding mills built between 1801 and 1803 by Alexander's father, Malcolm McMartin. In addition to building the mill which stands today, Alexander McMartin also served the community as Justice of the Peace, Sherriff, Member of the Legislature and Lieutenant Colonel in the militia.
Through a succession of owners and millers, the Martintown Mill served the community as a custom mill. Local residents and farmers would bring their grain to the mill to be ground into flour. Typical orders were for a bushel at a time of wheat, corn, buckwheat, oats and malt.
Milling industry on the Raisin River attracted settlers to the village as houses, a school, church, shops, taverns and a blacksmith were established. The village was originally called McMartin's Mills and later changed to Martintown.
Fraser Field
FRASERFIELD plaque
On the North side of county road 14 which follows the Raisin River into Williamstown is an obscure plaque at the entrance of an overgrown lane. The plaque outlines the history of an estate named Fraser’s Field. The large renovated Farm House can be seen at the end of the 400 metre lane or from the adjacent county road 27.
Williamstown
Williamstown, though off the beaten track, is a treasure trove of history including the Glengarry Nor’wester and Loyalist Museum, the Glengarry Celtic Music Hall of Fame, the John Johnson House (a National Historic Site), the Bethune Thompson House, and the St. Andrew’s United Church and Cemetery.
Glengarry Celtic Music Hall of Fame https://www.glengarrycelticmusic.com/
Glengarry, Nor’Westers & Loyalist Museum
Glengarry, Nor'Westers & Loyalist Museum chronicles the migration of Loyalists led by Sir John Johnson of New York from the Mohawk Valley to the surrounding area during the American Revolution. The museum is housed in an old schoolhouse which features the names of previous students carved into the brick face.
Glengarry County has a wealth of Celtic heritage. One thing lacking, however, has been a form of recognition for those talented individuals who make up Glengarry’s rich Celtic culture. This void has been filled by the Glengarry Celtic Music Hall of Fame in Williamstown. The organization was founded on June 10th, 2003 in Alexandria, Ontario.
Sir John Johnson House. Sir John Johnson, a loyalist who moved North to Montreal following the American Revolution, left behind a considerable estate in Mohawk valley to fund and lead the King’s Regiment of New York. In 1784 he was instrumental in resettling many loyalists in what is now Ontario. Johnson himself built a home and mills on the banks of Raisin river between 1784 and 1792. The home remains one of the oldest in Ontario.
Sir John Johnson House. https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/johnjohnson
St. Andrew’s United Church. Reverend John Bethune, acquired a 3000-acre grant near Williamstown where he built the first Presbyterian church in Upper Canada. Following the organization of a Presbyterian congregation in 1787, a log church was erected here and replaced in 1806 by a stone structure. The present church was begun in 1812. Its bell was presented in 1806 by Sir Alexander Mackenzie, the great western explorer, and its communion service in 1820 by friends in Scotland. The first allotment of pews was made by lot on February 23, 1818, after special places had been reserved for the minister's family, Mackenzie and other partners of the North West Company. Between 1787 and 1958 the congregation was served by only six ministers.
Bethune-Thompson House https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=565
Bethune-Thompson House / White House was designated a national historic site of Canada because:
- this early Ontario home combines historic construction techniques and classic design; and
- the central part was built ca. 1805 as a manse for Rev. John Bethune, the first Presbyterian Minister of Upper Canada and was later the residence of explorer David Thompson. Historic construction techniques and classical design are combined in this early Ontario home. The vertical log south wing may date from the 1780s when Loyalist Peter Ferguson settled on the site. The central part was built ca. 1805 as a manse for Rev. John Bethune, the first Presbyterian Minister of Upper Canada and was later the residence of explorer David Thompson. Beneath the stucco of the main block, the timber frame has three walls infilled with rubble stone and a fourth with ‘stick and mud’. The five-bay facade, formerly flanked by similar wings, expresses the British classical tradition.
South Lancaster
Glengarry Cairn National Historic Site http://ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Stormont49.html
Glengarry Cairn National Historic Site From the Wharf, the Glengarry Cairn can be seen. Built by soldiers of the Highland Militia of Glengarry, stationed here in case of attack during the 1837 Rebellion, it commemorates Sir John Colborne, a military leader who later became acting Governor General of British North America. A walkway spirals around the outside of this impressive conical stone structure measuring 60 feet high by 60 feet in diameter at its base. In 2009, the site was closed to the public after the discovery of human remains led to claims that the island was a sacred aboriginal burial site.
Plaque Text
This cairn was erected under the supervision of Lieut-Col. Lewis Carmichael of the Imperial Army, then stationed in this district on particular service, by the Highland Militia of Glengarry which had aided in the suppression of the Canadian Rebellion of 1837-38, to commemorate the services of that distinguished soldier Sir John Colborne, who was declared by the historian Napier to have been, 'A man of singular talent for war' and who commanded her majesty's forces in Canada at that critical period. He had previously served with conspicuous merit throughout the Peninsular War and elsewhere and had greatly distinguished himself at Waterloo when in command of the 52nd regiment. He was Lieut. Governor of Upper Canada from November 1828 to January 1836, Governor General of Canada in 1839, and afterwards became Field Marshall Lord Seaton G.C.B. The cairn was repaired and this tablet erected in 1905.
Faulkner’s Settlement Cemetery
Faulkner’s Settlement Cemetery: The cemetery recognizes the Faulkner family as the founding family of South Lancaster. William Faulkner was instrumental in assisting Sir John Johnson in settling the Loyalists and Mohawks, ensuring they received the lands granted to them including the Indian Lands along Glengarry’s western boundary.
Dunvegan: Glengarry Pioneer Museum
Glengarry Pioneer Museum
Opened in 1962, the Glengarry Pioneer Museum consists of several nineteenth century log heritage buildings and artifacts. The museum’s original structure started life as MacIntosh’s Store in the 1840s. It then became the Star Inn, a stagecoach stop in the 1860s. It is this period that the inn is furnished to reflect…including the original barroom, believed to be one of the oldest in Eastern Ontario.