McLellan Family
I know the names of my great great great grandparents: Kenneth and Flora McLellan, who lived in the Dorchester area of Antigonish County in the early 1800's. Their son, Angus McLellan migrated to the Canso area, married and raised a family there. The following is a very basic record of the descendants of Angus.
Angus McLellan was born March 22, 1827 the son of Kenneth and Flora McLellan, Antigonish. From the various documents available, there is a discrepancy in his year of birth.
On the 1871 Census his age is given as 44, which would make his year of birth 1827, which agrees with the 1901 census. The 1881 Census has his age as 56, which makes his year of birth 1825. (I have found the 1881 Census to be the least accurate with ages). I almost couldn't find him listed on the 1891 Census - he was entered as Angus McLean, age 60 (b.d.1831). I believe that sometimes, the Census taker estimated people's ages, especially those who were older.
The Census of the Township of Dorchester (Antigonish) for the year 1827 listed Kenneth McLellan with 3 males and 1 female in his family, so that would mean that there were the husband, the wife and two sons. His religion was Roman Catholic. His occupation was a farmer. He had 20 acres of land cultivated, and his land had produced 15 bushels of grain and 3 tons of hay that year. He had 4 horned cattle, 7 sheep, 3 swine, and he grew 100 bushels of potatoes.
Probate record of Kenneth McLennan, dated May 18, 1835: The Real Estate of the late Kenneth McLennan consists of one hundred and sixty acres of land in the Township of Dorchester, which was valued at 110 lbs.
Names of whom he owed money to included Francis McLennan 32:14:6, and Hugh McLennan 1:19:0, among others. Total debts amounted to 187:3:7. Monies expected to be recovered included 7:10:0 from William Cameron, Sales of Hay, etc. 5:18:0, Supposed value of a Horse and other articles in the hands of Francis McLennan, 15:0:0.
A death notice from a newspaper clipping (1915) states:
Angus married 1st) Margaret Ann Kirby, daughter of Benjamin and Sophia Kirby. She was born on Oct. 14/1833. The 1871 Census gives us her age - 37, which makes her year of birth 1834. 1881 Census gives her age as 48, which makes her year of birth 1833. By the times of the 1891 Census she had died and Angus was remarried to Louisa.
He married 2nd) Louisa Barss, widow, on July 11, 1884, at Canso. She was born Oct. 6/1853, and much younger than Angus. (She was only 3 years older than his oldest daughter).
There were no children from the second marriage.
Sophia Jane McLellan b: Sept. 1/1856
John Alexander and Emily were born at New Harbour. The father, Angus' occupation was listed as fisherman.
The 1871 Census gives Angus' occupation as Ship Caulker.
The name was spelled McLennan on the Methodist Circuit records of Kenneth, Rebecca Ann, John Alexander and Emily. On Mary's records, (same church) the name is spelled McClennan. Obituary notice: spelled McLellan.
It is possible that the 1871 Census listed Rebecca Ann McLellan twice: once under her parents and once under her grandparents, with whom she lived. (Benjamin and Sophia Kirby). Rebecca is shown as age 12, under Angus McLellan; Ann McLennon, age 11, is shown under Benjamin Kirby.
SOPHIA McLellan
KENNETH McLellan was a blacksmith (1881 Census)
REBECCA ANN
MARY
JOHN McLellan was a fisherman (1881 Census)
EMILY
1) Margaret married John Parks, Melford.
2) Arthur Swaine enlisted in ____, 40th Battalion
3) Judson Swaine enlisted in the 40th Battalion, crossed to England and transferred to the 25th Battalion. Had been in the trenches in Flanders only a few weeks and was killed. A memorial service was held for him (and his cousin Percy Lumsden) was held on April 30th, 1916, at the Baptist Church, Canso.
4) Ed Swaine also enlisted. He spent the winter of 1915 at Halifax, was invalided home to Canso.
5) Benjamin Swaine, the youngest of the family, enlisted with the 193rd, and trained in Canso. He was in active duty in France with the 85th Battalion In November (?), 1916 (?), he was killed while sitting with two comrades in a billet. One of the other boys was cleaning his rifle and accidentally shot Ben in the head, killing him instantly.
6) JESSIE McLellan married Daniel Lonzo MUNRO on July 10, 1890.
GEORGE McLellan.
CHARLOTTE. No further information at this time.
LUCY
GRACE McLellan
If anyone can help with information on any members of this family, please contact me. Patsy Lumsden
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