The following is a letter that my grandmother, Retta (MacKinnon) Reynolds
(1893-1973) wrote to her nephew Archie MacKinnon in response to a questionnaire
that he had sent her, asking for information about the history and heritage
of the family. She was 70 when she composed the letter.
| I have put the questionnaire questions in italics. Otherwise the only
editing is to bring together in their logical place certain PS's that Retta
wrote to her original answers. The spelling of names has not been made
consistent. There may be mistakes interpreting the Gaelic words. I have indicated
by "?" a few words that I cannot interpret, or that are obscured on the photocopy
that I was working from.
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| I have added notes on the right to identify the people and dates that
Retta refers to. The relatives can be further traced in my family tree on
WorldConnect.
Information on neighbours is taken from the histories of Kincardine
Township1 and of Bruce Township2. Farm locations are
identified by Lot and Concession number (e.g. L27 C11 is the farm at Lot
27, Concession 11). All locations are in Kincardine Township.
It is interesting reading between the lines that she actually learned very
little about Scotland from her father and uncles who had emigrated from Tiree
as boys or young men. They were sober, serious and hard working. Their faith
forbade participation in some of the more exuberant aspects of Scottish culture.
There is no mention of ceilidhs; few folksongs but lots of hymns. The romantic
attachment to Scotland and the Highlands (not even particularly relevant
to the Western Islands) was learned at school.
Still, through her memories of growing up on the farm in Kincardine Township
at the beginning of the 20th century, we glimpse a different world. It was
a world in which Gaelic, not English, is the dominant language. It is a world
full of relationships: of family, neighbours, school chums and church. Even
though she had lived away from her childhood home for 45 years when she wrote
this letter, the links of who is related to whom are still top of mind to
her.
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1. Fletcher, Wanita Hollands (ed), Toil,
Tears & Triumph; A History of Kincardine Township, Kincardine Township
Historical Society, 1990
2. Judd, Anne (ed), Bruce Township Tales and Trails: with
Supplement, The Township of Bruce Historical Society, 1997 |
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| LETTER |
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NOTES |
| Feb 9, 1964
Dear Archie,
I hope you will forgive me for not letting you know sooner that I have been
trying to do a bit of study on our ancestry before writing you. I'm afraid
my knowledge is very meagre, but I'll send it along.
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| I have been reading Grace Campbell's novel and one point I was glad to
get clarified. For years I've been a bit worried lest the descendants of
Kenneth MacAlpine were really the Skye MacKinnons (Cree and Sarah were married
to 2 Skye descendants - strange thing, which I didn't understand was Cree's
husband's way of chanting his prayers in the morning devotions. I confess
to my shame that it caused me to have the giggles, but I've learned a bit
since then.)
However to get back to Grace Campbell - she said the descendants of Kenneth
McAlpine are found in Skye, also Tiree.
I've also another book here - "Historical Sketches of Scotland", written
by Mary Leslie, "being an account of the Kings & Queens of Scotland from
the reign of Fergus the first to Queen Victoria". It has an appendix - Highland
Clans. The most ancient clan is Clan Alpine according to tradition "contemporary
with the formation of the hills and streams" - of the same race as the old
royal family of Scotland, though whether this family is founded by the son
of the Scottish King or his brother is uncertain - Badge - The Pine Tree.
War cry - "Remember the death of Alpin" - "Cuimhne Bas Alpin".
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Retta's sisters, Christina ("Cree") and Sarah married two brothers,
John and Alex MacKinnon. Both farmed on the 4th Concession of Kinloss Tp,
Bruce Co. |
| Nora McNally's sister Minnie (Mrs. Dick MacRae) when she got off the
boat at Oban and began to walk on the island of Tiree walked with reverence
in memory of the good people who had come from there.
Mary Leslie tells too the story of the tombstone in black marble, over the
grave of Abbot MacFignone with the inscription "Here lies John MacKinnon
Abbot, who died A.D. 1500 To Whose Soul May the Most High God be Merciful".
This is a verse I like:
This tribe, children, springs from a race without peers,
A race that ruled Scotland for eight hundred years
Young MacKinnons, MacGregors, MacQuarries, think twice
Ere you barter hard duties for things that are nice
For great obligations belong to "gude" blood,
A MacKinnon is nothing at all if not good.
Years ago in High School a boy name of Gordon MacGregor, said his ancestors
were from the family of Alpine, and were first of the Clan Alpine descendants.
His motto was "My race is royal", and he used to sing a wee song of the
MacGregors:
While there's leaves in the forest
And foam on the river
The name of MacGregor will flourish forever.
He was a good singer, and very proud of his MacGregor heritage.
This is a very disjointed letter; will try to fill your questionnaire and
get it off to you this week but as I said my knowledge is meagre.
Love to your dear wife and boys & to yourself
Aunt Retta.
I also found ??? book that Uncle John had.
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Nora and Minnie McNally were daughters of William Henry McNally
and Normanda McDonald of Glamis. Minnie married Richard MacRae, a lawyer,
and lived in Detroit. |
| PS. You will have heard of Kate Bells' death - They thought she would
have to be buried in the vault in Kincardine cemetery as the ground at Tiverton
was frozen, but the MacKays at Tiverton (2 of them - I'm not sure of their
names but I think they are Angus & Norman) helped Coll MacDougall dig
the grave, so Kate was laid to rest beside John Allan. It would have been
a second funeral for Allan & Tena to go through but for the kindness
of the MacKays. The blood still runs strong Archie and kindness like the
MacKay kindness does my heart good.
As ever with love - Aunt Retta. |
|
Allan and Kate Bell lived on L15 C11. John Allan (1918-1951) was
their son. They moved to London in 1958 to be near their daughter, Tena.
Both Kate and Allan died in 1964. |
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| QUESTIONNAIRE |
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NOTES |
| 1. What was the name of the first owner of Elm Bower Farm ?
I'm not sure but I think it was Uncle Allan. I think daddy & the 2 uncles
were first owners, digging the farm out of the bush.
Where did they come from?
The island of Tiree.
How long were they on the farm? Where did they move to?
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Elm Bower Farm (E.B.F.) is the name given
to Archibald MacKinnon's farm, L27 C11 of Kincardine Tp, by Cree. |
| I think that the McKinnon brothers all lived where Uncle Johns lived.
I am not too sure which farm was the first worked, but I know Uncle John
married first. |
|
John MacKinnon and the entire family first settled L29 C11 of
Kincardine Tp. Later his brother Allan took over this farm and John's family
moved to L31 C11. |
| Uncle John married first and lived on the farm where they all worked
together. Uncle John's youngest daughter was a year older than daddy's oldest
daughter Sarah . Grandmother, Uncle Allen, Christy (Uncle Johns oldest daughter)
and Hughie lived where Chas F lives now. Then Uncle Allen married Lily Ann
MacFayden, and for a while Grandmother lived with them, and I think she lived
at Uncle Johns for a while but finally she came to live with us and died
at our home .
Some of the MacKinnon Cousins |
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Back: Finnie George (Archies), Finnie (Johns), Malcolm (Hughs), Elizabeth
(Archies), Charles F. (Allans)
Front: May (Allans), Kit (Archies), Hugh (Johns), Dan (Hughs), Margaret (Johns),
Sarah (Archies)
Hugh's Malcolm and Dan were visiting from Manitoba |
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John MacKinnon married Christena Clark before
1858.
John and Christena had eight children. The youngest, Margaret, was
born in Dec 1876. Her cousin Sarah, Archibald's eldest, was born about six
weeks later in Jan 1877.
Retta's grandmother was Christena McLean, wife of Fingon
MacKinnon.
Allan's son Charles Finney MacKinnon, took over his father's farm
at L29 C11. John's Christena (1858-1921) and Hugh (1862-1923) were living
at their Uncle Allan's in the 1881 census.
Allan MacKinnon and Lily Ann MacFayden married 14 Mar 1883. |
| Grandfather MacDonald died at our home too .
I was just talking as usual when my grandmother was so very ill at our place.
I think I was 3 years old . I informed the family, "I think she is going
to get died". I can even now recall parts of her funeral.
2. How much land was cleared when the MacKinnons came to
E.B.F.?
Those questions trouble me for as the land was Crown land the brothers all
worked together and lived in one home.
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Retta's maternal grandfather, Alexander McDonald,
died 22 Jan 1885.
Retta was born 9 May 1893, so she was three years old when her
grandmother, Christena McLean died on 14 July 1896. |
| How was the land cleared?
They had little else than an axe to cut down the trees. That is why Uncle
Charlie left. He said that if the others wanted to spend their lives cutting
homes from the forest with little else than an axe he was quitting.
What buildings were first on E.B.F.? How did the buildings develop
and when?
I think Uncle Allan & Hugh (Uncle Johns) had an aptitude for carpentry
and were able to build the homes. I apologize for my ignorance! I'm glad
the questions have been asked so maybe we will learn and respect our ancestors
even more than we do now.
3. Can you recall any special stories about the very early years on
E.B.F.? (What were the winters like? How did they get provisions?
etc.)
The winters were cold! Your grandfather used to drive a team and sleigh either
to Pinkerton or to Kincardine and to Glamis, and he brought home dried codfish
in slabs such as you see in the pictures of the fishing villages in Newfoundland.
When the codfish was soaked in water, overnight, it could be cooked either
way fried (?) boiled and served hot, or boiled and broken up into pieces
and served with a white sauce. It was good too. I believe that I, at my advanced
age, have no false teeth is a tribute to codfish. Daddy also brought home
herring in little barrels. I loathed them so can't tell you if they helped
my teeth!
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Charles MacKinnon left for Michigan between 1861 and 1871. Later
he was wounded with a gunshot and returned to live with Allan until his death
in 1922, the last of the generation of Tiree emigrants in the family. |
| Do you know what boat they came to Canada on and where they first
landed?
They landed, where I do not know, but they arrived in Brock Tp. and would
like to have stayed there but they didn't have money to buy land. Some of
the Clans lived in Brock Tp.
4. Can you tell the exact year the MacKinnons left Tiree?
The Glengarry people migrated of their own accord but I think in our case
the Duke of Argyll wanted to put sheep on the Island. Our forefathers were
fishermen not farmers.
What were "The Clearances" that Grace Campbell speaks about in her book "Highland
Heritage"? She doesn't mention the year.
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The MacKinnons left Tiree in September 1851 aboard the "Conrad"
and settled first with other Tiree families in Brock Township in Ontario
County. |
 |
Do you recall any stories about the crossing?
A sad little story is that they lost the little son George, a baby. If you
note that Uncle John and my father named their sons George, you know how
they must have felt about the child who died. It must have been tough for
they belonged to the displaced persons, I think.
How did they get to the Queen's Bush? Did they come part way by water?
Did they stay with relatives for a time? (Who were they and where did they
live?)
They came to Brock Township, but had no money to take up land, so hearing
that the Queen's bush was free for the taking they came up there. It was
not until Hugh Clark was an M.P. that we got the deed on the E.B.F. He insisted
that Daddy get the land registered in his name . I think it cost $5. I mean
the registration fee. |
| George's grave in Brock Township |
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This piece of family lore, that George died during the crossing,
is not quite correct. Actually George died at the age of 8 in Brock Tp. where
he is buried.
Col. Hugh Clark (1867-1959) was born on L9 C11. His father Donald
was a brother of Uncle John's wife Christena Clark.
Archibald purchased L27 C11 in 1876. He received his Crown deed in
1906. |
| 5. What stories can you recall about life on Tiree?
My mother's father, Alexander MacDonald was said to be the strongest man
on the island. A horse died and Grandfather summoned 2 of his cronies to
help him bury it. They came, but hid behind a knoll, to see what Grandfather
would do if he thought they weren't coming. He evidently got a bit peeved,
waiting for them, so he grabbed the horse's leg, and hauled it where he wanted
it buried. I expect they came to his rescue when they saw what he was doing,
for he was well liked as he had an even temper.
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| One thing I do know was this - if your grandfather McKinnon hadn't married
your grandmother Catherine MacDonald, he could never have carried on for
he was not as strong as the others. There would have been no E.B.F. for us
all to love, were it not for her courage and physical strength. Moreover,
she loved God with her whole heart.
6. Do you know any Gaelic songs that came from Scotland?
I Thainig an Gille Dubh.
II Ho-ro mo nighean donn bhoidheach
III Fear a' Bhata
IV Cumha Mhic Criomain
V Suis leis a' Ghaidhlig! I heard this first at a Gaelic society meeting
in Toronto.
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Retta's parents, Archibald MacKinnon and Catherine
McDonald |
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| One other I loved - I told you about the man who lost his wife Sarah
- "My wife Sarah won't come home". I can't find it in the Gaelic book. One
more I'd like to know - "A young man was questioned as to where he was today
& yesterday. Said he "I was on my own business through the city".
7. What songs did you sing at "bees", at quiltings, at weddings, at
dances, at milkings, at spinning, etc.?
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| The MacKinnons to whom we belonged were not as cheerful as they might
be. Uncle John and Uncle Allan didn't want us to go out too much - we were
supposed to stay home and be quiet! My only attempts at musical programmes
were a bit sad - I played by ear, a little Christmas song at my sister Christy
Ann's ("Cree" to us) wedding - I didn't want to miss seeing the bride, so
turned round to see her till I heard one neighbour say to the other in Gaelic,
"She doesn't know what she is playing". I also attempted to play hymns one
Sunday afternoon to entertain my cousin Mac from Manitoba, until he said
to me, "Give us a rest!"
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Cree was married on 25 Dec 1907.
Uncle Hugh MacKinnon moved to Manitoba in 1895. His eldest son, Mac
was born in 1867. He farmed in Minto until his death in 1941. |
 |
8. What Gaelic hymns and prayers did you use?
We didn't sing Gaelic hymns but my mother read in Gaelic every morning, and
we all got down on our knees, and daddy prayed in Gaelic. Uncle John always
prayed in Gaelic at church for the communion service, also said the grace
in Gaelic, as did my father, but Uncle John always began his grace the same
way - "Holaidh o Ghia".
I told you that at the morning devotions mother read in Gaelic. Well she
was most anxious that your dad would learn to read the Bible in Gaelic. (He
learned to speak it for daddy's sake, and they used to sit on the rail fence
in the second field, while Finnie told him the news, etc. in Gaelic).
Finnie did read Gaelic, taking turns with mother reading the verses, but
we younger ones laughed at his pronunciation and he being embarrassed by
us stopped reading with mother. She was very disappointed and I at any rate
have the grace to be ashamed.
However I have Uncle John's New Testament in Gaelic and I learned in MacLaren's
"Gaelic Self Taught" that it is possible to learn even yet to read the N.T.
in Gaelic. The book says "Let the student read the Gaelic Bible daily along
with the English and translate the one back into the other, alternatively
and it will work the language into his head." I have found it most worth
while. If F.G. hasn't a Gaelic Bible I'd be glad to give him Uncle Johns
for I have a Gaelic Bible that Hector MacLean (Chrissy's brother) had. |
| Retta, Finnie George and John's Finnie (seated) |
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|
Archie MacKinnon's father, Finnie George, was four and a half
years older than Retta. He took over operation of Elm Bower Farm in
1919. |
| In No. 8 you asked what Gaelic hymns and prayers we used. Well I date
my interest in the Bible Society not to the Gaelic prayers but to the kindness
of Mrs. Robert McNally in Glamis.
Maria McNally and I were commissioned to call at the homes between our place
and the end of the upper tenth for the Bible society and take the money carefully
to Mrs. Robert McNally in Glamis (25¢ from each family was the expected
donation). We called faithfully at each home and then walked through the
swamp to Glamis - I think the Robert McNallys lived where John D. MacArthur
had lived or near there.
When we arrived Mrs. McNally welcomed us as if we were very important. I'll
never forget how she looked - she had a lovely black dress and a white
beautifully starched apron on, and she set a table so we could have a cup
of tea, as if she were entertaining royalty. I love the Bible Society and
send donations because of her. I must tell you that Maria had a lovely blue
dress on & white lace trimming. I had a little print dress on and was
painfully conscious of the difference in our appearance, but Mrs. McNally
made no difference between us!
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Mrs. Robert McNally was an aunt of Retta's friend Nora. Maria
McNally was Nora's cousin, the daughter of George McNally.
The road fronting the farm is called the 10th of Kincardine
Township.
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| 9. Do you recall any songs that were composed in Canada?
Uncle Hughie not only composed songs but he also sang them! He had a very
fine singing voice. Uncle Hugh composed songs in Gaelic and English. He composed
one for the Massey Harris reaper in Gaelic - I listen to the Don Messer +
his Islanders partly because they advertise Massey Ferguson. Somehow it all
brings back our childhood. Another song in English concerned a nomination
meeting in Tiverton.
10. What rhymes did you recite on Hallowe'en, Christmas Eve, New Year's
Eve or special occasions and seasons?
Hallow E'en - "The goblins will get you if you don't watch out.
Christmas "The bells are singing - are sweetly ringing the merry bells -
the Christmas bells" ( repeat with different tune ending.)
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| The song now called "Scotland the Brave", we knew as Scotland Forever
- Jack + Danny McKinnon (Leasy's Christie who was married to Billy Hector's
brother John had a boy whom Leasy raised. He was Johnny's pal, and they sang
together at school concerts.)
PS. Scotland Forever was not the wishy washy piece now sung. It began
I Let Italy boast of her gay gilded walls
Her vines and her bowers and soft sunny skies etc
then at the last verse we sang with gusto -
III France long will mind the strain
Heard o'er her bloody plain
Which made Europe's army in terror to quiver
Shrouded in fire and blood, they sang the pibroch loud
"We're dying, but unsubdued, Scotland forever."
II Scotia's blue mountains wild
Where hoary cliffs are piled
Are towering in grandeur far dearer to me.
Land of the misty cloud - land of the pibroch loud
Land of the brave and proud
Land of the free.
I decided to put in the second verse for we always sang it with gusto as
I said at the beginning.
I just had to add Verse II - I even now as old age creeps on, feel a little
better, braver and stronger to sing to myself Verse II.
11. What stories do you remember that may concern second sight (da
shalladh), Witchcraft (buidscachd), the evil eye (an droch shuil), special
healing powers, etc.?
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Billy Hector McKinnon (1878-1962) owned L22 C11. He had a brother
John who married Christie McLean of L24 C11. John and Christie moved to Fort
William.
Christie's parents were Donald (1821-1885) and Elizabeth McLean
(1832-1910), she of L26 C11, the daughter of Hector McLean.
Leasy is probably Elizabeth, the boy's grandmother. Is Johnny Retta's
brother Jack, and is Danny McKinnon the boy? |
| We despised witchcraft and the evil eye, because mother taught us that
such things were of the Devil, and she loved God. However the second sight,
and special healing powers, were known to us, because our near neighbour
White Lauchie MacLean and his family had a member who actually did cure what
was called "The King's Evil". One man who was cured by "Doc", one of Lauchie's
brothers was given a lovely fur coat by a patient. Doc never charged a fee!
Two things I forgot to mention - second sight (da shalladh). Angus knew that
daddy was going to die. He said he saw a ball of light over our house. Daddy
had a bronchial cough which was troublesome, so we asked Dr. MacLeod to come
to see him. He said to me, "The cough is troublesome but not dangerous -
your father has a very bad heart". I told him how daddy liked to be taken
for a drive often - it seemed to make him feel better. (Eva or I or even
mother could drive Dolly - she was very quiet). We used to drive across Allen
Bell's sideroad, up the boundary to Uncle John's sideroad and back home again.
The doctor said the motion made daddy feel better but the drive was bad for
his heart. Daddy died in November and this happened in Sept, or Oct.
This second story is very strange. Uncle Allan had to have an abdominal operation
and had to have it at home. Dr. Groves came up from Fergus. In order to make
an operating table, Lauchie (who loved Uncle Allan; and well he might for
Uncle Allan was a source of strength, courage, & information both Scriptural
& daily news to him) said he had some brand new boards in the granary
and they could use them for the table. He went to get them and he said "I
knew Allen was going to die, for the new boards were quivering, and shaking
in the granary". Uncle Allen did die after the operation .
12. What recipes do you have for Scottish dishes?
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Lauchlin "White Lauchie" MacLean owned L28 C11 and L28,29 C10.
Malcolm "Doc" (1882-1954) and Angus (1878-1955) were his half-brothers. Malcolm's
sister Katy Margaret was Kate Bell (see Note above).
Retta's sister, Eva, the youngest in the family.
The next road north of the 10th was the boundary between Kincardine
and Bruce Townships.
Allan MacKinnon died 30 Sep 1916. |
| Bannach - Kit makes bannach but uses more shortening than we originally
used. I like bannach made with flour, salt, a little sugar and sour cream
& soda. Porridge needs no recipe for we had it daily until the prepared
cereals came on the market. I can remember how very grateful my mother was
when "Grape Nuts" came on the market! Oatmeal porridge can be a tasty dish
if made properly. The water must be boiling then salt is added, and my mother
always put the oatmeal in by handfuls, sifted through her fingers. Myself,
I use a cup!
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Retta's older sister, Katherine ("Kit"). |
| Your dad & my husband say that the secret of good oatmeal cookies
& ginger snaps died with Cousin Margaret (Uncle Johns). My husband agrees
with your dad whole heartedly. I can make ones that I like myself, and
furthermore, my son & my son-in-law & their children would rejoice
and be glad if I sent up to Ottawa boxes of oatmeals each week. |
|
Margaret MacKinnon, John's youngest, took over operation of her
parent's farm. She died in 1944. |
| Gruel I liked if it were cold weather and we also liked curd. Our cheese
too was homemade - "White Oak" we called it - it must be from the French
name for cheese. Aunt Lillian, Uncle Allen's wife, came from Pointe Fortune
. Her mother and Uncle Allen's mother were sisters. I do not know why they
(their name was MacFayden -spell?) didn't come with the others to Ontario.
Chas F. will be able to tell you. Chas F.'s mother went to school, in a convent
at Pointe Fortune, although they were Protestant. She had some lovely china
which Charlie prizes to this day. Not many pieces of china are left, but
it is amazing how Chas F. loves them. |
|
In fact, the MacFayden's farm was in East Hawkesbury, Prescott
Co, Ontario but very close to Pointe Fortune, Quebec.
Mary McLean (1818-1911) and Christena McLean (1809-1896) were daughters
of Charles McLean and Ann McLeod of Tiree.
|
| One day John A. McKinnon was at our place for dinner (middle of the day).
Mother had made fresh curd (milk heated carefully till whey separates from
the curds - your own mother makes lovely curd). Well, anyway at dinner I
passed the meat platter to John A. He said, "No! When I can get curd like
this why should I eat meat?"
Didn't the original oatmeals lack sugar? Were they not oatmeal & some
butter & sour milk, or better yet, oatmals & sour cream & cooked
in the heavy black "spiders" on top of the stove! I wish I had one right
this minute! |
|
John A. McKinnon (1886-1955) lived at L17 C10. His wife was Evelyn
Bell (1900-1962), sister of Allan Bell.
Archie's mother, Susan Christena Thompson married Finnie MacKinnon
in 1923. She was raised near Glamis in Bruce Tp. |
| 13. What favourite anecdotes do you recall being told about early
pioneer days, about people, about places?
A minister who was highly respected, and also had everyone's sympathy because
he was blind used to visit at our home; he always ended his devotions with
a hymn sung in Gaelic, but as soon as he commenced to sing our dog Grip would
begin howling. Mr. MacNeill (the minister) saw to it that Grip went outside
for he would turn to one of the family and say, "Cur a mach a cu - na? Ceol
ri cain." Put out the dog - Dogs do not care for music.
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| Uncle John did not mince words when he spoke. I was down at Uncle Johns
for supper one night, and as usual was plied with meat, potatoes, vegetables,
biscuits, fruit and pie. I unfortunately make the remark "I ate too much
supper", as more food was pressed on me. Uncle John looked at me as if I
were a worm and said, "Your Uncle John is ashamed of you, not knowing when
to stop eating." Cousin Finnie, sitting beside me, pressed my hand in sympathy!
We were all a little afraid of Uncle John.
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John's Finnie J. MacKinnon (1868-1929) farmed on his father's
farm. He did not marry. |
 |
| Uncle Johns: Hugh, Uncle John, Aunt Christie,
George, Margaret, Finnie, Charles J., Sarah
14. What Gaelic place-names did they have on E.B.F. (the willow pond
at the bush I know had one)? What other place-names can you recall in the
district?
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| I can't recall any Gaelic names for place names on the E.B.F. except
a tree in the orchard that was called "Craobh Aenaes", Angus' tree. I think
he repaired a broken branch on the tree when it was young. You know Doll's
tree, but it was not Gaelic.
A great many of the older people designated homes in Gaelic. For instance,
I never knew Billy Hector's home name in English till I was grown up. We
always called the place "Calum Malo Enals". I cannot spell the Gaelic for
Dougal, but the home was known as the home of "Malcolm son of Dougal's home".
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Billy Hector McKinnon's father was Malcolm, but Malcolm's father
was Neil, not Dougal, according to the Kincardine Township history. |
| I can't seem to stop writing to you Archie, but I must tell you this
story about Uncle John. A council from the various churches met at the
Association meeting in Tiverton to question a young minister, who was to
be ordained. Some members of the Council asked a number of catchy questions,
and the young man was finding it a bit difficult to answer though he had
answered the fundamentals well. Suddenly Uncle John stood up and said, "That
will do now! You are asking him questions that you can't answer yourselves!"
The young man came to him after the meeting and thanked him.
We respected Uncle John, but only once did I make him smile, and it was like
ice breaking up after a long winter.
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| We could talk to Uncle Allan as if he were quite young. He loved palling.
I remember the morning daddy died . We phoned Uncle Allan to come down and
he walked up and down the hall reciting hymns. The brothers loved each other
a lot, and somehow, in any sadness, we wanted Uncle Allan. Your dad and your
Uncle Jack were overseas when daddy died . |
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Archibald MacKinnon died 21 Nov 1914.
Actually, Finnie and Jack had gone out West for a harvest excursion
and were working at the Burns Meat Packing plant in Calgary in the Fall.
They enlisted in Calgary on 6 Jan 1915.
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| On the day we got the 2 messages from overseas one in the forenoon and
one in the afternoon that Finnie & Jack were both wounded, the Presbyterian
minister Mr. Keith and the Baptist minister Mr. McCauley came over and were
of great comfort. Uncle Allan was there - he came down every evening when
the boys were overseas. The blood really does run strong in the Highland
people.
Love + adieu
Aunt Retta
I say a prayer each night for you + Jeanne and for the 4 little boys. |
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Finnie and Jack were wounded at the Somme on 15 and 13 Sept 1916
respectively. Jack had earlier been wounded in April. |
