BRiUDENELL PIONEERS 9 weaving, tailoring, shoemaking and even their own carpentering and blacksmith work. They must have endured much hardship and priv?? ation during the first year of their settlement here, until they had cut down the forest and cleared land enough for their patches of wheat, oats, barley and potatoes. 3ut they had energy and persev?? erance and in due time experien?? ced the beneficial results of their labour. BUILDING OF THE CHURCH Here in this lovely little island with the great trees alcove them and the blue waters of the river about them, they' built 4b little church, where on Sabbath morn?? ings the patriarchal James Mc ?? Laren read the beautiful Episcopal service to the few who might gather there- They sang hymns of glory and offered praise and sup?? plication to the loving God who preserved them through their voy?? age and safely established and maintained them in the new land. Here also they made a burial ground where they had buried their dead as they passed away one by one, the green trees their monuments, the wild flowers to decorate their graves, the birds singing their requiem and the rippling waves making lullaby to their long sleep. Grandfather Donald Gordon was horn in VTG2 at Fincastle , Parish of Duhl, Perthshire, Scotland , on the river Tummel, near Blair Athol , and about three miles from and the of Killiecrankie. He was justly re?? spected in the community in which he lived, in evidence of whJch we have the following testimonials:??? CERTIFICATE in favor of Donald Gordon 1768 These certify that the bearer hereof, Donald Gordon , is a na tive of the Parish of Blair Athol . That he has resided ift it from his infancy. That he always maintain?? ed a fair, honest, and inoffensive character, free from public scan?? dal or ground of church censure. So that there is nothing known to us that can hinder his reception into any christian society or con?? gregation where Providence may order his lot. Gftren in the interval of sessions at Blair Athol , >18th February, 1788. JAMES MtiLAGAOSr, Minister. ALLAN FARQUHARSON, Cierk. At this time he was twenty-sixe years old and was about to leave Blair Athol for Balquhidder. And the following which was given on the eve of his departure from Scotland in 1803: CERTIFICATE in favor of Donald Gordon and wife & family 180$ These certify that Donald Gor ?? don and Christina McLaren , a married couple are natives of the Parish of Duhl,, and resided here mostly from their infancy. That they are of unexceptionable char?? acter and morals, so there is no reason known to us to hinder their reception into any christian so?? ciety where Providence may order their lot. As attested by: ARCHIBALD MEGNTZIE, Minister JOHN FORBES, Elder PATRICK STEWART , Elder. Donald Gordon was the son of Charles Gordon , who settled at Glen Fincastle on the River Tum?? mel. He come with his father from Inverness , who built a castle on the banks of the Tay, near Athol, and established a ferry there. He belonged to the Gordons of Hunt- ly, and was related to the family of the first Duke of Gordon. He bad another son, Alexander Gor ?? don, who was an officer in the English army, and fought at the American Revolution.