The Fergussons of Craggan Farm and New Inn Fergussons

On July 2, 1808, John Fergusson, formerly of Perthshire but now of the parish of Charlotte in Queens County in Prince Edward Island, North America, farmer, leased from Sir James Montgomery, the piece of land in Lot 34, bordered on the west by John McCormack’s boundary line of one hundred acres of land; on the south, north and east by the Hillsborough River, Goff ’s Creek and an arm of the said creek which runs westward containing one hundred and eight acres of land. The 1000 year lease began on May 1, 1808. Rent for the first year was one pound, seven shillings. (Land Registration Records 1769-1872 v0. 45, page 27). The Fergussons named their farm “Craggan” after their Blair Atholl home. Almost 60 years later, the Fergusson family purchased their leased land.

In the 1841 Census, John Fergusson, farmer aged upwards of 60 years as enumerated on the River Side of Lot 34. Living with him were 2 males and 2 females under 16, 2 males age 16- 45, and 1 female under age 45—60. Seven were Presbyterian and one Roman Catholic (probably a hired hand). Three were natives of Scotland, one was born in Ireland, and four were born on PEI. In common with most families in the area, they grew wheat, barley, oats and potatoes and owned a few horses, cattle, sheep and hogs.

Submitted by Lorna Thompson, Doris & Wally Wood

1. John Fergusson, Elder b. abt. 1753, Blair Athol, Perthshire, Scotland, occupation farmer; m. (1) June 24, 1776, in Moulin, Perthshire, Scotland, Elizabeth McLaughlin, b. Aug. 20, 1757, Blair Athol, Perthshire, Scotland, occupation Housewife, d. abt. 1794, Blair Athol, Perthshire, Scotland; In. (2) Oct. 18, 1794, in Blair Athol, Perthshire, Scotland, Janet “Jessie” Robertson (daughter of James Robertson) b. abt. 1769, d. Oct.15 ,1843, Marshfield. John d. March 4, 1842, Marshfield. Both John and Janet are bur. Marshfield Comm. Cem. Children by Elizabeth McLaughlin: 2. 1 Alexander Fergusson b. abt. 1781. ii Janet Fergusson b. Oct. 12, 1783, Blair Athol, Perthshire, Scotland. 3. iii Peter Fergusson b. abt. 1784. iv Isabel Fergusson b. June 25, 1785, Blair Athol, Perthshire, Scotland. 4. v James Fergusson b. Feb. 25, 1788. vi Katherine Fergusson b. April 17, 1792, Blair Athol, Perthshire, Scotland. Children by Janet “Jessie” Robertson: 5. vii Janet Elizabeth (Jessie) Fergusson b. abt. 1795. 6. viii Isabella Fergusson b. July 26, 1800. 7. ix Elizabeth (Betsy) Fergusson b. abt. 1802. x John Fergusson b. Feb. 2 1807. 9. xi Margaret (Peggy) Fergusson b. Aug. 1, 1810.

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Second Generation

2. Alexander Fergusson (1.John 1) b. abt. 1781, Blair Athol, Perthshire, Scotland; m. Dec. 4, 1803, in Blair Athol, Perthshire, Scotland, Janet (Jane) MacLaughlan (The usual spelling of surname was “MacLauchlin”.) b. abt. 1783; d. Dec. 8, 1865. Alexander (1. Mar. 20, 1851, St. Peters Road.

Children: 10. i John (Hillside) Fergusson b. abt. 1804. ii Janet Fergusson b. May 29, 1806, Scotland. iii Margaret F ergusson b. abt. 1809, Marshfield. 11. iv James Fergusson b. Aug. 14, 1810. v Charlotte Fergusson b. Sept.13, 1812. 12. vi Alexander Fergusson b. abt. 1816. vii Elizabeth “Betsy” Fergusson b. Mar. 8, 1820; m. James Ebenezer Compton (son of William Compton and Mary Vaughan) b. abt. 1819, occupation Millwright. They lived in Belle River and had no children