THE MCCORMACK FAMILY OF RIVER SIDE, LOT 34 The Island of in the Hebrides supplied St. John's Island, Prince Edward Island , with many settlers. Most of them came on the "Alexander" in 1772. They came here to get away from the tyranny of their Laird, Colin MacDonald of Boisdale, who tried to force them to give up their cherished religion. These were the pioneers who settled on the Tracadie estate of Captain John MacDonald of Glenaladale . Eighteen years later the "Jane" carried more families to the Hillsborough River . Among them were John and Hugh McCormack. They were able to lease land on the banks of the river from the Montgomery Estate, 100 acres each with 999 year leases. The rents were on the low side as well, 1 shilling per acre per year. The first year's rent was zero; in the terms of the time, one peppercorn. The Marshfield History of 1973 states that the McCormacks were the only Catholics in that area. For almost a century, from 1792 to 1886, they played their part in building up a prosperous farming community. In 1839, as reported in the Royal Gazette of October 8, Hillsboro man Dougald McCormack won the prize for the 3rd best filly and in the Cattle Show of Wednesday last the Premiums voted by the Central Agricultural Society were awarded to Dougald McCormack , Hillsboro. Tenant farmers on the Montgomery lands, Lot 34 in Queens and two lots in Kings County, enjoyed long leases and low rents. In other Townships where terms were worse, mounting resentment against foreign landowners had risen to a fever pitch in 1860's. Physical resistance to agents attempting to collect rents or seize property for non-payment became an organized program involving the use of tin trumpets to gather neighbouring farmers in opposition. In 1865 the Reverend James Montgomery , heir to the lands of Sir James Montgomery , was well acquainted with the ferment on the Island. He decided to sell out to his settlers. The McCormacks were then able to purchase the land they had been farming for a century and as it transpired they were free to move closer to their kinfolk in other parts. Dougald McCormack , son of John McCormack , died in 1860, leaving three sons and six daughters. His will was made October 19,1859 and reads as follows: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Amen the 19th day of October, one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine, I Dougald McCormack of township No. 34, being very sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God; therefore calling unto mind the mortality of the body, knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament; that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of Almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in a decent Christian manner, not doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the Almighty Power of God, and as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give, diverse, and dispose of the same in the following manner andform: First, I give and bequeath to Mary my dearly beloved wife one half or fifty acres of the farm lam in possession of, that is to say, the West side thereof as long as she is in life and at or after her death the said fifty acres of land is to be left to my son Angus McCormack . Also I give and bequeath to my well beloved son James McCormack the other half or fifty acres of my farm now in my possession the East side thereof and neither part to be let or sold unless the whole of the one hundred acres will be sold together. Also I give and bequeath to my well beloved son John McCormack the sum often pounds to be raised and levied out of my Estate to be paid in installments. Also I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughters, each of them namely, Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth, Margaret, Matilda and Nancy, the sum often pounds to be paid at or after their marriage and to be raised and levied out of my estate and to be paid in goods and cattle. Also I give and bequeath to Mary my dearly beloved wife all the stock of cattle that is now on my farm to be used for the good of the family as long as she is in life with the exception of the gray mare which I give to my son James McCormack . -114-