A LETTER REGARDING THE MCLAUGHLAN FAMILY

From a transcript of a letter written by WB. Robertson: Date Unknown.

Disclaimer: The editors of this book take no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained in this article by Walter Bannerman Robertson. It is an oral history that is based upon his memory at that time.

I have been asked to give a sketch of the Donald McLaughlan family of Marshfield, Lot 34, Prince Edward Island embracing the family of John Stewart “shoemaker” of Burnt Woods or Dunstaffnage. So far as I know Donald McLaughlan arrived here in company with James Miller who located at Five Mile House on the St. Peter’s Road. I am not aware from what part of Scotland those were come. Mr. McLauchlan settled on the farm opposite the Marshfield school house - thru which runs the McLaughlan Creek which empties into - Braddock’s Creek — now Crosby’s flowing into the East River.

Donald McLaughlin married Janet Fergusson, daughter of John (elder) Fergusson of Craggan Farm - where Tupper Fergusson now lives. This Mrs. McLaughlan was a sister of Margaret Fergusson the mother of the writer and we called her Auntie Janet and was a great favourite with every one.

Mr. McLaughlan was a truly Christian man and the writer remembers so well how his dear father would take me over by the hand on a Sabbath afternoon to have family worship in the McLaughlan home. He being totally blind and the only daughter Isabella at home being a good singer we would have a splendid service.

The family of Donald McLaughlan and Janet Fergusson consisted of five sons:

John who had only one hand but one of the most wonderful men of his time. He could do all kinds of work in a superior manner and was never known to complain.

James who settled in Souris, PEI, and carried on a large boot and shoe business, he married a Miss McPhee and had a family

Donald who married late in life a Miss Jessie Ellis from Donaldston PEI who died without issue. Alexander a shoemaker located opposite the Marshfield school married Miss Barbara Fergusson a daughter of John Fergusson (hillside) one of the family is Mrs. John A. Stewart, Dunstaffnage, Lot 35. Robert a farmer at home married Miss Sentner

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whose father Mr. Senter was miller of Crosby’s Mill in my school days.

The daughters of this family consisted of: Jessie who married Wm. Farquharson, known as “Black Bill” and lived at Mermaid. They had a family of one son, James and a number of daughters, one being married to Stewart Mutch of Eamscliffe. The others are in the United States.

Christy married John Stewart, “shoemaker” of “Burn’t Woods” as Dunstaffnage was formerly called, by the way, this later name was given to Dunstaffnage by Sir Donald Campbell who was appointed Governor to succeed Sir Henry Vere Huntley. He was in the fortress and they had a large family.

Elizabeth (Betsy) who married William Gibson as his second wife and died in her 101 year without issue.

Isabella who married Alexander McLauchlan and lived at Head of Hillsboro. Dr. McLaughlan is one of their sons. Cameron another son lives at Head of Hillsboro. I am not sure if there were any daughters.

This Christy McLaughlan married John Stewart of Dunstaffnage, known as “Suitor” and also as “Shoe Maker” to distinguish him from other John Stewarts of which there were a number in the district. I am not clear as to where this John Stewart “Suitor” came from, but from the fact that when he and my father Alexander Robertson would get together their principle theme would be Scotland and most particularly Perthshire, Blair Athol and the city of Perth, which convinces me that he must have come from Perthshire in Scotland. I do not know when he came to this country but as I am told that he learned the boot making with Uncle James Robertson who carried on a large business at “Rosalyn Cottage” now occupied by John Stetson it is most likely that he was a young man.

Mr. Stewart was of a retiring nature and was a general favourite where was known he gave all his attention to his own business and did not mix