In 1806, the "Spencer" a ship full of Scottish immigrants from Colonsay, Scotland, was bound for Prince Edward Island where the Earl of Selkirk offered them shelter, provisions and land.
With heavy hearts and high expectations, these Colonsay pioneers crossed the Atlantic with their extended families, and on 22 September 1806, the "Spencer" landed in Pinette Harbour, Prince Edward Island.
The Colonsay settlers spent the winter at Pinette, with provisions and quarters provided by Selkirk. The following spring, 1807, they moved to the Wood Islands area of Lot 62 to begin their new lives in a New World.
My ancestors aboard the "Spencer" were
Duncan Munn -- my 5x great grandfather -- who was born 1746 in Colonsay and died 1821 in Wood Islands, PEI; and his wife Flora Brown who was born 1748 in Colonsay.
Angus Munn -- my 4x great grandfather -- (Duncan's son) born about 1774 in Colonsay, and died 27 JUL 1837 in Woods Island, PEI; his wife Margaret McNeill born about 1784 in Colonsay, and died 21 Feb 1871 in Little Sands, PEI; and their infant daughter Catherine Munn born 1806 in Colonsay.
Catherine Munn -- my 3x great grandmother -- eventually married Angus McDonald who was born about 1810 in Colonsay, but was not a passenger on the "Spencer."
Also on the "Spencer" were Malcolm McNeill -- my 5x great grandfather -- (Margaret McNeill Munn's father) born about 1755 in Colonsay; and his wife Mary Livingston born about 1755 in Colonsay.
Other extended kin -- in my family tree -- arriving on the "Spencer" included McMillans, McDuffs, and additional McNeills
Angus McDonald settled on Lot 64 -- Cape Bear -- PEI and became a fisherman
While living at Cape Bear Angus McDonald -- my 3x great grandfather -- was engaged in both farming and fishing. Angus and his family lived between Cape Bear and Murray River, and no doubt kept their boats at Murray Harbour.
Being located at Cape Bear -- on the east end of the island -- gave them the ability to travel north to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, or go to the south side -- literally their backyard -- to the Northumberland Strait depending on the weather and fishing conditions.
Fishing was a "Island way of life" for many on PEI
Angus McDonald and other island fishermen worked mainly "inshore" and relied on small boats -- often built themselves -- such as a 12' to 18' dory, A dory is usually rowed by one or two fishermen -- but sometimes a mast was attached so it could be sailed.
While hundreds of species of fish thrived in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Northumberland Strait only a few dozen had of any commercial value. Primary species harvested included herring, mackerel, tuna, trout, salmon, and smelt.
Island rivers were abundant with excellent trout, flounders, sturgeons, mackerel and salmon.
Groundfish found near the coast included cod, hake, ocean perch (redfish), and flounder. Shellfish and crustaceans that abound include oysters, mussels, clams, crab, and lobster.
Irish moss (a seaweed) was harvested by pulling a special horse-drawn rake along the rocks or on the sea floor.
Occasionally walrus would to frequent the shores in large numbers, and were a source of considerable profit. Harbor seals and harp seals floated on the ice towards the north shore in large numbers.
Wild geese, wild pigeons, wild ducks, and Brant were also very plentiful in their seasons.
The McDonald children born at Cape Bear
Angus and Catherine (Munn) McDonald had the following children: Margaret McDonald born 1832, John McDonald born 1834, James McDonald born 1836, Angus McDonald born 1838 and Catharine McDonald born 1840.
Sometime before 1871, Angus removed to Stanley, Huron South, Ontario where he was still occupied as a fisherman. Angus died sometime around 1876 in Ontario, Canada, and Catherine after 1881 in Goderich, Huron, Ontario, Canada.
The McNeils in Ontario
Angus and Catherine's eldest daughter Margaret McDonald -- my 2x great grandmother -- who was born 25 Sep 1832 in Cape Bear (lot 64) Prince Edward Island, married about 1850 to Duncan McNeil born 1821 in Scotland, and they had nine children.
The McNeil children -- all born in Ontario -- were Duncan McNeil born about 1855, Angus McNeil born about 1857, Mary McNeil born about 1859, Catherine McNeil born about 1860 in Paisley, Allen McNeil born about 1865 in Goderich, Annie McNeil born about 1866 in Goderich, Ellen McNeil born about 1868 in Goderich, John McNeil born about 1870 in Goderich, and Neil McNeil born about 1877 in Goderich.
Margaret died in 1881 from consumption (Pulmonary tuberculosis) which also killed many of her children. No record for Duncan is found after 1882, so it is likely he also succumbed to TB.
MORE ABOUT OUR COLONSAY SCOTS:
Our MacNeills, Bells, Munns and MacMillans emigrated from Colonsay, Scotland, on the ship Spencer to Prince Edward Island, Canada, in 1806.
THE AMERICANS, THE EARL OF SELKIRK, AND COLONSAY'S 1806 EMIGRANTS TO PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
ABSTRACT: In September 1806 the ship "Spencer" landed at Prince Edward Island with over one hundred people from the island of Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland. Traveling in large, extended families, they had responded to a local laird, John McNeill, "Improving" their lives and to the Earl of Selkirk offering land across the Atlantic. Selkirk wanted Gaelic-speaking emigrants to block colonial America on the verge of expansion. His promotion of Prince Edward Island led to the "Baldoon" settlement in the Great Lakes and to the "Red River" settlement at Lake Winnipeg. Success of the Colonsay settlers started a "chain of migration" into Canada that depopulated the isolated, tiny island. Early 19th century emigrations from Gaelic Scotland often involved planning and sponsors reacting to the politics, personalities and changing spaces in the era of Jefferson and Napoleon.
https://www.islandregister.com/colonsay_selkirk.html
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| Margaret McDonald 1832-1881 2nd great-grandmother's FAMILY TREE |
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| Duncan McNeill 1821-1882 2nd great-grandfather's FAMILY TREE |
PASSENGERS OF THE SHIP SPENCER OF NEWCASTLE, ARRIVAL YEAR 1806, ARRIVAL PLACE PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
THE FOLLOWING ARE ANCESTORS OR RELATIVES OF MARGARET MCDONALD 1832-1881 2ND GREAT-GRANDMOTHER, BORN AT CAPE BEAR, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND:
Catherine Munn [107] 3rd great-grandmother
Primary Immigrant Munn, Angus
Family Members Wife Margaret McNeil 21; Daughter Catherine 7 mos
Margaret McNeil Munn [104] 4th great-grandmother
daughter of Dougald and Flora (McMillan) McNeil
Primary Immigrant Munn, Angus
Family Members Wife Margaret McNeil 21; Daughter Catherine 7 mos
Angus Munn [89] 4th great-grandfather
Primary Immigrant Munn, Angus
Family Members Wife Margaret McNeil 21; Daughter Catherine 7 mos
Duncan Munn [108] 5th great-grandfather
Primary Immigrant Munn, Duncan
Family Members Wife Flora Brown 58; Child Malcolm 23; Child Neil 28; Child James 20; Child Ann 17; Child Effy 15
Flora Brown [18] 5th great-grandmother
Primary Immigrant Brown, Flora
Neil Munn [112] 4th great-granduncle
married to Catherine Currie
Primary Immigrant Munn, Neil
Malcolm Munn [111] 4th great-granduncle
Comments Male passenger # 38?
James Hector Munn [110] 4th great-granduncle
Primary Immigrant Munn, Duncan
Family Members Wife Flora Brown 58; Child Malcolm 23; Child Neil 28; Child James 20; Child Ann 17; Child Effy 15
Betty McMillan [77] wife of 4th great-granduncle.
daughter of Malcolm and Grace McMillan
Primary Immigrant McMillan, Betty
Malcolm Hector MacMillan [84] husband of 5th great-grandaunt
aka Calum Eachan
married to Grisael (Grace) (McNeil) McMillan
Primary Immigrant MacMillan, Malcolm
Family Members With father
Grizel McNeil aka Grisael "Grace" [95] 5th great-grandaunt
Mother of Margaret McMillan Darrach
d/o Hector MacNeill 1725–1791 6th great-grandfather
Primary Immigrant McNeil, Grizel
Dougald McNeil [94] 5th great-granduncle
s/o Hector MacNeill 1725–1791 6th great-grandfather
Primary Immigrant McNeil, Dougald
Family Members Wife Flora McMillan 51; Child Alexander 26; Child Charles 15; Child Dougald 12; Child Isabella 7
Flora McMillan [80] wife of 5th great-granduncle
Primary Immigrant McNeil, Dougald
Family Members Wife Flora McMillan 51; Child Alexander 26; Child Charles 15; Child Dougald 12; Child Isabella 7
Alexander McNeill 1779-1863 1st cousin 6x removed
s/o Flora McMillan and Dougald McNeil
Primary Immigrant McNeil, Dougald
Family Members Wife Flora McMillan 51; Child Alexander 26; Child Charles 15; Child Dougald 12; Child Isabella 7
Charles Mcneill 1780-1879 1st cousin 6x removed
Primary Immigrant McNeil, Dougald
Family Members Wife Flora McMillan 51; Child Alexander 26; Child Charles 15; Child Dougald 12; Child Isabella 7
Dougald McNeill 1794-1879 1st cousin 6x removed
Primary Immigrant McNeil, Dougald
Family Members Wife Flora McMillan 51; Child Alexander 26; Child Charles 15; Child Dougald 12; Child Isabella 7
Isabella McNeil [97] 1st cousin 6x removed
daughter of Dougald and Flora (McMillan) McNeil
Malcolm McNeil [99] 5th great-grandfather
Primary Immigrant McNeil, Donald
Family Members Son Malcolm; Son Donald
Mary Livingston [41] 5th great-grandmother
Primary Immigrant Livingston, Mary
D/o Malcolm McNeill DNA match 1755–1821 5th great-grandfather
Donald McNeil [101] 4th great-granduncle
S/o Malcolm McNeill DNA match 1755–1821 5th great-grandfather
Primary Immigrant McNeil, Donald
Family Members Child Malcolm 5; Child Donald 2
Marion Bell [14] wife of 4th great-granduncle
daughter of Duncan Bell – married to Donald McNeil
W/o Donald McNeil 4th great-granduncle
Primary Immigrant Bell, Marion
Duncan Bell [5] father-in-law of 4th great-granduncle
father-in-law of 4th great-granduncle Donald McNeil
married to Mary McDuff (MacPhee)
Mary McDuff [57] mother-in-law of 4th great-granduncle
Primary Immigrant McDuff, Mary
Married to Duncan Bell
Mary Bell [16] sister-in-law of 4th great-granduncle
B. 1779 • Isle of Colonsay, Argyllshire, Scotland
D/o Duncan Bell and Mary McDuff - married Hector MacMillan?
Malcolm McNeil [99] 1st cousin 5x removed
S/o Donald McNeil 4th great-granduncle
Primary Immigrant McNeil, Donald
Family Members Child Malcolm 5; Child Donald 2
Janet McNeil 4th great-grandaunt
D/o Malcolm McNeill DNA match 1755–1821
Primary Immigrant McNeil, Malcolm
Family Members Wife Mary Livingston 51; Child Janet 20; Child John 14
John McNeil 4th great-granduncle
S/o Malcolm McNeill DNA match 1755–1821
Primary Immigrant McNeil, Malcolm
Family Members Wife Mary Livingston 51; Child Janet 20; Child John 14
Donald McNeil 1st cousin 5x removed
S/o Donald McNeil 4th great-granduncle
Primary Immigrant McNeil, Donald
Family Members Child Malcolm 5; Child Donald 2
James McMillan husband of 4th great-grandaunt
H/o Ann Munn 1788-1870 4th great-grandaunt
Primary Immigrant McMillan, James
Family Members Wife Ann Munn
Effy Munn 4th great-grandaunt
D/o Duncan Munn DNA match 1746–1821
Primary Immigrant Munn, Effy
Margaret (Peggy) MacMillan 1781–1853 1st cousin 6x removed
W/o Duncan Darrach 1777–1853 d/o Grisael McNeil McMillan
Margaret (Peggy) MacMillan
Duncan Darrach 1777–1853 husband of 1st cousin 6x removed
John Darrach 1802–1874 [37] 2nd cousin 5x removed
37 Darroch, John 3 – Clyde River Presbyterian Cemetery – son of Duncan Darrach and Margaret McMillan
[00] indicates passenger number from (one of three sources) for Spencer 1806 Passenger Lists found on the internet.
Altogether, including 1st and 2nd cousins -- not listed here -- I have found a total of 54 relatives and ancestors that arrived in PEI on the Spencer in 1806.
ORIGINAL SOURCES:
Source Bibliography DOBSON, DAVID. Directory of Scottish Settlers in North America, 1625-1825. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. Volume 2. 1984. 216p.
Source Bibliography DALE, JANET. "P.E.I. Passenger Lists: A Genealogical Myth Struck Down." In The Island Magazine. No. 3 (Fall-Winter 1977), pp. 31-37. "Clarendon Passenger List, Oban to Charlottetown, 1808; Elizabeth and Ann of Newcastle, 1806; Spencer of Newcastle, 1806; Barque Lulan from Glasgow, 1848; Brig Isle of Skye of Aberdeen, 1806; and Lively from Britain, 1775."
Source/Event A list of passengers imported in the ship Spencer' of Newcastle, Forster Brown Master, from Oban, N. Britain, 22nd September 1806.
Source Bibliography GALLANT, PETER AND NELDA MURRAY. Scottish Immigrants to Prince Edward Island, from Death and Obituary Notices in Prince Edward Island Newspapers 1835-1910 and A Listing of Some Scots Immigrants Based on Tombstone Transcriptions from Various Cemeteries in Prince Edward Island. Charlottetown, PEI: The Prince Edward Island Genealogical Society, 1990. 107p.
Source Publication Code 9758, Annotation Date and port of arrival. Name of ship, place of origin, place of destination, date of birth and death, parentage, occupation, and other historical and family data may also be provided.
Source Bibliography WHYTE, DONALD. A Dictionary of Scottish Emigrants to Canada before Confederation. Toronto: Ontario Genealogical Society. Volume 1, 1986. 443p.
Source Publication Code 2330.20, Annotation Date and port of arrival or date and place of death. Date and place of birth, country of origin, and other genealogical information may also be provided.
Source Bibliography GALLANT, PETER AND NELDA MURRAY. Scottish Immigrants to Prince Edward Island, from Death and Obituary Notices in Prince Edward Island Newspapers 1835-1910 and A Listing of Some Scots Immigrants Based on Tombstone Transcriptions from Various Cemeteries in Prince Edward Island. Charlottetown, PEI: The Prince Edward Island Genealogical Society, 1990. 107p.
Homage to my Colonsay ancestors
Video link
https://youtu.be/JgzndszxoTU
The Highlands, From Whence We Came
Video link
https://youtu.be/r6EdovQiyAM
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