MacLellan_Ronald – (Eigg Mountain Settlement History)

Ronald MacLellan was born 1821 in Scotland son of Archibald and Catherine MacIsaac MacLellan. His father was the pioneer arriving in 1823. He married Catherine Cameron on February 7, 1857 in Antigonish. In 1861 census he had one child and by the 1871 census he and Catherine had 5 more children. Three more children were born after 1871 for a total of nine children. One child Sarah born May 18, 1873 died young. Ronald died in 1892 at the age of 71 years – his obituary said he was living at Eigg Mountain. His wife Catherine died at age 84 years on January 4, 1916 at Maple Ridge according to her obituary.

In 1871 Ronald owned 100 acres with 40 acres improved and 20 acres in pasture. He grew spring wheat, oats, buckwheat and potatoes as well as a hay crop. He a horse, 2 milk cows, 4 horned cattle, 9 sheep and 2 pigs. The farm produced butter but no cheese (unusual to not produce both) and wool and flannel for clothing. He owned a wagon/sled.

His widowed mother Catherine and brother Angus lived close by with also a hundred acres (40 acres improved and 25 acres in pasture) and had a bigger farming operation with 2 oxen and plow and 2 horses, 5 milk cows, 4 horned cattle, 15 sheep and 3 pigs. They also had two carriages/sleighs and two wagons/sleds. The two families likely helped each other out and shared produce.

In the 1921 census his son Archibald “Archie” and Margaret “Maggie” are living at Maple Ridge. They were the last to leave the area.