Alex A. "Cutie" MacDonald (Eigg Mountain Settlement History) (Map Location)

 

"Cutie" was Alex A MacDonald born May, 1868 to Angus and Ann MacDonald. "Cutie's Hollow" on the Brown's Mountain Road is named after him. His parents, Angus and Ann were married at Arisaig on January 23, 1860. "Cutie" was the grandson of Alexander "Mor" MacDonald - who is my [Joe MacDonald's] great, great, great granduncle. "Cutie" never married and I found him from the 1871 census through to the 1921 census living on Brown's Mountain.

 

His father Angus died between 1871 and 1881 and "Cutie" lived with his widowed mother until she died in 1918 at the age of 90 years. She was the daughter of John or Donald MacDonald "McAlisdar" from Bailey's Brook, Pictou county. She was survived by two daughters and two sons - "Alexander A "Cutie", John A, Bella and Margie. They were all living in the family home on the mountain.

 

"Cutie" had an older brother John - born November 10, 1864 and died January 22, 1937. John was baptized at Arisaig in 1864 - the sponsors were Colin MacDonald and Ann MacDonald. He had an older sister Isabella (Bella) born about 1866 and died in 1937. In 1921 Isabella was living with "Cutie" along with his other sisters Maggie born about 1872 and Flora born about 1856. His aunt Ellen MacPherson also lived with them on the mountain.

 

There is a story that he was always smiling hence the name but I am not sure. He is believed to be the last to leave the mountain. He was included in the 1935 electoral list living on the mountain along with Isabella and Margaret (Maggie). The 1940 electoral list has two still living on the mountain - Austin MacDonald and Alex D MacDonald - trying to figure them out.

 

(Research and writing by Joe MacDonald, 2018)