Archie MacLellan (Eigg Mountain Settlement History)  (Map Location)

 

Archie the settler came here from the Isle of Eigg in 1825, and encouraged his neighbors to follow. He passed the property to his son Ronald (Ronny) MacLellan; he in turn passed the property to his sons Archie MacLellan, the brother of Charlie and Kenton Teasdale’s grandfather (?), and Sandy MacLellan. So this hill has been known as Archie’s Hill. The spot has also been know as Archie’s or MacLellan’s Brook. The house and fields were here into the 1940s.

 

Archie MacLellan was the last of his family to leave this farm.  That was in 1932 when he developed a heart condition and moved in to the basement of his mother’s and (maternal?) grandfather’s house.

 

In 1933, the Teasdales’ father was contracted to haul lumber for mills on the Mountain.  The lumber crews would stop and have lunch at the old house.

 

The house had a central chimney, at least 3 fireplaces and a sick room.  Many houses in those days were not divided until the 2nd generation.

 

Many of the roads today on Eigg Mountain were part of the old sled and carriage roads used for transportation, hauling lumber, and moving livestock.  Sleds were used in the late fall, winter and early spring due to the wet or snowy road, and wagons were used in the summer.  “Creels” or pack baskets tied to the backs of horses were sometimes used.

 

In the early 20th century there was a mill 200 yards from the house; it would have been steam powered and portable.  The mill was working in the late 20s and 30s, the last year was 1933.

 

Source: Interview, Kenton and Charlie Teasdale, Eigg Mountain, October 16, 2004.