We talk about networking now but way back in the early days
of Ontario the Scots had their own form of networks. They made use of
relationships begun in Scotland to establish themselves in the new country. The
Gilchrist family from Islay was a good example of this network in action.
James Gilchrist, wife Mary Hunter and their children made
their way to Thorah when they first arrived in Upper Canada in 1853. Thorah was already an
established settlement for Islay Scots who had been arriving there since 1831. Here
the Gilchrists would have made a home among fellow Ileach and, perhaps, have taken
over an ongoing farm from another family moving west.
By the mid 1880’s, as their children were starting families
of their own, James and Mary made their own move to the west. They ended up in
Grey county in the area of Sullivan township. Here too, Islay settlers had
preceded them, one of whom was Neil Gilchrist, who had also immigrated from
Islay in 1853. Neil was 67 when he immigrated and came from Glenegidale, Islay,
where Mary Hunter, James’ wife had been raised. One of James and Mary’s sons,
my great grandfather, farmed land with the same concession and lot number as the
land owned by Neil Gilchrist in 1853 and, after his death, by Neil’s children. That
looks like an intriguing connection which might perhaps lead to evidence of
further family ties between the family lines of Neil Gilchrist, James Gilchrist
and Mary Hunter.
As I pursue my research in Ontario, I look forward to finding
out more about the Gilchrist family line. Who knows, I may find more evidence
of Scottish family ties.
Early Frame Farm House, Grey Roots Museum
Sources:
Campey,
Lucille H. The Scottish Pioneers of Upper
Canada, 1784-1855: Glengarry and Beyond. Natural Heritage Books, Toronto, 2005
Schedule A Births,
Sullivan 009650 No. 38 18 November 1891 Russel Mathewson Gilchrist
Unattributed
newspaper clipping about the life of Neil Gilchrist and sons.
Pictures:
Provinces and Territories of Canada, April 12 1876
to September 1 1880 By
SriMesh - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,
