ABOUT THE DATA BASE

AFTER THE ARICHONAN CLEARANCE:

THE FATE OF ALLAN MCLEAN, CATHERINE CAMPBELL, AND THEIR FAMILY

After the Arichonan Clearance in that summer of 1848, Allan McLean and his wife decided to emigrate to Upper Canada. As a final gesture to Argyll, they had their youngest children baptized in North Knapdale in early 1849. By the time of the Canadian 1851 census, the McLeans lived in a log cabin in Middlesex County, Ekfrid Township. And, they had another baby, Janet, born in Upper Canada.

At the time, Canada's 1851 census included a useful and revealing "Agricultural census" for its country population. We therefore know that the McLeans farmed 100 acres that year. Only 8 acres were 'under crops' and 92 acres were 'under wood, or wild.' They had 2 acres of wheat, 1 acre of indian corn; and 1 acre of potatoes. They owned one pig, and had 40 pounds of maple sugar.

Ten years later, they had another child to their family: Daniel (4 years old by 1861.) They were much more prosperous, too. They still lived in a log cabin, but they now had 45 acres under cultivation (39 for crops, and 6 acres under pasture). Their farm was producing spring wheat, rye, oats, beans and hay. Unfortunately, nearly all their potatoes had rotted (like those of others in the neighbourhood.)

As to stock, the McLeans owned 8 steers/heifers under 3 years of age; 1 colt; and 2 horses over 3 years of age. They now had 11 pigs. With 3 milk cows, they had produced 200 lbs of butter and 12 lbs of cheese. With a new flock of 15 sheep, they owned 40 pounds of wool.

All their children remained at home in 1861, except for the oldest girl (Sarah); Margaret was visiting someone in Detroit.

Allan McLean and Catherine Campbell are buried in the Murray Cemetery (RR 1, Melbourne, Lot 8, Concession 5). The inscription says:

Allan McLean, died September 10, 1868, aged 67 years

Catherine Campbell, his wife, died June 30, 1870, aged 55 years

"Natives of Argyllshire, Scotland"

Many thanks to Lee Dickson and Art Currie for all their excellent help in finding this information for KnapdalePeople. Lee Dickson is a genealogy researcher in Toronto; and Art Currie took the photos of Murray Cemetery, as well as sending me the transcription on the McLean grave marker. Lee Dickson's email is: 'lee dot dickson at sympatico dot ca'; and Art Currie's is 'concur at sympatico dot ca'.

Also, this whole thing would have been impossible, without the input of one of Allan McLean's descendents, who happened upon this website and told me where to find her ancestors' burial place.