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Fergus(s)on DNA ProjectCromarty, Perth Co., Ontario, CA |
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History of the County of Perth from 1825 to 1902 By William Johnston
The list below are those children mentioned in his will. If their identification in the Church Records is correct then the following children are not listed in the will: Peter, John and Ann. The eldest son may have been Duncan who died 15 Apr 1857 said to have a brother Alexander of Hibbert Twp.
Then Helen married John Ferguson, a wealthy merchant and lumberman, known far and wide as "Craig Darrach", the Scottish parih from which he had emigrated. Mr. Ferguson built and occupied the first stone hosue in Perth. It still stands on Gore street. He was a strong, forecful personality in the advancement of the community. Death summoned my sister on the nineteenth of February, 1830, in her twenty-sixth year. The husband survived until 1857, dying at Cromarty, Perth county. His remains were brought th Perth and interred by the side of his wife. The two children, a girl and a boy, kedt motherless at a tender age, spent much of their childhood at our home in Beckwith. The daughter, Helen, married John McLaren, an excellent man, who removed to Perth county and finally located in Toronto, where he died in 1891. They reared a large family of brave sons and fair daughters, all dutiful, clever, enterprising and well-to-do. Mrs. McLaren has her home in Toronto. Her brother George Buchanan Ferguson, clerked in his uncle's store at Vankleek Hill, carried on a store in Montreal, and for thirty years was one of the most successful and popular commercial travelers in Canada. He died in 1894, leaving a widow, who has passed away since, three daughters and a son.
[The Pioneer Pastor, 1900]
Alexander Ferguson MacLAREN, M. P. for North Perth, was born in Perth, County of Lanark, on February 3rd, 1854. He is the son of John MacLAREN, his mother being Ellen Buchanan FERGUSON, whose brother Alexander, of Hibbert, was for many years a prominent public officer of that township.
[History of Perth County: 1825-1902 by William Johnston published in 1903]
The Perth Courier, Friday, January 8, 1858
"On the 22 December at the village of Cromarty, County of Perth, Canada West, at the residence of his son-in-law, John McLaren, John Fergusson Esq.,(Craigdarroch) at the advanced age of 77 years: an old and respected inhabitant of the place. His remains were brought here for internment, and was accompanied to his last resting place by a numerous and respectable assemblage of his old friends (say 500 at least ). He was buried with Masonic honours. The lamented gentleman emigrated from the Parish of Balquidar, Perthshire, North Britain, in the year 1816, was one of our earliest settlers, consequently had to endure many of those privations and hardships to which all persons in a new settlement in this colony are subject to, was met and overcome by him with that manly cheerfulness courage and perseverance so characteristic of his countrymen, that he proved himself to be more than equal to the task of conquering every difficulty and obstacle that came in his way: he set a noble example to all around him, well calculated at the time to arouse the drooping spirits of his neighbours and direct them in the path that lands to true independence and self reliance. To show the estimation in which he was held, the writer would relate the following remarks made over Craigdarroch's grave. An old Highlander spoke to this effect, " Craig, Craig, you are lying there decent man, as you were, my heart is grieved at parting with you. I have known you for fifty years, we will long remember you." Another Highlander remarked, Craig, your friends are standing on the brink of your grave, we are sorry to part with you; this is the Sabbath Day, which we have been taught to revere and respect, but after all Peter McGregor might just as well bring his pipes and play Ferguson's Lament; I think, myself it would be very suitable and proper that when in parting with our friend, his spirit in going aloft should be accompanied by the stirring strains of our national music, that so often has cheered many a galant soul to death or victory: oich oich, there are but few true Highlanders left; but shust as they are we will let them be.
[PaperofRecord.com]
Probate Papers for Perth County Ontario: Reel 0484929 #125 John Fergusson of Mitchell or Hibbert, hard to read. Will written 15 Dec. 1857 also found papers to him on pp. 189, 190, 191, 192, notes: advanced years, Sons: Alexander and George, daughters Isabella, Margaret Jane and Helen McLaren w/o John McLaren
[Linda Murtsell, 2008]
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