John Fraser (1) & Marjorie Mackinnon John Fraser (2)  & Margaret Macdonald the elusive search.

So there were three brothers Duncan, Alexander & John.  Question did the three brothers come over to Nova Scotia on the Hector?  I have been to the Hector Museum and checked the passenger list - they do not appear. I know the list was made up years later - but if everyone who said there ancestors came over on the hector the boat would have had to be miles long I still suspect they came over on another boat. Maybe I am wrong….I have a lot of info on the two brothers Duncan and Alexander and yes a lot of info about them being in the army - John (1) the last brother (my ancestor)  I could not find anything nada…. ( I have a copy of Claire Frasers genealogy which is very complete about the two brothers John & Alexander)

I researched my John (2) coming from Sutherland’s River but I thought it was a different John - somethings did not add up.   As to Mabou connections- I have found Simon & Annabelle but no John.

I only have a document my grandfather (Simon) swore out to the goverment when he was trying to reclaim land. I(Note - I have since got copies of the land grants our family received) in the document he talks about his brothers and sisters. (It is certainly a source of geneology) He mentions his Dad but here is the interesting part. He mentions his fathers name is Donald??? yet we know it is John (2). So I am assuming John(2)’s name was John Donald. Scottish Families had a habit of naming their children the same first names and the middle name was their actual names. Just to make all a lot more confusing lol. Same goes for John (2)’s wife on official document she is named as Margaret, Flora or Gracie. No wonder I am confused lol….

The family history is difficult lol each time I speak to one of my Aunts they have a different story. Sadly, the stories conflict with each other. My Mom who is 74 has wonderful stories I posted one on the blog. She may be 74 but she is as sharp as a tack - with an amazing memory. She only lived in Meat Cove until she was very young about 4 years old and then her family moved up to Sydney.

So I have about 174 pages of family history but am still frustrated. I am trying to find the John (1) and John (2) and their spouses. Some record of their existence. 

Now here is another mystery. My grandfather Simon disappears at one point in the Canadian cenus and then shows up living with his sister Margaret and his brothers at a very young age. He was the youngest. So why? Did John (2) and wife pass away early? Another interesting thing is the Fraser land grant is right next to the Macdonald land grant. Were these Macdonalds related to John (2) ’s wife?

Questions, questions, questions. Hopefully someone has answers to  the mysteries?

1871 Canadian census - Victoria County

Simon does not appear on the 1871 census of Victoria country.  His brother’s and sisters below are living alone with no parents.  Where is Simon.  I will try to find the Inverness county 1871 census and see if Simon is there.  Perhaps Simon went somewhere with his parents John & Gracie/Flora and that is why they do not appear on any of the census records I have checked.

1881 Canadian census - Victoria County

Simon appeared on the census as living with his sister Margaret who was married to Angus MacDonald.  The 1881 census shows Simon as being 25 years old.  Which would put his birth year at 1856.

1891 Canadian census - Victoria County

Simon appreared on the census as living with his wife Christy and his children.  Simon is listed as being 32 years old, which would put his birth year as 1860.

Simon Fraser my great grandfather was born anywhere between October 1860 and September 1852 the Lowland Cove, Meat Cove, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, and died September 21st, 1944.  I have the discrepancy for his birthday because his death certificate, his gravestone and the Canadian census has they years different.  I have been able to locate any birth cerficate for him to verify this.  

Simon married Christine Ann "Christy" MacLellan Abt. 1883 in Bay St. Lawrence, Cape Breton. She was born 01 May/February 1864 in Meat Cove, Cape Breton, Canada, and died the 13th of June 1910.

On the death certificate I have determined SImon’s parents names were John Fraser & Gracie MacDonald (McDonald) and that they were born in Mabou.  I have found a few of Simon’s sister and brothers death cerificates and the father’s name remains John Fraser the only difference is the mother’s name goes between Gracie and Flora.  I have to check if one or the other is a nickname.

John & Gracie/Flora remain elusive!

I have decided to take a different approach with my search for my ancestors.  I have successfully been able to find evidence of my Grandfather & Great Grand father but beyond this I have had problems.  I know from my Great Grand Father’s Death Certificate that his father my Great Great Grandfather’s name was John Fraser and according to his death certificate his mother’s name was Flora McDonald.  Now my G Grandfather had several brothers and sisters and I have looked at several of their death certificates and I have confimed that indeed my GG Grandfather was John Fraser.  However, there is a slight confusion on the name of John’s wife.  On several documents it is stated as Flora McDonald but on others it is Gracie MacDonald.  I am not sure if Gracie was a nickname for Flora.

So what I know for sure is my GG Grandfather was John Fraser and his wife was Flora/Gracie MacDonald.  They were both born in Mabou, Inverness County.  At one point they left Mabou and moved to the Lowland Cove in Victoria Conty.  Here is where my problem begins there is no evidence of their existence with the exception of their names on their children’s death certificate.  I checked the Canadian Census for 1871, 1881 & 1891 and cannot find them. 

An interesting fact is on the 1871 Victoria County Census by G Grandfather Simon does not appear but all his brothers and sisters do.  They are living in the same house.  I have searched everywhere for Simon and his parents and cannot find them.   Since Simon was the youngest I assumed he had gone somewhere with his parents.  10 years later on the 1881 Canadian census for Victoria County Simon is living with his sister Margaret and her husband Angus MacDonald and again no sign of either of the parents. 

I have a copy of Mabou Pioneer 1 and there is no mention of my G G Grandfather.  I have been trying to get a copy of Mabou Pioneer II for many years and had no luck - perhaps they are mentioned there.

John Fraser & Flora (Gracie) McDonald eventually settled in the Lowland Cove/Meat Cove how or why they got there I have never been able to establish.  Family folklore says Flora/Gracie died and John who was a protesant promised Flora/Gracie on her deathbed that he would raise the children Catholic.  John is rumoured to have left Mabou and moved to the lowland cove with the children after her death.  Other’s say that she did indeed move to the Lowland Cove with John and died at a very young age.  Anyone who has any insight into this please write to me or comment.

JOHN DONALD FRASER-3 (John Fraser, Sr.-2, John Fraser-1). He was born Abt. 1811 in Mabou, Nova Scotia. Occupation in Blacksmith (Farmer). He died in Mabou, Nova Scotia.

Notes for John Donald Fraser:
General Notes: He immigrated with his parents to Cape Breton, he walked the coast with his brother Simon and originally settled in Cape Mabou. In or around 1857 he moved to an area locally known as "The Lowlands". The "Lowlands" are an area near Meat Cove that consisted of intervals, low plains and dissected uplands. He made his livelihood off the lands and by fishing. His sons helped him farm the lands and fish out of what was locally known as "Fraser’s Beach". The waters were abound in fish - herring, lobsters, salmon, cod, haddock, makeral & halibut.

He continuously claimed, used and occupied lands in Meat Cove, Bay St. Lawrence. His five sons each claimed their own land in the Lowlands. In or around the early 1870’s Simon was the last son to leave the family homestead..

It is rumored that John converted to Roman Catholic for Flora (Margaret). He apparently lived in Cape Mabou and when Margaret (Flora) died he left. He converted to Catholicism for Margaret and when she died the Catholics did not want him and nor did the Protestants because he had converted.

FLORA (TALLUCH) GRACEY MCDONALD. She was born Abt. 1815. She died Abt. 1891 in Mabou, Inverness, Nova Scotia.

Notes for Flora (Talluch) Gracey McDonald:
General Notes: Some papers call her Flora and some Gracie

JOHN DONALD FRASER & FLORA (TALLUCH) GRACEY MCDONALD. They were married Abt. 1835 [3]. Married by in Reverend D. Fraser. They had 8 children.

24. i. JOHN FRASER. He was born on 15 Aug 1836 in Lowland Cove, Nova Scotia. He married Teresa McInnis. Their marriage on 16 Jul 1860 in Cheticamp, Nova Scotia (Margaree) [18]. He died in Cape North, Victoria County, Nova Scotia.

25. ii. RONALD DONALD FRASER. He was born on 30 Oct 1839 in Mabou, Nova Scotia. He married Mary McEvoy. They were married on 24 Jan 1869 in Ingonish Chapel, Bay St. Lawrence, Nova Scotia [19]. He died Abt. 1918 in Alder Point, Nova Scotia. Occupation in Farmer (Masonery). Religion in Roman Catholic. Residence in Lived at Point Aconi. Burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Bras D’or.

26. iii. DONALD FRASER, JR.. He was born on 25 Dec 1845 in Lowland Cove, Nova Scotia. He married Mary MacLeod. They were married Abt. 1872. He died Abt. 1925 in Mabou, Inverness, Nova Scotia. Property in 30 April 1872, Crown Land Grant, Meat Cove, Nova Scotia. Widowed in He was a widow on the 1901 census..

iv. ANGUS FRASER. He was born Abt. 1846.

27. v. MARGARET FRASER. She was born Abt. 1856 in Mabou, Nova Scotia. She married John Cameron. They were married on 03 Jan 1877 in Bay St. Lawrence, Nova Scotia. She died Abt. 1886 in Ingonish, Nova Scotia. Cause of Death was She died in childbirth.. Religion in Roman Catholic. Residence in Lowland Cove, Meat Cove, Nova Scotia. Burial in St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Ingonish.

vi. MARCELLA FRASER. She was born Dec 1850 in Mabou, Inverness, Nova Scotia. Cause of Death 1931. She died on 21 Mar 1931 in Bay St. Lawrence, Nova Scotia [20]. Burial on 23 Mar 1931 in St. Margaret’s Cemetery, Bay St. Lawrence, Nova Scotia. Occupation in Farmer. Nickname in Moicy.

Notes for Marcella Fraser:
General Notes: She lived with her brother for many years. According to the 1881, 1891& 1901 census records. She never married. Her name on the 1871 records is Majesty. As per her death certificate # 407

28. vii. SIMON FRASER. Residence 1857 in Lowland Cove, Meat Cove, Nova Scotia. He married Christine Ann MacLellan. They were married Feb 1884 in Bay St. Lawrence, Nova Scotia. He died on 29 Sep 1944 in Bay St. Lawrence, Nova Scotia. Burial on 02 Oct 1944 in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Victoria Mines, MacGillivary & Dunlop. He was born on 29 Sep 1952 in Mabou, Inverness County, Nova Scotia. Cause of Death was Coronary Thombrosis - Stroke. Medical Condition was Physician: L. Kristal. Nationality was Scotch. Occupation in Fisherman & Carpenter. Religion in Roman Catholic. Mother tongue in Gaelic.

viii. ALEXANDER FRASER. He was born Dec 1852 in Lowland Cove, Inverness, Nova Scotia. He died on 26 Mar 1927 in Mabou, Inverness, Nova Scotia [21]. Burial on 29 Mar 1927 in St. Margaret’s Cemetery, Bay St. Lawrence, Nova Scotia. Cause of Death was Kidney Disease & Rhematism in the lower back. Occupation in 1881, Fisherman. Nickname in Alexr, Sandy.

Notes for Alexander Fraser:
General Notes: Alex claimed a 100 acre block of land next to his brother Donald Jr. In Meat Cove, Bay St. Lawrence. He cleared 8 acres for pasture and hay. Alexander died on his lands around 1930. Alex was single and had no children.

After his death his lands laid vacant for approximately 10 years, before his nephew Ronald Fraser moved onto them.

2. JOHN FRASER, SR.-2 (John Fraser-1). He was born Abt. 1760 in Invernesshire, Scotland. Occupation in Farmer.

Notes for John Fraser, Sr.:
General Notes: Came from mainland Scotland.

MARJORIE MACKINNON [1]. She was born Abt. 1775 in Isle of Muck, Scotland.

Notes for Marjorie MacKinnon:
General Notes: She was from the Isle of Muck (an island, in the parish of small isles, district of Mull, county of Argyll, containing 68 inhabitants; it is about two miles in length, less than one mile in breadth, and lies four miles south-by-west from the Island of Eigg - 1846)

Smallest of four islands: Canna, Rum, Egg and Muck. Muck is the most southerly; a fertile island 2 miles x 1 mile. In 1826 the islanders were "cleared" from the island. Most of the population of 195 was shipped to Nova Scotia. Note that Marjorie must have left earlier, as Alexander was born in 1796 or thereabouts in Nova Scotia. Year 2005, there are about thirty people listed as residents. Reason for clearance: over populated. The island could not support the people. During the Napoleonic War (France and Scotland), eventually ended 1815 Battle of Waterloo. A seaweed called kelp was burned to make soda-
used commercially and this brought relative prosperity to many seacoast places on the West of Scotland. After war, eventually able to import from Spain. Note taken from letter of Jan Philip of Glasgow Scotland, December 2005.

Could be a connection between Marjorie and the East Lake MacKinnons. Has to be confirmed.

JOHN FRASER, SR. & MARJORIE MACKINNON. They were married Abt. 1795. They had 4 children.

5. i. ALEXANDER FRASER. He was born Abt. 1796 in Sheet Harbour, Halifax, Nova Scotia. He married Margaret Macphee. They were married Abt. 1823. He died on 23 Nov 1876 in Moose River, Pictou County, Nova Scotia. Religion in Presbyterian.

6. ii. SIMON WILLIAM FRASER [2]. He was born Abt. 1800 in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. He married Margaret MacKay. They were married Abt. 1830. He died Apr 1899 in Black Point, Victoria County, Nova Scotia. Nationality was Scotch. Occupation in Farmer & Mason. Religion in Presbyterian (Free Church). Residence in 1871, Broad Cove, Inverness County. Obituary in 23 September 1899, Presbyterian Witness. Burial in Protesants Burial Grounds, Bay St. Lawrence.

7. iii. JOHN DONALD FRASER. He was born Abt. 1811 in Mabou, Nova Scotia. He married Flora (Talluch) Gracey McDonald. They were married Abt. 1835 [3]. Occupation in Blacksmith (Farmer). He died in Mabou, Nova Scotia.

8. iv. ANNABELLE FRASER [4]. She was born Mar 1817 in Mabou, Nova Scotia. She married Neil Dubh MacKinnon. They were married Abt. 1845. She died on 31 Aug 1912 in Rosedale, Glencoe, Nova Scotia.