4-'o PAST AND PRESENT OF The old church (St. Bonaventure's) has recently "been remodelled into a spacious and commodious public hall, so that the church and church property of St. Bonaventure's compare favorably with the best in the prov¬ ince, while they surpass many. The old church was built about sixty-six years ago, but long before that time Tracadie occupied an important place in the history of the Island. As early as 1751 a church had been built by the French settlers at what is known at Scotch Fort, a few miles from the pres¬ ent St. Bonaventure's. This church—■ named St. Louis —was subsequently de¬ stroyed by the English, but the cemetery is still in existence and was in use long after the conquest of Canada . In June, 1772, two hundred and ten Scotch emigrants landed from the good ship "Alexander" about a mile west of where St. Louis church once stood, to which place they gave the name of Scotch Fort. Among this number was Rev. James McDonald , the first English- speaking Catholic priest to set foot on the Island, and during the same year a log church—St. John's—was erected at Scotch Fort, a little more than midway between where the French church, St. Louis , once stood and the present St. Bonaventure's. Father McGuigan has endeared himself to the parishioners, to whom he has been closely devoted. He is a man of forceful individuality, broad learning and deep piety and has a marked influence for good in his community, enjoying the confidence and respect of all, irrespective of class or creed. Neil McDonald , a practical and well- to-do farmer in Lot 58, was bom on April 12, 1820, at Roseberry , Queens county, Prince Edward Island , and is a son of John and Flora (McDougald) McDonald. The father was born on the Isle of Mull, Scot¬ land, and was brought to Prince Edward Island in 1803 on the ship "Rambler" by his father, Angus McDonald , also a native of Scotland . They located where the sub¬ ject now resides on a farm of one hundred acres, where the father followed farming throughout his life. He was successful in business and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. He was the father of thirteen children. Neil McDonald attended the district schools of his neighborhood and was reared under the parental roof and learned the prac¬ tical side of farming which vocation he has followed all his active years. He is the owner of fifty acres of splendid land, thirty- five of which are in cultivation, and the greater portion of which was cleared by the subject himself. He is also the owner of one hundred and twenty-five acres of land on Wood Islands , in Lot 6 2, Queens county. Mr. McDonald also learned the trade of ship carpenter and during his more active years devoted some attention to this voca¬ tion. He is indefatigable in his efforts, sys¬ tematic in his methods and gives his attention to every detail of his work. The place is well improved with substantial and com¬ modious buildings and the general appear¬ ance of the place stands in evidence of the owner's good taste and sound judgment. On June 1, 1858, Mr. McDonald married Miss Catherine Macleod , a native of Earns- cliff, and to them have been born the follow¬ ing children: Flora, deceased; Daniel is a physician and at present is at the Flower Hospital and College, New *; John A. is a sea captain sailing for Troop & Son, of St. John; Neil G. is a contractor and