DONALD & ELIZABETH MCBEATH AND DESCENDANTS

This is a brief history of the McBeath families from the time that Donald immigrated to Prince Edward Island in 1806 from Scotland.

After Samuel Holland’s survey of St. John’s Island in 1764—65 proprietors were selected on the basis of men who had claims on the British Government for military or public services and who had enough money to send settlers to the Island. Lots were drawn by these men in 1767 and one hundred proprietors were granted the whole Island.

Lot 34 was drawn by John Dickson MP. and this Lot was later acquired by Sir James Montgomery. Montgomery was one of the first proprietors to send out settlers and one of the few landlords who showed an interest in the Colonists. In Canada’s Smallest Province, the writer states that although Sir James Montgomery did net fillfill all the conditions Photo reproduction by Barb Morgan of settlement, he deserved special consideration for his herculean efforts in attempting to settle the lots and to make his settlers economically viable.

Donald McBeath came to Prince Edward Island about the year 1806 from Perthshire, Scotland, a district known as Blair Atholl. Although it is not documented, it is believed that he came to Canada with a Ross family who had their own ship and who settled on a farm near the McBeath homestead. Donald acquired a one—hundred acre piece of property from Sir James Montgomery.

The Release and Conveyance of a tract of land contains 100 acres in Lot 34, Queens County, from Sir James Montgomery and Robert Montgomery to Donald McBeath was registered and signed on October 29, 1811. The agreed price was two hundred pounds.

The District in which Donald McBeath settled was in what became Marshfield, five miles east of

Donald McBeath b. 1777, d.1860.

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Charlottetown in Lot 34, Queens County. When first settled this community was called Goose Pond, referring to a large pond where great flocks of geese would gather. One story states that when the land on which the goose pond was located was purchased by the Haythorne family, they named it Marshfield. The school was built on property near the Haythorne’s farm and the ratepayers named the school Marshfield in honour of RP. Haythorne. Thus the district became known as Marshfield.

As the majority of the early settlers were of Scottish origin the first church built in this settlement was in 1830 and was in connection with the Kirk of Scotland. The one acre piece of land for this Church and for the burying ground was given and deeded by Donald McBeath. (See the chapter, St. Columba Church.) The MacBeath family still worship there.

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Courtesy of Athol MacBeath

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Donald McBeath came to Canada as a bachelor and eventually married an Elizabeth Scott from North River, Prince Edward Island. According to the records of St. Paul’s Anglican Church at the Public Archives, Donald and Elizabeth were married on March 30, 1813.

Their first house was of logs and built close to the East River (Hillsborough River) as that was their main means of transportation in those days. They were true pioneers and must have experienced many difficult times. However they did farm the land — much of it must have had to be cleared — raise a large family and apparently made a success of the venture. They raised a family of nine daughters and one son. Their one son, Alexander, farmed with his father when he reached an age of being able to contribute his help.