Chapter XXI-A

Historical Sketch of the Gulf Shore

(Written by the late Colin McLean in year 1910)

Those hardy Highlanders were the McLeods, McLeans, Waughs and Reids. They came from Pictou to Cumberland and took up land from the Government. Farms were from 100 to 500 acres per man.

John Reid, John Dave's grandfather, at one time unsuccessfully contested the county in the interests of the Liberal party for a seat in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. He was married to a Miss Christy McFarlane, an aunt of the late Senator McFarlane, of Wallace. Mr. Waugh was the first Justice of the Peace appointed on the Gulf Shore. He married a Miss McFarlane, sister of John Reid's wife and also an aunt of Senator McFarlane and brother of the late John McFarlane of Wallace.

Among the settlers were three coopers by trade, Malcolm McDonald (Gordon's grandfather). Donald Nicolson, and Alexander McKay, also a boat builder Angus McLeod, who built boats and flats, enabling the settlers to fish herring, etc. Each settler salted several barrels for the winter use, to eat with potatoes, grown in among the stumps, on burnt land. This was their main food. Having potatoes and fish for breakfast, fish and potatoes for dinner, and fish and potatoes for supper.

The most numerous folks were the McLeods, Donald McLeod being the oldest, father of Malcolm McLeod. This man married twice. He had several sons in each family, and in each family he had a son named Malcolm. One of these was Squire Norman's father and D. J. McLeod's grandfather. Another son, John McLeod, went to Cape Breton. He was the grandfather of the wife of J. L. Ralston, M.P.P. A sister of Squire Norman's father, Christy, married Angus McIvor. Those are the ancestors of the McIvors on the Gulf Shore.

Roderick McKenzie settled some years later. He had a large family. One son, Kenneth, was the father of the present McKenzies. Later came the Nicolsons, Campbells, Munroes. One son of the Nicolson family, Murdock by name, was a seafaring man, and lost his life when his schooner was wrecked on the shores of Cape Breton. His son was with him; also, one or two others were lost. He built the Stone House in 1836.

Kenneth McDonald was the first child born on the Gulf Shore, and the first one born there to be married. He was the grandfather of Ken. McDonald of North Shore. The late Peter [text missing!!!]. He married a Miss McKenzie of North Shore. The late Peter McDonald of Pugwash was one of their large family.

On McKay's place, now owned and occupied by Ira Munro, two ships were built by the McKays called "Iris" and "Margaret".

A saw mill was built by Angus McLeod and his son, on the farm now owned by Charles McFarlane.

A much more extensive history could be written about those fine old Scotchmen and their descendants. Perhaps some one in the future may take this matter up.

Gulf Shore, Nova Scotia; March, 1921

(The above interesting sketch was furnished the News by Mr. J. M. McIvor of Gulf Shore.)

Note: In the original text, this chapter forms the latter part of Chapter 21.

To Chapter XXII

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