The Last Laird of MacNab: An Episode in the Settlement of MacNab Township, Upper Canada
History
The Last Laird of MacNab: An Episode in the Settlement of MacNab Township, Upper Canada
MacNab, Archibald, 1778?-1860
When McNab procured from the Government the "Order-in-Council" granting
to him the privilege of settling the township, it was restricted to
eighteen months, but in 1827 the Government, who granted his every
request, extended it to an indefinite period. His power was almost
unlimited, and none of the inhabitants for a moment doubted that it was
his own property. Even as late as 1827 the settlers looked up to the
Laird of McNab with that degree of dread and awe that Highlanders
regarded the Chief of a Highland Clan, and that deference was kept up
for a long period, and not till every tie that binds man to friendship
and respect was severed did it entirely cease. Miller's treatment
perpetuated a sentiment of respect in some, of fear in others, so that
nearly at the very outset of its settlement the Township of McNab was
divided into two parties, the Opposition and the staunch adherents of
the Chief. When they first arrived, there were several lumberers
carrying on their operations in the township, viz.: Alexander McDonnell,
Esq., Sand Point; Duncan Campbell, Matthew Barr, the Goodwins, Messrs.
Mitchell & Sutherland, and John Brill. It was the interest of these
parties to keep on terms with the chief. For about one-fourth of the
real value he gave passes to all cutting timber in the township. These
parties never questioned his title to the ownership of the land, and
even Brill, who had at first treated him roughly, was obliged to succumb
and propitiate his favor. The settlers had about this time (1827) cut
several roads through the settlements, and though rough and unfinished,
served as channels of communication. It was in January of this year that
the Chief wrote to Dr. Hamilton of Leney, to send out more settlers. The
Doctor, who had received some information of McNab's treatment to the
settlers, point blank refused to take any more interest in him or his
affairs. This was an unlooked-for repulse. He had to settle the
township in order to keep on terms with the Government of the day, which
gave him every latitude, and did for him whatever he asked. Accordingly
he proceeded to Montreal, met with some emigrants (1827), and by glowing
descriptions, plausible representations and enticing promises, induced
them to come to "his township," among whom were the Hamiltons, the
Wilsons, and Mr. David Airth, sr., now of Renfrew, and he located them
upon lands at the rate of half a bushel of wheat per acre to be paid him
and his heirs and successors forever. Here the reader will perceive that
by the wording of his location tickets, he already contemplated the
establishment of a principality on the Ottawa. Mr. Airth, soon after his
arrival, discovered that he was entitled to a grant of 200 acres, as a
sergeant in the Royal Artillery. He consequently left the Goshen
settlement of McNab and drew land in the neighboring Township of Horton,
where he at present resides. About this time (1829) Messrs. Alexander
and Daniel Ross, having made improvements on Lot No.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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