NIEL MACDONALD 1840-1918 Niel and his brother Hugh came to Ontario ca 1868. It is not known whether they came to Ontario via New York or Eastern Canada. Niel purchased his first 50 acres of land in Moore Township in February 1869 and an additional 50 acres in 1873. He then had to clear the land of trees and build a house. On January 2, 1877 he married Catharine BEATON from Prince Edward Island. Niel was 36 and Catharine was 29. Their first child Marcella was born on July 25, 1878. A son Donald John Alexander was born on August 25, 1880, a son Peter on April 23, 1882, and a son Charles on September 2, 1886. Life in the early years on the farm was a struggle. Settlers such as Niel and "Kitty" had to suffer the hardships of bad winters and isolation. Peter died on May 17, 1884 of Malarial Fever and on August 31, 1890 tragedy struck again when Charles age 4 died from a scolding when he fell into a tub of hot water. Kitty only lived to October 1894 when it is said that she died from a broke! n heart over the loss of her children. Hugh MacDonald was rumoured to have settled in the Bruce. Parents of Niel and Hugh were Donald MacDONALD [1785 - bef. 1851] from Caolis, Tiree and Marion MacDOUGALL [born 1791] from Vaul, Tiree. Children: Flora MacDonald born 28 Nov. 1820. Euphemia MacDonald born 24 March 1822. John MacDonald born 11 Oct. 1824. Hector MacDonald born 19 Dec. 1826. Hugh MacDonald born 12 May 1829. Niel MacDonald born 25 Nov. 1831; married 2 Jan. 1877; died 4 Oct. 1918 in Moore Twp. Ann Hentschel, Sarnia, Ontario. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.722 / Virus Database: 478 - Release Date: 18/07/2004