Nova Scotia

Published on Saturday 2 December 2006 01:16

BEFORE 1971, Canadians of Scottish descent were listed as a category separate from "British". In the 1960s they were the third largest ethnic group in the country (after the English and French) and have formed a distinctive cultural group in Canada since the 17th century. Not only did the Scots prove influential in the settlement and growth of Canada, they assumed roles of leadership and power - Scots were attracted to the open avenues of participation in political life denied to them at home.

The Canadian province most closely connected with Scotland is Nova Scotia (New Scotland). It was discovered by John Cabot in 1497 and claimed for England but the vast territory of "Arcadia" was seized by Captain Argyle in the name of James VI. Part of this land became the first permanent North American settlement north of Florida, when Scotsman Sir William Alexander was granted a charter from the King in 1621. In his book describing the colony, Sir William deplored "the ancient proclivity of Scotsmen to expend their energies in foreign wars" and encouraged them instead "to send swarms of emigrants like bees to the New Scotland".

The nature of emigrants from Scotland was varied - a large group of Ulster Scots, a flood of Highlanders dispossessed as their lands were confiscated by their lairds, loyalists from North America fleeing after the Revolution, others fleeing in fear in the aftermath of war and conflict, especially after Culloden in 1746 - and many more simply seeking a better life.

We do not normally associate Quebec with the achievements of Scots overseas; the French connection is daunting. However, when the Don de Dieu sailed up the St Lawrence at the beginning of French Canada, it was piloted by a Scot, Abraham Martin (after whom the Heights of Abraham, the scene of Wolfe's victory, are named). The first British governor of Quebec was also a Scot; Gen James Murray received the keys to the city gates from French Commander, Major de Ramezay, himself of Scots descent.

Montreal, the main city in Quebec, seems incredibly French in its language, street names, food and drink, ambience and atmosphere. But The St Andrew's Society of Montreal, formed in 1835 to provide "welfare and educational assistance to those of Scottish descent and sustaining Scottish culture and traditions within the local community", has been a powerful body - and thousands of the city's residents claim Scottish ancestry. The society supports a number of Scottish-related organisations such as the Black Watch Pipes and Drums and the Montreal Highland Dance Association.

A letter from the Governor General of Canada to the Society in 2001 captures the essence of the contribution made by Scots and the Society: "For 165 years, the St Andrew's Society of Montreal has been the caretaker of a long list of Scottish traditions. Perhaps the proudest is the admirable record of educational and financial assistance to people of Scottish birth or descent. When your ancestors came to this land they brought many customs - pipes and dreams, immortal poetry and the spirit of service - that have preserved the heart of Scotland here in Canada."

Before the 1835 launch, Scots had made a strong impact Montreal and its development, in the fur trade, banking, finance, commerce, transport and government. In December 1804, a newspaper reported "a very pleasant and sociable meeting and a few select sons to celebrate the anniversary of the titular Saint at Gillies Coffee House". From then, some form of festival took place each year and the first recorded St. Andrew's Ball was in 1816 - but it was not until the St Andrew's Day celebration of 1834 that some of the most patriotic Scots resolved to create the society. On 6 February 1835, , the Hon Peter McGill was called to the chair and a constitution adopted. McGill, the president of the Bank of Montreal, was first president of the society, and Adam Ferrie, a businessman and parliamentarian, and John Boston, a lawyer, became vice-presidents - all three Scots-born and educated.

IN SEPTEMBER 1841, a special meeting of the office-bearers of the society was summoned in response to an urgent appeal from for aid on behalf of 229 destitute immigrants arrived from the Isle of Lewis. The settlers were in desperate need of help to survive the Canadian winter. The constitution prevented any help being given to cases outside Montreal but a committee was set up to collect contributions from members. A sum of 235 was raised and it was recorded that "were it not for The St Andrew's Society of Montreal every soul of them would have starved to death that winter in a strange land".

Experience had taught the society that immigrants had a wide range of needs to be met, especially when they fall on hard times. This is why they provided and maintained a home for temporary shelter for transient immigrants and homeless Scots.

The Society was also involved in providing burial plots in Mount Royal Cemetery. Before then, gravesites had been acquired in other cemeteries throughout Montreal and more than 300 Scots or those of Scottish descent have been buried at the society's expense and honoured by a funeral service.

Charitable and educational activities continue to meet modern challenges. The Welfare Committee carries on the tradition of providing for those of Scottish descent who are in need. Charitable work now includes youth training, social, artistic and sporting activities and the education committee provides grants, loans and bursaries to students of Scottish descent attending colleges and universities.

Montreal also has the McGill University, world renowned for its work in chemistry, medicine and biology. It was founded in 1821 with revenue from the estate bequeathed by James McGill, a merchant and politician from Glasgow. Its first head was Scotsman John Bethune and another wealthy Scot, Peter Redpath, was responsible for financing the museum, library and a university chair.

The society's affairs were often conducted against a highly charged political backdrop - and, in the 1840s, it was caught up in a remarkable spat with the House of Elgin. The society had joined a procession to honour the Governor General of Canada, the Rt Hon James Bruce, Earl of Elgin, and later that year it was unanimously agreed Lord Elgin be admitted as an honorary member of the society - and its patron. However, a year later there was a legislative dispute in Parliament over a controversial bill to indemnify all who had incurred losses in the rebellions of 1837 and 1838. Lord Elgin, as the Crown representative, gave his assent to the bill. As many society members were defenders of the Crown, they were outraged the rebels were to benefit. The president, Sir Hugh Allan, called a special meeting of the society at which 71 members carried the following resolution: "That the Earl of Elgin having so conducted himself in his Government as to insult and outrage the feelings of every British subject in Canada and to disgrace the Scottish name, this society, with the deepest regret considers him unworthy to continue as its Patron and that he be from henceforth, removed from that office and erased from the list of Honorary Members."

More than 100 years later, amends were made when the society invited Lord Elgin's descendant, the Rt Hon Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, to be guest of honour at the 1972 St Andrew's Ball - and to become an honorary member. He accepted and presented the society with a quaich and scroll inscribed: "This address is offered... to restore a friendship between the St Andrew's Society of Montreal and the Family of Bruce which lapsed briefly over the past 123 years."

The story of the Montreal Society would not be complete without mentioning the most challenging and heartbreaking undertaking they were ever involved in - the relief of Scottish victims in the SS Montreal disaster in 1857 on the St Lawrence River between Quebec City and Montreal.

OF THE 450 passengers on board - 320 of them newly arrived Scottish immigrants - more than 250 died. Seventy-six of the survivors who arrived on the rescue ship at Port Montreal on 27 June were Scottish, taken to the new St Andrew's home under the care of the society until they were able to travel to their original destinations or, in some cases, return to Scotland. The society also carried out the necessary arrangements for the welfare of the orphaned children.

An extract from the society's minutes revealed the human loss: "David Milne and son David from Arbroath survived but his wife, 34, Anne, 13, William, 11, Jane, 5, Betsy, 3 and James, 15 all perished..."

The society fulfilled its promise that "none of our countrymen or women, dying helpless and friendless in this city, are to be buried at the public's expense". Respect in life and dignity in death - and no paupers' graves for Scots immigrants.

THE HISTORY OF SCOTS IN CANADA

SCOTLAND'S story in Canada began in 1621, when James VI granted Sir William Alexander of Menstrie a royal charter for the development of a "New Scotland" - or Nova Scotia - on the eastern seaboard of what is now Canada.

This consisted of two provinces: "New Caledonia" - the modern Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Southern Newfoundland; and Alexandria, comprising what is now New Brunswick, Gaspesie and the Island of Anticosti.

Settlement attempts in 1628 and 1629 were short-lived. It was the arrival in Nova Scotia in 1773 of an immigrant-filled ship, The Hector, that began the great romance between Scotland and Canada.

Its arrival in a Canadian winter ensured the toughest of starts, but the pace of Scottish settlement quickened in the early and middle 19th century. From 1871 to 1901, 80,000 Scots emigrated to Canada.

Scots were drawn from across their homeland and came to play an influential role in the development of Canadian politics, government and business. The first two prime ministers of Canada were John A MacDonald, left, (born in Glasgow) and Alexander MacKenzie (from Logierait, Perthshire). The involvement of Scots in civic politics and administration was colossal.

CANADIAN BUSINESS AND THE SCOTS

HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY

Employed a large number of Scottish Highlanders in its early history, and had a long history of prominent Scottish leaders - such as Sir George Simpson from Loch Broom, the governor of the company in the early 19th century, and Sir James Douglas, schooled in Lanark.

BANK OF MONTREAL

Formed in 1871, it was Canada's first permanent bank. Five of the original directors were Scots and by the end of 1818 there were eight Scots on the board. Now Canada's fifth-largest bank.

STANDARD LIFE OF CANADA

Its first agent was appointed in 1833 and its headquarters were built in Montreal in 1845. Now a major force in the Canadian life assurance and pensions market.

KEITH'S BREWERY

Founded in Halifax, Nova Scotia, by Alexander Keith, who emigrated to Canada from Caithness. Now under the control of Interbrew, a multinational beer company.

RJR-MACDONALD

Founded 1858 by Augustine and William C MacDonald as MacDonald Bros and Co Tobacco Manufacturers. The MacDonald brothers were descendants of Scottish settlers on Prince Edward Island. The company was bought by the American multinational R J Reynolds in 1974.