Archibald McNair was was born at Kildonan on the Peninsula of Kintyre, Argyllshire, Scotland, the oldest child of Nathaniel and Margaret (Galbraith) McNair. In 1821, he emigrated with his parents and siblings from Scotland to New Brunswick, Canada, landing at Miramichi. From there, the family traveled to the Baie Chaleur in northeastern New Brunswick, a rugged, isolated and sparsely populated region not far from the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec. They settled near Breadalbane (now New Mills), a small settlement on the shoreline of the Baie.
In 1825, Archibald petitioned the Crown for consideration of 100 of the 300 acres that his father, Nathaniel, was requesting near New Mills. In 1829, he received the grant of land. Archibald married Isabella McMillan at New Mills on January 19, 1832. Following the birth of their first child, Archibald moved with his wife and son to Lots 1&2 on the southern end of Heron Island. Here, his remaining nine children were born and raised.
Although Archibald did not receive his grant for 140 acres until 1856, he and his family were among the earliest settlers on the Island. Scottish immigrants started arriving around 1826, and eventually, eleven original grants were made by the Crown, one of which was given to Archibald.
The McNair family, like the rest of the early pioneer settlers, made their living from mixed farming and fishing on this small, five mile long and one mile wide island. Only one road, referred to as "The Great Road", ran the full length of the island and provided a link between the farms. Wood was used to heat the homes and rain was collected in barrels for use as wash water. Boats were used as transportation to the mainland where the islanders could shop at one of the general stores, and attend church services on the Sabbath. When the channel froze in the winter, residents travelled to the mainland over the ice by horse and sleigh, or by foot.
Archibald died at his home on Heron Island, surrounded by his family and attended to by the Rev. Angus McMaster. In his will dated 1870, he left all his real and personal property to "my beloved wife, Isabella."
In 1825, Archibald petitioned the Crown for consideration of 100 of the 300 acres that his father, Nathaniel, was requesting near New Mills. In 1829, he received the grant of land. Archibald married Isabella McMillan at New Mills on January 19, 1832. Following the birth of their first child, Archibald moved with his wife and son to Lots 1&2 on the southern end of Heron Island. Here, his remaining nine children were born and raised.
Although Archibald did not receive his grant for 140 acres until 1856, he and his family were among the earliest settlers on the Island. Scottish immigrants started arriving around 1826, and eventually, eleven original grants were made by the Crown, one of which was given to Archibald.
The McNair family, like the rest of the early pioneer settlers, made their living from mixed farming and fishing on this small, five mile long and one mile wide island. Only one road, referred to as "The Great Road", ran the full length of the island and provided a link between the farms. Wood was used to heat the homes and rain was collected in barrels for use as wash water. Boats were used as transportation to the mainland where the islanders could shop at one of the general stores, and attend church services on the Sabbath. When the channel froze in the winter, residents travelled to the mainland over the ice by horse and sleigh, or by foot.
Archibald died at his home on Heron Island, surrounded by his family and attended to by the Rev. Angus McMaster. In his will dated 1870, he left all his real and personal property to "my beloved wife, Isabella."
Archibald McNair was was born at Kildonan on the Peninsula of Kintyre, Argyllshire, Scotland, the oldest child of Nathaniel and Margaret (Galbraith) McNair. In 1821, he emigrated with his parents and siblings from Scotland to New Brunswick, Canada, landing at Miramichi. From there, the family traveled to the Baie Chaleur in northeastern New Brunswick, a rugged, isolated and sparsely populated region not far from the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec. They settled near Breadalbane (now New Mills), a small settlement on the shoreline of the Baie.
In 1825, Archibald petitioned the Crown for consideration of 100 of the 300 acres that his father, Nathaniel, was requesting near New Mills. In 1829, he received the grant of land. Archibald married Isabella McMillan at New Mills on January 19, 1832. Following the birth of their first child, Archibald moved with his wife and son to Lots 1&2 on the southern end of Heron Island. Here, his remaining nine children were born and raised.
Although Archibald did not receive his grant for 140 acres until 1856, he and his family were among the earliest settlers on the Island. Scottish immigrants started arriving around 1826, and eventually, eleven original grants were made by the Crown, one of which was given to Archibald.
The McNair family, like the rest of the early pioneer settlers, made their living from mixed farming and fishing on this small, five mile long and one mile wide island. Only one road, referred to as "The Great Road", ran the full length of the island and provided a link between the farms. Wood was used to heat the homes and rain was collected in barrels for use as wash water. Boats were used as transportation to the mainland where the islanders could shop at one of the general stores, and attend church services on the Sabbath. When the channel froze in the winter, residents travelled to the mainland over the ice by horse and sleigh, or by foot.
Archibald died at his home on Heron Island, surrounded by his family and attended to by the Rev. Angus McMaster. In his will dated 1870, he left all his real and personal property to "my beloved wife, Isabella."
In 1825, Archibald petitioned the Crown for consideration of 100 of the 300 acres that his father, Nathaniel, was requesting near New Mills. In 1829, he received the grant of land. Archibald married Isabella McMillan at New Mills on January 19, 1832. Following the birth of their first child, Archibald moved with his wife and son to Lots 1&2 on the southern end of Heron Island. Here, his remaining nine children were born and raised.
Although Archibald did not receive his grant for 140 acres until 1856, he and his family were among the earliest settlers on the Island. Scottish immigrants started arriving around 1826, and eventually, eleven original grants were made by the Crown, one of which was given to Archibald.
The McNair family, like the rest of the early pioneer settlers, made their living from mixed farming and fishing on this small, five mile long and one mile wide island. Only one road, referred to as "The Great Road", ran the full length of the island and provided a link between the farms. Wood was used to heat the homes and rain was collected in barrels for use as wash water. Boats were used as transportation to the mainland where the islanders could shop at one of the general stores, and attend church services on the Sabbath. When the channel froze in the winter, residents travelled to the mainland over the ice by horse and sleigh, or by foot.
Archibald died at his home on Heron Island, surrounded by his family and attended to by the Rev. Angus McMaster. In his will dated 1870, he left all his real and personal property to "my beloved wife, Isabella."
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