Weir and Delilah McCrea

1847 Deed to Lot 3 Con 11 (3.5 Mb)
1855 Petition to Purchase Lot 3 Con 10
1857 Purchase of Lot 3 Con 10
1860 Map of Wolf Island (30K version) (800K version)
Close-up of Lot 3 Con. 10

Wolfe Island: A Legacy in Stone, pages 81-82 - "Another McRae family, seemingly unrelated to the above, was that of Weir McRae, born in Ireland, who embarked from Scotland and may have sojourned in Glengarry County on his way to Wolfe Island. He had two children by his first wife, Delila Ellis, who was born in Upper Canada. After she died, Weir married Irish-born Nancy McCready of Wolfe Island. They were both Presbyterian, but their lineage embraced Catholicism when son George McRae married Elizabeth McLaren. Official records bearing Weir McRae's name spell it as such, but he persisted in signing his name as "Wier McCray.""

Weir McCray (or McRea, McRae, MacRae, McCrea or McRay - Weir himself signed it as "Wier McCray") was born in Ireland according to the 1871 and 1881 Wolfe Island Censuses. He came to Canada by way of Scotland, and may have spent some time in Glengarry County before settling on Wolfe Island. His origin was listed as Scotch, which is consistent with the story of most branches of the McCrea clan. He was present in the Ontario by the time of 1837 rebel uprising, and is listed among the Veteran Volunteers of 1837-39.

Wier McCray autograph
signature

Delilah appears only briefly in historic records. She is listed as the mother of Emily at the time of Emily's 1877 marriage, so was presumably married to Weir prior to Emily's birth in 1852. Weir and his wife "Nancy" mortgaged the land in 1866, so Delilah must have died some time before that. George Albert's 1882 marriage record lists "Ann McReady" as the mother. .

Weir bought the South half of Lot 3 in the 11th Concession South of the Base Line (on the water) in 1847 from William Randall. It was 6 acres. The 1847 deed lists Weir as "of the Township of Marysburgh, Prince Edward District." The same year, he also leased from the Crown the adjacent 100 acres at Lot 3 in the 10th Concession, which was part of a "Clergy Reserve" Lot. In 1857, he bought the 100 acres, but based on other purchases of the time, the terms of purchase were probably 1/10 down and 1/10 per year plus interest at 6% until paid in full. He got the first Crown Patent for that 100 acres in 1867 after full payment was received.

The 1822 Chewett Map of Wolfe Island shows Weir McRea South of Baseline sharing Con 10, Lot 3 with John Wilder and Milligan Randarll. These names would have been added to the map at some time after the map was first produced.

The 1888 Farmers and Business Directory for Wolfe Island includes Weir McRae at Lot 10, Con 3.

December 20, 1888, Weir, a widower sold a 100-acre farm at Lot 2 Con 12 South of the Base Line to Donal H. McDonell for $3,000. Donald H. McDonell's niece Mary Ann McDonell, daughter of Donald's older brother Allan H. McDonell, married the nephew of Weir McRae [Weir's wife Agnes (Nancy) McCready's brother Thomas's son Richard McCready] in 1883.

Kingston Whig Standard - March 19, 1891
"Weir McCrae, father of Andrew McCrae, of our village, is lying at the point of death at his home down the island. He received a serious fall some time ago from which he never recovered."

Kingston Whig Standard - April 1, 1891 - Deaths on the Island
"Weir McCrae, whose illness we reported, succumbed to the last enemy on the 19th ult. His funeral took place the following Saturday and was one of the largest ever seen on the island. Rev. Mr. Chambers conducted the services in the Presbyterian church after which the body was placed in the vault. The deceased was 78 years of age and lived on the shore of "Big Bay," where he was a successful farmer and very esteemed by all who came in contact with him. He was of genial disposition and generous in manner in entertaining those who entered his house.""

1861 Wolfe Island Census

1871 Wolfe Island Census

DIV

Last Name

First Name

Sex

Age

Place of Birth

Rel.

Origin

Occ.

Marital

197

MacRae

Wees?

Ireland

Scotch

Farmer

197

MacRae

Nancey

Ireland

Irish

197

MacRae

Emely

Scotch

197

MacRae

Albert

Scotch

197

MacRae

Henery

Scotch

197

MacRae

Mary

Scotch

197

MacRae

Andrew

Scotch

1881 Wolfe Island Census
Name	Marital Status	Gender	Ethnic Origin	Age	Birthplace	Occupation	Religion
Shian MCCREA	M	Male	Irish	66	Ireland	Farmer	C. Presbyterian
Nancy MCCREA	M	Female	Irish	57	Ireland		C. Presbyterian
Samuel MCCREA		Male	Irish	25	Ontario	Farmer	C. Presbyterian
John Andrew MCCREA		Male	Irish	21	Ontario		C. Presbyterian
Mary Jane MCCREA		Female	Irish	22	Ontario		C. Presbyterian

Emily McCrea and William Richard Bolton

Children:
Elizabeth (Ready),
Evyline (Polk),
Myrtle (Preston),
Earl H.,
Wilber J.,
Stewart,
Hattie,
Hilda

MS 932 REEL 20 Vol B - 002765-77, (Frontenac),
"William Richard BOLTON, 28, Bastard Ont. Twp of Bastard, carpenter, s/o Henry & Elizabeth BOLTON married Emily McCray, 25, Wolfe Island, Wolfe Island, d/o Weir & Delilah McCRAY, Wit: William H. BOLTON & Mary Jane McCRAY- Wolfe Island Ont, Mar. 7, 1877, not given"

Death Registration 021228
Bolton, Emily; Female; Irish; 77 yrs 20 days;Born Frontenac Twp., March 6, 1852; 50 yrs at place of death; in Ontario: Lifetime; Father: Weir McCray, place of birth: unknown; Maiden name of mother: Miss Ellis, place of birth: unknown; Name of Physician: J.M. Dunn, Elgin; Name of Informant: Wm. Bolton, Portland, husband; Place of burial: Bastard Twp., April 1/29; Undertaker: A.L. Campbell, Elgin; Date of Death March 30/29.

George Albert McRae and Elizabeth McLaren

003194-82 George Albert McRAE, 28, Yeoman, Wolfe Island, same, s/o Weir McRAE & Ann McREADY, married Elizabeth McLAREN, 19, Wolfe Island, same, d/o Hugh McLAREN & Catherine McDONELL. Witn Donald GRANT & Mary Ann McLAREN, both of Wolfe Island, on 18 Apr., 1882, at Wolfe Island

Kingston Whig Standard - Dec 30, 1931 page 7
GEORGE ALBERT MCRAE
Former Resident of Wolfe Island Dead
George Albert McRae Passed Away in Watertown, N.Y. on Dec. 24.
George Albert McRae passed away on Thursday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Kenneth Kenny. The remains were brought here on Friday to his son’s residence, Donald McRae, and the funeral took place to the Church of the Sacred Heart on Saturday morning at nine-thirty where a requiem mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Carey, after which interment was made in the Roman Catholic cemetery.
The deceased was a farmer in his early days, but for the last ten years was a mall carrier. He leaves to mourn his loss his widow, three sons, Don, Roy and Arden, one daughter, Mrs. Kenneth Kenny in Watertown, and one brother, John Andrew McRae in Watertown. The pallbearers were Richard Bolton Sr., James Grant, Dick McReady, Jerry McDonald, Ed White, John Kingsley

2.1 Donald Stewart McRae and Margaret Louise Hannessy

Birth: Donald Stewart McRae, 2 Aug 1885, George McRae & Elizabeth McLaren, Wolfe Island, Frontenac, # 008965

1881 Wolfe Island Census
Name	Marital Status	Gender	Ethnic Origin	Age	Birthplace	Occupation	Religion
George A MCRAE		Male	Irish	28	Ontario	Farmer	Presbyterian
Elizabeth MCREADY		Female	Irish	52	Ireland	Weaver	Presbyterian
Sarah MCREADY		Female	Irish	67	Ireland	Seamstress	Presbyterian

1901 Wolfe Island Census
Line	Family	Name	Sex	Relationship	Status	Birth	Age
44	43	McCray George	M	Head	M	Dec 9 1853	47
45	43	McCray Elizabeth	F	Wife	M	Oct 24 1863	37
46	43	McCray Donald	M	Son	S	Aug 2 1885	15
47	43	McCray Andrew	M	Son	S	Oct 18 1890	10
48	43	McCray Arden	M	Son	S	May 17 1896	4
49	43	McCray Mary	F	Daughter	S	May 8 1900

1911 Wolfe Island Census
Line	Family	Name	Sex	Relationship	Status	Birth	Age
3	39	McRae George	M	Head	M	Nov 1852	58
4	39	McRae Elizabeth	F	Wife	M	Oct 1862	48
5	39	McRae Roy	M	Son	S	Oct 1891	21
6	39	McRae Arden	M	Son	S	May 1896	15
7	39	McRae Ella	F	Daughter	S	May 1900	11

McRAE, DONALD STUART of Wolfe Island, Canada and
HENNESSY, MARGARET LOUISE of Watertown married on 16 June 1908 in Watertown, NY
Groom: Age 23, farmer, born Canada
Father: Geo A. McRae born Canada Mother: Elizabeth McLarren? Born Canada
Bride: Age 23, no occupation, born Canada
Father: James born Canada Mother: Catherine Locklin born Canada
Witnesses: Johnnie A. Cane and Eva Hennessy
Clergy: Catholic Priest

2.2 Roy Andrew McRae and Alice May Bolton

1911 Wolfe Island Census
Line	Family	Name	Sex	Relationship	Status	Birth	Age
9	40	McRay Donald	M	Head	M	Aug 1886	26
10	40	McRay Margret	F	Wife	M	Jun 1886	25

Children:
Donald Alexander McRae (February 1914 - April 27, 1914),
Rita Mary (Grant)(b. 1 May 1915, Wolfe Island, d. 14 Mar 2002, Wolfe Island),
Charles McRae (b. Between 1919 and 1920, d. 24 Mar 2006),
Mark Joseph McRae (b. 19 Mar 1921, d. 9 Jan 2010),
Helen (White),
Mary (Martin) (b. 1916, d. Bef 14 Mar 2002),
Bertha Louise (Gurnsey) (d. 30 Dec 1999); McRae, Bertha Louise & Gurnsey, Joseph Harold; April 15, 1940,
Edna Eliza (McKenna) (b. 1918, d. 1996); McRae, Edna Eliza & McKenna, Howard J; Nov 25, 1940,
Anna McRae,
Emmett McRae,
Weir W. McRae (b. 1924, d. 27 Jun 1988),
Katherine Marie McRae

Roy Andrew McRae, 23, living Wolfe Island, s/o George Albert McRae & Elizabeth McLaren, married , 19, Wolfe Island, same, Richard Bolton & Mary Ann Browns, witn: Adren Hugh McRae & Ellen ?? McRae both of Wolfe Island, 11 Feb 1914, #001075, by Thos Spratt, catholic priest of Wolfe Island.

Kingston Whig Standard
Tuesday March 3, 1936 page 3
RICHARD BOLTON (father if Alice May Bolton)
The funeral of the late Richard Bolton was held to Trinity Church, Wolfe Island. Rev. Mr. Daw conducted the funeral services.
Deceased had been in ill-health for the past year. He was 76 years of age and spent most of his life on the Island, where he was a prosperous farmer. Those left to mourn his loss are his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Lewis Fargo of Watertown, N.Y., Mrs. Roy McRae of Wolfe Island, and one son, W. J. Bolton of Wolfe Island, as well as 25 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. George McReady of Wolfe Island. The pall-bearers were W. Keys, O. McReady, J. Keys, R. Boyd, A. Keys, R. Ferguson. The remains were placed in the vault to await burial in the spring

2.3 Hugh Arden McRae

Census records show Arden's birth as May 17, 1896, but his military draft document of 1917 lists his birth date as 17/5/97. Arden appears in the following records:

2.4 Mary Ella McRae

Children: Kathleen E. (Putnam) (Mar 9, 1924 - Jul, 1978), Pauline (Delany), Lawrence Kenney, Barbara (Pepe) (May 27, 1927 ~ April 29, 2015)

014331, May 8, 1900, McCrae, May Ella, F, George Albert McCRAE, Elizabeth McLarren, Wolfe Island farmer, G A McCrae, Apl 27, 1901.

010878, KENNEY, Thomas Kenneth, 23, b, laborer, Anglican, born/living Wolfe Island, parents James Kenney & Maria Kemp married on Oct 11, 1922 at Wolfe Island to MCRAE, Mary Ella, 22, s, RC, born / living Wolfe Island, parents George McRae & Elizabeth McLaren, witnesses Arden McRae & Edna McLaren of Wolfe Island, married by Rev JP Femming RC priest, reg # 20778, both bride & groom can read & write and both their fathers were born Wolfe Island.

Samuel Henry McCray

Spouses:
Mary Ruttan (c.1867 - )
Married: June 7, 1883, Picton ON
Eliza Maud Grant (1881 - 1965)
1881, Mallory Hill, Hastings County, Ontario - 1965, Hastings County
Grave: Holy Anglican Trinity Cemetery, Sidney Tp., Hastings County
Married: 14 Feb 1900, Hastings County

10526-83 Samuel McCray, 25, Wolfe Island, Adolphustown, fisherman, Weir & Delilah McCray, married Mary Ruttan, 16, Adolphustown, same, d/o Andrew A & Alice Ruttan, witn: Alice Ruttan & Mrs Thos W Pickett both of Adolphustown, 7 Jun 1883, Picton, Town of Picton, Prince Edward County. Marriage Registration

As Henry McCray, in 1900, Samuel Henry McCray married Eliza Grant in St. Ola, Ontario. Samuel Henry was listed in the 190l census for Weslemkoon. Marriage Registration

Canadian Immigration Service 1922 March 22 [see the document]
McRae, Samuel H. Age: 66. Last permanent Address: Glenfield, N.Y., Male, single. Birthplace: Wolfe Island, Ont. Canada, Race: Scotch. Object in coming to Canada: To reside. Occupation: Lumberman. Able to read: Yes, Eng. Religion: Presbyterian. Ever lived in Canada? Yes Cobalt, Ont., Left Canada at: Kingston, Aug 1916. Why? To work. Money in possession: $180. If settler: $50 value of effects. Destined to: Brother, George McRae, Wolfe Island. R.R. Ticket issue: Winter Ferry. From: Morristown, N.Y. to Brockville. Port of last arrival in the United States: Cape Vincent, N.Y. Date: August 1916. Are you or any of your family mentally defective: No. Tuberculosis: No. Physically defective: No. Otherwise debarred: No. Health: Normal. Action taken: Admitted.

Eliza Grant McCray was a housekeeper for Harvey Grant (1866-1951). Harvey's first wife Margaret Elizabeth Donaldson died in 1909. Eliza appears to have married Harvey "Harve" Robert GUNTER 1 Jan 1916 Bancroft, Hastings County. Harvey was born 20 Apr 1866, Cashel Tp., Hastings County, and died 5 Feb 1951, Gunter, Ontario. Children: Ethel A. GUNTER, born 1921, Hastings County, and died 1998; married Charles Aide. The Grants lived at Gunter and Weslemkoon Lake area in the 1900's. [Since we have the immigration document for Samuel Henry's return to Canada in 1922 as single, it is possible that Henry and Eliza divorced between 1909 and 1916.]

Stewart Nelson Ruttan (c.1872- ) married Eliza Grant's sister Mary Hester Grant (c.1883- ), with the marriage certificate issued February 14, 1900 and signed by S. Sanderson in the County of Hastings. Stewart Ruttan was the son of Andrew Austin and Alice (Gallagher) Ruttan (brother of Samuel Henry's first wife Mary).

Mary Jane McCrea

John Andrew McCrea and Isabella McDonnell

Duncan and Jennett MacRae (McRae) immigrated to Cape Breton with three sons, Alexander (c.1819-), Donald (c.1820-), Farquhar (c.1820-) about 1824. Sons William (c.1826-) and John (c.1828-), and daughter Margaret (1829-1882) were born in Margaree, Cape Breton Island. Two daughters were born after relocation to Ontario: Agnes (c.1831-) and Isabella (c. 1833-). Family history says that these folks moved to Three Rivers, Que. then on to Wolfe Island before finally settling in Mara Twp. of old Ontario county (1851 census). Farquhar, Alexander, and Margaret McRae were still on Wolfe Island in the 1861 Census. Farquhar and Alexander's families were both at Lot 5 Concession 10, South of the Base Line, each with 50 acres. Margaret, as well as her niece, Farquhar's daughter, Margaret, are buried in Trinity Anglican Cemetery on Wolfe Island. The younger Margaret married Donald H McDonell (McDonald).

Margaret had by 1861 married Allan H McDonell (McDonald), who died in 1863 at age 42. Their land was at Lot 1 Con 10, North of the Base Line. Allan and Margaret had at least two children, Mary Ann, who later married Richard McCready, and Isabella, who married John Andrew McRae (son of Weir McRae & Ann or Nancy McCready).

John Andrew and Isabella were residing in Watertown at the time of some Donald's death in 1911.

1911 Ontario Census Records, Hastings County, Cashel Tp., pg. 3 & 4-
Gunter Harvey	M	Head	W	Apr 1867	44
Gunter Violet	F	Daughter	S	Jun 1902	8
Gunter Charles	M	Son	S	May 1907
McCray Eliza	F	Housekeeper	M	Nov 1881	29
McCray Irine	F	Lodger	S	Jul 1901	9
McCray Cora	F	Lodger	S	Jul 1903	7
McCray Ellis	M	Inmate	S	Jan 1908	3
McCray Percy	M	Inmate	S	Dec 1909	1