According to files kept at the National Records of Scotland in Edinburgh their application for assisted emigration appears to have been refused the first time they applied , due to their family being too young.
The couple applied again and this time two of their cousins, both farm workers in their early 20s, had joined their party and the application was granted.
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| Angus MacDonald's application refused (AF51/36) |
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| 'New' Application from Angus MacDonald with added members (AF51/36) |
On the 26th of August 1888 Angus sent a letter from Killarney to thank the "Government of England" for its support. The letter is filed in the emigration files (AF51) in Edinburgh and may have been used to encourage other people in the Hebrides to emigrate.
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| Letter from Angus MacDonald AF51/88 (click on the photo to enlarge it) |
In 1894 Angus and Isabelle had made significant improvements on their land but were also in great debt. Angus remarked to the Imperial Colonization Board's inspector in 1894: "I have so many debts I do not know where to turn" - and it appears that the family was in danger of loosing their land.
That year the family had 50 acres under wheat, 15 under oats and 1/2 an acre of potatoes. They had 2 horses and a bull and Isabelle is said to own a cow, a heifer, 16 pigs and 35 chickens. The reason this livestock is said to belong to her is undoubtedly so it could not be taken as payment for dept in Angus's name. They family lived in a house of lumber and sods that was 14 x 16 feet and had a 12 x 10 log addition. They also had a granary of logs and lumber (12x14) and a stable of sods and poles (16 x 24)(AF51/211).
Despite the worries of these pioneers the MacDonald's did not loose their land and it belonged to their family for generations and in 1996 it was farmed by their great-grandson (Riverside Heritage 1896-1996) and it was their grandsons I met up with a couple of weeks ago!
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