Spencer 1806 – Passage of Time
I have been doing some research recently and taking a look at the list of passengers on the Spencer 1806, the voyage that brought my Darrach ancestors to PEI from Colonsay, Scotland. The family names are common to us in Clyde River, but many of these families settled in the Wood Islands area. The Darrachs and MacPhees (McDuff/Duffie) settled in the Clyde River and Dunedin area. We already know of Darrach descendants that went to Florida, New England states, Washington state and New Zealand.
In the age of the internet, I would be curious to determine where descendants of these families are living just over 200 years later. We invite descendants of the Spencer 1806 to connect with us either by adding a comment to this article or by emailing vivian@eastlink.ca. Please include the passenger name(s) you are a descendant of, where you live and, as Islanders, we like to hear a little interesting news. We know that we have a broad geographic audience, so this might be a good chance to hear from you. Also, if anyone knows where these ancestors on the passenger list were laid to rest, please add that as well. Feel free to forward this article to those who would have an interest in this project.
Spencer 1806 Passenger List – Names and ages at the time of passage from Colonsay to PEI:
- Bell, Angus 24 – son of Malcolm and Flora (McPhee) Bell
- Bell, Archibald 25 – Wood Islands Pioneer Cemetery
- Bell, Catherine 10
- Bell, Dougald 25 – married to Catherine McEacharn
- Bell, Duncan 7 – (1797-1877) – son of Dougald and Catherine (MacEachern) Bell
- Bell, Duncan 78 – married to Mary McDuff (MacPhee)
- Bell, Flora 9 – daughter of Dougald and Catherine (MacEachern) Bell
- Bell, Janet 18 – son of Malcolm and Flora (McPhee) Bell
- Bell, Janet 5 – daughter of John and Grace Bell
- Bell, John 3 – son of John and Grace Bell – married Sarah Darrach, Malcolm’s daughter
- Bell, John 40 – son of Malcolm and Flora (McPhee) Bell – married Marion Grace McCannel)
- Bell, Malcolm 65 – married to Flora McDuffie (McPhee) – 4 children
- Bell, Margaret 1.5 – daughter of John and Grace Bell
- Bell, Marion 34 – daughter of Duncan Bell – married to Donald McNeil
- Bell, Mary 13 – daughter of John and Grace Bell
- Bell, Mary 26 – married Hector MacMillan
- Bell, Nelly 12
- Brown, Flora 58 – married to Duncan Munn
- Brown, Nancy 23
- Buchanan, Flora 52 – married to Malcolm McEachern
- Campbell, Hector 30
- Campbell, John 1
- Campbell, Neil 3
- Currie, Catharine 22
- Currie, Catherine 26
- Currie, James 2 – Wood Islands Pioneer Cemetery
- Currie, James 25
- Currie, James 30
- Currie, Jane 21 – married to Dougald MacLean
- Currie, Janet 55
- Currie, Mary 7 mos. – daughter of Nancy (MacPhee) and James Currie
- Darroch, Angus 60 – Duncan and Malcolm’s father. Owned property on St. Peters Road – Old Protestant Burying Ground, University Ave., plot 42 – Descendants
- Darroch, Archibald 20 – Duncan’s brother – Married Jane McPhee – children were Angus (St Catherine’s Pioneer Cemetery) and Neil.
- Darroch, Catherine 30 – Duncan’s sister – married to Gilbert McAldridge (McAlder) – 4 children passengers
- Darroch, Duncan 28 – (1775-1853) – married Margaret MacMillan, oldest child of Malcolm and Grace MacMillan – first lived on Colville Road and then moved to Clyde River – St. Catherine’s Pioneer Cemetery – Descendants
- Darroch, James 32 – Duncan’s brother
- Darroch, John 3 – Clyde River Presbyterian Cemetery – son of Duncan Darrach and Margaret McMillan – see note #3 below – Descendants
- Darroch, Malcolm 20 – (1786-1864) Covehead – see note #7 & #8 below – Descendants
- Darroch, Rachael 37 – Duncan’s sister
- Livingston, Margaret 32
- Livingston, Mary 32 – married to Malcolm McNeil – 4 children
- McAldridge, Alexander 5 – son of Gilbert and Catherine (Darroch) McAldridge or McAlder
- McAldridge, Gilbert 38 – married to Catherine Darroch
- McAldridge, John 1 – son of Gilbert and Catherine (Darroch) McAldridge or McAlder
- McAldridge, John 7 – son of Gilbert and Catherine (Darroch) McAldridge or McAlder
- McAldridge, Peter 3 – son of Gilbert and Catherine (Darroch) McAldridge or McAlder
- McAlister, Effy 60 – married to Angus Darroch – Old Protestant Burying Ground, University Ave.
- McDonald, Christian 36
- McDougald, Peter 33
- McDuff, Catherine 9 – daughter of Donald and Sarah McPhee
- McDuff, Donald 2.5 – son of Donald and Sarah McPhee
- McDuff, Dougald 17 – son of Donald and Sarah McPhee – later married Flora Shaw and had 11 children – lived in West River – son Donald had a shipbuilding business – McPhee’s Creek runs through property
- McDuff, Duncan 54 – aka Donald McPhee – married to Mary aka Sarah McNeil – 7 children, also passengers – settled in West River (Dunedin), PEI
- McDuff, Effy 5 – daughter of Donald and Sarah McPhee
- McDuff, Jane 14 – daughter of Donald and Sarah McPhee – married Archibald Darrach
- McDuff, Margaret 20 – daughter of Donald and Sarah McPhee
- McDuff, Mary 72 – Duncan (Donald) McPhee’s mother
- McDuff, Nancy 19 – daughter of Donald and Sarah McPhee – married to James Currie
- McDuffie, Flora 41
- McEacharn, Ann 19 – daughter of Malcolm and Flora (Buchanan) McEachern – married to Hector McNeill
- McEacharn, Archibald 30 – son of Malcolm and Flora (Buchanan) McEachern
- McEacharn, Catherine 27 – married to Dougald Bell – two children
- McEacharn, Donald 22 – son of Malcolm and Flora (Buchanan) McEachern
- McEacharn, Malcolm 58 – married to Flora Buchanan
- McEacharn, Malcolm 3
- McEacharn, Mary 28
- McEachern, Angus 12 – Cornwall United Church Cemetery?
- McEachern, Angus 32 – son of Malcolm and Flora (Buchanan) McEachern
- McEachern, James 1.5
- McEachern, Neil 7
- McLean, Alexander 2 – son of Dougald and Jane (Currie) McLean – Settled in Lot 16
- McLean, Allan 6.5 – son of Dougald and Jane (Currie) McLean – Settled in Lot 16
- McLean, Catherine 35
- McLean, Dougald 32 – married to Jane Currie
- McLean, Gilbert 3 mos. – son of Dougald and Jane (Currie) McLean
- McMillan, Alexander 14 – married Janet Bell
- McMillan, Betty 18 – daughter of Malcolm and Grace McMillan – married James Munn
- McMillan, Catherine 1 – daughter of Malcolm and Grace McMillan – married Malcolm Smith
- McMillan, Duncan 4 – son of Malcolm and Grace McMillan – married Mary Shaw
- McMillan, Flora 51
- McMillan, Flora 8 – daughter of Malcolm and Grace McMillan – married Magnus MacDonald – Wood Islands Pioneer Cemetery
- McMillan, Hector 13 – son of Malcolm and Grace McMillan – married Mary Bell
- McMillan, James 19 – son of Malcolm and Grace McMillan – married to Ann Munn – Wood Islands Pioneer Cemetery
- McMillan, Malcolm Hector 48 – aka Calum Eachan – married to Grisael (Grace) (McNeil) McMillan – 11 children
- McMillan, Malcolm 10 – married Christena Currie – Wood Islands Pioneer Cemetery
- McMillan, Margaret 26 – (1781-1853) – St. Catherine’s Pioneer Cemetery
- McMillan, Murdoch 55 – Malcolm’s brother – 1st person to be buried in Wood Islands Pioneer Cemetery – 1807
- McMillan, Sophia 3.5 – daughter of Malcolm and Grace McMillan – later married Donald Blue
- McMunn, Angus 31
- McNeil Malcolm 51 – married to Mary Livingston
- McNeil, Alex 26 – (1779-1863) – son of Dougald and Flora (McMillan) McNeil – married Margaret McPhee (McDuff)
- McNeil, Charles 15 – son of Dougald and Flora (McMillan) McNeil – St. Catherine’s Pioneer Cemetery
- McNeil, Donald 2 – son of Donald and Marion (Bell) McNeil – later married Mary McMillan – Wood Islands Pioneer Cemetery
- McNeil, Dougald, 60 – married to Flora McMillan
- McNeil, Grisael 40 – married to Malcolm McMillan – parents of Margaret McMillan Darrach
- McNeil, Hector 27 – (1779-1838) – married to Ann McEachern
- McNeil, Isabella 7 – daughter of Dougald and Flora (McMillan) McNeil
- McNeil, John 14 – son of Hector and Ann (McEachern) McNeil – Wood Islands Pioneer Cemetery
- McNeil, Malcolm 5 – son of Donald and Mary (Livingston) McNeil
- McNeil, Mary 40
- McNiel, Donald 34 – son of Malcolm and Mary (Livingston) McNeil – married to Marion Bell
- McNiel, Dougald 12
- McNiel, Jennet – daughter of Hector and Ann (McEachern) McNeil
- McNiel, Margaret 21 – daughter of Dougald and Flora (McMillan) McNeil – married to Angus Munn
- McPhaden, Christine 27
- Munn, Ann 17 – daughter of Duncan and Flora (Brown) Munn – later married to James McMillan
- Munn, Catherine 7 mos.
- Munn, Duncan 60 – married to Flora Brown – Wood Islands Pioneer Cemetery
- Munn, Effy 15 – daughter of Duncan and Flora (Brown) Munn
- Munn, James 20 – married to Betty McMillan – Wood Islands Pioneer Cemetery
- Munn, Malcolm 23
- Munn, Neil 28 – married to Catherine Currie – Wood Islands Pioneer Cemetery
- Patterson, Dolly 70
- Shaw, Donald 30 – married Angus Darroch’s daughter, Nancy
References and notes:
- They landed at Pinette on September 22, 1806 and stayed for the winter in quarters provided by Lord Selkirk. The following Spring, they moved to Wood Islands. They camped near the shore below where the pioneer cemetery was later located. Murdoch MacMillan was the first person to be buried there in 1807. – Genealogy of MacMillan Family
- History of Clan MacMillan
- More details at Colonsay Register
- McDuff’s and Mcduffee’s are McPhee’s
- Island Register – Duncan Darrach Family
- Could be Duncan Bell (Jr.) genealogy
- Malcolm Darrach’s son was a shipbuilder, built brig “Pakeha” and in December 1864, along with a crew and 32 passengers including his wife and family set sail for New Zealand. PEI Archives – Passenger List for Pakeha
- Darrach and sons of Prince Edward Island – story of Darrachs who later left Prince Edward Island and went to New Zealand, appeared in Mahurangi Magazine.
- Wood Island’s Pioneer Cemetery
- Voyage of the Spencer, by Hector John Munn
- The Americans, the Earl of Selkirk, and Colony’s 1806 Emigrants to Prince Edward Island, John W. Sheets
Editor’s Note: Check back regularly to this article, as I will update information on passengers when I receive it from descendants. We are already receiving high interest in this project.
If this little social experiment works well, we can try this again with other ship passenger lists that have connections to Clyde River.
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I’m descended from Bells who settled in the Tryon/Augustine Cove area. My descendants came over in the mid 1700’s …no idea if they are related to yours. Haven’t finished the Bell side yet.
I am a descendant of the McLeans/MacLeans . Alexander and Alan settled in Lot 16
My great great grandfather was Neil Munn and he born about 1798 in Colonsay, Argyleshire, Scotland, and died October 29, 1869 Mermaid, PEI. However he was not the Neil Munn listed here as he only emigrated from Colonsay, Argyllshire, Scotland about 1818. The Neil Munn listed here with other family members are what we refer to as the Wood Island Munns and are believed to be cousins of my great great grandfather.
He was also my great great grandfather; his son Charles, and then his son William was my grandfather. Over the years, I have found this all fascinating, especially now living in New Zealand there are a lot of Munn’s.
A wonderful project and clearly the result of a lot of work. This was the first properly arranged migration from Colonsay, following less happy ones to N. Carolina and Pictou.
My gggf was from Colonsay. I believe my ancestors had a link through marriage with the” Mc Aldridge” family -Mc Calder, McCaldrick. Great information.
I am a descendant of Dougald MacNeill who is listed on the passenger list. Thank you for all your hard work…this is amazing!
My husband is a descendant of Dougald McNeill and Flora McMillan. I am putting together his family tree. This list is a gold mine. Thanks for all the effort. I do have a question that I will email.
You are welcome, Charlene. You can email me at vivian@eastlink.ca.
Verified descendant of Family 52 & 53 – West River MacPhee bloodline of Dr. Earle Douglas MacPhee. Donald McPhee – Sarah McNeill (shown as Duncan McDuff and Mary McNeill on manifest) – Dougald (Dugald) McPhee born 1788 married Flora Mary Shaw from Mull born 1794 – married Aug 18, 1812 Covehead PEI (actually Island of St. John previous to it being named PEI). Can provide family tree via email. For those that may not be aware Dr. Earle Douglas MacPhee was the first Worldwide Clan Commander of the Clan MacPhee (the closest equivalent to being our actual hereditary Clan Chief). There are reasons for this – our Clan has an incredible history. I can be contacted via bennettsj@rocketmail.com – Ontario, Canada.
I am descended from Family 32 & 35 and contributed info towards the 1806 Darrach genealogy on Island Register, compiled by my cousin Angus Beck.
I live in Richmond, BC, was born and lived in PEI until age 23…return for annual visits.This is an interesting project!
We received an email from Stuart Mellen with this note on his connection to the Spencer 1806 passengers – Alexander McMillan and Janet Bell had:
Son: Hector McMillan b. 1820, m. Nancy McDonald (South River), resided in Pictou, NS
They had: Daughter Mary McMillan b.1841, m. David Fraser Turnbull (Pictou native) resided in Boston, MA
Their children: Frank Turnbull, David Fraser Turnbull, Henry Thomas Turnball and Nancy Gldys Turnbull.
Frank Turnbull m. Mary Sibell Cobb and had daughter, Dorothy Sibell Turnbull in Boston MA.
Dorothy Turnbull married Ralph Atwood Luce and had my mother Martha Sibell Luce in Lowell, MA.
My mother married John Thomas Mellen and had me Stuart Ralph Mellen in Burlington, MA.
32 Darroch, Angus
35 Darroch, Duncan
47 Effy McAlister
86 Margaret P MacMillan
95 Grisael McNeil
84 Malcolm Hector MacMillan
While doing this research, we have now planned a trip to return to Colonsay in the coming weeks.
My extended family went via Tyne Valley, PEI and we are now in southern Ontario.
Email sent to us by Susan Daly:
I am a descendant of James McMillan (passenger #83) and Ann Munn (passenger #106).
I visited Wood Islands Pioneer Cemetery in August 2015. James McMillan’s grave stone states he died in 1861 Aged 78 years. This would make him 23 years old, not 19 when the Spencer sailed. In Hector Munn’s book “Voyage of the Spencer”, he cleared up some of the confusion. Some of the passengers stated their age according to their date of baptism.
I will be visiting Colonsay this September while on a 5 week trip of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. My husband and I are looking forward to this trip of a lifetime as we have roots in all 4 countries.
OK, now 200 years later, this descendant is in the Bay Area of Texas which is 25 miles south of Houston and 25 miles north of Galveston. John Cook McMillan, my Great Grandfather, was a grandson of James and Ann. John left Prince Edward Island and was married in Ontario. I was born in Welland, Ontario in 1948, baptized at St John’s Anglican Church in Whitby, Ontario then moved to the States in 1961. We married in 1969 and made our permanent home in Friendswood, Texas in 1980. Sincerely, Susan Daly (maiden name: Blow)
My ggggGrandfather was 32. Angus Darrach
The direct line is;
32. Angus Darrach
38.Malcolm Darrach
John Darrach (1817-1897)
Malcolm Shaw Darrach (1848-1911)
Norman Angus Darrach (1882??-1961)
Ethel Marshall Rich (Darrach) (1932-2000)
Alan Rich (Me) (1958 – )
John & son Malcolm S emigrated to NZ on the “Pakeha” arriving Auckland 26th May 1864. Malcolm S seems to have moved from New Zealand to Australia by 1889. He left his wife behind in NZ. By 1903 he was living in Condobolin NSW where his son, Norman A, was also living. Both their occupations were listed as “Miner”, although I have no evidence that they were living in the same residence. Malcolm S died at Conobolin NSW and there is no record that he ever returned to his wife in NZ.
The mystery I have yet to solve is the apparent separation of Malcolm S and his wife Jessie for 16 years prior to her death in 1905 in NZ. Jessie’s burial records Jessie as “beloved wife of Malcolm S Darrach”. Maybe a relative living in NZ can shed some light on this for me?
I have just started the journey of the “hunt” for my family roots but already I have found it fascinating. I will be visiting Canada next year on holiday in September and now have decided to extend my time and visit PEI in search of some more information and visit this area of my family history.
I would very much like to hear from any descendants of 32.Angus Darrach who have information or documents relative to this line of the Darrachs, either in NZ or in PEI.
I can be contacted by email a.rich213@yahoo.com
I live in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
I recently traveled back to Colonsay to track down the roots of Angus Darrach. I would highly suggest this adventure. Pay attention to the spring arts festival for timing. The island has a population today of 124 ppl. I am more than eager to return!
Imagine therefore not being able to find accommodations and we eventually reached out to a resident to house us. We got a fireside chat about the history of the Darrach family, from this local historian. The Darrach’s were Druids, residing on the island as a means to displace themselves from the mainland and the scourge there to eliminate them.
I would LOVe to hear more about this!!
Hi!
My name is Debbie James and I am the youngest daughter of Annie Pearl Darrach. Her mother was Sophia father Angas. Our ancestor that came to Canada on the Spencer was Archibald Darrach.
I have 7 siblings spread across Canada and I am in south western Ontario! I’m a mom to one daughter, Katherine Ann Witty.
I have always been fascinated with Scottish history and culture and part of me was always so drawn to it! The sound of bagpipes and drums. Have always resonated in my very soul and I always said if I could choose my history it would be to be Scottish! I am SO excited to have found my roots!! I cried when I found out! Tears of joy!!
I’m excited to come to PEI next yet and visit cemeteries of all our descendants and just celebrate my AMAZING heritage.
Hi Debbie; Great to hear from you. I am a descendant of Archibald’s brother Duncan. Vivian
Hi Debbie
I traveled to PEI in October this year to have a look at where my GGF John Darrach (1817-1897) was born. My wife and I had a great time exploring the island, finding the original farm of GGGF Malcolm and researching the family history in the Public Archives in Charlottetown.
We met up with Vivian (who also just replied to your post, my 5th Cousin I believe – Hi Vivian!!). It was the best 7 days of our Canadian trip.
I recommend you go. You will have a great time I am sure.
Alan Rich
Brisbane, Australia
PS, I also recommend the PEI Lobster Rolls.
Thank you for putting this project together.
36. James Darroch (Darrach) is my 4th ggf.
His son Archibald Darrach 1823 – 1899 is my 3rd ggf.
His son Duncan Darrach 1853 – 1927 is my 2nd ggf.
His son Neil Darrach 1895 – 1982 is my ggf.
His daughter Velma Darrach (Moreash) is my grandmother.
Her daughter Judy Morrissey (Moreash) is my mother.
All of lot 65 Canoe Cove. 2 years ago, my mother retired back to the farm on lot 65 after more than 50 years living in London, Ontario, where my family currently resides. We’ve been back to the island two summers in a row and hope to retire there in the future.
Kerry (Morrissey) Blackwell
London, Ontario
In the tree, D.9.5.n., Curtis Milligan, was my grandfather through his daughter, Marjorie Isabelle Milligan, my mother.
I’m a direct descendant of Angus and Duncan Darrach. Born on Prince Edward Island, raised in New Jersey, relocated back to Prince Edward Island.
The ancestral pull of the land is strong. 😊
Hitting a brick wall, believe my ancestors were on the Ship Spencer (Malcolm McNeil and Mary Livingston) Wondering if any McNeil’s have done any DNA test…looking into this soon. thanks
I have. I’m PU7259646 in GEDmatch.