Grant, Angus | Student Researcher: Maddy Earl
In memory of /
ANGUS GRANT /
DIED /
March 21. 1866. /
Aged 51 yrs. /
R.I.P. /
1841 Plot Plan #25:
Angus Grant was just a youth of 15 years when his father Rory had his will probated in 1829.[1] He was bequeathed one third of his father’s land and stock located in Lower South River. By 1832, we see Angus purchasing additional property at North Grant from Thomas Carter.[2] Based on his age, we can assume that Angus’s mother is Christy Chisholm.[3]
A marriage takes place between Angus and neighbour Catherine McIntosh. Several children are born over the coming years including Catherine, Mary, Jane, and Margaret baptized at St. Ninian. Additional children of this marriage include Catherine, Christy, Isabel, Ellen, Rod, and John.[4] Rod dies as a young man.[5]
Below are some of the extant records gleaned from St Ninian Parish.
1837 Marriage to Catherine McIntosh:
Birth of Daughter Catherine:
Baptism of Daughter Catherine – 1855:
Baptism of Daughter Mary:
Birth of Daughter Jane – 1840:
Birth of Daughter Margaret – 1846:
By 1861 the Grant household was located at North Grant and there were 10 individuals living there including seven females and three males.[11] No official record of death or cause of death has been located for Angus. His Last Will and Testament and probate are transcribed below with major beneficiaries wife Catherine and son in law Roderick Chisholm (bann)
In the name of God Amen. I Angus Grant of the North Grant in the County of Antigonish and Province of Nova Scotia being weak in body but sound in mind and memory. Doth make this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following: vix I direct that all my just debts, and demands against me be paid in the first place. And after all that will be done, I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Catherine all my Real Estate and chattels and moveable effects of every kind, save and except, that part of my Land which is on the West side of the public Highway leading to Malignant Cove, this I give devise and bequeath to my son in law Roderick Chisholm (bann). The portion I have bequeathed to my wife, I direct that she shall have all power to Deed or bequeath it, or dispose of it in any manner the law will permit. I do by these presents nominate, constitute and appoint Roderick Chisholm (bann) to be my Executor of this my last Will and Testament with full power to sell, rent convey and manage my Estate both Real and Personal until my debts are paid- Revoking hereby, and making void all former Wills by me made.
In witness whereof I have hereon set my hand and seal this nineteenth day of March in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty six.
Signed sealed published
And declared by the Testator
As his last Will, in presence his
Of us who in his presence and
In the presence of each other Angus Grant LS
Hath subscribed our names
John McDonald D S mark
Angus McAdams
Colin Chisholm.
Court of Probate for
The County of Antigonish
Be it remembered that on the seventh day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty six the last Will and Testament of Angus Grant late of the North Grant in the County of Antigonish Farmer deceased was proved approved ands registered on the oath of John McDonald, D. S. Esquire, one of the subscribing Witnesses thereto and Probate thereof granted to Roderick Chisholm (bann) of Brileys Brook the Executor therein named, the said Executor, having first taken the oath of office, as required by Law, Letters of administration were thereupon duly
Issued accordingly. R J Forrestall. Regr. of Probate.
Executor for the estate of Angus falls to son-in-law Roderick Chisholm who is married to oldest daughter of Angus and wife Catherine. Roderick is a contemporary of Angus.
Life goes on resulting in changes to the Grant household as seen when comparing the 1871, 1881, and 1891 census records.
From the 1871 Nova Scotia Census, Antigonish County Division, Household #216:
- Grant, Catherine | Age 55 | Occ: Farmer | Widowed
- Grant, Christy | Age 27 [Marriage to Wm Chisholm May 3, 1874] [12]
- Grant, Ellen | Age 23 [Marriage to Alex McDonald February 4, 1873] [13]
- Grant, Isabel | Age 18
- Grant, Catherine | Age 16
- Grant, John | Age 20
- Grant, Mary | Age 13
From the 1881 Nova Scotia Census, Antigonish County, Household #349:
- Grant, Catherine | Age 66 | Widowed
- Grant, John | Age 30 | Occ: Farmer [Married to Jane Chisholm] [14]
- Grant, Isabella | Age 28 | Occ: Servant [Marriage to Alex Campbell] [15]
- Grant, Catherine | Age 26 | Occ: Housekeeper [Marriage Kate to Ronald McDonald] [16]
- Grant, Mary | Age 23 [Marriage to Donald McDonald] [17]
- Chisholm Revd. Alex | Age 38 | Occ: Prof of Classics
From the 1891 Nova Scotia Census, Antigonish County – District Salt Springs, Household #9:
- Grant, John | Age 40 | Occ: Farmer
- Grant, Jeanet A | Age 26
- Grant, Katherine B | Age 04
- Grant, Kenneth | Age 02
- Grant, James | 48 | Occ: Farm Labourer
To trace a person’s life; shining a light on the details, helps to bring a person back to life and give meaning to their path.
[1] NS Probate Records 1760 – 1993; Wills 1821-1882.
[2] NS Property on Line – Book 8; Page 272.
[3] A History of the County of Antigonish by D.J. Rankin – Page 153.
[4] A History of the County of Antigonish by D.J. Rankin – pages 153-154.
[5] St. Ninian Pioneer Cemetery Project
[6] St. Ninian Parish Records – Marriage- 1837
[7] St. Ninian Parish Records – Baptism – 1855
[8] St. Ninian Parish Records – Baptism – 1858
[9] St. Ninian Parish Records – Baptism – 1840
[10] St. Ninian Parish Records – Baptism – 1846
[11] Canada Census 1861; Sydney County; Polling District #4; Abstract #9.
[12] NS Historical Vital Statistics – Year: 1874; Book: 1803; Page: 49; Number: 54.
[13] NS Historical Vital Statistics – Year: 1873; Book: 1803; Page: 40; Number: 22.
[14] A History of the County of Antigonish by D J Rankin; Page 154.
[15] Ibid
[16] Ibid
[17] Ibid