The MacKerchers of Côte du Midi

In 1674 due west of Montreal on the north bank of the Ottawa River the Seignuery of Deux-Montagnes was established. It was followed shortly after by the establishment of the adjacent Seignuery of Argenteuil in 1682. Natives, early French settlers and fur traders would be the predominant population until settlement was opened up to an influx of United Empire Loyalists following the American Revolution. In 1800 Scottish arrivals settled at the confluence of the Rivière du Nord and Rivière Rouge above the Bay of Carillion on the Ottawa River. By 1819 a post office with the English name of St Andrews East was established here. The hill between the primarily Scottish farms along the Rivière Rouge and the the Bay of Carillion became known as Côte du Midi.

It was here that a 51 year old Donald McKercher arrived with his wife and young family in 1802. Originating from Glenlyon in Fortingall, Perthshire, he would marry while working in Strath Tummel area of Blair Atholl. His young family would relocate to Craiguie, Balquhidder before they would voyage to Montreal. On arrival he would promptly settle on Lot 21 & 22 of Cote du Midi, which he purchased on the 20th of November 1802. His family would style their last name McKercher or McKeracher.

Donald and his wife Catherine would have 13 children, with 5 boys and 4 girls surviving infancy. Donald would live to the age of 87, passing away in 1836 with his wife passing earlier in 1813.

DONALD MCKERCHER

Born 1749 in Fortingall, Perthshire. Died 17th of December 1836 at Cote du Midi, Argenteuil, Québec.

wife CATHERINE MCGREGOR

Born 1767 in Fortingall, Perthshire. Died 19th of February 1813 at Cote du Midi, Argenteuil, Québec.

Origins: Donald was possibly the son of Donald McKercher and his wife Mary McKercher of Balnahanaid, Fortingall. He would have been the uncle of Donald McKercher who settled at Dalesville. This would explain both families being present at Craiguie, Balquhidder prior to immigration. Catherine McGregor was possibly the daughter of Malcolm McGregor and Christian Fletcher of Rannoch, having married secondly a Euphemia Campbell. This could explain the children naming pattern. More research is required.

son MALCOLM MCKERCHER

Born 16th of February 1783 at Portnellain House, Blair Atholl, Perthshire. Died unknown.

dau EUPHEMIA MCKERCHER

Born 15th of January 1785 at Portnellain House, Blair Atholl, Perthshire. Died unknown.

dau MARY MCKERCHER

Born 1788 at Craigruie, Balquhidder, Perthshire. Died 19th of March 1806 at Cote du Midi, Argenteuil, Québec.

dau CHRISTINA MCKERCHER husband CHRISTOPHER DANIEL WILSON

Born 27th of April 1788 at Craigruie, Balquhidder, Perthshire. Died 22nd of April 1876 at Ridgetown, Kent, Ontario.

Christina married Christopher Wilson on 10th of October 1809 at Montréal. He was an immigrant from Yorkshire, England. He was born 28th of April 1785 in Yorkshire and died at Ridgetown, Kent, Ontario in 1859. They had 9 children.

son MCKERCHER

Born 10th of August 1791 at Craigruie, Balquhidder, Perthshire. Died in infancy.

son JOHN MCKERCHER

Born 13th of August 1793 at Craigruie, Balquhidder, Perthshire. Died 18th of February 1883 at Saint-Hermas, Deux-Montagnes, Québec.

John purchased Lot 23 & 24 in Cote du Midi on the 14th of October 1818. He sold his land on 21st of December 1835, moving to Saint-Hermas.

1st wife ANGELIQUE ALBERT

John had a common law relationship with Angelique Albert of Saint-Benoit, Deux-Montagnes. They would have 2 children together.

• John McKercher b. 1828 d. 1899 at Ottawa, Carleton
• Angelique Jean McKercher b. 1831

2nd wife MARGARET CAMPBELL

John married Margaret Campbell on the 6th of November 1832 at Saint-André-Est. She was born about 1800 and died the 26th of June 1836. They would have 2 children together.

• Catherine McKercher b. 1833 d. 1908 at Roxborough, Stormont
• Alexander McKercher b. 1834 (birth recorded father's name as Duncan)

3rd wife MARION MONTGOMERY

John married Marion Montgomery on the 22nd of July 1839 at Saint-André-Est. She was born about 21st of December 1814 in Ayrshire and died the 4th of April 1885. The family resided on a farm at Saint-Hermas, Deux-Montagnes. They would have 10 children. While living at Saint-Hermas, the children were baptized at St-Philippe-D'argenteuil in adjacent Chatham.

• Barbara McKercher b. 1837 d. 1879 at Montréal, Québec
• Daniel McKercher b. 1838 d. 1922 at Charlottenburgh, Glengarry
• James McKercher b. 1841 d. 1933 at Bruce Crossing, Ontonagon, Michigan
• Duncan Nicholas McKercher b. 1842 d. 1925 at Saint-André-Est, Argenteuil
• Elizabeth McKercher b. 1844 d. 1868 at Saint-André-Est, Argenteuil
• Robert McKercher b. 1846 d. 1925 at Reno, Washoe, Nevada
• Janet McKercher b. 1847 d.
• Peter McKercher b. 1849 d. 1936 at Salmon Arm, British Columbia
• Christie McKercher b. 1851 d. 1934 at at Saint-André-Est, Argenteuil
• Archibald McKercher b. 1859 d. 1903 at at Saint-André-Est, Argenteuil

son DUNCAN MCKERCHER

Born 28th of December 1795 at Craigruie, Balquhidder, Perthshire. Died in infancy.

son DONALD MCKERCHER wife CATHERINE CAMERON

Born about 1800 at Craigruie, Balquhidder, Perthshire. Died the 29th of April 1871 at St Placide, Deux-Montagnes, Quebec.

He married Catherine Cameron on the 21st of March 1821 at Cote du Midi. She was born 1804 in Scotland and died 1887 at St Placide. He was a farmer. Referred to as Donald McKercher of The Bay. The couple resided at St Placide, Deux-Montagnes. They had 1 child.

• John McKercher b. 1822 d. before 1871 at St Placide, Deux-Montagnes, Quebec.

  John would marry Nancy Cameron of Cote du Midi the 22nd of February of 1847. She was the daughter of a John Cameron and Margaret Cameron and was born 1828 and died at Saint-André-Est in 1912. They would have 7 children.

  • John McKercher b. 1848 d. at St Placide, Deux-Montagnes
  • Catherine McKercher b. 1851 d. at Nepean, Carleton
  • Margaret McKercher b. 1853 d. 1943 at Hamilton, Wentworth
  • Mary McKercher b. 1854 d. 1925 at Ottawa, Carleton
  • Donald McKercher b. 1847 d. 1874 at Saint-André-Est, Argenteuil
  • Nicholas McKercher b. 1859 d. at St Placide, Deux-Montagnes
  • Ann Ethel McKercher b. 1863 d. 1954 at Ottawa, Carleton

dau CATHERINE MCKERCHER

Born 13th of August 1804 at Cote du Midi, Argenteuil, Quebec. Died 15th of February 1898 at Saint-André-Est, Argenteuil, Quebec.

Margaret resided with her brother Duncan and sister Margaret at Saint-André-Est.

son DUNCAN MCKERCHER

Born 8th of March 1807 at Cote du Midi, Argenteuil, Quebec. Died 17th of February 1866 at Saint-André-Est, Argenteuil, Quebec.

Duncan resided with his sisters Catherine and Margaret at Saint-André-Est.

son NICHOLAS BROWN MCKERCHER

Born 1810 at Cote du Midi, Argenteuil, Quebec. Died 4th of January 1842 at River Rouge, Argenteuil, Québec.

Moved from Cote du Midi to adjacent River Rouge where he purchased Lot 27 on the North Side of River Rouge on 1st of April 1830.

1st wife MARGARET CLARK

Nicholas married Margaret Clark the 4th of December 1832 at Saint-André-Est. They would have 1 child together.

• Daniel McKercher b. 1833 d. Missouri

2nd wife CATHERINE JANE MCOUAT

Nicholas married Catherine McOuat on the 23rd of September 1840 at River Rouge. She was born 1813 and died the 1st of February 1899. They would have 4 children, with only 2 surviving infancy.

• Margaret McKercher b. 1840
• John McKercher b. 1841 d. Infancy
• James McKercher b. 1841 d. Infancy
• Nicholas McKercher b. 1842 d. 1929 at Saint-André-Est, Argenteuil

From 1866 to 1871, Canada experinced military incursions by American Irish Patriots intent on capturing Canada in order to exchange it for the independence of Ireland. They were known as the Fenians. Young Nicholas born 10th November 1842 at River Rouge was residing with his widowed mother on their 270 acre homestead at this time. He styled his name McKeracher. Nicholas readily enlisted in the St Andrews Troop of Cavalry at the outset. He would serve under Captain John Burwash, mustering in April, 1866.

The Fenians began their incursion in Canada West with some successes but ultimately failed. Deciding to concentrate their efforts on Canada East, 1000 troops marched into Canada crossing into Quebec, seizing Pigeon Hill, Missisquoi county on June 7th, 1866. The Canadian Militia, including Nicholas McKeracher and the St Andrews Troop of Cavalry quickly confronted the Fenians, forcing their prompt surrender. Nicholas would be discharged a month afterward when the volunteer unit disbanded.

On May 25th 1870, the Fenians would again cross the border near the same location. The Canadian Militia prepared prior to the incursion, and awaited at the summit of Eccles Hill. The Canadian Militia was out numbered, but together with armed citizens they charged the Fenians under a hail of fire and drove them into retreat without suffering a fatality.

As result of his actions, Nicholas McKeracher would join the small number of McKerchers who have been medal recipients, recieving the 1870 General Service Medal in recognition for his service in the Fenian Raids. He would continue military service, serving in the 11th Regiment, Argenteuil Rangers and later the 6th Regiment of Cavalry - both units later redesignated as The Royal Canadian Hussars. He would marry twice, but died without issue on the 12th of May 1929 at Saint-André-Est.

son PETER MCKERCHER wife MARGARET DICKSON

Born 1st of May 1810 at Cote du Midi, Argenteuil, Quebec. Died 7th of December 1867 at Alfred, Prescott, Ontario.

Peter married Margaret Dickson the 2nd of July 1834 at Carillion. The family would move across the Ottawa to Alfred, Prescott, where they established farms. They would have 10 children.

• Donald McKercher b. 1836 d. at Alfred, Prescott
• Peter Dickson McKercher b. 1839 d. 1905 at L'Orignal, Prescott
• Archibald McKercher b. 1840 d. at Plantagenet, Prescott
• John McKercher b. 1843 d. 1930 at Plantagenet, Prescott
• Robert McKercher b. 1845 d. 1921 at Coleman, Timiskaming
• Nicholas McKercher b. 1847 d. 1890 at Hay, Cavalier, North Dakota
• James William McKercher b. 1850 d. 1852 at Alfred, Prescott
• Janet McKercher b. 1852 d. 1936 at Los Angeles, California
• Catherine McKercher b. 1855 d. 1869 at Alfred, Prescott
• Duncan McKercher b. 1857 d. at Alfred, Prescott

dau MARGARET MCKERCHER

Born 1813 at Cote du Midi, Argenteuil, Quebec. Died unknown.

Margaret resided with her brother Duncan and sister Catherine at Saint-André-Est.