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Angus and Elizabeth's second child was a son whose christening record is found on page 74 of the Register of births and baptisms in the Parish of Clyne: Alexander son to Angus Murray Smith & Elizabeth McDonald Brora was born 14th August 1813 & baptized 18th August Undoubtedly Alexander went to school in Brora for at least a few years. Copies of documents bearing his signature show that he was able to write. Perhaps he helped his father in the blacksmith shop. The family moved to Pictou Co., Nova Scotia when Alexander was 18 years old. In Nova Scotia Alexander must have worked with his father on the land. At the death of his father he and his brother each acquired half of the land. By this time Alexander was thirty years old. Two years later, on the first day of June, 1846 his brother, John, gave him a mortgage on the other half of the land and left to seek his fortune eventually going to the California gold fields leaving Alexander with the whole one hundred and fifty acres. (copy of mortgage) The next twenty-four years could have been lonely for Alexander, although some of his sisters may have stayed on the farm with him. On the 3rd December 1868 when Alexander was fifty-five years of age he married Isabella MUNROE who was thirty-eight years old. (Alexander listed his age as 48 on the marriage registration) . Isabella was a native of Nova Scotia, the daughter of Kenneth and Nancy Munroe. Their first child was born about 1870 and probably died at birth. The tombstone inscription reads: an infant son of Alexander & Isabella MURRAY died 1870 In 1871 the second child was born. The 1871 census, taken on April 7 that year lists at Mount Thom (1-30-30): MURRAY, Alexander, ( Male, 53, md. Farmer b.
Scotland) Their religion was listed as Free. The 1881 census has the following listing: MURRAY, Alexander, (Male, 67, Farmer b.
Scotland
md.) Alex died on the 27th March 1886 when his youngest child, Kenneth, was only ten years old. On the 1891 census Isabella and her children are by themselves: MURRAY, Isabella (Female, 59, Widow b. N.S.) Elizabeth Ann was married at age 28 to George W. McKenzie. This couple did not have children. Kenneth A. Murray married Mary M. Ross on the 24th September 1902. Some of his descendants still live at Mount Thom. Isabella lived nearly fifty years after Alexander died. She died 16 Jan 1916 and was buried at Baillie Cemtery.
The Lethbridge Branch of the Alberta Genealogical Society has purchased a program for analysing handwriting which is used for fund-raising. Since little is known about Alexander, his signature from the marriage registration has been analysed using this program. Following is the report. Take it with a grain of salt. "Alexander is an intense person with a lot of vitality. He puts a small amount of energy into physical and material pleasures. His enjoyment of physical activity is about average. Alexander has little drive to accumulate money or material possessions. Holding onto his money is important to him, but he is not able to hold onto it as well as he'd like. He is neither overly thrifty nor overly generous. When faced with emotional situations, Alexander controls his emotions fairly well. He feels emotional experiences deeply, and the feelings last. Alexander's emotional attitude becomes increasingly optimistic, only to be tempered in the end by realism. He has changeable moods.. Alexander enjoys being inventive, but is able to bring his inventiveness under control. He jumps right into problem-solving. He is an abstract thinker with a philosophical mind. Alexander appears to be extremely self-confident. He values both his family roots and his achievements as an individual. Alexander knows what he wants. He is cautious and reflective. Alexander's behaviour is fairly changeable. He is versatile. He prefers to take the path of least resistance. He maintains strong ties with the past in order to meet his emotional and material needs. Alexander presents himself clearly to others. Though he would rather keep his thoughts or actions to himself , he is trying to strike a balance between concealing and revealing information. He can be direct or emphatic when communicating. His honest, open conversational style may inadvertently lead him to say more than he should. Alexander is capable of discernment and can be reasonably sympathetic. He can take an active part in social activities without requiring the spotlight. He wants others to respect and admire him. Alexander puts himself intensely into his work. He can work alone or as a member of a team. As Alexander progresses towards his goals, his expectations rise and fall, with a resultant unsteadiness in his of working. He is motivated by spiritual growth. All this from one signature!
The following marriage notice is copied from the 3rd October 1902 edition of "The Pictou Advocate" page 8. MARRIAGES MURRAY-ROSS - At the residence of the bride's brother, Salt Springs, Sept. 24th, by the Rev. T. Cumming, Mr. Kemeth A. Murray, of Salt Springs, to Miss Mary M. Ross, daughter of the late Hugh Ross, Esq. "The Pictou Advocate" 25th January, 1945 issue, page 5, contains the following obituary. KENNETH A. MURRAY SALT SPRINGS , Jan. 22 - The whole community was shocked and saddened upon learning of the death in Aberdeen Hospital on December 28 of Kenneth A. Murray, a life-long resident of this district. Stricken suddenly ten days previously, he was removed to hospital on Dec. 29, where all that medical skill and patient care could do, was done to alleviate his suffering. Assured that God was calling him to service beyond the Valley of the Shadow he calmly bade farewell to wife and family and as the year ebbed to its close, his spirit fled to its Maker to begin anew in a brighter, better world above. Kenny, as he was well and favorably known, was a man of honest, upright Christian character. He was in his sixty-ninth year, and having spent his entire life in his home community, he will be sorely missed. Many have known his kindly acts, and feeling the loss of a friend, will share with his wife and family in their sore bereavement. He was a member of St.Luke's Presbyterian Church and, in storm or sunshine he was seldom absent from service. He served, also as a member of the choir and session as well as in the capacity of treasurer in the business life of the church. Besides a loving and devoted wife, who was with him constantly during his illness, he is also survived by two sons, George and Preston, Saltsprings; and two daughters, Janet, Mrs. P. Russell MacKenzie, Pictou, and Isabel, student at Acadia university; also by one grandson Allan Murray. His eldest son, Ross, predeceased him. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, December 31. Following a short service at the home, the funeral service was held in St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, which was thronged with friends. Here, just two weeks previously, he had worshipped as usual. The service was conducted by his pastor, Rev. Hugh Creaser, who spoke of the loss suffered in the home, the church and the community. A united choir led in the singing of favorite hymns - "The Lord is My Shepherd", "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go" and "The Sands of Time are Sinking." Interment was in beautiful Stillman cemetery where all that was mortal of a loved one was laid to rest, while the world clothed in wintry whiteness typified to sorrowing friends the peace and purity of the Resurrection Morn. Pall bearers were Harry Brown, D. R. Fraser,
R. L. Benvie,
Robert MacWilliam, James Cameron and G. A. Proudfoot.
Isabella's parents were Kenneth Munro and Ann "Nancy" Munro. The marriage registration of Alexander and Isabella listed her parents as Kenneth Munroe & Nancy Munroe. Kenneth MUNRO is buried in the Caledonia Cemetery. His tombstone indicates he is a native of Keltarn, Rosshire and that his death was 20 May 1872 at age 82. His wife is listed as Ann who died 6 May 1876 at age 78. In the same row there are also stones for Murdoch MUNRO departed Apr 30, 1838 in the 80th year of his age", Catherine McLennon - "she emigrated here in 1803 (rest illegible), their son George MUNRO "elder who died Mar 27, 1872 age 84 years", and Barbara MUNRO who died 2nd May 1889 age 63 years. The Kiltern parish records have christenings for George MUNRO 4 Dec. 1788, Kenneth MUNRO 1 Aug 1790 and Christian MUNRO 9 Dec 1792 all sons of Murdoch MUNRO. There is also a marriage record for Murdoch MUNRO and Ket MacLENNAN on 14 Dec. 1787. The 1871 census of Mount Thom lists Kenneth Munro (Male, 80, married, farmer), Nancy (Female, 73, married), and Barbara (Female, 40). Kenneth was born in Scotland and Nancy & Barbara were born in Nova Scotia. It seems likely that this is the family of Isabella Munro. Return
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