Catharine McMillan
ID # 4315, (1792-1875)
| Birth | Catharine McMillan was born in 1792. |
| Marriage | She married Daniel McArthur, son of Christianna (--?--). |
| Death | She died on 1 May 1875 at York Twp., Livingston County, New York State. |
| Note | She Here may be told a story related by McArthur descendants for which absolutely no documentary evidence has been found, but which does have points of interest. Catharine McMillan was said to be the sister of Daniel McMillan of New York State. Daniel was a noted abolitionist who swore to let his beard grow until slavery was abolished. Catharine married Dan McArthur and came with him to the wilds of the old growth forest of Dumfries Township in Upper Canada in the early days of its settlement. Family stories tell that she was unhappy with the isolation and primitive conditions. It's just possible there was also a sort of linguistic isolation in the sense that many of the early settlers were said to be Gaelic speakers. She resolved to stay with her family in Dumfries Township, so the story goes, until her daughters were married, but it was her intention to then return to New York State. It's said that her brother Daniel McMillan came with horse and buggy to take her to his home. The story goes on to tell that Dan McArthur refused to accept that she was gone for good and that when census enumerators came over the years he had left remaining he always gave her name as a resident. If true, it would explain why her name does appear in Canadian census enumerations when she should not then be present, but at first glance this explanation appears to be a little thin. Add to that, she has not been identified in any U.S. census. It is therefore tempting to disregard this as a family myth. In the story's support, there is no record or gravestone surviving that shows her burial with Dan in Mountview Cemetery. Also, a descendant claimed to have a copy of her will which was said to be made in New York State. This researcher was never able to obtain a copy. This story was current with descendants of Alexander McArthur and his wife Jane Maria Buchanan. They claimed to have it not only from their own ancestors but also from Canadian cousins. It was most impressively relayed, however, by a gentleman, a McArthur, who lived into his 90s and has been gone some years. He was a clergyman and he told the story of his ancestral couple with great sadness. Beyond doubt, he believed the tale. Again, we have no documentary evidence. |
Children of Catharine McMillan and Daniel McArthur |
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| Last Edited | 5 Jul 2022 |