Global Heritage Press

BOOK on CD EDITION

Sketches Illustrating The Early Settlement and History of Glengarry in Canada
By J. A. MacDonell

J. A. MacDonell recognized that much had been written on the subject of United Empire Loyalist settlement in Ontario, the War of 1812-14, and the Rebellion of 1837-8, but expressed concern that there was little mention made of the part that the Highlanders of Glengarry played in those conflicts. He corrects that oversight within the 29 chapters that comprise this formitable text.

The complete original title of this book echoes his goal: Sketches Illustrating The Early Settlement and History of Glengarry in Canada, Relating Principally To The Revolutionary War of 1775-83, The War of 1812-14 and the Rebellion of 1837-8, and the Services of the King's Royal Regiment of New York, the 84th or Royal Highland Emigrant Regiment, The Royal Canadian Volunteer Regiment of Foot, The Glengarry Fencible or British Highland Regiment, The Glengarry Light Infantry Regiment, and the Glengarry Militia. 

Though this book contains much important settlement and subsequent history of the eastern-most regions of Ontario, that are comprised by Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Counties, it is not a comprehensive local history of Glengarry. Its focus is on the Glengarry Highlanders themselves -- from their emigration from Scotland to the Province of New York, to the American Revolution, and the subsequent migration of those who remained loyal to the crown, to what later became Eastern Ontario. MacDonell examines the turbulent times in which these migrations happened and then deals with the military conflicts that arose in the Highlanders new homeland. He doesn't restrict himself to "Glengarry", but discusses events and battles in both Upper and Lower Canada, in which the Highlanders played a role.

Featured are several regimental lists, along with notes, throughout the text. This title was first published in 1893, by William Foster, by Brown & Co., Montreal.

To more fully convey the scope of MacDonell's work, we constructed a detailed "Table of Contents" that appears below this description.

This book is an fine source of information for those interested in early settlement of the Highlanders in Glengarry and surrounding counties, and the role that they played in the American Revolution, United Empire Loyalist migration and settlement, War of 1812, and the Rebellion of 1837-38.