The Reid Family

The Reid’s came from Scotland to Ireland about 1818 and stayed there until 1844. The origins of the Reid surname are uncertain. In some instances, it was no doubt derived from the Old English word "read," meaning "red," and was a nickname that came to be a surname. Either way, we may conclude that it meant "red-haired" or "ruddy complexioned." To confuse matters more, there are also instances where the surname Reid is thought to be derived from one of various place names, such as Read in Lancashire

First found in Aberdeenshire where the name has been found since the 14th century. Ancient charters show the name as Rufus (Latinized,) records include an Ada Rufus who witnessed resignation of the lands of Ingilbristoun in 1204; and a William Rufus, who was a juror on an inquest on the lands of Padevinan in 1259. For the purposes of Clan identification, the family name Reid is officially a sept of the Clan Robertson and as such is entitled to the Clan Badge and Crest of the Robertsons. The Reids were a branch of the noble Robertson Clan, who took their name from their chief, Robert, in celebration of the capture of the murderers of King James I in 1437. They then controlled territories in Kyle, where William Rede, son of John Reede, was promised the lands and effects of the territory of Bairskemyn in 1375. Later, another William Rede purchased the lands of Wester Pitfoddels from his cousin Alexander de Moravia and established his family there in 1389. However, it should be noted that in certain cases, this name may have been derived from the Gaelic term “ruadh” which also means “red”. Therefore, some bearers of this name in Scotland may trace their ancestry to one Alaister Ruadh of Strathardie, who lived in the fifteenth century. General John Reid, composer of the air “The Garb of Old Gaul” and founder of the Chair of Music at Edinburgh University, was one of those and he was the first member of his family to add an “i” to his surname, Red, in the late seventeenth century.

Reid Ancestors

I'll include a list of those ancestors on my father's side of the family for whom I have built profiles here, until the list gets too large and unmanagabe.

  • Kurtis McClellan - b1975
  • Joseph Reid - b1778

Joseph Reid

 

Joseph Reid or “Little Grandfather Reid”,buried at No. 6 Mono College’ fought in Belguim during the battle of Waterloo.In recompense for military service he was given a grant of land or freehold—adjoining the Lord Jarvis estate.Little Grandfather Reid ‘took to’ making illicit whiskey and his son Joseph II paid foue shillings for a farm in Ireland beside the Jarvis estate.Joseph II was not popular with Lord Jarvis, and when the farm came up for sale, Lord Jarvis bid it high and bought it to get rid of Joseph.Then Joseph paid 50 pounds for reservations to sail to America.He went to the dock to see the sailing vessel and jabbed his penknife into her side in a attitude of dislike.The captain seeing this refused him passage.He later managed to sail in a boat on her maiden voyage(She sank on her second trip). It was a stormy voyage and they had to batten down the hatches.They were 16 weeks on the ocean(1844). Their baby girl Margaret, died of whooping cough and was buried at sea.Burning with fever she could not understand why they had no water for her parched lips.

They landed at Quebec and stayed ther for a short time.Their youngest child was born there.They then arrived in Toronto and I feel sure they would walk to Brampton area where David Buchanan and wife Nancy Reid were living.They had come out a few years before.The two fathers, John Buchanan and Joseph Reid Sr. had come out with David and Nancy.

Mary (Molly) Buchanan, wife of Joseph Jr. is supposed to have walked to Orangeville, carrying a baby and a bake kettle.

Joseph Reid bought lot 10, on the west side of the Prince of Wales road or Highway 10 from a man who had bought it from the government.

Mary (Molly) Buchanan,the attractive governess, taught the children belonging to the tenants on the Jarvis Estate.Lady Jarvis discovered Joseph Reid Jr. kissing ‘Molly’ on the bridge and insisted that they marry at once.

Mary Buchanan Reid had two brothers, John and David, who were well educated.David wrote poetry.

David Buchanan’s mother interfered in the marriage of her son and his first wife.Nancy Reid, Joseph’s sister thronged her for doing this.The first wife died, then David married Nancy.A brother and sister married a brother and sister.

Joseph Reid Jr. had 2 brothers who were supposed to go to new York. A son Wardlaw, of one of the brothers, was a newspaperman and once visited Mono in the 1870’s or early 80’s.

Meanwhile...

In Ireland, David Buchanan married his second wife, Nancy Reid.

They came to Canada in 1840.(from census records 1861) The 1851 census for Mono twp. Simcoe Co: were destroyed. Minerva Reid’s records say it was in 1831.

David Buchanan settled in Chinguacousey twp. Peel Co. likely in Brampton area.He was a school master as stated on the land deed when he bought land in Mono twp, west half of lot 5, con. 3 of E. Mono in December 1845 for 65 pounds and ten shillings. The property had been bought from the crown by Polly Mitchell in May 1845.

David’s father, John Buchanan, and Nancy’s father, Joseph Reid Jr , had come out with them.

David Buchanan is buried in Mitchell’s church yard in Mono twp. There is a large stone. David died 22/02/1881 age 88. Wife, Ann died 06/07/1882 age 82- both born in Tyrone, Ireland. Only daughter, Isabella Campbell, died 15/06/1887 age 19 years,6 months old.

In reading the census, 1861, 1871, 1881, I find that Isabella always remained with her parents. Her husband isn’t listed there but her two daughters are, Hannah and Martha Ann. On one land transaction it mentions her husband James Campbell, as a delivery stable keeper in Orangeville. He may be in the Orangeville census. In another transaction it mentions, my daughter Martha , wife of Robert Corbet.

From an 1887 Orangeville paper, Isabella is living at 60 Northcote Ave., Toronto.From another land transaction I find she lived in Arthur twp. And died in Chicago.In her will, filed in Orangeville, her only surviving heir was Martha Myers, wife of Arthur Myers of the village of Evast (? The writing isn’t clear), in county of Osceola, State of Michigan. Osceola is about the center of Michigan.It is along way from Chicago.

The Buchanan farm had been sold to John Reid gen 3, son of Samuel Reid gen 2, in 1890 and the deed finally registered in 1905 and signed by Martha Myers.

In the 1861 census old John Buchanan had moved in with his daughter Mary and her husband, Joseph Reid jr. He is 89 years of age. Their daughter, Sarah is the only child at home and she is 16.

John Buchanan is buried in Mono College cemetery beside his friend, Joseph Reid Sr in unmarked graves.