Mr.McLeod never lost his love for the old flag for which his grandfather fought, and although so many years of his life were spent in the United States, where he always took a great interest in all public questions, he never became a naturalized citizen of the Republic.He lived to be eighty-five years of age.Robert Trueman McLeod, of Dunvegan, Point de Bute, is a son of Wesley McLeod.
Alexander first married Sarah Trueman, of Point de Bute, by whom he had five children.His second wife was Georgina Hultz, of Baltimore, U.S.
Robert, the youngest son of the first family, was in the Confederate Army in 1860, and lost an arm at Fort Sumter.He afterwards graduated with honors from Harvard and died in Europe while travelling for the benefit of his health.
Alexander McLeod was a Methodist preacher, and a Doctor of Divinity when that title was not so common as it is now.He was one of the editors of the PROVINCIAL WESLEYAN.Like his brother Wesley, the last years of his life were spent in the United States, where both he and his wife were engaged in literary work.
The following extract is taken from a letter written by a member of the McLeod family in reply to one asking for information:
"Your letter was received a couple of days ago and I would gladly send you all the information we have, but the most of it is so vague that it is quite unsatisfactory for your purpose.Of course we all know very positively that the McLeods sprang from the best and most honorable clan of old Scotland.We have improved some in manners, for we no longer drive our foes into caves, and smoke them to death.(We only wish we could.) We no longer brag that we were not beholden to Noah, but had boats of our own--that would relate us too nearly to Lillith--but still we are proud of our ancestors."AVARD.
Joseph Avard was born in the town of St.Austle, Cornwall, England, in 1761.At twelve years of age he was apprenticed to a clockmaker, with whom he remained eight years.He married Frances Ivey, in 1782.
Mr.Avard was appointed a class-leader, and for seven years never failed to be present at the regular meeting of its members.He was intimately acquainted with Mr.Wesley, and attended his funeral, at which there was said to be thirty thousand people present.He also heard Charles Wesley preach his last sermon.
In 1789 Mr.Avard was one of nine charter members of the Strangers'
Friend Society, organized by Dr.Adam Clark.The object of the Society was the relief of distressed families in the town of Bristol where Mr.Avard lived.He was made a local preacher in 1790.For a short time he lived in London, and a daughter was buried in the City Road burying-ground.In 1806 Mr.Avard emigrated to Prince Edward Island, landing at Charlottetown on May 15th, where he remained until 1813.In the fall of that year he left Charlottetown, with the intention of going to Windsor, N.S., but on reaching Bay Verte he decided to stay the winter in New Brunswick.A part of the time was spent in Fort Lawrence, and in the spring he removed to Sackville, where he made his home until near the close of life.He died at his son's home, in Jolicure, in his eighty-seventh year.
Of the three children that came with Joseph Avard to America, Elizabeth married John Boyer, of Charlottetown; Adam Clark entered the ministry, and died in Fredericton, in 1821; Joseph was educated in Bristol, England, and soon after his arrival in America found his way to Chignecto and taught school several years in Point de Bute.In 1813 he married Margaret Wells, daughter of William Wells, of Point de Bute.
They had a family of seven sons and four daughters, four of whom are still living-John, William and Charles, of Shemogue, N.B., and Mrs.McQueen, of Point de Bute.William married Eliza Trueman.
Joseph Avard, jun., was man of strong character, and when he set his will to do a piece of work he was generally successful.He settled first in Jolicure, where he conducted a farming and mercantile business.He subsequently bought a large tract of land in Shemogue, N.B., and for many years he was farmer, ship-builder and merchant in that locality, where he spent the last thirty years of his life.
In 1838, while on a business trip to River Philip, Mr.Avard was greatly shocked, as were the public in general, with the report that an entire family had been murdered in the vicinity, and that the man, Maurice Doyle, who was suspected of the crime, had escaped and was on his way to the United States, his aim being to get to St.John and take shipping there.As Doyle was known to be a desperate character, no one seemed willing "to run him down." As soon as Mr.Avard knew the state of affairs he at once volunteered to undertake the work.In the meantime Doyle had got a good start.At Amherst Head he hired a farmer, George Glendenning, to take him to the Four Corners, Sackville.
Mrs.Glendenning was suspicious of the man, and advised her husband to have nothing to do with him, but Mr.Glendenning laughed at her fears.
The dog, however, seemed to share his mistress's suspicions, and what was very unusual, determined to see his master through with the business.In spite of every effort the dog could not be turned back from following the chaise.Afterward, when Mr.Glendenning learned the character of the man, he believed the dog had saved his life, for in crossing the Sackville marsh, several miles from any house, Doyle asked him if the dog would protect him if he were attacked.
Mr.Avard always drove a good horse, and by changing horses and driving night and day he overtook and captured the fugitive at Sussex.At one place in the chase he prevented the man from getting on board the stage, but could not arrest him.When he finally apprehended the fugitive, he brought him back in his chaise and delivered him to the authorities in Amherst, where he subsequently paid the penalty of his crime on the scaffold.The documents following, as will be seen, refer to this piece of early history:
"PROVINCIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, "HALIFAX, 10TH JULY, 1838.
