History of the McGillivrays at Spring Creek Submitted by Anne MacGillivray, UEL Source: “Our Kindred Spirits” by George Duncan Military Cross (MC), UEL, with notes by Myrtle (McGillivray) Stanger, UEL. The history was awarded the 1996 Family Genealogy Prize by the Ottawa branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society

A memorial commemorating the “The Founding Fathers of the Congregation, 1794-1894” is mounted beside the sanctuary at the front of St. Columba Church in Kirk Hill, Ontario. The second name that appears on the plaque is that of Archibald McGillivray. From 1793 to 1794, Loyalist Archibald 'King' McGillivray (circa 1756-1836), member of the 71st Regiment of Foot (Fraser's Highlanders), and his comrade-in-arms, 'Big' Alexander McLeod, helped shepherd 40 Highland families from Scotland to Glengarry, known to history as the MacLeod migration. As young men, the two had emigrated from Scotland to the New York colony before the American Revolutionary War, likely settling in the upper Hudson River Valley. After the colonial rebellion burst out in 1776, the two enlisted in the 71st. It was because of their military experience in America and their fluency in both English and Gaelic that, in 1791, they were chosen as scouts to explore prospects in Glengarry for the Scottish migrants. Archie 'King's' first wife, Catherine McLean (circa 1768-1790), had died before leaving Scotland, bearing him two children, Ann in 1785 and Donald in 1788. In 1794, after violent storms forced the expedition back twice, and after three months at sea crammed below the decks of the 145-ton brig Argyle in rough, unheated spaces, 12 McLeod, five McGillivray, and 19 other families, including McCuaigs, Mclntoshes, Campbells, and Frasers arrived in Lochiel Township, taking up 200-acre lots near Kirk Hill. Remarkable for the times, Archie 'King' and 'Big' Alex had crossed the Atlantic to the New World five times in 20 years—as settlers, soldiers, scouts, and finally, as co-leaders of the MacLeod migration. Archie and 'Big' Alex McLeod acted as interpreters on the voyage, giving rise to the nickname Archie `King' McGillivray, to distinguish him as a spokesman, foremen or boss. Archie 'King' and `Big' Alexander were, on arrival, among the first to receive their 200-acre Lochiel lots. `Big' Alexander's was lot 33, conc. 7 at present day Laggan, and Archie 'King's' was lot 17, conc.