John Hugh Livingston

[sandylivingston]

hi! i've just come across a couple of pictures of my grandfather John Hugh Livingston. in one photo he is with an older man who i believe may be the mysterious Duncan Livingston. at one point someone posted that Duncan died in Springhill N.S. These photos were taken in Springhill.
I also have a photo of Alexander MacDonald, father of Mary MacDonald, Duncans wife. Alexander is holding what appears to be infant twins. he's a nasty looking guy with large porkchop sideburns. if anyone is interested i'll have them scanned and post them or e-mail them. if Mary Anne sees this i have a bunch of photos of the Livingston women, John Hugh and Anne Scotts daughters. i know several are of your gg mother Ellen.

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Sandy,

So you have a definite connection to Springhill Nova Scotia and this Duncan Livingston who resided in Springhill Nova Scotia and said to be the son of John LIvingston Jr. I will see dig up what I have on file regarding John Livingston Jr. and old Kate's children to refresh my memory. Glad to hear you have saved the old family photos. So many people end up throwing them out regretably or dont bother to put any family info on the back of them so later generations are left in the dark as to who the relatives in the old photos were.

regards,

Donald

[sandylivingston]

Hi Sandy,

So you have a definite connection to Springhill Nova Scotia and this Duncan Livingston who resided in Springhill Nova Scotia and said to be the son of John LIvingston Jr. I will see dig up what I have on file regarding John Livingston Jr. and old Kate's children to refresh my memory. Glad to hear you have saved the old family photos. So many people end up throwing them out regretably or dont bother to put any family info on the back of them so later generations are left in the dark as to who the relatives in the old photos were.

regards,

Donald

i found an old post of yours, might save you some time John Junior and Old Kate's family
John Livingston Jr. and Catharine Livingston of Livingston Mountain, Mull River (S.E Mabou)
1.Duncan b. abt. 1841 m. Mary McDonald May 10, 1874 Vale Coliery, New Glasgow where Duncan was a miner
2. Mary born abt. 1844 ( abt.1849 in 1881 Census,June 1850 in 1901 Census) b. May 15, 1844? 1841-1921 Boston?
3. Catharine born abt. 1846 or 1847 married Henry Monck of Dorchester, Mass.
4. John born 1847 died 1904 Thorburn, Nova Scotia
5. Jane born 1849-1940 married widower James Adams of Hillsborough
5. Hugh born abt. 1851-1943 unmarried
6. Flora born abt. 1853-1922 married widower Dougal Adams
7. Ann born abt. 1855-1920 unmarried
Old kate's son Hugh born abt. 1851 was the only son that remained on the farm at Mull RIver with his mother.

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Sandy,

Thanks for that. I need to just go back to all of the old posts if I can find them. THere are just so many posts. Thanks again. So this old photo of Margaret McDonald's father states that he was Margaret's father. This information was written on the photo?

regards,

Donald

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Sandy,

Ok I see your ancestor John Hugh Livingston in District 36 Springhill Cumberland County, Nova Scotia 1911 Census
John Hugh Livingstone born June 1874 ? Should be July 1874 i guess but obviously the right person
Annie born Feb 1880
Mary born 11899
John b. Sept. 1901
Sadie b. Nov. 1902
Ella b. Nov. 1904
Alexander b.Jan 1907
Flora b. Jan. 1909
David b. March 1911

Also
John Hugh Livingston born July 29 1874 Vale Colliery, Pictou, Nova Scotia parents Duncan Livingston and Mary McDonald
Duncan Livingston and Mary McDonald married June 24, 1874 Vale Colliery Pictou Nova Scotia. Parents John and Catharine Livingston

Alexander (Sandy) born abt. 1907 would be your father then? Sounds like you have done all this research in the past and the info definitely shows an apparent ancestral line leading to the old Mull River family of JOhn Livingston Jr. and old Kate. As I mentioned a while back now, I was told by Dr. St. Clair that their son Hugh farmed with his mother widower old Kate who lived to be quite old and died I think in 1912. I have to check that again in my notes. Dr. St. Clair's mother attended the wake. John Jr. and old Kates son Hugh was the last Livingston to live in the old farmhouse I think and he died in 1943. I think. I am going to get out the notes I have regarding old Kate. Havent looked at them for a couple of years. I am not precisely certain when old Kate was born but the 1911 Census records her as a householder in Inverness County, Cape Breton born April 1807 age 103 residing with son Hugh born March 1859? and daughter Mary born June 1845? I know that she was around 105 when she died or something like that.

The other interesting thing about John Livingston Jr. your ancestor and the farmer Alexander Livingston b.1814 of neighbouring WHycocomagh Skye mountain that Dr. St. Clair made quite clear was that it was his understanding that John Livingston juniors wife who was Catharine (kate) Livingston born in PEI originally was the sister of Annie Livingston the wife of ALexander Livingston of Whycocomagh. Another reason I suspect that Alexander and John Jr. themselves may be brothers.

regards,

Donald


regards,

Donald

[sandylivingston]

Hi Sandy,

Thanks for that. I need to just go back to all of the old posts if I can find them. THere are just so many posts. Thanks again. So this old photo of Margaret McDonald's father states that he was Margaret's father. This information was written on the photo?

regards,

Donald

hi, "Mary" MacDonlds, wife of Duncan, father says on back of photo "Alexander MacDonald poet"

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Sandy,

This is truly incredible.
You must be proud to be a descendant of the old Mull River Livingstones. I was beginning to think we would never find one. Old Kate was a part of local folklore; according to Dr. St. Clair some thought she was a Witch. There were apparently a few stories. Her wake took place a the old farmhouse at Mull River I understood.
regards,

Donald

[sandylivingston]

Hi Sandy,

Ok I see your ancestor John Hugh Livingston in District 36 Springhill Cumberland County, Nova Scotia 1911 Census
John Hugh Livingstone born June 1874 ? Should be July 1874 i guess but obviously the right person
Annie born Feb 1880
Mary born 11899
John b. Sept. 1901
Sadie b. Nov. 1902
Ella b. Nov. 1904
Alexander b.Jan 1907
Flora b. Jan. 1909
David b. March 1911

Also
John Hugh Livingston born July 29 1874 Vale Colliery, Pictou, Nova Scotia parents Duncan Livingston and Mary McDonald
Duncan Livingston and Mary McDonald married June 24, 1874 Vale Colliery Pictou Nova Scotia. Parents John and Catharine Livingston

Alexander (Sandy) born abt. 1907 would be your father then? Sounds like you have done all this research in the past and the info definitely shows an apparent ancestral line leading to the old Mull River family of JOhn Livingston Jr. and old Kate. As I mentioned a while back now, I was told by Dr. St. Clair that their son Hugh farmed with his mother widower old Kate who lived to be quite old and died I think in 1912. I have to check that again in my notes. Dr. St. Clair's mother attended the wake. John Jr. and old Kates son Hugh was the last Livingston to live in the old farmhouse I think and he died in 1943. I think. I am going to get out the notes I have regarding old Kate. Havent looked at them for a couple of years. I am not precisely certain when old Kate was born but the 1911 Census records her as a householder in Inverness County, Cape Breton born April 1807 age 103 residing with son Hugh born March 1859? and daughter Mary born June 1845? I know that she was around 105 when she died or something like that.

The other interesting thing about John Livingston Jr. your ancestor and the farmer Alexander Livingston b.1814 of neighbouring WHycocomagh Skye mountain that Dr. St. Clair made quite clear was that it was his understanding that John Livingston juniors wife who was Catharine (kate) Livingston born in PEI originally was the sister of Annie Livingston the wife of ALexander Livingston of Whycocomagh. Another reason I suspect that Alexander and John Jr. themselves may be brothers.

regards,

Donald


regards,

Donald

Hi Sandy,

Thanks for that. I need to just go back to all of the old posts if I can find them. THere are just so many posts. Thanks again. So this old photo of Margaret McDonald's father states that he was Margaret's father. This information was written on the photo?

regards,

Donald

hi, "Mary" MacDonlds, wife of Duncan, father says on back of photo "Alexander MacDonald poet"

sorry i should have added this before
from The Antioginish Casket year 1894

livingston

At Springhill Mines, March 11th, Mrs Livingston in the 44th year of her age. Deceased was the second daughter of Alexander MacDonald ( poet ) formerly of Keppoch, Antigonish. Consoled by the last rites of the Holy Catholic Church, she calmly passed away, breathing the words, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. May her soul rest in peace.

a little more info, i have John Hugh's birth certificate in front of me. born 27 June 1874
Marshy Mines, Pictou Co. Baptized 13 November 1874, St Joseph's Church. by Rev Ronald Mac Gillivery. Sponsors Alexander MacDonald and Sarah Druhan.
The Ella listed should be Ellen.

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Sandy,
Thanks for this information. Well I guess the June 1874 info for John Hugh Livingston's birthdate recorded in the 1911 Canadian Census at Springhill is in fact correct. I noticed there is another source stating July which obviously must be incorrect then. Interestingly, Duncan his father was raised Presbyterian in Mull River. His wife I assume from the information you have was Roman Catholic which many Scottish highland McDonalds were. I am not certain whether their John Hugh Livingston was baptised in a Presbyterian or Catholic Church but perhaps you have that information.

Duncan apparently left his family home on Livingston Mountain, Mull River, Inverness County, Cape Breton after 1871. At that time he was single and still living with his widowed Mother Kate Livingston and his sibbling. This is the1871 Census information and those in the family who were still residing as of 1871 on their farm on Livingston Mountain, Mull River,Mabou
Mabou, Cape Breton 1871 Canadian Census
Catharine Livingston age 59 born PEI United Presbyterian
Mary age 27 b. Nova Scotia
Catharine age 25
Flora age 18
Ann age 16
Duncan age 30
JOhn age 25
Hugh age 20

One of the challenges to me was determining old Kates birthdate. I was told she was born abt. 1808 and died in 1912 but the 1911 Census indicates she was born in 1807 in PEI. The Census records are not much help. I dont have a death record or obituary and am not certain there was any but certainly worth checking this out. I understand that she died at her home on Livingstone Mountain, Mull River in 1912 where she lived with son Hugh who never married and a daughter Mary.
1871
Catharine Livingston age 59
1881
Catharine Livingston age 65
1901
Kate Livingston age 87
1911
Catharine Livingston age 103


It is not clear when old Kate's husband John Livingston Jr. died but Kate or Catharine Livingston is the householder in the 1861 Census so we know that he died before 1861. However we do know that their youngest child Ann was born in the mid 1850's so perhaps it safe to conclude that Kate's husband died sometime between 1855 and 1860. That I am pretty certain of. I have also seen information of a John Livingston of Mull River who died around 1840 and I am wondering if that refers to John Livingston Sr. the father of John Livingston Jr. who is said to have arrived with wife Catharine Campbell at Mull RIver around 1824. My understanding is that the Mull River area was first settled by Catharine's Campbell's Campbell relatives from Mull, Scotland and a McFarlane family around 1821, probably the reason why they settled there.



regards,

Donald

[sandylivingston]

hi! i have John Hugh's Birth and Baptism certificate here with me now. he was born 27 June 1874 in Marshy Mines Pictou Co. That was 3 days after the marriage of Duncan Livingston and Mary MacDonald ( cutting it pretty close ). He was baptized Catholic on 13 November in St Johns church by Rev Ronald McGillivery. Sponsors were Alexander MacDonald and Sarah Druhen. Duncan and Mary (MacDonald) both died here in Springhill N.S. Mary in 1894. I'm still working on Duncan but i understand he died at a fairly young age. I was once told my my uncle Allan that John Hugh ( my grandfather) was orphaned at a young age. I have photos of John Hugh two are with an older gentleman i believe to be my great grandfather Duncan. I also have a photo of Alexander MacDonald, father of Mary MacDonald, Duncans wife.