Norman Macleod was born on the Isle of Skye (here "Sky"). When he died in Montreal January 27, 1796, he bequeathed: £800 to his nephew, Rev. Alexander Bethune, Minister of the Gospel in Skye, and his sister Janet Macleod£100 to each of his four nieces Appointments of Rev. John Bethune, Minister in the Co. of Glengarry, Upper Canada, and Alexander Mackenzie of Montreal to carry out terms of the will.Agreement signed July 21 and 28, 1798 on Skye and Inverness by various parties and witnesses (20 signatures) includes John Macdonald, Simon Fraser, and James Grant as notaries. Verso of agreement comprised of signed affidavits and sub agreements: Alexander Tolmie, sub-lieutenant in Ulinish, Skye, executed by William B. Inglis, provost and chief magistrate of the Royal Burgh of Inverness July 13, 1798Rev. William Bethune, Kenneth MacLeod Elder and Alexander MacLeod Elder, July 1 1798 John Bethune, Joseph Maurice Lamotte, T. W. Albert (?) March 1 1799, delegating Alexander Mackenzie William Inglis was a merchant and banker in Inverness. In 1797 he was elected provost, a post he held until 1800. Provost Inglis is remembered for having entertained Robert Burns at supper at his home in September 1778. Sir Alexander Mackenzie (1764-1820) was one of Canadas greatest explorers. In two epic journeys for the North West Company in 1789 and 1793, he crossed the dense northern wilderness to reach the Arctic and Pacific Oceans. The first European to cross North America north of Mexico, he inspired later adventurers and traders, such as the famous Lewis and Clark expedition sponsored by the American military (18046). The Mackenzie River, named in his honour, symbolizes Mackenzies important place as a pioneer and fur trader in Canadian history.Joseph Maurice Lamothe (1781-1827) was a fur trader, militia officer and Indian Department official. The Rev. John Bethune was born on Skye in 1751 and died September 23, 1815 in Williamstown, Glengarry County, aged 64. He moved to North Carolina before the American Revolution and became a man of considerable property before losing it all for his loyalty to Britain. He became Chaplain to the British Forces in Sir John Johnson's Regiment and was taken prisoner at the battle at Cross Creek in 1776. As a Loyalist he settled in Montreal in 1786 and moved to Glengarry County in 1787. He was probably the first Presbyterian minister in Upper Canada. Marrying a Swiss woman, Veronique Wadden, he became the father of six sons and three daughters, eventually becoming patriarch of a notable Canadian family connected with the fur trade, politics, medicine, law, and the church. His son John became Dean of Montreal while his son Alexander became Bishop of Toronto.
