Knapp's Point Lighthouse
McLaren Keepers
Copyright 2004 by Pat McAvoy-Costin. All rights reserved.
The McLAREN Family had two keepers at Knapp’s Point Light. They covered the light from April 12, 1890—through 1905 or for about 15 years.
Hugh McLAREN—was born about 1826 in Ontario, Canada. The first time he was recorded as living on Wolfe Island is when he married Catherine McDonnell July 22, 1847 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Wolfe Island.
By the 1851 census, he is listed as 26 years of age and his occupation was that of a carpenter. He was living at concession 12-3 NBL a location not far from Knapp’s Point. He and Catherine, also listed as 26, already had two children at the time of the census—Alexander, aged 4, and Margaret, aged 2.
By the time of the 1878 Meacham Map, the map shows the McLAREN family as living at concession 14-1 SBL closer to the eastern end of Wolfe Island. The lot had direct access to the water. As there was a house at Knapp’s Point by that time, it is not known if the family kept their farm or just moved to the Knapp’s Point house.
Over the years, other children joined the family. The children were—Ann (b. 1852), Catherine (b.28 Jan 1852), Mary (b. 3 Mar 1856), Malcolm (b 21 Sep 1857), Daniel (b. 1860), Donald (b 1 Nov 1860), Elizabeth (b 24 Oct 1862), Allen J. (b. 12 Jun 1866), and Duncan (b. 14 Aug 1870). According to Russ Waller, the McLARENs also adopted another child, Maud Hughes (b. 1881 in England)—she may have been a relative.
Through his years of working as a carpenter, Hugh McLAREN also was involved in local politics. He was on the Wolfe Island council in 1882.
British Whig, (Kingston), Feb. 15, 1882
Wolfe Island Ferry - We announced last evening that the Wolfe Island Ferry had been re-leased to the St. Lawrence Steamboat Co. for 7 years, but that the passenger rate had been advanced from 13 cents to 15 cents per head. The Company state as their reason for advancing the rate that the travel has not lately been so good as it was, that the expense of running the boats has been much greater one important item being that of fuel. An article which now costs $2 per cord could formerly be purchased for 75 cents per cord.
p.4 Wolfe Island Council - Feb. 6th - Moved by Mr. Horne, seconded by Mr. McLaren, that a special meeting be held on Monday next at one o'clock p.m. for the purpose of meeting Folger Bros. and discussing the ferry question, and in the event of not coming to an agreement with said parties, to proceed at once to advertise for tenders for ferry. - Carried.
Hugh McLAREN was also recorded as being the deputy reeve of Wolfe Island during the years of 1884 and 1885.
Editor’s Note: The position of reeve is like that of a mayor in the US. So Hugh was probably an assistant mayor during those two years.
On April 12, 1890, Hugh McLaren was appointed the keeper at Knapp’s Point. He took over the job from Catherine DAWSON McAVOY, widow of Patrick McAVOY. Later that year, he was already getting local attention in the papers:
British Whig, (Kingston), Nov. 26, 1890
Carried Too Much Sail - Hugh McLaren, keeper of Knapp's Point light-house, got in trouble in harbour - details.
By Early 1896, Hugh McLaren died of heart failure. He was 70.
Sacred Heart Church Records:
McLAREN, Hugh; died Feb 8, 1896; burial Feb 10, 1896; aged 70 years; LDS Film 2032236. (From Pat McAvoy-Costin)
Hugh McLAREN, 70 yrs old, died 8 Feb 1896, cause of death heart failure, Allen McLarren informant.(From Brenda Allbee-Woodman)
Allen McLAREN—the son reporting Hugh McLAREN’s death, assumed Hugh’s light keeper job upon his death. Born in 1866, Allen was 29 years old at the time he became keeper.
Allen was already married to Emma (also called Emily nee Rousseau) and they had one son, Malcolm (b.20 Mar 1894). Russ Waller listed Allen McLAREN as living at concession 12-2 SBL at that time. That property is listed as 40 acres and also as the home of Allen’s older brother, Alexander McLAREN. This property had direct access to the water on Bayfield Bay.
On the 1901 census, Allen was listed as 34, of Scotch ancestry, Roman Catholic and a lightkeeper. He is also listed as an employee. His earnings from his occupation were listed as $150. Since Ottawa records say he was paid $180 in wages throughout his term as keeper, perhaps he had an assistant that he paid the other $30 of his recorded wages? His wife, “Emmy” was listed on census records as 30, of French ancestry and Roman Catholic. His son, Malcolm, was listed as 10 years old, Roman Catholic, of Scotch ancestry. He was in school for 6 months during the year. Other children on the same page of the census were listed as being in school 10 months during the last year.
Allen worked as keeper until sometime in 1905. His last known salary as the keeper was $180.00 per year—the salary had not changed since the time his father was keeper. He was around the age of 38 at that time.
When Allen left his post as the keeper of Knapp’s Point, according to Winston Cosgrove’s Wolfe Island Past and Present, Allen took over operation of the Hitchcock House, a large stone dwelling near the water’s edge on Wolfe Island that was established in 1832.
The Hitchcock House was “was operated by Allan McLaren from 1904 until his death in 1934. His wife, Emily, and some “Mac” continued the family tradition until the hotel portion was sold in 1951 to N.A. Landry of Detroit, Michigan.”
Hitchcock House
Allen McLaren, the second McLaren keeper,
left his lightkeeper position at Knapp’s Point
to run this hotel.
Click on photo for larger version.
The Islands: Lighthouses: Wolfe Island: Knapp's Point: McLaren Keepers
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