Seumas mac Sheumais a' Chlachair

MACLJM02 James Matthew MacLellanSeumas mac Sheumais a' Chlachair (1892-1983)

James Matthew MacLellan "Jimmy M." was born on November 4th, 1892 in Centreville, Inverness County. He was the son of James Mason MacLellan (Seumas an Clachair) of Hays River and Elizabeth MacNeil of Centreville. His MacLellan’s originally came from Morar, Scotland.

Jimmy left school after Grade 4, when his father passed away. During his early years, he worked at the Marble Mountain Quarry and in later years in the mines in Ontario. Jimmy married Mary Margaret MacMaster on September 28th, 1933 and they raised a family of seven. Like most families during those lean years, he raised beef, pork, lamb and chickens to feed the family. As well, he always had a bountiful vegetable garden. Whatever extra he had that was not needed to feed the family, he pedaled door to door, as far away as Inverness, with a horse and buggy. He cut pit timber with his son that was shipped away by rail.

Jimmy was a very community-minded individual. He was active with the rural party line telephone system, volunteering to keep the lines cleared and in good shape. He acted as treasurer for many years, collecting for phone usage and hosting the annual meetings, until private lines became available. He and his neighbours kept the local gravel road in good shape. He was very active in the co-operative movement and spent many years on the Board of Directors for the local Whycocomagh Co-op.

Jimmy enjoyed speaking Gaelic with any neighbours or visitors that came by. The family would hear the old Gaelic songs whenever friends came visiting with a dileag. He was always a presence at any activities at the local school. He liked to attend the milling frolics at the Skye Glen Hall, bringing his three older children with him - something they remember fondly to this day. Jimmy lived a full life and passed away on October 20, 1983 at the age of 90 at his home in Centreville.