Re: SINCLAIR of Canisbay, Caithness

[MSiperek@aol.com]

Suzanne,
     Here is an article from my gr-gr-grandparents 50th wedding anniverary in 
the early 1900's.  Will write morwe later, must get to work.           Marilyn
>From a newspaper article from the Orkney Islands-

    GOLDEN WEDDING IN SOUTH RONALDSHAY

    Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sinclair, Oyce, attained their jubilee of marraiage 
on Wednesday of this week, having been married by Rev. Peter G. Gilrath, 
parish minister (who died this month) on 16th June 1859.  As Mr. Sinclair 
went to the island of Swona for his better half, Miss Allan, the marriage 
ceremony took place there.  This created no small stir, as there had been no 
such ceremony on that island within the memory of the inhabitants of that 
time.  Mrs. Sinclair's brother still resides in Swona, while she has a 
widowed sister in St. Margaret's Hope.  The happy pair were both of the same 
age, 26, when united together and have now reached the ripe age of 76 years.  
They have spent those fifty years in peace and prosperity; all of their 
friends and well-wishers desire that their latter end may be even better than 
their beginning; and they have received many tokens of friendship and 
goodwill from far and near on this auspicious occasion.  It should be 
mentioned that Mr. Sinclair like all who bear that ancient and honoured name, 
represents a branch of the famous "St. Clairs of the Isles."  Belonging to 
his family were eight brothers, namely, Malcolm, Alexander, John, James, 
George, William, Isaac, and Robert.  Only two are still alive- Alexander who 
has for a number of years resided in Galt, Toronto,  and Robert, whose golden 
wedding has just taken place.  George Sinclair was well known as the 
respected postmaster of St. Margaret's Hope, while William and Isaac were 
farmers at Lower and Upper Olad, and John at Gard, near to one another.  Mr. 
and Mrs. Robert Sinclair have had a large family of eleven children, while 5 
sons and 5 daughters are still alive, some of them being abroad.  There is 
one in Africa, one in Australia, two in America, two in Liverpool, one in 
Glasgow, one in Barbsley, Yorkshire, and one at home.  As far as 
grandchildren, they number eighteen.  At present the aged couple are cheered 
and comforted by the presence of their son, William along with his wife from 
New York, who have timed their visit for this happy event.  Old Mr. Sinclair 
in his younger days was very fond of music and for 14 years was the precantor 
of St. Mary's Kirk under the Rev. Messre??(hard to read copy), Walker and 
Forbes.  And for 14 years he resided in Olad- 1861-1875- before he came to 
his present residence.
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