Book Release 2005  "1851 Exiles" by Angus Macleod & Leodhas Macleod
Following the success of the CD "The Silent Ones: A Legacy of the Highland Clearances," numerous requests poured in for a deeper exploration of the history of the Isle of Lewis Settlement in Huron Township. Thrilled to respond to these calls, I am delighted to introduce "1851 Exiles," a limited print edition paperback that vividly chronicles the captivating saga of Ontario's Lewis Settlers.
"1851 Exiles" transports readers back to a pivotal moment in Scottish history, when the inhabitants of Lewis faced eviction from their crofts by landlord James Matheson during Scotland's infamous Highland Clearances. Forced to leave their homeland behind, they embarked on a courageous journey overseas, ultimately finding refuge and community in a block of farms in the heart of Huron Township, Bruce County.
This captivating narrative not only sheds light on the hardships endured by the settlers but also celebrates their resilience and determination to preserve their Gaelic language and culture well into the 20th century. Filled with riveting stories and anecdotes from the settlement, many of which have never been published before, "1851 Exiles" offers readers a comprehensive history of the Isle of Lewis from pre-history to the Matheson Clearances, along with insights into the Lewis Community in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.