Person Page - 83

Malcolm Hugh Gillis

• Father: Hugh Gillis (Bridge)^1,2 b. 12 Nov 1819, d. 3 Jan 1903
• Mother: Mary Gillis^3,2 b. c 1827, d. c 1864

• Relationship: 2nd cousin 2 times removed of Donald James MacFarlane
• Charts: Descendants of Hugh Gillis & (?) MacEachern (#1), Descendants of Hugh Gillis & (?) MacEachern (#2), Descendants of Hugh Gillis & (?) MacEachern (#3)

The ancestry chart of Archibald MacFarlane (ID # 34) is presented because he unites the ancestry of both his parents. If an individual appears more than once in Archibald's chart this indicates descent from the individual in more than one line. By clicking on the each instance (i.e. Ancestry of Archibald MacFarlane (#5)) each line of descent will be shown.

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• Name-Comm: His common name was The Bard.
• Birth*: Malcolm was born on 5 September 1856 in Young's Bridge, SW Margaree, Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada.^1,4,5,6,2
• Marriage*: He married Mary MacFarlane, daughter of John MacFarlane and Jessie MacLellan, circa 1886 in Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada.^7,8,9
• Marriage*: He married Margaret D. MacFarlane on 9 February 1891 in St. Joseph's Church, SW Margaree, Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada.^{10,1,11,12,13,14,15,16,17}
• Burial*: Malcolm Hugh Gillis was buried in 1929 in St. Joseph's Church Cemetery, Port Hawkesbury, Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada; MEMORIAL ID     22965554.⁶
• Death*: He died on 23 September 1929 in Upper Margaree, Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada, at age 73.^18,5,19,6
• Obituary: His obituary reads:
  
  Malcolm H. Gillis 73
  
  Upper Margaree
  
  Gillis – Sad was the news spread around on the morning of Sept. 23, 1929, that Malcolm H. Gillis, Upper Margaree, was dying. Father Chisholm was soon at his bedside, administered the last rites of the Church, and he died a few hours later in his 73rd year. He had a light attack of paralysis a year ago from the effects of which he never completely recovered. Mr. Gillis began teaching school when quite young, and followed it up, though not continuously for some forty years when he was put on the pension list. At the same time he had charge of the homestead which he managed skilfully(sic), making considerable improvements thereon until failing health obliged him to retire from active work. He ranked high as a musician, his performances on the violin being exceptionally good, often winning prizes at competitions all over the country. He was church organist for many years often making great sacrifices in order to teach sacred music to young people in the parish. He composed many songs of considerable merit in both English and Gaelic. He immortalized his native district in “Croic us Glinn a Bhraighe” a song that is very popular whereever(sic) the Gaelic language is spoken. Many a gathering he enlivened and cheered with music and song and his company was always sought after. He was hardly ever heard uttering a cross, or an offensive word and he made hosts of friends wherever he moved. he was twice married, first to Mary McFarlane, issue one daughter, Mrs. John Dan Gillis, Upper Margaree. His second wife, who survives him is Margaret McFarlane, issue 17 children, two of whom died in infancy, Minnie and Dougald died of the “flu”; John Joe of pneumonia; and the following are living: - Mrs. John Alex McFarlane, Scotsville; Mrs. William Cocker, Framingham; Mrs. A. J. MacIntyre, Boston; Hugh in New Bedford; Alex in Boston; Annie, Agnes, James, Malcolm, Ambrose, John A. and Angus B. at present at home (the last two arriving from Boston and New York one day late for the funeral.) One brother Angus in Allston and one sister, Mazie at home also survive. The funeral cortege was a large one many people coming from far and near to pay their last respect to their departed friend. The mournful strains of the piobmhor on the shoulders of Allan McFarlane reverperated(sic) among the hills that he loved he loved(sic) so dearly as the procession wended its way from his home to the church. Requiem high mass was celebrated by rev. R. H. MacDougall, Margaree Forks, while in the sanctuary were seated Father Chisholm, pastor, and Father MacKeough, Tracadie while Father Cormier, Margaree ably assisted the choir. Father Dougald McEachern, Arisaig was obliged to return home the day before. The death of Malcolm Gillis has left his friends the poorer and his place is hard to fill (sic) May his soul rest in peace.
  C. B.
  Malcolm H. Gillis Upper Margaree
  
  Montreal, P. Q., Oct. 12, 1929.
  To the Editor of The Casket:
  Dear Sir, - In reading the obituary of Malcolm H. Gillis, Upper Margaree, - that grand old man of song and story – in The Casket of the 10th inst., I learn that he is the great Gaelic composer of “Gnole us Glinn a Braighe” – a song so very dear to us, and especially so, when long estranged from our ardently revered birthplace. We read, with sorrow, of the passing of these splendid specimens of God’s human creation in the homeland. The thought suggested itself in the case of the dear-departed Mr. Gillis that many readers of The Casket as well as myself, would be happy to see this fine old song in “Achadh nan Gaidheal” in its entirety. Snatches and stanzas of this beloved old song is sung all over the United States and Canada, and posterity owes this much to a true expounder of the beloved lore and language of our forefathers
  Very respectfully,
  RONALD S. MACDONALD
  6956 St. Urbain Street.
  
  
  
  Malcolm H. Gillis
  Upper Margaree
  
  Editor Casket:
  Sir, - Malcolm H. Gillis is dead.”(sic) Such was the sad news that I, unexpectedly, received late this afternoon. Poor Malcolm! I find it difficult to realize that he is no more; that his voice is silenced for ever. Oh! poor Malcolm H. Gillis; the friend and companion of my boyhood and school days; the friend and companion of my middle age, and – the friend and companion of my declining years. he was a man of many friends and no enemies. Truly it might be said of him that (sic)
  “A man he was to all the country dear.” The stranger and wayfarer, yes, everybody found welcome, entertainment and genuine hospitality at M. H. Gillis’. He was a poet of no mean order, a first class violinist, and an excellent entertainer in every way. And to think that we will no more hear his musical voice; no more listen to the strains if his violin and no more enjoy his ready but inoffensive repartee. Oh! it is sad! He will be missed in the community in which he lived, he will be missed by the people of the county of Inverness, and beyond it and he will be greatly missed by your humble servant.
  Eternal rest grant him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him, Amen.
       A FRIEND
  Sept. 23, 1929.⁵
• Biography*: The 1881 Census lists Malcolm as a teacher. The 1901 Census says that Malcolm could both read and write in English, but not French. His native tongue was Gaelic.^1,4