Montreal's Scottish community, 1835-65 : a preliminary study

Some of the members of Montreal's Scottish community were among the most powerful and influential men in Canada throughout most of the nineteenth century. The life stories and successes of many of these individuals are well known. Most of the available literature reinforces the popular perception of the Scots in Montreal as a prosperous group of merchants and businessmen. Apart from the successful individuals, however, very little is known about the Scottish community in Montreal. Because there is little information available to the contrary, one might assume by implication that this group of successful Scots was more or less united by common values, religious beliefs, and ideals. This was certainly true of a select group within the community, but does not describe the majority of the population. This is only a beginning to a study of the community. For this reason, it is limited to a brief examination of two major institutions of the Scottish community in nineteenth-century Montreal; the Scottish Presbyterian churches and the Saint Andrew's Society. The study is also limited to the period of thirty years between 1835 and 1865 . These three decades represent a time of great development and change in Montreal, as well as a period of growth and transition for the institutions of the Scottish community. It was in this era that many of Montreal's most renowned nineteenth century Scottish immigrants arrived, obtained, and began to extend their economic power and influence from within this city