Jimmy Lewis Research Paper

Mr. James Lewis “Jimmy Lewis” MacMillan, raised on Lots 11 and 12, Concession 5, known as Brodie Road and in his teens aided the bricklayer on the house that now stands on that property. After Brodie's lower school he continued on at Mr. McEwen's College with his sister, Mary Jane. In the winter he went to the bush and logged, one such winter he went West to Michigan with his brother, Duncan Alpin where he stayed for several years. Then he went further west to Wisconsin to work besides, visiting family and friends. During the long winter nights he would teach other loggers reading, writing and arithmetic. He promised his sister, Mary Jane that he would come home for her wedding, indeed he did, arriving in time to see her wed to Norman McRae
This was the way for some, but not Jimmy Lewis. In a few years he married Margaret Jane McGillivary on 20 November 1907, with issue, including John “Grant”, Donald “Ross”, Bessie Jane “Bessie Cathleen”, Mary Clara MacMillan Beaton, William Duncan, Ewen “Douglas” and Margaret Irene. Eleven years later Margaret died and Jimmy Lewis made a marriage proposal to his cousin Kate “Catherine” McCuaig after she realized her second trip to the West Coast visiting Uncles, cousins, as well as, friends. On 24 November 1920, they were married at Knox Crescent Presbyterian Church, Montreal by Rev. Richie with Angus Dan McMillan, Lochiel was a witness. Their issue included Alexander Duncan, Catherine “Elizabeth” Neilina MacMillan Heath, Margaret “Jean” MacMillan Walker and James Armour. During the 1920s and 30s Jimmy Lewis bought 23.5 and 22.4 Lochiel farms, leasing various homes to people and workers. During the tough times he would help the renters with food, work even put their rent on account yet money was tight at home.

In the early 1920's, following in his great-grandfather's, John Grant, footsteps, Jimmy Lewis was elected as an Elder. He told his wife that his first meeting went well, due to his stance and facial expression she continued to query and found out that he was also
Regularly travel to homes and hospitals as far as Brockville to visit the infirmed who were unable to attend church and ensure their families were provided for. He was asked to do conflict resolution whether within families, neighbours, church or community. He would have the Minister and family over regularly for dinner, guest Ministers were invited for a meal and the local Priests, Fathers Ewan MacDonald and Charles Gauthier would be regulars for Thursday repast. He was asked to help at a funeral for a person who was Roman Catholic because the Pallbearers were all Protestant and cousins of the deceased had never entered a Roman Catholic Church. The men practised and the service successful.

Jimmy Lewis continued to be the Clerk of Session of St. Columba and fulfilling his duty as an Elder until his death on September 1956.

His wife, Kate “Catherine” McCuaig MacMillan, from the Second Concession Bainsville, worked along with her husband at St. Columba. She was a member of the now known Womans Missionary Society (WMS) and a group's representative at the meetings held in the Eastern District Presbytery. At St. Columba she would preserve jams and bake cookies and pies for the annual bizarres, moreover make sandwiches and sweets for church functions.

Mr. James Lewis and his wife Kate always sat in the second pew on the right-hand of the current location of the