18th-century estate targeted by descendents

Descendents of one of P.E.I.'s earliest European settlers are working to purchase his 18th-century estate and have it designated a national historic site.

Captain John MacDonald established a homestead near Blooming Point on P.E.I.'s North Shore in 1772. He was the leader of a large group of Scottish settlers. The Scottish Settlers Society of P.E.I. has started a campaign to save his estate, which is currently up for sale.

MacDonald was just named a national historic person. It is not possible, however, to designate the property until it is owned by someone interested in pursuing the designation.

Mary Gallant of Mount Stewart is one the descendants of those Scottish settlers. She is hoping MacDonald's designation will increase interest in his estate.

"Glenaladale Estate is the original 529 acres [214 hectares] on the Blooming Point Road that was the home property, in other words, where he would have had his initial house built," said Gallant.

"The current house on it is actually the fourth building on it, and it was built by his grandson Sir William Christopher MacDonald, who as we all know was MacDonald Tobacco. We would love to see it preserved as a national historic site, but we have to own it."

Gallant said the property and brick mansion are valued at about $2.6 million.

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