Duncan MacGregor Crerar
Duncan MacGregor Crerar (4 December 1836 – 11 March 1916) was a Scottish poet who spent much of his adult life in western Ontario and New York City, writing sentimental poetry commemorating places and friends in Scotland. A native Gaelic speaker, he wrote primarily in English, with Gaelic phrases and diction. He was referred to by some contemporaries as "The Breadalbane Bard" or "Bard of Amulree". In his book Scottish Poets in America (New York, NY, 1889), John D. Ross described him: In conclusion, we would state that Mr. Crerar is one of the most genial of men, kind, sympathetic, and generous in all his actions. In his own quiet, unobtrusive way, and unknown to the world, he has rendered assistance to many when they found the clouds of adversity hovering over them: and there are few men similarly circumstance who can boast of so large and so sincere a following of friends. Parents Crerar was born in Amulree, Glenquaich, Perthshire, Scotland, the son of Alexander Crerar (or MacKintosh) (1801 – before 1861), a mason and shepherd, and Janet MacGregor (1810 – 15 August 1885). His son eulogized him in his poem "Mementoes of My Father's Grave", written on 1 November 1878 in New York, and dedicated to Duncan's brother Alexander M. Crerar (born 9 July 1849) (published in the Celtic Magazine, Inverness, January 1883): Mementoes of My Father's Grave Soft, silky leaves of freshest green, Which grew upon my father's grave; Mementoes hallowed of a man Whose heart was warm, sincere, and brave. Of humble sphere, but noble aims, He calmly stemmed life's stormy sea; Upright and manly, frank and pure, A trusty friend, and true was he. A loving husband, faithful, kind; A tender father, wise, discreet; Our weal his chief concern, delight, His happy home made labour sweet. His words were few; for well he weighed Each thought and subject ere he spoke; In humour rich; and oft essayed A simple, pleasant, harmless joke. My father! thy blest memory I dearly cherish day by day; And for its sake I'll prize these leaves, Which grew about thy sacred clay. And when life's course with me is run -- When, soon or late, I must resign This earthly frame-oh, may it rest Beneath a turf as green as thine! He eulogized his mother Janet in the poem, "S'Rioghal Ma Dhream" ("My Race is Royal"—Motto of Clan MacGregor), "In Affectionate Remembrance of My Beloved Mother. Died at Amulree, Dunkeld, Scotland, August 15, 1885", written 25 August 1885 in New York City: "Mother is dead!" heart-rending news to me. Dead my belovèd! Oh how keen my pain! On earth, alas! we ne'er shall meet again: "Mother is dead!" sent o'er the cold, deep sea! "My Race is Royal," motto of thy line; If Royal here, they welcome Royal there, Where, free from every sorrow, trouble, care, Thou dwellest in the light and love Divine! To me henceforth this life will lonesome be. Deep was thy love, self-sacrificing, kind. Now do