McKinnon, Ronald

  • DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY ARTICLE: A. A. MacKenzie, “McKINNON, RANALD,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 5, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–. https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/mckinnon_ranald_5E.html
  • DCB profile notes:
    • Army officer, office holder, and militia officer; b. 1737 on the Isle of Skye, Scotland; m. 20 Nov. 1768 Letitia Piggott in Halifax, and they had 13 children, including John, who became mha for Shelburne County, N.S., in 1823; d. 28 April 1805 in Shelburne.
    • Fought in North America in the Seven Years’ War. In peacetime he settled in Nova Scotia and found success as a farmer and gardener. As the American revolution began gathering force, McKinnon was horrified by the threat of violence among neighbouring New England settlers. Supported by local Acadians, he took swift action.
    • Ranald McKinnon’s major contribution to Nova Scotian history was his service as a figure of resistance to pro-American disaffection during a dangerous period of the province’s history. He would have been less successful in his loyalist activities, however, had it not been for the backing of the Acadians.
  • Proven United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=13019
  • Find a GRAVE: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182110262/ranald-mackinnon