THE EASTERN CHRONICLE of 15 Dec 1892 has an item entitled “WEST RIVER” Pleasant Gathering

As Mr. and Mrs. Daniel McLeod, of West River, on the 11th inst., completed sixty years of married life, a number of their relatives and friends assembled by invitation at their home on Saturday last in honor of the occasion. Among the guests were Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, Rev. Dr. Patterson, J. D. McLeod, E. M. McDonald and Collector McDonald, Esquires of Pictou, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Troop and Mrs. James Stairs, of Halifax, with a general gathering of the clans, McLeods, McLeans, McDonalds, Camerons and other less honored names. At 1 o’clock commenced a bounteous repast, expressive of the hearty hospitality, by which their house has long been distinguished. After the company assembled had done justice to the good things provided, and some time spent in pleasant social intercourse, with music by Miss Annie McDonald, of Pictou, addresses succeeded from various friends present. Rev. Mr. Forbes commenced by referring to the changes which had taken place within these sixty years, in regard to travel, there not being at the beginning of that period a single railroad in British America, in regard to education, temperance, on which latter cause Mr. McLeod was a pioneer, in regard to ministers and religious habits, etc. and expressed warmly the esteem which the venerated couple had gained by a long life of uninterrupted integrity and piety. He was followed by the Rev. Dr. Patterson, who referred to the changes by death, since the gathering of the first union. The minster was gone and indeed all the ministers of that time. Of the company assembled but three were living, one then a child of three years of age, another then a boy of fifteen, and only one who had reached manhood. He referred particulary to Mr. McLeod’s connection with the commencement of the Temperance Reformation. The first society in the Province was formed at West River. The first movement toward the object was made in Oct. 1827, at a meeting of the agricultural society, when only three men, Rev. Duncan Ross, Geo. McDonald and D. McLeod supported the proposal. As they had no rules or pledge drawn up, Mr. Ross was appointed to prepare them and to obtain signatures. The next to join them was David McLeod, father of Mr. McLeod. After then he, with his brother, Hugh, and Mr. Ebenezer McLeod were among the first to join. Sometime early in the next year a meeting was held for the purpose of forming a society, but those opposed maintained such a resistance to the project, that for some time, and indeed, until they had left the meeting, it was found impossible to proceed. At this time only twelve had signed the pledge, which only involved abstinence from ardent spirits. Of these twelve five were McLeods, and of the whole number Mr. McLeod is the only survivor. It was about two years later that the ladies were received as members, when Mrs. McLeod was among the first to join, and probably is the only survivor of those “faithful women” who first signed that temperance pledge. Mr. and Mrs. McLeod are thus the oldest pledged abstainers in the Province and probably in the Dominion.

He then referred in appropriate terms to the blameless character which they had manifested during their whole career, the useful lives they had led, and his personal obligations to them, especially during the twenty–seven years he was their pastor. He congratulated them on their hale old age and expressed his best wishes for their future welfare.

He was followed in appropriate speeches in the same strain by J. D. McLeod, E. M. McDonald, Daniel McDonald, Samuel Archibald and Harry Troop, Esquires.

Mr. McLeod and Mrs. McLeod have lived on the same farm since they were married. It was part of his father’s farm on which he was born, and on which, therefore, he may be said to have spent his whole life. They have been distinguished throughout their whole course by thorough integrity and unaffected kindness and hospitality, by public spirit and interest in every good cause, and by their zeal and faithfulness in church duty. Though Mr. McLeod is in his 87th and Mrs. McLeod in her 81st year they are still hale and enjoying a serene old age, age in them is fulfilled the scripture saying, “The hoary head is a crown of glory being found in the paths of righteousness.”

We should not omit to add that they received on the occasion a number of presents of useful and ornamental articles, and also what is equally good in their place, gold and bank notes.