They were from Helmsdale and from the parish of Kildonan and the noble founder afterwards conferred this name on their new parish on the banks of the Red River.

The names of Matheson, Bannerman, Sutherland, Polson, Gunn and the like show the sturdy character of this band whose descendents are taking their full part in the affairs of the Province of Manitoba of to-day.

Governor Semple accompanied this party of about one hundred settlers, and by way of the Hudson Bay route reached the Red River Settlement in the same year in which they started.
They joined the restored settlers, whom Colin Robertson had placed upon their lands again.

With Governor Semple's contingent came James Sutherland, an elder of the Church of Scotland, who was authorized to baptize and marry.

He was the first ordained man who reached the Selkirk Colony.