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FOREWORD

My grandfather, Benjamin John MACLEAN (who was born with the Cornish surname LEAN, but more of this later), died in June 1937 at the age of 94 years, some 8 years before I was born.

I surmise that the number of people who can claim a grandfather born before 1850 is probably rapidly diminishing.

My parents never said much about Benjamin, or his wife Jessie, who died in 1942. The few things I remember that were said are recorded anecdotally in this history.

I decided to compile a history of Benjamin because I am getting on in years and with my passing, the few snippets known may be lost to my sons and grandchildren. Please note, any text or comment in square brackets […] has been added by me to the words of others.

For a man who lived so long there are few records of Benjamin’s life. To my mind the most interesting things about his life have more to do with the times he lived in and the achievements of the Lean family into which he was born.