PROPERTY OF U.P E.

A History

of Canoe Cove

compiled by Florence E. MacCannell

Canoe Cove Church

LIBRARY OF U-P.H.I.

A History

of Canoe Cove

compiled by Florence E. MacCannell

Pdx

re

ty 1392.

Cover Illustration

by Marty MacFadyen

Printed in December 1992

LIBRARY USE 0NU

Table of Contents

Naming of Canoe Cove 5

The Land 6

Communication an Transportation 11

Church History 14

The Cemetry 19

Canoe Cove School 20

Canoe Cove School Teachers 24

Hall 27

Rink 28

The Post Office 29

The General Store 30 Factories, Mills and Other

Businesses 32

Lloyd Inman Memorial Park 36

The Phantom Ship 37

Superstitions 39

Camps - 40

Organizations

The Orange Lodge 41

Division 42 The Women's Missionary

Society (Presbyterian) 43

Women's Institute 44

Red Cross 46

Our Soldiers 47

The People 50

Sources 101

A History of

FORWARD

This history was written as a project for the Canoe Cove Women's Institute, and its aim was to gather information on the early settlers of Canoe Cove ; who they were, their roots, and how they laid the foundation of our community. Because much of it is hearsay there will be inaccuracies and omissions. Information has been obtained from various minute books, a school register, a church history written by Rev. Gerald Sarcen and Velma MacPhee , scrapbooks, clippings, the MacNevin, the MacFadyen, the MacPhee and the Inman family histories and various other writings. The school history was researched by Betty MacPhee.

Effort has been made to name as many family members as possible of the Cove families but no doubt many are left out. The land has been identified by the 1880 Atlas ( Meacham ) and in most cases the people who lived on the land after that. The 1928 (Cummins) Atlas has also been used which gives further information on the families of the Cove at that time. Again there will be omissions and/or inaccuracies.

The early settlers were almost all Scots and if one goes back a few generations one would find that Gaelic (pronounced Gal-lic by our people) was spoken more often than not. At that time the church service was in English and Gaelic. This practise of having a service in both Gaelic and English continued in some areas until 1910 and I would suppose that the same would be true of the Cove.

Thanks for help with this project go to the following friends:

Ernest Inman for a school register dated 1896, a school picture of around 1910, a farm record book of his father's as well as many anecdotes of the early years.

Hector MacNevin for a scrapbook that was a mine of information, also for his many interesting comments about the organizations and the people.

Betty MacPhee for her research on the school.

Barbara Tuck McAndrew for information on the Harris Lobster Cannery.

Florence Livingstone for the MacKenzie family details.

Louis Darrach for his reminiscences of the people especially those involved in the lobster fishery, and to any others not named who helped in any way.

I am particulary indebted to my son, Billy who provided me with his computer as well as giving me encouragement, to my daughter, Rosemary, for her painstaking instruction in the use of said computer, and also for help in editing and generally keeping me on track, and finally to Sharen Mac Pherson , for her help in desktop publishing.

It is hoped that this history will give you some idea of our first settlers, and how the community evolved. If your roots are here you can be proud of your

community and your heritage.

A History of

Canoe Cove

Tis said in legend tale

That long ago

An Indian tribe came here

In flight from ancient foe

And landed in this very cove

With their canoes

And thus the name

Is Canoe Cove .

It may be true

And likely is

And that thy friendly shore

Good shelter gave to those who came of old.

But this I know beyond dispute

That I have come to thee

A History of

Full many a time

In flight from care,

And I have found in thee

A sheltering cove of rest

From storms of life.

Thy rocks and garden green above

Give resting pleasure to the eye

Thine acres broad

Of clean unsoiling sand

With gullies interspersed and warm

Give sportive play a chance.

Thy waves and tide

With ebb and flow

Lend music, change and rest

Unto the mind and heart

And from thy soothing, buoyant,

Bracing summer waters come

Whene'er I swim and sun in thee

A sparkling sense of health

And so to me thou art indeed

A gladdening, strengthening, sheltering

Cove of life.

Written by Rev , Murdoch MacKinnon of Published in The August 16,1933.

Used with permission of Mr. MacKinnon 's niece Mary, Mrs Allan MacDonald .

A History of

The Naming of

The story has been passed down that during the hostilities between Britain and France the Indians were on the side of the British. The French occupied , now Fort Amherst, at Rocky Point . Because of the French defense the British were not able to enter , so they anchored off what is now Canoe Cove. The Indians took the British soldiers ashore in their canoes and it is said that the soldiers gave the name Canoe Cove to our district. In Geographical Names of Prince Edward Island published by the Department of Mines and Resources Canada 1973 Alan Rayburn writes "Probably derived from French Anse Canot and probably given because the Indians portaged from there to West River ." Named by Holland in 1765 Allen Cove for either John Carter Allen who was present at the capture of Louisburg in 1756, or for Lieut. James Allen who was wounded there. Douglas 1925 has this as the correct name, but only Canoe Cove is used and this is shown in Wright 1852 and Meacham 1880. In Micmac Kweduna Walna, " Canoe Cove ". In Canoe Cove and in surrounding districts. Canoe Cove was often pronounced "Canna Cove". Where the local pronunciation "Canna" came from is not clear, it may have been the Gaelic influence. Canna or Canoe Cove, there is no place like it. If you were born here you will hear the surf pound and smell the salt water in your dreams for the rest of your life. Even your descendents will feel the pull of the Cove and its proud Scots heritage calling them back to its beauty and tranquillity.

A History of

The Land

In 1766 Prince Edward Island was surveyed and divided into 67 lots of twenty thousand acres each by Samuel Holland . Canoe Cove , situated on the Northumberland Strait , is mostly in Lot 6 5. When I was a girl, many years ago, Lot 6 5 was always included in our mailing address. Lot 6 5 fell by ballot to a Mr. Wright and a Mr Owen . A small part is in Lot 30 which went to a Mr. Murray . The Land Purchase Act did not come into force until 1873 so it can be assumed that the settlers who came before then rented their land from these men, more likely their agents, as they were absentee landlords. The settlers would set about clearing the land and building temporary log homes using the trees that they cut down. Trails were blazed from one place to another by cutting notches in the trees at eye level. In later years when better roads were built they followed these winding trails and that is why you see some of those beautiful, meandering roads yet on the Island. They were never intended for speeding automobiles but for a leisurely ride in a horse and buggy. These were the only roads for a hundred years or more.

Crops were sown initially using very simple implements. One implement used in the Highlands, before the settlers came to Canada was a primitive shovel type tool and perhaps that is what they used when they came here. Livestock, which would have been very scarce, was obtained and the settlers were able to make a living. Even though the living would be scanty at first it would be better than what they had back home.

A History of

A History of

Before we look any further at the early days of our Cove let us think about why the first settlers left their beloved native Scotland . Up until the early eighteenth century the Clan system prevailed in the Highlands and the people looked to their clan chief for protection and the means of earning their living. In return they served him loyally and faithfully and when their Chief betrayed them it was as if a father had turned against his child. The Laird owned large tracts of land obtained, maybe by prowess in battle or maybe a gift of his king and this land was handed down from one generation to another. He rented this land out to tenants some of which were called crofters, the same families being in the same places for generations. The highland soil was extremely poor and it was difficult for the crofters to pay rent and wrest a living from the stony ground. After the Battle of Culloden the English tried to wipe out the clan system and forbade the wearing of the tartan. Some clan chiefs and Lowland Scots sided with the English and later joined with them in their cruel and inhumane treatment of the crofters.

The landowners found that they could make more money raising sheep than renting to crofters so they evicted their tenants in the cruelest way imaginable. The factors (agents) would come to the croft usually through the day when the men were at work, put out the hearth fire which burned day and night using the precious milk that was needed for the family. Then they would set fire to the croft which with its thatched roof would burn easily. The crofters would have to leave carrying everything. That could be a sick child or old person, along with their scanty belongings. Perhaps even the roof tree and the lintel would have to be carried as they were not allowed to cut trees down when and where they wished. Their crofts were almost entirely of stone but the boards where the two sides of the roof met, the roof tree, had to be of wood.

A History of

The top of the door casing, the lintel, also had to be made of wood. They must have thought they were in heaven when they came to the lush forests of Prince Edward Island, with no one to keep them from cutting the trees down. In Scotland they might be evicted more than once, but they usually tried to go somewhere else after the first eviction. To raise money to go to America or Australia they had to sell their few possessions. If they did not leave of their own accord the land owners would bind them, take them from their families, and carry them forcibly to a departing ship. Many of the ships had unkind and unscrupulous captains out to make money. They overloaded their ships and had poor and insufficient food and water aboard. Due to the filth and overcrowding disease broke out and many passengers, malnourished to start with, died on the way or soon after landing. The voyage would last at least six weeks so that even with a kind and considerate captain and a comfortable vessel it was still a gruelling experience.

After they landed on our Island they still had to pay rent for their land but there was plenty of it, and once cleared, yielded excellent crops. They started with the scantiest of equipment, axes to clear the land and the shovel implement previously mentioned to work it up, but they persevered and our excellent farms are their legacy.

The clearing out of the crofters by the landowners to make way for sheep was called "The Clearances" and a more vivid example of "man's inhumanity to man" can not be found anywhere in the history of mankind.

The Scots, hard working and thrifty because they had to be to survive, were a God-fearing lot and thrived in the New World even though their hearts were breaking with loneliness and bitter memories of how they were

A History of Canoe Cove

treated in their homeland. It says a lot for their character that even though the English king treated them so brutally the Scots in Canada remained loyal to the Crown and fought on the side of the English when the American Colonies rose in rebellion. Scots descendents have been in the front lines in wars ever since. None are more feared by the enemy than the kilted "ladies from Hell", led by the pipers whose wild music terrify the enemy but inspire the Scot to give his all.

Stories abound about "the Scot" that was chased out of Scotland because he stole a sheep and there is a bit of stigma to it. If the rest of the story were told a sheep or a hare or a salmon was "stolen" to feed a starving family that was the victim of such atrocities as the Clearances. In Scotland the crofters were not allowed to hunt in the woods, fish in the streams or in some cases they could not even take the poorest fish from the shores. Their fuel was peat and a cruel factor would keep them from getting that if he could. No wonder Canada sounded like the Promised Land and when they came to Canoe Cove they found it - more or less.

Note: Above information about the crofters was taken from On the Crofter's Trail by David Craig .

A History of

Communication and Transportation

When Indians came from the mainland they would have to carry their canoes to the West River , then paddle to their next stop. When the new settlers came they made use of these trails. As stated before the British made landings here and constructed some sort of a road to . There used to be the remains of a "corduroy" road on the Mike MacDonald farm that was an example of the type of road used to pass over swampy places. A "corduroy" road was made by laying logs crosswise on the road bed. Although this would cause jarring and jolting to a rider with a horse and cart such a road was relatively easy to make, efficient and durable. The earliest settlers had to go the "long way round" to get to Charlottetown . Think of going to Charlottetown from Canoe Cove without crossing bridges. One would have to go to the head of the West River where it could be crossed near Bonshaw , and then byway of Milton to Charlottetown . The preferred way to take produce to market and get supplies was by water.

After shipping began in earnest and wharves were built, ferries crossed the waterways at several places but the largest and most easily accessible was Rocky Point . The first Rocky Point ferry was operated by a Captain Hubbard in 1840. This service which continued until about 1960 ferried vehicles and passengers to and from Charlottetown . It was not needed after the West River Causeway was built, but a small motor boat did operate for a while carrying passengers.

A History of

For about a hundred years our people used horses or walked, usually many miles to ferry or church or wherever they wanted to go, especially on a Sunday in busy farm seasons as the horses had to rest. Then in the early 1900's the car was beginning to be used on the Island. The first car in the Cove, a 1914 Ford, was owned by Duncan MacCannell . There were restrictions on the days cars could be used on the main roads. Cars were banned on Market Days (that is Tuesday and Friday), and most certainly on Sunday because it was feared that the horses would get scared and bolt.

After a hundred years of narrow, winding, dusty but beautiful roads with bushes on both sides giving privacy and shelter the roads were widened and ditched. This doubtful mark of progress sliced huge pieces off front yards and some house lots almost disappeared. In 1960 our road was paved and there is no doubt that it improved our life in the Cove. During this same period a causeway was built across West River between New Dominion and Meadow Bank. That significantly shortened the distance to Charlottetown for the people in the area and to a lesser extent our Cove.

Electricity came to the Cove in 1950. At first, residents had basic wiring with few appliances, but farmers quickly began taking advantage of this tireless servant. Next came heavy wiring with every necessity and convenience following it to make the hard toil of farmers and others easier.

Our telephone line, now so ubiquitous, had its beginning as a local line taking in the area and was kept up by its patrons. There was one phone (toll line) in each area and in Canoe Cove it was at Duncan MacCannell 's. No slot to deposit the money in those days. If the owner of the toll phone did not

A History of Canoe Cove

collect the amount charged at the time, he was sometimes out that much. Gradually more phones were added and Rose MacEwen , wife of Dan, had "central" in her house. This line was not well maintained, and probably during the Second World War manpower and supplies would be hard to get to keep it up, at that time it fell into disuse. In the 1940's the Island Telephone Company took the line over and phone service was restored. Central was then at New Haven , Mrs. Kenneth Docherty being the operator followed by Mrs. Stanley Newman . In the late 1960's the dial system came into use. The party line system is being replaced now by private phones, which is much more convenient.

A History of Canoe Cove

Church History

The early settlers were mostly Scottish Presbyterians. It is said that the more they suffered from the iniquitous "Clearances" the more devout they became, and that being so, they gathered regularly for worship from the time of their arrival. Many of the ministers in Scotland sided with the land owners and encouraged the Clearances so that one could understand if the people turned their backs on the church. Again this emphasises their sterling character in that the Lord was not blamed for the wrongs inflicted on them by their clergy.

Reverend Donald McDonald was sent from the Free Church of Scotland, as a missionary to Canada .

Probably he was sent not so much that they wanted to give this country a missionary as a desire to get rid of him for he was an embarrassment to the Church of Scotland for his apparent intemperance. He went first to but apparently his behavior there was much the same as in Scotland . Two years later, when he was forty-two, he came to the Island and started an itinerant ministry among the scattered members of the Scottish Kirk. He was a deeply troubled man as no doubt his addiction was in severe conflict with his religious convictions. His anxiety was so great that he gave up preaching for a time in early 1828. He spent much time in prayer and reading his Bible and while he was at the home of one of his parishioners on the he was

Rev. Donald MacDonald

A History of Canoe Cove

released from his spiritual despondency. After that he was a new creature in Christ preaching powerfully from Murray River to Wilmot and from Canoe Cove to Rustico . When he died he had five thousand adherents, or better than 10% of the population, who were called "McDonaldites", a term still in use today. He died in the home of William McLeod of Southport in 1867 after having served the people of the Cove as well as his other followers for over forty years. There was a log church handy the site of the present church that was used for about twenty years for worship. Our splendid old building had its beginning in St. Catherines near the Pioneer Cemetery. After a change in plans, the lumber was rafted around to its present site in Canoe Cove . The church was completed in 1872, by Alexander MacFarlane .

An early church secretary's minute book exists dating back to 1894. Charles MacNeill of St. Catherines was the first secretary and his beautiful copper-plate script is a pleasure to read. The charge at that time consisted of , Lot 48, St. Catherines , Nine Mile Creek, Stanchel , and North River , Hunter River and West River . Mr. MacNeill was secretary from 1895 until his death in 1916.

Reverend James MacCall was our first minister after Mr. McDonald remaining for three years before returning to Scotland . For the next few years ministering elders ordained by Mr. MacDonald conducted sacraments of baptism and communion. Justices of the Peace performed marriage ceremonies. In 1875 Rev. John Goodwill , a returned missionary took over the church and remained until 1903 when he had to give up because of ill health. Following Mr. Goodwill were: Rev. James MacDougall , Rev. Daniel MacLean , Rev. Donald Lamont 1920-1928, Rev. Archibald Murchison, Rev. D. V. O'Meara 1928-1929, Rev. Chester Robertson and Rev. Dr. J. W. S. Lowery 1935-1936.

A History of

Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not held in Canoe Cove until the ministry of Rev. Donald Lamont , apparently because there was no communion table, so that all could sit around it to take communion. The first communion table was built by Bateman MacFadyen, son of John K., and the communion linen was made by Mrs. John K. MacFadyen.

Criteria for taking communion, or sacrament as it was most commonly called, were very strict. By the way, a peculiarity of the area was that sacrament was pronounced 'say-kerment'. To take sacrament one must be "under conviction" that is aware of and deeply remorseful for one's sin. Then one was "set free" which meant one realized that because of the Crucifixion and Resurrection one's sins were forgiven and one was "saved". Then one could take sacrament. Many Scottish settlers especially in , Nova Scotia became members of the Presbyterian Church but never felt that they were worthy of receiving communion.

Even after Communion tables were provided so that members could sit around a common table and drink out of a common cup people still travelled to Churchill , Stanchel or DeSable to sacrament. It was common for the people to go as far as Brae or for the annual sacrament service which began on Thursday night with a preparatory service and ended Monday morning with a Thanksgiving service. These services were held once a year in each church as the minister would not be able to arrange them oftener for all churches. Perhaps it was the custom. Many romances which started at these services resulted in marriage. Of course, a new gown and a new hat were a "must" for the ladies, especially the unmarried ones for the sacrament season.

In 1938 application was made by Canoe Cove , Churchill and Nine Mile Creek to be received into the

A History of Canoe Cove

Presbyterian Church of Canada. (Prior to this they were Free Church of Scotland). This was granted by the General Assembly and these congregations joined with Clyde River to form . Rev. Thomas Goodwill was its first inducted minister serving from 1939-1948. Canoe Cove maintained some of its Free Church of Scotland traditions for many years, one being not having musical instruments in the church and the psalms and paraphrases were led by a singing elder called a Precentor. About 1947 the church purchased an organ and music was heard at worship in the church for the first time.

After Mr. Goodwill retired because of ill health students and supply took care of the needs of the congregation until Rev. Donald Nicholson accepted a call to our church in 1950 and stayed until 1956. While he was with us the church was wired for electricity in 1950.

The ministers from then up to the present are as

follows:

Rev. George Killen 1956-1960

Rev. Raymond Gillis 1962-1968

Rev. Gerald Sarcen 1970-1974

Rev. Gordon Reid 1976-1982

Rev. Waldon Moase 1982-1986

Rev. Robert Lyle came to be with us in 1986. He has received a call to go to Sydney , N.S. and left us in August 1992 to take up his ministry there. Pulpit supply included Rev. Mr. Burns . Rev. Mr. Stackhouse and Rev. T. W. Howard for this later period. Earlier visiting ministers were Rev. Ewen MacDougall and later his son the Rev. Ewen . Also Rev. Theodore Ross , Rev. William Campbell , Rev. E. C. Robertson , Rev. Dr. Alex Murray, Rev. Marillus Kik , Rev. J. A. Murchison , Rev. Carlyle Webster , Rev. J. H. Bishop , Rev. Richard Westaway, Rev. Neii Herman and Rev. Horace

A History of

MacEwen. We are greatly indebted to Rev. Donald Campbell, retired minister of Zion Presbyterian Church, Rev. Gordon Matheson , present minister of Zion, and Rev. Donald Nicholson for their help in the later years when we would be temporarily without the services of an ordained minister. A past minster, Rev. Raymond Gillis now serves as Minister -Emeritus .

We have also had many students some of whom became noted ministers. They were: Murdoch MacKinnon son of "Big Donald", Colin MacNevin of DeSable , James Lamont son of Rev. Donald Lamont , Lome MacKay (who later became a moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada ), John Carson and Lloyd Henderson . Wayne Burke was with us on a part time basis for two years, also Richard Mazolf for a much lesser time.

Tribute must also be paid to the faithful elders, too numerous to mention, but who made a great contribution over the years to church and community. We can be proud of and grateful for our church heritage

.'■'■■'. ■■'■'■'A {;':.'vi..:;.;-:';.';■ ■■■:■•-•■":.'■ -

WSiMik,

A History of

The Cemetery

The cemetery was started down by the shore before the present church was built. The first person buried in our cemetery was David Potts , an English sailor whose body washed ashore. There is a gravestone at his grave but it states only that he was the son of John Potts from England . No details are available as to his ship or how his body came to wash ashore. The cemetery was used for the Nine Mile Creek area as well as the Cove. Some from the St. Catherines area used it even though there is a Pioneer Cemetery at St Catherines. Some of our people are buried in the Argyle Shore Cemetery. The early settlers would use the cemetery of their choice and the descendents, usually, would continue to use that cemetery.

At first all cemeteries had rounded graves which were not precisely aligned whether they had stones or not. This would make the cemetery difficult to care for when people began to be concerned with the appearance of a cemetery. In the late 1920's the graves were levelled and the stones aligned so that a lawn mower could be used. Our cemetery is one of the more attractive ones, as the grass is kept mowed and extra flowers are planted to enhance its appearance.

A History of

Canoe Cove School

In 1820 the "South Shore School" was established in Canoe Cove . The early construction of a schoolhouse in the community is an indication that education was a primary concern to the early settlers. The superintendent's report of 1840 described the school as "one of the largest and most commodious on the Island." This comment shows that government officials were fond of big words and redundancy in those days, too.

Children generally entered school between seven and eight years of age, and seldom remained past thirteen or fourteen. In fact, it is not long since "school leaving" exams at grade eight were abolished. Attendance was irregular from May to October when children helped on the farm.

School started with prayer and reading of the Scriptures and ended in the same manner. Subjects taught included Gaelic, map-reading, orthography,

A History of Canoe Cove

grammar and arithmetic. The superintendant, also known as the "Visitor" made periodic visits to examine the children's knowledge as well as the condition of the schoolhouse.

Teachers were boarded with the residents of the community. Women teachers were considered inferior to men teachers in the role of disciplinarian and consequently received lower salaries.

The Free Education Act was instituted in 1853 bringing a means of education within reach of every family. Before this time small grants of money were provided to aid in the erection of public schools and in payment of teachers. Pupil's fees made up the greater part of the money earned by a teacher. Under such a weak system the teachers practically ran their own schools and the education gained depended on the teacher's knowledge or lack of it. Poorer parents could not afford to pay and illiteracy was prevalent.

The was not established until 1836 consequently there were no standard criteria for teachers in 1820 when Canoe Cove School was established. Teacher Training did not take place until 1856. The was renamed Prince of Wales College in 1860 in honor of the then Prince of Wales . Because his father was German his motto was "Ich Dien" (I serve ) and that remained the motto of Prince of Wales College until it amalgamated with Saint Dunstan's University in 1965 to form the University of Prince Edward Island.

A Canoe Cove teacher's register dated July 2,1884 still exists. The teacher at the time was Jack MacNevin and the "Visitor" was John Balderston . Mr. Balderston's note stated that "38 (out of 64) pupils were present, a map of Canada should have been provided, it was a well constructed school and

A History of Canoe Cove

progress was satisfactory". It is ironic that map- reading was taught but there was not even a map of Canada . It must be remembered that the map of Canada would be very different then from what it is today.

It was a formidable task for Mr. MacNevin to teach

fifteen subjects to 64 pupils especially when those

subjects included Latin, French, music and physical

culture.

The following is a list of the pupils that attended

school in 1884, their ages and grades. Perhaps you

can pick out an ancestor or relative on the list.

Name Age Grade

1. Neil Charles MacRae 16 6

2. Malcolm McKenzie 16 6

3. George W. McPhee 16 6

(George seems to have a slow start but he became a lawyer, a judge and a member of parliament)

4. John McKenzie 13 6

5. Annie Inman 14 5

6. Flora McKenzie 11 5

7. JenervaMcRae 13 5

8. Elvira Kathrens 13 4

9. Ernest McLeod 11 4 10 FinlayMcRae 12 4

11. Alex Stewart 11 4

12. Clara May Inman 8 1

13. Leona Rogerson 6 1

14. Louisa Ann McKinnon 8 2

15. Maggie McKinnon 8 1

16. Reuben McKinnon 7 1

17. Herbert Kathrens 6 1

18. Lizzie McKinnon 6 1

A History of Canoe Cove

19. Mark Inman 12 4 20. Ethel McKenzie 11 3 21. Archie McKinnon 9 3 22. Wallace McKenzie 10 3 23. Laughlin E. McKinnon 10 3 24. Duncan Darrach 9 3 25. Neil McDougall 10 2 26. Neil McKenzie 8 2 27. Kate McKenzie 7 2 28. Isabella Darrach 6 1 29. Jessie McKenzie 6 1 30. Angus McFadyen 11 4 31. James McFadyen 7 3 32. Bella Currie 8 2 33. Kate McFadyen 1 2 34. Neil McLean 10 1 35. Ira McLean 8 1 36. Janet McLean 12 3 37. Neil Currie 12 3 38. Daniel McLean 10 3 39. Spurgeon McFadyen 6 1 40. Laughlin McKinnon 14 4 41. Peter McFadyen 9 2 42. Daniel Darrach 13 3 43. Alice Ann Campbell 12 1 44. Finlay McFadyen 12 4 45. Duncan McKinnon 9 3 46. Teenie McLean 6 1 47. Jas. Campbell 16 3 48. Euphemia McLean 11 3 49. David McRae 11 3 50. Jas. McRae 11 3 51. Minnie McKinnon 14 4 52. Wm. McKinnon 10 3 53. John A. McKinnon 11 2 54. Joseph McKinnon 12 4 55. Flora McLeod 7 1 56. Norman McLeod 5 1 57. Wm. McRae 5 1

A History of Canoe Cove

58. Maggie McFadyen 13 3 59. John Angus Darrach 12 3 60. John McDougall 12 2 61. Duncan McEachern 15 6 62. Catherine McKinnon 12 4 63. Angus McKinnon 14 4 64. Benjamin Martin 16 4

Canoe Cove School Teachers

1840-1841 Ewen Lamont (South Shore School)

1842-1843 School vacant

1845-1847 Roderick McKinnon

1850 Malcolm McKenzie

1856-1857 Neil McKenzie

1858-1859 Joseph Ince

1861-1862 James McNeil

1864-1865 James McNeil

1867 Charles Darrach

1869 Ronald McPherson

1873-1874 Mary MacCannell

1875 School vacant

1879 Donald McDougall

1880-1882 Donald McKinnon

1883-1884 Annie Inman

1885 Norman McNeil

1893-1898 Flora E. McLean

1888 Flora McKenzie

1889 Flora E. McLean 1890-1901 Malcolm McKenzie 1902-1904 George W. McPhee 1905-1908 Stewart Inman 1909 Grace Inman

A History of Canoe Cove

1910 M. McKinnon

1911 Colin McFadyen

1912 Elsie Skerry 1913-1914 Flora Cameron

1915 Arch. M. Campbell

1916 Harold Keeping 1917-1921 Neil McCannell

1922 Neil McCannell , Mabel Bears

1923 Mabel Bears , Marion McSwain , James Buell

1924 James Buell , Helen McKinnon

1925 Helen McKinnon

1926 Helen McKinnon , Marion McSwain

1927 Marion McSwain , Mary Irving

1928 Mary Irving , Mary S. MacKay 1929-1930 Mary S. MacKay

1931 Mary S. MacKay , Helen MacRae

1932-1933 Helen MacRae

1934 Helen MacRae , Christena MacNevin

1935 Christena MacNevin

1936 Christena MacNevin , Heath MacQuarrie

1937 Heath MacQuarrie , Christena MacNevin, Stella Inman

1938-1939 Stella R. Inman

1940 Stella R. Inman , Annie Gordon

1941 Annie Gordon , Rita MacKay

1942 Rita M. MacKay , Stella Inman MacRae , Mary MacDougall

1943 Mary MacDougall , Dorothy MacTavish

1944 Dorothy MacTavish , Jean MacCallum

1945 Jean MacCallum , Ina Hickox

1946 Jean MacCallum

1947 Marie Crosby

1948 Bennett Carr , Eleanor Carson

1949 Eleanor Carson

1950 Eleanor Carson , Ina Hickox 1951-1952 Ina Hickox

1953 Ina Hickox , Arlene MacEachern

A History of Canoe Cove

1954 Arlene MacEachem

1955 Arlene MacEachem , Georgina Kelly Ross

1956 Wayne MacEachem

1957 Avila Hughes

1958 Elizabeth Enman , Joyce MacKenzie

1959 Ethelyn MacKenzie 1960-1961 Louise MacLaine 1961 Kathleen MacPhee 1962-1964 Hazel Hardy 1965-1969 Clarinda MacKenzie 1970-1971 Margaret Duffy 1972 Pearl MacEachem

Canoe Cove School at about the beginning of the Century

Canoe Cove School in 1951

Back Row: Delbert Muirhead , Dean Mac Fadyen , Charles MacKinnon , Sadie MacFadyen, Russel Muirhead , Alberts MacLean, : Marion MacNevin, Jean Muirhead , Curtis MacFadyen , Everett MacFadyen , Sterling

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A History of

Canoe Cove Hall

Around the turn of the century a part of a house was moved adjacent to the school and remodeled to make a hall. Later on an upper storey was added to provide a meeting place for the Orange Lodge . The hall comittee's minute book is available dating back to 1927 which shows that in earlier years the hall was well used for socials, political meetings, fiddlers contest and other entertainment. The minutes of 1935 indicate that it was being used for "moving pictures". Bruce Yeo from Montague showed movies until the 1950's with good attendance. Then came television which affected attendance at all local entertainments. The hall deteriorated badly during the 1960's and 70's and in the late 1970's it was sold to Perley Shaw who tore it down and hauled it away.

A History of

Canoe Cove Rink

Open air rinks as well as covered rinks were a source of recreation (fitness was not thought of then) in many of the Island communities in the first half of this century and Canoe Cove had an open air rink near the Corner on land then owned by Albert MacDougall . It was enclosed by a fence and lights were provided by a generator. The young men of the time hauled the water from Laughie's dam with horse and sleigh. Two different sites were tried before one was chosen and that one flourished for many years until more comfortable rinks located in larger centers took its patrons and forced its closure. A lot of the young men had enlisted in the Armed Forces and after the war was over moved to larger centers to find work. The Canoe Cove team was called "The Lucky Strikes" but the Nine Mile Creek "Bulldogs" was the team that usually won and got the applause. Bill MacKinnon , Hector MacNevin and other young men of the district spent many long cold hours preparing the ice but it provided many nights of fun for the young and maybe the not so young. At this time the sophisticated equipment of today was not available and could not be afforded. We were told recently that a goalie from Argyle Shore used Eaton's and Simpson's catalogues for shin pads and his goalie stick was a spruce bough. That did not detract in any way from the fun and good fellowship enjoyed by the players.

A History of

The Post Office

Canoe Cove would not have been settled when the first mail service was inaugurated by General Patterson. In 1786 the first post office for the Island was built at Charlottetown . Stamps as we know them were not used and mail was delivered for a fee, whoever received the letter paid for it. (Can you imagine how that would annoy us today with the mass of junk mail!) There were no roads thus delivery was by boat. In 1827 county post offices opened and in 1828 three courier routes were established; weekly delivery in summer and fortnightly in winter. It was about one hundred years later that courier service came to Canoe.Cove so Ernest Inman informed me. He has the original mail box that was used at that time. Perhaps some of you can remember the type; the box was on an arm that could swing freely.

In 1851 the Island government took over control of the post offices and services and by 1900 post offices began to be established in different communities, by 1893 in Canoe Cove . One early post office was located in the home of Neil MacFadyen , who was also a blacksmith. Later the post office was moved to the Corner where it was operated by the storekeeper. Mrs. John Angus Darrach (Clara) capably performed this service for many years before it was closed, around 1960, when Clyde River Post Office, operated by Robert Matheson and later Ralph Darrach served the area. That post office, too, was closed later and Cornwall Post Office is now our local branch.

A History of

The General Stores

There were several general stores in our Cove at different times. The one that lasted longest was at the Corner across from the school and it had many owners. Who established it is unclear but John MacKenzie, the piper, who was also a shoe maker lived there. He was a relative of the present day MacKenzies of Canoe Cove . William MacKay who married Christena MacLean was operating it when it burned down and a store which had belonged to Neil "Cooper" MacLean was moved across to the site. This was later bought by Neil MacCannell of Long Creek , a schoolteacher who taught in the Cove for a few years. Hector MacNevin from St. Catherines operated it for a year while it still belonged to Neil MacCannell because Neil had accepted a job in Charlottetown as clerk of the Court. Later Mrs. John Angus Darrach bought it and she and her son George ran it for years until both had health problems, and had to close the store after which closing it never reopened. After George died and his wife Hazel moved to Montague to live with her family the building was sold to Robert Patterson . Rob lived in it for a few years, making many improvements then sold it to Kirk McAleer.

A History of

MacEacherns who lived near the Comer also had a store for a short time. Farquhar MacRae had a store at his residence across the road from his father, Finlay. It, too, was just operating for a short time when Farquhar left the district to get more involved with the marketing of lobsters.

Archibald MacKinnon and his wife Rita had a store and produce business on Big Donald's corner across from the church road, after the Second War from about 1946 to about 1955. He also built a plant for waxing turnips. When Archie and his family moved to U.S.A. the house was bought by John Gass who moved it to New Haven . This site has been unoccupied since then.

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A History of

Factories, Mills and Other Businesses

Fishing and farming were the main means of earning a living but related businesses also had sprung up. Lobsters were plentiful, so plentiful that a man could go out in a small boat a short distance and take them in by the cartload, but the fishermen only got from a cent to three cents apiece for them. Several factories were built in the Cove. They were Dean's, Farquharson's, Henneberry's and The Portland Packing Company. Farquhar MacRae also had a small cannery at his father's shore but after a short time this ran into financial difficulties and he later went into business with Charles Earle in Charlottetown in a larger operation that lasted many years.

The Portland Packing Company was located where the Lloyd Inman Memorial Park is now, and had the biggest impact on our Cove. It was a large operation for its time employing many local workers as well as ensuring that fishermen had a sure sale for their fish. It also processed meat. Here tribute must be paid to "Big Donald" MacKinnon who was a fair and honorable business man that very capably ran the factory for many years. One very important aspect of canning lobster is the sealing of the cans and Hugh Grant , brother-in-law of Mr. MacKinnon, did this for many years, followed by James (Jay) MacNevin. Many people worked at the factory, but two other names mentioned to me were Colin MacPhail from Long Creek and Rogerson of the Cove.

A History of

There were many fishermen in those days and one can picture the Cove full of sail boats and dories with the men busily running around getting ready to go to the fishing grounds. As sails gave way to engines Duncan MacCannell was the first to have a gasoline engine in his boat and I can imagine the folk of the time saying that he would blow boat and himself up with the contraption.

We can see that fishing was a subsistence occupation because of the low prices but lobsters could be had in abundance. Prices increased very slowly and stocks decreased, which led to drastic measures having to be taken in the industry. Trap limits had to be imposed as well as a limit on the number of licenses issued but these implementations have paid off.

The factory, the cookhouse, the accomodations for fishermen are long gone; only three boats in recent years were anchored in the Cove, one belonging to young Duncan MacCannell , one to Norman MacLeod , son of George, also a fisherman, and one to Lome MacLeod, son of Norman. This year (1992) only one boat fishes out of the Cove, and that is Duncan's. A nostalgic era is gone and becoming a dimmer memory as time goes by.

I have just learned that the well known Harris family owned a lobster cannery at Canoe Cove at one time. This is confirmed by the 1880 Atlas which shows that they owned the factory on the site later occupied by the Portland Packing Company. The owner, Critchlow Harris was the father of Robert, the noted artist, and William, the equally famous architect. William designed the labels for his father's lobster cans and a facsimile of these were put on display recently at a district Women's Institute convention at North River by Critchlow Harris' great grand daughter, Barbara Tuck McAndrew. An inside look at the Canoe Cove

A History of Canoe Cove

lobster cannery is the subject of a Robert Harris painting.

A saw mill was operated by Duncan MacCannell at MacEachern's Creek, just below his house for 20 years. Across the road from Duncan Neil MacFadyen had his blacksmith shop and next to Neil, Neil's brother John K. along with his sons had a carriage shop. The 1880 Atlas shows a carriage shop on that site but the MacFadyens would not have been in the Cove then. The carriage shop apparently was a very successful business with the high quality of work done by the MacFadyens, but times changed. Neil MacFadyen moved to the States, John K's son Malcolm took over the blacksmith shop moving his business to Johnny "Dugald" MacKinnon's when he married Johnny's daughter Mary Belle . As business fell off in the carriage shop the MacFadyen boys went away, most of them to the States. The carriage shop deteriorated and had to be torn down. Today there is no trace of the flourishing businesses of long ago except the cement block of the forge in the MacCannell front yard.

Richard Rogerson also had a blacksmith shop in the 1800's across the road from where the Neil MacFadyen one later located.

Neil "the Tailor" MacNevin lived where his grandson Milton now lives and no doubt took care of the tailoring needs of our Cove. Another tailor was John Darrach, son of "Black Jack" who learned his trade from John MacEachern of New Argyle .

As stated earlier John MacKenzie was a shoemaker

Boat building also flourished in our Cove. John Thomas Inman, son of David, built a boat "The Derry" at his father's shore. He used this boat for many years

A History of Canoe Cove

to transport passengers and goods between Charlottetown and Bonshaw . Duncan MacCannell was also a boat builder and worked with Spurgeon Hickox of Bonshaw . They built the fishing boat used for many years by Duncan's son John.

Francis MacDougall who bought the Farquhar MacRae place built potato graders in his shop. He also made lawn furniture.

So you see our Cove had her successful business men and not one penny of government money was used. When times changed and a particular operation ceased the owner gathered his resources and talents together and made a success somewhere else.

Let us not forget the women in all of this. Long ago the women were expert in spinning, weaving, knitting, candle making, soap making, and in whatever else was needed for everyday life. To name one, Mrs. Dougald MacDougall was an excellent weaver of blankets, some of which are still in use today perhaps eighty years later. A beautiful white candlewick bed spread dated 1906 with the initials L.M.C . and made in the MacDougall home is still in good condition. Who was L. M. C ? Custom weaving was done at Corner by two MacCannell sisters, Jessie and Lucy.

Incidentally, there is a loom in the Vincent Doiron attic that must have been for the personal use of the MacLean's or the MacNeill's.

Another more mundane task that was sometimes done by the women was the knitting of heads (netting) for the lobster traps. Mrs. John M. Stewart used to knit the heads for fishermen with the strong cotton twine that they supplied. Today nylon twine is used and fishermen knit their own or get them by some other means.

A History of

Lloyd Inman Memorial Park

The Portland Packing Company land, where the lobster factory was situated, covered about four acres and when they ceased operation the factory was bought by Mrs. Howatt and was run as a much lesser operation. With Mrs. Howatt was her son-in-law Lloyd Inman , a distant cousin of the Canoe Cove Inmans and he subsequently owned it. The West River Community Improvement Committee recognizing the need for a recreational area approached Mrs. Dorothy Inman, widow of Lloyd, about the possibility of using the land for a community park. She responded positively and the land was leased for a lengthy period with the condition that it be used as a park in memory of her husband. Through the efforts of the committee chaired by Wallace Buntin with Vincent MacKenzie as secretary, and lots of hard work by local men the result was a beautifully landscaped park. A change house and toilets were added along with a suitable monument and plaque. The Lloyd Inman Memorial Park opened on August 26, 1985 with an impressive ceremony.

In 1989 a shelter for serving picnic lunches was built. This was a welcome addition as previously, if it started to rain the meal had to be served somewhere else.

Many groups as well as individuals make use of the park. It is especially pleasing that the Inman family use this facility for their reunions each year.

A History of

The Phantom Ship

While we are dwelling on the activities in and around the shore we should think about The Phantom Ship. This phenomenon has been sighted many times over the years and not just by our Cove people. It has been seen on both sides of the Northumberland Strait and has been written about in many papers and magazines, the and The Insight to mention two. It has been described as a sailboat and as a steamer, always on fire, and some people have claimed to have seen sailors running to and fro on the ship. The ship would remain stationary for hours, ablaze from stem to stern, then suddenly disappear. Many Cove people, most of which are dead, have seen this phenomenon. However, Hector MacNevin is one of the few who can give a first hand account of his sighting of the Phantom Ship.

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A History of

The apparent explanation for its appearance is considered to be a certain atmospheric condition whereby lights that are far away appear to be much, much closer than they are. The ships seen were more likely to have been lights on shore and the sailors running around a figment of the imagination.

Many Scots had the gift of "second sight" and often saw forerunners that took the form of an unusual light. If, coincidentally, a tragedy occured at the time of this sighting it was considered to be a forerunner.

While we are on the subject of mysterious sightings, maybe sometime in the future somebody will tell of seeing a strange young man and young woman walking hand in hand in the second field from the MacCannell shore. One beautiful day in May 1986, two sad, discouraged young people, one from the Western end of the Island and one from the other end with problems with life, saw no other solution to their woes than to drive to a strange place and end their lives. Surely Mother Nature wept that day.

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A History of

Superstitions

This seems like a good time to tell you of some of the superstitions of the people. Every Scot knows that on New Year's Eve the first visitor should be dark haired and he should bring something to eat to ensure that those whom he visits will have plenty to eat throughout the year. He also should bring something for the fire such as coal, to ensure there will be something to burn in the stove throughout the next year. Never put the right shoe on before the left and always work from left to right. To do otherwise would be to do it "widdershins". Never start a new piece of work on Friday. If you put a piece of clothing on inside out such as a sock, do not change it until the normal time for taking it off. Never look at the new moon on its first night through glass. Do not put three burning lamps on a table at the same time. It is a sign of a death. Do not seat thirteen at the table, also the sign of a death. If a bird flies in the house from outdoors that too, is a sign of a death. If you drop a glove get someone else to pick it up. It is bad luck to turn back if you start on a journey. If you give a sharp present to someone, such as a knife, give a penny with it otherwise it is bad luck.

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A History of

Camps

Keir Presbyterian Centre

Still on shore related activities we will look at the camps. Canoe Cove has been a prime site for camps for over 60 years. In the nineteen twenties the Canadian Girls in Training had their camps in a field at the shore belonging to Duncan MacCannell, and for many years the Young Men 's Christian Association held their camps on the same site.

The first permanent camp was built by the Church of Christ in the mid nineteen fifties, on land that long ago belong to Archie Campbell. This camp is very well attended and is a great asset to the church.

The Presbyterians had their camp, , in the French River area for many years. As the number of campers and their activities grew more space and a more convenient site was needed. In 1986 an all-year-round facility was built on land that had one time belonged to " Red " Dougald MacDougall . This is an ideal place for community activities as well as church related functions as it has a large open area and excellent kitchen facilities. Much credit is given to Rev. John Cameron of the Kirk of St. James and Rev. Gordon Matheson of Zion Presbyterian Church, both in Charlottetown for getting this project completed. Hugh Lowry , a retired minister of Zion Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. Lowry are remembered with gratitude and affection for their dedicated service with church camps down through the years. The camp is capably cared for by David and Wanda MacFadyen. Florence MacCannell has been the camp nurse for several years.

A History of Canoe Covi

Organizations

The Orange Lodge

The Orange Lodge was the first organization that met in the Cove. The Orangemen had previously met at Long Creek but moved to Canoe Cove after the hall was built.

Later in the nineteen twenties a Ladies Lodge was organized and Neil MacCannell has been mentioned as being instrumental in this effort. These Lodges flourished for over fifty years then lapsed during the seventies at the Cove for lack of members. Some members joined othes lodges or met elsewhere, keeping up their interest in Lodge work. The Lodges were an excellent forum for learning public speaking, as well as providing a social outlet. The twelfth of July Orange Tea was a big event and was held here many times. The annual Orangemen's banquet, another social event was held in the winter.

A list of chartered members of the Ladies Lodge is not available but the following though incomplete will name some of the families involved in the Lodges.

Donald MacDougall and relatives

Mr. and Mrs. Colin Campbell

Mr. and Mrs Harry MacNevin of

Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm MacFadyen

Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Darrach

Mr. and Mrs. Hugh (Duncan) MacKinnon

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A History of

Mr. and Mrs. Ewen MacKinnon

Mr. and Mrs. Hector MacNevin Sr. and family

Mr. and Mrs. Hector MacNevin Jr.

The Donald MacKinnon family

Mrs. Duncan MacCannell and Florence

Mr. and Mrs. Colin MacFadyen

Mrs. Charles MacKinnon

Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin E. MacKinnon

John D. MacLean, Dougall and Mamie

Mrs. Colin MacPhail ,

Donald MacNevin and Charles

Mrs. Hugh MacPhee , Velma and Mary

Mrs. Neil Darrach

Kenneth MacRae Sr.

Division

Another organization that was active many, many years ago was Division which was a chapter of the Sons of Temperance. A report was published in the local newspaper dated August 29 with no year given but a friend told me that it would be from the early 1900's. Here is a quote from it:

A large and enthusiastic temperance meeting was held in Canoe Cove Hall, Mr John W. McFadyen acting as chairman. Grand Scribe J.F. Profitt , Hampton, then delivered a lengthy and eloquent address, after which a Divison of The Order of the Sons of Temperance was durly organized to be known as Harvest Divison No. 269. The following able staff of officers was chosen: W.P. Daniel McLean

W.A. Miss Jessie McKenzie

RS> MurdochMcKinnon, teacher

A.R.S. Miss Laura McLean

F.S. N, D. McFadyen

A History of

Tresurer Mark Inman

Chaplain J. C. McEachern

Cons . Neil McKenzie

A. Cons. Colin McFadyen

IS. Hugh McPhee

OS A lex McFadyen

P.W.P. J.K. McFadyen

S.V.P.W. Malcolm McKenzie

"This Division, situated as it is in one of our most industrious and enterprising communities, together with an exceedingly large membership, promises to eclipise any of its kind in the jurisdiction. The instituting officer was much elated to see so many heads of families join in to help carry on the work of moral reform". Its aims were laudable but one suspects the accomplishments may not have lived up to the high ideals.

The Women's Missionary Society (Presbyterian)

The Presbyterian Women's Missionary Society was organized at Canoe Cove Church by Mrs. Hurst of Charlottetown on Thursday afternoon, June 16,1955. The charter members were:

Mrs. Laughlin MacKinnon

Mrs. Albert MacDougall , President

Miss Annie (Bee) MacRae

Mrs. Malcolm MacFadyen , Secretary

Mrs. Francis MacDougall, Treasurer

Mrs. Duncan MacCannell

Mrs. James MacKenzie

Mrs. Neil Darrach

Mrs. Walter Shaw

..,jl s

A History of

Miss Louise MacKenzie Mrs. John A. MacDougall Mrs. Nicholas Gillis Mrs. Neil MacPhail Mrs. John MacCannell Mrs. Marklnman Mrs. Alex MacQuarrie Mrs. Neil MacKenzie Mrs. Colin MacFadyen Mrs. Dan MacLean Mrs. Roy MacPhee Mrs. Charles MacNevin Mrs. Willard MacKinnon Mrs. Dougall MacLean

This organization was very well attended for many years but as older members died their places were not taken, and now there are very few members. The women still meet regularly, and it is amazing how much is accomplished to help support missionaries abroad and to help those who labor at home.

Women's Institute

Community minded women had been meeting fairly regularly in Canoe Cove primarily to meet the needs of the school, a type of a Home and School club. This was due mostly to the efforts of Ina Hickox who was an inspiring teacher in the district. This group led to the organization of the Canoe Cove Women's Institute, which was effected on September 15, 1950 by MaryLea Boswell, formerly of Victoria. The officers elected that night were President, Mary MacPhee; Vice President, Ina Hickox , and Secretary-

4

A History of

Treasurer, Sadie MacDougall . There were twelve members present. The charter members were:

Mrs. Dan MacPhee

Mrs. Beecher Hickox

Mrs. Charles MacKinnon

Mrs. Howard Muirhead

Mrs. Archibald MacKinnon

Mrs. Albert MacDougall

Mrs. George Darrach

Mrs. Willard MacKinnon

Mrs. Dougall MacLean

Miss Edith MacLean

Mrs. Roy MacPhee

Mrs. John MacCannell

Mrs. Harold MacKinnon

Mrs. Colin MacFadyen

Mrs. Sandy MacKenzie

The Women's Institute ran well for many years, but waned as some members moved away, some began working outside the home. In addition the closing of the school took away some of the focus of the Institute, and perhaps the interest of the members.

The general needs of the community were still fulfilled by caring women who met as a community group, and the young people were cared for by a second group. These groups joined in 1988 to reactivate the Women's Institute. The new group started meeting monthly in the fall of 1988 and have accomplished much in a short time.

The Women's Institute bought the school from the Government in 1973 which was a wise decision as it gave a centre to the district for meetings and social gatherings. Although the school was kept in fairly good repair, by 1989 the interior shabbiness was so noticeable that something had to be done. The

A History of Canoe Cove

women held bake and yard sales to raise money, and consequently the interior was redecorated. Now it is not only a cozy, warm place to meet, it is attractive as well.

People from the district have worked for the Red Cross for a long time for many purposes, starting with knitting for soldiers during the wars. Schools also used to have meetings on Friday afternoons. The aim of the meetings was to teach pupils the basics of good health. One of the rules was that we should bath once a week, another was that we should wash our hair once every two weeks. Before we snicker at this we must remember that very few rural homes had electricity, running water or central heating. Getting a whole family bathed on Saturday night was quite a chore. When First Aid Posts were established Canoe Cove was chosen over thirty years ago with Florence MacCannell , R.N . in charge. The idea of the post came up because of a near drowning in the MacCannell family. One and one- half year old Billy and two and a half year old Rosemary were happily playing and splashing at a tub of rain water when Billy lost his balance and tumbled in. By the time the mishap was noticed he was unconscious. Florence gave rudimentary artificial respiration and fortunately, Billy responded, but it was a very close call. An interview with Evelyn Cudmore of the Provincial followed, which was broadcast on radio, and shortly after that the Post was started at the Cove. We are very lucky that there were no serious accidents during the time the Post has been in operation.

A History of

An excellent First Aid team was formed in the district under the tutelage of Sinclair Cutcliffe , who was the First Aid Chairman for the . This team placed first in a national competition in Montreal. Team members were Velma MacPhee , Cindy MacKenzie, Marty MacFadyen , Myrtle MacNevin and Margaret MacNevin .

Velma MacPhee was Water Safety Chairman for the surrounding area for seventeen years. Later this work was done by Janet MacKenzie and due to their efforts many children from the district have learned to swim. Janet and her husband have left the district but swimming lessons are still available for those interested.

Our Soldiers

World War I

Richard Rogerson, killed in France Archibald MacKinnon , killed in France Ewen MacKinnon Garfield MacLean Earl Rogerson

World War II

Served overseas Lloyd MacDougall Cleve MacDonald Rodolph MacDonald John MacNevin Neil MacNevin

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A History of

Morris MacLean Daniel MacPhee Donald MacRae Roderick MacRae Perley Shaw Alex Darrach Oswald Darrach Colin Darrach

Enlisted, served in Canada Neil MacCannell Willard MacKinnon Fin ley MacRae

Victor MacFadyen joined the Canadian Navy after the Second War and saw action aboard the HMCS Iroquois in the Korean War. He later joined the Royal Canadian Air Force where he spent many years before retirement. His son, Steven, also joined up serving in the Communications Reserves, then resigned to become a school teacher.

Norman Shaw , son of Perley, is following in his father's footsteps. He is an instructor in the Navy and is stationed at CFB Shearwater, N.S.

Major William MacCannell , who studied at the Royal Military College of Science in Shrivenham, England , received a M.Sc . in military vehicle technology, is an Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Officer with the army. A later assignment was life cycle maintenance manager of Vehicles and mobility specialist with National in Ottawa. Major MacCannell is now serving with a Multinational Force in Egypt.

A History of

Major Margaret (Ross) MacKinnon RN ., BN. is married to a former resident of Canoe Cove , Charles MacKinnon, a grandson of Big Donald. She is the first woman on P.E.I , to attain that rank and the first woman to be appointed aide-de-camp to a lieutenant- governor. Marion Reid , herself a first as the first woman to become lieutenant-governor, chose Major MacKinnon in September 1990, soon after her own appointment.

A History of

The People

This chapter in the Cove history will look at some of the families of the early settlers and their descendents. Some names date from when the Cove was settled and some have moved here more recently.

A lot of the Cove was settled by MacKinnons who came from the Isle of Skye, Scotland , in 1820. The MacNevins also came in 1820. Some farms have remained in the same families since their forbears came out from Scotland . In our democratic society this does not mean very much, but in England , for example, these families would be considered gentry. There are few really old houses, and those that are close to 150 years old are very attractive examples of the architecture of the time. The original houses which would have been of logs are all gone, and even the sites where people lived are obliterated in most cases.

As almost all the early settlers were Scots, Canoe Cove is still predominately Scots and most names are prefixed with "Mac". Early records show that "Mc" which means "son of was used as the prefix in some Scots names rather than "Mac". MacRae is the exception to this and would properly be spelled Macrae . When the people exchanged Mc for Mac is not known but the connotation now is that Mc is Irish and Mac is Scots.

For the most part the settlers were farmers and fishermen, and of course carpenters by necessity. As we noted before, mills and factories and trades abounded to care for the needs of the community.

A History of

Many of the young people had to go "away" to find work. In Massachussets and other states we would find thousands of descendents of our Island people. Western Canada was also opening up then and many of our people went there to earn a living and never came back. We have exported lawyers, doctors, ministers, teachers and nurses as well as others who rose in their chosen professions or trades. Their names (that is the ones who left) have become well known in many cases, but we should also recognize the ones who had to stay behind to look after parents and mind the family farm and fishery. They too, deserve our respect, and of those one could say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

If the remarks on the people read like the Biblical "begats", it is intentional, and if it helps a reader to trace his ancestors and where they lived it has served its main purpose. Many of the people had the same name so some means had to be devised to identify them. It is a Scots custom to add a parent's name, usually the fathers to the child, such as Johnny (child) Dugald (father). Less commonly it was the mother's, such as Duncan Mary . Sometimes the grandfather's name was added as I heard my husband talk about Sam Donald Dougall the other day. Sometimes a trade was used as in Neil Cooper . Sometimes a place as in Johnny In (In the Woods). A good example of the latter occurred about 1915 when there were three Sadie MacKinnons going to school. They were Sadie Hughie Duncan, Sadie Johnny Dougall and Sadie Quincy. Sadie Quincy was a niece of Duncan and Neil MacCannell and came from Quincy, Massachussetts. Sadie's mother died when the children were young and Sadie was sent to the Island to stay with relatives for a few years. There are many instances in these writings where the children were left fatherless or motherless or both and were cared for by kind relatives. This kindness and sense of duty was well

A History of Canoe Cove

demonstrated in our people when relatives or neighbors were in need. No Cove child went to an orphanage although there was a Protestant Orphanage established at Mount Herbert due to the influence of Rev. Daniel MacLean of our church. No older person or one incapable of caring for his own needs was sent to an institution as this was considered demeaning both to the person and his family or neighbor. According to the church minutes a sum was set aside each year for the poor but no notation of how it was spent which I think shows a great respect for the recipient's privacy.

The above is a digression from the comments on names and there is one more point I want to make about the naming of a child by Scots parents. The oldest son is named for the father's father, the second for the mother's father and the third for the father. The oldest daughter is named for the father's mother, the second for the mother's mother and the third for the mother. Any other children were named as a matter of choice but usually after a favorite aunt or uncle, or the minister or doctor. It can be easily seen why nicknames were necessary.

The owners of properties follow in alphabetical order (more or less).

THE ANDREWS.

Alan and Lois have built an attractive house on what was MacLean land, then owned by Joseph MacKenzie .

BASILETTI.

Mari, along with JoDee Samuelson bought a log house which was built by Glen and Colleen McDearmid on the site of Dugald MacDougall 's house. Both are gifted artists, singers and musicians. Mari works for the provincial government.

A History of Canoe Cove

THE BERRYS.

Donald and Elsie from Ontario , bought a house built by Brian and Peggy Dollar on what used to be the James " Mike " MacDonald property. Brian and Peggy have moved to Cornwall where Brian is a building contractor. Don and Elsie are retired.

THE BUNTINS.

Wallace, a native of U.SA , married Frances MacLeod , daughter of William and Rosilla (MacDonald), when they lived in the States. Wally, when he retired, bought land from Ernest Inman and built a home there. After only a few years of retirement Frances died and later Wally married Helen Dunlop of U.S.A.

THE CAMPBELLS.

Archibald Campbell lived nearer the Argyle Shore end of the Cove. He married Mary Anne MacDougall of New Argyle . They had a daughter, Beatrice, a school teacher, who died at the age of twenty three years, and a son Colin, who married Catherine MacNevin of New Argyle . Colin sold the farm to Roy Diamond when he and Catherine moved to the States to live. Colin died in the States but Catherine and their son, Murdoch still live there. Roy Diamond sold the farm to Curtis MacFadyen , who sold the house to Dr. Bruce MacCannell. The house burned down and no one has since built on the site.

Alexander lived next to Archie. Margaret, daughter of Sandy, sold the farm to Allen MacDougall , who later sold it to Walter Carson . Carsons lived there for many years before selling to Roy Diamond . Roy Diamond in turn sold the farm to Glen MacFadyen . Glen sold the house to Colin Campell , son of Archie, who wanted to retire to the Cove. Collie sold it to Gladys Rogerson , daughter of Kenneth MacRae , who at her death passed it on to her grand-daughter Anne MacCannell Chapman. Anne sold the house to Shaun MacAndrew.

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During the last few transactions Glen retained the land.

Both these Campbell farms were owned by Alex and Archibald respectively in the 1880 Atlas.

Neil Campbell lived "on the hill", on the road to Long Creek, on land that was owned by Neil S. MacKenzie in the 1880 Atlas. (Vincent MacKenzie of St Catherines is a relative of these MacKenzies). Neil was married to Sarah MacEachern . His family was:

Margaret who married Colin " Duncan Mary " MacEachern. They lived in New Argyle and had two daughters, Ethylene who is married in the States and Stella, who lives in Charlottetown .

Ethel married Gordon MacEachern of New Argyle . They had two sons and a daughter, Sadie who married John Gillespie of Clyde River . Their daughter, Ethel, married Melbourne MacQuarrie who owns the New Dominion Service Station.

Sadie.

Catherine.

Archie, unmarried, after farming for years sold the farm and moved to town, where he died. The beautiful old house and farm buildings, pictured in the 1880 Atlas are gone. Gone also is the name Campbell from Canoe Cove ,

THE CARSONS.

Walter was born in Bonshaw , married Catherine Sherren, sister of Hector MacNevin , and bought the Sandy Campbell farm. Their only daughter, Leona, married David Inman of St Catherines, who was a son of John Thomas , the son of David of Canoe Cove .

THE CURRIES.

Dugald lived next to the Campbells "on the Hill". The land was in the Currie name in 1880. Dugald married Edith Anne Rogerson , daughter of Richard. Their only

A History of Canoe Cove

son Neil died when a young man and John D. MacLean , son of Alexander, who married Minerva, took over the farm. Their son, Dougall, inherited the farm. Dougall married Mamie Ward of Kingston and they had four children; Elvit and Edith who live in the home, Minerva who married Ray Bottomely and lives in California and Alberta, who married Frank Bowman and lives in Ontario . Another daughter of Dugald, Isabel, married William MacLean , also a son of Alexander. At one time they lived in the Cove in the MacEachern house that was bought by Duncan MacCannell , later moving to Fairview . Their daughter, Velma married Roy MacPhee, son of Hugh. Since Dugald's family died there have not been any Curries in the Cove.

THE DARRACHS.

Alexander, son of Daniel of New Argyle , served in World War II. After his discharge at the war's end he bought the Malcolm (Mack) MacKenzie farm. Mack MacKenzie's second wife was Lizzie Darrach , Alex' aunt, and she made her home with Alex until her death. Alex married Florence MacLean from the Montague area, and they had four boys, Lea, Donald, Wayne and Blair, and one girl Shirley. Alex also bought the " Red " Dougald farm from Beecher Hickox and farmed successfully for many years. Then he sold the house to Willard Irlam , the land to other purchasers and moved to Cornwall . He and Florence worked at Riverside Hospital until retirement. The MacDougall house which once was very attractive with well-kept grounds, was torn down and a house was built on the site by Glen and Colleen McDiarmid.

Archibald (there were two Archibalds listed in the 1880 Atlas) lived next to the Currie farm that was later called Black Jack's. No doubt Black Jack was his son and "black" merely meant his coloring to distinguish him from some other Jack Darrach . Jack had two sons, Jack who was a tailor and Seymour who was a

A History of Canoe Cove

carpenter and lived in Dunedin . The farm was sold to Allan MacDougall for his son, Albert, then passed on to Albert's daughter and son-in-law, Irene and Clifford Moffatt. The buildings are long gone.

The other Archibald Darrach was on the Rice Point Road. His son Neil who married Julia MacDonald from Nine Mile Creek farmed there all his life. After Neil's death the farm was sold to Malcolm Darrach , the house which was one of the oldest in the Cove torn down and a new house built for Julia. When Julia's health failed she moved to Sunset Lodge where she still resides. Their daughter, Velma married Billy Moreash and they have lived in Ontario for over forty years but come to the Cove in the summer. Daughter, Sandra , married Norman Walker and they live near Charlottetown .

Duncan lived on the farm adjacent to Hector MacNevin and is now owned by him. This was the homestead of those Darrachs. Another Darrach descendent, Neil, Alex' brother, lives in New Argyle . Duncan married Katie Campbell of Argyle Shore and they had a large family, one of which, Duncanelda , was born after Duncan tragically died two days after being hit by a falling tree while working in the woods. This was especially traumatic for his son, Collie, who was with his father at the time and was only 11 years old. Their ordeal was not over as later their house burned down and the family moved to Ontario . Their family was Hughie Elmer , Jane, Oswald, Colin, Mary, Bernice, Ormond, Ellie and Duncanelda . Two boys, Oswald and Colin were in the armed forces during the Second War, serving overseas. Oswald who married Eleanor Burdett of Fairview lives in New Dominion with their son, Brian. Duncan's grand daughter, Susan Cassey , . daughter of Ellie, lived in the Ewen MacKinnon house.

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John Angus was the son of Margaret and Angus Darrach. He was married to Clara Inman and, sadly, died when his family was young due to an accidental drowning. They lived for a time in the Nicholson house later moving to New Haven where they were living at the time of his death. Their family was as follows:

George, who was a fisherman and kept the store with his mother, married Hazel Arbing from Charlottetown . They had two daughters, Barbara Anne, who married Merrill Scott of Cornwall , moved to Montague where Merrill was mayor for several terms, and Deborah, who married Dr. Donald Vickerson and lives near Souris . The Scotts have a girl Jennifer and a boy Kerry , both married, while the Vickersons have five children, Rebecca, Jonathon, Andrew and twins Sarah and Ellen. George died in 1967 and Hazel moved to Montague.

Louis, also a fisherman and a carpenter, married Elizabeth Adams from near Kensington , lives in New Haven. They have two sons, Blair and Gordon, and a daughter, Gloria, all of whom are married with family. Gordon lives near Charlottetown , Blair in Cornwall and Gloria Wolflinger , a registered nurse lives near Vancouver, B.C. , as do her children, Fenton and Lori.

Katie, who married Daniel MacNeill of St Catherines, died when her children were young. Her family was ;

Myrtle, who married Charles MacNevin and lives in Canoe Cove .

Everett, who married June Gardiner and lives in Ontario .

Chester, who married Wilma Willis lives near Charlottetown .

Eileen, Mrs. Robert Lunnie lives in Ontario . Dora married Hugh Nicholson of Breadalbane , and they live in North River .

Anne married Tom McKeage of Toronto and their children are Deborah, Kevin and Brenda.

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Lloyd married Alice Purcell of Newfoundland , now deceased, lives in California and they had one son, James.

Clarence, unmarried lives in Vancouver, B.C.

Lillian married Murray Taylor , now deceased, of Toronto and lives there. Their son, Vernon is a noted figure skater, and they also had a daughter, Donna.

THE DOIRONS.

Vincent, formerly of Charlottetown and his wife Anne, formerly of Nova Scotia , bought the Laughlin Mac Kinnon house. Because it was unoccupied for some years it had deteriorated badly but Vince and Anne have completely remodeled it, and landscaped the grounds, making this home as beautiful and gracious as it once was. They have a boy, Dion, and a girl, Denise.

THE ELLISES.

Douglas, a native of New Brunswick , married Bette Moffat, daughter of Irene and Clifford. They have two children, Morgan and Chelsey . The Ellises live in a mini home on a lot near the Corner on the Albert MacDougall farm.

THE GILLESPIES.

Archibald, married to Sharon Coulson lives in a house built by Arthur Wright on the Dan MacPhee farm. They have an antique business. Arthur Wright who was married to Eva Irlam MacLeod, a sister of Willard Irlam's moved to Charlottetown and Wright died not long after.

THE GRANTS.

Hugh was one of the noted people of the settlement and lived on a farm owned by Dugald MacKinnon in the 1880 Atlas. He was married to Euphemia MacEachern, a sister of Donald MacKinnon 's wife. Dugald MacKinnon may have been a relative of Big

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Donald, but as MacKinnons owned a lot of the Cove maybe not. They had no family but adopted a son, Walter. Mr. Grant also had a brother, Archibald and two sisters who were in U.S.A . at the time of Mr. Grant's death. Mr. Grant worked for many years with the Portland Packing Company as a sealer at the factory. The farm was passed on to Mrs. Grant 's nephew Dan MacKinnon . The original house is long gone and the site is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ricky MacDonald, where they have built a new house.

THE HALLS.

James Hall and his sister were orphaned at an early age and he was given a home with Johnny Archie and Maggie MacDougall . When they died he inherited the farm. He married Margaret MacLeod of Long Creek and their family was: Vertis who married Willard Betts and lives in West Royalty ; Doris who lives at home, and Georgie who married Wayne Foy and they live with their family in Alberta. Jimmy died in 1987 and Doris and her mother still live on the farm.

THE HICKOXES.

Beecher who was in the Second World War, bought Red Dugald's place from Francis MacDougall at the war's end. He and his wife Ina, who was a capable school teacher, lived there until poor health forced him to sell the farm and move to Montague where Ina taught school.

They had a girl, Elsie, also a school teacher who married Kenneth MacLeoand a boy, Harold. Both Beecher and Ina died not many years after leaving the Cove.

HOLMES . Margaret, retired, formerly of Montreal, lives the year round in a cottage on James Hall 's shore.

THE INMANS .

John Inman 's father emigrated from near Yorkshire, England in 1819. He lived from 1807-1873 and was

A History of Canoe Cove

married to Jane Webster . Their son David who was the youngest son in the family married Catherine MacDougall from New Argyle , Red Dugald's sister. He owned part of the Archibald Darrach farm on which was built a beautiful large farmhouse which is still very attractive. David and Catherine's family was as follows:

John Thomas , worked at many trades including lumbering, boat-builder, captain of his boat "The Derry" and farmer in St. Catherine's. He married Margaret MacFadyen , after her death Laura MacPhail and after her death Mrs. Catherine MacNevin . He had a keen sense of humour and said he had three wives but never asked any of them to marry him.

Ernest married Barbara MacFadyen and lived most of his adult life in the States but died when relatively young. Their family was: Harold who married Nellie Hounin from New Haven , David who married Mary Scott from Cornwall , Dorothy Peacock and Barbara (Hunt) Pratt all of whom lived in the Boston area. Dorothy and her husband Winston Peacock , also Mary Inman, visit the Island frequently. Mary and Dave's daughter Barbara married a MacNeill from the Island and live near Charlottetown .

Mark married Jessie MacKenzie , daughter of Neil Malcolm, and had two daughters, Stella and Mildred, and one son Ernest. Ernest inherited the family farm and still lives there. Stella married Milton MacRae of Bonshaw and her family is William, Harvey, Norman, Bonnie, Hazel, Joy and John. Mildred married Harold Darrach of the Brae area and their family is: Joyce (Inman), Owen, and twins Duncan and Donald.

Janie married Duncan MacCannell of Long Creek and their family was Russell, Neil and John as shown under the MacCannells.

Annie married Hugh MacPhee of the next farm and their family was Mamie, Roy, Florence, Clara and Dan, as will be shown under the MacPhees. We should note

A History of Canoe Cove

that when Annie was about thirteen years of age she had her appendix removed, the operation being performed on the Inman kitchen table. I do not know why she was not taken to Hospital. Perhaps she was too ill to make the trip with a horse and sleigh or wagon. At any rate Dr. Stephen Jenkins , a brilliant Charlottetown surgeon of the time, successfully operated on Annie and she made an excellent recovery. As far as I know she was the only one in the district to have such a serious operation done in her home.

Clara married John Angus Darrach and their family is shown under the Darrachs. David and Catherine were very kind and caring folks and cared for John Thomas ' children, Eleanor and James for a time. They also cared for Archibald MacDougall whose parents died when he was young. Catherine's mother spent her last years at Inman's and died there. This is a good example of how people of this generation cared for their extended families. Now that Ernest is retired it is appropriate that the land be farmed by David's great grandsons Barry and Jamie MacPhee, who now own it.

THE IRLAMS.

Willard and Joan Irlam , from Charlottetown , bought Alex Darrach 's house where they provided a home for foster children for several years. Willard retired early to devote time to a greenhouse and a garden, but died not many years after moving to our Cove. Meanwhile Joan had her candymaking business until her health failed and she died not long after Willard in 1990. They left two girls, Colleen , who had married Glen McDiarmid and lives in Vancouver, B.C. , and Beverley, who married Henry Gauthier and lives in the home. Beverly is talented artistically and musically and is the organist of her church, She has three girls, Gina Foy, Shanahn and Robin.

A History of Canoe Cove

THE JENKINSES.

Chris Married Doreen (Francis) Taylor, widow of Murchison and they live in a new house on what was the Jay MacNevin property.

Jessie Jenkins , now deceased, was a native of Nine Mile Creek who had lived in U.S.A . for years and came to the Cove in the summer. She lived in the house once owned by the Nicholson sisters who gave it to John Angus Darrach . The house had many owners namely, Richard MacLean , Mrs. MacDougall , second wife of Red Dugald (she was married to a MacDougall of Bangor, P.E.I , before she married Dugald), Ben Ward, Lloyd Smith and James MacPhail .

THE KATHRENSES.

William Kathrens , who was married to Elizabeth MacLean lived on the MacEachern farm, apparently at the end of the 1800's as the children are listed in the 1896 school register. Mr. and Mrs. Kathrens moved to , Alberta, where they died leaving their children, Mrs. B. Shawcross , Mrs. George Shelburne , William, Herbert and Howard.

THE LUNDS.

Donald Lund , brother of Diane MacNevin and Heather MacPhee bought Barry and Heather's house when they built a new one next door. Donnie and his family are from Charlottetown .

THE MOFFATS.

Clifford came to the Cove from Western Canada when a young man to be with his sister Reta and her husband Archie MacKinnon when they ran their store. He married Irene MacDougall , daughter of Albert, and they moved to Ontario . They were in the Toronto area for quite some time then came back to the Cove about 1972 living in the Albert MacDougall house. They had three girls, Wendy who is married in Ontario ; Bette

A History of Canoe Cove

who is married to Doug Ellis; Trudy who is in Ontario , and one boy, Wayne in Vancouver, B.C. Sadly, Irene died while still a young woman after a relatively short illness. Clifford is recently retired and newly married. He and Penny make their home in the Cove.

THE NICHOLSONS.

Jessie and Flora lived in a house on the Black Jack Darrach farm. Nothing more is known about them except that they never married and left their house to Johnny Angus Darrach when they died. It is surprising that the house is still in good condition after all those years.

Mary Nicholson was shown as having a house on the Alexander MacLean farm in the 1880 Atlas but nothing else is known about her. William MacDonald lived in this house for some time also Donald "Laughie" MacKinnon. Later Garfield and Mary (MacNevin) MacEachem lived there until Garfield died not many years later. Then Jay MacNevin who was married to Florence MacDonald of Rice Point lived there for years, until both Florrie and Jay died. That house has been torn down and a new house built, now owned by Chris and Doreen Jenkins.

THE MCALEERS.

Kirk McAleer, from Charlottetown , with his wife and family bought the house that had been the store on the Corner, from Rob Patterson.

THE MACCANNELLS.

The MacCannells came from the Island of Colonsay in Scotland in 1798 and settled in Mount Stewart and Long Creek . Duncan was the oldest son of Duncan MacCannell and Flora MacFadyen who was the daughter of Hector MacFadyen of St. Catherines . Duncan came to the Cove from Long Creek in 1901 and boarded for seven years with Mrs. John MacFadyen