NOTE FROM JENNY: I got this article from The Island Register online archive. I found it interesting because a James McLeod and a J.T. McKenzie, both of Charlottetown, are said to have attended. J.T. McKenzie worked with James in the Tailor Shop. It occurred in Lot 67 aka the "Scotch District." It makes me wonder if James' family came right to Charlottetown, or settled somewhere else? I've bolded where his name is mentioned in the article.
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The Strathalbane Jubilee, 1845 - 1895
Submitted
by Bonnie Swingle - swinglej@adnc.com, With corrections and additions by Jane
Ramsay, jcramsay@wildmail.com
Bonnie
has transcribed the following article appearing first in the Daily Patriot dated
July 5, 1895 concerning the Strathalbyn Jubilee 1845-1895. It contains a wealth
of information about founding families of Lot 67 and their settlement in the
area. Use this as a guide only - always refer to the original article whenever
possible!
The
Daily Patriot, The Strathalbyn Jubilee, 1845-1895.
Good
Attendance
Historical Paper by the Hon. A.B.
Mackenzie
Speeches by other Gentlemen
Powerful Sermon by Rev. Alex. Sunderland in the Evening
"The
Strathalbyn Jubilee, 1815-1895" was the device on a large flag which waved
over a beautiful field adjoining the Presbyterian church, at Hartsville, on
Wednesday, the 3rd of July. The British ensign was also unfurled in the breeze
in several parts of the grounds, indicative of the sturdy loyalty of the son of
the heather and their descendants. The weather was charming and the arrangements
admirable. There was a large booth in which the tea tables were spread, and a
refreshment stand, both of which were well provided and liberally patronized.
There was also a convenient platform for the speakers covered with leafy boughs
and comfortably seated.
The
attendance was good; Strathalbyn itself was en fete, and there were
representatives from the neighboring congregations and a few from distant
localities. Foremost among these was Rev. Alexander Sutherland, from Ripley,
Ontario, Pastor of Strathalbyn during the greater part of the fifties. Though
advanced in years he is still fresh and vigorous. He received the hearty
greetings of many of his old parishioners, by whom he was deservedly held in
high esteem. The other ministers present were Rev. A.B. McLeod, formerly of Mt.
Stewart, now of Coldstream, Nova Scotia; Rev. David Sutherland, Charlottetown;
Rev. D.B. McLeod, Orwell; Rev. J.W. McKenzie, St. Peter’s Bay; Rev. Joseph
McKenzie, St. Peter’s Bay; Rev. Joseph Johnston, pastor-elect of Covehead and
Rev. Malcolm Campbell, now the minister of Strathalbyn, who presided. Among
outside gentlemen present were: Hon. A.B. McKenzie, Hon. D. Laird, B.
Rogers, James McDonald, James McLeod, J.T. McKenzie, John M. Campbell, Charlottetown;
D.A. McKinnon, M.L. ? Georgetown, William Ross, New London; John F. McLeod,
Orwell Mills; Wm Laird and Jno McDonald, New Glasgow; Murdoch Ross, Bedeque,
Herber Haslam, Springfield; Murdoch McLeod, Argyle; Robert B. Stewart,
Strathgartner; Wm. Simpson, Lot 16; Donald C. Heartherdale, Lot 59; Alex. Bruce,
Valleyfield; William Fraser, South Wiltshire; William Henderson, North
Wiltshire; Murdoch McLeod, West River; Hugh McMillan, New Haven; John McLeod,
Crapaud; Neil Shaw, DeSables, John McLean, Long Creek; Alex. McKenzie, Bedeque;
John McKenzie, Summerfield; Dr. Henderson, Union Road; Donald McLaughlin, St.
Peter’s Road; Donald Nicholson, W.D. McKay and J.T. Crockett, Charlottetown
and many others.
About
noon Rev. Mr. Campbell opened the proceedings by giving out the grand old
paraphrases beginning with the words—
O God of Bethel!
By whose hand Thy people still are fed;
Who through this weary pilgrimage
Hast
all our fathers led.
After
the paraphrase was sung, Rev. D. Sutherland offered and appropriate prayer. The
chairman then called upon Hon. A.B MacKenzie, now of Charlottetown, but long a
resident of Strathalbyn and still identified with its people to treat the
Pioneers of the settlement
Hon.
A.B. MacKenzie Historical Paper.
Mr.
Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen—I presume it is unnecessary for me to apologize
to you as being the first to address you on this auspicious occasion, for
nothing short of a stern sense of duty to you, and responsive obedience to the
kind request of your managing committee, could induce me to undertake the
pleasant but arduous task of giving you within the short compass of time
necessarily allotted to me, a consecutive and correct account of the pioneers of
this congregation. More especially as I have not had at my disposal more
reliable data from which to collect such materials as would be at once
interesting, profitable and instructive to you, than my own recollections of
facts and circumstances that came under my observation, as well as a vivid
remembrance of matters and events related in my hearing during my early
school-boy days by many of the first settlers themselves. I have, therefore, to
solicit your generous forbearance and ask you to attribute any slight errors in
dates or the occasion of any name dear to any or all of us, relative to any
circumstance I may have occasion to refer to, rather to an error of the head
than of the heart.
Though
not a native of Strathalbyn—a matter in which I had no choice—where my early
childhood as well as many of my maturer year were spent, as among the most happy
and eventful period of my life; and though now absent from among you for a
period of twenty-eight years, I may truly say, as the shadows of evening begin
to lengthen and as the years roll swiftly by on the never-ceasing current of
time, carrying us all, rapidly towards the bourne from which no traveler
returns, my mind often roams around the scenes and associations of early
childhood—clustering in and around these hills and dales, the rilling brook,
the old smithy, the old schoolhouse, the gleeful children. Yes, even the stones
and old rampikes along the newly opened turnpike were objects familiar and of
pleasant remembrance.
The
scene is now changed, apprising us in solemn tones of the transitory nature of
all earthly pleasures and amusements. Where are all the happy throngs of school
children with whom we strolled in sweet innocence in the woods—hunting for
birds nests and chasing gaudy butterflies? Ah! Alas, few, very few of them are
here today. While some are scattered in different parts of the world, many of
them have joined the great throng beyond the swelling river. Where? Where all
the aged sires and noble matrons of those early days? All gone to their eternal
home, save and except two men, namely Alexander McLeod, the nestor of the parish
and Alexander McIntosh and seven women, namely Mrs. Donald McDonald, Mrs. John
Cameron, Mrs. Roderick McIntosh, Mrs. John McIntosh, and Mrs. Donald McKinson
(Little), Mrs. Murdock McLeod and Mrs. Alexander McIntosh. To prevent wrong
impressions respecting the first ? in this parish as well as the three
succeeding bands of immigrants which in the year 1838 closed up the settlement
of this ? congregation, I wish to state here, in the outset, that not one of
them was of that pauper class of immigrant from different parts of the British
Islands whose passage money and other expenses to this province, and other parts
of the Dominion were either paid by the parish from whence the came or by the
Government. On the contrary, many of them were in such fair circumstances at
home as to land here with considerable amounts of money for themselves and their
families, in ships freighted by themselves, in fact, they were all of the best
blood the Highlands produced; of that class from which Wellington and other
great British generals drew their best and bravest soldiers.
Early
in the summer of 1831, a large band of stalwart young Highlanders, chiefly from
the Isle of Skye, accompanied by their families—emigrated to Prince Edward
Island, at that time sparsely settled with a population of about thirty-two
thousand people, while Ch’town was but a village, with a population of about
twenty-five hundred people, some of whom settled in the Southern part of
Queen’s County, while some twenty families, induced by the prospect of
purchasing land in fee simple, and on easy terms, decided to settle on Lot 67,
which at that time, with the exception of the Haslam family on the north end of
it, was an uninhabited and unbroken wilderness, covered with a beautiful dense
forest of heavy hardwood, spruce and pine. Unmolested, save by the paw of wild
animals, the enjoyed its Sabbaths.
Taking
into account that these people were unaccustomed to the use of the axe and other
conditions unavoidable in their new and untried circumstances, and taking into
further account that the only approach to their new quarters was by a bridle
path, along blazed trees, from Alexander Johnston’s on the Princetown Road---a
distance of seven miles to Springton where now your beautiful manse stands. The
pioneers must have been endowed with more than ordinary courage to face the
hardships and trials confronting them; but as the most of them had some means to
tide them safely over the first year, as well as pluck and self-reliance, the
prospect of buying their farms at reasonable rates more than outweighed their
doubts and fears.
The
names of the first pioneers given were Miles McInnis, Donald McKinnon, James
Nicholson, Donald and Alexander Martin, John Ross, Peter Stewart and his son
John, Malcolm McDonald—a grand type of the old venerable Highland Chieftain,
and his three sons, Donald, John and Alexander, Malcolm McLeod, John
McLeod—another type of the Highland hero, and his son Donald, lately deceased,
Lodwick McIntosh (MulDonish), a man of patriarchal bearing and appearance and
his four sons, Roderick, John, Alexander and Donald, and John Matthewson and his
father Jonathan, who was the first man who died and was buried at Springton,
Murdock McLeod (joiner) and his brother Alex, who is still hale and hearty
though over eighty years of age, he is the father of education in the
settlement, and Donald and Angus Beaton. These were joined a year or two
afterwards by Angus McDonald, John McDonald, Angus and Ronald Stewart, John
Cameron, George Cahill, Nathaniel Kelly, Robert Todd, Neil McKinnon, Donald
McLeod, Malcolm McLeod and his brother Alexander, and John McLeod.
As
all the northern part of Lots 31, 65, 29 and 30 save a small portion at the
north end—as well as the eastern ends of Lots 23, 26 and 27 were still and for
some years after an unbroken wilderness; their nearest neighbors to the west
were the Wrights of Middleton, on the south Victoria, on the east the McNeil’s
of North River and Alexander Johnston and the Haslams and the Bagnalls on the
north.
Their
effects had to be carried on their backs from Johnston’s during the summer
months, until the Anderson Road was opened in the years 1833-34. Their first
care was to clear a little patch of ground whereon to erect their first cabins,
which consisted of small structures of round logs—twelve by sixteen feet
covered with spruce bark-the interstices between the logs being stopped with
moss or clay with a small hole dug in the ground for a cellar and a capacious
chimney, the lower part of which was built of rough stones with a wooden mantle
piece, and the upper part or smoke stack of cats, which consisted of pats of
clay mixed with straw fastened on small round sticks placed horizontally tier
after tier until it reached about two feet above the roof. This superstructure
in a very short time became so very flammable that great care had to be
exercised to prevent a general conflagration. I am not informed as to how these
hardy veterans endured the rigor of the first winter in their new quarters, but
one thing is certain they did not suffer from cold as they had abundance of the
best fuel at their doors.
Towards
the month of April however, the settlement was the scene of much activity. The
men and boys busy from sunny morn till dewy eve chopping trees and clearing the
land to plant their first vegetables in, while the brave women and young lassies
were equally busy making maple sugar. Being an enterprising race of men they set
to work in dead earnest clearing the forest; as the land at that time was very
productive, the following autumn yielded to them an abundant return for their
spring’s labors. In a very short time many of them were proud possessors of
square log houses, covered with either boards or good split pine shingles. After
getting well settled their next care was to build a schoolhouse at Springton on
a plot of land given to the settlement for that purpose. Their first schoolhouse
was a rather primitive and crude structure, but it was an earnest of better
things yet to come. Well do I remember the ruins of this old school house, which
in after years was used as a temporary lodging place for some new arrivals who
afterwards came to the place, Yes, I believe it was the birthplace of at least
one prominent man who may now be within the reach of my voice. It was a round
log house, twelve by sixteen, covered with bark or turf. It had one window of
six panes 8 x 10. Their first teacher was Mr. Alexander McLeod (Alaister Beag),
who is still alive. As the tenure of his office was before I was born I am not
informed as to his success as a knight of the birchen rod. He was associated
with Mr. Nels Arbuckle of classic fame.
During
the first few years the people had no slated mean of grace among them. Mr. James
Nicholson, who was a bosom friend of the Rev. Dr. Roderick McLeod of Snizord,
from the ? of the settlement and for some years afterward held a prayer meeting
alternately in his own house and Lodewick McIntosh’s every Sabbath, where he
read and expounded the word to those who came to ?
The
Rev. Robert Patterson, of ? visited the settlement in the summer of 1837 and
preached a sermon in the open air near James Nicholson’s house on which
occasion he baptized several children. I am informed that the Rev. John McLennan
of Belfast visited the settlement the same summer but held no public religious
services. In the year 1837, the Rev. Donald McDonald visited the settlement and
preached then and occasionally for some years afterward in Donald McLeod’s
house, until his people built a church in the year 1847. Many of his hearers
came under the power of his preaching. Their old church was torn down about 30
years ago—but I understand his adherents have a new one in course of
construction in Stanchel, a new school district, carved out of Springton and
Rose Valley school district. In the year 1837 a larger and more commodious
schoolhouse of square logs covered with shingles was built. It was about
twenty-four by thirty feet and had two windows of 12 panes, 8 x 10. It was used
the following seven years as a meetinghouse as well as a schoolhouse. The first
teacher who taught in the new schoolhouse was James Douglas, of Stanhope. As he
could not speak the language of Eden and but very few of his scholars could
speak any other language but the vernacular, his task from the outset was not an
easy one, but with the small advantages they had and a keen thirst for knowledge
they soon made rapid progress in acquiring a fair command of the English
language. Mr. Douglas remained with them for three years. After him they secured
the services of Malcolm McDonald, a prim little body, who had just arrived from
Scotland and who was equally at home in speaking Gaelic, English and Latin.
Being a strict disciplinarian he very often got himself into trouble with some
of the larger boys, who very often became impatient at being flogged by so
diminutive a specimen of humanity. Rather than submit to the degradation of
being denuded of their breeches, his efforts to chastise them, in that primitive
war, frequently resulted in the culprit showing flight, and if not strong
enough, some of his boon companions who had frequently submitted passively to a
similar ordeal, would come to the rescue, when poor Neby would have to beat an
inglorious retreat a wiser if not a better man. As he was not the proud
possessor of a watch, to gauge the time for dismissing his weary and listless
flock, in the autumn days, when the sun was overclouded, he resorted to a very
strange devise to obviate the need of a timepiece. He would send one of the boys
out for and armful of dry ferns, which he would burn in the chimney and then he
would turn to look at the window, and if he could see the reflection of he blaze
on the window glass he would dismiss them at once, assured that it was near
sundown. But on dark and very cloudy days the experiment often turned to the
advantage of the boys who sometimes got home some hours before sundown. As he
always boasted of being a good Latin scholar, when any of the boys wished for
leave to retire he would have to address the master thus, "Magister, ? mihi
exere." If leave was granted the master would say "Eveleto". If
permission to leave was not granted he would look the trembling suppliant
sternly in the face and say "Evaleto toti vos."
In
the year 1833-34 the new Bedeque Road, or as it was afterwards called for many
years, "The Anderson Road", named after the Hon. Alexander Anderson of
Bedeque, who surveyed the line was opened, from McNeill’s, North River towards
North Wiltshire, which was then unbroken forest, thence to Scotch settlement,
thence to through to what is now called Southwest or Bedeque.
The
opening of the new road was a great boon to the settlers, as it not only gave
them means of communication with the outside world, but also afforded them an
opportunity of replenishing their exhausted exchequers—by earning money at
building the road. About this time some of them had so far advanced in material
prosperity as to have a horse or a yoke of oxen, with which to haul their grist
to the nearest mills. Previous to this time querns or hand mills taken from the
old country were used by some to convert their grain into meal. In a very short
time some of them had become expert shingle makers and others became adepts at
sawing boards with the whipsaw. The lucky owner of a horse, a cart or a
wood-sleigh, became freighters and charged five shillings, or eighty cents for
bringing a load of shingles, boards or any other commodity to Charlottetown. In
addition to the eighty cents he was to have three treats of rum or whisky, one
on arriving in the Town, and the second on leaving and the third on the way
home, but very often these terms were not strictly adhered to, by some of the
more generous carriers, as very often they would draw on the five shilling so
much that both got gloriously happy over the proceeds of the load that they
returned home as empty handed as they left.
Their
farming implements were chiefly made up of the following articles, a good
Roger’s or Weatherby narrow axe, a hoe, a reaping hook, a grubbing hoe, a
flail, a frow and spoke shave. After a few years a yoke of oxen, a straw collar
and wooden hames for the horse, a pair of cart wheels, wood sleigh and slide
ear, a V shaped harrow with wooden teeth, a hand rake and a big pot for the
double purpose of making soap and boiling maple syrup were added.
(To
be concluded in the next issue)
The Daily Patriot, July 5, 1895
The Strathalbyn Jubilee 1845-1895 Good Attendance
Historical Paper by Hon. A.B. Mackenzie
Speeches by Other Gentleman
Powerful
Sermon by Rev. Alex. Sutherland in the Evening.
Mr.
McKenzie’s Historical paper concluded. In the summer of 1838 another ship band
of emigrants from Scotland landed in Charlottetown of whom some thirty or forty
families cast in their lot with their fellow countrymen in Scotch settlement.
These late arrivals settled in what is now called Hartsville, Johnson Road, Lot
22, Rose Valley, Lot 67. Though they had in a measure to contend against similar
hardships with the first settlers, yet they had the advantage of the friendship,
experience, and assistance of those who came first, as well ass the advantage of
the new road, opened some six years before. Among these people were a
considerable number of God-fearing men, men who were converted under the
preaching of such men as Dr. Roderick McLeod (Maister Ruaread) of Snizord, Skye,
Dr. Kennedy, of Red Castle, (An Chaistel Ruadh), Rev. Mr. McRichard-recently
deceased, and Dr. McDonald of Farintosh.
Among
these I may mention the names of Alexander McLeod, the Preacher, and his
brother, John, John Gillis (A Seream) and John Matheson, the father of the late
Angus Matheson. Immediately after his arrival Alexander McLeod took an active
lead in conducting religious meetings, not only in the Springton schoolhouse,
but also in private houses, in the different localities, in which his countrymen
had settled. Often preaching in the open air, or in a grove of woods. In the
summers of 1840-41 there were still a further accession of some fifty families
of emigrants from Scotland who joined their old neighbors in the new settlement;
these settled in the western part of Rose Valley, Johnston Road (east)
Brookfield, West Line Road, East Line Road, Hazel Grove, Junction Road, Colville
Road, and Dock Road. Among these new comers were also men of eminent piety,
notably, the late Allan MacSwain of pious and immortal memory, afterwards an
elder for forty-eight years; his brother Murdoch McSwain, Donald Buchanan and
Murdoch Buchanan, who for three or four years had settled in Bonshaw, after
which he removed to Springton, and was one of the first three elders who
composed the first session at the formation of Strathalbyn Congregation whose
Jubilee are today celebrating. Although Mr. Buchanan could not read, I believe
he could recite from memory the greater part of the old and new testament; also
Murdoch McLeod (Murach-eadh Beag) who settled in New London, but who from his
arrival in the country closely identified with himself with his countrymen in
the Scotch settlement. He was a man of rare intelligence, a good Gaelic and
English scholar, equally conversant with both languages, but above all, he was a
true and honest Christian, in every sense of the word. He was an orator of no
mean order. He was really the first evangelist to Strathalbyn, and was for some
years engaged in catechizing and preaching the word in the different settlements
I referred to. When he would be on the rounds both old and young, would be in a
flurry refreshing their memories on the question of the shorter catechism. I
believe he was instrumental in doing more real good in the place than perhaps
any other man. Mr. John McNeill, a Gaelic and English teacher, sent to Cape
Breton by "the society for the propagation of Christian knowledge" in
Glasgow Scotland, in the year 1830, who, after remaining in Cape Breton for a
few years in a place now called Orangedale, removed to this Island, and settled
in Bannockburn, where his religious influence was soon felt for the good, among
the scattered children of the Presbyterian families, in that and the adjacent
settlements, of West River and Long Creek. During the summer months of the
following six or seven years he preached to large audiences, in the Scotch
settlement. He was a profound reasoner, and mighty in his exposition of the
scriptures and earnest in his exhortations and direct appeals to the heart and
conscience of his hearers. Under his able preaching of the word, as well as that
of the fore mentioned Murdock and Alexander McLeod, a wave of religious
awakening passed over the place and scores of men and women, who afterwards
became pillars and shining lights in the congregation, of whom the most have
gone home to glory, ascribed their first awakening about their soul’s
salvation, to the faithful preaching of these lay preachers. Among these men I
might recall the sacred memory of James McLeod, John Cameron, John McLeod (Ban
Saor), who afterwards became on of the ruling elders. Murdock McLennan, (Ruadh)
Roderick Gillis, Brookfield, John McInnis, (? Mac Eoghan) Alexander McLennan,
Malcolm McLeod, (Callum Ruadh), elder, the late Angus Matheson, of fragrant and
pious memory, Allen McLean, John and Donald Matheson, Malcolm, Murdock, and
Donald Gillis, Roderick McLeod, (Ruadhuh Mor) and Donald Nicholson. Of the heads
of families of those who arrived in 1840-41, only the following are yet alive,
Donald Nicholson, John McLeod, Alexander McPherson and wife, Donald McDonald and
wife, Rose Valley; Mrs. Murdock McKinley, Malcolm Gillis, West Line, and John
Geo(?) McLeod, Breadalbyn; Mrs. John Matheson and Mrs. Murdock Gillis, Rose
Valley; and John McKay, Hartsville.
About
the year 1843, the year of the disruption of the Free Church from the Church of
Scotland, the Quarterly questioned meetings, which, I understand, have been kept
up in the congregation to the present time, were established. These meetings
continued for some days and were made the occasion for many years afterwards, of
scores of pious men and women to assemble together from Cardigan, Dundas,
Brown’s Creek, Wood Islands, West River and New London. This practice was more
closely attended to afterwards during communion seasons.
In
those early days instead of what is now, alas, the too common practice, even
among professing Christians, of reading newspapers or other light literature on
the Lord’s day, their reading consisted on that sacred day of the Bible, the
shorter catechism, Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Boston’s Fourfold State,
Dodridge, The Scotch Worthier, Baxter’s Saints Rest, Dyer’s Believer’s
Golden Chain, the Spiritual Hymns of James McGregor, Dougald Buchanan and Peter
Grant.
At
the time of the disruption the people here were generally so well posted on the
questions agitating the mother church that they without hesitation decided to
throw in their lot with the Free Church party.
In
the summer of 1844 a public meeting was held at which it was unanimously agreed
to commence the building of a church forthwith, and within a short time the
contract was let to John McKensie (Saor Mor) a native of Pictou, N.S. for a
handsome amount, considering the scarcity of money, at that early stage in their
history. He prepared the building material during the fall and winter and
commenced building early in the spring of 1845 and towards the first of July had
progressed so rapidly with the work that the outside of the building was
finished in that month fifty years ago. Before the floor was laid in it a Mr.
McMillan from Scotland preached a sermon therein, the people being seated on the
floor beams. After laying the floor and building a pulpit, Mr. McKensie took up
his bag and baggage and went to New Brunswick, leaving the interior of he
building to be finished some years afterwards. Though not built after the model
of modern buildings yet it was a substantial structure, thirty-five feet by
forty-five feet, twenty feet post, two large windows in each side and one large
window in each gable end to give light to the galleries. It had a door at each
end. When well seated it would hold from five to six hundred people. For some
years after it was first occupied the seats consisted of pieces of scantling,
planks, or boards laid on blocks of wood.
The
sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was dispensed for the first time in the
congregation in July 1845, by the Rev. Alexander Farquharson, of Middle River,
Cape Breton. He was one of that small band of the Church of Scotland ministers
in Nova Scotia and P.E. Island who came out with the Free Church party at the
disruption. He was assisted on this occasion either by the Rev. Murdoch Stewart
of West Bay, C.B., or the Rev. John Stewart, New Glasgow, N.S. As hundreds of
people came together from different parts of the Island to celebrate the solemn
occasion, the congregation assembled was large. The services commenced with the
fasting and prayer on the previous Thursday. Friday was occupied in discussing
the questions, Saturday in preparatory services; the Sabbath, the day of
ordinance, was a memorable day followed by thanksgiving on Monday. All services
were solemn and impressive, the evening services continued till late in the
night. On the occasion the solemn rejoicing and religious fervor that pervaded
the assembled multitude would aptly remind one of the return of the children of
the Captivity from Babylon to build the walls of Jerusalem. Methinks that this
was one of the songs which they sung:
"When Zion’s bondage God turned back
Like men that dreamed were we.
Then filled with laughter was our mouth.
Our tongues were melody.
They ‘mong the heathen said
The Lord great things for them has Wrought,
The Lord for great things has done,
Whence
joy to us is brought."
Some
eighty or a hundred people sat down to commemorate their Savior’s dying love.
Three elders were ordained on this occasion, namely Alexander McLeod, Murdoch
Buchanan, and Allan McSwain. Some fifty or sixty children were baptized on this
occasion, many of whom were in their teens. The next minister that visited the
congregation was the Rev. Sinclair, of West Cape, followed by the Rev. John
Stewart, of New Glasgow; Rev. Dr. McLeod, of Sydney, Cape Breton and in 1848, by
the Rev. John McTavish, delegate from the Free Church of Scotland. He is now
pastor of the East Free Church Inverness, Scotland. Rev. Dr. D.B. Blair, of
Barney’s River, N.S. visited the congregation about this time. The first
ordained missionary was Rev. Alexander McIntyre. He came from Scotland in 1848,
and was stationed for two or three years between Brown’s Creek, New London and
Scotch settlement. He was a powerful and zealous preacher. He left this Province
in the 1850 or 57 and emigrated from Scotland to Australia where he died ten
years ago.
The
first regular ordained minister settled over the congregation was the Rev.
Alexander Sutherland. He was settled over the congregations of Clifton, New
London and Scotch Settlement in the fall of 1852. He preached Gaelic and English
alternately every Sabbath in each place for seven years. He was an able
preacher, full of zeal in the Master’s service. He was instrumental in doing a
great deal of good in the congregation. His name will be long remembered as one
who did not give an uncertain sound when he blew the gospel trumpet. He it was
who arranged the purchase of the glebe on which the manse now stands. Though now
in his eightieth year, he is still hale and hearty, having charge of a large and
flourishing congregation in Ripley, Ontario. In the year 1856 the Rev. Andrew
Noble, one of the ablest preachers that ever visited the province, preached in
Strathalbyn church. He was a delegate from the Free Church of Scotland. Mr.
Sutherland was succeeded, as pastor of this congregation as a separate and
independent charge, by the sainted and revered Donald Morrison, of pious memory;
he was inducted over the congregation in the autumn of 1859. At his ordination
and induction the late Rev. Dr. George Sutherland, of Sydney, New South Wales,
presided. He suggested that the name of the congregation be changed from
"Scotch Settlement" to that of "Strathalbyn", which name was
heartily adopted by the show of hands of the large congregation assembled to
welcome their new minister, who proved to be a man after their own hearts. He
went in and out among them, visiting from house to house; his presence inspired
confidence, love and esteem of old and young. His very look was benediction to
all who came in contact with him. He was instrumental in doing much good in the
congregation. In the spring of 1861 he offered his services to the Presbyterian
church which had advertised for a missionary to the New Hebrides. His services
were cordially accepted; and severing his connection with his people, who, as
reluctantly parted with him as with a right hand. After a session studying
medicine in Edinburgh he returned to the Island in the Spring of 1862; and after
visiting the churches in the Maritime Provinces he sailed in the fall of the
same year, in the Dayspring for the New Hebrides, in company with the late James
Gordon who afterward fell a martyr on the island of Erromanga-and Rev. Mr.
McCullagh. Mr. Morrison was stationed on the island of Efate for three years,
but being predisposed to lung trouble, the grim and insidious disease,
consumption, claimed him as a victim. He was compelled to return to Australia
with his wife and two little children, where he succumbed after a few months to
the fatal disease. He died early in the year 1868; he was shortly afterwards
followed to the grave by his noble wife. His two orphan children, a boy and a
girl, have been educated by the church in Australia. The son is at present
following the footsteps of his father as preacher of the everlasting gospel. It
was through Mr. Morrison’s influence that the Ch’town market was changed
from Saturday to Friday. Mr. Morrison was succeeded by Mr. Donald McDougald,
student of Divinity during the summer of 1862, and the following year, by Mr.
Alexander Farquharson, the former of whom is now a successful minister in
Baddeck, C.B. Mr. Farquharson was afterwards for many years a minister in
Sydney, C.B., where he died a few years ago much lamented by the congregation
and the church at large. He was succeeded by the late Rev. Alexander Campbell,
who was inducted over the pastoral charge of Strathalbyn in October 1864, where
he remained for a period of fifteen years. He was a faithful preacher and was
beloved and respected by all until the infirmities of declining years compelled
him to omit the charge that was ever dear to his heart. He died in the year
1891, at Lochaber, N.S. He was succeeded by the Rev. John McLeod, in whose time
the new church which now crowns this hill was built-under the shadow of whose
spire lie waiting the resurrection morn, the sacred dust of many faithful
witnesses who were near and dear to many of us. He is now minister of a large
church in Lewis. He was succeeded by the present incumbent, the Rev. Malcolm
Campbell, whose virtues it will be the duty and pleasure of future historians to
chronicle at the next Jubilee, fifty years hence
Before
closing, you will pardon me for referring to the noble band of Christian women,
who fifty years ago were real mothers in Israel in the congregation and whose
lives shone like stars in the darkness, but who have since gone home to glory,
to bask forever in the refulgent rays of the Son of Righteousness.
Without
making individuous distinction, I might mention among many other excellent
women, who through faith obtained a good report in the Strathalbyn Congregation,
the names of Mrs. John Mathewson (Bean Choir Eion Mich Eion), Mrs. James
Nicholson (Beaninilleil Ruadh), of hospitable fame, Mrs. John McDonald (Fiona
Galla Bean Eion Oig), Isabel McLeod (Nighean Domhail Gobh), Catherine McLeod (Bantrach
Antralair), Mrs. Neil McKay (Mary Og), Mrs. Malcolm Nicholson, Springton, Mrs.
John McLeod (Bean IanBhan Shoar); Mrs. Margaret McLeod (Merreadh Ruadh), Christy
McLean, Margaret McLean, Rose Valley, Mrs. Murdoch McKenzie (Bean Mureacheadh),
Rose Valley; Mrs. Donald McInnis, (Bure Donalog), and I think I might with
becoming modesty include among these faithful one, who though dead yet speak to
us by example of their pure lives, as well as their unswerving devotion to the
cause of pure and undefiled religion, my own dear mother, (Catherine Nighean
S’heoras). In those early days of fifty years ago the people in this parish
lived like one large and happy family, in sweet accord and harmony, each
neighbor bearing one another’s burdens. Brotherly love and good will ruled
supreme. They were always ready to forgive and forget each other’s foibles and
shortcomings. When one member suffered all the members suffered.
Contrasting
the scanty privileges and opportunities enjoyed by our noble sires and
grandfathers with the glorious ones we now enjoy, we may well blush with shame
that we do not improve them as we ought. To think for a moment of the hardships
encountered by these hardy pioneers in making a comfortable livelihood for their
families would today make the heart of the bravest of us quail. So much so that
if the Herculean task of clearing the forest were left to the present generation
of young men, instead of our beautiful Island home being the gem of the Gulf,
the beautiful garden of the Dominion, as it certainly is now, it would forever
remain covered with its primeval forest, the abode of wild animals.
Fifty
years ago when this large parish was all closely settled, there was only one
schoolhouse, where there are ten today. Just think of the boys and girls
traveling from the west end of Rose Valley, East and West Line Roads, Junction
Road and Hartsville to Springton school, many of them barefooted in summer and
but lightly clad in winter, then you will better appreciate your own
opportunities and admire the pluck of the young boys and girls of those early
days. When you consider the scarcity of money to purchase school books, you will
not be surprised to hear that as many as half a dozen boys and girls would be
reading out of the same class book and studying out of the same old ear-clipped
grammar and perhaps as many more ciphering on the same old slate, which was
perhaps borrowed from an older boy who could not attend school. With all such
disadvantages and drawbacks many of those noble and true-hearted boys and girls
kept abreast of the times and succeeded in elbowing their way to respectable
positions at home and abroad.
Since
the days I am speaking of, arts and science have made such rapid progress that
newspapers and books treating on almost every imaginable subject are now within
the reach of everybody. New inventions and discoveries have in a great measure
revolutionized every branch of industry as well as fields of knowledge and
research. By the new mechanical contrivances manual labor is greatly minimized.
Farming is now classed as among the most genial and lucrative avocations of
life. The sickle and the scythe are superseded by the self-binder, the flail by
the threshing machine. By the application of steam and electricity distance is
to a great extent annihilated, by which means the nations of the earth are drawn
nearer to one another, in sympathy and brotherly love, hastening the time, the
good time coming, "that man to man the warld o er shall brithers be for
a’ tha’," the time when the knowledge of Christ shall be carried by the
faithful heralds of salvation to the darkest corners of the earth, when moral
darkness shall vanish before the Son of Righteousness-the time when all the
nations and kingdoms of the world shall do homage to the Prince of peace, whose
right it is to reign. It behooves us then to weigh well our great
responsibilities; in the light of our grand privileges and opportunities to do
our part, to hasten on the consummation of the glorious prospect. Let us with
generous emulation imitate the virtues, shun the failures and avoid the mistakes
and shortcomings of those faithful ones who have gone before us-in the great
battle of life. Let us endeavor to keep abreast if not in front of the great
march of progress going on around us in the world, and armed with the panoply of
the Christian soldier, with the word of God in our hand; as a lamp to our feet
and a light to our path, we can fearlessly and resolutely face the great
problems of life. With patient perseverance in well doing, we may rest assured
of such a glorious and triumphant future as will not only make ourselves happy,
but will reflect the honor and renown on the noble ancestry from whom it is our
proud boast to have descended.
After
Mr. McKenzie’s paper was concluded there was a recess of two hours, during
which tea was served to all comers by the kind and attentive ladies of the
congregation. There was excellent and simple provision for all, Mr. Quirk of
Charlottetown, who was the caterer, upholding his good reputation in that line.
The
proceedings were resumed by singing the 100th Psalm. Then the subject announced
was - Reminiscences of Olden Times
Mr.
James McDonald, of the Custom Charlottetown was the speaker and began with a few
sentences in general and then referred to the classic hills and valleys of
Strathalbyn, the place of his birth and the home of his youth until he reached
man’s estate. The settlement was peopled with the same class of men and women
as fought at Alma, and the sound of the pibroch relieved Lucan and conquered on
the Plains of Abraham. And if proof be needed that they are of the blood and
courage still, we have it in fact that when the dusky half-breeds and Indians
broke out in rebellion in the Northwest, Daniel McKenzie, a native of
Strathalbyn, was the first to fight and fall into the struggle. Mr. McDonald
then recited from Lord Byron, Burns and etc. stanzas suitable for such a
celebration, and so varied his remarks with prose and poetry, English and
Gaelic, that he baffled the reporter. He related some amusing anecdotes about
the pranks of boys and the foibles of schoolmasters. One day at the old school,
the visitor was expected, one of the boys was sent out on the road to watch his
coming. As soon as the visitor was seen approaching the boy rushed in with news
when the whole school was set reading as loud as they could, making a perfect
babel. The style of reading from of the Murray first book was imitated, and the
amusements of the people, such as their shopping and their spinning and other
frolics referred to Mr. McDonald’s remarks about the old times lit up many a
countenance.
When
he had concluded, at the request of the chairman, he read the following
beautiful and appropriate lines: -
Strathalbyn’s Jubilee
Respectfully dedicated to Rev. M. Campbell, Strathalbyn, PEI
By John Imrie, Toronto, Ont.
Hail to the Pioneers: Strathalbyn’s men!
On whom, and their descendents God doth smile
Who left old Scotland’s shores to plant again
Free homes and hearts on Lone Prince Edward Isle
They brav’d the dangers of the mighty deep
For months they sailed the Atlantic’s misty way
But well they knew their God, His watch would keep
Their Polar Star by night, their guide by day.
Much names are sacred to our ears
Martins, Mathesons and Stewarts -
The clans McDonald, MacKenzie and McLeod.
Whose years of faithful service future success plans!
All honor to those noble pioneers!
Whose sons and daughters are now gather’d here
To give three hearty loyal British cheers
For names they hold in memory ever dear
Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!
Be ours to emulate our father’s name
And build the superstructure still more fair
Prince Edward Isle not unknown to fame
Her sons their country’s honor duly share
God bless the church our fathers loved so well
And shed their blood to keep intact and pure
Be it a Bethel, where our children dwell
In freedom, love and harmony secure.
Excelsior! Our watchword ever be!
In God we trust! And crave his blessed smile
Thus all our sons be ever brave and free!
God
bless Strathalbyn and Prince Edward Isle!
The
Religious Progress During the Last Fifty Years
This
subject was spoken to by the Rev. A.B. McLeod, a native of Strathalbyn, now
pastor of the Coldstream congregation, Nova Scotia. He said many thought there
had been little religious progress during the past thirty years. But when the
facts were examined a great improvement could be seen. In regard to the use of
strong drink alone there was a vast change for the better. There was also a
marked improvement in church buildings; instead of the barn-like place of half a
century ago, this settlement had now two fine churches, the one close by the
costing $3,500. Now they had service every Sabbath, where formerly it was only
about once a month. Fifty years ago they had no Sabbath schools, now they have
five. Then they could pay only a few hundred dollars for a portion of a
minister’s time; now they raise $1400 for religious purposes, the contribution
to the ? of the church last year being 81. Now they has 139 communicants,? of
whom have received since the present pastor was in settled five years ago. All
these facts showed progress for which we should be thankful to the Great Head of
the Church.
Progress
of Education During the Last Fifty Years
In
the absence of Mr. D.J. McLeod, Superintendent of Education, Hon. ? Laird
briefly dealt with this subject. He referred to Mr. McLeod’s unavoidable
absence owing to department work, and said it was a credit to the settlement
that a native thereof fill the high and responsible position of Superintendent
of Education, the duties of which he performed satisfactorily. The fact as
instanced by Mr. A.B. McKenzie, that there were ten schools within the area of
the settlement when there was only one fifty years ago showed the progress that
had been. Each one of the ten, too, was a much better school. The population of
the Island had only doubled in fifty years, but our schools had increased from
about 100 to 450 and our teachers to 533. Fifty years ago there was no ?
education- the Government only paying $13 to each teacher. The whole government
expenditure for education in 1843 was about $3,000; this year will be about
$122,000 or twenty-four times as much. The number of pupils enrolled in school
fifty years ago was about 4,000; last year it was 22, 221. The proportion of
children in school in 1845 was about 1 in 12; now it was 1 in 4.9 of the
population. He congratulated Strathalbyn on its Jubilee and hoped that the young
people present who will live to see the centenary of the congregation, may have
as glorious a story of progress to tell as we had heard today.
Our
Advantage as Compared with Crofter Population of Scotland
Rev.
D. Sutherland gave an eloquent speech on the disadvantages under which the
crofters in Scotland labor. They were virtually serfs of the landlords. He
referred to a well-known case where fifteen families were ejected from their
holdings to make room for deer forests, and these families had to take refuge in
a churchyard. He congratulated the farmers in Strathalbyn for being so much
better circumstanced than the crofters in Scotland, though he was glad to hear
that most of the pioneers to this settlement had not belonged to that class, yet
they had doubtless experienced the evils of landlordism in Scotland.
P.E.
Island and Western States Compared
Rev.
D.B. McLeod, of Orwell, though not a native of this settlement was glad to be
here today. He had spent about fifteen years of his life in the Western States.
Many left this Province to go to the West. The only advantage of the Western
States over this Island was a richer soil. The disadvantages of Nebraska were
many. In 1874 they had grasshoppers from the Rocky Mountains which ate up every
green thing. Then there were blizzards in the winter, hot winds in the summer
and cyclones at various times. He related how people in building houses there
dug a hole off from the cellar and bricked it up, into which they could escape
when they saw the cyclone coming, which would probably sweep the house from its
foundations. He advised Islanders to stay at home, for though there was
sometimes a loss in one crop, there was never a failure in the whole.
Evening
Sermon
In
the church at 7:30 o’clock, Rev. Alexander Sutherland preached an appropriate
and powerful sermon from Jer. 24-7. He pointed out that in a preceding verse,
the Jews first carried away to Babylon, were sent from Jerusalem "into the
land of the Chaldeans for their good." In like manner the pioneers of this
congregation had been sent to this land for their good. God had sent prophets
with the first captives to Chaldea by whom they taught in worship of the true
God. God had also given pastors to the people here and amid outward prosperity
they had enjoyed means of grace. In a most solemn and earnest manner he
impressed upon his hearers the words of his text, "And I will give them an
heart to know me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be my people, and I will be
their God, for they shall return unto my their whole heart."
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