During the period 1851 to 1856, WW was listed as a farmer in various records and in 1855 increased the size of Bonshaw farm, which somehow he still had possession of, by leasing 100 acres from the Stewarts (27,28,29). (This property joined the 200 acre parcel and is known locally today as the Carson property). In April 1856 W once again offered Bonshaw Farm for sale and in May he sold it to Alexander Robertson for the sum of 725 pounds. (As mentioned previously, Stephen Rice also sold the property to Mr. Robertson on the same day; he received 553 pounds.)(25,26)

—-.. .l~h '__‘ .__,____

Bonshaw Farm for Sale. ' 'l‘lllS well-known and eligible Property, situated at West, or Ellis River Bridge, consists of 300 ndrea of excellent. LANI), 200 acres (on which the DWELLING HOUSE and FARM BUILDINGS are erected). nre Freehold, and IOU acres are held under a Lease for 999 years, at an Annual Rent of £5 : Ila. 2d. currency. with a right of purchase, ntlthe rule of 20:0.

‘(one-ninlh sterling). per annum. “ithin thirty years. 75 acres

on the rear of the Freehold are leased to different parties for

short terms. .

On the Freehold portion of the Farm therelis a substantial

BUILDING, shingled all over. 40 feet square dnd 20 feet p'nst. With three Bloom. capable of being converted into an, excellent Store. which Is much wanted in the district. The Farm fronts on the .West River, and the Post Road to Tll on divides the .Freehold from the Leasehold. The Property well watered, and there is an ample supply of Firewood end Fencing stufl'. .'l‘liere are Grist. Sew. and Cerding Mills within a quarter of n mile of the Farm; also. a Blacksmith’s Forge on th€Propi2tty. nnd Carpenters and pther Tradesmen in the tmrn'cdiato vicinity. '

A when of the Purchase Money may rsrnainlon the Pro I1}. and or full particulars apply to Wu. W. lands, at the fluoyal

Agricultural Society‘s Olhce, Charlottetown. April 8, I356. . l

Islander 11 Apr 1856 page 3

With the sale of the farm, WW's connection with Bonshaw ended.

In summary, W.W. Irving appeared from all records as being very well educated and a man who enjoyed the good things of life, but couldn't afford them on his income. Irving family records confirm this opinion of his living beyond his means. He did, however, leave his mark in this part of Prince Edward Island by the name he chose for his farm, "Bonshaw".

(Further information on W. W. Irving can be found in 'The Island Magazine', Number 30, Fall/Winter 1991, 'The Making of a Gentleman, The Curious Life of W. W. Irving', pg 2-8.)

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