Ships built by William Paul at West River / Bonshaw (details extracted from shipping registers (38))

Ship's name Year Dimensions Masts Sailing Figure- launched length width depth rig head Helen Stewart 1839 91 23 17 2 brig yes Ninian 1 840 98 23 17 3 barque yes Mary Jane 1 842 103 23 17 3 barque yes Mary 1 845 75 1 8 1 1 2 brigantine yes

Brig Barque Brigantine

Note William Paul’s shipyard was in use again in the 18705 as John Darrach and Company launched the Clio a 237 ton brigantine on the 26th August 1874 and the Lady Milton a 346 ton on the 28th of Oct 1875 (43).

DAVID STEWART and ROBERT BRUCE STEWART 17??-1852 1813-1884

The Stewart family, although not directly involved in the development of the village of Bonshaw, was a notable presence. In 1839 David Stewart purchased Lot 30 from the Montgomery family and became the landlord to all the farmers who did not own the land they occupied (44). David, and subsequently his son Robert Bruce, ran the Lot and the others they owned like Scottish estates until they were forced to sell their land to the government in 1875, which in turn sold it to the occupiers between 1876-1880 (45,46).

The Stewarts would not sell any of their land under normal circumstances and this may have been a serious impediment to the development of the village. The village developed slowly in the mid 18005 and was confined to the land that was not owned by the Stewarts.

Strathgartney Homestead, which was built circa 1863, was a customer for the local businesses and a number of local residents worked for the Stewarts on the farm or in the house.

(Further information on the Stewarts can be found in 'The Island Magazine', Number 21, Spring/Summer 1987, 'Robert Bruce Stewart and the Land Question' pg 3-11)

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