EARLY INDUSTRIES IN CRAPAUD In the early part of the 19th. century, when people from the British Isles settled in Crapaud , they were obliged to depend largely on their own resources as a means of providing clothing and other necessities for themselves and their families. The head of the household was a man who could apply himself to many lines of industry. Often he was his own tanner, shoemaker, etc. Later, when skilled workmen arrived among the immigrants, various industries sprang up. The lighting system was of a very crude nature. Pieces of cotton, saturated with melted fat and allowed to congeal, were set in a saucer and lighted at eventide. This was called a "slut." Then candles came into vogue. The housewife made these by pour¬ ing beef fat into moulds and leaving it to "set." These moulds were made of tin about twelve inches long, each being so constructed that it would contain six or more sections. Knitting needles were laid across the top of the mould and a length of candle-wick threaded through each section, being looped over the needle and then brought back through the mould and tied. The hot tallow was poured into the forms and allowed to cool. When firm enough, the knots were cut, the candles were pulled from the forms by means of the needle, and were then ready for use. Often the housewife sat by the open fireplace in the evening, knit-, ting or sewing for her family, while, at the opposite side, the old grand¬ father sat in his arm-chair, cutting tobacco. After filling his pipe, he reached down, picked up a live coal with his finger and thumb, then skilfully placed it on the bowl of his pipe, and puffed away to his heart's content. The first Blacksmith of whom we have any account was, William Rogerson , whose grandson, Warren Simmons , is at present a resident of Crapaud Village . Mr. Rogerson 's Smithy was situated on the West¬ moreland road, on the opposite side of the buildings on the farm now owned by Lome Higgins . The next Blacksmith was John Best , who owned a Smithy at Gil¬ pin's Corner. Samuel Newsom , Jr., who owned the farm now occupied by Clifford Scott , operated a Blacksmith shop, which stood on a plot of land adjoining the property of Allison Stordy . Later, George Nicholson owned and operated a forge near the same site. One of his apprentices was Sandy McKay , who afterwards bought a plot of land at Corner, on which he built a house and a shop, and started business for himself. This house is now in possession of Heber MacVittie . Mr. MacKay had several apprentices, among whom was Robert MacDonald . About 1879, Robert built the house where Mark MacVittie lives, bought Mr. McKay 's smithy, moved it to the lot, and entered into business for himself. He worked here for a number of years, and, on moving to Victoria to take up his duties as Customs' Officer, the shop was bought by Thomas Cobb , who remained here for some time. Other Blacksmiths in Crapaud were: Lester Francis , Philip Mc- Nally, George Fall , Alfred Simmons , Louis O' Brien , and, our present Blacksmith, Fulton Dingwell . -4 93 >••-