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One of the earliest proprietors or landowners of our lot was Colonel Stewart. This situation of having absentee landlords made life very difficult for the settlers until it was removed in 1873.

In the latter years of the 18th century and early years of the 19th cen-

tury vessels arrived from Scotland bringing settlers among whom were the MacLellans, MacDougalls, MacKinnons, MacDonalds, Morrisons, Camerons, Maclntyres, Gillises, and MacNeills. These settlers were met in Charlotte- town in his township in Prince County. Thus they went westward and some

settled at Indian River and others at Grand River.

The story of these early settlers is one of determination, endurance, courage and hardship. They came from their Motherland, crossed the stormy oceans, and entered the wilds of Prince Edward Island.

When the settlers arrived having travelled by boat to Malpeque and by canoe from Malpeque to Indian River they were too late to put in a crop, so they began clearing the land and preparing for the next year. The follow- ing year they we're able to put in a cr0p buying their seed from the neigh- bours in Malpeque. Food was scarce the first year and the story is told of how one of these early settlers, Mrs. Angus MacLellan, used to take a canoe and paddle to what is now called Raynor‘s Creek. leave the canoe there, cross through the woods to Bedeque Bay, and board the timber ships from Liverpool, where, upon making her wants known, they would give her as much ship bread as she could carry. She would then return to her canoe and paddle back to Indian River.

Indian River wasn't only to be the homes of the MicMacs and Scottish settlers, for in the year or early 1800’s settlers such as the Noonans, Hickeys, and Sheas settled here from Ireland. Many of them came out following the Potato Famine in Ireland. .

Descendants from the early MacLellans, Gillis, and Cameron families are still living in our community as are the Noonans, Hickeys, and Sheas. Many of the early settlers’ families such as the MacKelvies, MacCarville, Tuplins, MacDonalds, Driscolls, Sherrys, Burts and Jordans have left the district. In their places new families have moved in among whom are Manns, Rogers, Campbells, Sinclairs, Heckberts, Humters, Easters, MacKenzies, Branders, and Turners. The last family to arrive was Franms Gallant in 1963.

Reading and inquiring about the church history of our community proved to be very interesting to us. The following is an account of what we found out about the churches in our community.

Chief among the landmarks of the community is the beautiful church of Saint Mary’s. Fifty years ago it was claimed to be the most beautiful church in the Maritimes. This is the third church to be built at Indian River.

The first church was built in 1815 and was located near the bay. An old burying ground still marks the site today. A parochial house was situ- ated nearby. Up until 1838 the settlers had visits from Bishop MacEachern but no resident priest. In 1838 Father Deligney took up residence among the settlers. The church. although rude in construction. was a joy and com- fort to all. As Summerside began to grow and became the business centre of the area, this church in 1855 was hauled across the ice of Richmond Bay to the new town and was used for worship for many years at its new location.

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