their log houses, which they were very thankful for until they could afford something better. The first settlers were more or less "Squatters". Gov. Patterson , who was one of the original grantees of Lot 19 (which New Annan forms a part of) acquired much land but later lost it. He died in England a broken and ruined man. He gave Henry Thornton Todd authority over the land in this particular area, which later fell into the hands of William Jamieson "Squire", who came out from Annan, Scotland and apparently gets the credit of naming New Annan after his home town. These lands were leased to those who wished to strive and pay their quit rents. After the Government took over the estates of the proprietors, the land was sold to the settlers for a certain amount, payments to be made yearly. Some of these deeds are still carefully preserved in the hands of New Annan homes. The commissioner of public lands in 1872 was Fran¬ cis Kelly. The Lieutenant - Governor was William Robinson . THE HOME LIFE OF OUR NEW ANNAN FOLK A CENTURY AGO Our forefathers of New Annan did not have the many opportunities, facilities and luxuries that are available today. Nourishing meals were provided and the strength and stamina of those pioneer families were proof that the housewive of that time did a wonderful job. The men were full of pluck and very persevering and succeeded in clearing land and erecting very fine buildings. The families were generally large; the men folk were busily en¬ gaged in their farming, etc. and clearing land, a great deal of which was woodland. The women did not get far from home but were very happy, am¬ bitious and skillful with their hands. The wool was taken off the sheep, washed, carded, spun, woven and knit all in the family thus providing most of their clothing and blankets. On wash day the water was drawn from the well with the old oaken bucket; prior to this it was carried from the brook. The suds were made from their homemade soap, while scrubbing on the wash board, which stood in the old wooden tub. The potash for making the soap was obtained by boiling down hard¬ wood ashes. The wooden floors were scrubbed and scoured with white sand to make them nice and white, while in the cupboard one would find a special gray brick, used weekly for cleaning the knives and forks. The stone fireplace was still in use in 1864, heavy iron kettles and pots were their cooking utensils. Stoves were on their way in. I have heard of a family getting their first stove in 1866. It was named Yar¬ mouth. On many farms a large iron kettle set in brick arches in an out¬ building. In summer this was used for heating water on wash day, it was also used to heat water for scalding hogs at butchering time and to boil down sap in maple sugar season. 13