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Chapter 5 INSTITUTIONS

Churches

The Reverend William Stewart of Bedford Parish was responsible for the building of a church and parsonage house at “the Ferry.” He was in poor health for some time, which slowed down his efforts, but it is believed that the church was built in 1856. Before this time the parishioners belonged to St. Paul’s Anglican church in Charlottetown. With the steady growth in population, and the fact that every official of the government in the 18305 and ’405 held a pew in this church, the poorer classes were unable to attend. Major Beete took up the cause of the poorer classes and expressed his sen- timents strongly against the trafficking of pews in St. Paul’s. The result was the extinction of the proprietary pew system in 1844.

The Church of England was later established at Stratford, and a Rev. Dr. Jenkins held services, mainly for the purposes of baptising, marrying, and burying. The following notice regarding these events appeared in the

local newspapers: “Divine worship will be held every sabbath in the new episcopal church Lot 48, at 3 and one quarter p.m.”

Victor Purdie (born 24 May 1882) stated that Southport Anglican Church was old when he was a boy. He said it was quite imposing, with a

steeple. As the young people moved away, and the congregation got older

and died, the church was sold in 1910 to Richard Grant for $20. and dismantled.

Here is a list of settlers buried in the Anglican cemetery:

Lucy Jeffrey, wife of Major John P. Beete. Died September 1, 1878. Mary Ann Stright. Died May 6, 1880, aged 70.

Edward Stair. Died April 21, 1888, aged 82.

George Warry. Died 1919. His wife Flora, died 1944. His son Charles, died 1939. His daughter Margaret Buchanan, died 1940.

Frederick died 1894.

John W. Stewart. Died 1925. His wife, Annie Haszard, died 1927.

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