Working With A Purpose 31

CLARK’S MILLS

The saw mill in Wilmot Valley, one of the earliest mills on Prince

Edward Island, had been in use for about fifteen years when it was bought by William Clark.

An advertisement appearing in the Prince Edward Island Register for March 20th, and April 3rd, 1824 reads:

To be sold by Auction on the premises at Bedeque, [now known as Wilmot Valley] on Saturday the 10th day of April next, at 12 o’clock, all that valuable Saw-Mill, erected by the late Mr. Schurman, deceased, with the appurtenances, which with some small repairs can be immediately put in operation. Also about three thousand acres of Land, situated on the same River with the Mill, abounding with fine groves of Pine and other Timber, and convenient for rafting. Terms of sale of this valuable pro-

perty will be made known at the Auction. Bedeque, March 18, 1824.

Peter Schurman Isaac Schurman Executors William Schurman

When William Schurman died on September 15, 1819 the sawmill was a going concern. His will states that “the sum of 100 pounds be raised from the rents and profits of the saw mill and paid to his son William; that 200 pounds be paid to his grandson...also that 2 pair of good oxen be kept for the use of the saw mill”.

The following spring and several times in the next few years repairs on the dam were carried out and entered as expenses by the executors of the estate. It is possible that William Clark was one of those who rented the mill during these years and had watched the business grow. He'was willing to make the small repairs necessary to continue operation and also to build a grist mill nearby.