. La.

MISSION OF ST. BRIDGET TOWNSHIP ELEVEN

The earliest settlers in this mission were exclusively Frbtestant with the eiception of a family of English Catholics named Gain.

Not long after the settlement of these persons on Township Eleven. they were Joined by John Callaghan from Rexford. Ireland and Patrick Murphy. from the

same place. At a somewhat later date. arrived on John Large. an Irish protestant with'instructions from the preprietor. An Irish officer in the English Army Colonel Sir. E. H. Walsh. to settle the property. Hr. Large established himself near the ferry. now called Walshtown Ferry and commenced to farm. Sending to Ireland rose coloured accounts of his new house. and expatiating on the advant- ages held out to those who would follow his example and emigrate. The result

of Mr. Large's correspondence was that on the 1 April 1823 a ship with a number of emigrants on board left Ireland for Prince Edward Island. After a dreary passage of seven weeks. she arrived at her destination and a number of passengers who landed from her proceeded to Township Eleven and took ip farms.

In the year 183% the Hon. James Warhurton arrived from Ireland as agent for Sir. E.F. Walsh and gave leases to the Settlers on that gentleman's estate. These leases were issued on the usual terms. nine hundred and ninety nine years at a shilling per acre. per annum. Kr. Warburton did much to improve the township .and is held in high esteem by the dwellers therein.

The church of St. Bridget was commenced in 1868. previous to that period. the Catholic settlers heard mass at Cascumpec. The church did not progress very rapidly, but on Christmas eve 1870 it was so far advanced as to allow of mid- night mass being offered in it upon a temporary altar. It measures sixty feet in length by thirty in width, and thnty two fevt. Leibit of wall. The exterior was finished by Mr. Jeremiah Dalton. the interior. including the altar. which is

a handsome one and richly gilt, was completed by the architect Mr. John McLellan.