MISSION OF ST. ANNE

TOWNSHIP SIXTY;FIVE

One summer day in the year 1839. two emigrant vessels. the “Cornisbrook'

and the I'AGitator". sailed out of Belfast Harbour; they were bound for Charlottetown. Prince Edward Island. and freighted with human beings. exiles from the North of Ireland. These people with few exceptions were those

who after a hardfought battle against oppression and starvation. had yielded to the inevitable and, bidding a long farewell to their childhood's home,

had availed themselves of emigration as the only means by which they could earn bread for themselves and their children. A few there were however,

who from love of adventure or the wish to Join absent relatives in America had taken passage in the “Cornishruck” or “Agitator" and they, more light

of heart than those forced by cruel wrongs to leave their hindred and the dear old land. took a lively interest in the race sustained'between the two vessels. 3 race in which the "Cornisbruck" came off victorious.

Among those emigrants of 1839, were several families who found their way

to Township Sixty Five. then the property of Sir Samuel Cunard. These people were chiefly from the Barony of Truagh in County Monaghan, from the parishes of Garrickroe, Ballyoshen and Clara, from Tydavenet, Donagh and Clantubbret. with a few from Tyrone and Tyholland. They took up farms upon the Cunard estate in lShO. The terms granted by the landlord were, five years free. three years at three pence per acre. three at sixpence. three at nine pence. and

then nine hundred and ninety nine

acres in extent. For three years the settlers in Sixty Five were obliged to go all the way to

Charlottetown to hear Mass and to receive the sacraments. the journey leading

them over very indifferent roads and being often difficult of accomplishment.