0!: Prince Edward Island

CHAPTER VIII.

ST. PETERS, BAY FORTUNE AND SOURIS.

The first settlers of St. Peters were a number of emigrants who came from Perthshire, Scotland, in the year 1774. After them came a number from Dumfriesshire and settled here and in Cove Head. Rev. Dr. McGregor of Pictou, N. S., visited this place in 1791 and again in 1806, spent two weeks, preached several times and visited as many families as he could overtake. As stated in the preceding chapter, the first settled minister in St. Peters was Rev. Peter Gordon, who after a brief pastorate of three years died in April, 1809. He was followed by Rev. Mr. Pidgeon, whose connection with the congregation terminated in 1820. From 1821 until 1846 Rev. Robert Douglas was the esteemed pastor. In 1825 East and West St. Peters and Bay Fortune were united. At this date there was only one dwell- ing house in what is now the thriving little town of Mount Stewart, though there was a good deal of shipbuilding carried on in that place; and the writer remembers, when a student, preaching in the cook house of Mr. Kemble Coffin in 1852. In July of the same year the united congregation called Mr. Henry Crawford, 3. licentiate of the Presbyteerian church in Nova Scotia ; but he, having to take another term at the Theological Hall, was not ordained and inducted until 18th October, 1853. Mr. Crawford entered

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