The Irish Catholics, who were perhaps in the minority were considered by the Presbyterians to be in the lower strata of society. They did some of the farming, much of the labor at the ship works and some of the fishing. They had a more exciting social life than the Presbyterians, if the stories which were told and the old songs which were made about the dances, raffles and wakes are true. The port was a busy place in spring and summer with vessels being built and launched and the fishermen landing their catches. “Yankee” schooners came in great numbers to fish mackerel, cod and bake in the Straits. Mrs. Carrie (Coughlin) Murphy, an elderly lady who lived in Campbellton near the shore, told me that she could remember the American schooners off shore so thick that their riding lights were like rows of lanterns at night.

This is a partial picture of the village as it was from 1855 to 1860. Within a few years, the shipbuilding had gone into a decline. The reasons for this were obvious. Britain, no longer at war, required lesser amounts of timber, and that which she did require, she could get from the Baltic countries once more. Also, steam ships were now being built, and this was an industry which did not adapt very well to an agricultural land of one hundred thousand people. Thus, shipbuilding declined and died. The change which took place in the village can best be seen if we look at the village in the year, 1920.

By 1920, the center of the economy had shifted to agriculture, for farming was now a great deal more important than it had been. No longer were ships being loaded with timber bound for England, or with hay, oats or potatoes bound for other colonies. The population had declined substantially, but the Scottish Presbyterians still maintained their place of importance. Most of the industries which had existed were now gone. Only the saw mill, a store and one blacksmith shop now remained. Changes in religious attitudes could be noted with the passing of time. The younger generation had begun to break with the religious traditions of their fathers. Dancing and card playing were becoming more accepted by the Presbyterians, although some of the older people looked with reservation on these two activities. The churches, both Roman Catholic and Protestant, retained their places as the center of social activity. Plays, Sunday School activities and annual picnics were largely attended affairs.

With the passing of the merchants and shipbuilders, and others of the upper social strata, there also passed some of the social differences between the two religions. A Protestant farmer could scarcely consider himself better than a Roman Catholic farmer even though each might be secure in his belief that the other was doomed to Hell. Older people whom I have interviewed speak fondly of those times, saying that there was more visiting, more conversation and more social life in general than there is now.

Perhaps the greatest change can be noticed when we look at Campbellton today. Since 1920, the fishing industry in the village has declined, except for a period of lobster fishing in the fall. Only one or two fishermen launch their boats, where three or four crumbling fishing stages stand.

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