paid for in Campbellton. We have found little or no arrears due the Pastor here and the people seem determined that in the future, arrears at least to the minister shall be a word unkown among them. From what we saw of the Presbyterians in the Camp- bellton section, we are of the opinion that for Christian intelligence, zeal and liberality, they would compare favorably with any of our congregations in Prince Edward Island. Long may they continue to abound in the work of the Lord.” ”’U

SUMMARY

1833 Rev. Robert S. Paterson of Bedeque paid a missionary visit to Campbell- ton taking care of baptisms and other pastoral duties.

1840’s James Ramsay, James MacNeill and Robert Sturgeon were the leaders.

1842 First negotiations for a minister.

1850’s Missionary Society and Sunday School established.

1851 First church building erected prior to 1851 on the farm of James Ramsay.

1854 Elders were appointed. ,

1864 New church building, probably two or three years old.

1865 Campbellton united with West Point and the Brae.

3. HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE CAMPBELLTON CHURCH BUILDING By Esther (Bradshaw) Thomson and Leith Thomson

Two pioneer settlers, James MacNeill and James Ramsay were instrumental in establishing the church in Campbellton. These two men had married sisters before they had left Malpeque; James MacNeill was married to Mary Taylor and James Ramsay to Christy Taylor. They built log houses and cleared the land for farming in Burton, Lot 7, near St. Mark’s Church. James Ramsay was born in 1795 in Hamilton, RBI. and James MacNeill was born in Hamilton on January 1, 1790.

The MacNeills, probably Malcolm, had come from Scotland in 1749 and landed at Malpequc. James MacNeill settled in Burton, Lot 7 in 1789, but the Ramsays were already in the area including West Point. The Ramsays had come from Camp- bellton, Argyll, Scotland in 1770 on board the ill-fated Annabella which was wreck- ed off Malpeque in September, 1770. Russell MacNeill claimed a relationship with Scottish nobility through his great grandmother, Elizabeth Campbell, who was a daughter of the Duke of Argyll, When the Ramsays and MacNeills arrived near Campbellton, they found the country a great wilderness, but with hard work, they succeeded well. Both maintained hospitable homes and were kind husbands and fathers. James MacNeill gathered about him a Sunday School for many years which he alone taught with great acceptance and success. James MacNeill died in his 94th year in Campbellton on Feburary 26, 1883. He had been one of the first Elders of the Campbellton Presbyterian Church and had served for over forty years. James Ramsay was also one of the first Elders, and to these two men must go much of the

IOU The Presbyterian. October 23, 1867.

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