EiIIage west - fiurtb $th2

FYFE/FIFE

WILLIAM FYFE I (Mar. 23, 1794 - Dec. 22, 1865) was born in the Parish of Houston, Renfrewshire, Scotland, son of Robert and Isobell [Miller] Fyfe. On Feb. 10, 1815, WILLIAM married JEAN ARTHUR b. 1795, daughter of James and Elizabeth [Shaw] Arthur, Boaghall, Houston. Little is or can be known of William’s early years or when or where he met his future wife. Jean Arthur’s father was a weaver in Boaghall. One can only wonder if William grew up on a small croft, learning farming and yearning for more wide open fields in which to grow crops. Some say that he may have learned the shipbuilding trade in the shops and yards of Paisley and Glasgow, although there is nothing to indicate the latter.

Before they left Scotland in 1820, they had to get copies of their marriage certificate and the children’s births. These prized documents are in the possession of their great-great—grandson,

Alfred Fyfe.

The family emigrated to Prince Edward Island in 1820, and settled on the west bank of the Mill River. WILLIAM purchased 150 acres of land formerly leased to a man by the name of Bernard. The family was best known in the area for the “ferry’ which they operated for those who wished to cross the river. The area was also called F yfe’s Ferry before the bridge was built. Early atlases refer to the present New London Road as being called Fyfe’s Ferry Road.

WILLIAM I and JEAN ARTHUR FYFE had a family of eleven children, three of whom were

born in Scotland. 1. Robert I b. Feb. 5, 1816 died before 1832, as another son was given the same

name. According to family tradition, Robert went to the woods without his parents knowledge, or consent, and was killed when struck by a tree he was felling.

2. Elizabeth (Nov. 22, 1817 — Nov. 29, 1877) m. Apr. 24, 1837 to Joseph Mayne (1803 —1892). Joseph emigrated from Suffolk, England, about 1832. They

farmed in Summerfield and had a family of ten. Margaret I (Jan. 14, 1820 - 1838/39), another child was given the same name

4. Agnes (1821 — Feb. 4, 1900) m. Mar. 26, 1856 to Charles Humphrey (1828 — 1915). They lived in the Clinton area and had two children.

5. Alexander (1823 - July 11, 1875) m. Mar. 29, 1850 to Dora Heaney (1829 - 1902). They purchased land close to the Margate/Clinton border. Alexander and Dora had a family of eight children.

6. JANE (1829/27 — June 9, 1884) m. in 1844 to WILLIAM PICKERING II (1819 - 1887) {see Pickering} William married twice. Jane was likely his second wife. They had twelve children.

7. JAMES (1827/30 - Dec. 5, 1854) m. Dec. 19, 1853 to JESSIE SMITH (1826 - Apr. 1899). On May 29, 1849 James received a “transfer of lease from James Pine for 50 acres on the New London Road.” This would be about two miles East of his father’s farm. On Jan. 7, 1855, about a month after James Fyfe’s death, his widow, Jessie, gave birth to a son, named James Arthur Fyfe. James Arthur died Nov. 14, 1869. This is probably one of the unmarked graves in the Fyfe Cemetery. The farm was later taken over by James’ brother, William, who married a sister of Jessie’s. {see New London Road}

8. WILLIAM II (1830 — Mar. 16,1884).

5”

{see William Fyfe II.}

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