Georgetown Stories : 1786-1844 5

Georgetown Citizens Meet, 1837

At a public meeting of Georgetown citizens, 28 Jan. 1837, was chaired by Johnson Aitken. In view of the need for a school and market, it was argued that goverment legislation should make it possible for the the town to sell lots of those proprietors who had not fulfilled the necessary conditions of purchase and to tax also those who occupied parts of these lots. The Square was too large, it was felt, because it inhibited communication and development. Parts of the Square were “still in woods” and so insurance was needed to protect the Court House and jail.This was the responsibility of the government. A committee was set up to carry a petition to the government. (Royal Gazette, Feb. 11, 1837)

Georgetown Citizens Declare Loyalgg

W.B. Aitken and others submitted a document to the P.E.l., government, signed by about 400 persons, in which they protested their loyalty and wished themselves disassociated from the Hay River Petition of the Kings County residents which cited the oppression and gross injustice in the treatment of tenants by absentee landlords.These had called on the government to escheat lands owned by delinquent proprietors who had not fulfilled the original conditions of their proprietorship. The Royal Gazette cited some evidence of another opinion at Georgetown and these had apparently surfaced at the meeting but were overuled by Aitken and others. (Royal Gazette, Feb& March, 1837)

Chapel for Georgetown

A notice in the Royal Gazette in the Spring of 1837 asked for tenders to build a Chapel in Georgetown.

These to be received by Martin Byrne who had the specifications.

Land at Burnt Point

An advertisment in the Royal Gazette in the spring of 1837 advertises 430 acres of freehold property near Georgetown; twenty acres under cultivation; 30 % burnt. Offers to be made to James Hadley. Area bounded by the Cardigan River and Albion Bay.

Government Appointees, 1837

Government appointments for 1837-1838 included the following for Georgetown and Royalty: Peter Ferguson, fence viewer; Laughlan Morrison, fence viewer; Michael Flanagan, constable; George Parker, constable; Joseph MacDonald, constable; Chas. McLarren, constable; Damiel M’Kinnon, constable. Special (undescribed) appointments to Donald McAulay, Robert Head, John Thompson, James B. Hadley, John Ferguson. Philip Le Brocq.

Meeting to Set Up School Trustees

A public meeting at Georgetown was held Jan. 10, 1838, at Philip LeBrocq’s Tavern. The issue was education. It was agreed to apply for a second-class teacher (the highest available) to replace the present one. Also goverment was to be applied to for the lot assigned for building a school house. The key was to be obtained from James Lockerby, teacher, and he was to made liable for rent. School committee (trustees) appointed were: William McKay, ; John Macdonald, Joseph Renton, Donald MacPhee, J.C. McKeown. Among those speaking at the meeting were Rufus Shattuck, Donald MacPhee, John Thompson, J.C. McKeown, John Hall, Daniel M’ Kimmon, Peter Dalton. (Royal Gazette, Jan.30, 1838) Roderick Campbell, previously teacher at Montague was hired.

Eastern Agricultural Society

The Eastern Agricultural Society met at Georgetown in January 1838. Two annual fairs and a weekly market were proposed. (Royal Gazette, Feb.6, 1838)