Georgetown Stories:1840-1870 3

Bears on P.E.I.

“A fine large bear weighing nearly 4 cwt. was shot a few days since on the Georgetown Road, near Redmond’s Tavern” (Islander, Feb., 17, 1843)

“Three Bears Killed: We learn that on Wednesday the 22nd ult., a number of young men from Georgetown headed by Mr. Smith, succeeded in killing a large bear and two cubs near Mr. Westaway’s farm, Three Rivers.”

(Islander, Oct. 1.,1852)

Schooner Aground

“Georgetown, Nov. 8: The Schooner Maria Brewer of Ship Harbour, Cape Breton, went ashore at Grosse Marsh (si_c), Cardigan River, in the gale on the 2nd inst. Cargo, produce, damaged and discharged. The vessel has since been sold to Mr. Charles M’Laren of the Town who has succeeded in getting her off and bringing her around to the harbour and now lies at the Queen’s Wharf.” (Islander, Nov. 24, 1843)

Georgetown Total Abstinence Socieg: 1 844

The Georgetown Total Abstinence and Literary Society met on Jan. 1, 1844, being their first anniversary for appointing office bearers. Elected were John Arbuckle, Esq., President; John Thomson, Esq., Vice—President; W. B. Aitken, Esq., Treasurer; Mr. A. M. McKinnon, Secretary. The committee were Messers W. McKay, Finlay McNeil], John Pollard, William Stiggens and John Poole. (Islander, Jan. 12, 1844)

A Venerable Pair

“Married: At Three Rivers, on the 20th ult. by W. McKay, Esq., J. P., John Burnet of Georgetown Royalty, formerly of Midlothian, Scotland, aged 71 years to Ann McGregor of Georgetown, a native of Perthshire, Scotland, aged 60 years, the combined ages of the partnership being 131 years. The venerable pair at their dwelling house gave to a large assemblage of guests a merry and comfortable entertainment on the night of the marriage, which was reciprocated by an entertainment

given at Georgetown. The newly—married

couple joined in the dance and song.” (Islander, Apr. 5, 1845)

Fatal Accident at Georgetown

“The brig Bernard , Walsh, master, owned by Messers Redding & Son bound for Liverpool got under weigh Wednesday last. but came to for the night and made sail on Thursday morning. A young man named Dennis Flynn, having essayed to take the place of a sailor, fell from the mainyard whilst in the act of loosing the topsail, and was instantly killed. We understand he was a sober man and bore an excellent character.” (Acadian Recorder, Halifax, copied from the Islander, Nov. 3, 1848)

Another Sea Fatalifl

“Arrived on the 31st October the Brig Douglas , Thomas Jones, master, 39 days from Dublin with goods and 14 passengers, all well. When 9 days out in a sudden shift of wind, lost both topmasts, succeeded in rigging jury—mast and kept on. Melancholy to relate, however, when 3 days out, Joseph Wood, a native of Tryon in this Island went aloft to stow the royal, when by the vessel suddenly bracing too, the royal mast snapped off and precipitated him into the sea, and before any assistance could be rendered, the vessel running before the wind at the time about 9 or 10 knots, he sank to rise no more. He was one of the most quiet and inoffensive young men that ever left this part as a sailor.” (Acadia Recorder, Halifax,. N.S., Nov. 11, 1848, copied from the Islander, Nov. 3, 1848)

Liquor Convictions

“On Saturday the 17th inst. at Georgetown. before William Sanderson, William B. Aitken, William McKay & Martin Byrne, Esquires, J. Ps., John Le Brocq, Thomas McAvoy and Donald Ferguson were duly convicted and fined in the sum of £5 each with costs for retailing Spirituous liquors in less quantities than two gallons without license. On Wednesday, the let inst. before the same, Donald MacQuarrie and Ezra Wickwire were each convicted and fined with costs for a like offense.” (Royal Gazette,

‘ Apr. 3, 1849) [Only taverns were licensed to

sell liquor in small quantities] In 1878, Ezra