DR . ALEXANDER HENRY BOS WALL AND FAMILY In the England of 1843 Charles Dickens published his novel A Christmas Carol , Queen Victoria declared Hong Kong a British Crown Colony and A. H. Boswall prepared to emigrate to Prince Edward Island . Alexander Henry Boswall MD., his wife Harriet Burston together with their five children: Ann Burston , Robert, William James , Harriet, and Albert arrived in Charlottetown on the Brigantine Mary Ann, May 26, 1843. Copies of letters in the family indicate that Dr. Boswall , had considered leaving his practice in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, as early as February 1839 when he took steps to advertise through an agent the sale of his medical practice. Previous to emigrating to A. H. Boswall practised medicine in Leven, Scotland , India and Wiveliscombe and in addition had voyaged around the world. During the voyage to Prince Edward Island , Dr. Boswall had served as the ship's medical officer. In the Royal Gazette of May 30, 1843 a copy of the following letter appeared: Charlottetown , May 26,1843 "As a testimony of the esteem towards Captain William Saunders , of the Brig. Mary Ann, from Bideford , for his kindness and untiring attention during the voyage, the whole of the passengers entered into a subscription and presented him with a handsome silver snuffbox. They take this opportunity of publicly announcing their feelings toward the Captain, in hopes that it may meet the eyes of persons intending to emigrate to this colony, and induce them to place themselves under the care of one who, they feel satisfied will never cease from paying every attention requisite to the comfort of passengers unaccustomed to the sea." On behalf of the passengers, A. H. Boswall , MD. By June 7, 1843, Dr. Boswall had established his family on a farm in the country. He purchased a property approximately eight and one-half miles from Charlottetown along the St. Peter 's Road. This property was named Somerset Cottage perhaps in memory of Somerset England , the home county of his wife Harriet. A description of the property in what was then called St. Peter 's Road and later to be called Dunstaffnage was made in 1847. The dwelling house is 36 by 36 feet and comprises on the first floor: drawing room 15 by 13 feet, dinning room 12 by 13 feet, bedroom and dressing room each 9 by 13 feet, kitchen 12 by 13, pantry 5 by 7 and a neatly finished hall 7 feet in width which extends the whole breadth of the house. In the attic there are five bedrooms, all nicely finished, frost proof cellar, 7 feet deep, well walled with stone and lime. Also good barn, outhouses and convenient offices attached, with a well of excellent water within a few paces of the house. The property comprised fifty acres of fertile land forty of which were in a state of cultivation. The remainder being in woodland with a stream of water running through the property. Ann the eldest, at 17 years of age, placed an advertisement in the Royal Gazette of Tuesday, July 4, 1843. This advertisement indicated her plans to run a boarding school for young ladies and its wording is reproduced below. SOMERSET COTTAGE (on the St. Peter 's road, 8^ miles from Ch'town) Seminary for a limited number of Young Ladies , under the Superintendence of Miss Boswall . Miss Boswall embraces this opportunity of informing the inhabitants of Charlottetown and vicinity that she intends, commencing a BOARDING SCHOOL, for a limited number of young ladies, on the 29th of September next. Terms per Annum: Board, Instruction in plain and ornamental Needlework, Grammar, History, Geography. Astronomy Writing and Arithmetic, £20 Extras. French... £3 Drawing... £3 Music___£3 -103-