Marshfield as I Remember from 1860
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James Fergusson known as “New Inn” arrived from Scotland about 1807 with his father John Fergusson elder and his brother Alexander. This John Fergusson “elder” was a widower, and a few years after his arrival he married Jessie Robertson, a sister of James Robertson who arrived in the Province in 1818 and established the Robertson home at Marshfield.
This James Fergusson “New Inn” occupied the farm where J.R. Munn is located. His family consisted of James R. Fergusson who married Elizabeth Rodd, a daughter of Charles Rodd of Little York. James R. in after years had a position on the P.E.I. Railway at Charlottetown. A daughter of “New Inn” Fergusson married the Hon. Kenneth Henderson of Union Road and Dr. --?—- Henderson of Clyde River and Dr. James Henderson of Union Road were his sons. The one daughter Margaret married Capt. Gordon of New Perth and died a few years after, another daughter Ann married Mr. Murray (Miller) at the Goff Mills and after his death Mrs. Murray with her family of two sons James and —-?-— and two daughters Mary and Margaret located in a small house on -—?-- Farm. Mrs. Murray later married Mr. Aitken of Murray River.
Thomas Burnett (cabinet maker) occupied a very neat residence on the West comer of George Burnett’s farm which was in after years the residence of Angus Darrach (carpenter). Mr. Burnett was an extra neat man, done a thriving business, was highly respected and married Miss Westcott whose mother in after years married Mr. Gill of York. Mr. Burnett’s family composed two daughters, Minnie and Ida and sons George, Fred and Daniel.
Angus Darrach moved from the Colville Road and occupied the Thomas Burnett property. His wife was a Miss Shaw of Brackley Point. Mr. Darrach was a carpenter and highly thought of. They had no family. The late Hector Darrach was an adopted son and nephew of Mr. Darrach. Mary Robertson was niece of Mr. Darrach who married Dr. Lem Hooper, their son Parker is a potato grower.
George Burnett “By Gollies” a farmer but not a good ploughman, occupied the farm where Mr. Ernest Foster took up his residence. Mr. Burnett’s first wife was a Miss Ann F ergusson, they had one
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son John. His second wife was Miss Fergusson, daughter of James Fergusson “Hill Side”, their family was son Lewis and perhaps one daughter.
Donald McLaughlin: He arrived on the Island in company with James Miller. He married Janet Fergusson, daughter of John Fergusson “elder” of Craggan. Mr. McLaughlin in late years became totally blind. The family consisted of:
John (one hand).
Jessie, Mrs. B. Farguharson, Lot 48.
James located at Souris.
Elizabeth, Mrs. William Gibson, Marshfield. Donald located at Dunstaffnage.
Isabella, Mrs. Alex McLaughlin, Head of Hillsboro.
Alexander located at Marshfield.
Christy, Mrs. John Stewart, Lot Dunstaffnage.
Robert located on the homestead at McLaughlin’s Bridge, Lot 34.
The McLaughlin’s farm is now owned by B. Mallett of York who also purchased the farm joining known as Springfield. This Springfield farm was formerly owned by Duncan Fergusson who sold it to Black Alex Fergusson who sold it to John Holman --?-- who sold it to John J. Jennings and who estate sold it to Allan Stewart who carried on a successful business in general merchandise and met a tragic death there. John Fergusson Sr. (merchant) built a store on his son John’s farm. His second wife was Susan Heartz.
35,
Robert Robertson (Dunkild) schoolmaster came to the Province from Dunkild in Perthshire, Scotland. He was a nephew of James Robertson 0f Marshfield. He married Miss Scott sister of William, John and Robert Scott. They had one son John, a cripple from being struck by a ram on the hip and also the following daughters:
Jane, Mrs. James MacFarlane. Janet, Mrs. Richard Morson. Margaret, single. Clementine, single.
Isabella, single.
Grace, Mrs. William Rogers.
After Mr. Robertson’s death his farm was sold to Russel G. Freeland whose farmer was Mr. M. Carey as he did not live here himself. John T. Fergusson now has the farm.