The Wesleyan Methodist Church of this Area

farm)” Later on Mrs. Johnstone notes that the Old County Court House situated near the School house was “used for a Sabbath School and later for Church Services, as under the Union in 1884 all branches of the Methodist Church had united and the old Wesleyan Methodist Church had been sold to Wm. 1. Thompson. Incidentally Rev. Ed. Bell preached the closing service.”

It is noted that Sabbath School in connection with the Methodist Church was held “twice” on the Sabbath. Later in 1867 the morning class was discontinued. On April 21, 1853 a Sabbath School Society was formed. Thomas Pladwell is listed as a member on the committee and Edward Lane and William Brent are listed as superintendents for Dunstaffnage and York respectively (Thomas Pleadwell, native of Ireland was an official member of the Charlottetown Society and is listed as office held preacher, who died in 1859, age 61.)

Marion (Thompson) Auld who grew up in Dunstaffnage remembers going to Sunday School Classes on Sunday afternoons at the Old Court House. Mr. A. C. Foster (Stanley’s father) was the superintendent . Mr. Foster would often ask Marion to play the organ, of which she recalls as a young girl at the time (mid 1920’s) she only knew two hymns.

She recalls that their father Herbert Thompson was a Presbyterian and their mother Viola (Judson) Thompson was Baptist so they often would attend St. Columba, Presbyterian in the morning, Sunday School (Methodist) in the afternoon and evening service at the Baptist Church in Marshfield. These religious gatherings also provided an opportunity to socialize with neighbours as well as spiritual uplifting.

Bertha (Thompson) Brown, also recalls all the Thompson brothers and sisters attending Sunday School at the Old Court House on the afternoon that their brother Wilfred was born in September, 1924. She smiles as she recalls that on this particular Sunday afternoon it was probably advantageous to have them all away from home during the birth.

George Boswall of Frenchfort remembers that as a boy of 6-7 years of age he would go to the Sunday evening service with his father George Sr. He recalls one preacher as being quite loud, especially to a young boys hearing. Mr. Boswall went to Marshfield Presbyterian Church for Sunday School, his first teacher was Ruby Dennis.

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He later became a member of Central United in Dunstaffnage.

During the 1800’s classes were held for adults who met to study their Bible, pray and testify. These were not worship services. Their leaders were devout Christians who assisted their busy Circuit ministers. Following are classes listed in

March, 1839.

CLASS XI — LITTLE YORK

Adam Bridges, leader William Large Harriet Bridges Sarah Campbell William Sellars William Crockett Elizabeth Sellars Daniel Crockett Sarah Sellars John Boyle

John Large, Sr Mary Boyle

Jane Large Sancho Campbell Jane Large, 2nd William Large, Jr Mary Ann Bridges Margaret Large William Sellars Sarah Large

John Large, Jr Benjamin Balderston Elizabeth Balderston William Vessey Elizabeth Sellars Mary Ann Pladwell Elizabeth Cook William Cook George Deacon Mrs McDonald Alice Deacon George Hardy James Crockett Mary Hardy

Mary West Jane McDonald Elizabeth Gill Joanna Crockett

CLASS XII - LITTLE YORK

John Haycock, leader Thomas Hardy Abraham Gill William Brent Henry Swan Elizabeth Brent George West Charles Hardy Robert Vessey Ellen Hardy Mary Hardy Henry Hardy CLASS XIII - LITTLE YORK

THE FRENCH FORT CLASS Mannasseh Owen, Ann McIntyre leader Sister Vickerson Hannah Owen Sister Hickey Edward Lane Sr. Owen, Sr. Ann Lane George Symmonds William Pladwell

(Note that Dunstaffnage and part of Marshfield was known as St. Peter’s Road prior to 1848.)