Properties and People

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Clementine, Isabella, and John. Robert’s only son John died at the young age of twenty-one years on September 1, 1872.6 Almost one year later, Robert passed away on July 12, 1873 at seventy-six years of age.7 Robert, in his will requested his wife Isabella to care for “Little William and pay for his education.” Little William, presumably was the son of his daughter Grace and her husband William.8

Isabella lived for another twelve years, and passed away on June 3, 1885 at seventy-one years of age.9

The year before his death, Robert had sold his land to Russell George Freeland. This land was now minus a plot of land that Robert and Isabella had conveyed to the Baptist Church in Marshfield, on August 20, 1866.10

Russell Freeland purchased the land from Robertson on October 11, 1872.11 Freeland was married to Frances Gertrude Bayfield of Charlottetown.12 Originally from England, Russell’s occupation in the 1881 census is listed as “Militia staff.” He was the adjutant in military district No.12 in the active militia of Canada in 1875.13

Russell and Gertrude had six children: Henry Frances Edward, Guy, Helen (Mrs. Cauiple, lived in Mass), John, Anthony, and Philip Broke. Although the Freelands only owned this property for four years, they still owned land in the Charlottetown area until the 1930S. Henry was also in the militia. He was knighted and became known as “Sir Henry Freeland, KCBE” and was living in Camberly, Surrey, England in the 1920’s.

On November 26, 1877, Henry Bayfield, acting on behalf of Russell and Frances, sold the land to John T. Ferguson.l4 John Thomas Ferguson married Catherine Alice MacDonald of East River, Lot 34, on May 5, 1890.15 Catherine died in 1902 on May 27, forty-seven years of age.16 The following year, John T. married Mary Isabella Thompson (1882-1953) of Dunstaffnage on September 11.17 John and Isabella had one daughter, Mary Ardele (1913-1941). John T. died on April 19, 1942, at eighty—three.18

Milbum Buell resided on this property until Harry Dunning purchased the farm on July 5, 1947.19 Harry was married to Jennie Amelia Bernard and owned the farm until his death on August 18, 1972. In his will, Harry divided all of his property equally among his three children, Norman C., Fred C., and Marion L. MacInnis.

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Marion agreed to convey her share to her two brothers. On March 24, 1975, Norman and Fred sold this farm to Athol MacBeath.20

The current owners of the homestead are Wilfred and Lorraine McNally. Children of Wilfred and Lorraine are Jessica, Angie, Lindsey and Kristina. The former Muttart Store also located within the boundaries of this historic property is owned by Roland and Julie Ford (refer to Recollections of the Country Store).

Submitted by Juanita Rossiter

' “Montgomery’s Lands 1833, Land Records and Genealogy,” by James P. Lawson, in the_le_and Magazine (No. 32, Fall/Winter 1992), p.38.

2 Will of Robert Robertson. Liber 8, Folio 584, Registered 19 August 1873 (PARO)

3 The History of Marshfield, The Marshfield Women’s Institute (1972), p. 7.

4 Liber 51, Folio 102. Although the land was instrumented on 12 July 1841, it was not officially registered until the 14 February 1843. (Land Records Office)

5 Some references to R. Robertson, Schoolmaster: The Reyal Gazette, 12 February 1839, p.3. The

Reyal Gazette, 11 February 1840, p.1 The Celenial Herald, 2 March 1844, p.4. The Islander, 6 August

1847, p.3.

6 mm, 19 September 1872, p.3

7 The Islander, 15 August 1873, p.5.

8 The will of Robert Robertson. Liber 8, Folio 584,

19 August 1873 (PARO).

MW, 25 June 1885, p.3.

1" Liber 86, Folio 330. Registered 20 August 1866 (Land Records Office).

“ Liber 1, Folio 233. The land conveyance was instrumented on the 11 October 1872, but not officially registered until the 6 July 1873 (Land Records Office).

‘2 Them—larger, 20 August 1869.

‘3 J.P. Pollard, P.E.I. Military and Civil (1898), p. 156.

'4 Liber 8, Folio 505. Registered 16 November 1877 (Land Records Office).

'5 Marriage License Book #16, 1882-1923, p. 46.

‘6 The Daily Examiner, 28 May 1902, p.3.

‘7 Marriage Licence Book #16, 1882-1923, p.104.

‘8 The Maple Leaf Magazine, May/June 1942, p.51, col.2.

'9 Liber 119, Folio 82. Registered 5 July 1947 (Land Records Office).

20 Liber 202, Folio 133. Registered 24 March 1975. (Land Records Office)