Properties and People

required on the farm. Wally, the second oldest son, then attending Prince of Wales College with his brother Don, agreed to stay at home and become a partner. With the added numbers of livestock, cattle and hogs, further assistance was required, hence, the Craggan Farm house became the home for a married hired-man for a number of years.

In 1970, Almon’s youngest son David, a graduate of Nova Scotia Agricultural College, decided that he and his wife Barbara MacRae wished to become part of the farm operation. David and Wally formed a partnership arrangement under the name “East River Farms” that included all the farms plus all livestock, buildings and machinery. David and Barbara moved into the homestead, a beautiful old home which had been built by the Robertsons in 1885, where they raised their family Julie, Jamie and John. Almon and Ida moved to the “Craggan” house next door for some well deserved retirement.

In 1990, Wally and Doris’ youngest family member Bruce wished to have some stake in the

business. Hence Bruce purchased all his fathers assets in East River Farms and formed an uncle- nephew partnership with David to continue East River Farms into the 21St century on the “old Melrose Farm.”

Also owning property located within the historic boundaries of this property along the Lower Marshfield Road are the following: Mike & Wendy Stratton, Ronnie M. Johnston, Aidan & Tanya Sheridan, Elaine MacQuarrie, Roland & Heather MacSwain, Ken J. Gallant, Mario Lazric, Micro Tech Supply & Service and Thomas & Paula Wright. Along White Maple Drive are the following property owners: Tom & Damerisie Notting, Graham & Jennifer Boswall, Barry J. MacDonald, Gerald O’Halloran & Kelly Burke, Maisie Waddell, Ken F. Connelly, Paul & Marlene Gaudet, Walter MacEwen, Peter Rankin, Dave & Debra Jones, James C. Trainor.

Submitted by Wally Wood

CRAGGAN FARM (S6)

Tradition has it that when the McCormacks left Scotland in 1792, Dougald was given ten shillings by the Fergussons (later Ferguson) of Blair Athol with instructions to write of his experiences in the New World. The Ferguson family arrived in PEI in 1808 settling on what was then known as “Black Man’s Farm.” Possibly “Black Man’s Farm” was the same farm that Governor Fanning reportedly gave to one of his slaves.‘

This 138—acre farm was located between the McCormacks (Melrose Farm) and the Mill Creek. The total acreage remains completely intact to this day and it is perhaps the most scenic farm on the Hillsborough River with a view from the farm for miles up and down the river.

The Ferguson family history is documented in this book. It is sufficient to note their tremendous impact throughout Marshfield and beyond during the first 150 years of our history.

The original John Ferguson of Blair Athol, had two mature sons upon his arrival, Alexander and James. The sons leased separate properties on the north side of the St. Peter’s Road. With John Ferguson’s male descendants acquiring additional

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land in the district and his girls marrying into many of the existing families, there have been very few farms in Marshfield that have not been directly impacted by the Craggan Fergusons.

The first three generations of Fergusons occupying Craggan Farm were all called John. The second generation known as John Jr. and the third generation known as John A. The family of John Jr. born between 1838 and 1852 were hit with unbelievable hardship by an 1840’s plague with four of their first five children falling victim. Only John A., the inheritor, born in 1852 and two others survived from eight children.

Upon the death of John A. in 1917, the farm was inherited by his only son Charles Tupper Ferguson. Tupper was a highly regarded individual with a “heart of gold” but not particularly successful as a farmer. He was an intellectual type, who much preferred reading and conversation to the manual tasks. That is not to say he didn’t work hard but was always one step behind with both the banker and the neighbours. He was a very happy person in spite of being very suppressed by his wife of twenty years (1923-1943) Emily Wyatt. Upon her death the