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Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB
August 3, 1893

THE PARISH OF PENNFIELD, COUNTY OF CHARLOTTE, PROVINCE OF NEW BRUNSWICK.

An Historical Sketch.

By J. G. Lorimer.

CHAPTER II.

It was a sad day for the Egyptians when Locusts overspread the whole land, eating up every green thing!  It was a glad day for the Pennfieldites when wild pigeons overspread the buckwheat stubble ground in countless numbers!  All over the parish where there was any buckwheat stubble ground, during the autumn months of the years 1838, ’39, ’40, at early sunrise and before it and at dewy eve, were wild pigeons innumerable!  And during those autumns the flesh-pots of the Israelites were cast away into shade by the flesh pots of the Pennfieldites!  The gun was seldom brought into action against the lovely feathered visitors.  Like the wind, no one could tell whence they came or whither they went; but during the above mentioned autumns they were captured by nets in prodigious numbers, the captors having their nets spread over the stubble to admit the pigeons on alighting to run under, when the person in charge of the net, concealed at the edge of the trees, would spring the net.  This done, he only had to wring the necks of the birds as their heads were held by the net.  Flour barrels filled to the full with the dead pigeons could be seen at many a farmer’s house before breakfast.  Andy Johnson, William Hawkins and others on Pennfield Ridge, were professionals in the art of netting them.  They had their roosting haunts at night principally in the vicinity of the L’Etang district, among the skeleton branches and limbs of the leafless trees.

Of the saw mills mentioned in active work for several years from the year 1838, the music of the saws and the ring of the smithy’s hammer on the anvil are no longer heard now as then; but the parish in itself can find use for what lumber may be manufactured.

In 1838 and for more than a decade of years after, there were several saw mills in active operation in addition to those already mentioned.  At New River there was a spirit of industry observable for several years.  Johnson & Prescott; then Prescott & Lawrence, then the Knight Bros., in succession carried on the manufacture of lumber-but while passing through the several owners the business, like an autumn leaf, withered away, until now, in 1893, it is dead, and to all appearance beyond resuscitation.  Cordwood yet continues to be exported to Eastport and Rockland, Me., but this cannot prove a paying industry to the farmer, who cuts off the choicest wood in the winter, hauls and piles it on his own land near the public road or on the sides of the road while the snow remains; where it lies until the roads get dry enough to have it taken to Woodlands, Seely’s Cove, the L’Etang waters or other convenient ports for shipping; and when there giving half of it as freight!  No wonder the farmers on Pennfield Ridge, under such high pressure of discouragement, will occasionally exclaim, ‘I’m sick of the cordwood work.’

And yet, despite discouragements, the parish farmers enjoy many encouragements.  The

SHORE LINE RAILWAY

has opened up for them rapid and easy conveyance of such farm products as they have to sell.  A few hours travel from the Pennfield railway station will reach the city of St. John, east, and St. Stephen, west, where potatoes, butter, oats, eggs, &c., can always find a ready market, and at fair prices.  Then in the berry picking season, from the luscious ripe strawberry to the generally admired cranberry, the children’s nimble fingers are brought into profitable requisition, and on the arrival of the railway train at the station, scores of children, youths, maids, matrons and many men, too, betimes, are there congregated, handing over to the train hands pails, kettles and baskets full of the delicious fruit, for which in most cases ready cash is paid on the spot to the pickers.  In the early history of the parish such privileges were never dreamed of, and the red strawberry, the juicy blue berry and the big blackberry, to a large extent, dropped from the bushes to rot on the ground.  Even clams are now shipped at the station for the St. John and Carleton markets.  Samuel Anderson inaugurated quite a trade from Popologan’s clam beds and finds his industrious experiment amply rewarded.  Having thus given attention, although briefly, to the agriculturist department of the parish at those more recent dates in its history, it is expected in good keeping with impartiality to re-visit the dwellers by the sea.  With

BEAVER HARBOR

and its town like village it is pleasing to linger a while and note the great change so manifest in 1893 from the year 1838.  Then Woodlands promised to become the leading business part of the harbor in the future; but with the exception of the active efforts of a new proprietor, Mr. McDowell, who is now owner of the entire property, it has been completely overshadowed by the ‘hook, line, bob and sinker’ boys who navigate the waters of the old Bay of Fundy in calm or storm, to fish the fishes from the sea.  To add its quota of enterprise, Mr. Lewis Holmes, a native born Beaver Harbor boy, has had erected suitable buildings for carrying on extensively the canning business; and from latest reports the quality of the goods from his factory has proved so very satisfactory that his success is assured.  Mr. Holmes has thus solved the problem, or rather proved the truth of the old adage, ‘Nothing venture, nothing have.’  It would be well for many money-holders in Charlotte county to practically read the salutary lesson taught them by Mr. Holmes and act upon it-fumble over their idle coins no longer, but send them out, money invested in industrial undertaking to give employment to the native population, and to let the rusty dollars brighten in the sun-browned hands of honest labor-the employer himself a gainer in wealth and health, and enjoying the happy consciousness of contributing to the comfort of his fellow creatures.

As we approach the conclusion of our history it is necessary, as a part of the historical sketch, to refer to several persons of the early date, as proofs that the parish had then as now

MEN OF ENTERPRISE

within its limits.  To instance a few:-

John Tatton, eldest son of William Tatton, sr., of Pennfield Ridge, conceived the idea of building a schooner to carry cordwood to Eastport or other ports.  He had not the means wherewith to hire help, and on himself alone depended the success of his contemplated experiment.  He was over six feet tall, of great physical strength and capable of doing the work of two men.  The desire to build a schooner grew stronger and stronger, until finally desire culminated in determination.  With his narrow axe he felled the trees on his own land, and with his broad axe hewed the timber for his vessel.  With his team he conveyed it from the woods to his door-yard, which, for the time being, he converted into a shipyard.  The keel was laid, the timbers put in, and all ready for planking, when the writer of the present sketch saw the embryo Dart (for such was her name) within a rod of the kitchen door!  In the fall of 1866 the writer had the pleasure of seeing the Dart riding at anchor in the placid waters of Beaver Harbor loaded with cordwood, her master-builder, joiner, calker and owner standing on deck and known as Captain John Tatton.

James Gillespie, in after years had a fine vessel built at the head of the L’Etang river tide-water, a short distance across the highway and nearly opposite where Skee[?]’s woollen mill recently stood.  Mr. Gillespie was an energetic, spirited young business man, full of enterprise and would have proved of much benefit to his native parish had he lived to mature years.

John Eldridge, of Beaver Harbor, had an excellent farm on the way between Barney Bucknam’s and the harbor.  A large creek extended to his residence and thus stimulated him to engage in fishing in connection with farming.  He owned a good vessel, sailed her and made money.  His son David resides at Beaver Harbor and as his father was so is he, much respected for good qualities.

William Noble worked the Woodlands saw mills for a few years, under Doctor Thompson’s proprietorship, and made effort after effort to resuscitate the dying lumber manufacturing, until discouragements at last compelled him reluctantly to relinquish the struggle.  He returned to his former home, the county of York.

Having paid slight attention to the men of Pennfield, in justice to woman’s rights it is only fair to turn attention to the

MAIDS AND MATRONS

of this important parish of Charlotte county.  To the credit of the sons of Pennfield, be it said that, save a few rare cases, they never go out of their native parish to look for their best girl.  The Beaver Harbor boys generally come up from the salt water to Pennfield Ridge to choose their help meets; and very seldom do they return disappointed.  Strangers, too, and others from other parishes, on coming in the parish are soon captivated by the winning smiles of the handsome Pennfield maidens.  A few instances here related will suffice to confirm the statement.

Two young men, Hayford Bros, came into the parish from the state of Maine and had a small mill erected on the James Hunter mill stream.  They married sisters, daughters of Michael Tatton.  They were active and industrious but in a few years returned to their native state.  Samuel Andrews, Esq., one of St. George’s talented lawyers, came to Pennfield and took home with him Miss Annie Knight, daughter of Squire Joshua Knight as his blushing bride.  Mr. Kennedy, a school teacher in Eastport, Me., turned his back on Eastport and his face towards Pennfield.  He led away a daughter of Joseph Bucknam.  Subsequently he kept a hotel at the foot of Washington street, Eastport, Me.  James Brown, a popular pedagogue of St. Patrick parish, captured a Miss Osburne, near the Boyd & McCarroll corner.  Mr. Campbell, a painter by trade, visited Pennfield, saw a Miss Poole, of the small yellow house, fell in love, married and in after years kept a hotel in Eastport.  Mr. Hanson, hotel proprietor, now at Beaver Harbor, married a younger sister of Mrs. Campbell.  Another Mr. Hanson, of and from Bocabec, married Miss Mary Ann Young, daughter of Isaac Young, sr., of Pennfield Ridge.  Daniel Archibald, of Truro, N. S., who worked in Gilmore’s mill at St. George, on visit to Pennfield, made himself happy by wedding Jane, a daughter of Wm. Tatton, sr., and after a few years leased the Popologan saw mill, owned by an Eastport firm; but finally returned to Truro, his native place, where he and his wife both died.  One of their daughters, Mary, married Robert Guthrie and now reside at Seely’s Cove, their native parish.  J. Henry Say, a cabinet-maker by trade, came into the parish from England and married Elizabeth, youngest daughter of William Tatton, sr.  Mr Say’s parents and other relatives in England were in good circumstances, and could afford to aid him in his life and home.  He purchased the David McKay farm, on which he now resides.  His mother-on-law, Mrs. Wm. Tatton, sr., lived her last years with her daughter, and died at the ripe old age of 94 years.  Hon. James Brown, well-known as late surveyor general and a member of the legislature representing Charlotte county for many years came down into Pennfield from Tower Hill, and married William Gillespie’s widow.  Her first husband’s death was sudden and sad.  He and William Tatton, (son of the Wm. Tatton already mentioned,) had leased the fine saw mills at South bay, near the city St. John, and one day when Mr. Tatton and the men in employ went home to dinner, Mr. Gillespie remained to do some work on the big water wheel.  When his partner and the men returned to work, they found the unfortunate man lying dead at the bottom of the wheel.  His remains were brought home to Pennfield for burial.  The writer of this sketch was present at the interment.  William Douglas, Esq., of Moore’s Mills, who was also a member of the provincial legislature, and who led the poll at one election in his native county, being what is called a ‘handsome man,’ no doubt considered himself entitled to a handsome wife, and by happy fate, if fate it be, came to Pennfield, saw Miss Eldridge, daughter of John Eldridge and sister of David Eldridge, and drove off at a rapid rate with her for Moore’s Mills, having first of course received certificate signed by a reverend gentleman and a credible witness testifying that he did not steal her.

Having now attended to the living, it may not be inappropriate, in memory of the departed, to mention the names of those who have been removed by death since 1838.  It may lead the young and strong and healthy ‘So to number their days that they may apply their hearts unto wisdom,’ and remind the rising generation that is is their duty to obey the scriptural injunction-‘Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth.’

THE DEATH ROLL.

John Boyd and Simon McCarroll with their wives and children; Stephen Munson, wife and daughter; James Hunter and wife; James Gillespie; Mr. Bothwick; Michael Tatton; John Tatton, Jun.; son of John Tatton who removed to Ontario (died only a few months after his marriage to Rachel Dougan, who afterwards married David McKay, now of Grand Manan;) Mr. Spears and John Spears his son; John Jack and wife, Joshus Prescott  and wife; Mr. Trainor, Joshua Knight, Esq. J. P.; Isaac Justason; Thomas Justason; Mr. Crickett; Barney Bucknam and wife; John Eldridge; William Dixon and wife; Lewis Holmes, father of L. Holmes, of Beaver Harbor; John Stitt and wife; William Noble’s wife, once Isabella McKay; Joseph Bucknam; William Johnson, father of Samuel Johnson, Esq., of St. George; John Carlyle, Sen., J. P.; John Carlyle, Jun.; Irvine Carlyle, Esq. J. P.; William Hawkins; Robert Anderson and wife; Yadock Hawkins, Sen. and wife; Isaac Young, Sen. and wife; Hugh McKay, Sen. and wife; William Tatton, Sen. and wife; David Boyd; John Boyd, Sen.; Alexander McKay, wife and daughter; John Tatton, son of William Tatton, Sen.; James McDowell and wife; Robert Armstrong and wife.  The last named couple lived to an extreme old age.  The husband was about 104 years old when he died and his wife between 90 and 100 years.  Wm. Tatton, Sen., had four sons, John, James, William, and George, and four daughters, Nancy, Jane, Christina and Elizabeth.  Of these, only the youngest son, George, is now living.  He enjoys the old homestead.  James died on Grand Manan, leaving a widow, nee Eliza Dougan.

Deducting the number mentioned in the death roll from the list of names of those who were in active existence in 1838, how few remain today, in 1893!  Truly it may be said:

How short our lives!  How short, alas!
Saint Paul compares them to the grass.
The grass doth wither and decay,
The flower thereof doth fade away!

Andy Johnson, Daniel Daley, and others of Pennfield Ridge and at Lepreaux, omitted in the above list of deaths, would leave but few among the living at present.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

Contrasting the past with the present-1838 with 1893-the progress of the parish of Pennfield has kept pace with the march of time, and the sons of those worthy ancestors have proved themselves worthy scions of their industrious parents.  Their fathers have left them comfortable heritages of their efforts to succeed in struggling against difficulties as pioneers in converting wild lands into cultivated fields; and now it becomes them to guard with sedulous care those old homesteads of their forefathers, and to love the land of their nativity above all other lands and with patriotic zeal ready at all times to defend that old flag that waved over the heads of the Loyalists.

Retrospectively, look now at Beaver Harbor where, in 1838, a few rude buildings [?] here and there constituted the homes of a few hardy fishermen-now, in 1893, a town-like village, with its streets, schools, churches, factory, stores, hotels, post office, custom house, handsome residences, flower and vegetable gardens; and the prettiest sight of all-chubby-cheeked boys and girls, in youthful hilarity and childish glee, in innocent play wending their way to and from the neat schoolhouses.  Such pleasing evidences are to be seen in all the school districts of the parish.

And now to close our little unpretentious sketch of Pennfield we will venture a suggestion in behalf of the entire parish as it is to day, namely, that the leading men of the parish hold council together, call a public meeting of the parishioners, and take a vote to have the present name of Beaver Harbor changed to

CHARLOTTEPORT.

This accomplished the advantages of such an appropriate name would very soon become apparent.

The people of the parish would be proud of it, and the public generally would be pleased with it.  Business men having trade with it would appreciate it, and commercial travellers would take pleasure in having sample trucks and boxes labelled for Charlotteport.  Postmasters, would be gratified with the change, and what is now simply Beaver Harbor would have its local habitation known by the name of Charlotteport.

In honor, then, of the good old county of Charlotte, the mother of all the parishes, with its seven venerable saints, give to the lovely harbor the appropriate name-Charlotteport.

The writer of the present brief historic sketch of the parish of Pennfield feels deeply interested in its progress, and in the welfare of its people.  That sacred spot, the cemetery at the Episcopal church, holds in sacred trust the sleeping dust of the dearly loved who has gone before him, and with whom the re-union sure to come, will be of bliss supernal.

To the reader, the writer makes his parting bow respectfully.