THE BAY PILOT, June 20, 1878.
J. G. LORIMER, EDITOR AND MANAGER.
St. Andrews, New Brunswick.
California Correspondence.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 5th, 1878.
MR. EDITOR:
The BAY PILOT’s publication of the names of the several Streets in Saint Andrews reminded one of the old time Boys of the Shire Town of its appearance as far back as his recollection dates, say nearly sixty years ago. Water Street at that time was pretty well dotted with buildings while the other parallel streets had but few houses, and the streets at right angles were but little improved beyond Queen Street. Taking the Easterly side of Water Street at the corner of Harriet, was the residence of Peter Stubs, Esq., who at the time carried on the mercantile business in the old red store at the corner of Adolphus and Water Street on the West side. The next buildings on the street were between Mary and Adolphus Streets, viz: Springate’s, Goldsmith’s; White and Shaw, crossing Adolphus Street. Mrs. Garnett occupied a house on the corner. Mr. Campbell a residence in the centre of the block approached by a carriage way, and Miss McKenzie resided on the corner of Elizabeth Street-diagonally opposite was the residence of John Wilson, Esq., passing down Water Street were the several buildings occupied by McGrath, Patterson the watchmaker, Muir, Parkinson, with Mrs. Strang’s house on the corner in which C. Scott had his office and store fronting Edward Street-crossing Edward Street on the East side was Mrs. Mowatt’s residence, Geo. Mowatt’s store. The Parker House, owned I think by Nicholas Johnson, Dr. McStay’s, McEavy’s, Mrs. Berry’s and Berry’s Corner-on the opposite side of the street in front of Mrs. Mowatt’s was Coroner McLaughlan, Mrs. Johnston, John A. Young, Getty, Willard, Southwick and Sharples on the corner.
Below William Street was Merrill’s Bakery standing some short distance back from Water Street, then Mrs. Campbell’s, a small building occupied afterwards by Campbell and McKean, the Episcopal Church, Mr. Henderson’s in the Whitlock House. Rankins, P. Keleher’s and J. Currier on the corner of King Street.
On the opposite side of Water Street in the same block was Happy Corner, Boyd and Boyle’s Store. Mrs. Boyd, afterward Mrs. R. Wilson’s, Boarding House, Capt. A. Straham and Daniel McMaster on the corner; below McMaster’s corner on King Street was the large store of Richard Hasluck.
The old Market House stood near the water on the South side of King Street, and the old Jail on the East side of Water Street, passing up King Street on your right was Ordway’s Hall, Capt. Paul’s and Sheriff Andrews, and on the left Johnson’s Sadlery, Mr. Hatch’s office, and the residence of Mr. Barber, with Mr. Stymast’s residence on the corner of Queen Street, and his Tannery on the opposite corner, above this there were no buildings excepting the Grammar School and Mr. Wm. Boyd’s. The residences of Dr. Frye, Col. Hatch, Mr. Willard, Mr. Ames and Mr. D. D. Morrison being subsequently erected.
Returning to and passing still down Water Street on the left, was the residence of (old) Mr. Wyer on the East side, Mrs. McPhail’s and Hannah and Lambert’s on the West. The old Pagan store stood on the corner of William Street; than came Capt. John Mowatt’s, Mr. Harvey’s, &c., and on the opposite side the residence of John Campbell, Esq., who afterward resided where the Post Master now lives, and his building was occupied by Mr. Quinn, the blacksmith.
Below William Street was Mr. Hatch’s residence, Houbtman Furrier’s shop and still further down, but my memory fails me here, were the several residences of the Thompsons, Pauls, Meloneys, Stinsons, Treadwells, Segee, Ross, and if I mistake not the lower building was the residence of Capt. Peter Smith, who with his son met the melancholy fate of so many of our St. Andrews men, “who go down to the Sea in ships.” The writer can speak feelingly on this subject, three of his younger brothers finding their resting place beneath the ocean waves.
But to return to the good old Town, taking Queen and Harriet Street as a starting point we have the old Pound at the head of the former and vacant lots till you reach R. Surrye’s House on the corner of Adolphus Street, Mr. Dunn’s residence on the diagonal corner. Trimble on the East and Capt. James McMaster on the West side of Queen Street on the corner of Elizabeth Street. Mr. H. O’Harra, Collector Campbell, S. Watts, occupying residences on the East side of Queen Street and Mr. James Berry on the corner of Queen and William. A private Boarding House occupying the opposite corner, and the Madras School House standing between it and the Merrill House on Water Street. Mrs. Curry and Mrs. Putnam lived on the East side of Queen Street below King-and Capt. Raisor and Major Wyer on the next Block.
Mr. Pagan residing on the corner of Queen and Frederick Streets. Mr. James Clarke resided on Edward Street above Queen-up towards the Barracks. Mr. Cassillis occupied the House afterwards owned by L. Donaldson, Esq., and Mr. William Hatch resided near Harriet and Augusta Streets. Mrs. McRea and Jim Clarke lived on the corner of Harriet and Parr Sts., Mr. Crozier on Mary Street. R. Haddock & Co. on Carlton Street.
Mr. Thos. Whitlock and Mr. Doucett some where on Carlton or Princess sts., and Mr. D. W. Jack, W. Kerr and John Aymar on Montague Street between Sophia and Princess. Capt. Geo. P. McMaster on Parr Street and Mrs. Keltie and Mrs. Chandler on Frederick Street.
The R. C. Church, Greenock Church, the old Ch. Co. Bank, the Douglas and Wilson Brick Cottages, Dr. Alley’s residence, the large building in front of the Episcopal Church were all erected at later periods.
Those reminiscences bring up many sad and painful memories. How many of the old families have wholly passed away, while so many others are scattered to all part of the habitable globe. Among the old familiar names such as Stubs, Garnett, Strang, Scott, Rait, Sharples, McLauchlan, Allanshaw, McMaster, Hasluck, Willard, Monre, Ames, Stymast, Dunn, Southwick, Walton, Clarke, Boyd, Johnson, Wilson, Gilchrist, Rodgers, Todd, Miller, Jones, Kerr, Douglas, none are now to be found amongst your townsmen.
In the foregoing I have mentioned the names of several parties formerly residing or doing business on Water Street between Edward and William street. It may not therefore be out of place to remark the numbers of their descendants who have found their way to this coast. Beginning with Coroner McLauchlan who removed to and resided in Boston for several years before his death. One of the first and most esteemed acquaintances that I met in San Francisco was his eldest daughter, who is now residing with her husband, one of the Elders of the Church with which I have associated at Oakland. The youngest daughter of Mrs. Sharples, married to a prominent Lawyer in this city also resides here. A son and widowed daughter of Mr. Willard, Capt. Gordon Berry, and two brothers. Three grandsons of Mr. Willard, three grand children of Dr. McStay and all the large family of the late John A. Young, either reside in the city or on the coast. While a gentleman who will be remembered as having served his apprenticeship in the same Block, Mr. Joshua Lyle, resides with his family in a magnificent residence on Van Ness Avenue. His eldest son and son-in-law being among the few lucky ones who participated with Flood and O’Brien in the great “Bonanza” Mines. The lower part of the Town is well represented here from the old standard families of Stinson, Melony, and many others too numerous to mention, but I have already trespassed too much upon your columns.
Yours respectfully,
C.