Centerline Rd. trees support St. Simon St. Jude roof - 1856

    When St. Simon St. Jude Catholic Church commenced construction in 1856, the priest came to the Centerline Road in Alma to select the largest trees for the churches 12 interior columns - these were likely old growth pine trees.

 Above: St. Simon St. Jude interior.  Image cf. www.googleimages.com

Below: Excerpt from Parish Brochure 2002

Joseph/Isaac/Willie Dunbar Homestead

     The following information comes from Historic Places website.

Information cf.
http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=9811&pid=0

DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC PLACE

The Orchard Brook Farm is a 120 acre property which has been in the Dunbar family since 1896. It includes a centre gable style farmhouse, a large rectangular barn, a former carriage house, and other outbuildings. It is located about eight kilometres north of Alberton in the rural community of Alma. The registration includes the house, barn, and former carriage house.

HERITAGE VALUE

The farm is valued for its association with the Dunbar family; for its remaining house and outbuildings; and for its contribution to the rural community of Alma.

Joseph Dunbar purchased 120 acres of woodland in Alma in the 1880s. By 1891, he had constructed the current barn and by 1896, the current house was built all from lumber harvested on the property. The former carriage house was erected in 1915. It was later used as a grainery, wood shed, and for farm machinery storage.

Dunbar operated a mixed farm consisting of dairy cows, pigs, sheep, and horses. Grain was grown in neighbouring fields and an orchard was established on the property. He was active in beginning the Farmers' Institute in the area and had a strong interest in the co-operative movement. He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene and services were often held in the house and accomodation was provided to ministers before the church became established in the community.

By 1935, his son, Isaac Dunbar began operating the farm. In the 1950s, the farm was the scene of community gatherings where local musicians would perform. One of these was Isaac's son, who operated the farm since 1980.

In 1998, when the province was celebrating its 125th year in Confederation, the farm was given the title "Century Farm". It has also earned local heritage awards.

The centre gable style house has some modern changes, such as vinyl siding, but it retains other original elements such as the eave returns and verandah with turned posts and fretwork decoration. The large barn and former carriage house are typical of vernacular structures built on PEI. They feature an array of two-over-two windows.

With its long history in the community, the Orchard Brook Farm continues to be a reminder of the strong agricultural roots of the area.

Letter from Geo. Jeffery to brother Spurgeon Jeffery - 1923

[ Letter from George A. Jeffery (Christ Church minister) to his brother, John Spurgeon Jeffery, Alma ]

                                                   New London, Iowa, U.S.A. - January 27, 1923

My dear brother Spurgeon and family.

     Doubtless, you will be wondering what has become of us…

     When I made you the short visit last May it was my intention to make a longer visit with you in the fall.  However, I could not do so.  My work was of such a nature that it kept me at the helm all the time.  I had a very successful summer in the evangelistic field.  I did not finish until the 5th of Nov.  As it was looking wintry, Mrs. and I. thought we had

better make tracks for a warmer, and less stormy zone.  My last meeting was about 20 miles from St. John,  Mrs. J. was with me there, so we decided to pull up at once without a return visit to P.E.I.  Mrs. J. very frequently speak of the lovely visit she had with you all…

   ...Is Stephen still at David's or did David sell the old home.  If he has not, I somehow think he will before many years.  I presume his wife would rather live in Nova Scotia. As she would be among her own people.

     When I was there last May, I walked over the old farm, and somehow it impressed me that the land is poor, possibly I was mistaken.  My, how the whole country around seemed to have changed.  As I walked over the old place, a thought like this came to me.  When shall I walk over this ground again?  Oh, who knows the future?

   ...The first stormy day set down and write me.  I want to know how the boys all are.  Where they are, and what they are doing…

     Hoping this will find its way to you over all the snow drifts and banks.

Yours lovingly, George

     Above: Jeffery Homestead, standing beside old barn, looking to the back fields running alongside the Dunbar Road.  Willie Dunbar's farm is to  the far left.

John Ross *Jack* Donald Obituary

1923-2013

     Peacefully at the Western Hospital, Alberton, on Friday, August 23, 2013, with his loving family by his side, of John Ross (Jack) Donald, beloved husband of Marion Sophie (nee Barbour) Donald of 494 Marchbank Road, Montrose, P.E.I., age 90 years. 

      Born at Alma, P.E.I., on June 1, 1923, he was the son of the late Wallace Earl and Annie Isabel (nee Cole) Donald. 

     Loving father to Darrell (Tracey) Donald of Montrose, and Della (Dennis) Rix of St. Lawrence. Cherished grandfather of Taylor Donald and Sophie, Jenna and Jake Rix. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Wanda Matthews, Grace Donald, Betty Donald, Carol Donald and Mary Beth Donald. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews. 

    He was predeceased by siblings, Rae Donald, Leigh Donald, Isabel Weeks, Verna Donald, Jean Turner, James Donald and Wallace (Bill) Donald.

     Resting at the Rooney Funeral Home, Alberton. Visiting hours Monday, August 27th, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral on Tuesday afternoon from the Gordon Memorial United Church, Alberton, for funeral service at 2:00 p.m., Rev. Lynn McKinnon officiating. Interment to take place at Montrose United Church Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy memorials to the Montrose United Church Restoration Fund or to the Western Hospital Equipment Fund would be gratefully appreciated.

Parmenas Currie, Lauretta

     Parmenas lived on the other side of the bush as Dad would say, he lived where Gary and Kim Beaton live today.  Minus, as he was known, was often mentioned in the goings-on in the journals of Eva and Mary Jeffery.
     Below is from The Island Regristry cf. http://www.islandregister.com/currie3.html
JOHN JAMES³ CURRIE,JR (JOHN CURRIE² SR, WILLIAM CURRIE¹) was born 19 February 1841 in Freetown lot 25 P.E.I. ', and died 29 January 1927 in at his son Rogers home Glenwood P.E.I.. He married MARY JANE BROOKS 20 December 1860, daughter of ROGER BROOKS and MARY SULLIVAN. She was born 18 November 1840, and died 14 February 1917.  John died at the home of his son Roger Currie at Glenwood P.E.I.
Children of JOHN CURRIE and MARY BROOKS are:
1. JAMES ROGER⁴ CURRIE, b. 5 December 1861, O' Leary P.E.I. ; d. 26 March 1949, Glenwood P.E.I.
2. PARMENAS CURRIE, b. April 1865, O' Leary P. E. I.; d. 1947, Alma P.E.I.
3. JOSIAH CURRIE, b. 10 August 1868, O' Leary P.E.I.; d. November 1967, Cape Wolfe. Burial: Cape Wolfe United Cemetery. Josiah Currie: 10 August 1868, Not married.
4. ZILPAH CURRIE, b. 28 June 1871, Springfield, P.E.I.; d. 12 October 1953, Berton Lot 7 P.E.I.
5. NELSON CURRIE, b. 22 August 1873, Alberton P.E.I.; d. 21 April 1934, Elmsdale, lot 3, P.E.I.
6. ANNIE LAURA CURRIE, b. 15 October 1875, Alberton P.E.I.; d. 1935.  Annie Laura Currie: 15 October 1875, Not married
7. MARY JEANETTE CURRIE, b. 3 March 1879, Alberton P.E.I.; d. 5 May 1968, St Petersburg Florida.
8. ETHLE CURRIE, b. Alma P.E.I.

PARMENAS⁴ (Minus) CURRIE (JOHN JAMES³, JOHN CURRIE² SR, WILLIAM CURRIE¹) was born April 1865 in O' Leary P. E. I., and died 1947 in Alma P.E.I.. He married CLARA ELIZA JANE GILLIAN, daughter of THOMAS GILLIAN. She was born 1867 in Huntley P.E.I., and died 30 January 1940 in Alma P.E.I.  Parmenas and Clara are buried at Holy Trinity Anglican Alma P.E.I.
Children of PARMENAS CURRIE and CLARA GILLIAN are:
1. JENNIE FORBES⁵ CURRIE, b. 15 January 1910; d. 19 November 1935. Burial: Holy Trinity Anglican Alma P.E.I.
2. REAGH GLIDDEN CURRIE, b. 22 March 1903; d. 1988.  WWII Veteran. Burial: Holy Trinity Anglican Alma P.E.I.
3. MYRTLE CURRIE.  Died in Infancy?

Alberton School Fair Prize List

Published in The P. E. Island Agriculturist, Summerside, PEI, October 26, 1918.
cf. http://www.islandregister.com/1918albertonfair.html

Prize winners from Alma -
*White Potatoes C 1, Claude Wade, Central Kildare; 2, Ray O'Brien, Alberton; 3, Marion Platte, Alma; 4, Alvin Ashley, Hills River.
*Pumpkins C 1, Annie Pridham, Montrose; 2, Margaret Dunbar, Alma; 3, Willie Rayner, Alberton; 4, Florence Rennie, Alma.
*Green Tomatoes C 1, Gladys Campbell, Montrose; 2, Charles Johnston, Hills River; 3,
Blanche Rennie, Alma; 4, Elizabeth Leard, South Kildare.
*Apple (Alexanders) C 1, Joyce McArthur, Union; 2, Thelma Larkin; 3, Ethel Hardy, Alma; 4, Irene Hardy, South Kildare.
*Sewing and Knitting C Apron (Girls over 12) 1, Ethel Hardy, Alma; 2, Mamie Foley, Central Kildare; 3, May Kinch, Alberton South; 4, Margaret Kinch, Central Kildare.
*Knitted Socks C AC 1, Shirley MacArthur, Union; 2, Edith Dunn, Alberton; 3, Catherine Gordon, Montrose; 4, Ethel Hardy, Alma. 

Gertrude S. (Wallace) MacNeill - Obituary

1922-2008

     Peacefully at Prince County Hospital, Summerside on Monday, April 21, 2008 of Gertrude S. MacNeill of Alberton formerly of Alma aged 85, wife of the late Stanford MacNeill. Born on June 2, 1922 in Coleman, the daughter of the late Herman and Minnie (Griffin) Wallace. 
     Cherished mother of Betty (Clayton) Arthur, Alberton; Irene Butler, Alberton; Norma (Jim) Millman, Folly Mountain, NS; Mary (Ronnie) Hutt, Northport; George (Chris) MacNeill, Alma. Beloved mother in law of Bonnie MacNeill (late James) , Alberton; Betty MacNeill (late Wayne). Loving grandmother of Heather, Steven, Pam, Roger, Shelley, Michael, Brenda, Jason, Morgan, Melissa, Jake, Patti, Joslyn, Ashton, Amber, Spencer, Katie and 22 great grandchildren. Dear sister of Annie Getson, Carleton, Lot 6; Mary Dunbar, Alma; Cowan Wallace, O’Leary; Ewen (Mary Alice) Wallace, St. Margaret’s Bay, NS; sister in law to Eddie (Florence) MacNevin, O’Leary. Special aunt to Jean (Edgar) Oatway, Summerside. 
     Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by grandson Jamie Butler, brothers and sisters Erma (Lawson) MacNevin, Florence MacNevin, Margaret (Russell) Lockhart, Albert (Etta Mae), George & John in infancy, sister in law Erma Wallace, brothers in law Chester Getson, Jack Dunbar, nephews Douglas Dunbar, Billy Getson, James Getson, and Cecil Wallace. 
      Resting at the Ferguson Funeral Home and Chapel, O’Leary with visiting hours Tuesday 2-4 & 7-9pm. Funeral on Wednesday in the Chapel at 1pm. Interment to follow in the Holy Trinity Church Cemetery, Alma. Memorials to James Wallace MacNeill Memorial Library Fund at Three Oaks School or the Cemetery Fund would be appreciated. 

Francis Charles "Frank" Murphy - Obituary

1973-2013

     Peacefully at the Palliative care Unit of the Community Hospital, O'Leary, with  his loving family by his side, on Friday, July 26, 2013, of Francis Charles (Frank) Murphy of Alberton, age 39 years, following a courageous battle with cancer. Loving husband to Joni (nee Bell) Murphy. 

     Born on September 11, 1973, he was the son of Preston and Helen (nee Ramsay) Murphy of Alma. Cherished father to Tianna and Makayla. Dear brother to Judy (Dennis) Peters, Rose (Mike) Barbour, Trevor (Jill), and Amy (Ronnie) Murphy. Son-in-law to Laurie and Linda (nee Abrams) Bell. Brother-in-law to Alvin (Beverley) Bell, Brenda (Timmy) Robertson, and Justin Bell. Dear uncle to Kelsey, Candice, Chad, Jordan, Victoria, Georgia, Carter and connor. Grandson-in-law to Pearl Bell (late Hillard) and James Abrams (late Jean). He will be sadly missed by his many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Amos and Margaret (nee Cahill) Ramsay, and Wilbert and Geraldine (nee Gavin) Murphy. He was also predeceased by uncles, Roy, Amy and John Ramsay.

      Resting at the Rooney Funeral Home, Alberton. Visiting hours Sunday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral on Monday afternoon, July 29th from the Gordon Memorial United Church, Alberton, at 2:00 p.m., Rev. Lynn McKinnon officiating. Interment to take place in the Elmsdale United Church Cemetery. 

     As an expression of sympathy, memorials in his memory made to a trust fund for Tianna and Makayla Murphy would be gratefully accepted.

Lupins

     Lupin seeds were distributed to local Women's Institutes by Prince Edward Island Government in 1972-1973 to be spread in their communities to beauty The Island for our 100th anniversary.
     Here's a few photos from around Alma.

      Above left: Wilbert & Verna Jeffery home. Above right: Jack & Mary Dunbar home - on Centerline Road.

 Holy Trinity Alma Anglican Church on Western Road ( aka Rte. 2 ).

Homestead wells

     I was asking my father, Wilbert Jeffery, about dug water wells in the area of Alma and Lauretta.  He said there were few of them around.  Most homesteads relied on ground springs bubbling up into brooks and waterways for water used in the house and for livestock.
     He said in Lauretta the only people who had a dug well were John Smith and Birt Smith (neighbours) who lived across the road from Lauretta School.  Wilbert said when they were going to school they had no water at the school, so they would go into Birt Smith's porch and help themselves to the water.
     Digging a well was a large project - not only was it great labour to dig, then it had to be lined with sandstones to keep the walls from falling.
     Below is an image of digging a well.  cf. http://www.nzdl.org

     After the well was dug an enclosure was built around it to keep out dirt, animals and people from falling in.

Archie & Mildred Barbour celebrate 40th Anniversary - 1978

     The following was published in the Journal-Pioneer newspaper in October 1978.

* * * * * * * *

Alma Couple Celebrates Anniversary

     Many friends, neighbours and relatives gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Archie Barbour, Alma on October 12th to offer their best wishes and congratulations on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary.
     Mr. and Mrs. Barbour, nee Mildred Dunbar, were married at the Baptist Parsonage, O'Leary on  October 12, 1938 by the late Rev. J.G. Duncan and made their home in Alma where they still reside.
     Their attendants were Mr. Barbour's sister Zena, Mrs. Wentworth Yeo, who was present for the occasion and Mrs. Barbour's brother Keir who could not attend the celebration.
     The table was centered with a beautiful three-tiered anniversary cake made and decorated by Mrs. Wendell Weeks, Alberton with vases of red roses on either side.
     Receiving the guests and assisting in serving a cold turkey and ham luncheon during the afternoon were their daughters, Carol and Helen and daughter-in-law Shirley, while their niece Ann, Mrs. Barry Sandercock, replenished the presided over the tea service.  Their grand-daughter, Leann Barbour, was in charge of the guest book.
     The living room was tastefully decorated with ruby and white streamers and wedding bells.
     Following the open house in the afternoon, many gathered in the evening to offer their congratulations and presented them with many lovely cards and gifts, including one from the Alma Women's Institute.  The family gift was of monetary value and an address was read by their daughter Carol who also presented the gift.  Gifts from several relatives were carried in by Eldon Barbour and Earl Barbour while the presentation was made by the bride's brother, Isaac Dunbar, Alma.  Cousin of the groom, Mrs. Jack Donald, Montrose, read the address.
     A beautiful floral arrangement of red roses and white mums decorated the living room table, a fit from Mr. and Mrs. Archie Rayner and family of Toronto, Ontario.
     Following the opening of the gifts, a cold turkey and ham buffet-style supper was enjoyed with the ladies of Alma Women's Institute pouring and serving.  Aprons in the colour scheme of ruby and white were made and presented to each member of the Institute by Mrs. Barbour who is an active member.  Mrs. Isaac Dunbar and Mrs. Ellis Smallman served the anniversary cake.
     During the evening, music was furnished by Mr. and Mrs. Warren Leard, Mr. and Mrs. Allison Silliker, Alton Hardy and Willey Dunbar.
     Message of congratulations were received from Mr. and Mrs. Keir Dunbar, Victoria, BC; Mr. and Mrs. Rae Runge, Devon, AB; Mr. and Mrs. Ben Barbour, Mississauga, ON; Mr. and Mrs. David MacDonald, MP and Mr. and Mrs. J. Angus MacLean opposition leader of PEI.
     They also received several telephone calls from relatives and friends.  Amoung the many guests who called were Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Duncan, Mrs. Lawrence Coffin and daughter Audrey and sister Florence, all of Charlottetown and Mrs. John Cameron of Summerside.
     Mr. and Mrs. Barbour have a family of one son and two daughters.  Robert who lives with his wife and three sons in Burford, ON; Carol, Mrs. Dennis Rainka, Victoria, BC; and Helen of Toronto, ON.
     They also were foster parents to their niece, Ann Barbour, who is now Mrs. Barry Sandercock, Lucerne, QE and who also have two children.
     The family members were all present for their parents anniversary.

* * * * * * * * * * *

     Postscript.  When I told my mother, Verna (McDowell) Jeffery that I posted Mildred and Archie's 40th Wedding Anniversary write-up on this blog, she told me about the apron Mildred made for each of the Women's Institute members (of whom Mom was one) who served that evening.  She said Mildred worked for weeks getting ready for the anniversary.  So!  Mom still has the apron that Mildred made 35 years ago!!!  I photographed it last week and here are the photos below - front and back, designed to be reversible.

O'Brien-Jeffery House, Lauretta/Elmsdale

     I always thought this house was a 1970's bungalow, but no.  My father, Wilbert Jeffery, told me this house once belonged to Peter O'Brien of Lauretta.  It was located on the south side of Centerline Road behind (west) of Bona McLellan's farm.   In Cumin's 1928 Atlas of Prince Edward Island it shows that 50-acre property being owned by Geo. Barnett.  The house was small with two rooms, a large kitchen and a bedroom.
      Peter used the house when he was working over on the farm.  His main homestead was beside Abram/Louis/Kerras Jeffery's - the first property in Lauretta on the north side of Centerline Road.  

     In 1947 Gordon Jeffery (son of Louis Jeffery) and his wife Freda Barnett moved this house to the Western Road in Elmsdale (across from the Griffins) and fixed it up.  In recent years the house was raised and added to.

     Not long after Gordon and Freda moved this house, Gordon went to Montreal for back back surgery - a disk problem.  Wilbert thought it was 1948 or 1949.  After surgery Gordon arrived by train and came off on a stretcher - he was in full body cast.  A big surgery in those days, however, he recovered well.   

     After a few years Gordon and Freda sold the house and moved to Alberton.

Jenny *Beatrice* (Clark) Irving

Jenny *Beatrice* ( Clark ) Irving

1918-2012

             The death occurred at the Margaret Stewart Ellis Home, O'Leary, with her family by her side, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012, of Jenny "Beatrice" Irving (nee Clark) of Alberton in her 94th year. Beloved wife of the late George Kenneth Irving. Born at Alma, P.E.I. on March 22, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Allan and Barbara (nee Hardy) Clark.

            Loving mother to: Ian (Dianne); Don (Janelle), Anita Mercier Janice, Allan, Eleanor, Kent (Cynthia). Grandmother to Shani (David) Henderson, Jason (Jodi) Mercier, Stephen and Bryan Irving, Geoffrey, Olivia, Brandon, Anne and Jennifer Irving. Great grandmother to Meaghan, Allison and Sarah Henderson, Zoe Gaudet, and Ashton and Max Mercier. She is also survived by a sister-in-law Blanche Clark of Maplewood Manor, Alberton, and by several nieces and nephews.

            She was predeceased by brothers, Preston (late Dot) and Jack Clark, and by a sister Muriel (late Heber) Ramsay. She was also predeceased by sisters-in-laws: Ethel Donavon, Bell (Sutherland) Bell, and Doris (George) Horne.

            Bea taught school in the community for over 20 years and served as a longstanding member of the Dock Women's Institute, the ladies Auxiliary at the Maplewood Manor, and the Gordon Memorial United Church. As an avid gardener, her flowers and vegetables were appreciated by many within her community.

            Resting at the Rooney Funeral Home, Alberton. Funeral on Friday afternoon Jan. 6, from the Gordon Memorial United Church Alberton, with funeral service at 2 p.m. Rev.Robert Lockhart officiating. Interment in Hillcrest Cemetery, Alberton. No visiting hours or flowers by personal request. As an expression of sympathy memorials to the Montrose United Church Building Fund, Hillcrest Cemetery Fund, or to the Alzheimer Society would be gratefully appreciated. 

Local Residents Working on the Road 1941

     The Province has a new website listing their documents since 1894 - below is one I found which shows local residents, mostly men, who worked on the road that year and how much they were paid.  The higher paid men were likely Road Overseers.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Annual Report of the Department of Public Works

and Highways of the Province of Prince Edward Island

for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31,  1941

cf.  http://www.peildo.ca/fedora/repository/leg%3A6250?startpage=&solrq=george%20jeffery

Details of Expenditures

R O A D S - Prince County

Section No. 8

Donald Barbour $6.75; Waldron Leard $6.51; Frank Barbour $10.00; Eldon Barbour $4.50; Arthur Barnett $2.50; Claude Barnett $6.84; Charles Barnett $5.00; Harold Bearisto $1.75; Roy Burns $59.40; Lloyd Burns $14.22; Hubert Burns $10.78; W.H. Burns $7.27; William H. Burns $3.78; John Cannon $16.75; Edward Clements $12.75; Antoine Clements $2.78; Frederick Clements $0.25; John A. Clements $0.25; George Costain $25.65; John W. Costain $0.25; John A. Costain $8.60; Gordon Costain $0.25; Raymond Costain $0.25; Wallace Costain $0.25; Tennyson Costain $9.31; Chester Costain $0.25; Ralph Costain $6.25; Clifford Costain $4.00; Daniel Dalton $17.87; Daniel Danton $4.78; Wallace Donald $0.86; Peter Donahue $0.28; Gregory Donahue $6.75; Mrs. Gertrude Doyle $2.28; Ralph Duggan $22.50; Hudson Duggan $5.44; Roy Duggan $0.36; Isaac Dunbar $0.78; Howard Dunbar $0.28; Leo Ellsworth $0.25; Robert Fitzgerald $2.02; Kenneth Gordon $2.50; David Gordon $1.06; Sanford Green $0.78; Veniah Green $17.53; Sanford Green $36.87; Reginald Green $2.00; Richard Hustler $16.00; Louis Jeffery $22.50; David Jeffery $0.78; Gordon Jeffery $9.12; George Jeffery $4.82; john R. Jones $3.75; Edward Jones $10.12; Alberton Jones $0.25; James Jones $0.25; George Jones $2.50; John A. Jones $9.00; Keith Kelly $4.50; Edmund Kelly $0.28; Paulinus Kelly $0.28; Herman Kennedy $2.25; Austin Kennedy $14.40; Frank Kinch $1.53; Benedict Kinch $2.75; Andrew Kinch $$11.75; Earl Kinch $4.50; James Kinch $0.78; Charles Mallett $5.74; Mrs. Clarence Murphy $0.26; Wilbert Murphy $6.99; Ernest Myers $60.26; Mrs. Elizabeth Myers $1.75; Patrick McIntyre $4.75; Wilbert McInnis $0.78; Robert McInnis $0.78; Guy McInnis $0.25; John McLean $19.76; Harry McLean $1.25; John McLellan $19.59; W.B. McLellan $3.32; Irvin McLellan $5.75; Stanford McNeill $0.61; Anselm J. O’Brien $7.06; Peter O’Brien $1.36; Albert O’Brien $1.25; Roach O’Brien $4.20; Jervis O’Brien $14.00; George O’Brien $0.78; Cornelius O’Brien $2.53; Hedley Palmer $7.23; Hedley L. Palmer $16.92; James Palmer $2.25; Heber Ramsay $41.04; Frederick Rennie $2.80; Arthur Rennie $9.72; Harvey Rix $14.92; Mrs. Lida Rix $0.60; John Sawyer $6.50è Emmett Sentner $1.96; Wilfred Shields $13.00; George Shields $2.25; John J. Smith $8.91; Bertram Smith $9.60; John H. Smith $15.43; Sidney Smith $13.75; John D. Thompson $3.75; John Wedge $14.75; Joseph White $5.50.

Meeting the Train in Alma - 1940's

     I was quizzing my father, Wilbert Jeffery, about who was responsible for the Alma Train Station in Alma.  In those days at the small, whistle stop stations, like Alma, had no Station Agents like some of the bigger stations like Alberton - so there was a local person who, "met the train", in the morning and in evening.  Wilbert recalls the person in Alma was Tommy Henderson who lived on the Western Road in the hollow below the Anglican Church, next to the Curries, in the house where in the latter part of the 1900's Keith and Blanche Bowness lived.

     Tommy Henderson met the train to get the mail and would take it over to Wallace and Annie Donalds who had the post office in their home (Desmond & Hazel Gallants today) on the Western Road near Alma Corner.

     Above: Carter's photo of the old Alma Train Station -see upper right where

the Alma sign used to be - most recently owned by James *Jim* MacNeill.

     Wilbert said when he was young, in the mid-1940's, he and other local fellows use to go out to the station mostly on Saturday evenings (there wasn't much else to do) to hang out and wait for the train with Tommy and when he got the mail would go with him to the Donalds.  The train came up from central PEI every evening, ending in Tignish, then leave the next morning to the middle of the Island again.

     Wilbert couldn't recall who met the train after Tommy.

Above image, by Massey F. Jones, cf.

http://yourrailwaypictures.com/OldDiesels/indexCN-Diesels.html

George Hilton Barbour

     There was a new website launched today "Prince Edward Island Legislative Documents Online"  www.peildo.ca   There's quite a variety of searchable information on this site.  One such category is Biographies - we had a local Alma born resident, Hon. George Hilton Barbour -  MLA and Minister of the Prince Edward Island Government.  Here's a photo of Mr. Barbour from the new website and a link to his biography 

http://www.peildo.ca/fedora/repository/leg:25510

See previous post on this blog -

http://almalauretta.blogspot.ca/2012/03/hon-george-hilton-barbour-mla-senator.html

Dance Halls in Alma

     My Dad, Wilbert Jeffery, has always told me about the dance halls on the Centerline Road - so the other day I sat down with him and quizzed him about what he remembered about them. There were two built around the same time in the late 1940's.
     The first dance hall that was the "New Look", owned and built by Hilary Kinch of Alma, brother of Edna (Kinch) Dunn.  He had a house, west of Archie/Bobby Barbour's home - there's an empty field there today.  Wilbert thought Hilary built the hall in 1947 or 1948.  The hall was a fairly simple building with a low pitched roof.
     I'm not aware of any photos of the Halls - so I sketched out something to give the impression of they might have been like.
     Hilary hired Russell Warren from St. Louis as his main fiddler - Russell won awards for his fine fiddling skills.  Russell was the son of blacksmith Harold Warren.
     Hillary operated the New Look for a year or two then sold the house and hall - Stanford MacNeill bought the house and used it as a granary and someone else bought the hall and moved it away.  Hillary went on to work with Roy Kennedy in his saw mill.  Hilary was in WWII - Wilbert recalls him telling stories about being in London.

     The second dance hall was built a year or so after Hilary's by his brother-in-law Wilfred Dunn.  Wilfred called his dance hall, "The Bright Spot".  It was built to the south of the driveway into Wilfred & Edna's homestead on Centerline Road.
     Wilbert thought the Bright Spot was a building similar to Hilary's, cedar shingled with a low roof.  Wilbert recalls being out to Rennie's Store at Alma Corner and a bunch of men around talking - Wilfred told them of his plans to build a dance hall too - Fred Rennie said, "if you build it I 'll be there the first night." And sure enough he was - Fred died not long after in 1949.  Wilbert thought Russell Warren played the fiddle at the Bright Spot too.
     After a couple of years Wilfred sold the hall to Frank Barbour (Adams lives there today on the Western Road) who moved it out to his place - the hall was cut it in two to move it.

     I asked Wilbert if he knew of any other dance halls in Alma or Lauretta - he said no.  Most events were held in the school and dance halls were something new after the War - there was also a hall further though on the Centerline Road in St. Lawrence.

Centerline Road (Rte.151) Alma

     The Centerline Road in Alma goes east and west from the Western Raod (Rte. 2) taking the district of Alma to the east to Montrose and to the west to Lauretta and St. Lawrence.  Wilbert Jeffery recalls  in the summer of 1956 the government improved the Centerline Road from the Western Road down to the Klondike Rd. (today the McLellan Rd).  Wilbert Jeffery was asked by road-overseer Stanford Greene (he took over from Roy Burns) if he'd like a job working on the road.  The equipment was fairly basic, shovels and a bulldozer.  Wilbert recalls the dozer operator was Alfred Cormier (d. Sept.2011) of Waterford.  Wilbert's job was to move away the stray rocks and brush that came put on the road from ditching so cars passing wouldn't be damaged by the debris.
     The following year, 1957, the power poles and lines were brought into Alma and Lauretta - from the Western Road in to the Klondike Road.  About half of the residents on the road connected.  Wilbert recalls a neighbour saying, "I couldn't afford to buy the kerosene last year, so I don't think I'll be able to wire the house and connect to the electricity."  At the time Wilbert also recalls Premier Matheson saying, "we're paying 90% of the cost to put the electricity through the countryside."   Wilbert & Verna Jeffery got power to the Stephen/David Jeffery Homestead in 1964.     

 

     The Centerline Line Road was the road cut through the middle of Lot-3 from St. Lawrence to Montrose - it was the "center line of Lot-3".  In the 1863 Lake Map above you can see that it was first known as the "proposed road".  Click on map to enlarge.

Johnny Wallace Homestead, Alma

     The George Wallace Homestead is/was the first farm in the community of Alma on the Western Road - it was on the corner of Barnett (or O'Brien) Road.  George was married to Catherine O'Connor - they had 10 children.  Their son John "Johnny" Wallace took over the homestead following his father's death.
     The driveway must have been half a kilometer long from the Western Road - there was also a driveway over to the Barnett Road.
     I took this photo of the Wallace homestead in the late 1990s - none of the buildings remain today.

    The Meechams 1880 Atlas shows this property as being owned by Alex Matthews with 77 acres.
     The 1928 Cumins Atlas shows George Wallace's son John "Johnny" Wallace, and his wife Eva Gaudette of Waterford, living here with their three children.  They had the following children:
1.  Jean who married Alton O'Brien of Alberton, they lived next to the Maplewood Manor.  Jean was a school teacher.  They had 8 children.
2.  George, a bachelor, farmed the homestead all his life.
3.  Earl, he moved to Ontario and following the death of his wife in a car accident, he moved back to Alma and farmed the homestead with his brother George.
4.  Brendon, married Roberta Adams of Elmsdale.  They had one son Reggie and farmed in Elmsdale on the Western Road, not far from his birthplace.
5.  Catherine, married William "Bill" Profitt of Summerside.  Bill was a potato inspector and Catherine a school teacher when she was younger.

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The following is from the 1901 PEI Census - http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=58559&desc=1901+Census+of+Canada+Lot+%28township%2Fcanton%29++3+PRINCE+%28West%2FOuest%29+PRINCE+EDWARD+ISLAND

No. Household        Name                  Sex   Place in House    Date of birth      Age

36		88	Wallace George	M		Head	M	Apr 19	1850	51
37		88	Wallace Catherine	F		Wife	M	Dec 24	1856	44
38		88	Wallace Mary B	F		Daughter	S	Dec 27	1878	22
39		88	Wallace Maurice J	M		Son	S	Jan 20	1881	20
40		88	Wallace Annie F	F		Daughter	S	Oct 11	1883	17
41		88	Wallace Clara E	F		Daughter	S	Jul 21	1888	12
42		88	Wallace John T	M		Son	S	Mar 17	1891	10
43		88	Wallace George L	M		Son	S	Feb 14	1893	8
44		88	Wallace Albert E	M		Son	S	Sep 1	1895	5
45		88	Wallace William B	M		Son	S	Nov 2	1898	2

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The following is from the O'Connor Genealogy - http://www.islandregister.com/keefe1.html

34F    ii. Catherine O'Connor was born on 21 Dec 1856. She was christened on 8 Feb
           1857 in St. Anthony Church. She died in 1930 in Sacred Heart Church.

Catherine married George W. Wallace in 1878 in PEI, Canada.

Information taken from a letter to Henry Keefe written by Mrs. Alton (Jean) O'Brien dated 2.26/1997 in Alberton, PEI. In it she states, "My maiden name was Wallace. I am the daughter of the late John and Eva Wallace of Alma, PEI. My grandmother Wallace was the former Catherine O'Connor and her mother was Mary Keefe sister to Joe Keefe, father of Florence. So Florence and my grandmother were first cousins."
m. George W. Wallace and had son John Wallace. John m. Eva Gaudet and had daughter Jean Wallace (291)
Rev P. McIntyre, sponsored by John Keefe and Mary Rowe.
Wandering Back:
Catherine (1856-1930) married George Wallace (1850-1948) in 1878. They lived in the Alma homestead of Catherine's mother. Their children: Mary Bernice, Maurice Joseph, Anne F., Mary Ester, Clara Effie, John Patrick, George Leo, Albert Edward, William Brendon and Mary.