Rennie-Cotton Barn

     This old barn is located on the Cheese Factory Road in Alma - it was built by Ralph Rennie back in the early 1950's when he and Blanche were first married.  Roy and Carol (Williams) Cotton bought the farm in the 1960's and lived her until a few years ago.  Today the farm is owned by Ralph's son and grandsons.

Old Fashioned Picnic 1914

     The following comes from Allan MacRae's "From the Past" column in the July 29, 2015 edition of the West Prince Graphic.  I believe the house mentioned in the write-up is the Crockett Home at 262 Marchbank Road (aka Jack Donald Rd) in Montrose, beside Marchbank Pond.  This area was in the district of Alma Post Office.
     Information correction from the Crockett family: Lorne and Mae Crockett bought this house from Allie Marchbank back in the 1940's.  Lorne and Mae had two children Nadine and Orvie.  Today Shane Crockette lives here, he's the son of Orvie, grandson of Lorne.

 Old fashion picnic at Alma, Lot 3, enjoyed by everyone in attendance, 1914.

     "On Saturday, 27th of June 1914, the Greenmount Ball Club was invited by Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Alley to hold a picnic at the Abeqweit Silver-Black Fox Co.'s ranch at Alma, Lot 3.  Sunny weather, field games, hot chocolate, a basket lunch, home-made ice-cream and ginger tonic were enjoyed by all in attendance." "Summerside Journal," 8 July 1914.
     "The long piazza of the Alley Ranch was prettily decorated with large tissue decorated with large tissue paper plumes of colors of the rainbow.  A hammock and easy chairs on the piazza and lawn made the guests very comfortable.  The prettily arranged parlours and den were opened all day and were enjoyed by everyone."
     "Field games were played and all enjoyed the ball game for hours, the ladies doing extra good work at the bat as well as making many home runs."
     "At 4:30pm our hosts served delicious hot chocolate, together with basket lunches and three large freezers of home-made ice-cream, washed down with a case of ginger tonic furnished by members of the ball club.  Altogether we spent a most enjoyable hour.  After lunch we returned to the ball grounds where we passed the rest of the day in games."
     Messrs. Perley Haywood and Arthur Carruthers, the Misses Estell Haywood, Ella Rennie and Fannie Ramsay from Tignish; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Rayner, Mr. and Mrs. Archie Rayner, James Rayner and daughters, the Misses Ruth and Amanda; Mrs. Brenton O'Connor, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hammill and son Frank and daughter Iona from Greenmount; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Platts, and Mr. and Mrs. William Leonard from Kildare Capes.  The invited guests were Mr. Lynch and Mr. John Rayner from Greenmount, Dr. Lynch from Brookline, Mass., Mr. Trask from Boston and Master Gordon Ramsay from Alberton."
     "The day was an ideal one and party broke up at 7:00pm with the declaration that his was the most enjoyable picnic of the season!"

Holy Trinity Alma - consecrated 125 years ago today

     Our little country church in Alma (Rte.2/Western Rd.) was consecrated.  My great-great-grandfather Stephen E. Jeffery was the first Warden - the church has been used seasonally for the past 25 years.  The following is the first Rector's Report, written a year later...

Holy Trinity, Alma  Sep 14th, 1891

     Present: the Rector Rev. I.M. Forbes, Chapel Warden Stephen Jeffery, and parishioner Joseph Bearisto
     The church building is new having been completed and consecrated last year (Oct 20th 1890).  It is still unfinished inside lacking a coat of oil and varnish for the wooden ceiling and the seats.  It is in other respects complete and is a substantial commodious, well proportioned and handsome church.
     Inventory. There is a good amalgum in the bell- a Bible for the lectern and a prayer book for the reading desk.  As yet the ch. does not possess a surplice, or font, or altar vessels, or altar books or altar linen.  The people are few and not very well off.  They have done nobly in the past and doubtless will endeavour to acquire one after the other as soon as possible, as they are recommended to do, the above necessary articles.
     Land.  Total area one and one half acre. A good board fence encloses one half acre for the church, and two sides of the balance (the third being a snake fence).  The latter portion is used for a burial ground.  This was consecrated for the purpose as far as the snake fence -  commences – by the Bishop last year.
     Finances.  Steps are being taken to contribute to the Rector’s stipend.  There is no debt upon the church or land.  The people are much to be congratulated upon the success of their efforts, which should encourage to continue till the necessary articles are all acquired.

     Below is a photo I took a few weeks ago of Holy Trinity - the others are the only old photos we have of the church taken in the early part of the 1900's during a church picnic.

Holy Trinity Alma Anglican Church - 125 years

     This year marks 125 years since Holy Trinity Anglican Church was consecrated - it is located on the western Road in Alma.
     The old church, despite being in excellent condition, has an uncertain future - like most rural churches on our Island and throughout our country, they have lost their place in our society.  This little church belongs to the Parish of Alberton-O'Leary which has a total of four churches and a dwindling congregation.  Memorial services are held here twice every summer - the old families are mostly gone and the new generation has little interest in old ways and traditions.
     Below are a few photos from the August 16th service this past summer.

Pleasant Valley Memorial Church - shingling complete

     The new shingles are all on the south of the church.  Note the scaffolding is still standing there - that's not part of the architectural detailing.

     Ricky Ellis of West Point has done work here for years - he specializes in Island church renovations and painting.  Below are two other churches he's carried out work on.  The first is St. Marks Anglican Church in Milton (designed by Wm. Harris) before & after- the church was completely re-shingled in 2008; the second image is of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Alma.

Old Barn, Huntley

     This old barn will soon be gone - like so many old barns in rural Prince Edward Island.  
     This farm belonged to Will Horne who likely built the barn sometime in the 1930's.  The farm was bought by Ross & Jean Brennan in the early 1970's - they lived here for near a decade.  The property has changed hands a few times over the years.  The barn has been used for storage for near 25 years.
     My father, Wilbert Jeffery, worked here as a young man in the 1940's and 50's - he recalls this barn always being here.
     Will Horne married Mary Gordon, daughter of John Owen and Grace (Riley) Gordon, of the Western Road in Alma.  
     Meacham's 1880 Atlas of Prince Edward Island show this farm belonging to a large section of land (240 acres) of the Estate of Rob't Gordon.  
     Cumin's 1928 Atlas of Prince Edward Island shows William Horne owning 75 acres here.

     Above: the barn north side of the barn which is located on the south side of the Cheese Factory Road in Huntley.  The Cheese Factory Road connects Huntley to Alma. 

      Above/Below:  The northeast corner of the barn.  The metal siding and roofing is being removed in preparation for demolition.

1888 Alma Train (Flag) Station

     I just posted this item on my community history blog  http://almalauretta.blogspot.ca/2012/09/1888-alma-train-flag-station.html

     On April 24, 2001 my father, Wilbert and brother, Kerras and I went to measure and photograph the old Alma Flag Station located at H.I. Construction on the Western Road in Alma.  The purpose of our visit was to see the old station as it was to be torn down as a result of damage to one corner of the building following a major fire at the construction site on March 6, 2001.  Kerras was able to salvage some boards and a few things which he used to make a few benches for souvenirs.  The station was demolished on May 1, 2001.

     Below are drawings I prepared from our visit - Dad helped us to identify the two areas and what was found in them.

     Alma Station, was originally called Montrose Station which was built around 1875.  In 1884 the schedule notes the departures time to be 7:42am.  The original building would have been very small, more like a shed building.  The Train "Flag" Station was probably built in 1888 when 51 new stations were built on Prince Edward Island to better serve the public.

     Summerside Journal 27-Dec-1877.  Mr. George Hardy, driver of the No. 1 train was much scalded at Montrose in his engine by the displacement of a plug allowing the steam to escape.  His fireman Thomas Trainor was also badly scalded.  Both are at Alberton in good hands though suffering much".  quote from the Patriot.

      Below are three photos I took that day.  The first photo shows the two original doors.

 Below:  the north side of the station.

      Below:  Inside, note the sliding door on the back wall, this was the in the freight shed facing west.

     The old station was used by the railroad up till the mid 1960's.  Dad often took the train to O'Leary to visit his in-laws in Knutsford, mostly in winter, as late as the winter of 1963-64.  The station was sold to Archie Dunbar who then sold it to Hayes Paying where it was used for a storage building until it was partially burned on March 6th, 2001 - see 

http://almalauretta.blogspot.ca/2012/03/hi-construction-in-alma-leveled-in.html

     For more information regarding this station and the A Photo History of Prince Edward Island Railway by Allan Graham.

Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Alma

    

      The construction of Holy Trinity Anglican Church started in the summer of 1888. The church was consecrated on October 20, 1890. The church is located on the Western Road ( Rte. 2 Hwy. ) in Alma, at the top of the hill, south, above the Currie farmstead.
      Richard Jeffery, son of Stephen E. Jeffery, use to tell the following story which appeared in the book, The Jeffery Family of the Isle of Wight and Prince Edward Island, by Betty M. Jeffery and Carter W. Jeffery, 1998. "He would also relate the story of at the age of 12 coming upon workmen building Holy Trinity Anglican Church; asking if he could help, he was given a tape measure to hold."
      The first Warden of Holy Trinity was Stephen E. Jeffery, the second Warden was William Smith.

      The following document was found at the Anglican Archives in Halifax. The family of John Currie donated the land to build the church on.

Rector's Report - Holy Trinity, Alma Sep 14, 1891

Present: the Rector Rev. I.M. Forbes, Chapel Warden Stephen Jeffery, and parishioner Joseph Bearisto
      The church building is new having been completed and consecrated last year (Oct 20, 1890). It is still unfinished inside lacking a coat of oil and varnish for the wooden ceiling and the seats. It is in other respects complete and is a substantial commodious, well proportioned and handsome church.
      Inventory. There is a good amalgum in the bell- a Bible for the lectern and a prayer book for the reading desk. As yet the ch. does not possess a surplice, or font, or altar vessels, or altar books or altar linen. The people are few and not very well off. They have done nobly in the past and doubtless will endeavour to acquire one after the other as soon as possible, as they are recommended to do, the above necessary articles.
      Land. Total area one and one half acre. A good board fence encloses one half acre for the church, and two sides of the balance (the third being a snake fence). The latter portion is used for a burial ground. This was consecrated for the purpose as far as the snake fence - commences – by the Bishop last year.
      Finances. Steps are being taken to contribute to the Rector’s stipend. There is no debt upon the church or land. The people are much to be congratulated upon the success of their efforts, which should encourage to continue till the necessary articles are all acquired.

**********

Rector’s Report- Holy Trinity, Alma July 8, 1893

Present Wm. Smith and Stephen Jeffery and the Rector

       The surplice is old and much worn but has been neatly repaired and is clean and good for some time yet. The church fabric is kept clean and looks bright and pretty. The woodwork and ceiling will need a coat of oil at some time but they are at present as clean and unsoiled as the day they were put in. The churchyard has been well fenced in since my last visit with a substantial board fence.

       This portion of the Parish now contributes to the Rector’s stipend and so far the people have fulfilled their promises there being no arrears. Money is now in hand to finish the interior of the church partly with paint and partly with oil and varnish. The service books are in perfect order. Much has been done of what might be called pioneer work since my visit. It is to be hoped the people, few as they are, will be encouraged by what has been done to press on, and not be content until the building is put into a perfect condition by a coat whitewash on the exterior of the walls, a coat of paint on the stone foundations, a font, altar vessels, linen, and book, and an organ. It cannot be done all at once but little by little and one thing at a time might be accomplished if all are willing workers in God’s vineyard. The services are well attended, and much appreciated.

      On the whole rector and parishioners are to be congratulated. I trust they may feel encouraged. May God grant them many blessing. There is no debt of any sort.

S. Weston-Jones 

**********

      Below is the earliest known photograph of the church in the background of this Sunday School Class - likely from the early 1900's.

      Below: Eva Jeffery, organist and treasurer, at the church - c. 1940s.

Below: The old, weather door. Replaced in 1997.

      Below: a West Prince Graphic article about the Jeffery's and their family connection to Holy Trinity over the years, September 1, 2004.

      Below: Holy Trinity today. This photo was taken in the fall of 2007 following a summer when many items were taken care of around the church including the painting of the church. There were new trees planted and old ones cut down. That fall the Parishioners were presented with two prizes from the PEI Rural Beautification Society for the improvements to the church and cemetery .

      Below: Holy Trinity Interior. Note the history board to the left of altar - compiled by the Alberton Museum to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Anglican Parish of Alberton-O'Leary.

      Below: photo taken looking up into the steeple of the church. Note the bell to the far left bottom. Also note the square post in the middle of the Church. It is said that when building a steeple a long tall pole was stood up and the spire was built around it, then it was cut off - evident here.

      Below: The church is used seasonally during summer months. Here the church at Christmas 2009.

Home for the Holidays

I went to my parents in Alma for the Holidays.  As mentioned previous in this blog, they live in the house my great-great-grandfather built in the late 1860's.  My parents take very good care of the place and often hear the comment, "it's such a nice place".   Last summer a new friend from Scotland visited the homestead for the first time, she said, "it's a lovely house, it's like something from a storybook".

 The pasture fields and forest out behind the barn.

 Out behind the barn - a large spruce tree decorated with snow.

I'd like to extend best wishes to everyone for a happy 2012!

PS.  Here's two summer photos of the homestead and hope for an early spring!

Spurgeon Jeffery, Building Hauler

A few years ago my brother Kerras built a model of Spurgeon Jeffery moving his house from the corner of Centerline Road and Klondike (aka. MacLellan Rd.) Road, in Lauretta, east up the Centerline Road about a mile to the old Yeo farmstead in Alma.  Kerras donated the model to the Alberton Museum along with some of his moving tools - they are on display on the lower level of the museum.   Here's a brochure I did for his display.

Below:  Photos of Spurgeon Jeffery's 1912 Farmhouse after the move.

 Below:  Spurgeon Jeffery's farmyard after move.  Note house on far right in the distance.

 Below: Floor plans for Spurgeon's House.

Below are photos of the model.

Spurgeon's daughter's Mary and Eva kept daily journals of the daily goings-on around the farm and with their father's and building hauling business - here are a few excerpts.

Excerpts from-

Some Historical and Biographical Notes

on the Community of

Palmer Road

Compiled by Members of Community School, 1973

St. Louis, P.E.I.

Another vessel, the Freddie A. Higgins, came ashore during a severe norwester in the spring of 1914.  The Captain was a Mr. MacLeod and the mate a Mr. MacKay according to the memory of some.  Mr. McKay’s brother, a young man of seventeen or so was the other member of the crew.  The cargo of oats was sold to local farmers and the ship was bought by Mr. John Doucette, owner of a lobster factory at the sight where the vessel grounded.  The vessel was successfully floated by Mr. Spurgeon Jeffery with capstains which he used in his business of moving buildings.  The vessel was put in charge of Mr. Michael Lynch of Tignish but it never was a paying proposition for Mr. Doucette who was said to have lost considerable money in the venture.  A painting of the “Higgins” has been on show in recent years by the Waterford born painter Mr. Patrick Kenny.

Odds and Ends of Local History, Page 31