Upper Prince Street, Charlottetown

     I took a short cut through Upper Prince Street the other day - here'a s few houses on that street that I've photographed over the years.



Haslam Farmstead, Springfield

     Just up the road on Route-2 on the same side as the Hagan farmstead, going west, is this lovely Island farmhouse in the center gable style with a kitchen wing to the rear/south.

     I use to always notice this house as the owner made birdhouses in his retirement and sold them at the end of his driveway.  I've noticed in recent years the house is in need of repairs especially on the  left side of verandah as it's starting to settle.

     The house has many great details: a well proportioned verandah with gingerbread trim; a steep-pitched center gable (typical of the 1880's); a gable window with trapezoid style trim above; running eave gingerbread trim; 2-over-2 single hung windows; brick chimney; and window header detailing.

Hagen Farmstead, Springfield

     The house below is located on south side of Route-2 Highway in the community of Springfield.  In the mid-to-late part of the 1900's the Hagan (Atlas spelling) family lived here.
     All winter long I've been driving by and thinking one of these days I have to stop and take a few photos. 

Note the light in the photographs which were at 7:15 in the morning.

     Note the window on the left side, second floor, in the middle. The wall is built-out at 6" to accentuate this window which is likely be located at the top of the stairs.

     Arnold Smith, a nearby resident, told me that when the parents got older they built the section to the right of the verandah for their living quarters - an addition that was sympathetic to the original 2-storey, hpped roof structure.

Below: Note the gambrel roofed barn in the background.

Below: the west side of the large barn.

More Farmland converted to Subdivisions, York Point

     I was out to York Point (now part of Cornwall) last week and observed some more farmland having been converted to subdivision - approximately 100 residential lots here.  This is a beautiful area of the Island where the farms on the east side of the York Point Road run down to the North River shore and a view across the water to Charlottetown.  Below is a look over the new subdivision.

     Below: Here's the old house, just to the right of the above photo, that was connected with this property - hope it remains here!  The old house is located on the corner of York Point Road and the new Sunrise Cove Road.

 Below: the west view of the house facing York Point Road.

Below:  The Island-ell style farmhouse has well proportioned and placed verandahs - note how the verandah eaves clear the cornerboards by a few inches. 

The house features decorative cut cedar shingles on the upper level of the house exterior and in the gables; verandah gingerbread trim; two-over-one style single hung windows; attic trapezoid windows and steep-pitched rooflines and two brick chimneys.

Below: the garage and verandah to the left are 1970's additions.

 

Here's a view of the subdivision - note the adjacent farmstead to the south of this new subdivision. cf. Gov't Webmaps: www.gov.pe.ca/maps

Excerpt from the Journals of Hubert Compton

      Further to the previous post Door Knobs, Unhappy Wife, Great Fire there's information below that might help explain the story, however, the dates don't match.  The following are excerpts from the Journals of Hubert George Compton 1831-1915. Hubert was the son of Major Thomas and Hannah Compton and grandson of Col. Harry Compton.  He was educated in Charlottetown, then was a clerk to T. Chappell at St. Eleanors, following he was a partner in business with his cousin, then he engaged in farming on the old homestead.  He was married to Mary Ann Pope Thomas -they had eight children. 
     Hubert wrote a series of articles for The Prince Edward Island Magazine providing much information about the early history of St. Eleanors.  The following excerpts are from articles written by Hubert G. Compton, which appeared in The Prince Edward Island Magazine:  Vol.  I, No. 5, July, 1899, p. 167-171;  Vol.  I, No. 6, August, 1899, p. 224-226; Vol. II, No. 1, March, 1900, p. 25-28;  Vol. II, No. 11, Jan., 1901, p. 366-369.  (cf. the family history - The Jeffery Family of the Isle of Wight and Prince Edward Island, 1998 by Betty M. Jeffery and Carter W. Jeffery)

Lot 17 - The 1863 Lake Map - cf.  www.islandregister.com

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The first settlers of St. Eleanor’s by the late Hubert G. Compton:

   Upon his (Captain Compton) arrival on the Island he negotiated with one Capt. Townsend, who had the corresponding halves of each Lot, for the transfer of the other half of Lot 17, his brother officer receiving in return the other half of Lot 19 of which Capt. Compton was owner.  Thus the Compton property became co-extensive with Lot 17.  Before leaving England Mr. Compton prepared all necessary fixtures for the finishing of a comfortable dwelling house, via: window sashes, doors, cornice, wainscotting, etc.
  The construction occupied the space of about two years, being completed in the year 1806.  The house when completed was named the Pavillion.  It stood on a beautiful site a short distance below where the present homesteads now stand, overlooking the water of Richmond Bay, and within a few minutes walk of the shore.  This old landscape, so long a prominent feature in the landscape, was demolished about the year 44 and only traces of the cellar now mark its site.
  Their  (the Acadians) little chapel first stood in the vicinity of Raynor’s Creek.  These were the first to take up land in St. Eleanors, but when they later on purchased 10,000 acres for themselves in the neighboring district now known as the village of Miscouche, they took their chapel with them, together with their other goods, and out of the material of which it was formed they built a residence for their devoted priest.  This house still stands, not now however as the Glebe House, but as the humble residence of a habitant.
…At this time the little church stood on the Pavilion Farm…and between services, as the congregation was seated on the banks of the spring, which rose from a hill not far from where the church stood…

  Referring in conclusion, once more, to the old chapel, it may be interesting to state as in a way corroborative of the truth of this history that the writer, when a child, with his father, Major Thomas Compton, often dined with the priest at his residence which was formerly the chapel mentioned elsewhere in this article, and which was moved from Raynor’s Creek upon the transfer of the property from Lot 19 to the vicinity of the Pavillion where it remained until its last removal to Miscouche.
  The “Broad” Farm which just before the time of writing again changed hands, is of considerable historic interest in North St. Eleanor’s.  The writer was born on this farm in the year 1831, the property being at that time owned by his father.  In 1834 it passed by purchase into the hands of Hon. James Yeo.  The immediate reason of the transfer was a disaster which happened to Mr. Compton in the loss by fire of a fine dwelling house which had just been completed, when the conflagration swept it away.  It had not as yet, however, been occupied by the family.  The date of the fire was November the fifth- a bon-fire ungrateful as it was unintentional.

  At night we boys indulged our sporting proclivities in this sport, chiefly in pursuit of the sportive eel.  The way we fished them was somewhat unique.  First we constructed torches of birch barkstrips bound with slender spruce roots.  Then swinging ourselves lightly into the very middle of the springs with the aid of the friendly second growth spruce trees that bordered the stream, by that adroit turn of the wrist we drew the eels out one after another till the water became too muddy to see any more.
  In youth I loved to wander through the woods with my gun and faithful dog; no other companions I sought for palpable reasons.  There were but few families residing near us at this time whose members, if they had the same inclinations as mine – but I fancy they had not- were perhaps employed in pursuits of greater profit.  At the same time, however, my lessons were not neglected.  Our teacher was Wm. Coates, Esq., a gentleman who emigrated to this Island from Suffolk, England, in the year 1827, and resided with us for many years.  He was also Deputy Prothonotary and assistant to the late Daniel Hodgson, Esq., at the time of the Supreme Court was held at St. Eleanors, and continued in office until the year 1853 when he resigned owing to ill health, Thomas Hunt, Esq., of the above named Village, succeeding.
  In a brook that ran below our house were to be found many fine trout.  At this brook in those days all the washing of the house was done under the shade of the tree.  At the washing place a large pine log lay across the brook, forming a natural bridge for all who passed that way to and from the houses.
  I remember with pleasure my wandering through the dark shades of the forest.  An abundance of game was than hidden beneath the branches of some of the many giants of the wood towering so far above us.

A closert look at the Compton Properties - Lot 17

cf. The 1863 Lake Map - www.islandregister.com

     The other day I was down the Dekker Road (just off Rte. 2 in St. Eleanors) northward to see if I could eyeball where the Comptons might have lived from looking at the Lake Map above.  As the road came to an end I turned left on to the Lyle Road then came upon the Compton Road which went towards the shore, then it turned into one lane and turned left again but the Compton road continued on an old tree lined road which led to the shore - on the map above I think this is the road that leads down to the "old store".

Door Knobs, Unhappy Wife, Great Fire

     Here's an interesting story, as it is, about a Colonel Compton, who was granted Lot 17 by the King of England. 
     Col. Harry Compton, a widower, came to Prince Edward Island in 1803 with his son Thomas, daughter and maid Eleanor (who St. Eleanor's was named for).  He encouraged many English settlers to emigrate and settle the lands in Lot 17 - the areas known today as Summerside, Linkletter, Miscouche, Sherbrooke and St. Eleanors.
     Col. Compton's son Thomas (age 22) married Hannah Jeffery (age 20) on Nov. 10, 1810, five days after she landed on Prince Edward Island from the Isle of Wight, England.  Later in life Thomas became a Major and MLA in Prince Edward Island's Legislature and is also credited with giving Summerside it's name while visiting a friend at Green's Shore.
      Col. Compton didn't live on the Island long, he died in France some years later - there's speculation he died as a result of poisoning by his young wife.
     As the years passed and the story was told from generation to generation, one would wonder if the stories of the father and son were blended.
     This story appears in the history of St. Eleanor's called, Sketches of Old St. Eleanors, 1973.

     This house on St. Peter’s Rd in Charlottetown called “Oakwood” is reputed to be similar to the one burned down, but is not identical.

A Fascinating Story as told by William R. Brennan.

“I know not the truth as it may be I only know the tale as it was told to me.”

            A Col. Compton of England married a young lady, she was said to be the most beautiful girl in all the land.  When the Col. Received a grant of land in Prince Edward Island, there was much persuasion to induce his lovely wife to leave her native land to come to a new country to live.
            She at last promised her husband that if he would first come and build her a fine home, completely furnished, that she would come with him to settle in the new land.  When everything was in readiness they sailed for Prince Edward Island.
            After crossing the Atlantic and sailing through the Gulf of Richmond Bay, they anchored their vessel off the shores of North St. Eleanor’s.  The young couple walked together from the shore through the fields some distance to their new dwelling.  He was indeed proud to show her this new home with beautiful furnishing, some of which came from England and some from New England.
            He showed her through the downstairs going from room to room and then they inspected the upstairs.  After everything has been explored the two went outdoors to view the garden and surroundings, and when this was done, he asked his beautiful wife how she liked her new home.  She replied, “The only thing I like about the place are the doorknobs.”
            The Col. then turned, went into the house, removed all the doorknobs , tied them in a string bag, returned to the outdoors, handed his wife the bag with knobs, then immediately he set fire to the new dwelling and all the furnishings.
            That winter they lived in Bedeque and suffered many hardships in the long cold winter.  They were compelled to sell some of the family jewellery to buy the necessities of life.

O'Leary Train Station for Sale

     I heard on the news last evening that the O'Leary Train Station is for sale.  Currently the station is owned by the Village of O'Leary and rented to a few tenants.  One of those tenants approached the Village to purchase the building.  So to be fair in the sale of the building they are having a third party handle the offers and decide who will be the new owner.  There doesn't seem to be any print information available online yet.

     Here's a photo of the O'Leary Train Station, on the left (the one on the right was the 2nd station, long since demolished), taken from Allan Graham best selling book, "A Photo History of Prince Edward Island Railway" page 79.  The book is now out-of-print but you may be able to find it in used book stores or online at www.abebooks.com
     The ISBN is 0-9687204-0-4.

Former Abram Jeffery / Louis Jeffery house burns

     Early yesterday morning the house my father grew up in was completely destroyed by fire.  It was moved from Lauretta to the Dock Road in Elmsdale West/ Brockton in the mid 1970's
     Below is the article from the Journal Pioneer's website yesterday:

Inspecting the aftermath of a Thursday night house fire in Brockton.

Published on February 24, 2012 by Eric McCarthy/ Journal Pioneer.  Photo Eric McCarthy
http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2012-02-24/article-2906989/Brockton-woman-rescues-granddaughter/1
BROCKTON -- A Brockton woman made her way into her burning house early Friday morning to rouse her granddaughter who was asleep upstairs.
            The pair made it safely out of the house, but all of their belongings were destroyed and several family pets perished.
            Phyllis Nugent said she was in the barn when she heard a smoke detector going off in the house. Upon investigating, she discovered the porch was on fire. Unable to enter the house through the usual route, she entered through the back.
            “I woke her up because the smoke detector was going off by the basement and the kitchen door was closed, so (my granddaughter) wouldn’t really hear it for a while,” Nugent said.
            “The other smoke detectors were in the other part of the house. They weren’t getting the smoke yet.”
            Nugent and her 17 year-old granddaughter, Ashley, were able to rescue their dogs and three pet birds during their escape.
            “I lost seven cats and a bird,” Nugent added.
            Ashley Nugent had a cell phone with her and called 911 after the pair were safely outside.
            The granddaughter was subsequently taken to Western Hospital to examined for possible smoke inhalation.
            Phyllis said the family moved from New Brunswick last May when they bought the Brockton farmstead. She had lived in nearby Rosebank until 30 years ago. Her husband, who was at work in Saint John, N.B., was notified of the fire Friday morning and was en route.
            Alberton fire chief Kenny Ramsay said the alarm sounded at 7:13 a.m. The house was fully engulfed when the first trucks arrived on the scene at 7:35 a.m. Tignish, Miminegash and O’Leary fire departments provided backup.
            Heavy snowfall Thursday night made it difficult for firefighters to get out of their driveways en route to the fire hall.
            “There was nothing really to save,” Ramsay said in describing the extent of destruction when they arrived. “All we could do was protect the surrounding exposures. There were two vehicles that suffered light heat damage. If it wasn’t for the wind direction it could have been a lot worse. Two other buildings could have been lost, probably, and the vehicles as well.”
            Phyllis said she didn’t know the cause of the fire but thought it started behind the clothes dryer. As fire fighters turned their attention to salvage and overhaul, Nugent said she didn’t know if she would rebuild at that location. She said the loss is covered by insurance.
            Deputy fire marshal Robert Arsenault said Friday he couldn’t determine the cause of the fire but has ruled it accidental.
            He acknowledged that it did originate in the area of the dryer and said it possibly could have been electrical in origin.

Here's an aerial photo of the homestead around 1955.

Below:  a closer look at the Jeffery home.

Below:  Abram Jeffery and Mary Jane (Smith) Jeffery.  Photo taken in the late 1930's.  Their son Louis took over the farm in 1918 when he married Annie Jane Cannon of St. Lawrence.

     Abram and Mary Jane built this house sometime in the mid-to-late 1890's (they were married in 1892) on a 50-acre farm located on the Centerline Road in Lauretta.  They raised a family of 11 children here:  William, Bessie, Levi, Louis, Hannah, Jack, Stephen, Pearl, Harvey, Eliza and Ethel. 
      In September 1943 Abram was helping his son take in hay (he was 74 years old) when he fell from the load breaking his neck.  They say Mary Jane died of a broken heart a few months later in January 1944 - she was 78 years old. 
     Below:  the family of Louis and Annie Jane (Cannon) Jeffery:  Back L-R: Gladys Kinch (a neighbour); Mabel, Stirling, Wilbert.  Front L-R: Gladys, Eileen and Preston.  Photo taken around 1942.  Missing from photo are the two oldest boys, Gordon and Harold.

Below:  we don't have many photos of the house - here's a photo of Uncle Preston with his father's truck around 1955.

Below:  Here's a photo of the old house taken in the fall of 1971 (processed Mar '72). 

     My grandfather Louis died in 1962 in Saint John, NB.  My grandmother lived here till about 1965 when my parents Wilbert and Verna bought it from her - they rented the house for a few years, then it was left abandoned and was vandilized. 

     One evening in the late 1960's I remember visiting the tenants here with my father and being amazed that they were living by lantern light - we lived 1/2 a mile down the road and had power. 

     After it was abandoned my brothers and I, like most children in those days, were always roaming around the community on our bicycles and we'd often go into the house to explore and look around.  There were a few antiques and junk in the house, ie. ice box refridgerator, side board mantle, a few bundles of cedar shingles and I remember there being alof of letters strewn over the floor in the upper hall.

       In the mid 1970's Albert MacInnis of St. Lawrence approached Dad to buy it and move it to the Dock Road. I remember the day it was moved, coming down the driveway and through the road towards St. Lawrence, down the Olde Tom Road and out to the Doct Road.  

Below:  Here are two photos I took of the house in the spring of 2010 - it had changed owners a few times in recent years.

Below: my brother Kerras and his wife Shirley were by the property yesterday afternoon and took this photo.