no OIu& Monday,

June I, 1955

Waterfront Was Focal Point

Once A Week Service From The Mainland

(Continued from Page 1)

directly under the pulpit on a raised ovalvshaped floor with a low railing all round at which forty to fifty people could kneel at one time. The choir was in the gallery directly behind the pulpit.

After the Methodist brick church was built the old one was sold. hauled on the north corner of Prince and King Streets and made into a double tenement.

The only other church in 1884 was the Baptist chapel. it was a plan. unpretentious building with two arched windows on each side. and was situated at the head of Prince. facing on Euston Street. The congregation was small and not wealthy. Rev. S. T. Rand was their pastor. About 1850 they mov- ed their chapel down Prince to Great George and placed it on the east side of Great George Street between Dorchcster and King, and a flag with a Bethel on it was hoisted over it.

POSTAL SERVICE

The Post Office of 1844 was on the south side of Water Street on the Peake property. between Queen and Pownal Streets. directly back of Carvell Brothers' store. It was afterwards used as a tobacco fac- tory by the Messrs. Lowden Bros., Hickey and Stewart, and T. Riley. The west end of the build- ing with a door and two windows was the Post Office. It was div- ided into two rooms, front and back, with a narrow passage be tween them. The front room was the Post Office, the back one the Post Master General's private of- fice. A ball or passage ran direct- ly through the building from front to hack, in which was the wicket. Aidletter and paper drop were out- si e.

Thomas Owen, Sr.. was Post Master General, and George W. Owen, his son, clerk. The latter went to California in the "Fannie" in '49 and later to New Zealand.

There were no postage stamps in those days, nor for many a day after. All the letters had to be weighed and the price marked on each: ninepence ' and s .alllLlliII sterling were the usual prices for English letters and they were of- ten addressed to P. E. I. via Que- bec or Montreal. V Letters were supposed to be paid for when mailed or taken from the post of- fice, but many preferred having them charged. There was quite a book-keeping system kept up Ind bills for letters sent out and col- lected every three months. Some parties neglected to pay their bills. but the money had to be forth- coming and the poor P. M. G. had often to pay up for those in de- fault at the end of the quarter.

Mails and passengers from the provincescame once a week. in a packet or schoone . that 1- If the wind suited, and once a mon from England in the summer. As there were many English. Irish Ind Scotch families here at that time, the inquiry often was ”When"are we to have an English mail?

WKABVEI AND FERRIES

There were only three wharves la Charlottetown at this time! Queen's wharf at the end of Queen St., Peake's wharf on the west side of Queen s. and Tre- maine's. or the Ferry wharf on the east side of QlIeen'l- A" "W wharves were much shorter than now: Tremalnc's was only a few blocks or piles long, quite long enough for the sail and steam- boats that crossed to Southport. A sail boat crossed on Mondays and s team-boat the other days of the week. v

The team-boat was run by two or sometimes three horses. There was a large wheel in the middle of the boat, (just such a one as is used in a tannery to grind bark) in which the horses were attach- ed; the horses going round and round in a circle. turned wheel and propelled ll" Imu-

Passenger. came from the South- port side and returned Iilllll Ibygll the afternoon class was not continu-

e morning and twice in the after-

four times a day. twice ll!

noon.

A story is told of a middle-aged to become Sir William C. MacDon- lsdy who came across the ferry to aid. Glenaladale, one of Montreal's do some shopping in town. She had millionaires. but at that time of not taken into consideration that Charlottetown.

ft f the sailboat rsrmmc GARDEN

5- of the Academy grounds facing on

th school for young ladies; she taught

the

I ':f -ifell lower and rose again suffici- ently high for her to reach a pro- per stepping-pin -. That was one of the inconveniences of long ago.

EARLY SCHOOLS

To acquire any kind of an edu- cation. even a preliminary one. was very different then from what it is now. There were no free or Government schools. The children of the very poor had to grow up

who were well off had a tutor or governess. A few of the young men who desired a classical edu- cation were sent to English Church clergymen throughout the country -Rev. Charles Lloyd, of Milton; Rev. E. Panter, of Georgetown; and Rev. A. V. G. Wiggins of St. Eleanors' - to prepare them for Windsor or Edinburgh. The Ro- mgn Catholics had their college at St. Andrew's, where their young men were educated. The Central Academy (afterwards Prince of Wales College) was the high school for boys. Mr. Brown, the head- master, at this time, died in 1845 and was succeeded by E. R. Hum- phreys. Esq.. who came out from England.

The school next in order was the National School. built on part

without education. Some of those .

ly Histoily

Pownal Wharf in the old days, with a paddle at the south side of the wharf (centre

. sel tied up

.1

with a company of Island adventurers to share in

built belonged to Mrs. and Miss Fanning, The greater part of the ground was a well-kept garden. with fruit and ornamental trees. Their dwelling was a two-story house, with a large porch in front, reaching to the second story. It was on the corner of Great George

Kent Street. It was afterwards

from the picture in the

enlarged and became the Normal

School

Mrs. Hebbes ran a finishing French, drawing, vocal and in- strumental music. also "English in its various branches." She was any English lady. and had lived a goodl deal in Paris. Her terms for Eng- ,Iish alone were thirty shilling or Lfive dollars a quarter; the same for each subject in other branches excepting when all were taken. when there was A slight reduction. Fifteen shillings (Island currency) a quarter was the usual price for young children.

About the time the new St. Paul's Church was built it was decided to build an infant school. Mr. and Mrs. George Hubbard with their son and daughter came from England and took charge of this institution. They were paid a salary and all that was required to be paid by each child was a penny a week. This infant school was kept up until the free school system began.

In the autumn of 1845 Mr. Hub- bard was asked to open a class for paying pupils every afternoon from three to six, which he did. Whether the venture was disap- pointing or the long hours of teach-. ing class too arduous for him.

ed after that winter. Of those who went to that class one achieved more than passing fame. He was

is almost contemporary with t

and Sydney Streets, facing on

one removed after the garden was divided into lots; and the first house built on the old garden site was erected upon that corner.

In the summer of 1847 the Fan- ning house was destroyed by fire. it was in the morning, and the smoke was curling around the

eiown Waierlroni Scene In The Early

steamer and the flag of Mr. Yates, auctioneer, in the

the California gold rush.

parties and pedestrians. The Methodists held their annual Sun- day School feast there; it was a pretty sight to see the children walking in procession from their meeting house along Prince and Kent Streets on in Kenslngton and watch them winding through the

large chimney before the fire trees with their banners and flags

llCharIoiieiown" As It Appeared In 1778

The above picture of the Island capital in early days is from a water colour painting by C. Randle and

Public Archives, Ottawa.

Sydney Street. and stood in about eight or ten feet from the corner. with a lowlrailing around it. Shrubs and flowers were placed inside the railing. The stable was on the corner later occupied by the Bank of Nova Scoila (later by the Bank of Canada and now by the Provincial Treasurer's De- partment.)

Everything about the house and grounds was beautifully kept, and the perfume from the shrubs and fruit trees was delightful. The ladies. Mn. and Miss Fanning, were often seen walking in the garden or sitting in the arbor at the lower part, just where the Lyceum later stood; and we have been told that the General's great- est enjoyment in his later years was to sit and read in that arbor. Not any of these fine old trees are now standing. There was one in Dr. MncLeod's grounds until the sufnmer of 1898. whose large trunk and gnarled branches show- ed its antiquity; but it. too. is gone. and there is nothing now remaining of the lovely old gar- den.

JUDGE Y0lING'S Wll.l.0WI

We have heard the late Judge Young say he brought the first willow trees to Charlottetown. Be that as it may, we I her a large willow at the north-cast cor- ner of the Fanning garden; it branched far into Richmond Street The ground was often very wet

he raid upon the Town by American privateers,

broke through the roof. or the alarm was given. '

To show how far apart the houses were at that time, any one standing at the north-east corner of King Square could see the roof of the Fanning house. Mrs. Fan- ning, if we remember, 'had died a year or two before; and Miss Fanning was living alone. She was in her private sitting room that morning, writing for the English mail when the alarm of fire was given; and it was with difficulty she could be persuaded to leave the house. When everything had been as was supposed. removed from the house. John Coll Mac- donald, going in, happened to no- tice a door in the panelled wall under the staircase. He broke it open and there discovered and saved the plate-chest. with all the family silver and other valuables.

The Fannings had land in other parts of the town; they owned a large piece on the corner -of Prince and Fitzroy Streets, where tthe Baptist Church stands. They had fully quarter of that block. it Was called Miss Fanning's field. Sometime in the seventies it was claimed by a descendant of Gen- eral Fanning's living in the Unit- ed States. and was sold by hlrn.

That property which is now the Kensington area and Exhibition grounds belonged to the Fannings: it had in the forties pretty groves

and stumps of trees through it,

which occurred in 1775.

tables were spread. ST. PATRICK! HALL Directly across Great George

and stables was a ' ” i pie of grass known as Mr. Brennn'l field. Some years later St. Pato- rick's Hall, now Queen Squall: public school, was built upon that ground.

Next to Mr. Ii-anan's Ield wn a large and handsome brick resi- dence owned and occupied by John Morris, Esq. R was similar in appearance to the Peake house on Water street. As bricks weia not easily obtained and brick houses were few. Mr. Mot;-lg wg generally named John Brick Mor- ris to dis him from an- other John Morris who had Ived in town. The Morris family moved from their house. and the Ion. Small Macdonald took I and there Mr. Mactlonald died in 180.

Adjoining the Morris' brick house was a two story building. probably built for a store; a M. Clark had his shop there. Thu came the Cameron property, on which was Mr. Cameron's house and warehouse or stable with a large yard betweui, and a nice garden at the back. Gardens were neces , in the long ago for each one had to grow his own vegetables or do without. as only potatoes and turnips were brought

and being situated on the river side

to market. Mrs. Cameron had a

under it. That tree was the firstiwas a favorite resort for picnicshop in Hie west side of bar

Streat from the Fanning houj "- cl

The Fanning garden was a

mi lovely spot in Old Charlottetown!

The whole block between Great

1...! George and Prince Streets. on

which the Y. M. C. A. and (old)

in the gag (4. gang hue. until the tide Zion Church were subsequently

iirlottetown

CONGRATULATIONS

) is the famous Brig Fanny, which sailed from Chariot

1

house to which her son attended. Her husband, Ewen Cameron, Sn, had been drowned a few years previously when bathing in the Charlottetown harbour.

Adjoining the Cameron property was a vacant piece of ground, which had either been fenced in or the fence taken away. for the

bears the date, 1778, and The photograph was taken

flying, to the place where the posh were standing. and they

were useful for any one to its his horse to whilst he was attending his business in town. Next to this

0's I

left foreground. The ves-

- x

tetown on Nov. 12, 1849.

came a small two-story house, in which a cooper, named Kelly, liv- ed. Hoops and barrel staves were numerous about his house. and in the vancant lot, and did not at all add to the appearance or tid- iness of the place.

STAMPEIPS CORNER

And now we come to the corner known. by even the oldest in- habltant as "Stampers Corner". (now Prowse Bros. corner) There the youngste s of Old Charlotte- town bought their books, station- ery, their toys and valentines.

Mr. Stamper was a particularly neat and gentlemanly little Eng- lishman. He kept the latest Eng- lish and Colonial newspapers and periodicals and his shop was a favorite resort. Ills small yard and neat little stable were be- tween his house and Kelly's. and opened on Richmond street or Queen Square.

In 1846 Mr. Stamper had his stable changed into a shop; it was small, but large enough for a Mrs. Forsythe and has daugh- ter. who came here from Halifax and started a fancy-work store, where she sold all colours and shades of Berlin wool canvas and patterns for working covers for

-cushions. chairs. and ottomans.

and for making slippers. She sold other materials for fancy work, and, as she was well patronisod by the ladies she made a com- fortahle living.

CAMERON BLOCK

Abontthayesrllhalargo threestorybulldingwuerscted onthevacantgroundsdiciniag

. George ii.

at and in-Ishtar than any other- in Charlottetown at that time. It was owned-by a Mr. Wllloll who came hare from llnlllntl Alter Mr. Wilson had been here for a short while he decided to make this Island his home. and bought Wsrbllngton. the property and residence of the late Hon. Goodman of Ii. M. Customs, on Ellens Creek-part of the North River. He (Mr. Wilson) was a widower. and mar- rled a younger daughter of the late Thomas Pethlck. Esq., then returned to England and brought out his family. with their gov- erness. They lived at Warbling- ton for a few years, and eventu- ally returned to England where his widow and son resided. Soon after the three-storied building was finished. Mr. Jar- dine McLean of Halifax. brother of the late J. S. McLean. Pre- sident of the Bank of Nova Sco- tia. Hlllfu. opened a ggcery store in one of the shops. very- one was astonlsbd. The idea of any one in his senses. thinking he could make a living by sell- ing groceries alone! All the other merchants had general stores. Many were curious to know if he would succeed and went into his store, not to buy but just to see, and were so pleased with the appearance of everything and

the freshness of his loods um hesoongotiipafaii-iyi,,m trade for Charlottetown. He did not remain longer than 5 ye” however; and the next heard 01' him was from California - place so many were rushing at that time. .

About the time Mr. Mei... left this Island the large but”. ing was bought by William Brown Esq, with the assistance of M; elder brother John. who had . tea plantation- in Bombay. win. lam went into partnership w. Charles McNutt, Esq., of Mn; que. and started a general aton under the name of Memo 5 Brown. which continued um Mr. MacNutt's death. The BMW kept up the business there am February, 1884, when the Brow. and Cameron buildings, .15., mm others were destroyed by on

I'll DAVIE! PROPERTY

On the west side of Qu Square, where there is now a me. cession of handsome brick as there were. in um. only a, houses: or to speak more cornea, is. two houses and a stabig. the corner where the 1.0.140, House later stood (npw My Bank of Canada) was the .- dence of Mrs. Davies. He.- (later Hon.) Benjamin Dav;

Continued on Page 19

A Happy

0

The ltltltli Anniversary of Charlottetown

We gratefully acknowledge the qilendid eon-

trlbution by the early founders of our City.

May our Second Century show even greater PP08Te39-

W. W. VIELLIIEII LTII.

Im0I18Q

theT eronproperty.'l'hsnwero

twoflnnshopsinI,nsnohlng-

I

lillEETlil6S To ALL

businesses which developed to 4 maluriiy with Charlottetown

during this eventful century.

A WELCOME TO VISITORS -

I A SALUTE TO OUR CITY -

.We are proud to be among the

on ilharlottetownls centennial I y We are looking forward to ro- I . . Iv" NM” ” "I M m t nowlng old friendships s n cl go tenure to .9... greater Iclilevenients . ; melting many new ones. 5 "T "W "T ” "'”"'7,.h"" I I I I I A Happy Holiday Season losll. -sw:,9,:::.':,'3'ERs iiiowps-E lines. 1. g i I I not - ms t y y