Yigzie Bruce

E-1. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bruce born ca. 1852, Red Point Prince Edward Island, resided in Red Point PEI, married John E. Robertson, born ca. 1847, (son of Alexander Robertson and Margaret (Peggy) Fraser) resided in Red Point PEI, died Nov. 30, 1918, interred at Kingsboro Prince Edward Island, in the East Point Baptist Church Cemetery. Elizabeth died January 3, 1908, interred at Kingsboro Prince Edward Island, in the East Point Baptist Church Cemetery.

Their home is now owned by Bessie (Bruce) Ching, widow of Charles Ching. Not only did John and Elizabeth run the family farm, but also operated a general store. The store was situated across the highway from the family home. This building still stands today and is now used for a machine shop by Bessie's son Elwood. As well as the store, they also housed the Red Point Post office - that is when the Conservatives were in power. When the Conservatives were ousted the post office moved just down the road to the competitor's store owned by Liberal and sometime Member of the Legislative Assembly, Alexander Robertson.

John and Elizabeth were a hard-working couple. Devoted to their community, they helped those less fortunate and gave generously of their time and money to the Church. John was a Deacon from 1899 till his passing. Elizabeth worked in the store as well as the home. The last evening of her life, she came home from a long day in the store, spoke to John, sat down in her chair in the kitchen and died suddenly of a heart attack.

It is thought that it was after Elizabeth's death, Ethel Bruce, her niece and daughter of John and Katie Bruce (see pages 78 and 80), came to live at the Robertson home. John had the home, farm and store to run and he would have needed help. In Katie's obituary, written in 1925, it states that Ethel was the adopted daughter of John E. Robertson. It is not known if this was a legal adoption. In 1911 Ethel became pregnant out of wedlock, in those days a tragedy and a scandal. This may have been the reason for the adoption as John E. was not the father of the child, and he may have wished to offer her a measure of protection. A little girl was born and was named Muriel. When Ethel left for the United States, she left her daughter with May and Garfield to raise with the understanding that she would be adopted. It was May's wish, but Garfield refused. May told the writer of this story in the 1950's, and asked if he could locate Ethel, in Detroit. May confirmed that Ethel lived at her father's home until she went to the United States. He paid her fare and supported her when she arrived. This arrangement ceased upon John's death. Ethel had kept in touch with May over the years, and knew of Muriel's life. In 1946 Ethel's sister Jessie MacKendrick passed away. Apparently no one notified Ethel of her sister's death. She was furious and for some reason blamed May. From that time on, no one heard of Ethel or her family. Attempts to locate them regarding the reunion in 1999 were futile. May always thought of Muriel as her daughter and her children as her grandchildren.

Children: 2. i Hattie May Robertson born May 3, 1878.

Second Generation

2. Hattie May Robertson born May 3, 1878, Red Point Prince Edward Island, married Garfield J. Stewart, born May 14, 1881, (son of Isaac A. Stewart and Margaret Cormac) occupation: Sales Agent, died October 14 1946, Elmira Prince Edward Island, interred at Kingsboro Prince Edward Island, in the East Point Baptist Church Cemetery. May died February 7 1969, Montague Prince Edward Island, interred at Kingsboro Prince Edward Island, in the East Point Baptist Church Cemetery.

Garfield was a prosperous farmer and for many years an agent for Massey Harris farm implements, as well as district representative for Ford automobiles. He died very suddenly of a heart attack while driving to conduct business in Elmira. He was found to have the presence of mind to pull the car over on the side of the road and shut the engine off when he felt the attack coming on. He was a member of the South Lake Christian Church.

Trudy, Norma, Muriel and Ma'

Ohe (Pruce Cramily of Ged Point (Prince Edward Asland 1840-1999 71