The Freetown Patrons held a political meeting in Freetown Hall on 21 August 1896. Charles Bearisto was the chairman and introduced three speakers. Mr. D. Marshall, who spoke for over an hour on the reforms suggested by the Patrons of Industry, Mr. David Rogers and Mr. David Arbing. A bye—election was being held in Fourth Prince and the Patrons were holding meetings to promote their party platform.

The Patrons of Industry declined after 1896 in Freetown but did leave their mark. Besides temperance, they advocated co-operation between farmers to obtain cheaper prices on farm stock and implements and a united approach when marketing farm produce.

W.C.T.U. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union was started by Francis Willard. The movement was organized

on the Island around 1926. The Freetown W.C.T.U. began in Sept. 1928, and continued until the mid-seventies. The purpose ofthis group was to promote total abstinence from the use of addictive drugs, especially alcohol. One of their main objectives was to conduct National Temperance Courses. Many Freetown children wrote these examinations and were successful in winning many provincial and national awards. Many of Freetown’s children also participated in the annual scrapbook competition and were recognized at the annual Temperance Sunday, usually held at the Freetown United Church.

Some of the Freetown women who were active in this group were: Mrs. Eldon Drummond, Mrs. Alvin Stetson, Mrs. Everett Schurman, Mrs. Elmer Smith, Mrs. Edison Dammarell, Mrs. John Profitt, Mrs. George Jardine, Mrs. Frank Deacon, Miss Rene Arbing, Mrs. Hubert MacNeill, Mrs. Thomas Drummond, Mrs. Albert Stetson, Mrs. Basil Taylor and Mrs. Robert Jardine. This group ofwomen met monthly at various member’s homes in the community.

. BIRCH GROVE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE On February 9th, 1897, a group ofrural ladies from Stoney Creek, Ontario, formed the first Woman’s

Institute in Canada. At that time it was called the Farmers Institute, from there it broadened. On April lst,

1911, the first Women’s Institute was formed on P.E.I. at Marshfield. This was followed closely by Cornwall, York Pt. and Meadowbank.

On February 4th, 1932, agroup of ladies from Freetown gathered at the home oers. Everett Schurman, and formed the Birchgrove Women’s Institute with a membership of fifteen ladies. The first president was Mrs. Austin A. Scales and her executive consisted of Mrs. Everett Schurman, and Mrs. Clifton Matheson. The first directors were Mrs. George Jardine, Mrs. Austin Rogers and Mrs. John Reeves. Mrs. R. Brewer Auld and Mrs. Leslie Simmons were appointed auditors.

. s i a Birch Grove Women’s Institute 1952 Back row left to right: Polly Smith, Vera Taylor, Gladys Paynter, Myrtle Dammarell, Laura Smith. Second row: Anna Burns, Alice Perry, Florence MacNeill, Cecily Blanchard, Joyce Campbell, Blanche Jardine, Lucy Paynter, Mary Burns, Winnie Taylor, Hazel Paynter, Annie Paynter, Edna Gaudet.

Front row: Mattie Rogers, Mattie Campbell, Jennie Lewis, Ethel Curley, Mary MacEachern, Lillian Scales,

Rene Arbing, Bertie Jardine, Nettie Auld.

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