GEORGE SOMERS
George Somers came to Freetown in 1931. He worked with several farmers including Richard Simmons, Arthur Perkins, Frank Deacon and Colby Lewis. He left Freetown in 1949 and worked in Halifax for about two years then he joined the R.C.A.F. He was stationed in several places in Ont. and Que. and was in Germany
for four years. He returned to the station at Trenton, Ont., where he retired in 1969. George played hockey with the Freetown Royals while working with Colby Lewis in Freetown.
George was b. 29 July 1919 at Central Bedeque, the son of Alfred and Hattie (Robbins) Somers, Moreside. He m. Helen Joyce, dau. of Andrew and Elsie (McPhee) Paynter on 30 Nov. 1940. Helen was b. 2 Mar. 1923. They had one dau. Diane Lynn b. 14 Dec. 1958. She m. Mark Ryan at Trenton, Ont. 29 Sept. 1984. They
are living in Edmonton and are moving to Grand Cache, both in Alta. Mark Ryan is employed with Alberta Correctional Services.
Submitted by George Somers
THOMAS STAVERT
Thomas Stavert was b. 1791 in Scotland. He m. Margaret Boa in Howick, Roxburyshire Ettrick, Scotland in 1820. They came to the Island of Saint John in 1821 and lived in Cascumpec for about a year. They moved to Wilmot (Creek) Valley in 1822. Staverts have lived in that area for over one hundred years. They were
the first settlers on the farm which was originally the property of William Schurman, the Loyalist, and is now owned in 1985 by Earle and Velda Hogg.
Thomas and Margaret (Boa) Stavert had a family of thirteen children. It is assumed that they are the progenitors of all the Staverts that are settled on Prince Edward Island.
2a Betsey, no record.
+2b John 1827—1898; n.m. 2c William m. Catherine MacMurdo. Both were b. in Kelvin Grove and lived there.
+2d Walter b. 26 Aug. 1823; d. 1910. He m. Henrietta Jardine (1829-1902) and lived in Kelvin Grove. 2e Robert (1830-1909) In. Eliza MacEwen (1832—1917). He was a banker in Summerside.
+2f James (1827-1906) 111. Ann Waugh (1835-1914) lived in North Bedeque and are bur. there.
2g George (1838-1909) In. 1. Jemima Clark (1846-1874). m. 2. Mary J. Campbell (1849-1925) lived in Summerside.
2h Thomas (1835-1920) In. Rachel MacMurdo and had twelve children. 2i Janette (1822-1910) m. Archibald MacMurdo (1821-1903).
2j Margaret m. William Green.
2k Ann 111. Samuel Waugh.
2] Peter (1841-1906) m. Elizabeth Auld, Freetown.
2m Catherine (1820-1907) m. 1. Robert Neill (1807-1846). m. 2. Andrew Humphrey (1829-1904) and lived in Kelvin Grove.
+2b John and 2f James Stavert 2b John and 2f James Stavert were from Wilmot Valley Creek and owned several parcels of land in
Freetown. They purchased 250 acres from Richard Hutchinson, Newcastle, N.B. on the main Freetown Road on 19 Mar. 1855 for 140 pounds. James and wife, Ann, sold 125 acres (code 44) to John Walker in 1874 for
$2108.89. It is believed that they lived on this property. John sold the remaining 125 acres (code 45) to Marcus Deacon from North Wiltshire in 1875 for $2595.55.
They owned 75 acres in Lot 26, code 97 which they bought from Thomas Hooper in 1858. It was located west of the Dunk River Road. They sold this land in three parcels. One parcel of 40 acres was sold to David Reeves in 1868 and another of 10 acres to David Reeves in 1880. In 1878 they sold 23 l/2 acres to Constantine Greenan. This was located south of the Dunk River as the old division line was located some distance south of the river in what is now known as Newton.
In 1875 James Stavert and Ann (Waugh) Stavert purchased a farm in North Bedeque by the shore from Joseph Rogers where Ivan Birch now lives.
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