Georgetown Stories : 1786-1844 6

Murder at Three Rivers

“An inquest was held on Friday last, at Three Rivers, before Daniel Hodgson, Esq., coroner, in view of the body of Joseph Lewis, an indian. it appeared in evidence that on Monday evening previous, the deceased and his son, a boy about 11 years of age, crossed in a canoe from Wightman’s to Livingston Bay in company with another Indian, well known by the name, Tom Williams, and his squaw, all except the boy being in state of intoxication. On their reaching the shore and as Louis was stepping out of the canoe, Williams said, “I will shoot you for stabbing my son--- that will be paying you off”, and immediately he discharged his fowling piece at him, the contents of which lodged in his lungs causing instant death. it appeard that Williams had entertained an old grudge against the deceased and had attempted to take his life before for having some yeas ago stabbed his son with a knife. Williams has absconded. Verdict: wilful murder.” (Royal Gazette Sept. 4, 1838). Williams was later given up by the Lennox island Band and sentenced to death.

Lewellin Candidacy

J.L. Lewellin (whose main property holdings were in Sturgeon/Gasperaux became a candidate for election in the Georgetown district in 1838. He claimed that as a former member of the House in 1829-30, he was the first to get Georgetown on its feet having succesfully applied for a £100 grant at that time. Lewellin had bought property in the town and Royalty. At the election, however, Lewellin failed to secure sufficient votes.

‘ Naval Ships in Georgetown

Naval ships appeared in Georgetown harbour in November, 1838, giving some hopes that Georgetown might become a naval base. (Royal

Gazette, Nov. 6, 1838)

American Fishermen Defended

Georgetown citizen, John Thomson, defended the American fishermen who had come in masses to the port. Rebutting a letter from a Georgetown resident sent to the Herald and published on Oct.13th, he said the fisherman were not abusing anyone’s rights but came to the port as a refuge from storms and to get barnacles off. When the weather clears they [usually] go off even with only one side debarnacled. Not much fishing is done. .. Thomson claimed, only an occasional lobster for personal use. (Royel Gazette, Oct.16, 1 838)

Public Meeting, 1839

The public meeting in Georgetown in January 1839 was chaired by J. L. Lewellin. The goverment was to be petitioned for part of the returns form sale of crown lands for the relief of the town. Rev. R. McAulay was present and made a motion re. the necessity of building a school house and a market house and [also said] that agricultural fairs should be established. (Royal Gazette, Feb. 6, 1839) There was much satisfaction that Georgetown had been designated a free port.

More American Fishing Boats

“There were fifty sail of American vessels in Georgetown on Saturday last, all full laden with herrings from the Magdalen Islands and estimated to have on board 20,000 barrels. ” (Royal Gazette, June 4, 1839)

Harbour Master

The Royal Gazette reported Aug. 10, 1839 that Joseph Wightman had been appointed Three Rivers harbour master.

Georgetown Total Abstinence Society

The formation of a Georgetown Total Abstinence

Society was reported in the Reyal Gazette, Aug. 20, 1839. The pledge was to abstain from