Worrell Estate was purchased by the Government of the day to promote its 'Land Purchase Act .' Bought for £14,000 at the time of purchase, the Estate comprised the entire Parish of St. Patrick in Kings County, and five full townships: Lots 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42. (67) This provided an opportunity for many farmers in the St. Peters area to buy their farms. From this 1851 advertisement in the Islander, however, it is evident that some land in Greenwich was sold before the Worrell Estate was purchased by the Government in 1854: "Free Farms make happy Homes" (68) LAND FOR SALE The Subscriber respectfully intimates to intending Emigrants And others, that he has received instructions to offer at sale, by Public Auction, during the ensuring summer (of which due notice will be given in the newspapers,) portions of that beautifully situated property known as part of the Greenwich Estate, Township Forty, on the delightful St. Peters Bay in King's County, comprising Twelve Farms, of one thousand acres, and seventeen hundred acres of fine Woodland, divided into blocks of from 75 to 150 acres each. The situation of these properties is convenient to the Main Roads, also to Church, Mill and Stores; and distant about Thirty Miles from Charlottetown , the capital of the Colony. Its rivers abound with Sea Mamnes and Salmon and other fish are to be caught in season, free to the sporting fishermen. This desirable Property is well worth the attention of either the large or small Capitalist, and none need despair of success, if industrious, and practically acquainted with Agriculture. Persons wishing to treat for any of the above Lands, will please apply, if by letter, post-paid, to WILLIAM DOUSE Charlottetown, P. E. Island Land Agent March 4, 1851 A NOTORIOUS AND OUTRAGEOUS RIOT In the early years of British settlement political instability was the rule. Divisions between ambitious local leaders, absentee landlords, Protestants and Catholics, and Scots and Irish ran very deep. (69) It was not uncommon for these tensions to surface in a show of violence. Electoral riots were endemic in a deeply divided society where open voting and district by district polling was the rule. (70) Rioting was a common occurrence and merely a part of the politics of the day. In 1823, controversy over an unexpected tax demanded by landowners arose. St. Peters was one of the three locations* for meetings * The other two locations were Charlottetown and Princetown (present day Summerside ). 18