More Georgetown Stories

1838—1899

untiring work and perseverance he erected a little brewery half-way up the hill between the church and the chapel, where he distilled about three hundred gallons last year, and had his malt ready for the same quantity this year. But suddenly his establishment was shut up and Duff walks about idly and listlessly, his head drooping on his breast (sic) and his long sinewy arms hanging inactive. A tax of £25. 115. 8d. recently imposed added to the lowering of the duty on imported gin, and a dozen taverns constantly selling smuggled stuff, have crushed Duff.” (Monitor May 21, 1863)

Thief Flogged at Georgetown

[A King’s County resident had been convicted of assault and theft and had been sentenced to imprisonment in Georgetown jail for three years with thirty-nine lashes to be administered at the beginning and end of his term. The first lashing at Georgetown is described here.) "To witness the whipping an immense concourse from all parts of the county attended- fathers bringing their own boys and their neighbour boys, so as forcibly to impress upon their young minds the terrible punishment awaiting crime. The prisoner was brought out of the jail, and his wrists securely fastened to the shafts of a wooden sleigh, the people looking on silently awaiting the appearance of the gentleman who would act as master of the ceremony. In a few minutes he made his appearance, holding in his hand a neatly -fashioned elastic handle to which was appended nine tails of small white cord. The gentleman, from Souris was disguised so that none knew at the time who he was. With scientific skill he let the cord fall from one to thirty-nine times on the back of the culprit. The prisoner was then conducted back to jail which he entered

evidently glad that so much of his punishment was over, and the people dispersed.” (Monitor, March31, 1864)

Fire at the Jail

“The prisoners in the Georgetown jail had a holiday on Thursday last. They had just partaken of their dinner of bread and water and were leisurely smoking their pipes, when a cry of “Fire” brought them to their feet. The church bell rang quick and loud and brought people to the spot. The roof of the building had ignited and the fire was fast spreading. It had caught from a spark or cinder from the chimney. The jailer, Heggs, was in a moment on the roof axe in hand, followed by his son, William Sanderson, Duff and others. Mrs. Heggs with true courage and presence of mind turned the key locking the prisoners in, singing out to them: ”Don't be afraid lads. If the fire gets the upper hand, you’ll be let out. You need not say your prayers yet”. She then threw open the yard gates to allow the people to get water which was speedily passed up the ladder by hand, a distance of fifty or sixty feet. Heggs and his eventually got the fire under control. Heggs like a veteran sapper (his deep gruff voice heard amidst the smoke and above the shouting) spoke out: ‘It would be a matter of great joy and rejoicing if not only this jail but every jail in the universe were destroyed, but from the time that Adam sinned the human heart has been deceitful and wicked, and man would go on committing crimes of the darkest dye were it not for the fear of the imprisonment and punishment that awaits him. Not until man’s nature is renewed may we look fowvard to this

world being without jails and penitentiaries. I thank you gentlemen for myself and fOr my country.’ A portion of the roof about ten feet square was destroyed, but has since been repaired at the expense of a few pounds.” (Edited by N.l-I.M. from Monitor, July 4, 1863)

Januagy Day in Georgetown, 1870

“Brightly sparkled the waters on the noble harbour of Three Rives on the 19th of January, 1870. Rude winter’s boisterous winds had curbed their wonted fury and tiny wavelets made their summerlike music as they gently kissed the soft, sandy shore. shore, still free from its icy circlet All nature appeared bright and beautiful. Even man had copied nature’s cheerful face and for the time cast dull care away and smiled in unison. All Georgetown seems wending its way to Queen's Wharf and thitherward let us follow the stream” [to the races] (Patriot, 19 Jan, 1882, reprinting a news item of January 1870 up to this point. But the January 1870 copies of the Patriot are not in the Archives and are perhaps lost forever. Apparently some boat races had been set up on this remarkable January day in Georgetown]

Georgetown Pro gresses

“Georgetown rejoices in two of the modern improvements of the age— a newspaper and a telegraph line. The Eistem Advocate is flourishing and doing good work for King’s County in its advocacy of increased mail communication which is much required throughout the Island. The telegraph office under the efficient management of an obliging operator, Mr. Prescott bids fair to be a success, two hundred messages having been sent from the Ist to the 13th inst. In spring and fall the business over the line is very considerable. A Steam Ferry boat on Montague River is among the wants of Georgetown, whence communication with the mainland could be kept up much longer than it is. So long as sailing vessels are arriving and clearing there daily there is nothing to prevent the mail steamers from making their regular trips.” (Patriot, Jan. 19, 1871)

Shipbuilding in Georgetown

“Mr. Fairchild has a steamer 80 feet long and 21 feet abeam on the stocks for the Georgetown ferry. The extreme width over the guards is 32 feet. The frame is of juniper, strong and well-put—together. The beams are of pitch pine. The steamer will be copper-fastened, launched next spring and go to Shediac for her machinery which is being manufactured in Saint John. The Hon. Dan Gordon has a large and substantiallybuild brigantine of 315 tons built , ready for launching and Capt. Sencabaugh has one partly in frame. Queen’s wharf is being widened and made solid for a considerable distance from the shore. If a part of the Square were converted into building lots and sold, it would promote the growth of Georgetown. The steamer will also greatly benefit the place.” (Patriot, Oct. 14, 1871)

‘ MacDonald House. 1835