The McFarlane Family of Marshfield

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Gounesy of Joanne Ford John McFarlane and Dorothy by his retirement home.

Robert married Leila Ada Gill, and had children: Winnifred May, Willis, Olive, Gussie, Harold, Irwin, and Marion.

John Franklyn McFarlane was born in 1875 and died in 1963. He married Roberta Miller, and acquired the farm of William Arthur Miller, Roberta’s brother, in 1910. The Miller Farm is reported to have been one of the finest in the province at the time, and following the acquisition by John it continued to be a landmark in the community. The Millers had an excellent herd of Ayrshire cattle, and the McFarlanes carried on this tradition. As well as being a dairy farmer, John operated a blacksmith shop, the local Post Office, and was a Justice of the Peace. The dairy products from the farm would have been sold to the Cheese Factory in Dunstaffnage, and later to Health Pasteurized Dairy in East Royalty. Residents of Marshfield recall that the windows of the McFarlane home facing the road were always filled with geraniums in full bloom, even during the winter, unusual in the days without central heat. This was reported to be a modern progressive farm which provided its own water supply and lighting. The McFarlanes lived on this property until 1947 when it was sold to Raymond MacCallum, a Serviceman returning from WWII, and his wife Aldry Coles. At that time John McFarlane and his wife Roberta purchased a lot from Benjamin Mallett east of the Ernest Foster farm. They built

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a new home and lived there with their only child Dorothy. Dorothy did not marry, and lived with her parents, caring for them until their deaths.

Dorothy Jean McFarlane was born January 6, 1911, died April 3, 1999, and lived in Marshfield all of her life, with the exception of one year when she attended Acadia University in Wolfville, NS. to obtain her Senior Matriculation. Dorothy’s contributions to the community of Marshfield were many and varied. Being an accomplished musician, Dorothy taught students in her home and was organist at St. Columba Presbyterian Church in Marshfield for over fifty years. Her reputation as a seamstress brought her many customers, and she was a housekeeper and baby-sitter for families in the area. She provided room and board for the teachers of Marshfield School and acted as secretary of school trustees. Dorothy became blind in the latter years of her life, but in spite of this affliction she continued to live independently in her own home until the Fall of 1998. At that time it became apparent that Dorothy needed to be in a safer environment, and she became a resident of the Prince Edward Home in Charlottetown where she died April 6, 1999. She is buried in the family plot in the Community Cemetery, Marshfield. Dorothy used to tell the story that because she was sickly as a child, the doctor advised her parents to encourage her to work in the barn to strengthen her body. This must have been successful as she lived until her 89th year.

Dorothy and her parents were the guardians of a local girl, Joanne Lily, who became one of the noted vocal soloists in the area, undoubtedly influenced by Dorothy’s musical training. Joanne performed in concerts and competitions throughout the Province, and today still takes her place as a member of St. Columba Presbyterian Church Choir in Marshfield. She is married to Fred Ford of Harrington, with children Sharon and Derek. Joanne and Fred are the owners of the property where Dorothy and her parents once lived.

Submitted by Doris Wood

SOURCE

PAROPEI

Joanne (Lily) Ford

“Craggan” Fergusson History of Ann Coles St. Columba Presbyterian Church Records