tury, many young women from Lot 16 made the journey to the ‘Boston States’ to seek gainful employment and better opportunities. Some became successful businesswomen but, whatever their fate, most who travelled abroad never returned

to the community.

For all his authority, a pioneer man without a woman had a hard row to hoe. Clothing and food weren’t available at the corner store. Women wove the cloth and sewed the clothing. They spun the wool and knit the socks, mittens, and sweaters that protected against the cold Island winters. Women made

The women of Lot 16 still play a vital role in bringing a sense of community to the rural area. The New Rural Economy Study, carried out by the University of Mount Allison in 2001, reflected that 51 percent of the women of Lot 16 participate in or voiced opinions on community issues.15

The New Rural Economy Study survey also showed that the community has a high rate for volunteerism and the over~ all stress rate of nine percent is lower than National and Atlantic averages.16

the soap from the fat drippings and lye to wash their clothing, clean their homes, and themselves. They quilted the bedding and made the candles that lit the houses at night. Women and children tended gardens and women canned the produce for the winter months. They picked berries, tend- ed the livestock, worked in the fields, and cared for the children, the elderly, and the sick. A wise man had great respect for his wife.

Little changed in the home over the years other than conditions became easier and women had more equipment with which to do their work. Those early women, for all their lack of authority, did incredible work to keep the community institutions of the school and church oper- ating. This fact is reflected time and again throughout the following story of church history.

14 LOT 16 UNITED CHURCH AND ITS PEOPLE