grants to homesteaders, or Prince Edward Island where land was
available but only on a rental basis.

In Nova Scotia -- or New Scotland -- the land was free, but the
name would sound foreign to the ear of a Londoner, even one who
spent his early childhood years in Scotland. Prince Edward Island, on
the other hand, sounded almost like home. It was named for Prince
Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, (1767-1820), who subsequently led
the British military forces on the continent as Commander-in-Chief,
North America (1799-1800), with his headquarters in Halifax. Re-
member that Vere was born in Crayford, Kent, so there was a strong
association there.

However, the real clincher would be the fact the Prince Edward
Island option would be readily available through a local office of John
Cambridge in London.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Map cf Prince Edward Island, 1775

Britain gained control of Prince Edward Island from the French
in 1758. In 1774 PEI was divided into 67 lots and the British govern-
ment held a drawing and handed the property to individuals who
were to colonize and develop it. Some did a good job, but many of
them showed little interest in the land apart from collecting rent from
their tenants. John Cambridge was an exception. He bought Lot 64,
an area that included Murray Harbour, from Col. Richard Maitland
in 1797 and set out to develop it. Since his company was located in

27