Introduction . . .The Bear River flows north into the Gulf of St. Lawrence in
Lot 44. Oral history states that Roderick MacDonald killed a 600 pound bear there ca. 1820 after a four-hour fight. The community of Bear River is northwest of Souris in
Lots 43 and 44. There was a post office here from 1876 until 1968. The school districts in 1880 were Bear River Road North and Bear River Road South.
A brief history . . .
The schooner
John Wallace wrecked 14 miles west of East Point with a load of flour aboard in 1834. Four of the eight survivors die a few days later at Bear River North, apparently of cholera.
At the height of Escheat agitation in Lots 44 and 45, a mob estimated at 200 persons forcibly reinstated evicted blacksmith Martin Heaney in his house, which belonged to proprietor Samuel Cunard, on March 17, 1843. It will take 80 soldiers and special constables to restore order in the area. A riot at Bear River occured on March 24. Over 200 angry settlers turned out to forcibly halt a survey of Lots 44 and 45. They send the surveyor packing and tear up his stakes. Later, an unknown arsonist burns the house of a wood ranger named MacGuire. A furious Governor Huntley offered a £200 reward for the arsonist and despatched 30 troops and a number of constables to restore order.
Interesting individuals associated with the community . . .
The Hon., Sir Samuel Cunard (1787-1865) was born at Halifax, N.S. in 1787. He was a Shipbuilder, a Shipowner, a Trader, a Militia Officer and a Proprietor. He had many business interests throughout the eastern British North American colonies. He founded the steamship line that continues today. He, by 1860, had bought large tracts of land on Prince Edward Island, including Lot 44, and was the largest land-owner on P.E.I. Mr. Cunard was a Member of the Nova Scotia Cabinet and Legislative Council. Two of his grandsons became Premier's of P.E.I. He died at London, England in 1865.
Today . . .
Aliant Cellular Tower
Peter Chaisson - Musician
Jasmine's Photo Art
Mike Lainey - Artist
Lily Pond Farms
Floyd MacCormack Painting
McCormack's Heating Service
Away from the area, just at the moment . . . Images from the Past & Present . . .
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Confederation Trail photo set |
Copyright
Waldron H. Leard
