About the Author                                                       
Map: The Carleton County Grant Lots Nos. 32 & 33    21 July 1807       
Map: Wakefield                                                         
Map: Victoria 1876                                                     

Chapter 1.  The Beginning (Notes by dates)                          

Chapter 2.  Poems: The Village Blacksmith and Peg Leg Jack       

Chapter 3.  Businesses in Victoria                              

Chapter 4.  1934 Prize-Winning Essay "History of Victoria, N.B."
                 (1) by Mabelle Haywood
                 (2) by Wendell Cook
                 (3) History of Victoria by Jean Haywood

Chapter 5.       Churches:  Salvation Army                        
                            Free Christian Baptist (now United Baptist)
                            New Brunswick Bible Institute
                            Reformed Baptist (Wesleyan)

Chapter 6.  ALPHABETICAL List of Victoria Corner residents          

Chapter 7.  1851 Census, Psh. Wakefield, Carleton County, NB in part    
            1871 Census, Psh. Wakefield, Carleton County, NB in part
            1870-1871 Victoria Directory
            1901 Census, Psh. Wakefield, Carleton County, NB in part

Chapter 8.  Victoria Corner School                                   

Chapter 9.  Military                                                 

Chapter 10. Cemetery                                                   

Chapter 11. Steve's Battle for the Union                    

Pictures:
Front Cover - Victoria Corner 1889                               
Back Cover - Victoria Corner 1889                                  
Henry and Jane (nee Haywood) Helms and child                                            
Reformed Baptist Church                                         
Will and Lula Haywood house                                     
Will and Lula Haywood 60th Wedding Anniversary                   
Frederick James Boyer house                                  

They Made the Supreme Sacrifice:                      
     Robert Albright, Arlo Farnham, Eric Haywood, Ivan Orser,
     Arthur Shaw
     Militia in Sussex 1911                                                 95

 
            

Chapter 1 - The Beginning
                   


  I believe that it is important to know one's roots, be they genes or 
geography, to help us understand who we are & to keep us humble; 
thus this ongoing attempt to do a History of Victoria Corner.


 
    Victoria Corner, nestled along the St. John River, has been called
the most beautiful little village along the valley.



    My earliest date concerning this village mentions the
Presqu'ile Military Post erected in 1790's in Simonds, which states
that Victoria Corner was a rendezvous point when there was danger of
war with the United States.  British Empire Loyalists had received
land grants which were occupied from about 1800 to 1810. They were the
Shaws, Yorks, Boyers  Dickinsons.   Probably the first businesses
would be the FARMERS.  The descendants of these people may be found
here today. Some of them are: the ALBRIGHT's, the COOK's, the TIBBITTS's,
FARNHAM's, HALLETT's, COX's, BUBAR's



    It formerly was known as BOWYER'S CORNER for Charles BoWyer, a
land grantee here.  We are told that THE VILLAGE OF WAKEFIELD of old
is the Victoria of today.  Named for Queen Victoria, it has been
VICTORIA CORNER Post Office since 1850.  True natives refer to this
village as THE CORNER.  'nough said!



    1811: first tombstone in cemetery for a Mrs. Boyer (nee Mary
Simms) who came with the Empire Loyalists, although this cemetery was
probably in use before this first stone was erected, according to Rev.
Fred Burnett. The cemetery was property of Baptist Church, and some of
property was deeded by the Letson family.  Fall, 1992, Etta Faulkner
had a sign made for this cemetery, and Reg Cook dug the post holes.



    About 1839 James R. Tupper had a large store at Wakefield
(Victoria Corner), which was the rendezvous for certain companies of
militia during the boundary excitement. Tupper was a man of prominence
in the community.  When the second battalion (Carleton) was organized
he held the place of paymaster. Besides his immediate business
interests he had many of the mail contracts and it was under contract
with him that the troops were moved from Woodstock to Edmundston
during the Trent Affair.  No doubt they stopped in Victoria Corner.



    In the early days there was a hotel at Wakefield, conducted by
one Mrs. John Moran (in what was known later as the Albright house)
called "The Moran House", or "The Town Tavern".  They kept a bar room
in the hotel, and one night some men were fighting in the hotel and 
one man was murdered.  The stage coaches would stop here.



    As showing the comparatively low price of land, it is
interesting to learn that a leading resident and businessman of the
location now covered by VICTORIA CORNER, bought 17 acres of land lying
between the main highway and the St. John River for 17 pairs of long
legged boots.  Of late years we have all experienced the high price of
even short legged boots (or for a pair of boots), would seem to be
unequal BARTER.



BARTER




    Speaking of BARTER, we hear a lot nowadays of THE UNDERGROUND
ECONOMY.  When you stop to think about it, that was the way a lot of
business was carried on.  There was not a lot of money, CASH, as we
know it today, and often BARTER was the means of business.  A merchant,
doctor, clergyman, often received produce from the farm as payment for
goods or services rendered.


    I recall that my dad and many others paid off their taxes by working
on the roads.  The men would drive the horse-drawn wagons to the
gravel pit at Uncle Henry Elliott's, load gravel and then haul it to
where the roads needed repair, spreading the gravel with shovel and
rake.



    I am sure many a child went to the store with an egg to exchange
for a treat.  What a decision it was!  Looking at that candy counter
at Boyer's Store with the candies under the glass case - what to pick
- a sucker, licorice pipe, b-b-bat.  When our parents had a penny to
spare, this was used to buy our treat.





PUCKER STREET




    On the road leading from the Main Highway towards Rosedale, it is
said, lived a very proud family,  the two Cox girls, whose father was
a brother to Nathan Cox, puckered and primped so that they named the
street "Pucker Street". Or often it was referred to as "THE LANE, "a
maple-lined lane their branches formed a natural canopy over the road
making this indeed an idylic romantic spot " that once stretched over
the horizon is now a gravel road with all the beauty of the mighty
trees removed without a trace. These maple trees were planted by 
Mark Haywood.



                           
ENTERTAINMENT




    During the winters of 1868 and 1869 a number of literary lectures
were given at Victoria in connection with the British Templar's
Lodge.  The first one was by James Watts, the second by Rev. Edwin
Mills on "Great Britain", the next by L. P. Fisher on "Education", and
another by Rev. Joseph Bleakney, on the "Siege of Londonderry".



    The old hall, owned by Charles M. Shaw, has been a place of many
entertainments and good times.  In former years The Orange Lodge was
organized at Victoria and held its meetings there.



    SOFTBALL was a favourite passtime during the 1930's. The 
village would get up a team, hire someone to drive them to nearby 
communities for a ball game.  Remember, money was scarce and they had to 
make their own fun.  Sometimes they would play cards at various homes and 
have a lunch.



                             
THE MILL ROCKS




    An account of entertainment in the community would not be complete
without stating that swimming in the St. John River was probably the
most enjoyable pass-time spent by children of the community.  Of
course one couldn't swim just anywhere.  It had to be at THE MILL
ROCKS, the site of the mills there.  Steel pipes can still be seen
embedded in the rock.  What a wonderful time we had wiling away lazy
sunny days.  It would not be unusual for us kids to take a lunch with
us to the MILL ROCKS.  Not the fancy foods found in many lunch buckets
today.  Mariella and I would take mustard sandwiches and for a drink we
would concoct something resembling 'pop' by mixing vinegar, baking
soda, a little sugar and water.  Yuk!



    Aunt Mariella & Etta decided to swim over to the island when we
were ten years old.  There was no one else at the mill rocks.  We were
as unconcerned as could be.  If my sons had done this trick I would
have been very worried indeed!



    In the 30's-40's practically all of the younger children did not
own bathing suits.  Girls would wear old dresses; younger boys would
wear old pants, or no pants at all.  My cousin recently told me that
when she was a very young girl, she had 2 pair of bloomers.  The older
pair could be worn in swimming.  One day she forgot to take home her
better pair.  Needless to say her mother was not pleased!  Russell
Boyer spent much of his time canoeing over to Sproul's Island.
He spied the bloomers and returned them, but not to the rightful owner.


   
 When George Somers was 80 years old, he still went swimming at 
the mill rocks, in his longjohns!



  CYCLING:  Oscar Haywood won several bicycle races, including the
time that he competed in a race from Woodstock post office to the
Hartland post office.  He rode his bicycle against a horse - and he won!



   SKATING on the river was also an enjoyable winter entertainment.



   SLIDING down Pucker Street, across the main highway, and down 
the mill road was such fun on our sleds or toboggans, too.

                            
 HORSES



   
 VICTORIA CORNER, winter c1920: Neighbours would take teams of
horses down the Mill Rocks Road. They would cross to the upper side of
the island just south of the Pole Hill Road, clear off the racing area
with a road grader, holding races on Wednesday evenings.  Some men who
raced were Dr. Lorne McIntosh, Bill McLeod, Kenneth Keith.


  
  HAYWOOD's team, Nick & Rowdy, were breaking a trail. The ice was
snapping and cracking and the horses went through the ice. Claude Seeley
(had heart trouble), but he raced up the hill and harnessed his horses
(where Harold Cox lives) and people kept the horses's heads out of the
water and the Seeley team pulled them out.


 
   Willie SOMERS was especially fond of horses.  He was for ever
purchasing a new horse.  He said that if it wasn't for the fact that
he was against gambling, he would dearly have loved being a jockey.
In fact, he was the last person to deliver milk in Chicago by horse and
wagon.



                             
SCHIVAREE
  
     What ever happened to the custom of having a CHIVAREE when a
couple gets married?  It used to be the custom that when a newly
married couple spent the first night in the community the neighbours
would gather outside the home, bang on tin cans, ring bells, make
whatever noise they could, demanding that the newlyweds appear.  The
groom was also expected to provide a treat for the revellers - nuts and
hard tack candy were the usual fare.




                             
CHRISTMAS




     CHRISTMAS 1896 was spent in the new Boyer house owned by
Frederick James Boyer and wife Jennie MacLeod Boyer, also included
his parents, James William Boyer and his wife Sarah Helen Lovely, as
well as nine month old Ada Boyer McCann Flemming.


    
    In the late 1930's-40's it was the custom of Fred Boyer to
invite the children of the community to their home where the
children would be ushered into the living room which contained a
huge Christmas tree nicely trimmed.  Under the tree were bags of
treats for the visiting children, which included Mariella and Etta.


    
     Perhaps the reader won't believe that it is possible to iron
icicles!  Actually, about 1940 at the Will Haywood home, Mabelle 
had her sister and niece ironing celophane icicles for the Christmas 
tree. We used the old fashioned irons heated on the wood stove! We also
fashioned decorations by cutting star-shapes from cardboard and
covering these with foil saved from tea packages and attaching string
to hang these ornaments on the Christmas tree.



    During the depression, Don Haywood rescued an old handsled
discarded by the Boyer family.  He repaired the runner, then painted
the sled when his daughter was asleep.  Christmas morning the child
looked at the sled, then said, "It isn't broke now, is it Daddy?"


                                       



    HALLOWE'EN has been observed in this village in several 
ways.Among the pranks pulled have been moving outhouses.  It has been
told to this author that one Hallowe'en, Mrs. Guy Birmingham, in her
nightgown, laid on the couch on their porch because in the previous
year the 'kids' had carried it away.  This certain night, Mrs.
Birmingham was carried, couch and all, down to the Corner.  I have
been told that my dad was one of the culprits!



    My recollection of Hallowe'en is the party held in the evening
at the school house, where I was wearing a crepe-paper dress made by
the mother.  We bobbed for apples; no matter that the dress got wet
and crinkled.



    In recent years the community would host a Hallowe'en Party in
the Women's Institute Hall, with games and treats for the children.





                          
     OTHER SHENANEGANS



    Some youngsters in the community thought they would play a prank
on people leaving the church after dark.  They cut down small trees,
stood holding the trunk of the tree and would walk along the road, much
to the surprise of the pedestrians.


 
   Roy was a mischievous youngster.  At church, before there were
pews installed the people sat in chairs.  Several ladies were sitting
in the row ahead of him.  He took the belt of one woman's coat and tied
it to the chairs.  When she got up during the hymn she took chairs and
all!



    Some kids decided to go into the school one night and re-arrange the
furniture.  It started out innocently enough.  However, when moving
the teacher's desk it came apart.  Frightened, the youngsters thought
maybe they would be sent to jail.  Etna said, "I'm not afraid.  Rex
was in jail once & he said it wasn't bad."  Etna and Ray then hurried to
Herbie's home as he was responsible for building the fire in the
school house stove and they pursuaded him to say that the desk had come
apart when he was cleaning the room.



  CUTTING RIVER ICE:  Another time in late March, Walter 
Hatfield and Nathan Cox were cutting ice on the river and the team went 
through the ice.  Frank Shaw went up to Nathan Cox, who had an axe in his 
hand, and took the axe from his hand, then said, "Can I borrow your axe?" 
Nathan replied, "Well, you got it haven't you?" With the axe he chopped 
and got the horses out. Nathan is Ken's father.



    SPRUCE GUM was harvested - one-half ton in 1876 in
Carleton County, and expect one-half to be exported to Boston where it
is worth 30 cents a pound. (In 1930's at Victoria Corner Etta and her
mother used to gather spruce gum and chew it.  Could buy it locally in
stores in 1940's)



                            
SICKNESS




    1918: "VICTORIA CORNER - Flu raging at Victoria Corner.  Early
this week Hartland Women's Institute took the situation into
consideration & quickly bountiful hampers of edibles were supplies
through this source, coming at a time when the local contingent was
beginning to realize the serious outlook.  What with soups and dishes
of similar tasty and nourishing nature and the running to and fro among 
12 or 15 homes, some people were just about convinced they had their
hands quite full. This timely aid was followed by many others in and
around Hartland, so that all is well & the situation well in hand.
Quite naturally, the West Side is very grateful. 'At Somers'
(this is how printed), that grand old man George himself, is doing 
heroic work singlehanded with three families on his hands, numbering 
12 patients and is bringing them through O.K. so far."



    Don Haywood remembers this 'flu epidemic but he thought it was
1919 but paper says 1918.  George Somers and  Rex Haywood 
were the only ones not sick. Elliott family were at Somers' 
also. When asked how things were he said, "Everyone is down except 
Rex (Haywood) and myself, and he's trying to get down!" (The explanation 
of the last phrase is that Rex, being quite small and in the spare bedroom 
was a big stove pipe and Rex had managed to get into this pipe, with just
his arms hanging out and there he was stuck.)



    Mrs. Birmingham, an excellent cook, sent down some custard. Don
thought that was the worst food he had ever eaten.  He now loves
custard - it was just that everyone was so sick that food had no
appeal.  Don says that during the 'flu epidemic they had to get some
firewood from the school to use.  George Somers went from house to
house tending the sick.



    In the winter of 1919, 52 cases of the 'flu broke out in Victoria.
The nurse was Miss Horseman from Saint John.  She went about from
house to house nursing.  She had had 38 years of experience.



    Today we grumble about our HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.  Think what it must
have been like in the olden days!  There never has been a hospital in
Victoria but somehow many people survived.  Usually each community had
someone to turn to when illness occurred.  When I was born, Aunt
Marion Somers-Elliott, a practical nurse, was called in to help.
There was E. W. Perry, M.D., graduate of Dartmouth Medical College,
H.H., opened an office at Victoria Corner (Ref. 21 July 1877, Carleton
Sentinel, Woodstock, N. B.).  Dr. Perry and his father, Rev. John Perry
were actively connected with the Sunday School movement. I recall that
a Dr. McIntosh of Hartland owned property in Victoria when I was a
baby. Then Dr. Walter Chestnut was our doctor.



    Since the 1980's The Extra Mural Hospital Service & Home Makers
provided by our government have helped to meet the nursing needs of
this community.



    1929-1934 DEPRESSION ERA - Nearly every family was affected 
by the collapse of the economy.  Farmers were much better off that the 
common labourer who only owned his home & an acre of land. Don and 
Violet Haywood did own their little house on The Lane with a little 
garden patch.  The first winter was rough.  They had very little to eat.  
Don took work wherever he could find it doing farm work.  He worked for
Dr. McIntosh on the property next door for 45 cents a day.  Often at
the end of the week there was no cash.  Maybe a pound of butter.  That
next fall they raised a pig, raised and stored vegetables, hunted deer
just to have enough to eat.



    LEAVE HOME TO FIND WORK:  
Around the turn the centure several families went west to find
work.  Among them were Jane Haywood and her husband, Henry HELMS, 
and Jane's sister, Betsy who went to Washington state to work in 
lumbering and sawmills.



    In 1911 Will & Eric Haywood worked in the harvest in Folkstone,
Alberta.  Many others did the same, including my Grandfather London in
1911 went west.



    In the 1920's and 30's many local people, including Will & Roy
Haywood, went to Detroit to work.  One year 750 train tickets were
sold in Hartland to local people heading west.  Many of these same
people returned during the Great Depression.



    My Uncle Rex was among those who "rode the rails" west to work in
the grain harvest before WW2.



    Again in the late 1940-50's, many migrated to Ontario to work in
the auto industry.




    WATER IS SCARCE: A summer etched in their memory was one when
water was at a scarcity. Springs everywhere were dried up and the river
itself was at a long time low.  From the shore line to Victoria Island
a dry river bed was all that could be seen.  Walking from shore to
shore continuing across the river, all that remained for water that
summer was a small stream behind the Island where the water didn't
even come up to a person's knees.  On the dry bed, many "pevey poles"
could be seen lying where they had been lost when the river previously
carried water and logs.  "Pevey poles are the sticks used to roll the
logs, being long in length with a large hook on one end.)



    The WORST WINTER remembered was in the year 1934 when the snow
fell with a vengeance, accompanied by high winds, day after day. The
community was confined to their homes and forced to wait for a reprieve
in the weather.  During this onslaught, a baby developed pneumonia and
the doctor was summoned from Hartland.  The sleigh carrying the doctor
sped across the drifts, which were so firmly packed that the horse
never broke through their hard surface. Unfortunately, time had run
out for the young life and at a mere seven months old, the baby passed
away and was buried in the local cemetery. When a path was dug through
the snow to the final resting place, the bereaved family and friends
walked down it's path, with only the tops of their heads visible over
the tall white drifts.



    GRIST: When the men wished to take grist to Waterville they
filled a bag, threw it over their shoulder and would walk all the way
there on a narrow path through the woods.



    TOW BOATS: In about 1835 they ran tow boats from Fredericton to
Andover. They carried provisions for the people and shopped there, 
and one of the first men to run the boat was Anson Birmingham, Harry
Birmingham's grandfather.  This was the main means of transportation
in the early settlement days.



    After the tow boat stopped the ferry boat started going across the
river by Nathon Cox's.  This was the only way that the Victoria people
had to cross the river.  Each person had to pay so much to go across.
It was run by Henry Foster, Robert Paget and afterwards by Kirb Shaw and
Murray Shaw.



    The boat was run up until the Hartland bridge was built in 1901.



    The STAGE COACH:  went from Fredericton to Andover.
They carried the mail and passengers.  They drove very fast and about
every twelve miles would change horses.



    FENIAN RAID OR MICKEY RIOTS:  In 1847 Mark Haywood was involved in
a skirmish called The Fenian Raid in Woodstock.  He was shot in the
derriere with buckshot from a musket fired by a Mr. McCarron of
Newburg.  McCarron sent word to Haywood that he meant that shot for
his heart.  Mark sent McCarron a message saying that he didn't wear
his heart in his ass!  Excuse, but that is how it was told to me by my
grandfather.



    At Victoria Corner, Charlie York's grandmother lived in a house
across from where Bill Palin lives.  The Irish put dynamite under
their doorway.  Mark Haywood caught the man(who?) responsible and put
him to the river.  The dynamite did not go off.


    
    In about 1835 Victoria was larger than Hartland and more business
was done. The people came over here to shop, to get their mail and to go
to church and Sunday School.


                                   
    The first STOVE  owned in Victoria was by George Boyer. One
woman whose son had bought her a stove.  Not knowing where to build
the fire she built it in the oven.



     The first CAR to pass through Victoria was owned by Dr. I. B.
Curtis of Hartland.  F. J. Boyer was the first man in Victoria to own
a car in 1910, a Buick.



    In 1908 the Tercentenary took place in Quebec, celebrating the
founding of Quebec.  It had then been founded 300 years.  The only
people to attend from Victoria were Russell Boyer and William Haywood.
They saw the Prince of Wales, who is now King George, Lord Roberts and
his daughter, Lady Ellen Roberts.



    6 May 1918 was the Coronation of King George.  Russell Boyer
attended & was gone three months.



    Mrs. Fred Boyer visited Flanders Field.



    ELECTRIC LIGHTS came to Victoria in 1927.



    RADIO came to Victoria in 1930.



    BUS: In the summer of 1926 & 1927 a bus ran through here from
Fredericton to Bath.



    TERRIBLE ACCIDENT: Victoria's most terrible accident happened 
on the 24th of August, 1932, when the Woodstock fire truck went off the
road across from George Somers' home.  Hamilton Johnston was the
driver.  He was killed almost instantly.  The others were Wightman B.
Manzer, secretary of Woodstock Fire Department.  He suffered a broken
ankle.  James MacDonald had a leg and several ribs broken.  John Sherman
died later in Fisher Memorial Hospital. John Brown had a wrist broken.
Allison Westall and Grenville Colwell had no bones broken. They were on
their way to Florenceville to help put out the fire on the
Florenceville bridge.




    1889 Dec. 14: - Carleton Sentinel:




    NARROW ESCAPE Dr. E. W. Stevenson of Hartland had a very narrow
escape from drowning on Monday.  He started from the east side of
the river to walk over to Victoria Corner and when a little more than
half way across the ice suddenly began breaking up and moving. The
doctor turned to retrace his steps which of course was now
exceedingly difficult; however, by dint of running, leaping and
creeping, he succeeded in getting so near the shore that Messrs. B.
N. Shaw and A. McMullin who had seen his danger and hurried to the
rescue, were enabled to reach him with boards and thus afford him a
measure of escape.  The doctor was thoroughly prostrated and he
certainly had a close call.



    1892: In Carl Rigby's "History of Hartland".."in about 1892, the
Shaw's connection with the mill, all went to Washington State."  (Is
this when Betsy Haywood and her sister Jane  and husband 
Henry Helms went to Washington State?



    1895 April 22:  the Free Christian Baptist Church was burned.
Sixteen other buildings were burned.  Oscar Thistle, while trying to
rescue a cow, was burned so severely that he died two weeks later.
(Ref. Mabelle Haywood)



    1909 Jan. 15: The Highwayman: "Experience of Mr. Stephen
McMullin of Hartland, N.B., aged 82 ..."I was blown ashore at
Woodstock on a raft of logs 21 years ago, and spent that first evening
in the bar rooms.  I hunted up a lot of rowdies, my old chums, and we
had a usual "good time".  Little did I think that night that I was
having my last drink. The following evening, however, I fell in with
the Salvation Army on the street and followed the music to their "open
air".  It was while Capt. McClein was singing that an arrow of
conviction, like lightning from heaven, pierced my heart.  Nine
years previous, I had watched my sainted father die, and received his
last exhortation without shedding a tear, but now I could not
refrain.  I resolved on the spot that never again would I raft logs
on Sunday, nor drink, nor swear and I kept this vow.  I did not know
what caused such a pain in my heart and began to think it must be
heart disease.  So I asked my rafting chum, who was thus afflicted,
next day: "I wish you would tell me what your symptoms are, as I
fear I have the same trouble."  "Well," replied he, "I have spells,
and feel like I am smothering."  "But mine is only a short pain," I
said. The following Sunday, however, the Army "opened fire" at
Victoria Corner and there was no keeping me home.  I was at their all
day meeting & even went out for prayer, but could not seem to pray
myself.  The Devil said to me, "There is plenty of time." and I 61
years old!  "Do you use tobacco?" asked the Capt.  "No" I replied.
"Well, I don't see what is holding you; you had better go home and
read your bible."  I took her advice & began with Ezek...



    1914:  Miss Ella Slipp, who has spent a number of weeks at her
home here... Lula & Will Haywood named their daughter, 
Ella Slipp Haywood, after this Ella, a missionary.



    c1918 VICTORIA (Observer): Since its organization some 30 years
ago (c1888) or more the Reformed Baptist Church of Victoria has had
a home in the Orange Hall. During the past few months arrangements
have been made to provide a proper & convenient place of worship,
that will be a comfort and credit to their earnest and active little
Christian body.  The site chosen for this edifice is the Sanford W.
Shaw lot at the corner of Main & Pucker Streets and the material to be
used for the body of the church will be a product of the Hartland
Cement Co."



    1945 Dec.: - ARE FREED FROM JAP PRISON CAMP - Included in a
group of 15 men liberated a few days ago from a Japanese prison camp
were two from Carleton County: Rfmn. W. H. Rideout and Rfmn. D. J.
Albert, both of Bath.  They were taken prisoner on Christmas Day,
1941, while serving with the Royal Rifles of Canada.



    Large Group of Local Soldiers Arrive Home: The largest group of
N.B. soldiers to arrive in Canada from overseas as yet, landed in
Halifax on Sunday when the Duchess of Bedford docked with more than
1,100 officers, nursing sisters, C.W.A.C. members and soldiers from
Military District No. 7. Included in the group were the following
from Hartland:  Pte. D. H. Clendenning, Pte. K. R. Cox, Sgt. C. I.
Clarke (Victoria Corner), Sgt. D. L. Cronkite, Tpr. G. E. Doherty,
Cfm. G. S. Ellis, B.B.M.G.I. Gillin, C.Q.M.S. A. C. Miller, Pte. E.
K. Rideout, Pte E. S. Pelkey (Peel); Gnr W H Stockford (Coldstream);
Gnr. P. E. Smith (Victoria).



    1952 Jan. 27: "CANADIAN TRADE COMMISSIONER SLAIN - Rioters in
Cairo Kill J. M. Boyer, Former N.B. Man - Canada Will Protest To
Egypt Through U.K.; Two Others Die as Mobs Burn City's Fashionable
British Turf Club.



    Ottawa, Jan. 27 - Canada will make an official protest against
rioting which led to the death of Joseph MacLeod Boyer, Canadian
Trade Commissioner, killed in Cairo Saturday, diplomatic officials
said today.



    Since Canada has no direct diplomatic link with the Egyptian
government, the protest will be made through the United Kingdom,
officials said.



    But no other action is being planned against Egypt, though
officials here were deeply moved buy the report that the 54-year old
commissioner was a victim of anti-foreign demonstrations in Cairo.



    H. W. Cheney, acting director of the trade commissioner service,
said the report of the death was "a tremendous shock".  Officials in
Cairo had said only a short while ago that they thought they could
ride through the uprising without being molested.



    It was believed to be the first such killing in Canadian trade
commissioner history. There had been other deaths in the worldwide
service, but none involved the same set of circumstances which saw a
Canadian become a victim in a split between two other powers.



    Mr. Boyer, a veteran of two world wars, was not the kind of man
to incite hatred or ill-feeling, his trade department colleagues
said. Tall and spare, he was reserved and hard-working, ever mindful of
his duty.



    Reports from Cairo said Mr. Boyer, a native of Victoria, N. B.,
was among three men who died when the rioting mobs burned the
fasionable British Turf Club in the centre of Cairo.



    The body has been identified by C. E. Butterworth, 27, of
Ottawa, assistant trade commissioner at Cairo. (picture of MacLeod
also in this newspaper original)



    MacLeod's son, Fred James Boyer born c1924-died c1999  (worked for 
American Airlines, Toronto); daughter Harriet born c1928 married Ralph 
Robinson, Moncton. Mrs. Boyer was in Cairo with her husband and safe.



    In "The Way It Was" (by Woodstock school students) - James York pg
133, 159, 182; James York in 2nd book near end; see VICTORIA pg 225 by
Tom Grant; see "Turner" pg 133 by Joanne Voye; Military page 132;
Bradley pg 132, Nicholson, Whit March p133; Carleton & York Regiment
p139; 36th Regiment p146; Shaw p180, 181, 191, 192; Tannery at
Victoria Corner; Herbert & Vera Faulkner p213.




 "GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE ENJOYED"   (year?)

 


    The Good Friday evening meeting held in the Reformed Baptist Church
at Victoria was a grand service.  The meeting opened by singing
"Glory To His Name" by the congregation.  The programme was as
follows:  Solo, Mrs. Ross Peterson; Scripture Reading, 53rd chapter of
Isaiah, Miss Helen Sterritt; Prayer by Rev. Ross Peterson; Offering
taken by Harry Albright and Earle Brewer, which amounted to $19.38 for
missions; Recitation Jennifer Boyer, "Death & Resurrection"; Piano
Solo, Robert Smith; Duet, Florence and David Fowler, "Christ the Lord is
Risen Today"; Reading, Mrs. George Farnham "I Must Die"; Piano Solo,
Ruth Smith; Solo, Alistair Cameron "Jerusalem"; Piano Solo, Kay
Robins; Solo, Rayma Nevers, "Alone"; Piano Solo, Mrs. George True;
Singing by the Juniors, "Have Ye Heard the Easter Story", Darlene,
Lorne, Burnetta & Ronald Hallett, Kay Robins, Earle & Allen Brewer,
Ruthie & Robert Smith, Clare Morgan, Doris Haywood, Joyce Nevers,
Marjorie Haywood, Dwayne McLean & Jennifer Boyer, with Mrs. Albright
at the piano; A short talk by Rev. Ross Peterson, where he made
mention of the Easter Lilys placed in the church by Mrs. Harry
Albright, & cut flowers, lilys, and mums placed there in memory of Henry
Elliott, who was deacon of the church for many years, by his immediate
family, and Mr. & Mrs. W. J. Haywood, also a talk on Bible History of
the trial and crucifixion of Jesus which was heard with much interest;
Singing by the congregation, "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross"; A
touching and impressive message was then brought by Miss Alice
Sterritt; Closing hymn, "Jesus Paid It All"; Benediction by Mr.
Peterson.



    Mrs. William Haywood was chairman of the meeting and there was a
good attendance.



    Guest soloists heard were:



    Miss Rayma Nevers of Hartland in the sacred song, "Alone", with
Mrs. Albright as accompanist was one of the richest treats in music
this church has enjoyed.  It seemed her beautiful melody filled
the church.  One man expressed the thought he never heard anything so
beautiful.



    Alistair Cameron's solo, "Jerusalem", accompanied by Mrs. George
True. This Scottish singer was heard in a rich, deep voice, and
would have graced a large city church.



    Mrs. George True of Woodstock was heard with much enjoyment in
her piano solo, which was an arrangement for the piano in church music
when at intervals you could hear the old tune, "Pass Me Not Oh Gentle
Saviour".



    It seemed too that Mrs. Peterson was at her best in her solo.



    Following the service the group from Woodstock enjoyed a social
hour at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Paul Smith, when Mr. Cameron sang two
special numbers and Mrs. True was again heard at the piano. Those
present were Mr. & Mrs. George True & daughter, Mrs. Earle Broad,
Mrs. Elta Roxborough, a guest of the True's, Alistair Cameron, and Mr.
& Mrs. William Haywood.  A dainty lunch was served by Mrs. Smith &
Ruthie.



                
    Daryl R. Hunter's "The Settlers of Northern Carleton Co. 1783-
1883, page 32, "As mentioned, Florenceville got its first Way Office
in 1858 and S. G. Burpee was the Way Officer.  Mail was delivered by
stage coach owned by the Woodstock Stage Coach Co., which was incor-
porated in 1836 and later sold out to J. R. Tupper in 1839, and who
managed the line for 27 more years.  James Tupper owned a large store
at Wakefield (Victoria Corner?) which was the rendeyvous for certain
militia companies serving during the boundary excitement.  He was also
the paymaster for the 2nd Batallion for Carleton."




VICTORIA CORNER WOMEN'S INSTITUTE




     The Women's Institute was organized in 1934 with Mrs. Carvell
(Marie) Cook as the first president.  Fifty years later, when Victoria
celebrated Homecoming Days in 1984, Mrs. Cook was again president.



    Myra Elliott-Morgan is the only charter member who is still an
active member in 1994, 60 years.  Ruth Hendry was also a charter
member.  I shall not attempt to name more ladies who have been members
in good standing as I am sure to miss some but please know that you
are appreciated.



    The Women's Institute has had a very positive influence on the
lives of people of this village. They sponsor social events, health,
education, nutrition education, and a sense of pride in that community,
New Brunswick and Canada.  The many women who have been members over the
years have served their village faithfully.



    One of the activities of the W.I. through more than 60 years has
been "the quilting bees".  The ladies also organize Bridal Showers,
Wedding Receptions & Anniversary Celebrations, Teas, Suppers, Yard
Sales & a true community spirit can be felt.



    For many years the meetings were held in private homes, then when
the Victoria Corner Superior School ceased to be used as such, the
W.I. bought the old school house for $1 to be used as a community
hall.  This building was destroyed by fire, along with the records of
the Institute.  However, portable buildings were purchased and moved
from Hartland to the present site just off the main road.  This would
be the former Baker-Albright property.



    I would be remiss if I did not mention that several men of the
community also help in many ways, maintaining the building inside as
well as out.  They give support to the undertakings of the Women's
Institute.



                       
POST OFFICE




    Victoria Corner mail was delivered every Saturday by stagecoach
from Woodstock, and people from Hartland had to go to Victoria Corner
for their mail until Hon. Charles Connell used his influence to have
postal service on the east side of the Saint John River.  (source:
Observer - 30 March 1967)



    Some postmasters have been:  J. W. Boyer was appointed postmaster
in 1874 by the Governor of Canada; Mr. Cockrane; Ms. Marion Robinson;
Myra Elliott-Morgan; Ruth Elliott-Smith; Larry MacDonald; Todd Tibbitts.
As of 1996 the mail is placed in community mail boxes.





Maps




Map 1




Map 2




Map 3 1876




Map 4




Map 5




Map 6