Steele, Maude

Anne MacAdam interviews Mrs. Maude Steele of Morell, PEI.

Interview

Steele, Maude

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1983-06-08

SMI-ARCH 1983-001 Series 1

00:08:38

***Constant background noises*** SIDE A 00:00:06-00:02:23 Irish background and history, coming from Wexford Island in the 19th century, Battle of Invenhill, early settlers-Peter Sinnott, Thomas Murphy, John Hughes, Charles McCarthy, Angus McVarnish, Alan McDonald, Martin Sinnott, Patrick Hughes, settling on either side of Morrell River, farming, 1866-building the St Lawrence Church SIDE A 00:02:23-00:04:04 Patrick Hughes and Matthew Hughes, late 1830s her great grandfather John Hughes and his wife Johanna Barnes came to PEI, 1866 bought a piece of land from Mr Walsh, Louis Walsh, 1890 sold the house, built another house near the village SIDE A 00:04:04-00:00:05:00 Story about great grandmother Johanna Steele not recognizing her sons SIDE A 00:05:00-00:06:28 Story about Patrick Hughes acquiring huge amounts of land, settling on East side of Morell River, farming, Hughes owning land bordering St Peter’s Bay, Patrick and Matthew owning 200 acres on the West side of Morell River with a sawmill, supplying lumber for ship-building SIDE A 00:06:28-00:06:40 Tape temporarily cuts out SIDE A 00:06:40-00:08:40 Story about the marriage of Mary Hughes (sister to Patrick Hughes) to John Flynn during early 1840s, riding horse and sleigh to St Andrews church from Morell, then to Fort Augustus, and the spur of the moment marriage of Peggy Flynn (sister to John Flynn) and Patrick Hughes

Introduction and Maude speaks of her Irish background and history. Speaks of the Battle of Invenhill and many coming to PEI from Wexford Ireland, and Irish Newfoundland settlements. Maude gives names of early settlers: O'Toole, Peter Sinnott, Thomas Murphy, John Hughes, Charles McCarthy, Angus McVarish, Alan McDonald, Martin Sinnott, Patrick Hughes. Settlements were built up on either side of Morrell River for farming. Mentions the building of the St Lawrence O'Toole Church in 1866.
Maude's mentions her grandfather, Matthew Hughes, and his brothers Patrick. They came to PEI before their parents. In the 1830s Maude's great grandparents, John Hughes and Johanna Barnes, followed thier sons and came to PEI. In 1866 they bought a piece of land south of Morrell village from Mr Walsh, (where Louis McGuire currently lives, at time of interview). In 1890 they sold the house to Louis McGuire's father. They built another house near the village.
Tells the story about great grandmother Johanna Hughes not recognizing her sons. Shortly after Maude's great grandparents arrived in Prince Edward Island two young men came to the door of their small accommodations. They asked if they could stay the night, but Johanna apologized that their house was too small for guests. The "guests" were her sons who she had not seen for years.
Tells the story about Patrick and Matthew Hughes acquiring large amounts of land, settling on East side of Morell River. Patrick owned land bordering St Peter's Bay. Patrick and Matthew owning 200 acres on the West side of Morell River with a sawmill, supplying lumber for ship-building.
Tape temporarily cuts out
Recalls the story about the marriage of Mary Hughes (sister to Patrick Hughes) to John Flynn during early 1840s. Patrick stood up for Mary at her wedding and John's sister Peggy stood up for John. The four rode in a sleigh from Morrell to St Andrews church. When they arrived the church was closed. They carried on to Mount Stewart, up the ice to Fort Augustus and there they found a priest. Mary and John were married, and on the spur of the moment Patrick asked Peggy to marry him. She said yes and they were married on the spot.

SMI-ARCH 1983-001 Series 1