Stewart, Bill

Geoff LePage interviews William “Bill” Stewart at the Provincial Home for the Aged (Charlottetown, PEI). They discuss carpentry jobs, experiences and wages, Scottish-Irish relationships and Bill’s young life. Bill tells stories about Sunday suppers, working for foremen, visiting Boston, and his job experiences along the way.

Interview

LePage, Geoff

Stewart, William

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1983-06-28

Held by UPEI Library — SMI-ARCH 1983-001. Series 1

00:24:36

Bill discusses growing up in a family of 8 children (five boys and three girls). Recalls his mother's rose garden and remembers living in a boarding home on Prince Street.
Bill left home young, went to Charlottetown and learned the trade of carpentry. He remembers getting paid $0.25/hour learning his trade. Foreman Cochrane hired him when they laid the foundation for the Charlottetown city hospital... the window stools and the door stools that Bill worked on were still in the hospital at time of interview.
Recalls his family's Scottish background and the good connections between Scottish-Irish Island families.
Bill discusses his young life and lack of schooling, He was born in Sleepy Hollow on January 25th 1898, on "an awful cold night". Remembers super cold winters (-25/-30 below) with great amounts of snow. Bill also discusses his six year long marriage which he "quit". She remarried two more times.
Fondly recalls Sunday suppers. He shares a story about having his coat and personal items stolen at the McLaughlin Motel.
Bill discusses being a Protestant and a carpenter 65 years. Recalls positive Scottish-Irish relations.
Bill recalls working, laying foundation under Foreman Cochrane. He remembers the contractors he named "the two bulls" (Henry Phillips & Pete Clarke from Summerside). Bill tells the story of being laid off.
Bill remembers buying a one way ticket to Boston to see his brothers for twenty-five dollars and a quarter, leaving him four dollars and 75 cents for his trip. Remembers the adventure of his trip and help from a stranger from New Brunswick. Bill got a job in Boston, alongside his three brothers: one a boss labourer, one a boss painter, and one a carpenter foreman. Bill tells stories about his jobs in Boston, learning from his work, and working during the winter months [interview is cut off]

Held by UPEI Library — SMI-ARCH 1983-001. Series 1