The McSHANE'S

    Patrick McSHANE and his wife , Mary Ann, came from Ireland (about 1826) and settled and built their home at Rollingdam on the old Fredericton Road where his descendants live today.  According to the 1861 census that had at that time four children; James 28;  Henry 25;  Ann 22;  and Peter 20.  In the later years, Patrick and Mary Ann built another small two-room home at Simpson's Corner ( McCann's) in the open field on the east side of the road.  This building has long since gone.  Patrick had a little "Cobbler's Shop", in the front room;  the couple lived in the back room.  They were very friendly and many young people enjoyed "chatting" with them.  One bit of sentiment that comes down the years is to the effect that old Patrick "was never too happy about Canada and so often longed to return to his beloved native Ireland".  This is one very important aspect of immigration; think of the loneliness our early settlers and forbears must have suffered-- away from loved ones and scenes of their childhood.  In fact, many did return.  And, of course, about all kept correspondence with the home land, although letter writing in these days was infrequent, costly and long in transit and delivery;  sailing ships mounted couriers, remote forest areas, limited writing capabilities-- all of which held communications down and deepened the desperation of our brave forbears.

    Patrick's daughter Ann McSHANE married William SCULLIN Jr., and Peter married Mary (DINSMORE ).  Peter and Mary's children were;  James, married Lillian McALEENAN; Edward, married Susan CALDER; Nellie, married John McALEENAN;  George, married Margaret McNABB;  twins, Joseph and Mary (-neither were married);  Marg, married Vera OSGOOD;  John, married Priscilla (STEWART?).

By Rev. Charles M. SMITH, found in Saint Croix Courier, October 5, 1972,
By permission of the Saint Croix Courier
Page Loaded Dec 16, 1999
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