Eastern Kings Meeting Place

Introduction . . .
The first of the recorded mouse plaques occurred in 1724. They are remembered today in the naming of the area. The tidal inlet empties into Colville Bay known as Havre a la Souris on Sieur de la Roque's map of Acadia and Isle Royale, as well as the Bellin and Pichon maps. In Mik' Maq, the bay was known as Sgoltjoegatig.
A brief history . . .
The Souris Mills, owned and operated by the brothers MacGowan, commenced work on December 22, 1838. The operation included a grist mill, saw mill, kiln and smith's forge.
The Souris area shipyards were busy in 1840. They turned out 85 vessels for the year.
The 1841 census, taken by John MacGowan, showed 11 families with 67 children residing in Lot 44. There was also a grist mill and a saw mill. Mr. MacGowan only listed those who worked in his shipyard and left out many others who lived and farmed in the Lot.
Mystery surrounded the disappearance of Edward Lyons, a well-to-do farmer, while riding home to Souris River from Souris, in 1878. His horse arrived without him, and his saddle was recovered from the nearby river. Lyons had been drinking and spending money freely. Foul play was widely suspected, but unprovable.
Wright Brothers Saw mill was totally consumed by fire on April 15, 1882. The fire spread so rapidly that it was impossible to save any of the furniture, tools or machinery. The loss was estimated at $6,000 with no insurance.
Interesting individuals associated with the community . . .

Hon. John William McCormack was born at Boston, Massachusetts in 1891. His father, Joseph McCormack, was born at Grant's Crossing, and went to the United States as a young man. John McCormack studied law and gradually rose to power, starting in the the State Legislature, culminating in his serving as Speaker of the House of Representatives in Washington at the time of the assassination of President Kennedy. At the height of his career, he was one of the most powerful personalities in the United States and for that matter, the world. For political gain, he denied his roots in P.E.I. He died at Dedham, Massachusetts in 1980. He has a half brother, Henry, buried in St. Mary's Cemetery at Souris.
The Mullally family of Souris River placed three accomplished sons into the world. John Mullally, a Souris Teacher, served as Member of Parliament for Kings from 1963 until 1965. He late served as a deputy minister in a wide variety of posts in the province of Nova Scotia. His brother, the Hon. Joseph Mullally ran for parliament in Manitoba and later served as a justice on the Manitoba Supreme Court. Their brother the Hon. George Mullally, currently making his home in Souris River joined his former law partner the Hon. Melvin J. McQuaid of Souris as a justice on the P.E.I. Supreme Court in July 1981. Joseph and George for a period of time served concurrently.

Lester P. O' Donnell (1912-1993), a well known Charlottetown lawyer was born here. A story about his life, may be found by clicking on the link on the left.
Today . . .
River Road Chalet Karen Campbell's photolog Confederation Trail
Peggy Clinton & Landslide - Musicians
Brian Deveau &
Associates
The Fishing Exchange
River View Cresting & Signs
Away from the area, just at the moment . . .
Gretha Rose - Cellar Door Productions Martinus Rose - Royalty Hardwoods MR Seafoods
Images from the Past & Present . . .
www.flickr.com
ekpei.ca's Confederation Trail photoset

Confederation Trail photo set
Copyright
Waldron H. Leard