Introduction . . .Farmington is 11 miles west of Souris on Route 2 and is in
Lots 42 and 56. There was a post office situated here from 1863 until 1913. Prior to 1880, the school district was known as Birch Hill.
A brief history . . .
The Dwan's opened a Lumber Mill ca. 1895-96 in Farmington. The lumber for the St. Charles Church was milled here.
A Junior Farmers group was organized in Farmington (Farmington-Mount Hope) with 26 members in 1948. The meetings were held monthly. They took the form of demonstrations for judging classes, preparing and fitting calves for show, halter making and other activities. In 1951 this group were complemented by the Department of Education for the interest and leadership supplied in promoting activities in their district. That year they placed first in the Field Crops Competition at the Maritime Winter Fair, held in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Interesting individuals associated with the community . . .
Lawrence Doyle (1847-1907) was born to Irish immigrants in Farmington. The family farm was situated on the north side of Route 2 across the line from Five Houses. It is believed he attended the Birch Hill School, which was situated less than a mile from his home. Doyle's father died young leaving his mother to raise three teenage children. Living along the Fortune Road was difficult, so the families worked in a communal manner and in the evenings usually ended with a kitchen party. A dance would celebrate the completion of a barn or other large project. Mick Whitty and his family owned the farm next to the Doyle's. Lawrence's brother Dennis married the girl next door Ellen Whitty as did Lawrence who married Margaret Whitty. Lawrence was a hardworking farmer who kept his eye on the community, especially politics. He was an active member of his political party, but did not seek office. He had a natural ability as a balladeer, writing songs in an unique way that depicted the characters who resided in rural Prince Edward Island. His natural wit and humour was showcased at local events. Few took offense. An example of his work may be found
here. He was noted for writing well into the night and composing material while working on his farm. Unfortunately many of his manuscripts did not survive. At his passing at home, his remains were interred in the St. Peter's Bay Roman Catholic Cemetery. His obituary in the
Charlottetown Examiner of February 20, 1908 noted: "He was a brilliant conversationalist on public topics. In the family circle he was a father to all; one that consoled the troubled and rejoiced with the happy. . ."
Today . . .
Mikita Farms
Images from the Past & Present . . .
Copyright
Waldron H. Leard 
