Chapter
4
(1860 - 1867)
Erection of our Parish
In 1860, March 21st, the parish is canonically erected by Bishop Bailloigion, and a little later erected in a Civil way, by an act of Parliament which text is found Article no.46 of the Refunded Statistics of Lower Canada, page 129 - 130.
On May 21st, 1867, the translation was made of the remains of the dead bodies from the first burying ground (over on the sand-bar or point most commonly called) to the actual burying ground. The remains was put in two large boxes and buried in the south corner of the actual graveyard.
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who were present and signed the act were namely:
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Our parish being officially established, the first churchwardens were elected: Mark
Hobberlin (from Québec) The ancient churchwardens were: Isaac
Kennedy (son of Thomas) |
On it's Civic Erection, our Parish was given the following boundaries: 8 miles on Bay of Gaspé; 5 ½ miles deep; North East of Gaspe Bay; North by the St. John River; on the west by the Township of York; on the south by the Township of Malbaie. The road main highway or Kings Road commonly called was built by William Hurley in 1860 or somewhat around that date. The mail was carried for many years by Abraham Patterson once montly, later weekly, soon became daily.
On September 29th, 1860, Father Fafard leaves. Father Alpho Winter arrives. He remained 9 years. On April 14th 1862, Father Winter buys from Henry Spruen the actual land of the Fabric in front of the church and presbytery. On June 21st 1863, Bishop Bailloigion was on his third visit to Douglastown. He confirmed 95 persons and gave his permission to build a presbytery. Then the new presbytery, the actual one, was begun. The parishioners furnished all the wood free and the income of three years of pew rent goes to pay the building. It is 45 feet long, 30 feet wide, 9 feet under the ceiling. The foundation is of stone. A parochial subscription was organized and it was in case of the churchwardens. The bishop consents to give over dispensation fees and the titles of the parish priest.
Parish priests while in Douglastown formed part of the diocese of Québec; 1860 to 1867. In 1860, Revd. Father Farfard. From 1860 to 1869, Revd. Father Winter. Parish priests while Douglastown formed parts of Rimouski diocese:
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1869 - 1870 Father
Peter Saucier |
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Practically all the residents of Douglastown are of Irish descent, and it is the only Irish parish in the Gaspé Diocese. The church is built on a small height over-looking the Bay and the entire village. Cod fishing was the main occupation until later years. There is now carried on a considerable amount of agriculture and dairying, also the cutting of pulp wood and other lumber; there is also saw mills that employ many of the residents. But the early settlers made an independent living in the cod fishing days; lived comfortably, also put quite a lot of money in the banks. So when the Depression came, Douglastown was and in the most independent parish in Gaspé Coast. There are but few who have no money in Toronto and National Banks. The statement made of all the residents (or most) being Irish, leads up to the fact that Divine Providence brought them here, by a special disposition of Heavenly decree. Catholics fleeing from Ireland, fleeing from the cruel tyranny of English rulers, seeking safety and looking through out America, a Haven of peace and security where they could follow the Holy Roman Catholic Faith, unmolested by non-Catholics.
| The year 1831 was particularily painful. A small sailing ship (Buckhaven) carrying 230 passengers sailed from Dublin in the early season; on her voyage up the St. Lawrence River to Québec in one of the terrific storms that sweeps that North bound shore, she was wrecked on that treacherous and unguarded shore of Cap Des Rosiers; at that time, the Buckhaven with all her cargo of Irish immigrants was a total wreck. In later years and on the river St. Lawrence is well provided with buoys, light houses, storm signals and all means of protection and safety for ships and all sailing crafts going to and from Québec. The last record of any disaster in the river was the Empress of Ireland in May 1914, was sunk at Faiher Point. A tragedy unknown. Referring again to the wreck of Buckhaven, it is related. The missionary priest, name not known to me, heard in the stillness of the night a voice calling, "Rise, the Buckhaven is ashore, go quickly to the drowning and dying, go and bless them while you may". |
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Not thinking the least that the call was a warning, he did not get up until the usual morning hour. And on looking over the bank, what met his astonished gaze, the dead bodies washed on shore and floating on the treacherous and angry waves. 30 living persons only had been saved, huddled together, storm tossed and weary on a foreign shore. They were saved by the means of a rope, thrown from the ship and was carried in by the sea and tied to a tree on the bank. The poor survivors came in a perilous and havic way to safety from drowning, but to face hardships of all kinds for many years after. It has been told of the natives of that shore in them days, would put up small lights to decoy the ships of shore in storms so that they could pilfer and steal any wrecked goods of value. It is related that barbarous people on that coast has taken money and valuable jewels from drowned bodies. This legend is founded on fact. From the wreck of the Buckhaven, came to Douglastown families of McDonald, Holland and Hipson.
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