
So instead I decided to broaden the scope of the theme this week to include sheep of any colour and of the animal variety, as I have plenty of farmers in my tree. But surprisingly I have only uncovered one reference to sheep farming. Other animals like cows and horses and chickens seemed more popular. There were likely other ancestors who raised sheep, but I lack the specific details on how most of my farmers made their living.
On 21 January 1890 and at the age of almost 39, George married Eliza Jane MacGougan at St Johns Anglican Church in St Eleanors. They did not have any children; they lived alone according to all the federal census between 1891 and 1921. The only personal details I know about George and Eliza COMPTON came from my mother, who grew up in the same area of PEI and obviously knew them as a child. She remembers that Eliza used to twiddle her thumbs, so this trait obviously made quite an impression on Eliza's great-nieces. George was known for his “long beard, long grace”. So they must have had family dinners together on occasion. I can just picture others at the table watching their meal get cold as George’s lengthy blessings went on and on! If ever there was a time for twiddling thumbs!
It was only recently that I stumbled on a reference to George in a an old PEI newspaper “The Daily Examiner” for 27 September 1890. The Prince County Exhibition, held in nearby Summerside every Fall, had published their list of prize winners. Three entries caught my eye:
“SHEEP: Pen 2 Long Wool Ewes, having reared lambs this season - 1st, Stewart Burns, Freetown; 2d, George Compton, St. Eleanors; 3d, Murdock Ross, Bedeque. ...
”SHEEP: Pen two Ewes other breed or cross, having reared lambs this year - 1st, Judson Burns, Freetown; 2d, A. C. Rogers, S'side; 3d, Geo. Compton, St. Eleanors. ...
“POULTRY Pair Turkeys - 1st, Albert Craswell, St. Eleanors; 2d, Geo. Compton, do.”
At the age of 77, George passed away in St Eleanors on 28 Feb 1928, and his wife remained a widow until her death in 1945. Both are buried in the St Johns Churchyard in St Eleanors, PEI.
Reference the No Story Too Small blog by genealogist Amy Johnson Crow for more details.
It is giving me the much needed incentive to write and publish my family stories.