Community Histories
Skye Pioneers (1929)
Skye Pioneers (1929)
Title: Skye Pioneers and “The Island”
Author: Malcolm A. MacQueen
Publisher/Printer: Stovel Company Limited, Winnipeg, Manitoba: 1929
Description: Large 8vo. 162 pp. Illustrated with half-tone photo images. Hardcover. Bound in blue cloth with silver titles on front panel and spine. Signed and dated (Dec. 10/29) by the author in ink on the front free fly-leaf. The author inscribes the island poet E.S. MacLeod. The book is further inscribed by MacLeod’s son, Victor, who gifted the book to Mary Brehaut. Covers show edge wear and spotting, along with bumped corners. Binding somewhat shaken. A couple of interior pages show creased corners, along with soiling from handling. Overall, we rate the condition as fair.
Malcolm Alexander MacQueen (1884-1960) was a lawyer and genealogist. Born at Orwell, Prince Edward Island in 1884, he graduated from Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown and Queen’s University in Kingston, he traveled to Manitoba in 1904 where he apprenticed in the Winnipeg law office of Munroe and West then, after graduation, became a partner in the firm. He was later associated with MacKenzie, Campbell, and Driscoll. On 20 November 1912, he married Harriet Murgatroyd “Maud” Riley, the daughter of a prominent Winnipeg businessman. They had no children. MacQueen retired from law practice in 1918 to pursue property development, as well as the study of the history of Prince Edward Island and its prominent families. He published articles and several books on these subjects. MacQueen died at Winnipeg on April 20th, 1960.
Sources: Winnipeg Free Press & Manitoba Legislative Library Biographical Scrapbook.
Elizabeth Stuart MacLeod (1842-1939) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was the daughter of Martin MacQueen. She met her husband, Alexander D. MacLeod, of the Belfast district, while visiting on P.E.I. Following their marriage they lived for many years in Charlottetown where Mr. MacLeod was an official with the Customs Department. They had two sons, Victor and Hugh. Mrs. MacLeod was a prolific writer and published several volumes of verse and prose. One of her best known titles is Carols of Canada. This work includes verses describing the beauty of Canada, the struggles and evils in Canada, and faith in the future of the country.
Sources: Island Prose and Poetry: An Anthology by Allan Graham
Mary (Cornfoot) Brehaut was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on 7 February 1887. Educated at West Kent School and Prince of Wales College, Mary returned to West Kent School to teach until her marriage in 1912 to William Brehaut with whom she had three children. A member of numerous community organizations such as the PEI Hospital Auxiliary, the PEI Teachers Federation and the I.O.D.E., Mary was particularly known for her involvement in the revival of the PEI Historical Society in 1953. She was also actively involved in the PEI Heritage Foundation. A promoter of Prince Edward Island history, Mrs. Brehaut edited five volumes on the subject including "Pioneers on the Island", Vols. I and II, "Historic highlights", "Historic sidelights" and "Folklore of Prince Edward Island". Mary Brehaut died in Charlottetown on 28 February 1975. «
Source: Memory P.E.I.