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Provincial Archives of New Brunswick

Pioneers, Ploughs, and Politics: New Brunswick Planned Settlements

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Grievances Conclusion

Growth and Development
By the mid-1870s, the colony was growing both in number and by the establishment of social institutions and organizations. Since its founding, the colony had been served by a series of Presbyterian ministers, the Revs. James Gray, Peter Keay, William Johnston, James Quinn, James Howie, Ernest S. Bayne, and James Galloway. In November 1875, the Rev. Peter Melville was named the colony's new resident Pastor. He replaced the Rev. Galloway, who had been much disliked because of his disapproval of card-playing and dancing. Melville remained for three years, ministering to both the New Kincardineshire settlers and the Presbyterians living at Arthurette, Three Brooks, and Tilley, before receiving a call to the pastorate of Stanley and Nashwaak.
During his time in Scotch Colony, the Rev. Melville contributed much to its development. In 1877 he and members of his congregation successfully petitioned the Lieutenant-Governor for money to build a church. Located at Kincardine, Melville Presbyterian Church was dedicated on 1 January 1878 by the Revs. MacLise, C.N. Sinnett, and Melville. Captain William Butler, of the S.S. Castalia, who had brought the first settlers to their new homes, presented the congregation with a bell for the church steeple.
The Rev. Melville was also instrumental in promoting the construction of the colony's first four schoolhouses at Kintore, Upper Kintore, Kincardine, and Upper Stonehaven, later renamed Bon Accord, which opened by 1877. As well, by 1873 the settlement could boast an agricultural society. Organized only a year after the colony's founding, the Kincardine Agricultural Society reported principal crops of oats, wheat, buckwheat, potatoes, turnips and hay in 1875. The society also worked to purchase seeds, livestock, and farm implements. Within five years of its founding, the Scotch Colony was well on its way to being a success.


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