D2

Don Ross - Remembering Loggieville

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Hugh McMurray sold most of his Lot 7 property in small packages and the process started while son James McMurray was still building his own establishment.

Hugh McMurray's first sale took place on Oct. 3, 1873, when he sold to James Kelly of Napan approximately an acre and half lot for $400. The lot would eventually be bounded by John Doyle's lot on the west and Alexander Harvey's lot on the east, with Water and Wellington Streets on the north and south respectively.

In time James Kelly bequeathed his lot to sons William G. and David Kelly; they would split the lot. William G. in turn bequeathed his part to son Stanley; Stanley would sell to his brother Leonard in 1919 before moving to Halifax.

Leonard would commit to a number of rents both before and after he followed his brother to Halifax (more to these rents at the close of "this" James Kelly Family). Then he sold to cousin Cletus Kelly, who in turn sold to Helen Taylor in 1964. Helen would sell to St. Andrew's Church in 1968.

David Kelly's section would stay in the family, passing along to son James Kelly and finally to James' children; Paul, Donna and Joan. But first…

Ronnie Kelly always claimed that he was of "royal blood!" Well, he is! Not blue blood but at least Royale. For the patriarch of Loggieville's Kelly clan, William, did marry a Royale — Mary.

William Kelly was born in Waxford, Ireland. His bride-to-be Mary Royale was born in County O'Cabin, Ireland. They both arrived in the colony in 1827; William was 25 and Mary at age eleven. In 1827 they were not married.

By 1842 they were living on a farm as a couple on the North Napan Road. Today the farm is that of John McKnight.

William and Mary Kelly had a family of seven, all born in Napan — James was born in 1843, Catherine (Kate) in 1846, twins William and Bridget in 1851, Barney in 1849, Ann in 1853 and John in 1855.

Only two of this immediate family would move to Black Brook, namely James and William. Although of the next generation, one would settle here, by the time the community name became Loggieville. Two of these siblings went to the States, leaving only three to live out their lives in Napan.

Kate Kelly married John Bowen before moving to Portland, Maine. Bridget married Martin Sheahah, following her sister south.

Of the three siblings staying in Napan, Barney married Mary Campbell but they had no children; Annie married her next-door neighbor George Loggie. They had nine children, the third of which was Irene Loggie's father. Irene still maintains the Loggie homestead.

The youngest of William and Mary Kelly's family, John, marred Ellen Fitzgerald. They had six children — Herman, James, Martin, Pat, William and Marcella. Most of this family migrated south of the border, too, but the eldest Herman made it to Loggieville. Well, almost... three miles north.

Herman Kelly lived on Manse Street with his family (the Robert Potter home today). Herman married twice, first to Irene O'Donnell of O'Donnell's Road in Glenwood and secondly to Kay Gardiner (Tommy and Jimmy's sister) of Gardiner's Point.

Herman and Irene's children were Katherine (Kay), Byrant, and Clara (Bob Weeks). While Herman and Kay's children were Mary (Joe Schander) and Billy, who married local lass Irene McCormack. Both Mary and Billy went to Lethbridge, Alberta.

Herman was employed by A&R Loggie. One of his assignments was modeling men's work clothes for the company's brochures and catalogues. Frank Loggie was impressed with Herman's tall stature and well developed physique. The Loggies knew how to utilize their "ace in the hole."

Brothers William and James Kelly married Murdoch sisters from East Point Road, purchased property in Black Brook and raised their families here. James set up on Lot 7 and William on Lot 8.

James Kelly

James Kelly (1843-1902) married Mary Jane Murdoch (1949-1888), daughter of James and Elizabeth (Taylor) Murdoch. James and Mary Jane had nine children —William G. (1870), John, Ellen, Mary (1873), James (1879-1904), David (1882-1971), Bridget (Bea) (1884), Elizabeth (1885) and Justine (1887).

The second child, John, died at birth and the third, Ellen, died at age five, but tragedy didn't stop there. In 1888 Mary Jane died at age 39, leaving behind seven children at the ages of one, three, four, six, nine, 15 and 18.

James had his hands full, but was rescued by the good will of his wife's sister, Margaret Murdoch (b. 1847). Margaret took up residence at the Kelly homestead and helped James raise the rest of his family to adulthood.

(1)William G. Kelly married Flora Stymiest. They would raise their four children, Stanley, Babe, Clara (1901) and Leonard (1913), in the house William G. inherited from his father.

(2) and (3) John and Ellen died young.

(4) Mary Kelly married Jim Landry. In 1898 they built their home on the newly developed Harriman Street and raised a family of four there — Nita, Manford, Muriel and Mona. Jim worked for CNR.

(5) James Kelly died at the age of 25 on Nov. 6, 1904. James Jr. was a fisherman. While not a big man he acquired considerable notoriety as a brawler. He challenged the Bully (King) of Black Brook, Pat Doyle, a number of times. He drowned off the St. Andrew's Point wharf on an "election" night…

(6) David Kelly's family in the only one of his father's nine children that set roots deeply in Loggieville. Dave, a fisherman, would acquire the role of road supervisor in his later years.