St. Margarets Pioneer Cemetery Restoration

1970 LETTER TO HONOURABLE ALEX B. CAMPBELL

Alistair Mac Isaac, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, can be credited with initiating the earliest recorded effort to restore the cemetery, as he made a plea to the Premier of Prince Edward Island, the Honourable Alex Campbell.

17 August 1970

Honourable Alex B. Campbell
Premier’s Office, Legislative Building
Charlottetown, PEI
Canada

Dear Premier:

During a recent visit to your beautiful island, I accidently stumbled upon an old graveyard whose stones have been removed and thrown over the diked walls where shrubs have shrouded them from all to see. Inquiries reveal that this graveyard, which bears the remains of the first Scottish settlers, is allegedly the oldest in King’s County. In my view, it should be refurbished and the stones replaced, as it has great historical significance not only to the Island but to all of Canada.

This graveyard is located near the shore approximately one half mile north of St. Margaret’s in King’s County. Further, I understand that the first or original church was across the road from the graveyard. If this is so, a suitable historical marker should be erected.

Islanders have told me that you have a Provincial Ordinance stating that all graveyards must be maintained. By some oversight, this small burial ground was overlooked in the implementation of the law.

I sincerely hope, Sir, that irrespective of cost, steps can be taken immediately, to preserve this historical plot before further damage results to the old and, in some cases, hand hewn stones.

I would appreciate knowing, what if anything your office can do to preserve and restore this monument.

Yours very truly,

A.G.M Mac Isaac
Major