Page:Acadiensis Q2.djvu/290

The old house was the centre where ship building enterprises were talked over and social festivities were held, as far as Baptist proclivities deemed righteous. Like the Owens, the original Wilsons left the settlement some fifty years ago, but their first house is still standing, as well as the later one in which James Wilson lived [now owned by John D. Small, Esq.], while tradition continues to weave its charm around the old homestead.

Some nine miles from it, down on Mulholland's Point, opposite the narrows at Lubec, could still be seen, six or seven years ago, part of what had once been the first Mulholland dwelling. Built in 1816, of logs and shingled outside, boarded and plastered inside and set amidst a forest of bird's eye maples, birches and beeches, it was the scene of many delightful merry makings, and afforded ample shelter to the brave settler and his descendants, who, in turn, erected for themselves other houses at the Point. The old home in time became a blacksmith's shop as population increased at this lower end of the island, until at last, much to the sorrow of the grandchildren, who in their youth had played in it, it became unsafe even as a refuge in storms, and what was left of it was torn down four years ago.

About a mile from it on the side of Friars' Hill, erected at the same time with the Mulholland house, was the dwelling place of Captain John Patterson, a long, large, high, two storied frame house, much more commodious than the Owen residence. Like that, it had its front door in the middle of the house, fronting Snug Cove. When Captain Patterson failed in business, Mr. Joseph Patch took the place and under him the hospitality of the mansion was extended far and wide. Its dances were famous, for the rooms were large enough for all who came, sometimes by boat, more often by walking across the Beach from Welsh Pool, and then along the narrow road on the top of the cliff to Friars' Head.