PETER BARTLEMAN – blacksmith

Peter Bartleman was one of the two blacksmiths engaged by McKenzie to work at Craigflower. From the same county as Kenneth McKenzie (Haddington, Scotland), Peter Bartleman signed a five year contract April 12, 1852. Bartleman and his wife arrived at Ft. Victoria in the company of others bound for the Puget Sound Agricultural Company farm on the Norman Morison, January 16, 1853.

As with many others Bartleman was dissatisfied with conditions at Craigflower. As early as June 24, 1853, Robert Melrose noted in his diary that Bartleman and his fellow blacksmith, John Russell, were "stricken work". On June 27, 1853, "William and John Weir absconded to Sooke, John Russell and Peter Bartleman tried."

Bartleman resumed work for the summer but by the end of September 1853, was again "stricken work," and "removed with his house to the Fort."¹

In the spring of 1854, Melrose noted that the two blacksmiths "fought a battle" with Russell "1/2 drunk." Animosity continued between Bartleman and McKenzie to the extent that Bartleman was "sentenced to be sent home, April 12, 1855." Although this did not transpire it was the culmination of a series of events, one of which was described by Melrose as "Mr. McKenzie laid seige to Peter Bartleman's Castle and destroyed it." The two further references by Melrose indicate that possibly Bartleman was removed from Craigflower to work at Skinner's farm.

Bartleman' s wife, who was not named in the ship' s log or McKenzie's records, left him shortly after arriving at Craigflower.² He then married an Indian girl, Mary, with whom he had four daughters and two sons. Because of their Indian mother, the children were accepted members of the West Saanich Indian Reserve.

By 1859, following the expiration of his contract with the Puget Sound Agricultural company, Bartleman had acquired 100 acres in South Saanich. He later farmed the land and established a blacksmith's shop. It is difficult to assess when the transition took place for in 1859, Bartleman was listed again in McKenzie's journal as receiving the standard rations - mutton, potatoes, tea, rice, sugar, bread and flour.³

Of his children, little is known. Joanna, aged 17, married Xavier Felix Marrotte Feb. 15, 1887. Frances remained in the Saanich area; Rosie became Mrs. Houston and moved to Squamish and Agnes went to Kamloops. Bartleman reputedly died in the 'Old Men's Home' in Kamloops.⁴

Endnotes:

1 Melrose, Diary, Sept. 28, 1853. It is unclear what is meant by this, in the following entry "Bartleman started to work" Indicates he was not Imprisoned. Possibly he was to work temporarily for the Hudson's Bay Company.

2 Possibly the Elizabeth Bartleman recorded as a witness in Christ Church

Parish Register Mar. 24, 1869 was Bartleman's wife.

3 McKenzie papers, 1858-59, A E Ml 9 H19.7.

4 The Star, June 5, 1952.

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