JAMES DOWNIE - labourer

James Downie of the parish of Fola, Haddington County, Scotland, contracted to work as a labourer under McKenzie, April 12, 1852. He and his wife Margaret and three children aged 9, 8 years and 6 months immigrated to Victoria on the Norman Morison, arriving January 16, 1853.¹

Following the move from temporary quarters at Fort Victoria to Craigflower, discontent was rife amongst McKenzie's employees. Melrose noted that many men were "stricken work" - or refused to work; for this they could be imprisoned for up to a month. James Downie was no exception and by May 27, 1853 had also "stricken work."²

However, Downie was not sent up to the bastion as were Deans and Anderson; he resumed work in June. On June 17th he, as had others at Craigflower, received a cow. (Unfortunately, It was shot ten days later by an Indian.)³

Melrose's diary indicates that Downie was a spirited man who enjoyed a drink and who was also a raconteur. Once a month during 1854, Downie entertained a gathering at Craigflower with recitations of such

narrative poems as "Harry Teusdale, the smuggler of Emblton," "Raulin' Roarin' Willie" and "Paddy gone to the West Indies." On April 16, 1854, Downie regaled his audience with "Tales of the 'Just Retribution' and the 'Young Laird of Torusielaw." (The day after this recitation twins were born to James and Margaret, subsequently christened George and Charlotte.⁴

In the early summer of 1855, Downie was involved in a more serious disagreement with McKenzie. After a physical struggle, described by Melrose as "Mr. McKenzie and J. Downie trying a wrestle," Downie was "warned out of his house"; he and his family "removed to Skinner's farm."⁵

By 1856, Downie and his family had returned to Craigflower. A baby girl was born Feb. 18, 1856.⁶ Melrose noted that Downie "commenced to make bricks" and also "started to the thrashing."⁷

Another son was born July 6, 1857. Possibly in gratitude for services rendered and possibly to further annoy McKenzie, this son was named after the colonial doctor and the governor - Sebastian Helmcken Douglas Downie!8 At this time Downie's residence was listed as "McCaulay's Point"; possibly this was the result of a further "dust-up" with McKenzie which resulted in Downie working at another Hudson's Bay Company farm.

Endnotes:

1 "List of passengers in log of H.B.C. Barque Norman Morison", H.B.C. Archives c. 1/615 fo. 2-3; also "List of men, women and children engaged to go to Vancouver Island with Mr. K. McKenzie 1852", McKenzie, daybook 1867-68.

2 Melrose, Diary.

3 Ibid., June 27, 1853.

4 Baptismal Records, Ft. Victoria. As Rev. Staines had been drowned returning to England and a new chaplain not yet appointed, the twins were eventually christened Oct. 8, 1854, by Rev. Holmes, Chaplain, HMS President. .

5 This move may have been made to avoid imprisonment for breaking his contract. By working for Skinner, baliff of another Puget Sound Agricultural Co. farm, Downie would have been within the terms of the contract. Due to the proximity of Skinner's farm, Downie's children could have continued to attend Craigflower.

6 Ibid., Feb. 1856; not noted in baptismal records.

7 Ibid., Feb. 27, 1856, Dec. 8, 1856.

8 Baptismal records, Ft. Vancouver and Ft. Victoria, 1837-58.

DOWNIE James - labourer, Haddington County

1852 - 3 children, names not known, aged 9, 8. and 6 mos.

- George, Charlotte } born April 16, 1854

- girl - born Feb. 18, 1856

- Sebastian Helmcken Douglas - born July 6, 1857

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