MATHIAS ROWLAND (aka Mathew Rolland)
Rowland was not one of the original group destined for Craigflower, nor did he figure prominently in their lives. However, he appears to have been a colourful figure - a jack of all trades and as such was known to the Craigflower people; when he eventually settled his children did attend Craigflower. Rowland had arrived at Ft. Victoria on the Norman Morison March 24, 1850 having left London Oct. 18, 1849.1 In describing the voyage, J.S. Helmcken, who was also aboard, wrote:
Fights ...happened occasionally, but the Captain "let them fight it out." Rowland was the chief boxer and our butcher too.2
Rowland was listed as a labourer, indentured to the Hudson's Bay Company; his name appears in numerous accounts performing a variety of tasks:
Administration of Justice a/c, Jan. 27, 1853:
Gov. Douglas to M. Rowland for services as Executioner at Nanaimo -$33.00.3
In his diary, Melrose noted that on Oct. 2, 1856 Rowland was imprisoned "one year for stealing cattle." However, six weeks later Rowland was "liberated from prison."4
In 1858, a stringent fine of $96 was imposed on Rowlands for selling liquor to Indians.
Politically, it appears that Rowland was involved 'behind the scenes.' His considerable charm coupled with a working class background rendered him acceptable to the labourers; in the election of 1860, J.S. Helmcken, a candidate for Esquimalt used this to his advantage:
I courted Mr. Rowland's vote and assistance - he could influence half a dozen ignorant people. I waited half the night to get it - sang as many songs as I could and smoked like a volcano but kept sober ... At last he promised me and kept his word - I had done much for him previously before - Justice of the Peace McKenzie worked in a whole-souled manner for "the cause" with his men, some of whom were kicking over the traces.6
On May 23, 1859, Rowland married Eliza Little, the wedding being witnessed by the Fish brothers, Robert and James.7 Anticipating the expiration of his Hudson's Bay Company contract, Rowland purchased land for farming; by 1860 his residence was listed as Strawberry Vale.8
Rowland's occupation. In 1860, was listed as "bricklayer"; his name was entered In Christ Church Baptismal. Records twice on Feb. 12, 1860 but no children's names appear. On May 27, 1860, his sons Mathew John and Joseph William were baptised; Rowland's occupation was then listed as "farmer".9 The Register of Burials indicates that an infant child of Mathew and Eliza was buried Dec. 23, 1863.
By 1866, Rowland's children were attending Craigflower. Following the examination July 20, 1866, those 'scholars receiving prizes' included 'W. Rowland, 1st Class.'10
Rowland's name appears again in 1872 in a petition to the school board expressing displeasure at the tutelage of Lyndon Lelievre.11 Rowland died in 1903 at the age of seventy-three. He was described as an 'enthusiastic agriculturalist' who developed a large farm in the area of Strawberry Vale and later kept the Burnside Hotel.12
Endnotes:
1 Log for 1840-51, David Wishart, master; before making the homeward voyage the Norman Morison sailed from Victoria, May 15 to Fort Simpson and New Archangel arriving back at Victoria, July 27, 1850. (HBC Arch. c.1/613)
2 The Reminiscences of Doctor John Sebastian Helmcken, ed. Dorothy Blakey Smith, p. 79.
3 Hudson's Bay Accounts, Ft. Victoria, 1852-58, (A/C 15 H86)
4 Melrose, Diary, Nov. 17, 1856.
5 Hudson's Bay Accounts, Ft. Victoria, January 1858, A/C 15 H86.
6 J.S. Helmcken, p. 175. Helmcken described a dinner at Craigflower Manor following the election: "... Mrs. McKenzie gave us a jolly good dinner - i.e. self and Burnaby and friends. The men regaled themselves in the kitchen and after a while came in to congratulate us - Burnaby sang some comic songs - in fact there was a feast of reason and a flow of soul until midnight. The McKenzies were whole-souled people and felt the victory ... for not much love existed between them and the Langfords, Skinners and Coopers, but they were not enemies."
7 Christ Church Parish Register. Baptismal Records, 1859-72. The census prepared by James Douglas for the year ending 1854 shows three people residing at 'Strawberry Vale'. The present community of Strawberry Vale is located north of W. Burnside.
8 Christ Church Parish Register. 1859-72; the wedding was performed by Rev. Dundas. See also file on Fish brothers.
9 Ibid., Baptismal Records, No. 361, 362, 372, 373. Possibly the baptisms were postponed from February until May. There is no indication as to whether the children were twins.
10 Alfred Waddington, [inspector of schools] Report: School Visits, 1865-67. The '1st Class' appears to indicate an award within that grade rather than a particular level in a subject.
11 Victoria School Board, Correspondence Inward, May 20, 1872; the letter was also signed by R. Anderson, Wm. Hillier, Jas. Dunn, H. Cogan [Crogan?] and H. Peatt.
12 Colonist, January 26, 1903; also J.S. Helmcken, p. 77.
Mathew Rowland, labourer to HBC
- not one of original Craigflower group
- children attended Craigflower 1866 +
- married Eliza Little, May 23, 1859
- listed as farmer, Strawberry Vale
- children; Mathew John, Joseph William; baptised May 27, 1860.