Markland Fall Harvest Picnic
16 September, 2006
Each September Beverly and Harley Redden host a fall pot luck at their camp which is located on Lot 23 (18-1875) 100 acres of land settled by the pioneer settler, Olafur Thorsteinsson, the blacksmith.
This year as special guests, we had the descendants of Bjarní Solvason and Kristen "Christina" Johannsdottir, the pioneers who were granted Lot 9 [13-1875 - Crown Grant 13569 - 96 acres; and 17-1875 - Crown Grant 14126 - 100 acres] which they named Vatnahlið (Lakeside).
June MacNab, her daughter Mary MacNab, her granddaughter Molly Fraser and her grandson Duncan Moffat live on Vancouver Island and planned a special trip to Markland in September 2006.
Here is a brief sketch of the family provided by June MacNab.
In 1874 Bjarní and Kristin left the farm Mikligarður, Seylu Township, Skagafjarðarsýsla region, Iceland, on the S. S. Patrick bound for Canada. They went to Kinmount first and in 1875 they arrived in Markland.
A son, Solvi, died of measles while staying at Iceland House. Daughters Maria "Mary" (age 13), Gudrun "Gertrude" (age 9) and Ingibjorg Margret "Margaret Solvason Turner" (age 1) are listed in Jon Rognvaldsson's survey of Markland (February 1878). A daughter Emily "Emma" Margaret appears to have been born on January 14, 1879. This family was one of the last to leave Markland in 1882 for Emerson, Manitoba.
June MacNab's grandmother was Ingiborg Margaret (Mrs. David Turner). They had 8 children. Only 2 of Margaret's children had families. June's mother was Mary "Molly" and her sister, Florence "Floss". Tuberculosis appears to have ravaged this family.
September 16, 2006, was a beautiful fall day in Nova Scotia. The MacNab family first visited the site of Iceland House and then the memorial cairn. Don Redden, Wayne Scott, Marshall Burgess and Glenda Burrows then took them to Lot 2 (Lot 35-1875, Grænvatn) where Gudbrandur Erlendsson lived. He wrote the book in 1916 about his life in Markland (1875-1881).
Lunch was served by the Reddens at their camp. Then a group of people headed out to visit the two Solvason lots. The group saw segments of the "Iceland Road" leading to Mooseland which was built by the pioneer settlers.
First the family arrived at Lot 13-1875 where the family homestead (Vatnahlið) was located. The hole in the ground which was the root cellar of the old house is all that remains. The well is located nearby. The view to Copes Lake has all but disappeared. The group then visited the second lot and saw the foundation/well located there.
A pot luck supper was served at the Redden camp. Banjos and guitars were played. The sun set and we left to return to our homes.
Without doubt from 1875-1882 the Icelanders visited each other in Markland and shared whatever they had with each other. Music and singing are noted in Erlendsson's book.
The Society hopes that other descendants will be found, they will come to visit Markland, they will meet the members of the Icelandic Memorial Society of Nova Scotia, and their stories and ours will be exchanged. This way the Icelandic Society will continue to grow and this saga unfold.