Cornelius Howatt, that noted Island patriot who opposed Confederation in 1873, is about to make a comeback – at least in spirit.
Forty years ago, a society named in his honour flourished for a year, then self-destructed, as promised. That was in 1973, the Centennial of P.E.I. joining Confederation; the society was The Brothers and Sisters of Cornelius Howatt (BSCH). It was founded by then-young Island historians David Weale and Harry Baglole.
Now, four decades later, the public is invited to join with the former Brothers and Sisters, their friends and relatives, for a special evening devoted to “Remembering Cornelius". The main event will be a lecture by Ryan O’Connor, on the topic: “The Pie-Faced Kid at 40: The Legacy of the Brothers and Sisters of Cornelius Howatt.” The venue is The Irish Cultural Centre (BIS Hall), 582 North River Road, Charlottetown; the time, Thursday, Aug. 8, from 7:30 until whenever. Admission is free.
Ryan O’Connor, Trent University, is an historian whose work on Prince Edward Island identity has included studies of the National Farmers Union, the Brothers and Sisters of Cornelius Howatt, the Rural Renaissance of Premier Angus MacLean, and the back-to-the-land movement.
In 1973, the Brothers and Sisters took advantage of the national stage set by the P.E.I. Centennial Commission to poke fun at some of the official celebrations, and at the same time to share with Islanders stories about their self-reliant pre-Confederation past. Cornelius Howatt was an Island MLA from Tryon who gained notoriety as one of only two members of the Legislature to vote against Confederation in 1873.
As well as seeking to kindle pride in the Island’s history, the BSCH raised many concerns about contemporary trends – such as the decline of the family farm, issues of land use and ownership, and a growing economic and cultural dependence on Ottawa: issues which remain with us still.
