Suggested Island Names

These names commenorate the first persons who are known through written records or oral histoy to have settled the area around of Patterson Lake. Archie Patterson (29), his wife Mary Buchanan(30) and their children Agnes (5), Elizabeth (3), and Jean (6 months) came to Canada in 1821 and settled on land just south of the bay on the south shore. They were part of Milton Dumbartonshire Emigration Society and came on the ship “David of London”. They had three more children born in Canada, Archibald (born about 1823), a child, “M.P.”, who probably died in infancy; he or she was buried on the farm in 1825 according to the Lanark Genealogy Society, and Mary (born about 1828).

Mary's Island is a well used local name that commenorates a First Nation's woman who lived on the island during the time of Archie Patterson and his family were homesteading there. This could easily be extended in the thinking to honour Mary Buchanan, Archie's wife, and Mary, the last child of Archie and Mary.

More history is at the link: History of Patterson Lake Area.

I would like to suggest two more names for lake features. I suggest we name the shoal rock east of what is known as Mary's Island, sometimes showing and sometimes submerged, as MP Rock in honor of the child of Archie & Mary who died in infancy in 1825 and is buried on the land at south side of the Lake. I would also suggest we name the bay at the south side closest to the shoal rock and Mary's Island, with the name of MacCrimmon Bay in honour of John MacCrimmon who built and used a trapping shack on this bay in the 1940-1950 era. Parts of the shack are still there in 2010.

Suggested by Lorne Bowerman, 151 Lakeside Rd. November 20, 2010 and revised June 13, 2011.

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Regarding the islands, I would like to suggest the following list. (based on the Group of Seven and their associates who painted the Canadian Shield) 1. Remain as Mary’s island because it is in common use.
2. Tom Thompson Island – because it looks like one of his most famous works the Jack Pine.
3. Jackson Island after AY Jackson.
4. Lawren Harris Island.
5. Varley Island.
There are several group names remaining which could be used for the privately held island if the owners wish.

Suggested by Ted Manning, 407 Hardwood Ridge, June 12, 2011

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1. Mary‘s island
2. Speck island
3. Crooked Thumb island
4. Jack (Layton island
5. Mystery Island

Suggested by Mary Elizabeth James of 619 Fairs Way, September 3, 2011.

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The owner of the island with a cottage on it in the western arm of the lake will also participate the naming process. He wants the island to be named Purdon Island.

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Lakeside Island - #5
Hardwood Ridge Island - #4
Parsons Island - #3
Fairs Island - #2
Marys Island would remain as is - #1

Suggested by Judy Young of 284 Parsons Way on November 28, 2011. She commented that "I think it would be fun to name the islands after the roads that lead unto the Lake, perhaps naming the island closest to the road by that name."

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