https://www.facebook.com/570745496939657/

Aitken/McKenna Family, Toronto, ON (2026)

03/02/2025

01/20/2024

John 'Jack' Eldred McKenna (1923-2010) Prince Edward Island, s/o Emma Grace McNeill (1895-1988)and John Joseph McKenna (1895-1954), h/o Marion Francis McCarville (1927-2013).

09/16/2021

Please if this is your family can you add photos 📸, stories 📖, anecdotes and things to help me make the names real people! Thanks!!!! Will be putting this all together for a book in a year or so....need more information

07/21/2021

http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=12019

John Aitken (1725-1799) and his wife Margaret (Lowden) Aitken (1739-c 1798) arrived in St. John's Island (PEI) aboard the ship, the Lovely Nelly, in 1775. They came from Auchenhay in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. Five of their children accompanied them on the voyage. It was the youngest, George Aitken (1779-1858), who was later born on the Island at Panmure Island who would later construct the current stone house.

John and Margaret purchased 100 acres of land overlooking the Montague River across from the former French De Roma settlement on Brudenell Point. They built a crude log cabin and began improving their land. By 1815, George Aitken added an additional 90 acres next to his father's property and began operating a grist mill. The profits from this likely helped him construct the stone house. Aitken's farm also became famous for producing "Aitken Black Oats" which were shipped to Britain during the Crimean War (1853-1856). George was married to Hannah Beairsto (1777-1858). The couple was known locally as fine entertainers and on one occasion hosted the Island's Lieutenant Governor at their home.

After visiting Scotland, George returned to PEI and began construction of the house around 1824. The stone walls were made 36 inches thick. Famed Island architect, W.C. Harris, would later remark in 1888 that "the stones in the walls were perfect, still retaining the tool marks when they were cut..."

The home reflects its Scottish roots in the use of flat-topped Palladian windows and the shape and style of the sidelights in the central entrance. An interesting interior feature is a telescope which was placed in a recess in the wall. It allowed the viewer to quickly see who was coming to visit or survey the activity on the river.

The house has remained in the Aitken family to this day and is remarkable for its well-preserved architectural elements.

A well preserved and rare example of a stone house in Prince Edward Island, the Aitken House is located on a hill overlooking the Montague River. It features a symmetrical facade with a central palladian style entrance with a large central dormer directly above, which is typical of Scottish influenc...