John Maxwell was born in Belfast, Ireland in 1835, and lived until 1887. After successfully mining during the Fraser Valley gold rush, he settled on Salt Spring Island, in 1861. He pioneered 1100 acres of land at Burgoyne Bay. Maxwell married a Cowichan Indian woman, Mary Grey, who is believed to be related to the George family of Clemclemaluts, on Vancouver Island. John and Mary raised seven children at Burgoyne Bay.
Barb Lyngard, is the great granddaughter of John Maxwell. Barb’s archival photos and childhood memories of growing up on Salt Spring, recall the story of her pioneer family. Chris Arnett, local First Nations historian, adds his research regarding the mapping, settlement and aboriginal links to Burgoyne Bay (Xwaaqw’um).
With gratitude to the Salt Spring Historical Society for organizing the presentation in 2006 at Central Hall, and to Barb Lyngard and her family for sharing their life and times. And reminding us of the importance of history, community and family. Courtesy of the video archives of Peter Prince, a Salt Spring filmmaker and musician: peterprince.ca/
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