Toponymie | Canton de Potton | Place Names

This road was within an ace of being called hortensias (which is the French name for Hydrangea) when Ron Alward, in 1990, reminded the Municipality of historical name of road: Old Stewart or Valley View Road, two names used interchangeably over the years.  Old Stewart prevailed; however, it seems that “Old Stewart” is also mis-spelled and should appear as “Old Stuart Road”, for the family of Stuarts, among whom that of Charles Stuart, who once lived on it. 

Although the history of the road has not been thoroughly researched, older residents recall this road, being the “old” road to Mansonville (as in first road).  Montée Old Stewart, a vestige of the original road, begins on the right before descending into Dunkin, near 2632 route de la Vallée-Missisquoi.  The original track led past farm houses, over hill and dell, connecting with Chemin des Marguerites and/or Fitzsimmons, then descending beside the west side of the Chapel Hill Cemetery, and leading to a point in Mansonville, near the CIBC.    Traces of it may still be seen here and there.   Few of the Stuart name are found in cemetery records; however, Charles A. Stuart (1879-1921) lies buried in Mansonville Cemetery with his infant daughter, Ella E. (1919-1919).  Another, that of  Margaret Stuart (1839-1911), is found in the Ruiter's Settlement Cemetery of Dunkin.  Details of the Stuart family provided by Mrs. Mary Cowan Bailey give us a very likely reason for this road name (see notes on Chemin Fitzsimmons). Two of the family name Stewart are interred in Potton: Charlotte M. (1840-1911) and Jane (1828-1902).  Were they sisters?