145. Emily "Claire" Thomas

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Daughter of Richard Thomas & Ellen Little. Born 10 Apr 1898 in Thomaston Corner. Died 18 Jan 1993 in Swanhaven Nursing Home, Harvey. Buried in Brockway Union Cemetery.

From The Daily Gleaner, 19 Jan 1993:

ARMSTRONG

At Swan Haven Nursing Home, Harvey, on Monday, January 18, 1993, E. Claire Armstrong, in her 95th year.  Widow of the late Rev. William Armstrong.  Survived by one daughter, Frances Little; four sons, Hugh, Blair, Grant and Donald Watson.  Predeceased by her first husband, the late Charles Watson; daughter Betty Estabrooks; infant daughter Eleanor.

Resting at Swan Funeral Home, Harvey until Wednesday when funeral service will be held in St. Andrews United Church at 3 pm.  Visiting hours at the funeral home Thesday 2-4 and 7-9 pm.  Interment in Brockway Cemetery at a later date.  Rev. K. Ruth Stuart officiating.  Donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice if so desired.

Excerpt from The Daily Gleaner, 12 Feb 1993 re: E. Claire Armstrong:

Born at Thomaston Corner, she was the daughter of Richard and Ellen (Little) Thomas.  Graduating from Provincial Normal School in 1916, she taught in several New Brunswick schools before going to Saskatchewan where she met and later married Charles Watson.  They lived near Oxbow, Saskatchewan.

In 1937 with six children they moved to St. Stephen then to Harvey Station where they managed and eventually bought the Farmers' Trading Company Store.  In later years she lived in several other New Brunswick communities:  Brockway, Lawrence Station and Fredericton.

She first married Charles Arthur Watson, 31 Jul 1923 in Saskatchewan. Born 17 Apr 1899 in Sask. Died 7 Mar 1957 in Saint John, NB. Buried in Brockway Union Cemetery.

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Excerpt from The Daily Gleaner, 4 Jul 1990:

WATSON'S STORE MARKS 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS

Harvey -- "If they don't have it or can't get it, you probably don't need it" -- this has been suggested of Watson's Store now celebrating 50 years of serving Harvey and surrounding area.

Watson's Store was first opened in 1892 under the name of the "Farmer's Trading Company Store" also known as the "Grange".  In the fall of 1937 having experienced the depression years in the small grain growing and stock farming community of Auburnton, Sask., Charles Arthur Watson, his wife Claire (Thomas) Watson and their six children--Betty, Frances, Hugh, Blair, Grant and Donald made their way east in a 1929 Chev.

Although a farmer, Mr Watson had a good deal of business experience having sold cream separators in the west, managed a co-op part time, and travelled to prairie farms with Haskil Vail buying horses for shipment and sale in St. Stephen.  On presenting himself to the shareholders and with a recommentation from Aunt Liz--Charles became the new manager of the Company Store.  The Watson family lived in a t wo bedroom house adjoining the store.  Mr Watson started work Dec 6, 1937.

In 1940 the shareholders offered the store for sale and Mr Watson made arrangements with each to purchase their shares.  Some were paid in cash but many took part payment and received goods over several years to use up credit notes issued.  The name then became Watson's Store.

The war years brought prosperity to the business; many commodities were scarce and with demand so great there was no trouble selling; in fact ration cards were issued for many items.

As Mr Watson still owned two half sections of land in Saskatchewan he made arrangements with a farm neighbor to share crops grown there.  On two occasions his neighbor, Wilmar Armstrong travelled east with a boxcar load of horses which were kept in Emery Little's barn across from Watson's Store until they were sold.

February 1943 brought disaster to the Watsons.  A fire of unknown origin destroyed the store, home and most of the contents.  Because of exploding cans of oil-type paint, the raging fire was not easily extinguished.  The store's safe was pulled from the burning fire but much of the contects were destroyed.  A few papers including the deed was still legible with the seal melted into the paper.  Any coins in the safe had been melted together, paper money and documents not bound tightly together were burned to ashes.  All accounts receivable as well as payables were destroyed.  The only stock saved was flour and feed in an adjacent shed.  The shed was immediately put to use as a temporary store.

Neighbors and surrounding communities responded by offering money, labor and materials to assist in rebuilding; the family went to stay with neighbors and a new building was erected on the same site, moving in before Christmas 1943.

Failing health in the 40's led to Mr Watson easing out of the store business and settling in Brockway where he raised chickens and turkeys and ran a summer lodge and cabins on Oromocto Lake.

Hugh Watson began full time work in the store in June 1951 with Blair joining in partnership in 1955.  The business has changed over the years with an addition to the main store in 1966 and an addition to adjoining warehouse and two additional warehouses built in 1989.............

They had the following children:

414 i. Betty Jean Watson

415 ii. Frances Elaine Watson

416 iii. Hugh Charles Watson

417 iv. William "Blair" Thomas Watson

418 v. Robert "Grant" Watson

419 vi. Donald James Watson

420 vii. Eleanor Claire Watson