Construction of the Manners Sutton schoolhouse began in 1887, the doors opening a couple of years later to students in Manners Sutton. Due to the swampy land it sat on, the school became affectionately known as the “Swamp” School.
Located near the present-day T junction of the Tweedside Road and Route 3 in the Harvey Rural Community, the schoolhouse consisted of a single room with two outhouses in the back, and a woodshed. This simple yet functional structure served its purpose well for nearly eight decades.
The schoolhouse was built by Henry Swan (info below), a respected local figure who also generously provided the land on which it stood. While Henry played a key role in its construction, others in the community pitched in.
Used as a school until 1965, the building witnessed countless lessons, laughter, and milestones. Its role in education came to an end with the opening of the Harvey Elementary School in the Village of Harvey. After its closure as a school, the property was sold to Henry James, who repurposed the building as an electrical repair shop.
Recently, the building has once again changed hands, having been sold by the James family. A tour of the old building revealed the original wainscotting and window trim painted in institutional green as well as large blackboards on both ends of the building.
More details about the construction of the school and some of the students who went there were written up by Jocelean Swan Hall, great granddaughter of the builder, Henry Swan. From The Scrapbook: The Building of the “Swamp Schoolhouse”
Henry “Harry” Swan, son of James Swan and Jane Moody, was born on June 4th, 1843 and died at the age of 84 on March 5th, 1928. He was born in Harvey, New Brunswick and worked as a farmer, carpenter and woodsman. Harry and his wife, Jane Piercy (1847-1933), lived on the George Davidson farm and had seven children; James Swan who married Annie L Burrell, Matthew Swan who married Mary Alberta Mowatt, Jane Agnes “Aggie” Swan who married Thomas A Speedy, George Davidson Swan who died young, George Frederick “Fred” Swan who married Minnie Rose Berkely, Ella May Swan who died young, and Henry “Ernest” Swan who never married.
From his obituary:
“Henry Swan, Age 82, Passes Suddenly
Harvey Station, March 18 — The death of Henry Swan of Manners Sutton occurred suddenly March 5. Deceased was 82 years of age. He is survived by his wife and three children, Ernest, at Home; Fred, Vancouver; and Mrs Thomas Speedy, Manners Sutton. The last surviving brother is Alexander Swan, of Manners Sutton.
The funeral took place March 7, services by Rev. George Knight, pastor of Knox Presbyterian Church, Manners Sutton, with interment in the Harvey Cemetery.”
