Leasks

Leasks : St. Leonard’s

Sam Leask emigrated in 1860 from Orkney Islands with his parents Mr. And Mrs. John Leask to Red river, from there to MacDowall area in about 1880. Married Sarah Foulds of same area and moved to St. Leanards district in 1890. The Foulds family was also from Red River and were direct descendants of Selkirk settlers.

Sam and Sarah farmed near Festos. Their home was a stopping place for teamsters driving between Carrot River and Prince Albert. Teams were sheltered and fed and their drivers likewise.

Many stories have been told about the social life of this age. Picnics and Basket Socials and House parties that lasted until morning milking time.

Shopping was often done through the Eaton catalogue – Prince Albert and its stores being 20 miles away. Peddlers with various wares covered the countryside during the summer, driving a horse and covered buggy. Clothing, shoes, patent medicines, baking supplies, yard goods were offered to country residents. Sam passed away in 1930, aged 70. Sarah died in 1940, also aged 70. The are buried in St. Andrew’s churchyard.

Their children were :

John (called Fox) - married Sarah (Prince Albert)

Fred -married Irene McDonald

Bert -married Elsie Adams (B. Hills)

Grace -married Jack(John) Baird (Davies or Daves)

Christie -married Ned Irvine (Halcro)

Lillian -Jack Godfrey (North Battleford)