Bessie May Patterson

Norman and Bessie Patterson were early Brockton Crescent residents. They moved to the area around 1920. At that time what is now Mount Seymour Parkway was known as Keith Hill. Norman started out as a horse logger. The family lost their first house due to taxes and subsequently built a log home on land they bought after a short stay at an abandoned shingle mill. Keith Hill was densely forested. Nevertheless, the Pattersons acquired six more lots and by 1926 were clearing these lots. Their family grew from three to seven children. Their house grew alongside. Eventually they built another house on their property as they wore out that log house. The family left for about a year in 1931; Bessie and the children returned to their home in 1932 but without Norman as sadly he had passed away. It was not an easy return. The family that temporarily moved into the Patterson house did not vacate so Bessie and the children had no choice but to move onto the 12 foot wide porch and set up house. Just before winter Bessie got her house back. This was a time of hardship. Bessie was very industrious – raising chickens and goats and growing vegetables. These enterprises kept the children busy with chores. Firewood was chopped and water sourced from the well. Bessie was a busy home cook and she also cooked at the Dollar Mill. In the summer the family enjoyed picnics, swimming and dances at the Deep Cove Dance Hall.