Doyle, Lawrence, 1847?-1907

Abstract NA4377 Alphonse Whitty, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives at Whitty's home in Farmington, P.E.I. on April 1, 1968. Whitty, Larry Doyle's grandnephew, sings the opening stanzas of "The Picnic at Groshaut" and “Merchants of the Bay.” Brief discussion about some of the men mentioned in "Merchants of the Bay." Discussion about the song "The Bay Bridge" and Whitty speaks what he recalls of the lyrics. Questions about "When Johnny Went Plowing for Kieran" about one of Larry Doyle's nephews....

Abstract NA4397 Arthur Cahill, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives at Groshaut, (St. Charles) P.E.I., July 18, 1970. Discusses Lawrence Doyle, his family, and songs, old days at Groshaut, background of Doyle’s songs; information on Hugh Lauchlan MacDonald and his songs; other songmakers discussed; discussion of the picnic at Groshaut, working in saloons, dance styles. Recording: mf167_1.1_ives070.03_cd135_01 - mf167_1.1_ives070.03_cd135_31. Time: 00:57:44Ives' notes on the interview...

Abstract NA4390 Sandy Ives' spoken notes and observations following a brief interview with Chester Pratt in St. Peter's, P.E.I. on April 3, 1969. Age 80, son of Charles E. "Peddler" Pratt (aka "Catch Eggs Pratt"), about whom Lawrence Doyle made up a song. Did not know Doyle well, but his father did not think well of Doyle. Description of a "tea party" fundraiser like the "Picnic at Groshaut." Tells about his father's wagons, which he used in peddling. Tom Lewis a better poet than Doyle. Recording:...

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NA4392 Frank Curran, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives at the home of Mrs. Laura Curran, Farmington, P.E.I., April 3, 1969. Ives visited the house to see Mrs. Laura Curran, Frank Curran's sister-in-law. Curran spoke of a song Doyle made up about his father and a horse trader. Ives' notes record, "What he gave me was little enough. Curran was pretty full." Recording: mf167_1.1_ives069.03_cd131_11. Time: 00:04:52

Abstract NA4384 Herbert MacLeod, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives, April 4, 1968, at the Senior Citizens Home, Montague, P.E.I. Also present in the room, Mrs. MacLeod, Bobby Ives. MacLeod, age 79, sings "The Picnic at Groshaut" from a typed copy. His voice is a strong tenor ending lines of the song with a vibrato. Sings "Out Behind the Barn," a popular song. Sings “Galway Bay.” Speaks about the farm where he was born and lived, that it was where the "Bear at Grand River" crossed the river and...

Abstract NA4396 James Whitty, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives, Melrose, MA, Feb. 6, 1970. Whitty, age 62, of 45 Naples Rod, Melrose, Massachusetts, provides information about his great uncle Lawrence Doyle’s background and life on P.E.I.; discussion of his songs; some songs recited; also, information about Hughie Lauchlan MacDonald, another songmaker; information about old days on P.E.I.; other songmakers discussed briefly. 61 pp. Recording: mf167_1.1_ives070.02A_cd133_01 -...

Abstract NA4405 Mrs. John Banks, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives at Poplar Point, P.E.I., July 22, 1970. Information on Hughie Lauchlan MacDonald and his songs, also Dan Somers and Lawrence Doyle, other song makers; discusses references in songs; recites parts of songs; talks about farming. Banks was born at Table Head and moved to Poplar Point when he was three years old. Worked in Boston. Been as far as Route 16 on the Island. Mentions that Somers was a beautiful singer and had low vision so...

Abstract NA4385 John J. "Jack" MacIssac, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives on April 5, 1968, at the home of a family member. Mr. MacIssac, age 87, is blind and diabetic and complains of having short wind. Gives general information about Larry Doyle. Lived in St. Charles, near Larry Doyle. Sings one stanza of "Bay Bridge" by Larry Doyle. Sings "Picnic at Groshaut." Sings one stanza of "Bear at Grand River." Conversation follows on Doyle. Description of a "concert." How Doyle used to auction....

Abstract NA4386 John "Jack" Farrell, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives on March 31, 1969, at St. Georges, P.E.I. Also present in room, Bobby Ives. Farrell had been recommended by Mr. McCormack, a neighbor, who wrote to Ives. Roar in background is blower in kerosene burner in stove. Farrell was sitting by the stove. Farrell sings "The Potato Bug" which he attributes Lawrence Doyle. Farrell's father used to board with Doyle and work in his carpenter shop with him. Watched him make up songs....

Abstract NA4382 John Miller, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives, April 2, 1962, at the Miller home in Morell, P.E.I. Miller sings the most complete version of "When Johnny Went Plowing for Kieran" found to date and names Kieran Larkin and Johnny McCormick as the subjects of the song. Sings “Bear at Grand River,” fragmentary with long pauses. Miller sings a complete version of “Prince Edward Isle, Adieu.” Sings one stanza of “The Merchants of the Bay.” Miller sings two stanzas of the song he made,...

Abstract NA4378 Leo Gorman, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives at his home in Groshaut (St. Charles), P.E.I. on April 1, 1968. In the room for the session are Leo Gorman, age 70, his wife, his daughter Susan, his bachelor brothers John D. and Ambrose, Arthur Cahill, Alphonse Whitty, and Bobby Ives. Ives' notes on this recording: For this first selection, I made a bad blunder by accidentally recording over the first of a session at Gorman's. What follows here came after we had a tea and after we'd...

Abstract NA4391 Mr. & Mrs. Wilfred Larkin, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives, April 3, 1969, at the senior's home in St. Peters, P.E.I. Wilfred Larkin is 93 years old. His wife is 80 years old. Mr. Larkins sings "Charming Sally Ann." Breaks off after first and second stanza, but then continues. Sings with great difficulty. Conversation about some of Doyle's songs. Other matters relating to old St. Peters. (The rattling is the large sheets of paper on which Mrs. Larkin had written songs down)....

Abstract NA4376 Mrs. John MacIsaac, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives in her St. Peters, P.E.I. home on April 1, 1968. Begins with Mrs. MacIsaac, Larry Doyle's grandniece, explaining her relationship to Larry Doyle. His sister, Ellen Doyle, was her grandmother who married Dennis Whitty. She indicates she was the second oldest in her family but her first name is not included on the recording. Larry Doyle was her godfather as well as her great uncle. Discusses the genealogy of the family and...

Abstract NA4383 Reginald “Reggie” Banks, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives, April 4, 1968, at Poplar Point, P.E.I. Also present in the room are Mrs. Banks, John Banks (Reggie's father, age 88 [dob 04/05/1880], hearing impaired), Wilbur Wood, and two of the Banks children. John Banks remembers Larry Doyle, tells of him. LD was not much of a singer, but good at making up songs. People did not get mad at him; tells of how he made up a song for the Blackett boys at Little River. Points out where the...

Abstract NA4375 Roderick Hanley, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives in Hanley's Charlottetown, P.E.I., home, March 31, 1968. Also present is Hanley's wife, Mary Hanley, Bobby Ives, and a child. Hanley sings the first two stanzas of "The Picnic at Groshaut." Discusses when and where singing was done as entertainment. Discussed Larry Doyle as a "well-liked" fellow. Tells the story behind one of Larry Doyle's rhymes: Charlie Pratt, from his wagon high, to Tom McMahon made this reply; Go and bring...

Abstract NA4400 Victor LaPierre, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives at Annandale, P.E.I., July 20, 1970. Discusses "Maggie C." a song LaPierre wrote three or four years before WWII. "Maggie C." was launched in the spring and LaPierre wrote the song the winter after she launched. Made up song while working with his brother to put down wood. For every load his brother loaded, Victor made another verse. Reference to Cornie Morrison, Danny Ward, Howlett Brothers, Roy and Elby, Daniel Ward. Talk about...

Abstract NA4381 Wilfred Larkin, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives, April 2, 1962, at the Larkin apartment in the senior citizens' home, St. Peter's Bay, P.E.I. Also present in the room, Mrs. Larkin and Bobby Ives. Over 90-years-old and quite hearing impaired at the time of the recording, Larkin remembers Larry Doyle and bits of his songs. He sings "The Picnic at Groshaut." Not complete. “Bear at Grand River.” Does not know it all, he says. Conversation follows about Tom Lewis, boot and shoemaker,...

Abstract NA4388 William Banks, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives on April 1, 1969, at his home in Annadale, P.E.I. Also in the room are Bobby Ives, Banks' wife, his son Geordie (about 8-years-old) and his daughter, about 10-years-old with cognitive delays. Sandy Ives' notes on the recording follow: Banks had spent a lot of time collecting these old songs and writing them down as he heard them. Then he recorded himself on his own tape recorder. He wanted me to dub off from these tapes rather than...