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- "In 1845 a dreadful catastrophe occurred on Lough Erne, within a couple of miles of Pettigo, on the night of 19th of March of this year, by which six men lost their lives. On that night a party of seven men embarked on a small boat from the south side of the Boa Island to go to a small island in the Main Lough, with the intention of spending the night there with a party of distillers who were making poteen. The night was dark and cold; their boat ran on a rock, knocking a hole in the bottom and causing it to sink in a few minutes; the only one who escaped was a man called Robert Burnside, and, strange to say, was the only man in the boat who could not swim. He, when he found himself in the water, clutched an oar, and clung to it until he reached the shore. It was thought that the others perished more from cold and exposure, as the night was rather severe, and only for that would have made their escape, as they were good swimmers, and the distance from where the boat was wrecked was not far to the land." Source: Book entitled Pettigo written by Robert Read in 1897
- A second source The Great Silence - the Famine in Fermanagh 1845-1850 by John B. Cunningham states: March 27,1845. Illicit Distilling. Six Lives Lost By Accident. By an accident occurred on the night of Friday last, at Bow Island or near to it at a place called Little Island, six men were drowned - William Betty, John Burnside, Thos. Horan, Christopher Foster, John Foster and William Farrell. It appears that the men were conveying turf in the cot to Bow Island, for the purpose of illicit distillation, and, at the place above mention came against a rock and upset. The body of Betty was found on Saturday, and an inquest held on it before Mr. Trotter, one of the county coroners. The bodies of the remaining five were taken up on Sunday, and an inquest held on them before the same coroner. In both cases verdicts of accidental death were returned. Reports say that a party of revenue police were on duty in the locality on the above night and that the unfortunate men were avoiding them.
- The third publication, Impartial Reporter & Farmers' Journal, Thursday, March 27, 1845 reveals - Accident and Loss of Life. On the 21st instant, between six and seven o'clock afternoon, William Betty, Christopher Foster, John Foster, John Burnside, Thomas Haran and William Farrell, left Bow Island in a boat for the purpose of going to a small island for fodder for cattle, and when within about 200 yards of it, the boat struck against a rock and upset, by which the six men lost their lives. Another of the name of Burnside, saved his life by getting hold of an oar. One of the drowned men has left a widow and six helpless orphans to deplore the loss of their industrious parent. An inquest has been held by Mr. William Trotter, and a verdict, "accidental drowning", was returned.
- In Ireland Robert was a farmer as well as a road and bridge builder. He continued this work in Canada. Many of the roads around Madoc, including the road to the Rapids, were built by him and his crew who were each paid $1.00/day. They paid 25 cents for room and board. One bridge attributed to Robert is Kellers Bridge.
- Robert's first farm was in Huntingdon Twp - Lot 13, Conc 10. In 1864 he moved to Madoc Twp Lot 9, Conc 8.
- 1878 Atlas Project says he "settled" in Hastings County, Ontario in 1847; he had Lot 9, Conc 8 @ 50 acres & Lot 32, Con 8 at 200 acres
- Obituary - from the North Hastings Review, June 1881 -
SUDDEN DEATH - Mr Robert Burnside, township road surveyor, died very suddenly at his residence in the township of Madoc on Saturday last. The deceased had been complaining for some time previously of a slight illness, but as he was not confined to his bed it was not considered at all serious. He retired as usual on Friday night, and was apparently well the next morning, but towards noon he was seized, it is thought, by a stroke of partial paralysis, and in a few moments expired. The funeral on Monday was one of the largest that has ever been seen in the township.
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Singing Our Family Song
1821 - 1881 (60 years)
