Salt Spring Island Archives
The Akerman family lineage on Salt Spring started when Joseph Akerman settled here. Joseph came from Chirton, Wiltshire, England. In 1855 he set off on the Tynemouth bound for Canada in search of farm land. He finds himself in San Francisco and realizes he can not afford to live there so he sets off again to Victoria where he rents some land and starts farming. He sells vegetables and starts to work on the sailing ships loading timber. In 1862 Joseph pre empted land in the Fulford Valley and began to build his home.
Joseph heard that the bride ship Robert Lowe was sailing to Victoria so he traveled to the island in search of a wife. This is where he met Martha Clay from Hinckley, Leicestershire. They went on to have eight children. One of which being George Edward (Ted) Akerman.
Ted was born in 1873. As he grew up he worked odd jobs for his family farm or down in the Fulford valley. One of these jobs was at the Travelers Saloon. The Travelers Saloon was opened by Martha and Joseph in the late 1860s. It was a bed and breakfast as well as a general store. The charge for a overnight stay was $1. This was the first ever general store in the south end. After working in the bar at the Saloon, Ted gets a job with Al Raynes, the only pile driver on the island. Up until 1998 he worked building the first wharves on Salt Spring. He then went on later in life to be hired by the provincial Governments Department of Highways to become a road foreman in order to build most of the first roads in the south end of the island. He worked for 45 years as a Road Foreman while Ellen stayed at home and tended to the farm and the children.
A friendship developed between Ted and Ellen Gyves, leading them to get married in 1898. They begin to build their house in Fulford Valley across from where the fire hall is now, and have five children. One of the five children was Robert Michael (Bob) Akerman. Bob Akerman was youngest and born in 1912.
Bob goes on to marry Molly Reed Morrison in 1939. They had eleven children over the years. Bob was quite the historian to Salt Spring residents. He created the Akerman Family Museum for the public to come in and appreciate all the artifacts he collected over the years. In Bob’s book “The Akerman Family”, he mentions that his father Ted would bring him home tools and artifacts that he found when he was building the roads. After collecting for years, Bob decided he was going to finally open the museum when he was 80 years old.
One of his eleven children, Darlene, went on to marry Tim O’Donnell, starting the well-known O’Donnell name on Salt Spring. Some of the O’Donnell children and grandchildren, similar to many other traditional families of Salt Spring, are committed to learning about their ancestral ties to the land and the nations from which their families stem from.
Bob Akerman in his museum 2004
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Doll Museum
Bob Akerman in his museum 2004
Mary Ann (Tuwa’hwiye Tusium Gosselim) Gyves c. 1854-1941
holding Bob Akerman
Mary Ann was a much loved and hard-working pioneer and midwife, who was known for her adaptability in all situations and who maintained great inner strength and determination. Her birth date is not recorded but she was born Tuwa’H Wiye Gosselem around 1854. She was one of three children born to Cowichan First Nation Chieftain, “George” Tusilum and his wife Taltunaat, of the Clem-Clemelutz Clan.
Her marriage to Michael Gyves (c. 1840 - 1941) is registered on 11 July 1886 at Cowichan. She was about 17; he was 46. Michael and Mary Ann had three children: Ellen (m. Ted Akerman), Michael (m. Caroline Cotsford) and Mary Katherine (m. Ernie Brenton)
Mary Ann helped Michael clear their homestead - she drove the oxen and he drove the plow. They lived in a windowless shack at the foot of the mountain until Michael could build a more comfortable home, which still stands adjacent to the Fulford Fire Hall. A true pioneer woman, her husband claimed cougars were more afraid of Granny’s stick than his gun!
Mary Ann was a midwife. She received her healing knowledge from her Cowichan family. This skill was much appreciated by all who benefited from her medical treatment and assistance at births. She is credited with bringing many of the south end babies into the world.
A devoted grandmother, Mary Ann moved into Ganges during the school week to keep house so her grandchildren could attend high school. This enabled the children to get their diplomas. The girls went on to nursing careers, thanks to Granny’s sacrifice.
Gyves house, Salt Spring Island, BC
c. 1914
Joe Akerman (born 1868 he was the first white child born on Salt Spring) and Ernest Harrison (born 1867)
Photo likely taken at the Harbour House Hotel.
1958
L-R: Dena Crofton, Molly Akerman, Eliza Maxwell, Dorothy Akerman, Inez Maxwell, Tilly Akerman
Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island, BC
c. 1917
Bob Akerman standing atop a log six feet in diameter, on his 1942 GMC. Taken in front of Bob & Molly Akerman's home.
Fulford Valley, Salt Spring Island, BC
c. 1954
The Traveller’s Rest, opened 1884 by Joseph Akerman and Martha Clay.
Fulford Valley, Salt Spring Island, BC
c. 1960's-70's
Likely the original log house behind the Traveller’s Rest.
Fulford Valley, Salt Spring Island, BC
c. 1969
Maurice McTighe home.
Morningside Road.
Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island, BC
c. late 1950's
Dorothy and Bill Harris barn.
David Harris (aka the “Honey-man”) apiary. The barn was built by David's father, Bill Harris
Fulford Valley, Salt Spring Island, BC
c. 1970's
David Harris (aka the “Honey-man”) apiary from the perspective of the Akerman “White House”.
Fulford Valley, Salt Spring Island, BC
1984
Logging on Salt Spring Island.
Note the corduroy road.
Salt Spring Island, BC
c. early 1900's
Joe Nightingale and Joe Akerman
location unknown
c. early 1900's
L to R: Jim Akerman, Michael Gyves Sr., Michael Gyves Jr., Tom Jackson and George Edward (Ted) Akerman bringing in the hay at the Gyves Farm (on the location of the present day Fulford Fire Hall). The Akerman family home, the “White House” is visibile in the background.
Fulford Valley, Salt Spring Island, BC
c.1910
Traveller’s Rest - the first “inn” on Salt Spring island was opened by Ted and Martha Akerman in the late 1860's.
“People who travelled to Salt Sring and couldn't get back homethe same day paid $1 to saty the night and eat breakfast at the Traveller’s Rest” The Akerman Family: Growing Up with With Salt Spring Island by Bob Akerman with Linda Sherwood.
Fulford Valley, Salt Spring Island, BC
1984
Akerman original log cabin or barn as situated behind the Traveller’s Rest.
Fulford Valley, Salt Spring Island, BC
1984
First Akerman barn (also described as log house) behind the Travellers Rest
Fulford Valley
Salt Spring Island, BC
1984
Ted Akerman - Ellen Gyves marriage
(Ted ) George Edward Akerman. and Ellen. Ellen was the daughter of Michael Gyves and Mary Anne Gosselem. They were married in Victoria Feb 14, 1901. Ellen Gyves was born July 14, 1871, died May 17, 1955. Ted was born Dec. 28, 1873, died June 12, 1953
This photo was likely taken in the older back portion of the “White House”.
Fulford Valley
Salt Spring Island
1901
Akerman “White House”
Fulford Valley
Salt Spring Island
c. 1990's
Gyves family home
Fulford Valley, Salt Spring Island, BC
c. 1990
Akerman log cabin behind the Traveller’s Rest
Fulford Valley
Salt Spring Island, BC
1990
Old Akerman house
Fulford Valley,
Salt Spring Island, BC
c. 1980's
Old Akerman house
Fulford Valley,
Salt Spring Island, BC
c. 1980's
Edward Lee/Hudson Ed Lee house
Fulford Valley,
Salt Spring Island, BC
c. 1980's
Edward Lee/Hudson Ed Lee house
Fulford Valley,
Salt Spring Island, BC
c. 1980's
Old Akerman House (the “White House”) from Fulford-Ganges road.
Fulford Valley, Salt Spring Island, BC
c. 1980's
Akerman “Traveller’s Rest”- rear view.
Fulford Valley, Salt Spring Island, BC
1990
Akerman “Traveller’s Rest” behind Fulford Creek.
Fulford Valley, Salt Spring Island, BC
1990
Akerman “Traveller’s Rest”
Fulford Valley,Salt Spring Island, BC
1990
Akerman “Traveller’s Rest”
Fulford Valley, Salt Spring Island, BC
1990
Akerman “Traveller’s Rest” (from colour print)
Fulford Valley, Salt Spring Island, BC
1990
Old Akerman House (the “White House”) from Fulford-Ganges road.
Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island, BC
1990
Maxwell House at Burgoyne Bay
Salt Spring Island, BC
date unknown
Hand shearing sheep on the Bob Akerman farm. Mr Gordon Ruckle used to come and pick up the lambs in his truck. These corrals were behind the old “White House”.
Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island, BC
c. 1957
Ted Akerman “White House” - side view
Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island, BC
date unknown
Ted Akerman “White House” - farther side view with fence as seen from the Fulford-Ganges Road.
Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island, BC
date unknown
The Traveller’s Rest
The overgrown remains of the two-storey rooming house started by Joseph and Martha Akerman in 1884
Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island, BC
date unknown
The Akerman “White House”
Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island, BC
date unknown
The Akerman “White House” - photo taken from the right-front corner of the house.
Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island, BC
date unknown
The Akerman “White House” - photo taken from the right-front corner of the house.
Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island, BC
date unknown
