A story told about Henery at the 2000 Cutcliffe family reunion and later put into writing by Beverly E. Donsford, stated that Henery played in a band called the " Tenant League Band", between 1850 and 1860. "In the 1800's when land was leased out to the Settlers, a tenant tax or rent was paid each year to a British Overseerer. The people who had built houses, barns, tilled the land and grew crops were not pleased about this tax. The Cutcliffes from South Melville along with a neighbor, Charles Dunsford, formed a musical band. The band played not only for entertainment but for protesting the rental tax. One Summer day between 1840 and 1850, the band decided to parade. They started in Hampton, PEI and marched to Crapoud, through Sherren Road and then back to the Dunsford Mill, next to the Cutcliffe farm in South Melville. As the band paraded past houses, the people living in those houses would follow along with the band in support of the abolition of the renter tax. There was a "rally" or "meeting" at the parades end in South Melville. A petition of protest to the government was circulated and signed. Not many years after this parade, land was sold properly and tenant taxes or rent was abolished."
Another story was told and later put into writing by Beverly E. Donsford. This story is about Bridget, Henery's wife. "Bridget went to a religious revival meeting in a tent set up near South Melville. Bridget gave her heart to the Lord and from then on she was a devout Christian and felt that her life was totally changed for the better. The following year, another revival meeeting was held at which Bridget willingly gave her "testimony". Bridget went into great detail about how her life was so much better since she went to the alter and gave herself to God. During the testimony Bridget stated the following: ' ...Why, even Henery has been better since he was altered'. When Bridget was finished with her testimoney, the crowd broke into a "hallellulah" chorus. The word "altered" was a term used to describe when an animal was neutered.
Henry is burried in Crapaud Cemetery No 29, Stone 191.
Source of middle name Isaac, Donald Hendon in letter to Tom Cutcliffe dated March 15, 2000.
Henery's grave stone says "In memory of Henery Cucliffe, Died September 5, 1869 AE 45.". Henery and his family settled and lived around Melville Road, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Henery married Bridget Traynor in 1853 by L.C. Jenkins, Rector. Marriage witnessed by Elizabeth Cutcliffe and Hugh Malone.
1881 Census: Listed Bridget, Richard, Margaret (Daughter in Law), George, Mary Ann, Elixabeth, Janie, John Henry, William, Fanny, as living in same household. 1891 Census: listd Bridget, Richard, Margaret, John Henry, George, Fanny, Euphemia (Daughter in Law) and Sara Jane ( Daughter of Richard and Margaret).
A copy of the will of Henry Cutcliffe, is on file at the Public Archives of Prince Edward Island. A copy of that will is in the posession of Byron Cutcliffe of PEI and Tom Cutcliffe.
"Account of the Family of Cutcliffe" by Wendell W. Cutcliffe, 1970: "Henry Cutcliffe, one of the four sons of Richard and Mary Cutcliffe, was born in England. It was a large family, as Henry had four sisters as well as the three brothers." (it is now known that Richard and Mary had a total of 13 Children). "When Henry was approximately 19 years of age, his parents and family moved from England to the Crown Colony of Prince Edward Island, where they settled in Melville Road. Henry liked wood ad working it with his hands, becoming a cabinetmaker and carpenter. He worked at this trade the res of his life, and also had a marked fondness for music, serving as a musical band director for many years. The history of Crapand, P.E.I., as compiled by the Woman's Institute has an article about Henry Cutcliffe which says there are rockers and chairs built by Henry still in use. These are considered antiques of the 1845 period. After his marriage to Bridget Traninter, they were blessed with eight children, four sons and four daughters. Henry Cutcliffe lived until 1869, when he was buried in Crapaud Cemetery, P.E.I., Canada."
Ó In the Name of God Amen
I Henry Cutliffe of teh Melvine Road Lot or Township Lot 29 twenty nine in the County of Queens County Prince Edwards Island being of sane mind and in the use of my rational faculties do make this my last Will and testment
And first I give and bequeath to my wife Bridget Cutliffe so long as she remains my Widow all my right title Claim and Priviledge to fisty acres of land on which I now live during her natural life or so long as she adheres to the Protestant faith of the Gospel of Our Lord and Saviour together with all my other property to be devoted to the general good of my family during their minority, but if after my death she should again return to her former faith then and in that case it is my will and pleasure that my son Richard Cutliffe should take her place as regards my land and property although he might not have attained to the age of twenty one years.
I also give and bequeath to my son Richard Cutliffe at the death of my wife Bridget Cutliffe my right and title claim and interest to and unto the said land and all other property herein before mentioned to my son save and ezcept those portions of the same hereafter bequeatherd to teh rest of my children provided nevertheless that he the said Richard Cutliffe shall be willing and obedient to his mother and do the best for the comfort and support of the family.
It is also my will an dpleasure that my other three sons should get a good common education and at the proper time of life when they are fit to learn a trade to put them to such trade as their own natural inclination should lead them to choose.
I give to my three daughters each and every one at my death one sheep and that they should have the privilege of the increase of these sheep in mumber so as not to overstock the place or to infringe upon the right of their mother or their brother Richard in keeping the number of sheep required for the clothing of the remainder of the family.
It is also my will and pleasure and I do appoint and declare William Lobey and George Beer my Executors to this my last will and testament.
Dated at teh Melvine Road this 19th day of july 1869 and duly sined by me the said Henry Cutliffe.Ó