Stephen Irving

Steven Irving
Steven Irving is known to be the son of Mrs. Irving, wife of a "Yankee", and father to Paul Irving. Steven had lived on the Island for twenty-some years of his life, until he quarreled with Lavender Lewis, and moved off the Island, to marry a Yankee girl who would give birth to Paul. Steven returned in later years, married Lavender, and took his bride and son to Boston.

Courtship with Lavender
In 'the early days', Steven Irving, the tall young man of the Irving place on White Sands road, was courting Lavender Lewis, then quite the young lady. It is known that Lavender and Steven loved each other—but quarreled. That quarrel was to be something that marred both their lives forever.

Marriage with an American
When Steven Irving moved off the Island after his quarrel with Lavender, he went to America. The name, birthplace or linneage of his wife is unknown. A 'Yankee', she was not held in high regard by any on the Island. However, she did give birth to the beloved Paul Irving, the imagnitive poetical lad.

Fatherhood
Steven's fatherhood experiences are unknown. He was often absent, it appears, but his nine-year-old son loved him dearly. Steven would send him gifts and such, including a picture of the much loved and missed 'Little Mother'.

Marriage with Lavender
When Anne Shirley and Diana Barry took the wrong path on an expedition to go to tea at a friends, they found a quaint little stone house, with even quainter occupants. Echo Lodge, the residence of Lavender Lewis and Charlotta Bowman, welcomed the girls instantly. Anne Shirley, the teacher of the Avonlea School at the time, struck up a friendship with Lavender Lewis, and asked if Paul, her pupil, could come visit. Paul did, and wrote to his father about Miss Lavender. When Steven Irving recieved the letter containing news of the girl he had loved in his youth, that finished his decision to visit Avonlea, his son, his mother, and possibly Lavender. A delighted Paul woke up to find his father in his grandmother's home!

Anne was the bearer of Steven's request to visit Lavender. Lavender complied, and Steven visited... to result in an engagement, and a charming wedding.

When the Irvings left Echo Lodge, it was boarded up, to be returned to upon occasion by the newly-weds.

Appearances
Anne of Avonlea