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1902
For some years past I,best family board games for 11 year olds under 20 dollars in common with many others, have felt that allletters of interest and accessible facts in connection with the earlyhistory of the Truemans should be collected and put in permanent form,not because there is anything of interest to the general public in therecords of a family whose members have excelled, if at all, in privaterather than in public life, but in order that the little knowledgethere is of the early history of the family might not pass forever outof the reach of later generations with the death of those whose memorycarries them back to the original settlers. In getting togethermaterial necessary for the work, numbers of interesting factsconcerning other families came inevitably to light. In order topreserve these facts, and at the same time give the book a slightlywider interest, I decided to write a short history of those familiesconnected by marriage with the first and second generations ofTruemans, and also, as far as material was available, of the firstsettlers in the old township of Cumberland, which now includes thesettlements of Fort Lawrence, Westmoreland Point, Point de Bute,Jolicure, Bay Road, Bay Verte, Upper Tidnish and Port Elgin. Finally,as a kind of setting for the whole, I have prefaced these records witha brief outline of the early history of the Isthmus.
That the work falls far below the ideal goes without saying. Anyone whohas made the effort to collect facts of local history knows howdifficult it is to get reliable information. In almost every case wherethere was a conflict of opinion I have endeavored to verify my facts bylight thrown on them from different directions; but doubtless mistakeswill be found. By keeping the work in preparation for a longer time,more matter of interest could certainly be added, and perhapscorrections made; but to this there is no end, as the discovery ofevery new item of interest reveals a whole series more to investigate.
To all who have given me assistance warmest thanks are tendered. To Dr.Ganong, of Northampton, Mass.; Judge Morse, Amherst; W. C. Milner,Sackville; and Dr. Steel of Amherst, grateful acknowledgment isespecially due for their ready and cheerful help. To Murdoch's NovaScotia, Hannay's Acadia and to Dixon's and Black's family histories Ihave also been indebted.
This book needs no introduction to the people of the Isthmus, whom itwill most interest. I shall therefore attempt only to point out theplan the present work will take in the general history of EasternCanada.
Mr. Trueman does not profess to have attempted a complete history ofthe Isthmus. The earlier periods, prior to the coming of theYorkshiremen, are so replete with interest that a many times largerwork than the present would be necessary for their full consideration,but Mr. Trueman has treated them with sufficient fulness to show thehistorical conditions of the country into which the Yorkshiremen came.It is the history of these Yorkshiremen and their descendants which Mr.Trueman treats so fully and authoritatively, and withal, from a localstandpoint, so interestingly; and his work is the more valuable for thereason that hitherto but little has been published upon this subject.Some articles have appeared in local newspapers, and there arereferences to it in the provincial histories, but no attempt hashitherto been made to treat the subject as it deserves. Those of us whoare interested in history from a more scientific standpoint will regretthat the material, particularly of the earlier part of the Yorkshireimmigration could not have been more documentary and less traditional,but that it is as here given is not Mr. Trueman's fault but a result ofthe nature of the case. It is not impossible, by the way, that suchdocuments may yet be discovered, perhaps in some still unsuspectedarchives. It is to be remembered, however, that to a local audience,documents are of less interest than tradition, and the genealogicalphases of history, here so fully treated, are most interesting of all.Mr. Trueman seems to have sifted the traditions with care, and hecertainly has devoted to his task an unsurpassed knowledge of hissubject, much loving labor, and no small enthusiasm. I believe thelocal readers of his work will agree with me that this history couldnot have fallen into more appropriate hands.
It does not seem to me that Mr. Trueman has exaggerated the part playedby the Yorkshiremen and their descendants in our local history. Whileit is doubtless too much to say that their loyalty saved Nova Scotia(then including New Brunswick) to Great Britain by their steadfastnessat the time of the Eddy incident in 1776, there can be no doubt that itcontributed largely to that result and rendered easy the suppression ofan uprising which would have given the authorities very great troublehad it succeeded. But there can be no question whatever as to the valueto the Chignecto region, and hence to all this part of Canada, of thisimmigration of God-fearing, loyal, industrious, progressiveYorkshiremen. Although they and their descendants have not occupied theplaces in life of greatest prominence, they have been none the lessuseful citizens in contributing as they have to the solid foundationsof the upbuilding of a great people.
It is of interest in this connection to note that Mr. Trueman's book,although preceded in Nova Scotia by several county histories, is forNew Brunswick, with one or two exceptions (in Jack's "History of theCity of St. John," and Lorimer's pamphlet, "History of thePassamaquiddy Islands") the first history of a limited portion of theProvince to appear in book form, although valuable newspaper series onlocal history have been published. May it prove the leader of a longseries of such local histories which, let us hope, will not cease toappear until every portion of these interesting Provinces has beenadequately treated.
The discovery of America added nearly a third to the then known landsurface of the earth, and opened up two of its richest continents. Ifsuch an extent of territory were thrown into the world's market to-day,the rapidity with which it would be exploited and explored, and itswealth made tributary to the world's requirements, would astonish, ifthey were here, the men who pioneered the settlement of the new countryand left so royal a heritage to their descendants. To those who crossthe Atlantic in the great ocean liners of our time, and think them nonetoo safe, the fleet with which Sir Humphrey Gilbert crossed the sea toplant his colony in the new land must seem a frail protection indeedagainst the dangers of the western ocean.
Perhaps in no way can the progress made since the beginning of thenineteenth century be more forcibly brought before the mind than bycomparing the immense iron steamships of the present day with the smallwooden vessels with which commerce was carried on and battles werefought and won a hundred and fifty years ago.
The Isthmus of Chignecto separates the waters of the Bay of Fundy fromthose of Bay Verte, and constitutes the neck of land which saves NovaScotia from being an island. It is seventeen miles between the two baysat the narrowest point, and considering the town of Amherst the south-eastern limit, and the village of Sackville the north-western, it maybe put down as a little less than ten miles in width.
The southern slope is drained by four tidal rivers or creeks, namely,La Planche, Missiquash, Aulac and the Tantramar. These rivers emptyinto Cumberland Basin, and their general course is from north-east tosouth-west. In length they are from twelve to fifteen miles, and runthrough narrow valleys, the soil of which is made up largely from arich sediment carried by the tide from the muddy waters of the basin.These valleys are separated from each other by ridges of high landranging from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet above the sealevel.
The Tidnish River, and several streams emptying into the Bay Verte,drain the Isthmus on its northern slope. The Missiquash and Tidnishrivers, each for some part of its course, form the boundary between theprovinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The tides at the head ofthe Bay of Fundy rise to the height of sixty feet, or even higher, andare said to be the highest in the world. The mud deposit from theoverflow of these tidal waters, laid down along the river valleys, isfrom one foot to eighty feet deep, varying as the soil beneath risesand falls.
Between Sackville and Amherst there is an area of some fifty thousandacres of these alluvial lands, reclaimed and unreclaimed. Some of thismarsh has been cutting large crops of hay for one hundred and fiftyyears, and there is no evidence of diminished fertility, although nofertilizer has been used in that time; other sections have becomeexhausted and the tide has been allowed to overflow them. Thistreatment will restore them to their original fertility.
Cartier was the first of the early navigators to drop anchor in a NewBrunswick harbor. This was in the summer of 1534, and the place was onthe Gulf of St. Lawrence, near the mouth of the Miramich River. Thiswas on the 30th of June. Landing the next day and finding the countrywell wooded, he was delighted and spoke of it in glowing terms.
The first white men to visit the Isthmus with a view to trade andsettlement came from Port Royal in the summer of 1612.
In 1670, Jacob Bourgeois, a resident of Port Royal, and a few otherrestless spirits, were the first to make a permanent settlement. Thesewere followed by another contingent under the leadership of PierreArsenault.
In 1676, the King of France gave a large grant of territory in Acadiato a French nobleman, Michael Le Neuf, Sieur de La Valliere. This grantincluded all the Chignecto Isthmus. Tonge's Island, a small islet inthe marsh near the mouth of the Missiquash River, is called Isle LaValliere on the old maps, and was probably occupied by La Vallierehimself when he lived on the Isthmus.
From this date Chignecto began to take a prominent place in thehistory of Acadia, and continued for a hundred and fifty years to beone of the principal centres of influence under the rule both of Franceand Great Britain.
It was here that France made her last stand for the possession ofAcadia. It was here that Jonathan Eddy, twenty years later, raised thestandard of the revolted colonies, and made a gallant but unsuccessfuleffort to carry Nova Scotia over to the rebel cause.
From 1713 to 1750 was the most prosperous period of the Frenchoccupation. The population increased rapidly for those times. Themarket at Louisbourg furnished an outlet for the surplus produce of thesoil. The wants of the people were few. The Acadians were thrifty andfrugal, the rod and gun supplying a large part of the necessaries oflife in many a home. The complaint was made by those who at that timewere interested in the circulation of the King's silver that the peoplehoarded it up, and once they got possession of it the public were neverallowed to see it again. The houses were small and destitute of many ofthe furnishings their descendants now think indispensable, but perhapsthey enjoyed life quite as well as those of later generations.
Bay Verte at this time was a place of considerable importance. The AbbeLe Loutre lived here a part of the time, and owned a store kept by anagent. The trade between Quebec and Louisbourg and the settlements onthe Isthmus was carried on through the Port of Bay Verte, and fromthere the farmers of Chignecto shipped their cattle and farm products.The Acadians were quick to see the benefits that would arise fromreclaiming the rich river valleys, and they drew their revenues chieflyfrom this land. They did not readily take to the cutting down of theforests and preparing the upland for growing crops; they were more athome with the dyking-spade than the axe. A description of their methodsof dyking and constructing aboideaux, written in 1710, is interestingto those who are doing the same work now.
The writer of 1710 says: "They stopped the current of the sea bycreating large dykes, which they called aboideaux. The method was toplant five or six large trees in the places where the sea enters themarshes, and between each row to lay down other trees lengthways on topof each other, and fill the vacant places with mud so well beaten downthat the tide could not pass through it. In the middle they adjusted aflood-gate in such a way as to allow the water from the marsh to flowout at low water without permitting the water from the sea to flow inat high tide." The writer adds that the work was expensive, but thesecond year's crop repaid them for the outlay. This is more than can besaid for present-day experience in the same kind of work.
The land reclaimed on the Aulac was confined principally to the upperportion of the river. The Abbe Le Loutre saw that the benefit would begreat if this river were dammed near its mouth, and he was at work at alarge aboideau, for which he had received money from France, when thefall of Beausejour forever put a stop to his enterprise.
Wheat seems to have grown very abundantly on the marsh when it wasfirst dyked, judging from the census reports of those days and thetraditions handed down.
The old French maps of 1750 and earlier show settlements at Beaubassin(Fort Lawrence), Pont a Buot (Point de Bute), Le Lac (Jolicure), We-He-Kauk (Westcock), We-He-Kauk-Chis (Little Westcock), Tantramar (UpperSackville), Pre Du Bourge (Middle Sackville), We-He-Kage (AmherstPoint) and Amherst or Upper Amherst, Vill-La-Butte, and La Planche.There were settlements also at Maccan, Nappan and Minudie. Thestatement that the village of Beaubassin, in 1750, contained a hundredand forty houses, and a population numbering a thousand, seemsimprobable under the circumstances.
Fort Lawrence, the site of old Beaubassin, contains to-day less thanforty houses, and not more than three hundred inhabitants, yet moreland is under cultivation now than in any previous time in its history.It is highly probable that the whole population on the south side ofthe Isthmus was reckoned as belonging to Beaubassin.
There is good reason for saying that the population of the districtembraced in the parish of Westmoreland, excepting Port Elgin, was muchlarger from 1750 to 1755 than it has ever been since.
The Seigneur La Valliere was, no doubt, the most prominent man,politically, on the Isthmus during the French period. He was appointedcommandant of Acadia in 1678, by Count Frontenac, and just missed beingmade governor. He was a man of broader views than most of hiscontemporaries. He encouraged trade, and was willing that others besidehis own countrymen should reap the benefits if they were ready to paythe price. He anticipated the MODUS VIVENDI system now in force betweenthis country and the United States in dealing with the fisheries, andinstead of keeping a large fleet to patrol the coast and drive theEnglish from the fishing ground, he charged them a license fee of fivepistoles (about twenty-five dollars) for each vessel, thus giving thema free hand in the business.
La Valliere's farm was probably on the island marked on the old maps,"Isle La Valliere," and here he lived when not in other parts of thecolony on public business. He had a son called Beaubassin, who wasalways ready to take a hand in any expedition that required courage andpromised danger. In 1703, this Beaubassin was the leader of a party ofFrench and Indians that attacked Casco and would have captured theplace but for the timely arrival of a British man-of-war.
On the 11th April, 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht was signed. This gaveall Nova Scotia, or Acadia, comprehended within its ancient boundaries,as also the city of Port Royal, now called Annapolis Royal, to theQueen of Great Britain. The English claimed this to include all theterritory east of a line drawn from north of the Kennebec River toQuebec, taking in all the south shore of the St. Lawrence, Gaspe, theIsland of St. John, and Cape Breton. The French contended that Acadiaonly included the southern half of the present Province of Nova Scotia.Views so divergent held by the contracting parties to an agreement,could scarcely fail to produce irritation and ultimately result in war.
In 1740, the Abbe Le Loutre, Vicar-General of Acadia under the Bishopof Quebec, and missionary to the Micmacs, came to Acadia to take chargeof his mission. It soon became apparent that the Rev. Father was moreanxious to advance the power and prestige of the King of France than hewas to minister to the spiritual elevation of the benighted Indians.The course pursued by the Abbe defeated the end he had in view. His aimwas to make Acadia a French colony; but in reality he helped to make itthe most loyal British territory in North America.
The successful raid of de Villiers, in the winter of 1747, convincedthe English that so long as Chignecto was in possession of the French,and was used as a base of operations to defy the English Government,there could be no lasting peace or security for settlers of Britishblood. Taking this view of the matter, Governor Cornwallis determinedto take measures to drive the French from the Isthmus. The unsettledstate of the French population through the Province contributed to thisdecision.
In November, 1754, Governor Lawrence wrote to Shirley, at Boston, thathe had reason to believe the French were contemplating aggressivemeasures at Chignecto, and he thought it was quite time an effort wasmade to drive them from the north side of the Bay of Fundy. Col.Monckton carried this letter to Governor Shirley. The governor entirelyagreed with the suggestion it contained, and had already taken somesteps to bring about so desirable an end to the troubles the Governmentwas experiencing on the Isthmus.
The matter was kept as secret as possible, but efforts were immediatelymade to raise a force to capture Fort Beausejour, the new fort built bythe French on the high ground overlooking Beaubassin, on the north-westside of the Missiquash. So successful were they in getting up theexpedition that, on the 23rd of May, everything was ready and the forceset sail from Boston.
The expedition numbered two thousand men, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Monckton, with Lieutenants Winslow and Scott under him. Theycalled at Annapolis, and were joined there by three hundred regulars ofWarburton's regiment, and got a small train of artillery. FortLawrence* was reached on 2nd June, and the next day all the troops werelanded and camped around the fort.
[FOOTNOTE: *The fort at Fort Lawrence, was situate on the high landthat separates the valleys of the Missiquash and La Planche rivers, alittle less than two miles distant from Fort Beausejour. It wasconstructed in the month of September, 1750. Lieutenant-ColonelLawrence arrived at the Isthmus with a strong force, consisting of the48th Regiment, and three hundred men of the 45th Regiment. "The Indiansand some of the French were rash enough to oppose the landing of soformidable a body of troops, but they were driven off after a sharpskirmish, in which the English lost about twenty killed and wounded." Ashort distance from where they landed Colonel Lawrence erected apicketal fort with block-houses, which was named for himself. Agarrison of six hundred men was maintained here until the fall ofBeausejour. END OF FOOTNOTE]
Vergor, the French General in command at Beausejour, called on all theAcadians capable of bearing arms to come into the fort and assist inits defence. The Acadians, however, would not obey this order unlessVergor would make a refusal to comply punishable with death. This wouldgiven them an excuse with which to meet the English if the fort weretaken.
On the 4th June, the English broke camp and marched north from FortLawrence, a distance of about two miles along the ridge of high land;then, entering the Missiquash valley, they crossed over to Pont a Buot,or Buot's Bridge, which spanned the Missiquash River. This bridge wasnear what is now Point de Bute Corner. Here the French had a blockhousegarrisoned with thirty men. There was also a breastwork of timber. Thisplace was defended for an hour by the French, and then, setting fire tothe little fort, they left the English to cross over withoutopposition. The victorious force camped that night on the Point de Buteside of the Missiquash River.
At this day it is difficult to account for the slight value the Acadianseemed to place upon his home. He appears to have been always ready toset it on fire at the least danger of its falling into the hands of theEnglish. The sixty houses that stood between Buot's Bridge andBeausejour all went up in flame that night, fired by the Frenchsoldiers as they retired before the English.
From the 4th until the 13th of June the English were engaged in cuttingroads, building bridges, transporting cannon, and getting these intoposition north of the fort, on the high ground, within shellingdistance. During this time the French had been strengthening theirdefences and making other arrangements for withstanding a seige (sic).The Abbe Le Loutre ceased work on his "abateau" and set his men toassist at the fort.
Scouting parties from either camp met once or twice, and the Indianscaptured an English officer named Hay, who was passing from FortLawrence to the English camp.On the 13th the English threw a few shells into the fort, and continuedto shell the place on the 14th, without much apparent result. On thatday Vergor received tidings that no help could be sent from Louisbourg.This news was more disastrous to the French than the English shells.The Acadians lost all heart and began to slip away into the woods andthe settlements to the northward.
The next day, the 15th, larger shells were thrown, some falling intothe fort. One shell killed the English officer, Hay, who was aprisoner, and several French officers, while they were at breakfast.This decided the matter. Vergor sent an officer to Monckton asking fora suspension of hostilities. That afternoon the following terms ofsurrender were agreed upon:
"1st. The commandant, officers, staff and others employed for the Kingand garrison of Beausejour, shall go out with arms and baggage, drumsbeating. 2nd. The garrison shall be sent to Louisbourg at the expenseof the King of Great Britain. 3rd. The Governor shall have provisionssufficient to last them until they get to Louisbourg. 4th. As to theAcadians, as they were forced to bear arms under pain of death, theyshall be pardoned. 5th. The garrison shall not bear arms in America forthe space of six months. 6th. The foregoing are granted on conditionthat the garrison shall surrender to the troops of Great Britain by7 p.m. this afternoon. Signed, Robert Monckton. At the camp beforeBeausejour, 16th June, 1755."
As soon as the British were in possession at Beausejour, Monckton senta detachment of three hundred men, under Col. Winslow, to demand thesurrender of the fort at Bay Verte. Capt. Villeray accepted the sameterms as Vergor, and on the 18th of June, 1755, the Isthmus passed forever out of the possession of the King of France. A large amount ofsupplies was found in both forts.
Monckton changed the name of Fort Beausejour to Fort Cumberland, inhonor of the Royal Duke who won the victory at Culloden, and as it wasa much better fort than the one on the south side of the Missiquash,the troops were ordered to remain at Fort Cumberland.
This fort stands in a commanding position on the south-west summit ofthe high ridge of upland that separates the Missiquash from the Aulacvalley. It was a fort of five bastions, with casemates, and was capableof accommodating eight hundred men. It mounted thirty guns. After itfell into the hands of the English it was great improved. A stonemagazine (a part of which is still standing) was built outside thesouthern embankment. The moat was excavated to a much greater depth. Oflate years the place has been shamefully neglected. On account of itshistoric associations many yearly visit the "Old Fort," and effortshave been made to enclose the grounds and make them more presentable.
The Acadians were still to be dealt with. Whether they should remain inthe country and in the possession of their lands depended entirely onwhether they would take the oath of allegiance to the Crown of GreatBritain. This one condition accepted, they would be guaranteed all theprivileges and immunities of British subjects. They refused, and theExpulsion followed. It was a hard and cruel measure, but they had hadforty years of grace, and those who had thus long borne with them nowdecided their day of grace had ended.
One hundred and fifty years have since passed, but we find the Acadiansare still here and are exercising an influence in Canada that is feltin all its Provinces. They are British subjects now, however, and whilethey have not lost their love for the country from which they sprang,nor for the flag for which their ancestors sacrificed so much, they areready to stand by the Empire of Britain in war as well as in peace.
The expulsion of 1755 left the population of old Acadia so depletedthat the Governor and Council felt that something must be done at onceto add to its numbers. The first move in this direction was to offerexceptional advantages to the New England soldiers, who constituted thelargest part of the force at the taking of Beausejour, if they wouldremain in the country. Very few, however, accepted the offer, and asthe unsettled state of the country between 1755 and 1760 was mostunfavorable to immigration, but little progress was made till the nextdecade.
During these years wandering bands of Acadians and Indians harrassed(sic) the English, shooting and scalping whenever opportunity offered.At Bay Verte, in the spring of 1755, nine soldiers belonging to a partyunder Lieutenant Bowan, were shot and scalped while out getting woodfor the fort. Colonel Scott, commandant at Cumberland, immediately senttwo hundred of the New England men to Bay Verte with a sergeant and tenmen of the regulars. The sergeant replaced the men who were killed, andcaused three weeks' supply of wood to be laid in. Shortly after thisone of the regulars was killed, and one of the New England men wastaken prisoner. These men had strayed in the woods down as far as theTantramar with these unfortunate results.
In 1759, Governor Lawrence wrote from Halifax to the Board of Tradethat "five soldiers had been killed and scalped near Fort Cumberland,and that a provision vessel had been boarded by French and Indians inthe Bay of Fundy and carried up the River Petitcodiac." The five menwere ambushed and killed in Upper Point de Bute, near a bridge thatcrossed a ravine on the farm now owned by Amos Trueman.
Up to this time the government of Nova Scotia was vested in a governorand council. This year, 1758, it was decided by the Home Government toallow the Province a Legislative Assembly. The Assembly was to consistof twenty-two members, twelve to be elected by the Province at large,four for the township of Halifax, four for the township of Lunenburg,one for Dartmouth, one for Lawrencetown, one for Annapolis, and one forCumberland. Fifty qualified electors would constitute a township. Thetownship elections were to continue during two days, and those for theProvince four days.
The Assembly met for the first time on October 2nd, 1758. Nineteenmembers were present. This makes the Legislature of Halifax the oldestin the Dominion of Canada. This year, also, Governor Lawrence issuedhis first proclamation inviting the New Englanders to come to NovaScotia and settle on the vacated Acadian farms.
This proclamation created a great deal of interest and inquiry, andfinally led to a considerable number of New England farmers settling indifferent parts of the Province, Chignecto getting a good share ofthem. The first proclamation had, however, to be supplemented by asecond, in which full liberty of conscience and the right to worship asthey pleased was secured to Protestants of all denominations. Thisguarantee was not included in Lawrence's first invitation to the NewEnglanders, and the descendants of the Puritans had not read in vainthe history of the sacrifices made by their forefathers to worship intheir own way.
In July, 1759, Edward Mott, representing a committee of agents fromConnecticut, arrived at Halifax and was given a schooner to proceed toChignecto, to examine that part of the Province with a view tosettlement. Mr. Mott and his party returned some months later andsuggested some changes in the proposed grants, which were conceded bythe Government.
It was estimated at this time that two thousand families could becomfortably settled in the districts of Chignecto, Cobequid, Pisquid,Minas and Annapolis. This year (1759) persons in Connecticut and RhodeIsland sent Major Dennison, Jonathan Harris, James Otis, James Fuller,and John Hicks, to Halifax to look out for desirable locations forsettlement in the Province. Messrs. Hicks and Fuller decided to take uplands at Pisquid or Windsor.
From this time till 1766 the desire shown by residents of New Englandto settle in Nova Scotia was very marked, and resulted in addingconsiderably to the population of the Province.
In May, 1761, Captain Dogget was directed to bring twenty families andsixty head of cattle. The cattle were to be brought from the easternpart of New England to Liverpool, N.S., at the expense of theGovernment. Thirty-five pounds also was granted to transport twentyfamilies with seventy-nine head of cattle to the township of Amherst.In 1763, a number of families came to Sackville and were given grantsof land by the Government. These Sackville emigrants were adherents ofthe Baptist Church and brought their minister with them. Thedenomination is still strong in that locality. A number of theseemigrants, however, returned at the beginning of the Revolutionary War,and others after the war was over.
The townships of Cumberland, Amherst, and Sackville were established in1763. The township of Cumberland had an area of 100,800 acres. Itincluded all the territory between the La Planche and Aulac Rivers, andextended east to Bay Verte and southwest to the Cumberland Basin. OldBeausejour, now Fort Cumberland, was within the township of Cumberland.
Amherst township is said to have had a population at this time ofthirty families, and Cumberland of thirty-five families. The townshipof Cumberland of (sic) was given 18,800 acres of marsh, and Sackvillehad 1,200 cres of marsh and 8,700 acres of woodland.
In 1763, a number of the leading men in Cumberland met together andappointed a committee to draft a memorial to the Governor, asking the\privilege of sending a representative to the Assembly at Halifax. Therequest was granted, and Joshua Winslow was chosen as the firstrepresentative of the township. Colonel Fry had previous to this timerepresented Cumberland in the Assembly, but he was not elected by thepeople. The following is the text of the memorial:
"To the Honourable Montague Wilmot, Esquire, Lieutenant-Governor and
Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Province of Nova Scotia, and
Colonel of one of His Majesty's regiments of foot, etc., etc., etc.
"The inhabitants of the town of Cumberland, in Nova Scotia, beg leaveto congratulate Your Honour on your appointment by His Majesty to thechief command of this Province and in your safe arrival therein.Although remote from the Capital, and perhaps last in our addresses,yet we flatter ourselves not the least sincere in assuring Your Honourof the happiness we feel in finding ourselves under your government.
"It would give us particular satisfaction was it in your power to lookupon ourselves in the same light with the other towns in the Province.But as we are yet destitute of that sanction which would put us on thesame footing with our neighbours, we cannot help presuming upon theliberty of signifying to Your Honour our regret thereat, and prayingthat you will be pleased to permit the solution of our affairs to belaid before you, not doubting but upon a just representation thereofyou will be pleased to think we are deserving in common with the othersettlements of Your Honour's countenance and protection. We beg to relyon your goodness therein.
"By desire of the inhabitants,
"(Signers),
John Huston (Ch.). Elijah Ayer.
Wm. Allen Josiah Throop.
J. Winslow. Jos. Morse.
Abel Richardson.
"CUMBERLAND, Nov. 1st, 1763."
Although thirty-five families had settled in Cumberland at this time,and six hundred acres of land had been cleared of timber, the largerpart of the land was still held by the Government. Application wastherefore made in this year by the following persons for grants of landin Cumberland:
Joseph Morse. Joshua Winslow.
Elijah Ayer. Jesse Bent.
Josiah Throop. Gamaliel Smethurst.
John Huston. Sennacherib Martyn.
James Law. Abel Richardson.
Sara Jones. William Best, Sr.
Obediah Ayer. William Nesbit.
William How. Windser Eager.
Arch. Hinshelwood. Gideon Gardner.
Samuel Danks. Thomas Dickson.
Zebulon Roe. John King.
Henry King. Joshua Best.
Jonathan Cole. Elieu Gardner.
Jonathan Eddy. William Huston.
Alex. Huston. Simeon Charters.
Thomas Proctor. Brook Watson.
William Allan. Jonathan Gay.
Daniel Gooden. Martin Peck.
Ebenezer Storer. John Walker.
Benine Danks. Henry M. Bonnell.
John Allan. Amos Fuller.
Charles Oulton. Samuel Gay.
David —————. Assell Danks.
Daniel Earl. Isaac Danks.
Anthony Burk. Ebenezer —————.
John Fillmore. Robert Watson.
Samuel Raymond. William Welch.
John Collins. William Sutherland.
Thomas Clews. Nehemiah Ward.
Abel Richardson. Joseph Ayer.
Winkworth Allen. William Milburn.
Liffy Chappell. George Allen.
The Glebe. Jabez Chappell.
The School. The Presbyterian Minister
Col. Joseph Morse was a native of Delham, Mass., and took an activepart in the Seven Years' War. He lost heavily in the expedition againstOswego. In crossing the Atlantic he was captured by the French, andobtained a good taste of the quality of French dungeons in which hishealth became shattered. He was exchanged, after which he visitedLondon and received many marks of personal favor at the hands of GeorgeII, amongst these a pension, and tracts of land in Virginia and NovaScotia. His last days were spent in Fort Lawrence, where he settledafter the expulsion of the French. He left one son, Alpheus, and adaughter, Olive. The former married Theodora, a sister of Col. JonathanCrane the father of Hon. Wm. Crane; the latter married Col. Wm. Eddy,of Revolutionary fame, who was afterwards killed in the British attackon Machais, and the Fort Lawrence property inherited by his wife wasescheated to the Crown. After Alpheus Morse's death his widow marriedMajor How, an officer in Eddy's command. Upon the failure of therebellion, Mrs. How and Mrs. Eddy fled to the United States. AlpheusMorse's sons were Alpheus, James, Joseph, Silas, and John. The twofirst lived in Cumberland, where their descendants are still found.Judge Morse and Dr. Morse, of Amherst, are sons of James. Josephemigrated to Ohio, where his descendants now live. Silas married asister of Judge Alexander Stewart, C.B. Among his descendants are SirCharles Tupper's family, Rev. Richards (sic) Simmonds' family, andCharles Fullerton, K.C. John Morse married a daughter of SheriffCharles Chandler, the father of Lieutenant-Governor Chandler. Among hisdescendants are the family of the late Judge Morse of Dalhousie, andthe C. Milner family of Sackville. A daughter of Alpheus Morse marriedJudge Stewart. Among his descendants are Judge Townsend of Halifax, andSenator Dickey's family of Amherst.
There were three Ayers—Elijah, Obediah and Joseph—who came with theemigration of 1763 and settled in Sackville. Obediah joined the Eddyrebels in 1776, and was made a commodore by the Continental Congressafter he left Cumberland. The Ayers in Sackville are descendants ofthese grantees.
Josiah Throop was an engineer in the British army. He surveyed thetownship of Cumberland, and Throop's plan is still referred to. Hisgrant was in Upper Point de Bute, where some of his descendants stilllive. He represented the township in the Halifax Assembly in 1765.
There were three Hustons—John, William and Alexander. They lived near
Fort Cumberland. The name occurs still in the county of Cumberland.
Joshua Winslow, as we have stated, was the first representative sentfrom Cumberland to the Legislature at Halifax, and was a member of theWinslow family, so distinguished in colonial history. He was engaged atChignecto with Capt. Huston, in the commissary business. The latter inone of his trips to Boston picked up a waif in the person of BrookWatson, a young man who had had one of his legs bitten off by a sharkin West-Indian waters. Watson was trained under Winslow, and thefoundation of his success was hereby laid. General Joshua wasCommissary-General of the British in Nova Scotia. He left FortCumberland in 1783. He was paymaster of the troops in Quebec in 1791and died there ten years later. A grandson of his, a Mr. Trott, livesat Niagara Falls in a fine old colonial mansion full of treasures ofthe Colonial period, with many relics and personal effects of GeneralWinslow.
The Bents were from New England. There were two brothers, John andJesse. John settled in Amherst and Jesse in Fort Lawrence. There are alarge number of their descendants in the country.
Gamaliel Smethurst represented the county of Cumberland at Halifax, in1770. He returned to England and published a book in London, in 1774,describing a voyage from Nepisiquit to Cumberland. None of this name,so far as we know, now reside in the country.
Sennacherib Martyn was a captain in Winslow's expedition to captureFort Beausejour. He brought with him to Westmoreland Point, as slaves,a negro family, to whom he afterwards gave their freedom, and gave themalso his name (now spelled Martin). Captain Martyn married the widowOulton and settled in Jolicure. He was godfather to George andElizabeth, the children of Col. William Allan.
James Law was a commissary at the fort and a colonel of militia. He wasa large property owner in Point de Bute on both sides of the ridge.Reverses of fortune came, and finally he died a parish charge.
Benoni Danks represented the county of Cumberland at the HalifaxAssembly. Tradition says his death was caused by falling into the holdof a vessel. The Danks left the country about the year 1830.
Thomas Dickson was born in Dublin, and came to Connecticut when aninfant. He married a Wethered.
The Kings were from New England. They settled in Fort Lawrence, andfrom there removed to different parts of the country.
Jonathan Cole lived on Cole's Island and gave his name to the place. Hehad two sons, Martin and Ebenezer, the former of whom settled atRockport and the latter at Dorchester. The name is still in the county.
William Allan was a Scotchman who came to Halifax with the party thatfounded that place in 1749. He soon after came to Cumberland. John andWinkworth Allan were his sons. His grant was in Upper Point de Bute,where his son John lived when he was sheriff of Cumberland.
George Allan was a son of William Allan. He had a son George, and allthe other Allans are the descendants of the first William. WinkworthAllan went back to England and became a rich merchant.
Brook Watson lived with his Uncle Huston for a time, and was employedby the Government to assist in the Expulsion. He afterwards left thecountry, going to London, where he was remarkably successful inbusiness, and among other honors became Lord Mayor of the city.
Jonathan and Samuel Gay were brothers. Jonathan returned to NewEngland, but Samuel remained in the country settling near the old FortBeausejour. He was a very large man, measuring six feet six inches inheight, and broad in proportion. Samuel was afterwards made a judge. Itis said that Judge Gay's daughter Fanny was in Boston at the time ofthe sea duel between the SHANNON and the CHESAPEAKE, and was with thecrowd that lined the shore awaiting the result. When the news came thatthe British had won, she threw up her bonnet and cheered for thevictors, greatly to the annoyance of the Americans.
Daniel Gooden was a soldier in the British army, and after hisdischarge settled in Bay Verte, where numbers of his descendants stilllive.
Charles Oulton remained in Cumberland, and a large number of hisdescendants are still living in the county of Westmoreland.
David Burnham remained, and a number of his descendants lived inSackville and Bay Verte for a good many years. The name has nowdisappeared.
John Fillmore was from New England, and settled in Jolicure. He had alarge family of sons and they settled in different parts of theProvince. The name is still in frequent evidence.
The descendants of Samuel Raymond live in King's County.
The two Chappells, Liffy and Jabez, settled in Bay Verte and Tidnish.
The name is still common in these localities.
John Walker's grant was on Bay Verte Road, where the name was founduntil quite recently.
The Bonnells remained in the county for a time, but afterwards removedto King's County, where the name still exists.
Amos Fuller remained and the name is yet found in the county of
Cumberland.
The Watsons settled in Fort Lawrence and were very successful inbusiness. The Eddy rebels, under Commodore Ayer, sacked Mr. Watson'spremises one night and took the old gentleman prisoner, compelling himto carry a keg of rum to the vessel for the benefit of the sailors.
William Welch remained in the country, and his descendants are stillhere.
The Wards were from New England, and remained in the country. Nehemiahlived in Sackville and kept a tavern near the Four Corners.
Simeon Charters was from New England and remained in the country. Thename is still in the Province.
The Abel Richardson family came from New England. The Yorkshire familyof Richardson, whose descendants are still in Sackville, did not settlethere until some years later.
The Bests were a New England family and the name is still in thecountry.
William Nesbit remained and the name is now found in Albert County.
Archibald Hinshelwood left the country.
The Roe name is still in Cumberland.
William How was probably son of the How that was shot by the Indiansunder a flag of truce.
None of the Proctor family now remain in the county.
There is no information about any of the following grantees: Gideon
Gardner, Sara Jones, Ebenezer Storer, Daniel Earl, Anthony Burk.
Windser Eager was from Dumfries, Scotland.
It is a matter of surprise that so many names to be found in the listsof a hundred years ago have so completely disappeared.
A large number of families who came from New England at this timesettled on the St. John River. They called their settlementMaugerville. The name Sunbury was subsequently given to the whole ofthe Province west of Cumberland County.
The Hon. Charles Burpee, of Sheffield, writes me that there were abouttwo hundred families who at this time found homes along the river. Someof their names were: Perley, Barker, Burpee, Stickney, Smith, Wasson,Bridges, Upton, Palmer, Coy, Estey, Estabrooks, Pickard, Hayward,Nevers, Hartt, Kenney, Coburn, Plummer, Sage, Whitney, Quinton, Moore,McKeen, Jewett.
Simonds and White came to St. John some three or four years before theothers. The Rev. Mr. Noble was there before the Revolution, but he didnot come with the first settlers.
Largely through the influence of the Loyalists, in 1784, the Provinceof New Brunswick was set off from Nova Scotia, and the Missiquash Rivermade the boundary between the two Provinces. This division cut the oldtownship of Cumberland into two halves. Those who conducted thebusiness for New Brunswick wanted the line at La Planche, or furthereast, while the Nova Scotians wanted it at the Aulac or further west.They compromised on the Missiquash.* This division made some trouble innomenclature and has puzzled a good many persons since that date. Thepart of the old township of Cumberland on the west of the Missiquashbecame the parish of Westmoreland, in the county of Westmoreland. FortCumberland was in this district, and between Fort Cumberland and theold township of Cumberland, and the still older county of Cumberland,which once embraced the present Westmoreland and Albert counties, andthe present county of Cumberland in Nova Scotia, there was a good dealof confusion. A number of years passed before Cumberland Point came tobe called Westmoreland Point.
[FOOTNOTE: *The establishment of the Missiquash as the boundary betweenthe two Provinces was eminently satisfactory to New Brunswick, but notso to Nova Scotia, as the latter Province at once vigorously protestedagainst it, and did not seem inclined to give up agitating for achange. In 1792 the House of Assembly of Nova Scotia presented anaddress to the Lieutenant-Governor, in which they say "there is a verypressing necessity of an alteration in the division line, between thisand the neighboring Province of New Brunswick." This agitation for achange in the boundary was kept up for several years, and in thecorrespondence, three other lines are suggested by Nova Scotia as beingpreferable to the one that had been already chosen.
The first of these was one from the head of the tide on the Petitcodiacto the head of the tide on the Restigouche River. A second from thehead of the tide on the Memramcook by a certain magnetic line to thesalt water of Cocagne Harbor, and the third by the course of the AulacRiver to its head, and thence by a given compass line to the Gulf ofSt. Lawrence.
The present line was last surveyed by Alex. Munroe in 1859, underCommissioner James Steadman, Esq., acting for New Brunswick, and JosephAvard, Esq., for Nova Scotia. The line is thus described by theCommissioners: Commencing at the mouth of the Missiquash River, inCumberland Bay, and thence following the several courses of the saidriver to a post near Black Island, thence north fifty-four degrees,twenty-five minutes east, crossing the south end of Black Island, twohundred and eighty-eight chains to the south angle of Trenholm'sIsland, thence south thirty-seven degrees east, eighty-five chains andeight-two links to a post, thence south seventy-six degrees east,forty-six chains and twenty links to the portage, thence south sixty-five degrees, forty-five minutes east, three hundred and ninety-fourchains and forty links to Tidnish Bridge, then following the severalcourses of said river, along its northern upward bank to its mouth,thence following the north-westerly channel to the deep water of theBay water, giving to Nova Scotia the control of the navigable waters onTidnish River.
Those wishing to get fuller information relating to this or any of theboundaries of New Brunswick, will find the subject treated exhaustivelyin a work just published, entitled "A Monograph of the Evolution of theBoundaries of the Province of New Brunswick," by William F. Ganong,M.A., Ph.D., from which the above facts are taken. END OF FOOTNOTE]
The following facts are taken from the anniversary number of the
CHIGNECTO POST, 1895:
"On the 15th August, 1761, Captain Benoni Danks, Messrs. William Allan,Abeil Richardson, John Huston and John Oates were appointed to dividethe forfeited lands in the township of Cumberland.
"On the 19th August of the same year Captain Winckworth Tonge, JoshuaWinslow, John Huston, John Jencks, Joshua Sprague, Valentine Estabrooksand William Maxwell were appointed a committee to admit persons intothe township of Sackville.
"The first town meeting, or meeting of the committee, for Sackvilletownship, took place on 20th July, 1762. It was held at the house ofMrs. Charity Bishop, who kept an inn at Cumberland. There were presentCaptain John Huston, Doctor John Jencks, Joshua Sprague, ValentineEstabrooks, William Maxwell and Joshua Winslow. Captain Huston was madechairman and Ichabod Comstock clerk.
"The conditions and locations of the proposed new grant of Sackvillewere of the first interest to the newly arrived settlers, and theproceedings were largely taken up with settling such matters. It wasresolved that a family of six, and seven head of cattle, should haveone and a half shares, or 750 acres.
"At the next meeting, held on 31st August, Mr. Elijah Ayers' nameappears as a committeeman.
"At a town meeting, held on 18th April, 1770, Robert Scott wasappointed moderator and Robert Foster, clerk. They, with John Thomas,were appointed a committee to settle with the old committee for thesurvey of the lands."
About 1786, the inhabitants of Sackville made a return of the state ofthe settlement to the Government to show that if a proposed escheat wasmade it would be attended with great confusion, as but few of thegrants had not been improved. The actual settlers at that date, as setforth in the return, appear to have been as follows:
Samuel Bellew. John Peck.
Joseph Brown. John Barns.
Samuel Rogers. Ebenezer Burnham.
Samuel Saunders. Simon Baisley.
Valentine Estabrooks. Wm. Carnforth.
Andrew Kinnear. Abial Peck.
James Jincks. Nathaniel Shelding.
Eleazer Olney. Job Archernard.
Nathan Mason. Jonathan Burnham.
Charles Dixon. Gilbert Seaman.
John Richardson. Joseph Read.
John Fawcett. Wm. Carnforth.
George Bulmer. John Wry.
Thomas Bowser. Moses Delesdernier.
Joseph Delesdernier. Daniel Tingley.
Michael Burk. Wm. Laurence.
Samuel Seamans. Ben Tower.
Joseph Tower. Elijah Ayer.
Joseph Thompson. John Thompson.
Mark Patton. Eliphalet Read.
Nehemiah Ayer. Josiah Tingley.
James Cole. Jonathan Cole.
Hezekiah King. Valentine Estabrooks.
Wm. Estabrooks. Gideon Smith.
Daniel Stone. Patton Estabrooks.
Pickering Snowdon. Thomas Potter.
Nehemiah Ward. John Weldon.
John Fillmore. Jos. C. Lamb.
John Grace. Josiah Hicks.
Angus McPhee. Joseph Sears.
Wm. Fawcett. Benjamin Emmerson.
Jonathan Eddy. Titus Thornton.
Yorkshire is grouped as one of the six northern counties of England.Jackson Wray calls it "one of the bonniest of English shires." It hasan area of 6,076 square miles, making it the largest county in England.Its present population is a trifle over three millions. A coast-line ofone hundred miles gives its people a fine chance to look out on theNorth Sea. The old town of Hull is the largest shipping port. Scarboro,on the coast, is the great watering-place for the north of England.Leeds, Sheffield, Hull and Bradford are the largest towns. It is theprincipal seat of the woollen manufacture in Great Britain. The peopleare self-reliant and progressive. In Yorkshire to-day are to be foundthe oldest co-operative corn-mills and the oldest co-operative storesin England. The practice of dividing profits among purchasers inproportion to their trade at the store was first adopted by a Yorkshiresociety. This is just what might be expected from the people who, in1793, passed the following resolution: "Resolved, that monopolies areinconsistent with the true principles of commerce, because theyrestrain at once the spirit of enterprise and the freedom ofcompetition, and are injurious to the country where they exist, becausethe monopolist, by fixing the rate of both sale and purchase, canoppress the public at discretion."
Another resolution passed by the same corporation, but earlier in thecentury, shows our ancestors in a somewhat different light. A day ofthanksgiving was appointed for the success of the British forces. Thecorporation attended divine service in the parish church, after whichit was agreed to meet at Mrs. Owen's, "at five of the clock, to drinkto His Majesty's health and further good success," the expense of theevening to be at the corporation's charge.
The old Yorkshire men liked a good, honest horse-race, and fox-huntingwas a favorite sport with them. It is told of a Mr. Kirkton that hefollowed the hounds on horseback until he was eighty, and from thatperiod to one hundred he regularly attended the unkennelling of the foxin his single chair. Scott's "Dandy Dinmont" could scarcely overtopthat. No one can read the "Annals of Yorkshire" without being struckwith the number of persons who at their death left bequests to thepoor, widows getting a large share of this bounty.
John Wesley, very soon after he began his life-work, found his way toYorkshire, and nowhere had he more sincere or devoted followers, manyof whom were among the first emigrants to Nova Scotia. To the Englandof the eighteenth century America must have presented great attraction,especially to the tenant-farmer and the day-laborer. The farmer in thatcountry could never hope to own his farm, and the wages of theagricultural laborer were so small that it was only by the strictesteconomy and the best of health that he could hope to escape theworkhouse in his old age. In America land could be had for the asking.The continent was simply waiting for the hands of willing workers tomake it the happy home of millions. The reaction in trade after theSeven Years' War made the prospect just starting in life gloomier thanever, and many a father and mother who expected to end their days inthe Old Land, decided, for the sake of their children, to face thedangers of the western ocean and the trials of pioneer life.
Charles Dixon, one of the first of the Yorkshire emigrants, writes ofEngland before he left: "I saw the troubles that were befalling mynative country. Oppressions of every kind abounded, and it was verydifficult to earn bread and keep a conscience void of offence." Underthese circumstances, Mr. Dixon and a number of others decided toemigrate. It is not surprising then, that when Governor Franklin, atthe invitation of the Duke of Rutland, went down to Yorkshire in 1771,to seek emigrants for Nova Scotia, he found a goodly number of personsready to try their fortunes in the new land.
Governor Franklin did not stay long in the northern district, but leftagents who, judging by the number that came to Nova Scotia during thefew ensuing years, must have done their work well.
Among the first of the Yorkshire emigrants to sail for Nova Scotia wasa party that left Liverpool in the good ship "DUKE OF YORK," on the16th of March, 1772. The voyage lasted forty-six days, and at the endof that time the sixty-two passengers were all landed safely atHalifax. From that port they went by schooner to Chignecto, landing atFort Cumberland on the 21st of May.
Charles Dixon, with his wife and four children, were passengers on the"DUKE OF YORK." Mr. Dixon's is the only record I have seen of thisvoyage, and it is very concise indeed. He writes: "We had a roughpassage. None of us having been to sea before, much sea-sicknessprevailed. At Halifax we were received with much joy by the gentlemenin general, but were much discouraged by others, and the account givenus of Cumberland was enough to make the stoutest give way."
Mr. Dixon does not seem to have allowed these discouraging reports toinfluence him greatly, for by the 8th of June he had made a purchase of2,500 acres of land in Sackville, and moved his family there.
Other vessels followed the "DUKE OF YORK" during 1773 and the twofollowing years, the largest number coming in 1774. By May of thatyear, two brigantines moored at Halifax with 280 passengers, and threemore vessels were expected. By the last of June nine passenger vesselshad arrived. The ship ADAMANT at this time was the regular packetbetween Halifax and Great Britain.
As one of the passenger vessels was from Aberdeen, it is not likelythat all the immigrants this year were from Yorkshire. At Halifax, thewomen and children going to Cumberland were put on board a schoonerbound for Chignecto, and the younger man started to make the journey onfoot. The latter took the usual road to Fort Edward; from there theywent by boat to Parrsboro', and then followed the high ridge of landcalled the "Boar's Back," to River Hebert. At Minudie they found boatsto carry them to Fort Cumberland, where they were given a right royalYorkshire welcome by their wives and children, who had reached the fortbefore them. From Fort Cumberland the immigrants quickly began to lookaround the country for suitable locations.
Those by the name of Black, Freeze, Robinson, Lusby, Oxley and Forsterbought farms at Amherst and Amherst Point. Keilor, Siddall, Wells,Lowerson, Trueman, Chapman, Donkin, Read, Carter, King, Trenholm,Dobson and Smith were the names of those who settled at WestmorelandPoint, Point de Bute and Fort Lawrence. The names of the Sackvillecontingent were Dixon, Bowser, Atkinson, Anderson, Bulmer, Harper,Patterson, Fawcett, Richardson, Humphrey, Cornforth and Wry. Brown,Lodge, Ripley, Shepley, Pipes, Coates, Harrison, Fenwick and otherssettled at Nappan, Maccan and River Hebert.
Hants and King's County, in Nova Scotia, got a part of thisimmigration. Those who came to Cumberland were too late to secure anyof the vacated Acadian farms before others had got possession, theselands having been pre-empted by the New Englanders and the traders whofollowed the army. Those who had the means, however, seem to have foundno difficulty in purchasing from the owners, and very quickly set towork to adjust themselves to the new conditions. So effectually didthey do this, that almost every man of them succeeded in making acomfortable home for his family.
The local historians of those times claim that these English settlers,arriving as they did just before the Revolutionary war, saved NovaScotia to the British Crown. If that is the correct opinion, and we aremore disposed to believe it is true than to question its accuracy, thenthe British Empire is more indebted to these loyal Yorkshire immigrantsthan history has ever given them credit for. The Eddy Rebellion provedthat the New Englanders, who constituted a large part of theinhabitants of Chignecto previous to the arrival of the English,sympathized very generally with the revolutionists, and were ready tohelp their cause to the extent of taking up arms, if necessary, on itsbehalf. These English immigrants were not soldiers; most of them werefarmers and mechanics who had taken little part in the discussions ofpublic questions, but they were loyal subjects of the King of GreatBritain. They always had been, and they always expected to be, loyal.The headquarters of the rebellion was in Cumberland, and it was inCumberland that the largest number of these Englishmen settled.
In 1776, Mr. Arbuthnot writes, "There is an absolute necessity fortroops to be sent to Fort Cumberland, Annapolis Royal, and a few toFort Edward and Windsor for protection, with the help of His Majesty'sloyal subjects who consist of English farmers. A sober, religiouspeople, though ignorant of the use of arms, will afford everyassistance." He says the others are from New England and will join inany rebellion. Murdock thinks that Arburthnot did not judge the NewEngland men fairly; that many of them were loyal subjects of GreatBritain, and did not want to be mixed up in the trouble and discussionbetween Great Britain and her older colonies.
Whether this English immigration did for Nova Scotia what is claimedfor it or not, their success in the new country as farmers and settlersforever removed from the English mind the belief that Nova Scotia was acold, barren and inhospitable country, "fit only as a home for convictsand Indians." And thus it opened the way for future settlers. It is notclaiming too much to say these northern Englishmen were a superiorclass of men. Industrious, hardy, resourceful and God-fearing, theywere made of the right material to form the groundwork of prosperouscommunities, and wherever this element predominated it was a guaranteethat justice and order would be maintained. They were not all saints—perhaps none of them were—but there was a homely honesty and afixedness of principle about the majority of them that "made forrighteousness" wherever they were found.
The most considerable addition to the population of Nova Scotia afterthe Yorkshire immigration was in 1783 and 1784, when the United EmpireLoyalists came to the Province. They left New England as the Frenchleft Acadia, without the choice of remaining. The story of theirremoval and bitter experiences has been told by more than onehistorian. They were the right stamp of men, and have left theirimpress on the provinces by the sea. Among the names of those whosettled at the old Chignecto were: Fowler, Knapp, Palmer, Purdy,Pugsley. After the Loyalists there was no marked emigration to theMaritime Provinces till after the battle of Waterloo. The hard times inEngland following the war turned the attention of the people of GreatBritain again to America, and from 1815 to 1830 there was a steadystream of emigrants, particularly from Scotland to the Provinces.Northern New Brunswick received a large share of these Scotch settlers.The Mains, Grahams, Girvins, McElmons, and the Braits of Galloway andRichibucto, in Kent County, and the Scotts, Murrays, Grants, andBlacklocks of Botsford, Westmoreland County, came at this time.
An account of the wreck of a ship in 1826, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence,is yet told by the descendants of some of those who were coming assettlers to Richibucto.
In the spring of 1826 a lumber vessel bound for Richibucto, N.B.,carried a number of passengers for that part. When off the MagdalenIslands the vessel was stove in with the ice, and the crew andpassengers had to take to the boats. There was no time to secure anyprovisions, and a little package of potato starch that a lady passengerhad been using at the time of the accident, and carried with her, wasthe only thing eatable in the boats. Among the passengers was JamesJohnstone, of Dumfries, Scotland, and his daughter Jean, sixteen yearsold. For three days and nights the boats drifted. Mr. Johnstone, whowas an old man, died from the cold and exposure, and at the time of hisdeath his daughter was lying apparently unconscious in the bottom ofone of the boats. On the morning of the fourth day a vessel bound forMiramichi discovered them and took all on board. After landing safelyat Miramichi they took passage for Richibucto. Miss Johnstone marriedJohn Main of Richibucto, and was the mother of a large family. Mrs.Main was never able to overcome her dread of the sea after thisdreadful experience.
The last immigrants who came to the vicinity of the Isthmus were fromIreland. They arrived in the decade between 1830 and 1840, and settledin a district now called Melrose. Until recently their settlement wasknown as the Emigrant Road. Some of the names of this immigration were:Lane, Carroll, Sweeney, Barry, Noonen, Mahoney and Hennessy. Theyproved good settlers, industrious and saving, and many of the secondgeneration are filling prominent positions in the country. Ex-WardenMahoney, of Melrose, and lawyers Sweeney and Riley, of Moncton, and Dr.Hennessy, of Bangor, Maine, are descended from this stock.
THE Eddy Rebellion does not occupy much space in history, but it was animportant event in the district where it occurred, and in the lives ofthose who were responsible for it. The leaders were Colonel JonathanEddy, Sheriff John Allan, or "Rebel John," as he was afterwards called,William Howe, and Samuel Rogers. Eddy, Rogers and Allan had been, orwere at that time members of the Assembly at Halifax. Allan was aScotsman by birth, the others were from New England.
The pretext for the rebellion was the militia order of Governor Legge;the real reason was the sympathy of the New Englanders with theirbrother colonists. It was represented at the Continental Congress thatsix hundred persons in Nova Scotia, whose names were given, were readyto join any army who might come to their help. If these six hundrednames represented those who were of an age to bear arms, then thestatement of Arbuthnot that the New Englanders were all disloyal wascorrect.
The first step taken in opposition to Governor Legge's order was topetition against its enforcement. The petition from Cumberland referredto the destruction of the fort on the St. John River as "rather an actof inconsideration than otherwise," and then said, "those of us whobelong to New England, being invited into this Province by GovernorLawrence's proclamation, it must be the greatest piece of cruelty andimposition for them to be subjected to march into different parts inarms against their friends and relations. The Acadians among us beingalso under the same situation, most, if not all, having friendsdistributed in different parts of America, and that done by order ofHis Majesty."
This petition was signed by sixty-four persons in Cumberland, the
Amherst petition was signed by fifty-eight, and the Sackville one by
seventy-three. Fifty-one of the petitioners were Acadians. The date was
December 23rd, 1775.
Governor Legge took no other action on these petitions than to sendthem at once to the British Government as evidence of the disloyalty ofthe Province, and at the same time he wrote to the Earl of Dartmouththat some persons had spread the report that he was trying to draw themilitia to Halifax that he might transport them to New England and makesoldiers of them. He also adds, "The consequence of such reportsinfluenced the whole country, so that many companies of the militiahave refused to assemble, ending in these remonstrances which here in apublic manner have been transmitted to your Lordship."
As soon as it became known to the petitioners that Governor Legge wouldnot cancel the militia order, and that the petitions had been forwardedto Downing Street, it was decided to elect delegates to meet inCumberland to take into consideration what steps should next be taken.Accordingly, representatives appointed by the petitioners met atInverma, the home of Sheriff Allan. Jonathan Eddy and Sheriff Allanwere there as members of the convention, and took especial pains tourge upon the meeting that the time had arrived for decided action.Either they must cast in their lot with their friends in Massachusettsand Connecticut, or they must be loyal to the British Government. Theyalso made it clear that they could not hold the country against theBritish without help from their friends. The decision must have been infavor of independent action, as almost immediately Colonel Eddy startedfor New England with the intention of securing help from that quarter.Allan remained for a while longer in the country, but his outspokensympathy with the rebel cause was soon reported to the Government andsteps were taken to have him arrested.
About this time Rogers' and Allan's seats in the Legislature weredeclared vacant, and a reward of two hundred pounds was offered for theapprehension of Eddy and one hundred pounds each for Allan, Rogers, andHowe. Allan's biographer, in writing of this period in his life, says,"His life being now in danger, he resolved to leave the Province forthe revolted colonies; but previous to his departure he made severalexcursions among the Indians to the northward and by his influencesecured for the rebel provinces the co-operation of a large number ofthe Micmac tribe." He left Cumberland in an open boat on August 3rd,1776, and coasting along the Bay of Fundy, reached Passamaquoddy Bay onthe 11th. In Machias Bay, which he entered on the 13th, he found Col.Eddy with twenty-eight others in a schooner on their way to the Bay ofFundy to capture Fort Cumberland. Allan tried to induce Eddy to abandonthe expedition for the present, urging that it was impossible toaccomplish anything with so small a force. Colonel Eddy was headstrongand sanguine, and kept on his way. He was sure more men would followhim, and he expected to get a large addition to his force when hereached the St. John River.
Allan, in the meantime, pushed on to Machias, and after spending a fewdays there, went as far as the Piscataquis River by water, and thencehe took the stage to Boston. From Boston he proceeded to Washington'sheadquarters, giving New York, which was then in possession of theBritish, a wide berth. He dined with Washington, and talked over thesituation. On the 4th of January he was introduced to the ContinentalCongress, where he made a full statement of matters in Nova Scotia.
After some deliberation, Congress appointed him Superintendent of theEastern Indians and a colonel of infantry. He received his instructionsfrom Hon. John Hancock, and left at once for Boston. While there heurged upon the members in council the necessity of protecting theeastern part of Maine, and showed the advantage it would be to therebels if, by sending out an armed force, they could take possession ofthe western part of Nova Scotia. This the Council promised to do.
After giving this advice, Allan himself set out to show what could bedone by raiding the loyal settlers on the River St. John. Thisexpedition was not very successful, and Colonel Allan was glad to getback to Maine, and take up the duties of his new position asSuperintendent of the Eastern Indians. He made Machias hisheadquarters, and to the end of his life, which came in the year 1805,he remained a resident of the State of Maine.
Beamish Murdoch, the historian of Nova Scotia, in a letter to arelative of Colonel John Allan, says: "If the traditions I have heardabout John Allan are correct, he could not have been much over twenty-one years old in 1775. As he had no New England ancestors, his escapademust be attributed to ambition, romance, or pure zeal for what hethought was just and right. For the feelings against the Crown in NovaScotia in 1775 were confined to the Acadian French, who resented theconquest, the Indians who were attached to them by habit and creed, andto the settlers who were emigrants from New England."
Mr. Murdoch was mistaken in the age of Allan. John Allan was born inEdinburgh Castle at about "half after one" of the clock, on January3rd, 1746 (O. S.), and was baptized on the 5th by Mr. Glasgow. He thusmust have been in his 30th year when he joined the Eddy rebels.
After Colonel Eddy's interview with Colonel Allan in Machias Bay, hepushed on to Cumberland, and landed in Petitcodiac. His little army hadincreased considerably since he left Machias. At the mouth of thePetitcodiac River he stationed a small force to watch for anyreinforcements that might be coming to Fort Cumberland. With the mainbody of his followers he started overland for Chignecto, after he hadsupplied his commissariat from the loyal settlers along the river.
They crossed the Memramcook well up to the head of that river, and tooka straight course for Point Midgic. Then going through the woods abovethe Jolicure Lakes, they came to the home of Colonel Allan, in UpperPoint de Bute. Mrs. Allan and her children were still there, and therewas no disposition on the part of the inhabitants of Jolicure tointerfere in any measure against the rebels.
At Allan's it was learned that a vessel with provisions had been seenin the bay, heading for Fort Cumberland. Eddy sent a number of scoutsdown, with instructions to capture the vessel. Under the cover ofdarkness and a thick fog,they were able to locate the sloop inCumberland Creek without being seen by the men on the look-out. In theearly morning, when the leader of the scouts suddenly levelled his gunat the one man on deck, and called out, "If you move you are a deadman," the surprise was complete, and the man obeyed orders. The rebelsboarded the sloop, and soon had all hands in irons. As it grew lighter,and the fog cleared away, Captain Baron and missionary Egleston fromthe fort came down to the vessel, suspecting nothing, and were bothmade prisoners. Egleston was taken to Boston, and remained a prisonerfor eighteen months. As soon as the tide turned the vessel floated outof Cumberland Creek, and headed for the Missiquash. The Union Jack washauled down and the Stars and Stripes run up in its place.
This capture greatly elated the rebels, furnishing them, as it did,with supplies, of which they probably stood in considerable need. Thesloop could run up the Missiquash near to the farms of the Eddys,Jonathan and William, who at the time owned most of the upper part ofFort Lawrence.
Colonel Eddy now decided to lose no time, but attack the fort at once.
His army camped at Mount Whatley, near where the residence of David
Carter now stands. Mount Whatley was called Camp Hill for a number of
years after this.
While these things were being done by the rebels the English were notidle. A hundred and fifty regulars, under Colonel Gorham, had been sentto assist the garrison and strengthen the defences of the fort. Whenall was ready in the rebel camp, Colonel Eddy sent the followingsummons to Lieutenant-Colonel Gorham, demanding his surrender:
"To Joseph Gorham, Esq., Lieut.-Colonel Commandt. of the Royal
Fencibles Americans, Commanding Fort Cumberland:
"The already too plentiful Effusion of Human Blood in the Unhappy
Contest between Great Britain and the Colonies, calls on every one
engaged on either side, to use their utmost Efforts to prevent the
Unnatural Carnage, but the Importance of the Cause on the side of
America has made War necessary, and its Consequences, though in some
Cases shocking, are yet unavoidable. But to Evidence that the Virtues
of humanity are carefully attended to, to temper the Fortitude of a
Soldier, I have to summon you in the Name of the United Colonies to
surrender the Fort now under your Command, to the Army sent under me by
the States of America. I do promise that if you surrender Yourselves as
Prisoners of War you may depend upon being treated with the utmost
Civility and Kind Treatment; if you refuse I am determined to storme
the Fort, and you must abide the consequences.
"Your answer is expected in four Hours after you receive this and the
Flag to Return safe.
"I am Sir,
"Your most obedt. Hble. Servt.,
"JONA EDDY,
"Commanding Officer of the
United Forces.
"Nov. 10, 1776."
He received the following reply:
"SIR,"I acknowledge the receipt of a Letter (under coular of Flagg of Truce)Signed by one Jonan Eddy, Commanding officer, expressing a concern atthe unhappy Contest at present Subsisting between Great Britain and theColonys, and recommending those engaged on either side to use theirEndeavors to prevent the too Plentiful effusion of human Blood, andfurther Summoning the Commanding officer to surrender this garrison."From the Commencement of these Contest I have felt for my deludedBrother Subjects and Countrymen of America, and for the many Innocentpeople they have wantonly Involved in the Horrors of an UnnaturalRebellion, and entertain every humane principle as well as an utteraversion to the Unnecessary effusion of Christian Blood. ThereforeCommand you in His Majesty's name to disarm yourself and partyImmediately and Surrender to the King's Mercy, and further desire youwould communicate the Inclosed Manifests to as many of the Inhabitantsyou can, and as Speedily as possible to prevent their being involved inthe Same dangerous and Unhappy dilemma."Be assured, Sir, I shall never dishonour the character of a Soldier bySurrendering my command to any Power except to that of my Sovereignfrom whence it originated. I am, Sir,"Your most hble servt,"JOS. GORHAM,"Lt.-Col., Com'at, R. F. A.,"Commanding Officer at Fort Cumberland."
The following is Colonel Eddy's own account of the first attack on FortCumberland, given in "Eastern Maine" (Kidder, p. 69): "Upon ColonelGorham's Refusal to surrender we attempted to storm the Fort in theNight of the 12th Nov. with our scaling Ladders and otherAccoutrements, but finding the Fort to be stronger than we imagined(occasioned by late Repairs), we thought fit to Relinquish our Designafter a heavy firing from their Great Guns and small Arms, withIntermission for 2 Hours, which we Sustained without any Loss (exceptone Indian being wounded), who behaved very gallantly, and Retreated ingood Order to our Camp."
Previous to the first attack on the place, Eddy had arranged with anIndian to sneak into the fort and open the main gate; he would have hismen ready to rush in and take the place by assault. While the attackwas in progress the Indian got into the place and was in the act ofunbarring the gates when he was discovered by Major Dickson. The majorspoiled the little scheme by slashing the Indian's arm with his sword,which left him maimed for life. The assailants soon after thisretreated without any very serious loss.
In another attack, made a few days later,the large barracks on thesouth-east side of the fort were set on fire, in the hope that it wouldcommunicate with the magazine. It is said a traitor in the rebel campwarned the English of the second attack. This also failed, but thebarracks and a number of houses near the fort were burned.
Before the rebels had a chance to make a third attack, a sloop of wararrived in the Basin with four hundred men to reinforce the garrison.Colonel Eddy seems not to have heard of the arrival of these troops.Their presence, however, enabled Col. Gorham to take the offensive, andthe rebel camp was attacked. Eddy did not wait to try the mettle of hismen, but got away with the loss of one man. With as many of hisfollowers as he could hold together he hastened toward Bay Verte. Ashort distance beyond the Inverma Farm, a squad took ambush in athicket near a bridge, and when the regulars in pursuit were crossingthe bridge the party fired a volley, killing several of the soldiersand wounding others. This so incensed the troops that they returned andset fire to Sheriff Allan's house, which was burned to the ground,together with a number of other buildings in the neighborhood. Mrs.Allan and her children escaped to the woods, where they remained untilhunger compelled them to come out. She was found some days after thisby her father, Mark Patton, having lived for some time on bakedpotatoes picked up around the burned dwelling, and was taken to hishome not far from the fort. Mrs. Allan was not allowed to remain longwith her father, but was carried a prisoner to Halifax. She remainedonly in Halifax a few months when she was given her liberty andrejoined her husband at Machais.
Eddy, after going in the direction of Bay Verte for some time, findinghe was not pursued, turned his steps toward Point Midgic, where he hadcalled while on his march to Chignecto. From there he made his way backto Machais. Just what route he pursued, or how great the difficultieshe met with in this long, tiresome journey, has never been given to thepublic. Machais, until the close of the war, was the rendezvous ofprivateers and all manner of adventurers, both before and after thearrival of Eddy and Allan. Colonel Eddy's escape from Chignecto endedthe rebellion in that district so far as any hope remained of asuccessful attempt to hand over the government of the country to theNew Englanders, but the differences of opinion among neighbors, theraids of rebel bands in the district, together with the burning of anumber of buildings, created a strong feeling that it took years toallay.
Mr. James Dixon, in the "History of the Dixons," speaking of thisperiod says:
"The rebels found more congenial employment in raiding the homes of theloyal and peaceable inhabitants, plundering them of such articles asthey were in need of, and destroying or carrying away any guns orammunition they might find. Mr. Dixon's home did not escape theirunwelcome notice. His house was robbed of many valuable articles, someof which he kept for sale. For a considerable period the loyalinhabitants, notably the English settlers, were subjected to a state ofanxiety, and lived in dread of a repetition of such unwelcome visits.On one occasion, when some of these people were approaching the house,Mrs. Dixon hastily gathered up her silverware and other valuables anddeposited them in a barrel of pig feed, where they quite escaped thenotice of the visitors. On a later occasion, when somewhat similartroublous times existed, Mr. Dixon, with the aid of his negro servant,Cleveland, hid his money and other valuables in the earth, binding hisservant by a solemn oath never to divulge to anyone the place ofconcealment."
Nor was all the destruction of property chargeable to the rebels. Atthis time a number of the loyal settlers, who, it is said, had beendrinking freely, surrounded the house of Mr. Obediah Ayer, who was insympathy with the rebels, and set fire to his place, intending to burnthe inmates. Mrs. Ayer was warned by her neighbors and escaped to thewoods with her baby in her arms. After the raiders departed she withher children found a temporary home with a neighbor. Her husband didnot dare appear for many days, but hid in the woods by day and visitedhis family at night.
The raid of Allan on the St. John gave the Government uneasiness inthat quarter for some time longer. As mentioned before, there were twoEddys, Jonathan and William. They owned adjoining farms in FortLawrence. The upper road leading from Fort Lawrence to Amherst stillbears the name of the "Eddy Road." It was probably made through theEddy grant, and the Eddys may have been instrumental in itsconstruction.
It is related that William Eddy, after the rebellion, came back to FortLawrence to settle his business and take his wife and family out of thecountry. To escape being made a prisoner at that time he kept hid in ahay-stack in the day-time and visited his home during the night. Onenight the soldiers who were watching saw him enter the house and atonce surrounded the place, sending in two of their number to bring outthe prisoner. Mrs. Eddy would give no knowledge of her husband'swhereabouts. The house was thoroughly searched, but the man could notbe found. The soldiers were dumbfounded. The fact is, that when Mrs.Eddy saw the soldiers coming, she told her husband to cover himself ina bin of grain in the chamber and place his mouth close to a crack onthe side of the bin over which had been tacked a piece of list toprevent the grain from coming out. She would tear off the list and thatwould give him air to breathe. Her husband did as directed. When theofficer who was making the search came to the grain-bin he thrust hissword into it, and said, "He is not there." Mr Eddy said afterwardsthat the sword went between his body and arm, so near was he being madea prisoner.
Inverma, the home of Sheriff Allan, is now owned, in part, byCouncillor Amos Trueman, and is still called by that name. It consistedat that time of three hundred and forty-eight acres of marsh and uplandand was no doubt part of the Allan grant of 1763. Besides the Sheriff'sown house there were six or seven small houses occupied by Acadianfamilies as tenants, also two large barns and four smaller ones.
Allan's wife was Mary Patton, the daughter of Mark Patton, who was atone time a large property-owner on the Isthmus. Patton Point, in theMissiquash valley, still goes by his name. His home farm joined theglebe lands of the parish, and was afterwards bought by William Truemanand given to his son, Thomas. I find the following entry in WilliamTrueman's journal, referred to elsewhere:
"Old Mrs. Patton was buried at the burying-ground by Thomas Trueman,
July 31st, in the 92nd year of her age."
This lady was no doubt Mrs. Allan's mother. She had continued to liveat the old place after Thomas Trueman had taken possession, and as thiswas in the year 1808, she had lived thirty-two years after her daughterleft the country.
The question has been asked, would it not have been better for thenorthern half of this continent if the Eddy rebellion had succeeded andwhat is now Canada had become one country with the United States? Thename Americans could then fairly have been claimed by the citizens ofthe great Republic and a people whose interests and aspirations areidentical, and whose religion, language and customs are the same, wouldhave been united in carrying out the destiny of the Anglo-Saxon inAmerica. This may sound very well, but events have transpired in thelast hundred and twenty-five years that point unmistakably to theconclusion that the God of history intended this northern land calledCanada to work out its own destiny independent of the southernRepublic. At the period of the Eddy rebellion Nova Scotia was still inthe cradle and had no grievances to redress. New Brunswick as aProvince had no existence. Never in all history had a conquered countrybeen treated so justly by the victors as had Quebec. Ontario at thistime was but a western wilderness. It will thus be seen that therewould have been no justification for the new settlers in this northernland to have joined hands with the thirteen older colonies.
Another preliminary objection can be found in the situation of theLoyalists of 1783, from the fact that one of the grandest band ofexiles that was ever driven from fireside and country would have foundno place on the continent to make new homes for themselves. This wouldhave placed them in infinitely worse circumstances than that body ofnoble men and women of another race that twenty-eight years earlier inthe century had been driven out as exiles to wander in hardship andwant on that same New England coast. These Loyalists brought to Canadathe sterling principle, the experience in local Government, the sturdy,independent manhood and business experience and energy which thisnorthern land needed to make it one of the most prosperous and bestgoverned countries in the world. To think what Canada would have beenwithout the Loyalists helps one to see more clearly how fortunate itwas that the Eddy rebellion was crushed.
The British Empire may owe more to the loyal Yorkshire emigrants thanhas ever been fairly accorded to them. Canada as a coterie of coloniesfurnished Great Britain with a training school for her statesmen thatshe did not otherwise possess. In this way British North America hasbeen the prime factor in placing Great Britain first among the nationsof the world in the government of colonies. It is true Englishministers and English governors made mistakes and had much to learnbefore the present system was fully adopted, but the descendants of theLoyalists and those who remained true to the Crown during the stormyyears of the Revolution were not likely to stir up strife without ajust cause. And is it claiming too much to say that to Canada'sremaining loyal in 1776 is due to a very large extent the proudposition Great Britain holds to-day as the mother of nations, thefounder of the greatest colonial empire the world has yet seen?
There are those who believe that the principle of equality andfraternity, of government by the people and for the people, the freedomfor which the Pilgrim Fathers faced the stormy Atlantic and for whichWashington fought against such odds, has been worked out in fullermeasure and juster proportions in Canada than in the United States.Canada has helped greatly to emphasize the truth, only yet halfunderstood by the world, that it makes little difference whether thechief ruler of a country is called president, king or emperor, orwhether the government is called a monarchy or republic. These are butincidents. What is important, what is essential,if freedom is to be wonand maintained, is that the people understand their rights and have thecourage to maintain them at any sacrifice. It was the leaven of freedomworking in the lump of the British people that gave the world the MagnaCharta, Montford's rebellion, Cromwell and the Commonwealth, theRevolution of 1688,and the still greater Revolution of 1776.
This last event broke from the parent stem one of the strong branchesof the Anglo-Saxon family, and gave each an opportunity to work out indifferent ways the ideals after which both were striving. And who willsay that the descendants of Cromwellians and Quakers, Nonconformistsand Churchmen, whose ancestors, from force of circumstances or love ofcountry remained in their island home, are not to-day breathing the airof freedom as pure and unadulterated as their cousins on the banks ofthe Charles or in the valleys of the historic Brandywine. At any rate,we who live in this northern country, that escaped the cataclysm of1776, feel that Canada has been no unimportant factor in helping towork out the great problem of government for and by the consent of thegoverned.
THE spiritual interests of the people of old Chignecto have always beenwell-looked after. One of the first white men to visit the Isthmus witha view to settlement was a priest, and the man who wielded the largestinfluence in and around Fort Beausejour during the last years of theFrench occupation was a priest, the vicar-general of Canada. In morethan one instance the assistance promised to the colonists in Acadia bythe wealthy was provisional upon the conversion of the Indians toChristianity. During the French period three chapels were erected onthe Isthmus—one at the Four Corners, Tantramar, one at FortBeausejour, and one at Beaubassin. These chapels were burned during thetaking of Beausejour and the expulsion of the Acadians. The bell on thechapel at the Four Corners was buried by the Acadians at theintersection of two lines drawn from four springs to be seen in thatlocality yet. Some years after a party of Acadians, on getting theconsent of Wm. Fawcett, who in the meantime had come into possession ofthe land, dug up the bell and carried it to Memramcook. The late FatherLefebre exchanged it for a larger one. It is believed that the bellfrom the Beausejour chapel is the one now used in St. Mark's church,Mount Whatley. This bell is ornamented with scrolls and fleur-de-lisand has the following inscription:
AD HONOREM DEI
FECIT F.M. GROS,
A ROCHEFORT,
1734.
The first Protestant ministers on the Isthmus were Episcopalians. Mr.Woods, a clergyman of that denomination, was at Fort Lawrence in 1752,1754 and 1756. In 1759 Rev. Thos. Wilkinson was at Fort Cumberland, andin 1760 it is recorded that Joshua Tiffs baptized Winkworth Allan atthe fort. Between that date and the arrival of Rev. John Egleson norecord has been found. Mr. Egleson was born a Presbyterian, and waseducated for that Church. He was ordained, but afterwards changed hisviews, and joined the Anglicans. He was reordained by the Bishop ofLondon, and sent, in 1769, to Chignecto, by the Society for thePropagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.
Reference is made in another part of this book to Mr. Egleson's captureby the Eddy rebels in 1776. He seems to have been the first to takepossession of the glebe lands of the parish, and the farm was for manyyears called the "Egleson farm." The parish register containing theearliest records has been lost or destroyed, so that from the arrivalof Mr. Egleson down to 1794 very little is known of the local historyof the denomination.
In 1794 a meeting was held on the 27th February, at or near FortCumberland, and the following business was transacted: "Messrs. Gay,Siddall and Brownell were appointed a committee to prepare plans for achurch, to be erected at once on the town plot, and to obtainsubscriptions." The new church was to be 46 feet long and 34 feet wide,with 19-foot posts. Messrs. Gay, McMonagle and McCardy to be theBuilding Committee. This is the old St. Mark's Church, that stood solong at Mount Whatley. The first list of subscribers were:
William Allen, L3, in pine lumber.
Samuel Gay, L3, in timber.
Ralph Siddall, L3, in timber.
Titus Knapp, L3, in drawing stone.
James Law, L3, in drawing stone.
Jerry Brownell, L1 10s., in timber.
The cost of the church, when finished, was L310. Of this amount thepeople subscribed L170. The Bishop of Nova Scotia gave L70, and thereremained a debt of L70.
Having succeeded so well in building the church, a meeting was called,at the request of Rev. Mr. Willoughby, to provide a house for theclergyman. His request was granted, and in 1795, Mr. Milledge beingthen the resident minister, the church-wardens agreed to pay two-thirdsof the amount of rent for the house in which he was living until theparsonage was built.
At a meeting of the vestrymen in 1796, the school lands of the parishwere rented to Spiller Fillimore for L7 5s. These lands now bring anannual rental of $200. In 1810 the church-wardens of St. Mark's churchwere:
Amos Fowler. Samuel Gay.
James Ryan. John Trenholm.
Harmon Trueman. Chas. Oulton.
Samuel McCardy. Jas. Hewson.
William Copp. William Tingley.
Geo. Wells. Thos. Trueman.
Bill Chappell.
At a meeting held Nov. 2nd, 1818, it was resolved to take down thechurch and rebuild, making the width thirty feet. No reason is givenfor this strange proceeding. The contractors for the work were Wm.Jones, Henry Chapman, and Thos. Trenholm. This building stood until1880, when a new building of more modern architecture was erected onthe same site, where it stands to-day. The names of the clergymen whohave been resident or had the oversight of the church in Westmorelandsince 1752, as far as can be found, are given below:
Mr. Wood, 1752-6. J. W. D. Gray.
Thos. Wilkinson, 1759. R. B. Wiggins, 1831.
Joshua Tiffs, 1760. G. S. Jarvis.
John Egleson, 1769. R. B. Wiggins.
Mr. Willoughby, 1794. Geo. Townshend.
John Milledge, 1795. Robert Donald
Mr. Perkins, 1805. Richard Simonds.
Rev. C. Milner, 1822. Chas. Lee.
Donald Bliss, 1852-1902.
The following entries referring to church matters are from Mr. Wm.
Trueman's Journal:
"July 26th, 1803—Rev. Mr. Gray preached at the church, from Proverbs 6c., 3v., 'Humble thyself and make sure thy friend.'" Mr. Gray wasprobably a visiting clergyman.
"July, 1806, Oct. 16th—William Allan was buried at the church-yard atCamp Hill, attended by a large concourse of people. Mr. Milledgepreached a sermon."
"December 25th, 1806 (Christmas Day)—Mr. Bamford preached at StoneMeeting House (Methodist), and after, Mr. Perkins administered thesacrament. The house was full of people."
As far as is known there was not a resident Episcopal clergyman inAmherst until 1823. Christ Church was erected that year on the countycourthouse ground. In 1842, through the efforts of Canon Townshend, anew church was built on the present site. Rev. J. W. D. Gray was thefirst clergyman. The Rev. Canon Townshend came to Amherst in 1834, andheld the rectorship until his death.
A letter written from England to Mr. Wm. Trueman, Prospect, in 1776,asks if the adherents of the Methodist societies have any place ofworship to go to, or do they meet among themselves according to theusual way of the Methodists. The reply would be that they met amongstthemselves, as there is no record of a "meeting house" until some yearslater.
The Methodists of the early Yorkshire emigration at first met quietlyat the home of one of their number for their services. In 1779religious interest deepened, and a wide-spread revival began. Meetingswere held, followed by encouraging results. Among the new converts wasWm. Black, of Amherst, afterwards Bishop Black. It is recorded that ata quarterly meeting held, in 1780, at Wm. Trueman's, Wm. Black receiveda great blessing, and although only a young man, he took from that timea prominent part in the meetings of the neighborhood. Three young men,Scurr, Wells, and Fawkender, agreed with Wm. Black to visit in turn,each Sabbath, the settlements of Prospect, Fort Lawrence, and Amherst.From 1780 until after the first Methodist Conference of the MaritimeProvinces, in 1786, Wm. Black had charge of the Cumberland Circuit,which included from Wallace (then Ramshag) to Petitcodiac, taking inBay Verte and Cape Tormentine. In 1782 the membership of the circuitnumbered eighty-two. In 1786 the first Conference was held at Halifax.
Shortly before Conference Mr. Black, with his family, moved to Halifax,leaving in his place, at Cumberland, Mr. Graudin, of New Jersey. Mr.Graudin was sent back to Cumberland by the Conference. He was assistedby John Black, of Amherst, brother of Wm. Black. In 1787 Mr. Graudinwas removed and his place taken by Mr. James Mann. That year land wasbought on which to build a chapel, and in 1788 the first Methodistchurch in Canada was built at Point de Bute. It stood somewhat backfrom the road in the present cemetery. The house was of stone, with aroof of thatch. The following is the deed of the property on which thehouse was built:
"This Indenture, made this eighteenth day of September, on thousandseven hundred and eighty-eight, and in the twenty-eighth year of HisMajesty's reign, between William Chapman, of Point de Bute, of the onepart, and the Rev. Mr. John Wesley, of London, of the other part,witnesseth, that in consideration of five shillings currency, by thesaid John Wesley to the said William Chapman, truly paid before thesealing and delivering hereof, the receipt whereof the said WilliamChapman doth hereby acknowledge and for divers other considerations himthereunto moving, the said William Chapman hath granted, bargained andsold, and by these presents doth bargain and sell unto the said JohnWesley and his successors in the Methodist line forever, one acre ofland, situated and lying in the County of Westmoreland, and Province ofNew Brunswick, bounding on the west on land belonging to James Law,Esq., and on the south on the main road leading from Fort Cumberland tothe Bay Verte, together with all privileges to the said premisesappertaining and all the profits thereof with the right, title andinterest in Law and Equity, to have and to hold the said acre of land,to him the said John Wesly and his successors in the Methodist Lineforever, and to be appropriated for a preaching House andburying-ground, and other conveniences that shall be judged necessaryto accommodate the same under the inspection and direction of thegeneral assistant or the preacher by Conference stationed on theCircuit, together with Wm. Wells, Thomas Watson, Esq., RichardLowerison, George Falkinther, Wm. Trueman, jun., Stephen Read, andJames Metcalf to be Trustees to act in concert, and those to be onlyTrustees as long as they adhere to the Doctrine and Discipline of thesaid John Wesley and his connection, and in case of death or failure ofany of these particulars the preacher is to nominate one in his room.Furthermore, the said William Chapman, for himself, his heirs,executors and administrators, doth covenant to and with the said JohnWesley and his successors, the before mentioned demised premises,against the lawful claim or demand of any person or persons whatsoever,to warrant and secure and defend by these presents, in witness whereofI have hereunto set my hand and seal. Bargained year before written."Signed, sealed and delivered, in presence of
JAMES LAW, WILLIAM CHAPMAN.
SALLY LAW, JANE CHAPMAN.
"JAMES WRAY, Missionary."
James Wray, and Englishman, ordained and sent out by Wesley, arrived in1788. He was the first ordained Methodist minister in Cumberland.Previous to this the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered bythe Episcopal clergyman. This same year Mr. Black, Mr. John Mann, andMr. James Mann went to Philadelphia and were ordained. Mr. Mann and Mr.Wray were both on the Cumberland circuit for a year, and Mr. James Mannremained in charge until 1791, when he was followed by Mr. Whitehead.From 1793 until 1797 Mr. Early, Mr. John Black and Mr. Benjamin Wilsonwere each at times preaching in the Stone Chapel. Mr. Wilson was alonein 1798, and assisted by Mr. Cooper in 1799. In 1800 Joshua Marsdencame out from England and was sent to the Cumberland circuit, where helabored for three years.
The following are from the journal before referred to:
"1802, May 9th—Mr. Marsden preached his farewell sermon at the StoneMeeting House.
"May 10th—Mr. Marsden set out for Conference."
Mr. Wm. Bennet followed Mr. Marsden, coming directly from England to
Cumberland, arriving at Mr. Trueman's on June 26th.
"June 26th—Mr. Bennet arrived at our house and went to Tantramar.
"27th—Mr. Bennet preached his first sermon at Tantramar.
"July 8th—This day was appointed by the Government as a day ofthanksgiving for the blessings of peace. Mr. Bennet preached at theAmherst Court-House from Romans 12 c. 1 v. to a crowded and attentiveaudience."
The church at this time was in a fairly good financial condition. Pointde Bute was then headquarters for the ministers, it and Sackville beingthe most important places in the circuit. Mr. Mann visited Point deBute in 1803, preaching at the Stone House on May 2nd, also June 16th.
"June 16th, Mr. Mann preached at Mr. Wells'."
"June 26th—Mr. Mann preached at the Stone House morning and evening toa crowded house."
Mr. Bennet's place was taken, in 1806, by Mr. Stephen Bamford, a localpreacher sent out from England. he was afterwards ordained and remainedthree years.
"July 6th, 1806—Mr. Bamford preached at the Stone House for the firsttime."
On June 3rd, 1808, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Black paid a visit to Point deBute, making their home at Mr. Wm. Trueman's. It was a great joy to thechurch there to have Mr. Black with them again. In 1809-10-11, Mr.Knowlan was on the Cumberland Circuit, and in 1812 Mr. Bennet returned,followed by Mr. Dunbar, in 1815.
Mr. Dunbar remained three years and his place was taken by Mr.Priestly. During Mr. Priestly's stay the new church was built at Pointde Bute. It stood in front of the spot occupied by the old Stone House,and was opened by Mr. Priestly in 1822.
Mr. Stephen Bamford was on the circuit 1823 to 1825; Wm. Temple in 1826and 1827; Wm. Webb in 1828 and 1829; Wm. Smithson from 1830 to 1833.
In 1833, Rev. Alexander McLeod was sent to Cumberland as assistant. Hemade his home in Point de Bute, and was there most of the time until1836. Rev. Richardson Douglas had charge of the circuit in 1834 and1835. Mr. Jos. Bent came in 1836, and the house on the farm now ownedby Mr. Burton Jones was rented for a parsonage. During Mr. Bent'sministry there was a large revival at Point de Bute, and about sixtymembers were received into the church. Mr. Bent was followed by RichardWilliams, who remained two years. In 1840 the Sackville District wasdivided, the Point de Bute Circuit consisting of Point de Bute, FortLawrence, Bay Verte and Cape Tormentine. The Cumberland Circuit hadbeen divided before this (as early as 1830), but the exact date cannotbe found.
Below is a list of the ministers who have been resident in the Point de
Bute Circuit since 1840:
Wm. Leggit, 1840-1842.
Geo. Millar, 1842-1843. Parsonage built.
R. Williams, 1843-1844.
Sampson Busby, 1844-1847.
Wm. Smithson, 1847-1850.
Geo. Johnson, 1850-1853.
Wm. Smith, 1853-1856.
T. H. Davies, 1856-1860.
John Snowball, 1860-1861. Point de Bute Circuit again divided.
Michael Pickles, 1861-1863.
Chas. Stewart, 1863-1865.
Geo. Butcher, 1865-1866.
Robert Duncan, 1866-1868.
Wm. Wilson, 1868-1870.
Jas. G. Angwin, 1870-1873. Present parsonage built.
Douglas Chapman, 1873-1876.
Edwin Mills, 1876-1879.
Geo. W. Fisher, 1879-1882. Present church built in 1881.
Thos. Marshall, 1882-1884.
W. W. Lodge, 1884-1885.
S. R. Ackman, 1885-1888.
Jas. Crisp, 1888-1891.
F. H. W. Pickles, 1891-1894.
J. A. Clark, 1894-1896.
T. L. Williams, 1896-1897.
Jos. Seller, 1897-1898.
D. Chapman, 1898-1901.
Thos. Marshall, 1901.
The first Methodist church in Sackville stood a little north of PhilipPalmer's farm. It was opened in 1790 by Rev. James Mann. Previous tothat date the preaching place had been a small schoolhouse, which stoodnear the place where J. L. Black's store now stands. The new buildingserved its purpose for twenty-eight years. Then another was built atCrane's Corner, on the same site as the present church.
The following extracts from the Sackville Circuit Book of 1801-1811 mayprove interesting:
"QUARTERLY MEETING."POINT DE BUTE, August 28th, 1802."(1) Q. Who is the general steward for the circuit? A. WilliamTrueman. Elected."(2) Q. Who is steward for Sackville? A. John Fawcett. Elected."(3) Q. Who is steward for Dorchester? A. John Weldon. Elected."(4) Q. Who is steward for Amherst and the Rivers? A. Thomas Roach.Elected."(5) Q. How shall Mr. Bennett's expenses to New York be paid? A.Let it be approved by the next Conference."(6) Q. When and where shall the next quarterly meeting be held? A.At W. Fawcett's, Sackville, January 9th, 1803."
"QUARTERLY MEETING."December 3rd, 1810."Q. Where shall a house be built for the circuit preacher? A. InSackville, on the lands given by C. Dixon, Esq., and John Harris."Q. How shall the expenses be borne? A. By a subscription begunfirst in Sackville."Q. Of what material shall the said house be built? A. Of brick,except the cellar wall, which shall be made of stone."Q. Who shall be appointed to provide stone and timber during thewinter previous to the next quarterly meeting? A. Charles Dixon andRich. Bowser to see it provided out of the subscription. The saidtimber to be got for a house 34 by 24."Q. Shall the collections made in the Stone Chapel go to thedischarging of the debt due to Mr. Trueman for the care of the saidchapel? A. Yes, and also to the providing of wood for said chapel."
"QUARTERLY MEETING."SACKVILLE, March 9th, 1811."Q. Shall the minutes of Dec. Q. M., 1810, respecting preacher'shouse be agreed to by this Q. M.? A. Yes, we are agreed that thehouse shall be built upon the grounds given by Messrs. Dixon andHarris."Q. Who shall be the trustees of the said house? A. John Fawcett,Jr., Chas. Dixon, Jr., Edwin Dixon, Esq., Rich. Bowser and ThomasRoach, Esq."Q. Who shall we employ to build the house? A. Chas. Dixon, Jr.,who has engaged to finish it in a workmanlike manner for L200,according to plan, N. B., 35 ft. by 24, one story and half high and ofbrick."
In 1763 a Baptist church at Swansea, Mass., left in a body and settledin Sackville, bringing their pastor with them. They numbered thirteenmembers. Almost all of them returned to Massachusetts in 1771. TheBaptists were the first Protestant denomination in Sackville, but hadno church building until about the year 1800. That year Joseph Crandallorganized the church, and they at once proceeded to erect a building inwhich to worship. The site chosen was at the Four Corners. The churchwhich replaced this one in 1830 was called Beulah.
The first Baptist association for New Brunswick and Nova Scotia met inSackville in 1810. Sackville was represented by Elders Jos. Crandalland Jonathan Cole, and by Messrs. Wm. Lawrence and Jos. Read. Therewere twenty-two elders and messengers present, representing fourteenchurches. Amongst the representatives were Fathers Murray and Harding,and Peter Crandall, Nathan Cleveland and Elijah Estabrooks. A letterpublished in August, 1810, by Rev. David Merrill, in the AMERICANBAPTIST MAGAZINE, reports his visit to the Association, in Sackville,as a member of the Lincoln Association, Maine. He is jubilant with hopefor the new work and exclaims in triumph, "Babylon appears to be infull retreat." It is said that at a revival service in the BeulahChurch, in 1822, conducted by Fathers Crandall, Tupper and McCully,twenty-five persons were immersed in Morris's millpond. During theservice a woman stood up to exhort, handing her infant of six months toa bystander. The woman was Mrs. Tupper, and the infant the future SirCharles Tupper. This must have been Sir Charles's first appearance inpublic life.
The Baptist Church in Amherst was organized about 1810, or perhaps ayear or two earlier, by the Rev. Jos. Crandall. To the Association inSackville they sent two messengers, Thos. S. Black and Wm. Freeman,reporting a membership of fifteen. The Rev. Chas. Tupper was the firstpastor, ordained in 1817. He had charge of the church, with occasionalrelief, until 1851.
The Baptists of Westmoreland did not erect a church building until1825. The late Wm. Tingley, of Point de Bute, gave the site and alsothe largest subscription. The following clause in the subscriptionpaper is worth transcribing, as showing the liberality in religiousmatters which existed at that time. The Presbyterians of Jolicureassisted in the building, and were given "the right to hold service inproportion to the amount they subscribed, and when it is not in use byeither Baptists or Presbyterians, if wanted occasionally by otherdenominations of Christians, it shall be open and free for suchservice." Although the building was erected in 1825 there was no churchorganized until 1850.
The first minister was Rev. Willard Parker, and the deacons RufusFillimore and Henry Ward. The ministers who have been in charge fromthat date down to the present time are:
William Parker. Trueman Bishop.
John Roe. Chas. A. Eaton.
David Lawson. T. D. Skinner.
W. A. Coleman. J. D. Wilson.
G. F. Miles. H. Lavers.
David McKeen. D. A. Steele.
The Presbyterians were organized and had a church building in Amherstas early as 1788, but it was not until the Rev. Alexander Clarkarrived, in 1827, that they had a regular minister stationed with them.Previous to this several ministers had been with them, but only a veryshort time.
In the grant of the Cumberland township of 1763 land was given to thePresbyterian Church on which to build a manse, but there is no existingrecord to show that it was ever taken possession of by that body. Thefirst church in the township was erected in Jolicure about the year1830. The land was given by Thos. Copp, and the Brownells and Copps ofthat place were very active in the work of building. Rev. AlexanderClark, of Amherst, was the minister in charge of the congregation. Dr.Clark spent his life in preaching the Gospel to the same people and totheir children, with whom he began his mission when he first came tothe country in 1827 or 1828. His circuit extended from Maccan toPugwash, and from there along the Northumberland Straits to Shemogne,including Amherst, Jolicure, and Sackville. He was a fine type of theScotch-Irish minister, who spoke what he believed was the truth,whatever the consequence might be.
The first Episcopal Church in the Sackville Parish was built at
Westcock in 1817. The rectors have been as follows:
John Burnyeot, 1818-1820.
Christopher Milner, 1820-1836.
John Black, 1836-1847.
T. DeWolfe, 1847-1860.
G. G. Roberts, 1860-1873.
David Nickerson, 1873-1875.
J. D. H. Brown, 1875-1878.
R. J. Uniacke, 1878-1879.
C. P. Mulvaney, 1879-1880.
C. F. Wiggins, 1880-
St. Paul's Church, Sackville, was commenced in 1856, and consecrated in1858. The late Joseph F. Allison was largely instrumental in buildingthis church. As the two churches, St. Paul's and St. Ann's, Westcock,were in the same parish, they were under the charge of one rector.
WILLIAM TRUEMAN was born in Yorkshire, England, in the year 1720, andemigrated to America with his family in the year 1775. They wereprobably passengers in the ship JENNIE, Captain Foster, which came toHalifax that spring with a number of emigrants from Yorkshire. Thefamily consisted of William Trueman, his wife Ann, and their sonWilliam, an only child, a young man in his twenty-fourth year.
Billsdale* was the name of the township they left in the Old Country.
They were Methodists in religion, but had been members of the Episcopal
Church and brought with them the prayer-books and commentaries of that
communion.
[FOOTNOTE: *Billsdale, Westside Township, is a long moorland townshipof widely scattered houses on the west side of the Rye, extending fromsix to eight miles N. N. W. from Helmsley, and is mainly the propertyof the Earl Haversham. Its area is 4,014 acres; its land rises on loftyfells at Rydale Head. Hawnby parish includes the five townships ofHawnby, Arden, Billsdale, Westside, Dale Town, and Snillsby, the areaof the parish being 24,312 acres. END OF FOOTNOTE]
In addition to his business as a farmer, William Trueman, senior, hadtaken the legal steps necessary in England to enable him to work as ajoiner if he were so inclined. The son William had been engaged in thedry goods business a year or two before coming to Nova Scotia.
After landing at Halifax they came by schooner to Fort Cumberland, andvery soon after settled about four miles from the fort at Point deBute, then called Prospect.
There does not seem to have been many of the name left in Yorkshire atthis time, and those who were in Billsdale and vicinity shortly movedto other parts of the country. A nephew of the first William, namedHarmon, moved to another township, married, and had a family of tenchildren. Mary, Harmon's youngest daughter, married a man named Brown,and they called one of their sons Trueman Brown. Charles, a son ofTrueman, spent a year at Prospect in the eighties, and Harmon, abrother of Charles, visited the home in 1882-83. I have not been ableto trace the family in Yorkshire in any but this one branch. There is aphotograph at Prospect of John Trueman, a son of the Harmon herementioned, which shows a strong likeness to some of the family in thiscountry.
A family of Truemans living in Ontario came to Canada about the year1850, but we have not been able to trace any relationship.
The first purchase of land by the Truemans in Nova Scotia was fromJoshua Mauger. This property was conveyed to William Trueman, sen. Thedeed reads: "I, Joshua Mauger, Esq., of London, in Great Britain, Esq.member of Parliament, of the town of Poole, in the county ofDorsetshire, for and in consideration of the sum of ninety poundslawful money of the Province of Nova Scotia," etc., etc. This ninetypounds was paid for eighty acres of upland and fifty-four acres ofmarsh adjoining a wood lot on Bay Verte Road, and a right in the greatdivision of woodland, so-called. The deed was signed at Halifax by theHon. John Butler, as attorney for Joshua Mauger, on the 8th September,1777, and the money paid the same day. Thomas Scurr and J. B. Dightwere the witnesses, it was proved at Fort Cumberland on the 31st ofSept., 1777, by Thomas Scurr, and registered in New Brunswick by JamesOdell, May 3rd, 1785.
The next purchase of real estate was made from Thomas Scurr, the placenow called Prospect Farm. Six hundred and fifty pounds lawful money ofthe Province of New Brunswick was the amount paid. Between the firstand second purchase the Province had been divided, and that part of thetownship of Cumberland in which the Truemans settled had gone to NewBrunswick. The number of acres in this last purchase was estimated ateight hundred, including nearly five hundred acres of wilderness land.The deed was witnessed by Thomas Chandler and Amos Botsford. Mrs. Scurrdid not sign the deed, and the following is the copy of a documentfound very carefully laid away among the old papers at Prospect:
"VIRGINIA, PRINCESS ANN COUNTY,"June 25th, 1789."On this day personally appeared before me, Dennis Dooley, Justice ofthe Peace of the said county of the commonwealth of Virginia, ElizabethScurr, and voluntarily relinquished her right of a dower in a certaintract or piece of land in the town of Westmoreland and Province of NewBrunswick, viz.: Three eighty-acre lots, Nos. sixteen, eighteen andtwenty, with the marsh and wilderness thereto belonging. All indivision letter B, and described fully in a deed from Thomas Scurr toWilliam Trueman and on record in Westmoreland, No. 142."Given under my hand and seal this day as above."DENNIS DOOLEY."The within Elizabeth Scurr doth hereby voluntarily subscribe her nameto the within contents."ELIZABETH SCURR."
Dennis Dooley, Justice of the Peace of the commonwealth of Virginia inthe year 1789, was a good penman.
James Law owned Prospect Farm before Thomas Scurr. The deed conveyingthe property from Law to Scurr is still among the documents atProspect. As Law was early in the country after the expulsion, it isprobable he was the first to get possession after the removal of theAcadians.
Thomas Scurr, sen., left the country soon after selling Prospect Farm.The old chronicles say he was a man very much esteemed for his piety.He represented Cumberland township, for one session at least, in theLegislature at Halifax. In 1785, "in opposition to the advice of afriend against going from a place where was wanted to a place where hewas not wanted," he removed to the South, and purchased an estate nearNorfolk, Virginia. He repented too late, for nearly all the members ofhis large family fell victims to diseases peculiar to southernclimates.
There was another Thomas Scurr in the country at this time, probably ason of Thomas Scurr, sen., who married Elizabeth Cornforth, ofSackville, in August, 1787. Mrs. Scurr lived only a week after givingbirth to a son. The boy was called Benjamin, and was taken care of byhis aunt, Mrs. Jonathan Burnham. Thomas Scurr, after the death of hiswife, left Sackville with the intention of going to the West Indies,and was never heard from after. It was supposed he was lost at sea. TheScurrs in Sackville are descendants of the boy Benjamin.
William Trueman, sen., was above the average height, and rather stout,with head, shoulders and face that indicated strong character. Inpersonal appearance his grandson Robert much resembled him. He wasfifty-five years of age when he came to Nova Scotia. His wife was eightyears his senior. She, too, was tall, with a countenance showing agreat deal of reserve power.
William, the son, was a small man, with round features and dark hair.His son John was said to resemble him closely. He must have retainedhis youthful appearance well into mature life, for after he had been inthis country some years he went to Fort Lawrence to poll his vote andwas challenged for age by the opposing candidate. His youthfulappearance had led to the belief that he had not arrived at the age toentitle him to exercise the franchise. His left arm was partiallywithered, or had not grown to its full size, from an injury received inchildhood through the carelessness of a nurse. The family brought withthem from England some furniture. There is still the old arm-chair atProspect, and the old clock keeps good time for the fifth generation.
There is no record of the impression the new country made upon thefamily, but judging from a letter received by William Trueman, sen.,the year after his arrival, and copied below, it must have beenfavorable:
"SNILLSWORTH, February 9th, 1776."DEAR BROTHER AND SISTER,—"These are with our love to you and to let you know that we are in atolerable state of health at present."We have many of us been poorly, but are much better. We received aletter from you last November, which gave a great deal of satisfactionof mind on your account, because we had been informed that you hadnowhere to settle in, but as you have given us a particular accountconcerning your situation and how you were settled and that you likedNova Scotia and was all in good health of body it was much to oursatisfaction, and I hope you will let us hear more particularly fromyou how your chattle and corn answers thee, and how and what productyour ground doth bring forth, and what sort of grains your groundanswers best for, and what chattle you keep, and what you can make ofyour chattle and how much milk your cows give and what is the mostprofitable things you have."Now, dear brother, let me know the truth and nothing but the truthwhen you write."I desire that you would let me hear from you at any opportunitywhenever it suits your convenience for I think we shall never have theopportunity to see each other's face any more here below, but I desireto hear from thee and I hope thee will do the same by me as long as ourlives shall be on this side eternity."Farewell, I conclude with my love. Sarah Bently and John Bakers are ingood health and send love to you all."
The following extract from another letter received at Prospect aboutthe same time, will be interesting to some:
"SNILLSWORTH, Feb. 19th, 1776."DEAR BROTHER AND SISTER AND NEVY,—"These are salutations of love to you all, expecting they may find youin good health as they leave us at present."We received your letter November last and was glad to hear from you,but more especially that you were all in good health of body and thatyou like 'Nove' (Nova Scotia) very well because we have had many slightaccounts that you were in a very poor situation, but heard nothing toour satisfaction, and that you would have returned back to Old Englandbut had nothing to pay your passage with, which gave us both me and mywife a great deal of distraction of mind. So we consulted with sisterSarah Bently and more of our friends that we would raise money to payyour passage to Old England, but dear brother and sister, as we havehad a few lines from your own hand that you like the country well, soit has put and end to that consultation."
It would be difficult to answer at once some of the questions asked inthese letters. They had only arrived in America the previous summer,and unless thy purchased cows on their arrival, they could not at thisdate have had much experience in dairying, and it would be the samewith grain. There is a tradition that the stock, ten cows and a numberof other cattle, were purchased with the Scurr farm, but this farm wasnot bought until some years after. The Truemans probably followed thecourse taken by many of the first settlers at that time, which was tolease a farm for a term of years, in that way gaining experience in thecountry before finally purchasing land themselves. After the family hadbeen two years in the country, William Trueman, jun., married ElizabethKeillor, a daughter of Thomas Keillor, of Cumberland Point, or No. 1,now called Fowler's Hill. The Keillors came from Skelton, Yorkshire, toNova Scotia in 1774, and settled on the farm at present occupied by agreat-great-grandson, Charles Fowler.
It was near the date of this marriage that the Eddy rebels wereterrorizing the settlers around Fort Cumberland, and shortly after theevent Mr. and Mrs. Trueman went to Mr. Keillor's to spend the Sabbath.During the day the house was surrounded by the rebels, and the inmateskept prisoners until the next day, when the rebels dispersed, and theyoung couple made their way home as quickly as possible, to relieve theanxiety at Prospect.
The Keillors and Truemans had been friends in England, and were relatedin some degree. Elizabeth Keillor was but nineteen when she consentedto take charge of a home of her own, and, as subsequent years proved,well did she discharge the duties that devolved upon her in thatrelationship. Though below medium size, she had a nervous force andwill-power that enabled her to accomplish more than many of strongerbuild. It is told of her that on a Sabbath, when the family were all atchurch, she noticed something wrong with the cattle, and on going tosee what caused the trouble, she found a cow so badly injured by someof the larger animals, that to make the carcass of any value it wouldhave to be slaughtered at once. Mrs. Trueman went to the house, got thebutcher-knife, and bled the cow to death.
Nervous force, like any other force in man or woman, has its limit, andif used too fast it will not be there when wanted in old age. Mrs.Trueman did not live to be very old, and her last years were full ofsuffering. Overtaxed nature had given way, and the penalty had to bepaid.
The family never separated, but all moved into the house on the Scurrfarm, and began in earnest to face the battle of life in the New World.
Halifax was at that time the market for butter and beef, so after thewants of the settlers and the commissariat at Fort Cumberland had beensupplied, such produce as could be sent by schooners to Halifax wasforwarded in that way, and the cattle, for beef, were driven overland—a long and tedious journey.
Mills for sawing lumber or making flour were scarce. The stones are yetto be seen in Sackville with which grain was ground by hand-power.
The Truemans soon began to experiment in mill building. Their firstventure was a mill driven by horse-power. A windmill followed, and waslocated on the high ground at the corner where the Point de Bute roadturns at right angles, leading to Jolicure. This must have been anideal spot for such a structure. There is no record of how long thismill stood, but it could not have been long.
There was a good stream on the farm for a water-mill, but it was notutilized for this purpose for some years, probably for the want ofmeans. Their first work in this line was the building of a small millon the brook that formed the ravine at the south-west side of the farm.A dam was thrown across the stream at the head of the ravine, and thewater carried in a flume some distance farther down the brook; thegreat fall of water enabling them to use a large over-shot water-wheel.It is only quite recently that the main shaft of the wheel hasdisappeared.
A long dam was built across the stream that leads to what is now calledthe Upper Mill, for the purpose of turning the water to the new mill,and also forming a reserve pond. This dam can be plainly seen at thepresent time, although covered with quite a growth of timber. The millin the ravine did not stand long either, and the next move was to damthe water on the main brook, now called the Trueman Mill Stream, andput up a large and substantial grist-mill, that proved a greatconvenience to the whole country for many years.
Beside this large expenditure in mills, most of which was made in thelifetime of the senior William, there was a large outlay made fordyking and aboideau building. Piece by piece the marsh was beingreclaimed from the tide and made to yield its wealth of hay and pasturefor the support of flocks and herds.
I find a record showing there were seventeen cows on the farm in 1790,and for the benefit of some of the members of the younger generationwho live on farms, here are their names: Cerloo, Red-heifer, Spotty,Debro, Beauty, Madge, Lucy, Daisy, White-face, Mousie, Dun, Rose, LadyCherry, Black-eye, Spunk and Roan.
The following letter, received at Prospect in 1789, tells of a morecheerful spirit in business in England, but shows that they had floodsand troubles of that kind then as now:
"HELM HOUSE BILSDALE, Augt. ye 15th, 1789."DEAR COUSINS,—"I received two letters from you in the course of the last year, and amexceeding glad to hear from you and that you do well and are well, andtho I have long delayed writing yet it is not want of respect, but itwas long before I could have any certain inteligence from Mr. Swinburn,So I now take the oppertunity to let you know how I and my Sisters aresituate. I married Helling the daughter of Richard Barr, by whom I havehad 3 boys and 2 girls all liveing and healthfull. Aylsy is married toJohn the son of James Boyes and lives at Woolhousecroft, has nochildren. Sally is married to John Cossins and lives at Hawnby whereRobt. Barker lived. She has 3 children the two last were twins theywere born about Candlemas last and one of them is a very weakly child,my mother is married to old Rich'd Barr my wife's father and lives atHuntington nigh York. I think we most of us live pretty well. Mr. ——-has advanced his land a great deal but since the peace the times arepretty good we have this summer a very plentiful crop and we have afine season for Reaping the same, but in the beginning of haytime wehad an excessive flood as almost ever was known so that much hay wasswept away and much more sanded. Many bridges were washed down and insome places much chattle drowned. My cousin John Garbut is married toJames Boyes' widow and lives at Helm house. So I shall conclude with myand my wife's duty to my unkle and aunt and our kind love to you andyour wife and children and subscribe ourselves your very affectionatecousins,"JOHN AND HELLING TRUEMAN."
There was no break in the family by death until 1797. That year WilliamTrueman, sen., died, aged seventy-seven years, twenty-two of which hehad spent in America. The Mauger farm, his first purchase, was left toHarmon, his eldest grandson. The family of his son William had grown bythis time to six sons and two daughters, and success financially, insome measure at least, had been achieved.
With milling, dyking and general farming, there was work at Prospect tokeep all the members of the family busy, besides a large force of hiredhelp.
It was decided this year (1797) to build a new house and barn, and thesite fixed upon was about one hundred yards south of the Scurr house,where they had lived since the place came into their possession. Thebarn was put up the next year, and measured eighty feet long by thirty-three wide, with thirteen foot posts. A part of this barn is still usedfor a stable. In 1799 the house was built, the main portion being madeof brick burned on the marsh near by. It fronted due south, and wastwenty-seven feet by thirty-seven feet, and two stories high, with astone kitchen on the west side. The cost of building was eight hundredpounds. This was before the days of stoves, there being six fire-placesin the main house and large one in the kitchen.
In 1839 the stone kitchen was pulled down and one of wood built on thenorth side. In 1879 an addition was made, and now (October 2nd, 1900),it is as comfortable a dwelling as it has ever been. Five generationshave lived in it. Three generations have been born and grown to manhoodand womanhood within its four walls, and they have never known thedeath of a child, nor, with but one exception, the death of a youngperson.
On the 29th January, 1800, Mrs. Trueman, sen., died in the eighty-eighth year of her age. Although sixty-two years old when she came toAmerica, she lived to see the birth of nine grandchildren.
In 1801, Thompson, the youngest son, was born. The family now numberedseven sons and three daughters. This year William Black, known inMethodist history as Bishop Black, was one of the family at Prospectfrom November 17th, 1801, to April 13th, 1802. One week of this timewas spent in Dorchester, for which a rebate was made in the board bill.The bill was made out at the rate of five shillings per week.
In 1802, Mr. Trueman began to keep what he calls "a memorandum ofevents." The records chiefly refer to home work, the weather andneighborhood happenings. As a record of the weather, beforethermometers and barometers were in general use, it must be as perfectas possible. As a record of farm work it is quite minute, and gives thereader an almost exact knowledge of what was done on the farm each weekof the twenty years.
To those who live in the age of steam and electricity, when it ispossible to be informed at night of the doings of the day on the otherside of the planet, it is hard to realize how little interest was takena century ago in anything outside of the community in which one lived.This accounts in part, no doubt, for the scant references in thisjournal to public events. Only very rarely is an election mentioned,even in the writer's own county. Only once is there reference to war,although the war of 1812 and the battle of Waterloo took place duringthe years of the record, and must have had a marked effect upon thetrade of the Provinces at that time.
Mr. Trueman made several trips to Halifax each year, and met, whilethere, many of the leading Methodist men of the city. The Blacks andthe Bells were his friends. His house was the home of the ministers ofhis church during all his life, and many of the public men who visitedCumberland were his guests at different times.
The first entry in the journal is dated May 5th, 1802, and reads: "windN.W.; cold stormy day. Planted some apple trees; frost not out of theground.
"May 6th—Wind N.W.; ground covered with snow two inches thick;disagreeable.
"May 8th—Wind N.W.; cold, backward weather. Mr. Marsdon preached hisfarewell sermon at the Stone Church."
"July 5th—This day was appointed by the Government as a day ofthanksgiving for the blessings of peace. Mr. Bennet preached at AmherstCourt House, from Psalm 12, 1st verse, to a crowded and very attentiveaudience.
"July 12th—Started for Halifax with thirty oxen. Returned on the 22nd;had a very good time."
(Ten days was the usual time taken on these trips. The drovers wouldstart some hours, or perhaps a day, in advance of Mr. Trueman. He wouldgo on horse-back, in knee breeches, and with the old fashioned saddle-bags.)
"Sept. 28th—Started to Halifax with twenty-four cattle.
"Oct. 2nd—Arrived at Halifax Sunday night. Wm." (his son) "taken sickwith measles. Monday, and Tuesday, very sick. Wednesday, some better.Thursday, walked the streets. Friday, started for home.
"Oct. 13th—High winds; very high tides; marshes much flooded.
"Sept. 14th, 1803—Stephen Millage died of shock of palsy. Mr.
Oliphant, Methodist minister, arrived this month at our house.
"Nov. 12th, 1803—Election at Dorchester. Mr. Knapp goes in withoutopposition."
These extracts from the journal will show the character of the record.
In March, 1804, there was a three days' snowstorm—"fell nigh twofeet." An attempt was made this year to aboideau the Aulac River, whereit runs through the farm now owned by R. T. McLeod.
The Aulac at that time was one of the largest of the rivers emptyinginto the Cumberland Basin. It was a great undertaking to dam its waterswith an aboideau, and to make matters worse, the place chosen proved tohave a quicksand bottom, which made it almost impossible to build afirm foundation. For nearly four years they worked at this aboideau,and finally had to abandon it. Dated Dec. 27th, 1808, there is thisentry in the journal: "Working at the aboideau. Storming in themorning. Snow six inches deep.
"Dec. 28th—Working at byto; very fine day. The hole nigh filled up."
On March 20th, he writes: "Concluded to give up the Byto." There is areckless disregard of rules in spelling the word "aboideau," butdoubtless the pronunciation was as varied then as now. Being obliged tolet this work go must have been a great disappointment and a great lossas well. It was not till 1829, more than twenty years after, that theaboideau, now known as the "Trueman Byto," was built.
A night's experience during the building of the first aboideau was longremembered by the family at Prospect. The following is the onlyreference made to it in the journal: "June 7th, 1804—The sluice wentadrift; was up to Nappan." On the 9th: "Got back as far as Cumberland;wind favorable in coming back."
The sluice referred to is a large wooden box or waterway, which isplaced near the centre of the aboideau and as near as possible in thebed of the river. The great height of the tides, and the rapid currentthat runs up and down the stream twice in twenty-four hours, make it amost difficult operation to get one of these sluices bedded. The sluicewould be about fifty feet long, fifteen feet wide, and five or six feetdeep.
The men were hard at work after the sluice had been got into its place,trying to make it secure with the weight of mud, but the tide comingtoo quick for them lifted it out of its bed. Four of the Trueman boyssprang on the sluice as it floated down the river, in the hope ofsaving it in some way. It proved, however, to be a most unmanageablecraft, and they could do little to stay their course down the river,and in spite of every effort were carried out into the Basin. Nightcame on and their only chance of safety was, if possible, to stick tothe plank box in the hope that the currents might carry them to somepoint where they could get safely to shore. Next day their unwieldycraft grounded near Nappan, and they at once landed and were hospitablyentertained at a farm-house near by. After getting supplies and sendingword to Prospect of their safety, they again boarded their strangevessel and succeeded that day in getting back to the mouth of theriver, and finally back to their starting point.
Mrs. Trueman never wholly recovered from the nervous shock of thatnight. There was little hope in the minds of any that the men wouldever get safely to land.
Thirty years had passed since the family had left England. The lettergiven below shows how warm an interest the friends there still had inthem:
"DEAR COUSIN,—We received yours dated Jan. 15, but not till late inSeptember, 1804, and we are glad to hear that you and your family areall in good health and enjoying prosperity in your affairs of life. Wehad heard by your last letter of the death of your mother. My kindhusband died something more than six years since. Your Aunt SarahBently died some time before my husband. Your Aunt Mary Flintoft is yetalive and enjoys as good health as can be expected, her age considered.Your Aunt Ann Trueman is yet alive and well as can be expected. YourCousin Harmon married and is doing very well. He lives at Kelshaw, inthe west of Yorkshire, and has a large family and keeps a public house.Alice is married and lives at Woodhouse Croft and has only one son. Annand Sarah both live at Hornby and enjoy good health. I and my eightchildren live yet at the old habitation, namely at Helmhouse, and enjoya sufficiency of the necessaries of life. Jane Chapman and Ann are bothalive and enjoy as good health as most people at almost 80 years ofage, and desire their kind love to you and your wife. James Hewgill andwife do the same. They never had any children. The last summer's cropof corn was poorly laden, so that wheat is now from ten to fifteenshillings per bushel, and is like to be more, as war being carried onmakes taxes very high; but still, thanks to a kind Providence,industrious people may yet live above want. And soon shall all worldlycalamities be over, and then if we are prepared for death we shall knowwoes and calamities no more. Pray write again when opportunity serves."I remain your very loving cousin,"ELINOR TRUEMAN."Helmhouse, Billsdale."March 7th, 1805."
The first marriage in the family at Prospect was in July, 1805. Theentry in the journal is: "Thomas and Mary were married by Rev. Mr.Perkins." Mr. Perkins was a minister of the Episcopal Church.
In 1806 I find this entry: "Mr. Bamford preached in the Stone Church,and Mr. Perkins administered the sacrament." This must have been beforethe Methodist minister was allowed to administer the sacrament.
Mr. Trueman was evidently mistaken in the name of Thomas's wife. Hecalls her Mary. Her name was Policene Gore; but as she was alwayscalled Polly, the mistake no doubt occurred in that way.
From a letter received from Rev. Wm. Black at this time, the followingextract is taken:
"I give you joy on the marriage of your son Thomas, and as I hear Johnis on the point of being married, too, I also wish you the sameblessing on him. It would afford me much joy to hear that all yourchildren were made acquainted with the saving benefits of religion. Forparents to see their children well settled in this world and seekingthe world to come must, I apprehend, be an unspeakable satisfaction.Oh, let us pray more and advise them to turn to the Lord with all theirhearts."Please to remember me kindly to all the family. I do feel a sincereregard for you all and wish to meet you in the Land of God."Farewell,"From your unworthy friend,"WM. BLACK."
Policene Gore's mother had a more than ordinarily eventful life. Hergrandson Edward writes:
"My grandmother was born in the United States, then the New Englandcolonies. Her first husband was Captain Ward; their home was near thegarrison on Grattan Heights. Captain Ward arrived home from sea withhis vessel the day before Arnold made his attack on the garrison, and,joining in the defence, was fatally shot. Mrs. Ward's next husband wasmy grandfather Gore, who was also a sea-captain. Some years after theywere married Captain Gore took his wife to Fort Lawrence, Nova Scotia,where they had friends, and her husband returned with his vessel tomake another voyage, but was never heard from after. It was supposedthe vessel was lost with all on board."
After living some years in widowhood, Mrs. Gore married a Mr. Foster, aschool-teacher. They lived for a time in a house on the school lands inJolicure. The schoolmaster did not live long to enjoy his married life.His successor was a Mr. Trites, of Salisbury. He only lived a fewmonths after marriage. Mrs. Trites' fifth and last husband was a Mr.Siddall, of Westmoreland Point. After his death Mrs. Siddall lived withher daughter, Mrs. Trueman, where, in the words of her grandson, "shelived eighteen years, a happy old woman and a blessing in the family."She was in her eighty-fourth year at the time of her death.
Mrs. Siddall's house was the only one in the village not burned duringthe battle of Grattan's Heights. It is still kept in repair, and calledthe Gore House. Harmon, a grandson, visited the Heights a few yearsago, and was present at the one-hundredth anniversary of the battle.Recently a letter came into the possession of Edward Trueman, writtenby his great-grandmother to his grandmother. Among other things, shewrites: "I hear that you are married again, and that Policene is alsomarried. I have not heard either of yours husbands' names; do write,and let me know them."
Policene Gore was born in 1788, and Thomas Trueman in 1786, which wouldmake them seventeen and nineteen years old when the marriage knot wastied—a young couple to start out in life.
John married Nancy Palmer, September 12th, 1805, William married JaneRipley, January 22nd, 1806, and Harmon, the first-born, married CynthiaBent, June 8th, 1807. The four eldest sons were married within the yearand a half, and on April 14th, 1808, Sallie, the eldest daughter,entered the matrimonial haven. This was thinning out the old homepretty fast. The sons, however, all settled near Prospect, and wereseveral years getting finally located in their own homes. Harmon tookthe Mauger farm left him by his grandfather; Thomas, the Patten farm,joining the glebe. John settled at Mount Whatley; Willie took the millproperty and farm now in possession of his grandsons, Amos and JohnstonTrueman.
The drain on the home place to start for themselves so many of thefamily, and in so short a time, must have been considerable. Harmon hada house, and barn to build. Several entries in the journal refer to hisgetting out timber. On July 16th, 1806, Harmon raised his house. Thishouse, yet one of the most comfortable in the place, is at present theproperty of A. C. Carter. Mrs. Carter is a granddaughter of Harmon.
April 22nd, 1806, I find this entry: "Robert Dickey and Nellie Chapmanmarried. Started to frame the new mill."
"May 3rd—Saw mill and barn raised."
No mention is made of building a house for Willie, so probably therewas one on the place. John and his wife lived for a time in the Scurrhouse, and for a time with Willie, before finally settling at MountWhatley. Sallie married Gilbert Lawrence, of Westmoreland. It is saidSallie had an admirer who lived in Halifax, and occasionally visitedCumberland, and who in later years became a prominent official in theexecutive of that city.
In the early days and admirer a hundred miles distant was at a greatdisadvantage, and the "Fooler lad," as Sallie's mother called youngLawrence, won the prize.
Amos Fowler, of Westmoreland, or Fowler's Hill, married Miss Keillor, asister of Mrs. Trueman. He was a Loyalist, and after living in thiscountry some years, he visited the old home in New England, and on hisreturn to New Brunswick brought with him his nephew, Gilbert Lawrence.After his marriage Gilbert settled at Amherst Point, and from theremoved to Maccan, now called Southampton, where he was a very successfulfarmer for many years. He left the Maccan farm to a son a few yearsbefore his death, and bought a farm in Nappan. Here he spent the lastyears of his life, honored and respected for his sterling character.
Some extracts from the journal as a beginning to this chapter will, Ihope, be interesting to some of the descendants:
"Aug. 2nd, 1802—Richard Lowerison's barn burned.
"Aug. 7th—Mr. Milledge preached at church. Got upland hay all up.
Have 60 tons good hay in barn and in stock.
"Aug. 28th—Quarterly meeting at our house.
"Sept. 10th—Mr. Albro dined at our house." (Mr. Albro was a Halifax
man who traded in cattle.)
"Dec. 28—John McCormick, apparently in good health, died instantly at
night.
"May 10th—Mr. Marsden started to-day for the Conference.
"June 26th—Mr. Bent arrived at our house to-day and went over to
Tantramar.
"June 27th—Mr. Bent preached his first sermon in Tantramar.
"May 3rd, 1803—William Bennet started for Conference.
"Dec.—Mrs. McMonagle's house was drawn from the plain to
Mount Whatley.
"Jan. 9th, 1806—W. Wood Fillmore was married to Nancy Patterson, of
Cole's Island.
"April 5th, 1806—Tolar Thompson brought a large birch log across the
marsh on the ice, and also a load of grain to the mill and returned the
next day.
"June 16th—Harmon had the old shop drawn to his house, had 17 yoke of
oxen.
"William Allen was buried at the churchyard at Camp Hill, attended by a
large concourse of people. Mr. Mitchell preached the sermon.
"Nov. 29th—Mr. Roach lost his vessel; the Capt. and two men were
drowned; 515 firkins of butter saved.
"Jan. 12th, 1806—This day Wm. McKenzie was found dead, sitting in his
chair, supposed to be frozen to death.
"June 3rd, 1808—Wm. Black came to our house and Mrs. Black and son,
Martin Gay. Mr. Black preached at Stone Chapel.
In February of same year, "Mr. Foster came to mill in a cart and John
Patterson from Cole's Island with a sled."
"Jan. 19th, 1808—Mr. Bamford moved to our house.
"Jan. 25th—A meeting to confer about the Byto*; nothing was done."
"Jan. 3rd, 1809—Martin Black married to Fanny Smith."
[FOOTNOTE: *This, I suppose, was the aboideau that had to be abandoned,to which reference has been made. END OF FOOTNOTE]
On the 8th of that month "William Black preached at Sackville, and onthe 11th at Mr. Roach's in Lawrence; on the 16th William Black startedfor Halifax.""Feb. 23rd, 1809—Went to the Supreme Court."Feb. 29th, 1810—Mrs. Roach, of Fort Lawrence, died to-day after ashort sickness. Rev. Mr. Knowlton preached the funeral sermon fromPsalms; a very solemn time; about five hundred people present."In June, 1811, Robert Bryce purchased a lot of cattle and some butterin Cumberland."June 28th—Went to Bay Verte with a drove of cattle and some sheep,put 32 cattle and 116 sheep on board vessel for Newfoundland."July 8th—Started ten oxen for Halifax. John Trueman raising his houseand barn, July 6th, 1811."July 24th—Pulled the old mill down. A son of John Harper's was badlyhurt at the mill brook."
I notice in the journal that "muster day" was in Sackville this year.It seems to have been a very prosperous year for the farmers ofCumberland. Shipments of cattle and sheep were made to Newfoundland andthe usual supply sent to Halifax. The price paid must have beensatisfactory; it would, at any rate, be so considered by our farmersnow.
The following letter sent to Messrs. Reed and Albro, dated Sept. 6th,1811, gives one an idea of the condition of the cattle trade at thattime:
"WESTMORELAND, Sept. 6th, 1811."MESS. REED & ALBRO."Sir,—Recd. Your letter by Thomas Roach, Esq., respecting cattle; havebeen looking around for some cattle, cannot buy for less than 6d.(10c.). Mr. ——-, of Westmoreland, has some good cattle unsold atpresent. If you wish me to purchase you some cattle you may depend onmy doing the best in my power for you. Wishing your answer as soon aspossible, as the good cattle may be picked up. I wish you would send methe weights of the different lots of Beeves. I cannot settle with thepeople I purchased from for want of the weights. Have given two draftson you, one on Saml. Holsted for L200, payable on the 20th July, andone on A. Fowler for L100, payable on the 28th July."You will oblige me much by calling on Wm. Allan and take up a mortgagedeed belonging to Thomas King, of Westmoreland."There is, he thinks, about L50 or a little more due on it. Send it tome and I shall get the money paid me on sight, as I want a letter. Andin so doing you will much"Oblige your well wisher,"WM. TRUEMAN."P.S.—Thomas Roach, Esq., will furnish you with ten cattle at 6d,delivered in Halifax. If you accept his offer, send a boy to Windsor tomeet the cattle. Please to write the first opportunity and inform mewhat I shall do. Do you want a few firkins of butter this fall? I havegiven Harmon Trueman an order on you bearing date of 7th Sept."I am your humble servant,"WM. TRUEMAN."
The following letter, a copy of which is among the papers at Prospect,also adds some information about trade at that time:
"WESTMORELAND, March 7th, 1812."MR. JOHN ALBRO:"Dear Sir,—I hope these lines will find you and Mrs. Albro and familyenjoying health and every other blessing. I take this opportunity toinform you that I expect to have 12 or 14 oxen to dispose of thissummer. I wish you to have the preference. If you wish to have themshall be glad to have a line from you by Mr. Gore, as also what youthink the price will be."I want no more than the market price."Remain your humble servant,"WM. TRUEMAN."N.B.—John Keillor, Esq., hath four good oxen he wishes you to havewith mine. They are four fine oxen. They are likely to be good by July15th."
In addition to the buyers from Halifax, Newfoundland was this yearsending to Westmoreland for a part of its beef supply. The letter belowrefers to the trade with that colony:
"WESTMORELAND, 30 Oct., 1811."MESSRS. JOHN & ROBERT BRYNE,—"I sent you a few lines Sept. 4th. Thinking it a chance whether youreceived it or no, I take the liberty to send you a second. I think itwill be a great advantage to you to have some hay purchased and drawnto the place in winter."If you wish to have any purchased I will do it for you, only let meknow the quantity you wish to have. Cattle have been as low as 4 penceor 5 pence in the spring. It is uncertain what the price may be, but Isee no prospect of them being very high, as there is great plenty ofcattle in the country. Should you want any in the spring you can relyon my doing the best in my power to serve you."Remain your most humble servant,"WM. TRUEMAN."
Mr. Bryne had been in Westmoreland that summer and purchased a drove ofcattle and sheep, which were shipped on June 28th, as noted previously.
On April 25th, 1811, Mrs. Keillor, Mrs. Trueman's mother, who had beenliving at Prospect since 1806, died. Her husband, Thomas Keillor, astonemason by trade, died some years earlier. There is at Prospect acopy of a power of attorney given by Mrs. Keillor to her "trustyfriend," Stephen Emmerson, to act for her in collecting rents andselling claims in Skelton, England, in connection with the propertyowned by her late husband.
This document was copied by Amos Botsford and witnessed by Wm. Botsfordand Henry Chapman, jun., and dated Oct. 30th, 1810.
Mrs. Keillor was buried on the old farm at Fowler's Hill beside herhusband in a small burying-ground that was formerly surrounded by astone wall, part of which is still standing.
Mrs. Keillor's maiden name was Mary Thomson. She and two other marriedsisters—Jane, the wife of John Carter, and Ann, the wife of WilliamTrueman—came with the Yorkshire emigration. These sisters left onebrother at least in England, as the letter following, in reply to onereceived from George Thomson, will show:
"PROSPECT, March 29th, 1811."DEAR UNCLE AND AUNT,—Received your welcome letter of March 29th, andwas glad to hear from you and of your wellfare, and hoping these lineswill find you and yours enjoying the same blessings of health andhappiness."I have to tell you of the death of my mother-in-law. She departed thislife April 22nd. Your sister Jane is very well at present."The rest of your family are all well. If you see fit to come out inthe spring your friends will be glad to see you. It will be best foryou to get a lumber vessel if you can. There hath been two vessels fromHull and one from Newcastle this summer. Respecting goods andmerchandise, lay in well for common clothing. Bring some home-madelinens and checks. Ox-chains and horse-traces and bridles. Everythingin wood will be expensive."You ask what bills I propose. Good bills on Halifax answer, butnothing will answer like cash here, as it may be some trouble to getthem cashed. Mechanics of all kinds are wanted. Carpenters, 7 shillings6 pence per day. We pay 4s. and 4s. 6d. for making a pair of shoes. Agood tailor is much wanted. We pay 6s. for shoeing a horse. Bring a fewscythes of the best quality. Baie Verte is the best place to land at;if you cannot make that out, St. John or Halifax. There may be somedifficulty in getting a passage from Halifax by water. Shall look outfor a place for you with a house on it."May the Lord direct you and prosper your undertaking. Give my bestrespects to George Swinburne and wife. Let him know my wife and my tenchildren and myself are well."I have nothing more at present to write. May the Lord direct you inall your ways, so prays your affectionate nephew and niece,"WM. AND ELIZABETH TRUEMAN."
Mr. George Thompson did not emigrate to Nova Scotia as he expected whenhe wrote to his uncle and aunt. The following letter, written by hisson five years later, explains why:
"DURHAM, Sept., 1816."DEAR COUSINS,—You probably would think it very strange our notwriting to you for so long a time, but I can assure you it was not forwant of affection or respect, but merely inadvertence; and no doubt youwould think it strange, after my father wrote to inform you he intendedsetting out for America, that he never went, but the principal reasonwas that on second consideration he thought himself too far advanced inyears to undertake so long a voyage, and the rest of the family exceptmyself were not very willing. Consequently he immediately after thattook a large farm, which I had principally to manage, otherwise I wouldhave gone at that time. However, it is my wish to set out next spring,and have not written to inform you it, in order that I may have youranswer before that, stating all particulars of the country, and ifthere be a good prospect for me. There is also an acquaintance of mine,a threshing machine maker and cartwright, has a desire to accompany me;therefore be so good as to say what prospect there is for such a man ashe is."All my brothers and sisters are married and settled, and my father andmother are very well and now live by themselves, retired from farming."Hoping you and all friends are well, I shall conclude with kindestlove to all,"And remain, dear cousin,"Yours affectionately,"GEORGE THOMPSON."P.S.—Have the goodness to write the first opportunity, and direct tome at"Harbour House,"Durham."
It is quite possible the above letter did not receive a reply. A gooddeal of trouble had been taken to send full information to the father,and five years were allowed to pass before any acknowledgement wasmade. At all events, there is no record of a letter being sent to theson, and it is certain he did not come to this country.
The subjoined communication helps to show the depressed condition inEngland at that period, and that many were looking to America in thehope of bettering their condition:
"May 14th, 1819."DEAR COUSIN,—I hope these lines will find you all well, as they us atpresent. We thank God for it."I intend to come over to America this spring If it should please God,For the state of England are very bad, Land has got so very dear that alivelihood cannot be got in England, and the taxes that Government layson are very heavy, till they reduce so many to a lower class that theland will hardly support the poor. I hope you are in a better situationin America."We understand in England that the States of America are veryflourishing at present. I intend to set off to America the first ofJune. If it should please God that I should get over safe, I hope toget to your house as soon as I can. All your cousins are in good healthat present. Thank God for it, and they wish to be remembered to you andall your family."So I remain your most obedient cousin,"JAMES BOYES,"of Bilsdale."N.B.—By the wishes of one of your cousins, of the name of HarmanWedgwood, a son of Benjamin Wedgwood, a tailor, he would like to hearfrom you. He thinks you will give him some information of your country."He wants to come to live in your country, and if you please to givehim some intelligence of tailors' wages in your country."So he remains your most obedient cousin."HARMAN WEDGWOOD,"Hawnby.""N.B.—If you please to write to him you must direct as follows:"'HARMAN WEDGWOOD,"'Hawnby,"'Near Helmsley, Blackmoor,"'Yorkshire, England.'"
There was no change in the family at Prospect after Sallie's marriage
in 1808 until 1817. On Jan. 17th of the latter year Robert married
Eunice Bent, of Fort Lawrence, a sister of Harmon's wife, and in
October Amos married Susanna Ripley, a sister of Willie's wife.
Robert settled on a farm adjoining the homestead. His house was notbuilt until the summer following his marriage. James, his eldest child,was born 30th October, 1817, in the Brick House at Prospect Farm. Amossettled at the head of Amherst (now called Truemanville). The followingletter, written by his youngest daughter, Mrs. Sarah Patterson, is veryinteresting, as giving some idea of the experiences of that time:
"When my father first came to live in the place now called Truemanvilleit was a dense forest. In summer the only road was a bridle path. Inwinter, when the snow was on the ground, they could drive a pair ofoxen and a sled along the road."The winter my father was married, as soon as there was enough snow andfrost, he and one of his brothers and another man set out to build ahouse."They loaded a sled with boards, doors and windows, and providedthemselves with bedding and provisions to last till the house wasfinished. They then hitched the oxen to the sled and started on theirtwenty-mile journey and most of the way on a trackless path."When they arrived at their journey's end, they erected a rude hut tolive in and commenced building a house. They did not have to go far fortimber—it was standing all around the site chosen for the house."They built a very nice log house, 15 ft. by 18 ft. Their greatesttrouble in building was, the stones were so frosty they could not splitthem. They had to kindle a huge fire of brushwood and warm the stonesthrough, when they split finely."After they had built the house they returned home, having been absentabout three weeks."My father and mother then moved to their new home, and father began tobuild a saw mill and grist mill."Their nearest neighbors were one and a half miles distant, unless wecount the bears and foxes, and they were far too sociable for anythinglike comfort. Sheep and cattle had to be folded every night for someyears."After father had built his grist mill he used to keep quite a numberof hogs. In the fall of the year, when the beechnuts began to drop, themen used to drive them into the woods, where they would live and growfat on the nuts. One evening when my mother was returning from a visitto one of the neighbors she heard a terrible squealing in the woods.She at once suspected that bruin designed to dine off one of the hogs.She hastened home to summon the men to the rescue, but darkness comingon they had to give up the chase. However, bruin did not get any porkthat night; the music was too much for him, and piggie escaped withsome bad scratches."A short time after this, ominous squeaks were heard from the woods.The men armed themselves with pitchforks and ran to the rescue. Whatshould they meet but one of my uncles coming with an ox-cart. Thewooden axles had got very dry on the long, rough road, and as theyneared my father's the sound as the wheels turned resembled veryclosely that made by a hog under the paws of bruin."Imagine the way of travelling in those days! I have heard my fathersay there were only two carriages between Point de Bute andTruemanville. Their principal mode of travel was on horseback. Myfather and mother visited Grandfather Trueman's with their threechildren. Mother took the youngest on one horse, and father took thetwo older ones on another horse; and yet we often hear people talk ofthe 'good old times.'"My father was a man of generous disposition. The poor and needy alwaysfound him ready to sympathize and help them. He often supplied grain tothem when there was no prospect of payment. He would say, 'A farmer cando without many things, but not without seed grain.' That reminds me ofan incident I will tell you, of our Grandfather Trueman. About thirty-five years ago my mother was visiting at Stephen Oxley's, at Tidnish,where she met an old lady whose name I forget; but no matter. When sheheard my mother's name she began talking about Grandfather Trueman. Shesaid she would never forget his kindness to her in her younger dayswhen she and her husband first came from the Old Country and began lifeamong strangers in very straightened circumstances. After passingthrough a hard winter in which food had been very scarce they foundthemselves in the spring without any seed wheat or the means of buyingany."Her husband was almost in despair. She tried to cheer him up bytelling him that if she went to Mr. Trueman she thought he would helpthem. So her husband agreed to let her try her chance, and she mounteda horse and set out for Prospect Farm. Just as she arrived thereanother woman came in and asked Mr. Trueman to sell her some wheat,telling him she had money to pay for it. Grandfather said he had verylittle wheat to sell but he could let her have a bushel or two. The oldlady said her heart almost sank within her; she thought her case washopeless. However, she told him she, too, had come for seed wheat, butshe had no money nor the means of getting any at present, and they wereentirely without seed. Grandfather turned to the other woman and said,'You have money' go to Mr.——- (a neighbor), you can get as much asyou want, and I will give this woman the grain.' Oh, how glad shefelt! Words were too poor to express her thanks, and she went homerejoicing. In after years, when Providence had favored her with agoodly share of this world's goods, she could not tell this experiencewithout the tears running down her cheeks. How true it is, 'The memoryof the just is blessed.'"
The following letter received from a son of Rev. William Black, is ofsome interest:
"HALIFAX, N.S.,"27th Sept. 1819."MR. WILLIAM TRUEMAN,"DEAR SIR,—Your favor of the 20th inst. is at hand, and in reply toit, as relates to the probable price of Butter, I would state it as myopinion that it is likely to command about 14d. A considerable quantityof Irish Butter has already arrived and more is expected. A number offirkins have this day been sold at public auction at 1s. per lb.,—thequality is said to be very fair. Please say to Mrs. Wells that I havereceived her letter of the 24th inst., and shall do as she requests.Mrs. Black and family are well, and join me in best regards to Mrs.Trueman, Yourself and Family."Yrs. Truly,"M. G. BLACK."
After Amos and Robert left Prospect for homes of their own, the familyremained unchanged until 1820. That year, Mary, the second daughter,married William Humphrey, of Sackville. William Humphrey was acarpenter by trade but shortly after his marriage bought a farm inUpper Maccan and went quite extensively into farming and milling.
The Humphreys were from Yorkshire, and after coming to America, settledfirst at Falmouth, Nova Scotia. After the death of Wm. Humphrey, sen.,Mrs. Humphrey, following the advice of her friend, Charles Dixon, movedto Sackville with her family of five children, three sons and twodaughters. James Dixon says of Mrs. Humphrey, in his history of theDixons: "She was evidently a capable woman," and judging from theposition her descendants have taken in the new country he was probablyright in his estimate.
As I remember the second William Humphrey, he was a man of more thanordinary intelligence, one who looked closely at both sides of aquestion, and with whom every new undertaking was well thought outbeforehand. He had no place for the man who wanted to make a show. Hewas, for the times, a large employer of labor, and his men did notreadily leave his employ. He was possessed of strong religiousconvictions, but was by no means demonstrative in such matters. Hischildren were given good educational opportunities. Two of his sonsstudied and graduated at colleges in the United States, and two otherswere students at the old Academy, at Sackville.
The following letter, written by William, one of the sons who waseducated in the United States, to his cousin Ruth, will show howgraduates of that day looked upon life:
"NEW HAVEN, June 27th, 1853."DEAR COUSIN,"Your very welcome letter came to hand in due time, for which I amexceedingly obliged, especially as many of my correspondents have beendilatory and others have given me up altogether. But they probably haveas much reason to complain of me as I have of them. The truth is mystudies so occupy my attention that I am too much inclined to forget myfriends. The acquisition of a profession presents such an immensity oflabor that it would seem to require a lifetime to become proficient,especially when the small amount of energy that I can command isbrought to bear upon it. However, I am not disposed to find fault withthe labor so long as there is so much that is intensely interesting andI can make respectable progress towards the grand crisis of a student'slife."New Haven is equally as attractive as it was during my college lifeand I feel more at home here than in any other place in the UnitedStates during the present summer so far. I have become acquainted withthe professional men of the city from whom I have received many favorsand many of whom I hope to regard as my future friends. Through theirinfluence I have had an opportunity of treating a number of patients,which is no small advantage to me in my studies. I confess I am so muchattached to the city I should like to make it my home if it werepracticable, but it is so much crowded with physicians that there is noroom for me. In reply to your question as to what pleasure it affordedme to receive my diploma, I can very readily say that it was far fromaffording me anything like a thrill of pleasure to look back upon myacquirements. I rather felt as a tired traveller might be supposed tofeel when, having exerted himself to reach the top of the first peak ona mountain, he has only secured a position where he can see Alpinepeaks towering to the skies, which he must scale before his journey isended. I very many times have felt as though I was not a particle wisersince I graduated than before I first left home, yet I suppose I mayclaim more than this for myself without being thought vain or arrogant,but what advantage either myself or others are to reap from it remainsto be seen. I hope I am better prepared to spend the remainder of mylife more profitably than I was before, with higher aims and inpossession of greater capacity for enjoyment myself and of doing goodto others. I cannot yet tell when I shall get my medical degree, yet iffortune favors and I get along with my studies pretty well, it will notbe longer than fourteen months. I would like to arrange my plans toleave for home as soon as I get through, but it is so long beforehandthat I do not think about it yet."I shall have a short vacation of a few weeks, commencing with August1st, when I should like to be at home, but I do not deem it best for meto go this summer. I shall probably go into the country 'round. I shallprobably return to Philadelphia early in October and spend the winterthere, which will end my residence in that city, unless I should remainlonger to attend the hospital and see more practice than I couldotherwise."From the accounts I hear from home you still have need of doctors, forpeople continue to be sick and die."Think you there will be any patronage for me? But your answer willprobably depend upon my worthiness of it."But I must hasten to close. I shall be happy to hear from you wheneveryou are disposed to write."Kind regards to your mother, sisters and brothers."Very sincerely yours,"WILLIAM F. HUMPHREY."To:"MISS RUTH TRUEMAN,"Point de Bute."
The Humphreys have not increased rapidly in this country. There werethree brothers in the first family, William, John and Christopher. Johnnever married. Christopher married, but had no family. William had foursons, and these, with their father and uncles, made seven of the namethen living in the provinces. Since then these four boys have married,and two of their sons, yet the males of the name just number sevento-day; and, strange to say, have remained at that figure the most ofthe time for the last seventy years. At present there are living fourgreat-grandsons, and three great-great-grandsons of the first William.
Dr. Humphrey graduated in regular course, received his medical degree,and settled in St. John, New Brunswick, where he worked up a goodpractice. His health, however, gave way, and he died a comparativelyyoung man.
Mrs. Bishop, a daughter of William Humphrey, writes:—
"I do not remember hearing my parents say much about their early life.I remember my father saying he gave a doubloon to the man who marriedthem. They moved to Maccan very shortly after they were married. Whengrandmother Humphrey died they went to the funeral on horseback (thirtymiles), and took John with them, then a young babe. (The baby, John,was the late John A. Humphrey, of Moncton.) I have heard mother sayshe took me to her father's funeral when I was four months old, anotherlong ride on horseback."
Mrs. Bishop is the only one of the family now living.
Returning to the family at Prospect, Betty, the youngest daughter, wasmarried to George Glendenning, in 1823. Her name was to have beenElizabeth, but one day previous to the baptism the minister was at thehouse and asked Mrs. Trueman what baby's name was to be. She said, "Oh,I suppose it will be Betty," meaning to have her baptized Elizabeth,but to call her Betty for short. When the minister came to thebaptism, he did not ask the name, but baptized the baby Betty. Themother did not feel very well pleased about it, but Betty it had to be.
George Glendenning, George Moffat and George Dickson, threeDumfrieshire farmers, came to America in the spring of 1820. They hadtalked the matter over during the long evenings of the previous winter,and finally determined to try their fortunes in the New World.
The agricultural distress that prevailed in Ireland at that timeaffected Scotland also, and the wages of farm laborers was only ashilling a day in harvest time. No doubt the love of adventure and adesire to see more of world also had something to do with the decisionof the young men. Passages were secured on the ship ABIONA, bound forMiramichi, at which port the young men were safely landed early in May.John Steele was also a passenger in this vessel. He went to Cumberlandand settled on the gulf shore near Wallace. Rev. Dr. Steele, ofAmherst, is a grandson of John Steele. George Moffat also went toCumberland, and settled at River Hebert. Beside managing a farm he dida large business in sending beef cattle to the Halifax market. Mr.Moffat was a fine, honest man, "a canny Scot," who was always as goodas his word and expected others to be the same.
George Glendenning had a brother living in St. John, and after landingat Miramichi he went direct to that place, where he had a short visit.There was not much in the surroundings of St. John that was attractiveto the eye of a Scotch farmer, so the young emigrant decided to tryanother locality. He turned his steps toward "Old Chignecto," a long,hard walk. He made several attempts to get work on the way, alwayswithout success. At a farmhouse in Dorchester he might have gotemployment, but did not like the appearance of things about the place.Before leaving Dorchester he had become much discouraged, andremembering his early training in a godly house, determined to askdirection and guidance from his Heavenly Father. And so, falling on hisknees, he prayed that he might be directed in his way so that byanother night he might find a place where work could be had. After thisearnest prayer he started out with more heart, but in the long walkthrough the Dorchester woods to Sackville, then on the "Four Corners,"no work was found, and so the marsh was crossed and Prospect Farm wasreached just as it began to grow dark. He would try his fortune here.An old man answered his knock at the door and bade him, "Come in," butin answer to his request for work said, "No, I do not want a man, butyou had better not go any further to-night; we will keep you here." Inthe morning the proprietor of Prospect reversed his decision of thenight before and decided to give the young Scotchman a trial. Theresult was that he remained with the family for three years, and whenhe left took with him as his wife the youngest daughter.
Mr. Glendenning settled on a new farm in Amherst Head (now
Truemanville), and soon became one of the most successful farmers of
the district. John Glendenning, of Amherst, is his son, and Rev. George
Glendenning, of Halifax, N.S., and Robert Glendenning, M.D., of Mass.,
U.S., are his grandsons.
Thompson Trueman, the youngest member of the family, was married inMarch, 1823, to Mary Freeze. He was only twenty-two years old, andyoung looking for that age. He used to say in later life that hemarried at just the right time. His wife was a daughter of SamuelFreeze, of Upper Sussex, King's County. Her mother was Margaret Wells,daughter of Williams Wells, of Point de Bute.
The Freezes came from Yorkshire to Cumberland in the DUKE OF YORK, thefirst vessel that landed Yorkshire emigrants at Halifax. Charles Dixon,the founder of the Dixon name in Sackville, with his family, came outat this time. The Freeze family, when they arrived in Nova Scotia,consisted of William Freeze, sen., his son William, with his wife andtwo children. Wm. Freeze, sen., remained in this country only a shorttime. It was supposed the vessel in which he took passage for Englandwas lost, as his family never heard of him again.
The son, William, was a mason by trade, but settled on a farm inAmherst Point, now occupied by the Keillor brothers. He remained inCumberland until the first of the present century, and then removed toSussex, King's Country, N.B. He had become rather discouraged in hisefforts to reclaim the salt marsh, and came to the conclusion that itwould never be of much value.
It is said that Mr. Freeze and his two sons started in a small boat forKentucky. When they got as far as the mouth of the Petitcodiac River,they turned their boat up the stream, going with the tide to the headof the river. Leaving the boat, they plunged into the forest andtramped for some distance. At last they concluded they had lost theirway and were not likely to reach Kentucky on that route. After someconsultation, the father climbed to the top of a tall tree, and fromthis altitude the rich interval lands of the Upper Kennebecasis werefull in view.
"There is a valley," said Mr. Freeze, "and there is where my bones areto be laid."
Here Mr. Freeze got a grant of nine hundred acres of land, enough tomake farms for himself and his four sons. William, a son, was a greatreader and student. He was very fond of mathematics, and it is saidthat sometimes when he and his boys would go to the field to hoe, hewould take a stick and mark on the ground a mathematical figure, andthen demonstrate it for the benefit of his boys. The dinner horn wouldsound, and no potatoes had been hoed that morning. John, another son,was a fine singer and took great pleasure in giving singing lessons tothe young people in the neighborhood. The Freezes could all sing, andmost of the men were handy with the mason's tools, which led some wagto say that the Freezes were all born with stone hammers in one handand a note-book in the other. Charles, the fourth son, was a half-brother and inherited the home farm. Charles was a great reader andwas very fond of history. He was eccentric in some ways and would takelong journeys on foot.
He did not take kindly to railway travel, and his nephews liked to tellabout his planning one day to go by rail instead of walking, but goingto the station before the train arrived, he said he "couldn't bedetained" and started away on foot.
There were two daughters. Miriam married Matthew Fenwick, of Maccan,N.S., who afterward moved to the Millstream, in King's County, and wasthe first to plant the Fenwick name in that county.
Mary was the wife of Thomas Black, of Amherst (brother of Bishop
Black). They had a large family. The youngest son, Rev. A. B. Black,
died in 1900. The history of the Blacks in this country was written by
Cyrus, another member of the family.
Samuel, the eldest son of William Freeze, was married three times, andhad a family of twenty-one children—seven by his first wife, MargaretWells, of Point de Bute; eight by his second wife, Bethia Wager, ofDutch Valley; and six by his third wife, a Miss Scott of Petitcodiac.The first family were all daughters. The tenth child was the first sonborn. Mr. Freeze elected several times to represent King's County inthe Legislature at Fredericton, and while attending to his duties therehe was taken with the illness that ended in his death.
The following letter is among the old papers at the Prospect, writtenby Samuel Freeze shortly after Polly's marriage:
"SUSSEX, KING'S COUNTY,"February 25th, 1824."DEAR SON AND DAUGHTER,—"I received yours, favored by Mr. Stockton, and am happy to hear thatyou are all well, with a small exception, such as human nature issubject to.
"I am sorry to hear that the crop of hay has failed so much the lastseason, which must be a great injury to that part of the country. Ibelieve that we will make out with what hay we have. You speak ofdriving oxen to St. John. The southerly weather that we had about the12th of this month has raised the water and ice to such an unusualheight that it has swept almost all the publick bridges downstream inthis parish, which cuts off our communication from St. John by sleighor sled, in a great measure, or I would have written the butcher, andthen could have probably given you a satisfactory answer; but it is notthe case.
"Mr. R. Stockton informs me that you can get 4 1/2d. at your own barn.I think that, as the road is, you had better sell them for the 4 1/2per lb., than to risk the St. John market, as there is but very littleshipping in at present, and they get what they want from a lessdistance, and the butchers will take every advantage if they have notbeen contracted for. This is my opinion, but do as you think proper.
"I have set my hands to get out some timber this winter. I think about150 tons of yellow pine and 50 of hackmatack, if the sledding continuesthree weeks longer. My crop of grain on my new farm did not answer myexpectations, a great part of it was struck with the rust. I suppose Iwill get on the whole 16 acres something more than 100 bushels ofgrain, viz., wheat, buckwheat and rye. I have since exchanged it for anold farm (and pay 170 pounds) situate one mile below Matthew Fenwick's,formerly owned by Benj. Kierstead. It cuts 30 tons of English hay. Thebuildings are in tolerable repair. Susan Freeze talks of coming to seeyou shortly. Through the mercy of God I and wife and family are all aswell as common.
"Dear children, from your loving father.
"MR. THOMPSON TRUEMAN,
Westmoreland:
"You will please accept of our love and impart it to our children andfriends.
"If, hereafter, you have beef to sell, and wish to take advantage ofthe St. John market, let me know, and I will get a butcher's letterwhat he will do, and if that suits, you can drive your cattle, but Idid not get your letter in time to get an answer and send it back toyou by the first of March."S. F."
A son of Samuel Freeze was sheriff of the county of King's, N.B., for aquarter of a century, and a grandson is at present acting as deputysheriff in that county.
Polly Freeze left her home in Sussex to take care of her grandmother inPoint de Bute, and was married there. She had visited her before,making the journey of eighty miles on horseback, in company with afriend. A great part of the way was through the woods, with no road buta bridle-path for the horses.
Thompson brought his bride to Prospect on the 11th of March, 1823. Themarriage certificate reads:
"I hereby certify that Thompson Trueman, Bachelor, and Mary Freeze,Spinster, both of Point de Bute, co'ty of Westmoreland, were married bylicense this eleventh day of March, in the year of our Lord, onethousand eight hundred and twenty-three by me,
"CHRIS'N MILNER,
Missionary at Sackville.
"In the presence of:
"JOSEPH AVARD,
"WM. TRUEMAN."
Rev. Mr. Bamford was the Methodist minister on the Sackville Circuit,which also included Point de Bute, but a Methodist minister had not theright, at that time, to solemnize marriage. In 1822, the year beforeThompson was married, a Methodist minister, writing of the Truemanfamily, says:
"It consists of an old gentleman, his wife and ten children, eight ofwhom are married, making twenty souls. Of this number only two are notmembers of Society, and they live so far from the means that theycannot attend. Eighteen of the family, and for anything that can beseen to the contrary, the whole family, are doing well, both as to thisworld and that which is to come. Nearly all those who are in ourSociety meet in one class at their parents', who are just totteringinto the grave ripe for eternity, and they have lately subscribed onehundred and fifty pounds towards the erection of a chapel in theirneighborhood."
This chapel was erected that year, and used for a place of worship till1881, when it was superseded by the present church, built at Point deBute Corner in that year.
I find the following entry in the journal, dated Oct. 2nd, 1820:"Picking apples; had twenty-one grandchildren to dinner; picked about100 bushels; very dry weather." The last entry is dated June 21st,1824: "Apples trees in full bloom; fine growing weather."
The date when the apples trees were in bloom was scarcely ever omittedin the twenty years' record, and it varied from the fourth of June tothe twenty-first, which was the extreme limit. There is scarcely anychange noticeable in the handwriting from the first entry to the last,and he would be seventy-two years of age when the last entry was made.
On April 22nd, 1825, Mrs. Trueman died, in the sixty-eighth year of herage. She had lived to see all of her ten children married and the birthof more than a score of grandchildren. The last years of her life wereyears of suffering. Her husband outlived her a year and a half, passingaway on the 9th September, 1826, in his seventy-fifth year. WilliamTrueman and Charles Oulton, of Jolicure, died at nearly the same hour,and both were laid away in the old burying-ground at Point-de-Bute.
Prospect Farm was left to Thompson. He has been managing it for someyears, and the business was settled without much trouble. Little changewas necessary, as all the other members of the family has been providedfor. There were legacies to pay, of course. Ruth and Albert, Thompson'stwo eldest children, were born before their grandfather's death.
The routine life at Prospect for the next ten or twelve years waswithout much change. Two sons and two daughters were added to thefamily. There was sickness, but the doctor's visits were not frequent.Mr. Trueman suffered at times from acute rheumatism, often so severecould not turn himself in bed.
In 1829 another attempt was made to aboideau the Aulac River, and thistime it was successful. What proved good ground was found less than ahalf mile below the place chosen in 1805. Work to the amount of L 1,09615s. 6d. in the construction of this aboideau is credited to thefollowing persons. I do not know that this is the full cost of thework.
Harmon Trueman L 311 14s. 9d.
Joseph D. Wells 142 3 5
William Trueman 104 7 5
Robert K. Trueman 202 7 9
Thomas Trueman 64 15 4
Thompson Trueman 110 6 10
William Trenholm 100 0 0
William Hewson 60 0 0
This aboideau was superseded in 1840 by the Etter aboideau, which wasthrown across the Aulac about two miles nearer the mouth of the river.This latter work was very expense to maintain. The foundation in oneplace seemed to be resting on quicksand, and was constantly settling.In 1860 it was decided to abandon the structure and build a new oneabout two hundred yards higher up the river. Two years were taken tofinish the new work, and in the meantime the old aboideau was kept inrepair, which gave much better facilities for working at the new one.
When the Eastern Extension Railroad was constructed, a right of way wassecured by the company over the new aboideau, and later, when the roadcame into the hands of the Dominion Government, an arrangement was madewith the commissioners of the aboideau for maintaining the work thathas proved very satisfactory to both the owners of the marsh and theGovernment.
In the decade between 1830 and 1840 the price of farm produce haddropped very much below what it was in the earlier years of thecentury. I find Hugh Hamel bought at Prospect 559 lbs. of butter for9d., or 15c., per lb., and 1,198 lbs. of cheese for 6d., or 10c. Thenext year, 1834, a sale of cattle was made to George Oulton for 4d. perlb., weight estimated. In 1811 the same description of beef brought tencents.
In 1839 Rev. Mr. Bennet was for some months member of the home at
Prospect, and later Rev. Mr. Douglas and Mrs. Douglas and Rev. Mr.
Barrett spent some time here in the order of their occupancy of the
Point de Bute Circuit.
In 1840 an influenza, much like la grippe, passed through the countryand caused a great many deaths. The family at Prospect were nearly alldown with it at once, but all recovered.
The saddest visitation that ever came to this home was in the year1845. On the evening of the 28th July death came a sudden andunexpected guest. The day had been fine, and farm work was going on asusual. Mr. Trueman had been at the grist mill all day. The family hadgathered for supper, and a horse stood saddled at the door. There wasto be a trustee meeting at the church that evening, and Mr. Trueman wason of its members. Supper over, he mounted his horse to ride to thechurch. Ten minutes had not passed when the horse was seen without arider, and Mr. Trueman was found a short distance from the house, wherehe had fallen, to all appearance, dead. He was quickly carried in andmedical aid summoned, but all was of no avail. It was a heavy blow.Mrs. Trueman could not look upon life the same afterwards, and shenever recovered from the great sorrow. There were seven children, theeldest, Ruth, twenty-one years of age, and the youngest, Mary, eighteenmonths.
Thompson Trueman was in his forty-fifth year. He was a heavy man, quitedifferent in build from his brothers. The writer was but eight yearsold at that time, and so has learned about him mainly from others. Heseems to have made a great many friends, and was looked upon as anupright man. One who knew him well said, when he heard of his death,this passage of Scripture came to his mind: "Help, Lord, for the godlyman ceaseth, and the faithful fail from among the children of men."
The years that followed were trying ones at Prospect. The blight thatruined the potato crop in 1846, and the loss of the wheat crop a fewyears later by the weavil, were felt more keenly because of the loss ofthe controlling mind. To give an idea of the financial loss, I maymention the fact that in 1843 two thousand bushels of potatoes weregrown on the farm, and in 1847 not enough were grown to supply thetable. In addition to the great failure in these two staple crops, atthat time the price of beef, pork and butter went down to a very lowpoint. A pair of oxen that would girth from six to six and a half feetcould be bought for forty-five or fifty dollars. Pork went down to 4and 4 1/2 cents per lb., and butter to 12 1/2 cents, or a Yorkshilling. In one of the best settlements in Nova Scotia a majority ofthe farms were mortgaged to carry their owners over these hard years.Those who remember the period in New Brunswick history will not beinclined to complain to-day.
Samuel Davis, with the help of Mrs. Trueman, managed Prospect Farmuntil the sons were able to take charge. Mr. Davis was a most faithfuland kind-hearted man, and is remembered with the liveliest feelings ofgratitude by the writer for the numberless ways in which he tried tomake up to him a father's loss.
It is doubtful if the saw-mill, which was built in 1843, was ever apaying investment.
In 1849 a stone kiln and machinery for making oatmeal were added to themill property. The loss of the wheat crop had lead the Government ofthe Province to encourage the use of oatmeal by offering a bonus ofL 25 to anyone who would build an oat-mill. This led to the addition,and oats were made into meal for a large district of country for a goodmany years; but the expense of keeping the dam up, and the frequencywith which it was carried away by the freshets, must have absorbed mostof the profits of the business.
Up to this time agriculture had been the principal industry on theIsthmus. The farmer was the prominent man in the neighborhood, and theaim of every young man was to get a farm of his own. Now, however,there came a change. In 1848 gold was discovered in California, and in1849 and the early 50's numbers of our young men left for the gold-fields. Then came the telegraph service, which called for bright,intelligent young men. Ever since that date agriculture has declinedrelatively in the Maritime Provinces. As the years went by the productsof the western wheat-fields came into competition with the home-grownarticle, and the result was soon felt in the milling business here.Since 1872 the grist-mill at Prospect, with its three run of stones,and the saw-mill as well, have been allowed to go to decay.
In 1856 Hiram Thompson married Tryphena Black, of Prince Edward Island,and settled on the second farm north of the old place. Later he soldthis farm and moved to Searletown, Prince Edward Island. In 1857,Eliza, the second daughter, married William Avard, of Shemogue.
In 1860, April 11th, Mrs. Trueman died, in the sixty-second year of herage, and after fifteen years of widowhood. She had a large circle offriends, and was always ready to help those who were in need. After herhusband's death she kept up the family altar, and few mothers have beenmore earnest in looking after the moral and spiritual welfare of theirchildren.
In 1863, Howard, the third son, married Agnes Johnstone, of Napan,Miramichi, and remained at the old home. In January, 1864, Margaret,the third daughter, was married to George M. Black, of Dorchester. Thesame year, in May, Mrs. Howard Trueman died. In July, 1867, Howardmarried Mary Jean Main, of Kingston, Kent County, daughter of JohnMain, of that place. Mary, the youngest daughter, was married toWilliam Prescott, of Bay Verte, in 1873.
The following minutes of a meeting held at Prospect January 4th, 1875,will be of interest:
"The meeting was organized by the appointment of David Lawrence as
Chairman, and Howard Trueman as Secretary.
"The chairman stated the object of the meeting was to take steps tocelebrate in some fitting way the arrival of the first Trueman familyin Nova Scotia, which took place just a hundred years ago.
"On motion of S. B. Trueman, seconded by Edward Trueman, Resolved, thatthere be a gathering of the Trueman descendants at the old homesteadsometime during the summer of 1875.
"Moved by John A. Humphrey, and seconded by Martin Trueman, andcarried, that a committee be appointed to carry out the aboveresolution, said committee to consist of representatives from eachbranch of the family.
"The following were named as a committee:
"Martin Trueman. "Edward Trueman.
Henry Trueman. Benjamin Trueman.
Thompson Trueman. John Glendenning.
David Lawrence. R. T. McLeod.
Harman Humphrey. Albert Trueman.
"Howard Trueman.
"It was also decided to number the descendants and have written out ashort history or genealogy of the family; also to place a marblemonument to make the last resting-place of those who first came toAmerica."
The celebration was held at Prospect Farm on the 14th July, 1875, andtook the form of an all-day picnic. A programme was given, consistingof music and addresses. The invitations were not confined to theimmediate connection. Friends of the family were included. It wasestimated that about five hundred were present, many coming from widelydifferent points. The social intercourse was greatly enjoyed, and waslooked upon as one of the best features of the reunion.
The following census of the family to day (1875) was given out at that
Meeting:
Born.Dead.Living.
MR. WILLIAM TRUEMAN (2ND), MARRIED TO
ELIZABETH KEILLOR,1777-
Children 10 10 0
HARMAN TRUEMAN'S FAMILY—
Children 10 5 5
Grandchildren 28 3 25
Great-grandchildren 23 3 20
61 11 50
WILLIAM TRUEMAN'S FAMILY—
Children 11 1 10
Grandchildren 72 23 49
Great-grandchildren 99 22 77
182 46 136
JOHN TRUEMAN'S FAMILY—
Children 10 3 7
Grandchildren 30 7 23
Great-grandchildren 2 0 2
42 10 32
THOMAS TRUEMAN'S FAMILY—
Children 13 7 6
Grandchildren 52 12 40
Great-grandchildren 42 10 32
107 29 78
SARAH LAWRENCE'S FAMILY—
Children 11 3 8
Grandchildren 51 12 39
Great-grandchildren 51 7 44
113 22 91
AMOS TRUEMAN'S FAMILY—
Children 9 3 6
Grandchildren 47 4 43
Great-grandchildren 17 0 17
73 7 66
ROBERT TRUEMAN'S FAMILY—
Children 3 1 2
Grandchildren 8 3 5
Great-grandchildren 2 1 1
13 5 8
MARY A HUMPHREY'S FAMILY—
Children 7 4 3
Grandchildren 20 3 17
Great-grandchildren 1 0 1
28 7 21
BETTY GLENDENNING'S FAMILY—
Children 6 3 3
Grandchildren 13 0 13
Great-grandchildren 1 0 1
20 3 17
THOMPSON TRUEMAN'S FAMILY—
Children 7 0 7
Grandchildren 18 1 17
Great-grandchildren 0 0 0
25 1 24
Total in the ten families 664 141 523
Presby- Episco-
FAMILY OF Methodists Baptists terians palians Total
William Trueman 78 24 22 12 136
Thomas Trueman 45 33 78
John Trueman 32 32
Harmon Trueman 50 50
Mary Ann Humphrey 15 6 21
Betty Glendenning 9 8 17
Amos Trueman 16 50 66
Sarah Lawrence 80 11 91
Robert Trueman 8 8
Thompson Trueman 24 24
Total 357 63 91 12 523
Tele- Tin- Assay Student Mill
FAMILY OF Farm/Mech/graph/smith/Carp/ /Teach/AtLaw/Rail/Own/Agt
William Trueman 16 1 1 1 3 1 1
Thomas Trueman 6 7 2 1 1
John Trueman 1 1
Harmon Trueman 3 3 2 1 1
Mary A. Humphrey 1 1 1
Betty Glendenning 1
Amos Trueman 8
Sarah Lawrence 6 3 1 1
Robert Trueman 1 1
Thompson Trueman 3
Total 46 15 1 1 8 1 5 1 1 1 1
So much was this celebration enjoyed that the decision was quiteunanimous that a similar reunion should be held at a future time. Thiswas kept in mind, and in 1891, seventeen years afterwards, invitationswere sent from Prospect for another gathering of the clan. This time,however, the scope of the celebration was extended. The HistoricalSociety of Sackville was associated in the event, and all were welcomewho cared to be present.
This gathering was called the Yorkshire Picnic, and anyone of Yorkshireblood was especially welcome. An effort was made to get the names ofall visitors recorded, but it was not entirely successful. About threehundred, however, wrote their names below the following, written byJudge Morse.
"Visitors to Prospect Farm, July 14th, 1891, on the occasion of thereunion of the Trueman family, combined with a picnic of the HistoricalSociety of Sackville, in commemoration of the coming into the countryof the Yorkshire settlers,
"WILLIAM A. D. MORSE,
"Judge County Court,
"Nova Scotia."
The following is a report of that gathering as given in the Chignecto
POST at that time:
"On Tuesday last, in response to invitations, upwards of five hundredpersons gathered at Prospect Farm, Point de Bute, the residence ofMessrs. Howard and Albert Trueman, to commemorate the arrival of theYorkshire settlers in this country. The descendants of the Yorkshiremenhad invited the Chignecto Historical Society, recently formed, to bepresent, and the formal proceedings of the day were under the auspicesof the latter.
"After dinner, Judge Morse, as president of the Historical Society, ina neat speech spoke of the objects of the Chignecto Historical Society.It was their desire to find out who were the early settlers, and wherethey came from, and to collect all valuable information concerning theearly history of this vicinity. He was pleased to see so manydescendants of the original settlers of our country present, and seeamong them the most prosperous of our people. Mr. W. C. Milner,Secretary of the Society, then read an interesting paper on theexpedition from New England to capture Fort Cumberland in 1776, underthe command of Col. Eddy, and the influences that led to its defeat,notably the firm stand taken by the Yorkshire Royalists against thetroops of the Continental Congress, and in favor of the Mother Land andthe Old Flag. A good many facts connected with this episode in localhistory, which has been instrumental in shaping the destiny of theProvince of New Brunswick, were for the first time made public. As itwill be published in full in an early issue of the POST, together withother papers of the Chignecto Historical Society, it is unnecessary toreproduce it now.
"Judge Morse delivered an interesting address upon the Yorkshiresettlers. The condition of our country in 1763 was one of constantstrife between the French on the one side and the English on the other.But in 1763 the latter were victorious, the French driven back, and thecountry then thrown open for settlement by the English. In 1764Governor Franklyn proposed to settle the very fertile land at the headof the Bay of Fundy with the proper class, and after somecorrespondence with Earl Hillsboro, Lord of the Plantations in England,he paid a personal visit to Yorkshire, where lived the thriftiestfarmers in all England, induced in 1772-3-4 a large number of familiesto try their fortunes in the New World. In April and May the firstarrivals landed on the bleak and rocky coast near Halifax, andsurrounded as they were with every discomfort, it was no wonder thatthey felt discouraged. With their wives the men passed on to Windsor,where they first got a glimpse of the budding orchards left by theFrench settlers. Here a division was made in the party. The women andchildren were sent to the head of the Bay by a series of ferries, andthe men pushed on to Annapolis, and later joined their families atChignecto. To the pluck, loyalty, and industry of the YorkshiremenJudge Morse paid many a tribute. To them do we owe our presentconnection with the Mother Country. When this country from north tosouth was rent by the rebellion, when the rivers ran blood, and whenthe prestige of English arms in Northern America seemed to totter, itwas the Yorkshire immigrants who remained firm, and although compelledto suffer untold hardships and privations, yet they remained loyal tothat old flag, whose folds he was pleased to see floating in the breezeto-day. The speaker gave fully in detail various particulars of thesettlement, of the persons interested, and the location of severalimportant landmarks. The Yorkshiremen have done three great acts: Theymade the country; they preserved the flag; and they, through theefforts of Preacher Black, founded in this country the principles ofMethodism, which has made such steady progress, and which has been theprominent religion for over a century. He closed by asking all who hadany historical relics in their possession to communicate with theofficers of the society, and allow them to inspect such. Judge Morsewas followed by Mr. A. B. Black, Amherst; J. L. Black, Sackville; W. C.Milner, and the host of the day, Mr. Howard Trueman, who spoke upon thevaluable features of the Historical Society.
"Among those present were Sheriff McQueen, J. A. McQueen, M.P.P., W. J.
Robinson (Moncton), Col. Wm. Blair, Hon. Hiram Black, J. L. Black, Wm.
Prescott, Jas. Trueman, Esq. (St. John), W. F. George, Dr. A. D. Smith,
Dr. H. S. Trueman, Rev. Mr. Crisp, Rev. Mr. Bliss, Couns. Copp and
Trueman.
"The house at Prospect Farm is one of the oldest in the Province,having been completed on June 14th, 1799."
The following is an account of the one hundredth anniversary of the
"Brick House," taken from the Moncton TIMES of July, 1899:
"On Friday, Prospect Farm, the residence of Howard Trueman, Esq., theold Trueman homestead at Point de Bute, was the scene of an anniversarythat called together representatives of the various branches of theTrueman family that came to this country in 1775. The centenary oftheir settlement here was celebrated by a big picnic twenty-four yearsago, and the present one was connected with the building of the oldhouse one hundred years ago—a fine English house built of brick andovergrown with ivy and climbing rose. The site is one of the mostcommanding and beautiful in the country, and is justly a spot cherishedby all the Truemans with pride and affection.
"The afternoon was charming, though threatening, and the numerousgathering, old and young, male and female, enjoyed themselves to theutmost.
"The oldest member of the family present was the venerable MartinTrueman, of Point de Bute, aged eight-four years, still hale andvigorous, and enjoying life as well as the youngest. The next oldestwas Thompson Trueman, of Sackville, father of Mrs. (Senator) Wood, agedeighty-three, also a very vigorous man. Within a few weeks Mr. JosephTrueman, also of the same generation, the father of Judge Trueman, ofSt. John, has passed to his rest. Mr. Henry Trueman, father of Mrs.James Colpitts, was prevented by the infirmities of age from beingpresent. Amongst others of the same generation were Mrs. Eunice Moore,of Moncton, and Mrs. Amelia Black, of Truro, N.S. Others belonging tothe older generation were James Trueman, of Hampton; Alder Trueman, ofSackville, and Benjamin Trueman of Point de Bute.
"A younger generation embraced Judge Trueman, of Albert; Pickard
Trueman, James Amos Trueman, ex-Coun. Amos Trueman and George Trueman.
There was a large representation present of those connected with Mr.
Trueman by marriage or blood, as Squire Wm. Avard, Bristol; Collector
Prescott, Bay Verte; Albert Carter, C. F. McCready, Sheriff McQueen,
ex-collector James D. Dickson, George M. Black, I. F. Carter, James
Main, Botsford; John Glendenning, Cumberland; Geo. W. Ripley, Mrs.
J. M. Trueman, Thorndale, Pa; Gilbert Pugsley, Rupert Coates, Nappan;
Hibbert Lawrence, Gilbert Lawrence, Burgess Fullerton, Southampton;
Mrs. Sarah Patterson, Linden; Alex. Smith, Nappan; Dr. Chapman, James
Colpitts, Point de Bute; J. L. Black, ex-M.P.P., Sackville; Mrs. Burke,
Toronto; E. E. Baker, Fort Lawrence.
"Amongst the visitors were: R. Robertson, W. S. Blair, Experimental
Farm, Nappan; Dr. W. F. Ganong, W. C. Milner, W. Fawcett, Charles
George, W. F. George, John Roach, Thomas Roach, Nappan; Frank Beharrel,
Lowell, Mass.; Dr. Allison, President Mt. Allison; Dr. Smith,
Dr. Brecken, Prof. Andrews, Sackville; Rev. Mr. Batty, Amherst; Douglas
Fullerton, Leonard Carter, J. H. Goodwin, Point de Bute; Hiram Copp,
F. A. Dixon, Sackville; George Copp, James Fillmore, Bay Verte.
"A platform was erected under the shade of the vine-covered walls, andinteresting speeches made. Dr. Chapman presided. In his introductoryremarks he said he was pleased with his Yorkshire descent, and was verysorry that Mr. Batty, who was to tell sometime of Yorkshire at thepresent day, was not present. Mr. Howard Trueman, who was then calledupon, told something of the settlement of the Truemans, the building ofthe house, the clock two hundred years old that was still keeping goodtime, the chair that came out from England with the family, and thebench there on the platform that came from the first Methodist churchbuilt in Canada, a stone church that stood by the Point de ButeCemetery.
"Mr. J. L. Black spoke of his first visit to the old house. When notmore than fourteen years old, he had been put on a horse and sent tothe mill with a bag of wheat. On telling who he was he was sent to thehouse and fed with gingerbread and his pockets filled with cake.Mr. Black paid a high tribute to the sterling character of the men ofthe old days, but was of the opinion that the men of these daysscarcely were their equals.
"Dr. Ganong, Mr. Milner and Mr. George not responding. Dr. Brecken wascalled upon. He claimed Yorkshire descent and supposed the stubbornnesshis wife complained of was due to the Yorkshire blood in him. Hesometimes wondered, as Mr. Black had done, whether the race was notdegenerating. He certainly could not stand as much exertion as hisfather could. The style of oratory was also very different from what itused to be. We have few of the finely finished speeches thatcharacterized the old days.
"Dr. Allison said: 'All the speakers claimed some connection with theTruemans or Yorkshire, but he had not a drop of English blood in hisveins, using English in its narrower sense. None, however, had a keenerappreciation of the Yorkshire element than himself. Charles Allison,the founder of the Institutions, the one who had done more than anyother to make the name of Allison to be remembered, chose for hispartner in life a member of the Trueman family. Mankind was notdegenerating. Wonderful things have been accomplished since thiscountry was first settled. Divine providence has not constructed therailway and telegraph, but man. Dr. Brecken was just as good a man ashis father, and a much greater orator than the men of those days. Themen of the past suited the past, but a different type is requiredto-day.
"The chairman then announced that lunch would be served, and the otherspeakers would say a few words later in the afternoon.
"After lunch Judge Trueman, of Albert, took the platform. He said itgave him much pleasure to be at the picnic, not only to meet so manyfriends, but to see the old place where he was born and spent hisyouth. He knew every knoll and hollow of the old farm. He thoughteveryone who had the Trueman blood in him ought to feel on excellentterms with himself after hearing so many nice things said about thefamily.
"Prof. Andrews, who followed, agreed with Dr. Allison in thinking therace was not degenerating, and claimed if the people to-day would spendas much time out of doors as did their fathers, they would be evenstronger. He gave some proofs that actually the race is improvingphysically. In the old times the weakest all died off, and only thetough old nuts remained. He told some remarkable stories of what he hadundergone when a young man, that he claimed to be saving for hisgrandchildren. It gave him much pleasure to attend this celebrationwhich would pass into history.
"Rev. Mr. Batty, of Amherst, was introduced by the chairman as a truebred, native-born Yorkshireman. Mr. Batty said, judging from the numberaround him, if all the Yorkshiremen had prospered as the Truemans therewould be a new Yorkshire more prosperous than the old. He had notrealized what kind of a picnic this was until he saw the lines ofcarriages driving through Amherst. On inquiring he found it was thegathering of the clans at Prospect. He considered these historicgatherings most important in the development of a country. He then gavea most interesting account of Yorkshire and Yorkshire Methodism. He hadnever seen a wooden house until he came to this country, and it stirredold memories to stand again under the shadow of a brick house thatreminded him strongly of his grandfather's house in Yorkshire. Ifpeople here want to see Englishmen come to Canada they must do awaywith snake fences, sulphur matches, and bad roads. Agriculture is donefor in England, and the fathers realize that their sons must come toCanada. No Westmoreland man would complain if he knew how well off hewas.
"In closing he thanked all for their attention, Mr. Trueman for hisinvitation, and said he was going to write a full account of thegathering for the Yorkshire papers and send it at once.
"Votes of thanks were presented to Mr. and Mrs. Trueman, the host andhostess, and to Dr. Chapman, the chairman, after which all joined inthe National Anthem."
The Chignecto POST had the following description of the gathering:
"The oldest house now being occupied in this part of the Province is inPoint de Bute, about seven miles from Sackville. It was built in 1799,so that the structure is a hundred years old. In a granite slab overthe front entrance is the following: "June 14, 1799." The main houseis of brick and is a good solid looking structure yet. It has stoodwell the blasts of a hundred winters, and judging from its presentappearance it will be able to stand many more.
"Some time ago the relatives and friends of Mr. Trueman urged him tocelebrate the 100th birthday of his house. Circumstances prevented himfrom holding the celebration on June 14th, but on July 14th, lastFriday, the event was celebrated in a manner that the two hundredpeople who were present will not soon forget.
"It was Mr. Trueman's intention that his guests should make a day ofit, but unfortunately Friday forenoon was foggy and wet, and this nodoubt prevented a large number from being present. However, the raindid not interfere with the plans of some of the friends, for early inthe forenoon they began to arrive from a distance, and they continuedto arrive, although the rain came down in torrents. But shortly afternoon the cheerful face of Old Sol peered forth from behind a fog bank.The clouds were soon dissipated, nature dried her tears, and everybodywas glad. A merrier throng it would have been hard to find than the onenow gathered around the old brick house, everyone intent upon doing hisor her best to celebrate the anniversary.
"There were people present from St. John, from Moncton, from AlbertCo., from Bay Verte, from Amherst, from Nappan, from Sackville, andfrom all the surrounding country. There was the grandfather andgrandmother, whose silvery hair and bent form contrasted strongly withsprightliness of the young toddlers who were very much in evidence. Buta smile was on every face and nobody was made to feel that he was astranger. From the top of the highest tree floated the Canadian ensign,while nearer the house the ancient folds of the Union Jack were spreadto the breeze.
"The old house was thrown open to all, and many persons had thepleasure of seating themselves in the chair which was brought to thiscountry by the first of the name who touched upon its shores. Thisarticle of furniture, together with a grandfather's clock, are theproperty of Mr. Trueman, and, needless to say, are very highly prizedby him. They are remarkably well preserved, and the clock still keepsexcellent time.
"On the grounds, quite near the house, a platform had been improvised,
and during the afternoon short addresses were made by Howard Trueman,
Jos. L. Black, Judge Trueman, of Albert Co., Rev. Mr. Batty, of
Amherst, Prof. Andrews, Dr. Brecken, Dr. Allison and others.
"Tea was served on the grounds in true Bohemian style, but everybodyenjoyed it. The evening passed very pleasantly with vocal, instrumentalmusic, etc. It was a fitting celebration, and one which both old andyoung will no doubt often be pleased to look back upon. Mr. and Mrs.Trueman and the members of their family dispensed the kindesthospitality and did everything possible to make the event what it was,a grand success."
The names of the children and grandchildren of William Trueman and
Elizabeth Keillor, with other records of the families:
HARMON TRUEMAN, born Sept. 27, 1778 Married
CYNTHIA BEST, born Sept. 7, 1787 Jan. 8, 1807.
Stephen B. Feb. 17, 1808 1836 Eliza Wells 7
Amy E. April 17, 1810 1837 John W. McLeod 1
Sarah Aug. 27, 1812 1835 Rev. A. W. McLeod 6
Martin Oct. 30, 1814 1843 Bethia Purdy 5
Louisa C. Aug. 30, 1817 1841 Mariner Wood 2
Silas W. May 27, 1820 Did not marry
Eunice Dec. 18, 1822 1872 Thomas Moore 0
R. Alder Aug. 22, 1825 1854 Mary Jewett 2
N. Amelia Sept. 28, 1828 1857 Rufus Black 5
WILLAM TRUEMAN, born Nov. 22, 1780 Married
JANE RIPLEY, born April 25, 1788 Jan. 22, 1806.
NAME BORN M. TO WHOM MARRIED Child.
William Jan. 9, 1807 1831 Esther Ripley 9
Mary Ann Sept. 25, 1809 1834 Francis Smith 6
Jane D. Dec. 20, 1811 1834 Robert Fawcett 7
Alice Jan. 2, 1814 1835 Hugh Gallagher 10
Henry R. Dec. 17, 1815 1844 Jane Weldon 2
Joseph Mar. 24, 1818 1843 Janet S. Scott 8
Benjamin Aug. 25, 1822 1848 Elizabeth Weldon 2
Isaac Jan. 18, 1825 1849 Mary Black 4
Rebecca July 12, 1827 1855 Robert Scott 6
Sara Elizabeth Sept. 26, 1829 John Charters 4
Christianna Nov. 30, 1832 1856 James Scott 4
JOHN TRUEMAN, born Jan. 2, 1784 Married
NANCY PALMER, 1806.
Catherine P. April 30, 1807 John S. Coy 4
Gideon P. Aug. 24, 1811 Mary Harrison
Elizabeth L. Sept. 8, 1813 Died young
Thompson Feb. 15, 1816 Rebecca Wood 4
Milcah June 23, 1818 Chas. F. Alison 1
Marcus May 10, 1821 Rebecca Reynolds 2
Jane Evans 2
George A. Sept. 26, 1823 Sarah Ann Black 2
Margaret C. Mar. 2, 1826 Did not marry
Annie J. Mar. 30, 1829 Samuel Sharp
Sarah B. Sept. 6, 1832 Robt. A. Strong 7
THOMAS TRUEMAN, born April 16, 1786 Married
POLICENE CORE, born July 10, 1788 July 11, 1805.
Elizabeth E. Feb. 22, 1807 1825 Thomas Carter 4
Able G. Mar. 18, 1809 Died young
William L. Feb. 9, 1811 Olivia Embree 4
Caroline Sharpe
Thomas F. Feb. 9, 1811 1835 Harriet Prince 4
Harmon Henry July 21, 1813 1837 Jane Chapman 6
Lucy A. Dec. 19, 1815 1835 Joseph Carter 4
John Starr Oct. 2, 1816 Died young
Mary J. Dec. 15, 1818 1841 William Dixon 0
Rufus F. Feb. 2, 1821 1846 Eliza Trenholm 2
Francis Smith 3
Edward S. Feb. 11, 1823 1847 Sara L. Ann Bent 5
Frances B. May 6, 1825 1849 Samuel Sharp 6
Pamelia C. May 31, 1827 1851 William Smith 4
Charles E. Apr. 24, 1829 1853 Pamelia Smith
Susan Bowser 4
GILBERT LAWRENCE, born Oct.27, 1785 Married
SARAH TRUEMEN, born Mar. 16, 1784 April 14, 1808.
David Feb. 11, 1809 1836 Mary Fullerton 7
William T. May 9, 1811 Died young
Sarah Apr. 13, 1813 1833 Daniel Pugsley 6
Mary F. Oct. 1, 1815 1833 Joseph Coates 10
Amos F. Apr. 3, 1818 1841 Annie Fullerton 9
Jane July 14, 1820 1841 James Fullerton 3
Charles W. Nov. 19, 1822 1846 Mary Fullerton 1
1872 Amelia Donkin
Eunice M. Feb. 27, 1825 1847 Jesse Fullerton 7
Thomas J. Apr. 6, 1828 Did not marry
Caroline A. June 2, 1830 1851 Douglas R. Pugsley 2
Cecelia R. Apr. 4, 1833 1856 David P. Fullerton 6
AMOS TRUEMAN, born May 23, 1791 Married
SUSANNA RIPLEY, born Feb. 20, 1799 October 2, 1817
Ann July 2, 1818 1850 Robert J. Mitchell 5
John Oct. 2, 1819 1840 Jane Finlay 6
Mary Aug. 20, 1821
Henry Sept. 10, 1824 1851 Sophia Finlay 7
Elizabeth Dec. 24, 1826 1851 Thomas Mitchell 9
Jane Mar. 10, 1829 Did not marry
Ruth Sept. 9, 1831 1856 Embree Wood 8
Rebecca Apr. 21, 1834 1852 William Mitchell 4
Susanna Nov. 18, 1836 1863 Joseph Doyle 5
Sarah July 8, 1840 1865 David Patterson 6
ROBERT TRUEMAN, born July 15, 1794 Married
EUNICE BENT, born Feb. 15, 1796 January 8, 1817.
James Oct. 29, 1817 1844 Jane Black 2
Seraphina A. Apr. 28, 1819 1840 J. W. McLeod 6
Calvin G. Mar. 24, 1825 Did not marry
WILLIAM HUMPHREY, born Married
MARY ANN TRUEMAN, born July 10, 1796 Nov. 21, 1820
William Oct. 24, 1821 1863 Hattie H. Sears
John A. Dec. 23, 1823 1855 Sarah Harris 4
Elizabeth May 19, 1825 1845 E. R. Bishop 5
Stephen Feb. 28, 1829 1851 Lucy Logan 6
Harmon July 12, 1831 1859 Salina Coates 4
1878 Emily Dixon 1
Jane Nov. 19, 1833 1854 Joseph L. Black 1
Christopher Apr. 15, 1837
GEORGE GLENDENNING, born May 14, 1799 Married
BETTY TRUEMAN, born Aug. 11, 1798 1823
Elizabeth S. Jan. 28, 1825 1852 Thomas Lowther 8
John Sept.22, 1827 1850 Elizabeth Black 4
Sarah Ann Sept.27, 1829 1875 David Lawrence
William R. Dec. 20, 1831
Thompson Oct. 26, 1834 1864 Sarah J. Ripley 2
Mary Aug. 28, 1837 1865 J. Edward Smith
THOMPSON TRUEMAN, born 1801 Married
MARY FREEZE, born 1798 1823
Ruth A. Jan 21, 1824 Did not marry
Albert Apr. 18, 1826 Did not marry
Hiram June 2, 1828 1854 Tryphena Black 6
Eliza Jan. 2, 1831 1855 William Avard 4
Margaret Nov. 11, 1835 1864 George M. Black 3
Howard Mar. 1, 1837 1863 Agnes Johnstone
1867 Mary J. Main 5
Mary A. Dec. 26, 1843 1873 William Prescott 6
It will be seen by studying this record that out of the eight-sevenmembers of the second generation born in this country, six elected tolive in single blessedness. These were Silas, Harmon's third son;Thomas, a son of Sarah Lawrence; Margaret, a daughter of John; Jane, adaughter of Amos; and Ruth and Albert, Thompson's two eldest born.
Silas was a man of sterling principles, generous almost to a fault, andof more than ordinary intellectual force. He was the kind of man thatwould have delighted the practical mind of the Apostle James. Under allcircumstances his aim was to make his practice accord with hisprofession. His death took place at his home in Point de Bute in 1860.
Thomas Lawrence was a general favorite, and had the reputation of beingbetter to others than to himself. Children trusted him at once. He diedat his home in Nappan, N.S., in 1867.
Margaret Trueman was one of the most charitable of women, always readywith a kind word or deed whenever opportunity offered. She finishedlife's journey in Mexico, in 1897.
Jane Trueman is still living.
Albert died in September, 1901, at his home, Prospect Farm. He was bornin the brick house, and lived there his full life of seventy-five yearsand five months. He had many friends and no enemies.
Ruth lived her life of sixty-three years in the old home where she wasborn, and died in 1887. She was thoughtful and fond of reading, and didwhat she could to cultivate a taste for reading in those who came underher influence. Her religious convictions were decided, but notdemonstrative. She delighted in conversation where literature andauthors were the subjects. Macaulay was one of her favorite writers.
When Ruth's brothers and sisters were young, and books were not socommon as now, she very often read aloud to her mother and the family.Macauley's Essays and History, Prescott's works, the "LiteraryGarland," and lighter works were read from time to time as circumstancesor taste dictated. GLEASON'S PICTORIAL, the ANGLO-SAXON, the SCOTTISH-AMERICAN, and HARPER'S MAGAZINE were read with great interest. She wasa subscriber to the CENTURY MAGAZINE at the time of her death. Some ofHannah More's sacred dramas were frequently read on a Sabbath evening.The writer remembers well how we younger children enjoyed the momentwhen David,
"From his well-directed sling, quick hurled, with dexterous aim, astone, which sank deep-lodged in the capacious forehead of the foe."
And
"The mighty mass of man fell prone, with its own weight, his shatteredbulk was bruised. Straight the youth drew from his sheath the giant'spond'rous sword, and from the enormous trunk the gory head, furious indeath, he severed."
The language was rather beyond us, but we knew that David had killedthe giant, and we did not bother about the big words. Or, when littleMoses was left in the ark of bulrushes, exposed to all the dangers ofthe Nile swamp, how we almost trembled lest some evil should befall himbefore Pharaoh's daughter could rescue him, and rejoiced to think thatMiriam did her part so well as to get her mother as a nurse for thelittle brother. Ruth seemed to enjoy reading these dramas over and overquite as much as we enjoyed listening to them. She grew fonder ofreading as she grew older, and would talk of the characters in a bookas if they were as real to her as her personal friends.
Ruth was deeply interested in the confederation of the Provinces whenthat question was before the people. After giving the matter a gooddeal of thought she decided in favor of the union. In early days,because of sympathy for a friend, she had conceived a prejudice againstDr. Tupper, who began his public life in Point de Bute, and with whomshe was personally acquainted. The family at Prospect were supportersof Howe and the Liberal party in Nova Scotia at this time, but Howe hadturned his back on Confederation, and Dr. Tupper was the leader of theConfederate party in that Province. Ruth was exceedingly anxious thatthe principle of union should triumph, and it was a grief to her thatDr. Tupper should triumph with it. But she lived long enough to forgivehim and to appreciate the good work Sir Charles did for Canada.
The Free School question was another problem in which she was greatlyinterested, and as one of her favorite cousins was in the election of1872, in which free non-sectarian schools were on trial in NewBrunswick (at least, so thought the friends of this measure), she wasanxious as to the outcome of the elections, and well pleased when theyresulted well for free schools.
Of the twenty members of the second generation now living, the womenoutnumber the men thirteen to seven. Five of the twenty areoctogenarians, two—Martin Trueman, of Point de Bute, and ThompsonTrueman, of Sackville—have reached the patriarchal age of eighty-sevenyears. The former in one particular is like the late Mr. Gladstone—hetakes his recreation with the axe. He has prepared many cords of woodfor the stove in the last few years.
The first Trueman family were not strong men, but they were persistentworkers, and could accomplish more in a given time than men of muchstronger build. The second generation were physically equal or superiorto that of the first, which was rather a rare circumstance in thiscountry. The gift of language—of talking easily and gracefully, eitherin private or public—was not one of their possessions. Not a man ofthe first generation could talk ten minutes on a public platform; andthe second generation are in this particular not much of an improvementon their forbears. This, in part, no doubt, accounts for the fact thata family which turns out elders, class-leaders and circuit stewards insuch numbers has not produced a minister of the Trueman name.
Agriculture was the work to which the family set their hand in the newcountry. The children were taught that manual labor was honorable, andthat agriculture was worthy of being prosecuted by the best of men. Theseven sons and three sons-in-law were all successful farmers, andheredity no doubt had its influence.
William Wells, the first of the name in Point de Bute, was one of theYorkshire band. He was a mason by trade, and built the Methodist Chapelat Thirsk before leaving Yorkshire. He married Margaret Dobson. TheDobsons lived in Sowerby, near Thirsk, and were among the first toaccept the teachings of John Wesley. Mr. Wells did not come direct toHalifax, but landed at Boston, and, after staying there some months,came to Fort Cumberland. This was in 1772. He bought property in UpperPoint de Bute, very near to that of his father-in-law, George Dobson.This property is still in the name of its original owner, a rare thingin this country, as very few families hold the same property for acentury and a quarter.
Mrs. Wells was the mother of thirteen children, six of whom died inearly life. The remaining seven married and settled in the country.They were married as follows:—George to Elizabeth Freeman, of Amherst;William to Catherine Allan, of Cape Tormentine; Mary to George Chappel,of Bay Verte; Elizabeth to Jonas Allan, of Cape Tormentine; Margaret toS. Freeze, of Amherst Point; Jane to Bill Chappell, of Bay Verte; andJoseph to Nellie Trenholm, of Point de Bute.
William Wells was an active member of the Methodist Church. He enjoyeda special gift in prayer, and not infrequently, in the absence of theminister, read the burial service over the dead.
I find this entry in the old journal: "June 3rd, 1811—Mrs. Jane
Fawcett departed this life May 31st, very suddenly; was well about ten
o'clock, and died before eleven o'clock; was buried Sunday afternoon by
Wm. Wells, Esq."
The following letter, written a century ago by Mr. Wells, may have someinterest for his descendants. The letter was addressed to WilliamTrueman.
"DEAR BROTHER—Am sorry to hear of Mr. Bennet's indisposition, but amglad his case is hopeful. I trust the Lord has more work to do for himyet. Respecting myself should be glad to come to see my dear friends,but the journey appears to be too much for me to perform, for I wasexceeding bad yesterday, and altho this day I feel a little freer frompain, yet my weakness is great. If I should be better towards thelatter part of the day maybe I may try to come, but I have hithertofelt worse at the latter part of the day. I pray God that our lightafflictions may work out for us a far more and exceeding weight ofglory.
"Yours affec.,W.WELLS.
"Saturday morning,
"Nov. 13th, 1802."
The descendants of William Wells are widely scattered over NewBrunswick and Nova Scotia, and a good number have emigrated to theUnited States. Charles H., Charles C., James, and Joseph D. Wells,great-grandsons, represent the name in Point de Bute and Jolicure. Thelate W. Woodbury Wells, M.P.P., and Mr. Justice Wells, of Moncton, alsoare members of this family, while Lieut.-Governor Snowball is a great-grandson of William Wells.
William Black was born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1727. When a young manhe removed to Huddersfield, England, and engaged in the linen andwoollen drapery business. In 1774 he prospected Nova Scotia with a viewto settlement, and purchased a large block of land near the presenttown of Amherst. The next year he brought his family, consisting ofwife, four sons and a daughter, to Nova Scotia, and settled on his newfarm.
William Black was twice married, and lived to the great age of ninety-three years. He spent the last years of his life in Dorchester, wherehe left a large family by his second wife. He was the father of WilliamBlack, who has been designated the "Father of Methodism" in the LowerProvinces.
The Blacks have proved good citizens, and have contributed their fullshare to the development of the country.
The Purdys were Loyalists from New York State. Three brothers came tothis country—Henry, Gabriel, and Gilbert. Jacob, the fourth, remainedin New York.
Henry Purdy settled in Fort Lawrence, Gabriel in Westchester, and
Gilbert in Malagash. Mrs. Martin Trueman is a grand-daughter of
Gilbert. The Purdys of Cumberland are all descendants of these
brothers.
The family for the last century has always been able to count an M.D.among its members, and the civil service has seldom been without aPurdy on its roll-call.
"The earliest record of the Wood family is the marriage of Thomas Woodand Ann Hunt, May, 1654, at Rowley, Mass. Their son John, born in 1656,married, in 1680, Isabel, daughter of Edward Hazen, presumably aforbear of the St. John Hazens. Issue of this union was a large family,of whom, Josiah, born April, 1708, was the twelfth child. He marriedEleanor ———, and their son, Josiah, born March, 1740, was married in1767 to Ruth Thompson. Their son Josiah, born 1776, after coming to NewBrunswick, married Sarah Ayre, daughter of Mariner and Amy Ayre. Theirtwo children, Mariner and Ann, were the father and aunt of the presentJosiah Wood.
"Mr. Wood has a number of interesting documents of ancient date, amongthem two grants of land from the King to Robert Thompson, the great-great-grandfather of Senator Wood. The earliest, dated 1759 (in thereign of George II), was for 750 acres, one and a half shares of theoriginal grant of the township of Cornwallis. The later documentattests that in 1763 Robert Thompson was granted 500 acres more,individually by George III.
"Mr. Thompson does not appear to have gone into possession, and someforty years later his widowed daughter, ambitious for the welfare ofher fatherless family, set out from Lebanon, Conn., with her son Josiahto find this lost heritage.
"They appear to have come to Dorchester, N.B., by a schooner commandedby one 'Lige Ayre, so called. Why they should have gone first toWestmoreland's shire town, instead of direct to the Eldorado of theirdreams is one of the unknowable things, but presumably the exigenciesof travel in those days had something to do with it. Both passengersand mail matter went by dead reckoning, so to speak, and could seldomget direct conveyance to their destination.
"In the yellowed leaves of a century old diary, penned by the hand ofSenator Wood's grandfather, and also from letters, we find quaintcomments and an interesting insight into the lives of the earlysettlers.
"The journal was begun in October, 1800, when Josiah Wood was twenty-four years old. He and his mother, after visiting in Canard, appear tohave made their home for the time being in Newport, N.S., where in thecloth mill of Alexander Lockhart Josiah found employment. The youngman seems to have had all the business acumen and habits of industrythat distinguish his posterity. When work in the mill was slack hetaught school, beginning with four scholars. Evening amusementsconsisted of husking parties, etc., where Mr. Wood contributed to thefestivities by flute playing and songs. His idea of a vacation wastaking a load of cabbages to sell in Windsor, where his soleextravagance was buying a bandana handkerchief.
"Mrs. Wood filled in her time, though hardly profitably, by havingsmallpox. This dread disease did not seem to cause any dismay in thosedays. The neighbors came and went with kindly ministrations to the sickwoman, and the son pursued his work in the mill, quite unconscious thataccording to modern science he was weaving the death-producing microbeinto every yard of cloth.
"In February, 1801, Mrs. Wood and Josiah went to Halifax, where theyput up the sign 'The Bunch of Grapes.' The diary speaks of theirvisiting 'Mr. Robie, Mr. Blowers, the Chief Justice and the governor,'with regard to their land, but to no purpose, their claim beingconsidered invalid.
"In the fall of the same year they returned to Dorchester, where Josiahnot long after married Miss Ayre. He died in his early thirties,leaving two young children, Mariner and Ann. The widow married PhilipPalmer and afterwards went to live in Sackville, N.B. They had eightchildren, Martin, who settled in Hopewell Cape; Dr. Rufus Palmer, ofAlbert; Stephen Palmer, of Dorchester; Charles Jabez, and the MissesPalmer, of Sackville, and Judge Palmer, of St. John.
"Miss Ann Wood went to live with her grandmother at Fort Lawrence,while Mariner continued with his stepfather, commencing business in asmall way on his own account at an early age. He purchased in course oftime the property adjoining Mr. Palmer's, in Sackville, where he builta store and dwelling which is known as "The Farm," and continued hisever growing business at the same stand till his death, in 1875. In1871 the firm assumed its present name of M. Wood & Sons.
"During his genealogical research Senator Wood has found relatives whomhis branch of the family had lost sight of for a century. The Senator'sgrandfather had a brother, Charles Thompson Wood, born at Lebanon,Conn., October, 1779. He married Elizabeth Tracy, and pursued the tradeof hatter in Norwich, Conn. He died in 1807, leaving two children,Charles Joseph and Rachel Tracey, both of whom married and in 1830moved to Kinsman, Ohio.
"The children of this Charles J. Wood are living at Kinsman, andSenator Wood visited his long lost relatives this autumn. The pleasurewas mutual, and while the Senator would tell of many years' patientseeking for his father's kindred, they related the story which had beentold them by their father of his uncle, who had gone to the wilds ofCanada and never been heard of more."—MISS COGSWELL IN ST. JOHN DAILYSUN.
McLEOD.
Alexander McLeod was born on board ship in Dublin harbor, the 11thDecember, 1773. His father belonged to the 42nd highlanders, a regimentthen on its way to augment the British force in America. This regimentwas on active service during the American Revolutionary war, and at itsclose was disbanded and grants of land in the Maritime Provincesdistributed among its members. The greater number of these grants wereon the Nashwaak River, in New Brunswick. Alexander McQueen, an officerin the same regiment, grandfather of Alexander McQueen, of Shediac, andgreat-grandfather of Sheriff McQueen, of Westmoreland, settled inPictou County, N.S.
Mr. McLeod settled on the Nashwaak, and lived there the remainder ofhis life. Alexander, his son, went to Sheffield in 1796, and began amercantile business. He married Elizabeth Barker, of that place. In1806 he removed to the city of St. John, where for some years heconducted business on a scale large for the times, and was verysuccessful. He was a Methodist local preacher, and in 1829 started aliterary and religious journal, which enjoyed, like most of itssuccessors in that city, but a brief existence. Mr. McLeod's familynumbered six—Roderick, the youngest, died in infancy; Annie, theeldest, was a teacher and never married; Sarah married James Robertson;Margaret married Rev. Albert Desbrisay, who was for some years chaplainof the old Sackville Academy; Wesley was twice married, first in 1836,to Amy Trueman, who died, leaving one daughter; and again, in 1840, toSeraphina Trueman.
Wesley McLeod was a persistent reader, a good conversationalist, and amost interesting man to meet. He was a bank accountant, and the lastforty years of his life were spent in the United States. His home wasin Newark, N.J., where his widow and three daughters still live.Mr. McLeod never lost his love for the old flag for which hisgrandfather fought, and although so many years of his life were spentin the United States, where he always took a great interest in allpublic questions, he never became a naturalized citizen of theRepublic. He lived to be eighty-five years of age. Robert TruemanMcLeod, of Dunvegan, Point de Bute, is a son of Wesley McLeod.
Alexander first married Sarah Trueman, of Point de Bute, by whom he hadfive children. His second wife was Georgina Hultz, of Baltimore, U.S.
Robert, the youngest son of the first family, was in the ConfederateArmy in 1860, and lost an arm at Fort Sumter. He afterwards graduatedwith honors from Harvard and died in Europe while travelling for thebenefit of his health.
Alexander McLeod was a Methodist preacher, and a Doctor of Divinitywhen that title was not so common as it is now. He was one of theeditors of the PROVINCIAL WESLEYAN. Like his brother Wesley, the lastyears of his life were spent in the United States, where both he andhis wife were engaged in literary work.
The following extract is taken from a letter written by a member of the
McLeod family in reply to one asking for information:
"Your letter was received a couple of days ago and I would gladly sendyou all the information we have, but the most of it is so vague that itis quite unsatisfactory for your purpose. Of course we all know verypositively that the McLeods sprang from the best and most honorableclan of old Scotland. We have improved some in manners, for we nolonger drive our foes into caves, and smoke them to death. (We onlywish we could.) We no longer brag that we were not beholden to Noah,but had boats of our own—that would relate us too nearly to Lillith—but still we are proud of our ancestors."
Joseph Avard was born in the town of St. Austle, Cornwall, England, in1761. At twelve years of age he was apprenticed to a clockmaker, withwhom he remained eight years. He married Frances Ivey, in 1782.Mr. Avard was appointed a class-leader, and for seven years neverfailed to be present at the regular meeting of its members. He wasintimately acquainted with Mr. Wesley, and attended his funeral, atwhich there was said to be thirty thousand people present. He alsoheard Charles Wesley preach his last sermon.
In 1789 Mr. Avard was one of nine charter members of the Strangers'Friend Society, organized by Dr. Adam Clark. The object of the Societywas the relief of distressed families in the town of Bristol whereMr. Avard lived. He was made a local preacher in 1790. For a short timehe lived in London, and a daughter was buried in the City Road burying-ground. In 1806 Mr. Avard emigrated to Prince Edward Island, landing atCharlottetown on May 15th, where he remained until 1813. In the fall ofthat year he left Charlottetown, with the intention of going toWindsor, N.S., but on reaching Bay Verte he decided to stay the winterin New Brunswick. A part of the time was spent in Fort Lawrence, and inthe spring he removed to Sackville, where he made his home until nearthe close of life. He died at his son's home, in Jolicure, in hiseighty-seventh year.
Of the three children that came with Joseph Avard to America, Elizabethmarried John Boyer, of Charlottetown; Adam Clark entered the ministry,and died in Fredericton, in 1821; Joseph was educated in Bristol,England, and soon after his arrival in America found his way toChignecto and taught school several years in Point de Bute. In 1813 hemarried Margaret Wells, daughter of William Wells, of Point de Bute.They had a family of seven sons and four daughters, four of whom arestill living-John, William and Charles, of Shemogue, N.B., andMrs. McQueen, of Point de Bute. William married Eliza Trueman.
Joseph Avard, jun., was man of strong character, and when he set hiswill to do a piece of work he was generally successful. He settledfirst in Jolicure, where he conducted a farming and mercantilebusiness. He subsequently bought a large tract of land in Shemogue,N.B., and for many years he was farmer, ship-builder and merchant inthat locality, where he spent the last thirty years of his life.
In 1838, while on a business trip to River Philip, Mr. Avard wasgreatly shocked, as were the public in general, with the report that anentire family had been murdered in the vicinity, and that the man,Maurice Doyle, who was suspected of the crime, had escaped and was onhis way to the United States, his aim being to get to St. John and takeshipping there. As Doyle was known to be a desperate character, no oneseemed willing "to run him down." As soon as Mr. Avard knew the stateof affairs he at once volunteered to undertake the work. In themeantime Doyle had got a good start. At Amherst Head he hired a farmer,George Glendenning, to take him to the Four Corners, Sackville.Mrs. Glendenning was suspicious of the man, and advised her husband tohave nothing to do with him, but Mr. Glendenning laughed at her fears.The dog, however, seemed to share his mistress's suspicions, and whatwas very unusual, determined to see his master through with thebusiness. In spite of every effort the dog could not be turned backfrom following the chaise. Afterward, when Mr. Glendenning learned thecharacter of the man, he believed the dog had saved his life, for incrossing the Sackville marsh, several miles from any house, Doyle askedhim if the dog would protect him if he were attacked.
Mr. Avard always drove a good horse, and by changing horses and drivingnight and day he overtook and captured the fugitive at Sussex. At oneplace in the chase he prevented the man from getting on board thestage, but could not arrest him. When he finally apprehended thefugitive, he brought him back in his chaise and delivered him to theauthorities in Amherst, where he subsequently paid the penalty of hiscrime on the scaffold. The documents following, as will be seen, referto this piece of early history:
"SIR,—It appearing by the report of the Local Authorities at Amherstthat the prompt arrest of the supposed perpetrator of the atrociousmurders recently committed in the County of Cumberland is mainlyattributable to your zealous exertions, I have it in command to requestyou to believe that His Excellency the Lieut.-Governor andH. M. Council highly appreciate the important services which, at muchpersonal risk, you rendered in pursuing, for upwards of 100 miles, andapprehending the Prisoner; and it is my pleasing duty to request you toaccept of the best thanks of His Excellency and the Council for youradmirable conduct on that occasion. I have the honor to be
"Sir,
"Your most obedient
"Humble Servant,
"RUPERT D. GEORGE.
"JOSEPH AVARD, Esq., J.P.,
"Westmoreland."
Mr. Avard's reply.
"WESTMORELAND CO., WESTMORELAND,
"N.B., July 18th, 1838.
"SIR,—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the10th instant conveying to me in a most gratifying manner theapprobation of His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor and Her Majesty'sCouncil of my conduct in pursuing and apprehending Doyle, the supposedperpetrator of the murder in the County of Cumberland, and beg leavethrough you to acquaint His Excellency and Her Majesty's Council thatwere it possible for me to possess any stronger sense of my duty (as amagistrate) to Her Majesty and the Government than I formerly felt, Imust do so from the very handsome manner in which they have beenpleased to appreciate and acknowledge my services on that occasion.
"I have the honor to be
"Your obedient
"Humble Servant,
"JOSEPH AVARD.
"THE HONORABLE
"RUPERT D. GEORGE,
"Provincial Secretary,
Halifax, N.S."
Charles Dixon was one of the first of the Yorkshire settlers to arrivein Nova Scotia. He sailed from Liverpool on the 16th March, on boardthe DUKE OF YORK, and after a voyage of six weeks and four days arrivedsafely at the port of Halifax. Mr. Dixon says of himself: "I, CharlesDixon, was born March 8th, old style, in the year 1730, atKirleavington, near Yarm, in the east riding of Yorkshire, in OldEngland. I was brought up to the bricklayer's trade with my fatheruntil I was about nineteen years of age, and followed that calling tillthe twenty-ninth year of my age. I then engaged in a paper manufactoryat Hutton Rudby, and followed that business for the space of abouttwelve years with success. At the age of thirty-one I married SusannaCoates, by whom have had one son and four daughters." Three morechildren were added to Mr. Dixon's family, and in 1891 his descendantsin America numbered 2,807, of whom 2,067 were living and 740 had died.
Charles Dixon settled in Sackville, N.B., and very soon became one ofthe leading men in that community. He was a zealous Methodist; hisbiographer says: "His house was a home for the early Methodistpreachers, to whom he always gave a warm and hearty welcome." Mr. Dixonwas one of the members who took an active part in the erection of thefirst Methodist church in Sackville, while he and his neighbor, WilliamCornforth, whose land adjoined, jointly set apart about four acres ofland for a Methodist parsonage. One of the latest of his efforts atwriting contained instructions to his executors to sell certainarticles of his personal property to assist in furnishing the Methodistparsonage.
There are not many of the Dixon name now living in Sackville. The boysof the families have had a tendency to seek wider fields for theexercise of their energies. The late James Dixon, of Sackville, thehistorian of the family, was a man of strong character and more thanordinary ability.
William Coates Dixon married Mary J. Trueman in 1841, and resided inSackville until the death of Mrs. Dixon, which took place in 1844.Subsequently he married Harriet E. Arnold and settled on a farm atMaidstone, Essex County, Ontario. James Dixon, in his "History of theDixons," published in 1892, says of William Dixon: "He is still activeand vigorous, capable of much physical exertion, and has an excellentmemory, is a diligent reader, with a decided preference for poeticalworks, and employs some of his leisure hours in writing poeticeffusions, a talent which only developed itself when its possessor hadnearly reached his three score years and ten." We have not heard thatMr. Dixon has lost any of his vigor since the above was written, andunderstand he expects to round out the hundred.
The Prescotts were originally from Lancashire, and descended from SirJames Prescott, of Derby, in Lincolnshire. John and his wife, Mary,came from England to Boston in the year 1640. Jonathan Prescott, theirgreat-grandson, was a surgeon and captain of engineers at the siege ofLouisbourg, in 1745. After the fall of Louisbourg he retired from thearmy and settled in Nova Scotia. He did a mercantile business inHalifax, and owned property in Chester and Lunenburg, where he builtmills. "The Indians twice burnt his house in Lunenburg County.'Mr. Prescott died in Chester, in 1806, and his widow in Halifax, in1810. His son, Hon. Charles Ramage Prescott, was a prominent merchantof Halifax, but on account of failing health and to get rid of the fogmoved to King's County, N.S. He lived for years at Town Plot, where hisbeautiful place, called "Acadia Villa," was situated. He was twicemarried. His first wife was Hannah Widden. The late Charles T.Prescott, of Bay Verte, was his youngest son by his second wife, MariaHammill. Mr. Charles Prescott married Matilda E. Madden, April 30.William, Robert and Joseph, of Bay Verte, are sons of Charles T.Prescott. William married Mary Trueman, of Point de Bute.
[FOOTNOTE: *Rev. John Prince was a respected minister of the MethodistChurch. He joined the Church in Point de Bute and commenced hisministry there. END OF FOOTNOTE]
"Moncton, March 9th, 1899.
"Dear Mr. Trueman:
"I have just received your card requesting information respecting myfamily. In answer I may say that my late father was a native of NorthYarmouth, near the city of Portland, United States. He emigrated tothis country in the year 1813, located in Moncton, and was engaged inmercantile pursuits until the time of his death in 1851, paying onehundred cents on the dollar. After taking the oath of allegiance he wasappointed a magistrate, the duties of which he discharged with greatfidelity until the time of his removal from earth.
"My father was a sincere Christian and a deacon in the Baptist Church,and died much lamented. His family consisted of twelve children, sixsons and six daughters. May, the eldest, married a Mr. Gallagher andhad several children, most of whom are dead. Emily, second daughter,married Mr. John Newcomb, father of the distinguished astronomer,Prof. Newcomb, of world-wide reputation. Joseph married Miss Harris.Harriet married Mr. Thos. Trueman. William has been an accountant inthe railway offices of this city. John's wife was Miss Embree, ofAmherst, and his second wife is Mrs. Cynthia, formerly Mrs. MarinerWood. James resided in St. John; George and Henry, both dead. Georgenever married; Henry resided in Truro at the time of his death andmarried to Miss Raine, daughter of Capt. Raine, a retired navalofficer. Rebecca, Sarah and Ruth never married.
"As a family we were all as well educated as the circumstances wouldadmit. My father's people in the United States were nearly allCongregationalists, and my great-grandfather Prince was a minister ofthat body. He was pastor of a church in Newburyport, and is buried in avault under his pulpit. A few years ago I visited that place, partly tosee the church, which was built by my great-grandfather. When Sabbathmorning came I went to the church; reached it just a little after theminister in charge had commenced the service. Seeing that I was astranger, with somewhat of a clerical appearance, he came out of thepulpit to the pew where I was sitting, and said, among other things,'We are going to have the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to-day, and Iwould be glad to have you stay and assist,' which I did. At the closeof the service I remarked to the minister that I was very muchinterested in being present, as I was informed that the remains of myancestor were in the vault under the pulpit, and that I was his great-grandson. He seemed much surprised and announced the fact to thecongregation, and further said that I would preach in the afternoon,which I did. He then directed the sexton to show me down into thevault. In this vault there were the remains of three ministers in theirseparate coffins. One was a coffin containing the remains of theimmortal Whitfield. In the coffin just opposite was the remains of theRev. Joseph Prince, and in another the remains of another former pastorof the church, Rev. Mr. Parsons. I certainly was very much impressed bymy surroundings, for it was a scene the like of which I never hoped tolook upon again. This vault, I was told, had been visited by thousands,who came to look upon George Whitfield's bones, for there was nothingbut bones. Whitfield died a very short distance from the church, andthe window of the house where he breathed his last was pointed out tome. I remember with what strange feelings I lad my hand on the shade ofmy ancestor. This man had twelve sons, and there was one thing aboutthem the pastor said he knew, and that was 'that they were allPrinces.'
"We can trace our ancestry back three hundred years, and the head ofthe family was Rev. John Prince, Rector of a parish in Berkshire, Eng.I have a photograph of the stone church where he ministered. His sonswere Nonconformists, and John Prince, the first to come to thiscountry, was persecuted and driven out of his country by the cruelty ofArchbishop Laud..
"Yours very truly,
William Chapman was one of the Yorkshire emigrants that came to NovaScotia in the spring of 1775. He brought with him his wife and familyof eight children, four sons and four daughters. He purchased a largeblock of land near Point de Bute corner, with the marsh adjoining, andon this property at once settled.
William Chapman was one of the early Methodists, and it was in 1788, onan acre of land given by Mr. Chapman, and deeded to John Wesley, thatthe first Methodist church was built in Point de Bute. Later, JosephChapman, Esq., a grandson of William, gave an additional piece of land,and the whole at the present time comprises the cemetery at Point deBute.
The following letter from James Chapman, in Yorkshire, to WilliamTrueman, at Prospect, will perhaps be interesting to some of thedescendants. It was written in 1789:
"Dear Friends,—What shall I say to you? How shall I be thankfulenough for that I have once more heard of my dear old friends in NovaScotia. When John Trueman let me see your letter it caused tears ofgratitude to flow from my eyes, to hear that you were all alive, butmuch more that I had reason to believe that you were on the road toZion, with your faces thitherward. I am also thankful that I can tellyou that I and my wife and ten children are yet alive, and I hope ingood health, and I hope most of us are, though no earnestly pressing,yet we are feebly creeping towards the mark for the prize of our highcalling of God in Christ Jesus. My son, Thomas, now lives at Hawnby,and follows shoemaking; he is not married, nor any of my sons. I havethree daughters, Ann, Mary and Hannah. Ann succeeds her uncle and aunt,for they are both dead. Mary and her husband live on a little farm atBrompton, and Hannah at Helmsley. My son James is in the Excise atLondon. William and John are with me at home and George has learned thebusiness of Cabinet maker. Prudence keeps a farmer's house inCleaveland and Betty is at home and she is Taller than her mother.Thanks be to God both I and my wife enjoy a tolerable share of healthand can both work and sleep tolerably well. ________ died about lastCandlemas, which has made the society at Hawnby almost vacant for aclass leader, but I go as often as I can and your friend, BenjaminWedgewood, speaks to them when I am not there. Tho most of the oldmethodists at Hawnby are gone to Eternity, yet there is about thirtyyet. James Hewgill is married and both him and his wife are joined inthe society. There us preaching settled at Swainby and I believe ayearnest Society of aboyt Seventeen members. I often go there onSundays to preach. There has just been a Confirence at Leeds and goodold Mr. Wesley was there among them, very healthy and strong, though 86years of age. At our Hawnby Love Feast I had Mr. Swinburn and his wife2 nights at my house. They seem to be people who have religion truly atheart and both earnestly desired me to remember them Both to you inkind love and also to all their religious friends. I saw Nelly verylately at her house in North Allerton. She desires you all to pray forher, which she does for you all. My dear friends what Shall I say moreto you, But only desire you to continue in the good ways of God, andnever grow weary or faint in your minds, and then we hope to meet youin heaven. Pray give our kind loves to our old friends, your father andmother, and tell your Father when I see my Tooth drawers then I thinkof him, for he made them. My dear friends, farewell, our and ourFamily's kind love to you and all your Family, and also all the ChapmanFamilys, James and Ann Chapman. Mary Flintoff and Sara Bently are Bothalive and remains at their old Habitations, But Mary never goes to themeetings. Their children are all alive, But Sarah Flintoff and she diedat York about three or four years Since. James Flintoft is with hisunkle George Cossins at London."
The Chapmans were very fond of military life, and in the old muster,days took an active interest in the general muster. As a consequencethere was usually a colonel, a major, an adjutant or a captain in everyneighborhood where the name was found.
A story is told of Captain Henry Chapman, on his way to general muster,meeting a man with a loaded team, whose hope was to get clear ofmustering that day on the plea that he had not been long enough in thedistrict. The captain ascertained the man's views on the matter, andthen with an emphasis that indicated he was in earnest, he said, "Ifyou are not on the muster field by one o'clock I will have you fined tothe full extent of the law." One who witnessed this interview said itwas laughable to see the frightened look on the man's face, and therush he made to unhitch the team and get away to the muster fieldwithin the time stated. This same Captain Chapman was one of thekindest of men, but duty to Queen and country must not be neglected.
There was, too, a good deal of the sporting instinct in the family. Ahorse race or a fox hunt appealed to something in their nature thatstirred the pulse like wine and furnished material for conversation onmany a day afterward.
Like a good many of the first generation born in this country, theChapmans were men of grand physique. The five sons of Colonel HenryChapman, of Point de Bute, each measured six feet or over, and werefinely proportioned. Two of the sons, Joseph and Stephen, were amongthe volunteers in the war of 1812, and they both lived to pass thefour-score mark.
The children of the first Wm. Chapman were: William, who married aMiss Dixon, of Sackville, and settled in Fort Lawrence on a part of theold Eddy grant; and Thomas, who married Miss Kane, formerly a schoolteacher, from New England. They settled beside William. John marriedSarah Black, of Amherst, and settled in Dorchester. Henry marriedMiss Seaman, of Wallace, and remained on the farm at Point de Bute.Mary married George Taylor, Memramcook. Jane married John Smith, ofFort Lawrence, and was the mother of nine strapping boys, all of whomproved good men for the country. Sally married Richard Black, ofAmherst. They settled first at River Philip, but later came back toAmherst and lived on the farm his father first purchased in Cumberland.Nancy was twice married—first to Thomas Robinson, and after his deathto James Roberts. Her home was in Amherst.
James Dixon, in his "History of the Dixons," says he thinks thedescendants of William and Mary Chapman now number more than thedescendants of any of the other Yorkshire families. Rev. DouglasChapman, D.D., Rev. Eugene Chapman, Rev. Carritte Chapman, Rev. W. Y.Chapman, and Ephraim Chapman, barrister, are of this family.
The late Albert Chapman, of Boston, U.S., was very much interested inlooking up family history, and spent a good deal of time in gatheringinformation about the Chapman family. The following letters andextracts which were received by him some years before he died may addinterest to this sketch:
"13 CHIPPING HOUSE ROAD,"SHARROW, SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND,"Jan. 15th, 1881.
"SIR,—You will no doubt be surprised to receive a letter from anunknown relative.
"We were much pleased to learn you had made enquiries about the Chapmanfamily after so long a silence. We often heard father speak of unclewho left Hawnby Hall for America and could not get any letter answered.Most of the Chapman family have passed away since he left. We have thefour grandchildren left belonging to Thomas Chapman, brother to yourgrandfather. The grandfather has been dead eighty years, and our fatherhas been dead forty-five years.
"We should be glad to see you or any of the Chapman family if you couldtake a tour and see the place where your ancestors lived. The house andfarm are still in the family and should be glad to accommodate you ifyou could come over, and we shall be glad to hear all the news aboutthe family who lived and died in America.
"With best wishes to you and your,
"I remain yours,
"MARY WALTON."
Extract from a letter from Thos. J. Wilkinson to A. Chapman, Boston:
"I have visited Hawnby a few times; it is most romantically situatedabout ten miles from Thirsk, rather difficult of access on account ofthe steep ascents which have to be climbed and precipitously descendedbefore it can be reached.
"As I am acquainted with the clergyman who has been there many years,the Rev. O. A. Manners (connected with the Duke of Rutland's family) Iwrote him and received the following letter:
"April 2nd, 1880.
"I have examined the register and found frequent mention of the name of
Chapman of Hawnby Hall, viz., 'March 22, 1761—John, son of William
Chapman, Hawnby Hall, baptized. Feb. 3, 1763—Thomas Chapman, of the
Hall, died aged 75 years.'
"It would seem that the foregoing William Chapman was the son of Thomas
Chapman and the man who landed in Halifax in 1775.
"About the latter date a family by the name of Barr came to reside atthe Hall.
"James Cornforth of this place, who is in his 80th year, is related tothis family. The said William Chapman being his great-uncle (maternal).
"The Hall is now, and has been for many years, a farm house.
The following names appear in the directory among the residents of
Billsdale:
Joseph Chapman, Farmer
Robert Chapman, Farmer
Robert Chapman, Shoemaker
Robert Strickland Chapman, Farmer
Garbuth Chapman, Farmer, Dale Town.
John Carter (the first) came from Yorkshire to Nova Scotia in 1774. Hiswife was Jane Thompson. They settled near Fort Cumberland, and had afamily of three sons, Thomas, Christopher and John. Thomas marriedMiss Siddall and settled first at Westcock, Sackville Parish, butafterwards moved to Dorchester. Christopher married a Miss Roberts andsettled at Westmoreland Point, near his father. John married Miss AnneLowerison and remained on the homestead. The three brothers all hadlarge families, the boys outnumbering the girls, which is the reason,no doubt, that the Carter name is more in evidence in the district thanany other Yorkshire name.
John Carter's descendants still own the farm their great-grandfatherfirst purchased in Nova Scotia. John Carter, sen., was drowned whilefording the Missiquash River while on his way home from Amherst. Hiswidow afterward became the second wife of William Chapman, of Point deBute. Mr. Carter and his sons were honest men, and the name stillstands well for fair dealing. Inspector Carter, of St. John, N.B.;Herbert Carter, M.D., of Port Elgin, N.B.; Titus Carter, barrister, ofFredericton, N.S., and Councillor Carter of Salisbury, N.B., aremembers of this family.
There were three Trenholm brothers in the Yorkshire contingent,
Matthew, Edward, and John. Matthew settled at Windsor, Edward at River
Francis, in the Upper Provinces, and John at Point de Bute on the
Inverma Farm. This farm was probably confiscated to the Crown after
Sheriff Allan left the country.
Just where Mr. Trenholm lived before he got possession of Inverma Ihave no information, but as Sheriff Allan had several tenants, it isquite probable that Mr. Trenholm was one of them. John Trenholm's wifewas a Miss Coates. They had three sons—John, William, and Robert—andthree daughters.
John married a Miss Foster and settled on a Brook farm at Point de ButeCorner and afterwards built a mill on the Brook. His grandson, Abijah,now owns this part of the property and turns out flour at the oldstand. William married a Miss Ryan and owned a large farm in Point deBute, on the north-west side of the ridge. Robert settled at CapeTormentine in 1810, and the following table shows the names of hischildren and grandchildren:
Children. Grandchildren. Children. Grandchildren.
Stephen 11 Abner 6
John 5 Job 10
Hannah 10 Ruth 12
William 10 Thomas 10
Phoebe 11 Jane 8
Robert 10 Benjamin 9
Total 112
Hiram and Abijah and their families are now the only descendants of thename living in Point de Bute.
The Trenholms were quiet, industrious men, very neat about their work,and made successful farmers.
Hugh Logan was one of the eleven hundred and seventy six settlers who,with their families, arrived at Chebucto (Halifax Harbor) on the 2nd ofJuly, 1749. "This plan of sending out settlers to Nova Scotia wasadopted by the British Government, and the lords of trade, by theKing's command, advertised in March, 1749, offering to all officers andprivate men discharged from the army and navy, and to artificersnecessary in building and husbandry, free passages, provisions for thevoyage, and subsistence for a year after landing, arms, ammunition andutensils of industry, free grants of land in the Province, and a civilgovernment with all the privileges enjoyed in the other Englishcolonies."
Parliament voted L 40,000 sterling for the expense of this undertaking.
Colonel the Honorable Edward Cornwallis was gazetted Governor of Nova
Scotia, May 9th, 1749, and sailed for the Province in the sloop-of-war
SPHINX. On the 14th, of June, just a month after leaving home, the
SPHINX made the coast of Nova Scotia, but having no pilot on board,
cruised off the land until the 21st June. On that day they entered
Halifax Harbor.
Cornwallis writes, June 22nd: "The coasts are as rich as ever theyhave been represented to be. We caught fish every day since we camewithin forty leagues of the coast. The harbor itself is full of fish ofall kinds. All the officers agree the harbor is the finest they haveever seen. The country is one continual wood, no clear spot is to beseen or heard of."
Mr. Logan entered into the spirit of the first builders of the newProvince, and did his work to the best of his ability. His son, Hugh,came to Chignecto early in the history of the country and settled atAmherst Point. Hugh Logan was the founder of the family in Cumberlandand became one of the solid men of the place. He is said to have beenthe owner of the first two-wheeled chaise in the district. SheriffLogan, of Amherst, and Hance Logan, M.P. for Cumberland County, N.S.,are descendants of Hugh Logan.
The Allisons came from the County of Londonderry, in Ireland, near thewaters of Lough Foyle. Joseph Allison was born about 1720, and when hereached manhood's estate he rented a farm owned by a LondonCorporation, paying yearly rates, which were collected by an agent inIreland. On the occasion of a visit from the agent to collect the renthe was invited by Mr. Allison to dine with them. The best the houseafforded was given to him as an honored guest. On that day silverspoons were used. Turning to Mr. Allison the agent said, "I see thatyou can afford to have silver on your table. If you can afford this youcan pay more rent; your next year's rent will be increased." "I willpay no more rent," said Mr. Allison, "I'll go to America first." Theagent increased the rent the next year, and Mr. Allison sold hisproperty and with his wife and six children, in 1769, left the home ofhis fathers and embarked from Londonderry for the New World. Heintended to land at Philadelphia, having friends in Pennsylvania withwhom he had corresponded and who had urged him to come to that State tosettle. The passage was rough, and the vessel was wrecked on SableIsland, and Mr. Allison and his family were taken to Halifax, N.S.
Through the influence of the British Admiral Cochrane, then on thecoast, Mr. Allison and the others that came with him were induced tosettle in Nova Scotia. Mr. Allison purchased a farm in Horton, King'sCounty, on the border of the historic Grand Pre, where he lived untilhis death, in 1794. His wife was Mrs. Alice Polk, of Londonderry. Shesurvived him for several years, and gave the historic silver spoons toher youngest child, Nancy (Mrs. Leonard), who lived to be ninety yearsof age. They are now in the family of her great-grandson, the lateHon. Samuel Leonard Shannon, of Halifax.
Mr. Joseph Allison was a farmer. Many of his descendants have beenprominent in the political, religious and commercial life of NovaScotia in the last hundred years. A goodly number of these have stoodby the fine old occupation of their ancestor.
Charles Allison (second), who married Milcah Trueman, was the founderof Mount Allison Educational Institution, at Sackville, N.B. Hisbiographer says of him: "The name of no member of the Allison familyis so widely known throughout Eastern British America as his," and "inhim the noblest character was associated with the most unassumingdemeanor." Charles and Joseph, brothers, were the first of the name tosettle in Sackville. Dr. David Allison, President of Mount AllisonUniversity, and J. F. Allison, Postmaster, represent the name now inthat place. The mother of the late Hon. William Crane, of Sackville,was Rebecca Allison, daughter of the first Joseph Allison.
The Gallaghers were a north of Ireland family. Hugh, who married AliceTrueman, was a most enterprising and capable man. He was a successfulfarmer and also a contractor. He built the last covered bridge over theTantramar, a structure that was burned in the summer of 1901. He wasalso one of the contractors on the Eastern Extension Railway, fromMoncton to the Nova Scotia border, and lost heavily by the Saxby tide.He was one of the pioneers in getting steamers to run to Sackville,before the railway was built, and part owner of the old steamer"PRINCESS ROYAL," that ran on this route.
Captain Smith came from Ireland to America at the beginning of the lastcentury. He married a Miss Shipley. He was master of a schooner thatran between St. John and the ports at the head of the Bay. On his lasttrip the schooner took plaster at Nappan Bridge for St. John and waslost with all on board.
Francis Smith, son of Capt. Smith, married Mary Trueman, and had alarge family. Mr. Smith was an honest and most industrious man. He lefta large property at Nappan, N.S., to his sons, who inherited theirfather's virtues.
Thomas Coates emigrated from Yorkshire, England, to Nova Scotia in theyear, 1774, and settled at Nappan, Cumberland County. His son, Robert,by his second wife, married Jane Ripley, and inherited the homestead.This property is now owned by his grandson, Rupert Coates. JosephCoates, a son of Robert, married Mary Lawrence. They had a family often children.
Mr. Coates was a successful farmer and amassed a large property. Hissons, Thompson and Rupert, are at the present time prominent men andleading farmers of Nappan, N.S. Another branch of the Coates' familyremoved to King's County, N.B., and planted the name there.
James Fullerton was from the Highlands of Scotland. He came to NovaScotia in 1790, and settled at Halfway River, Cumberland County. Hiswife was a Miss McIntosh. The eldest son, Alexander, was born beforethey left Scotland; and one son and three daughters were born in thiscountry. Alexander had a family of three sons and five daughters. Jamesmarried Jane Lawrence, and Jesse married Eunice Lawrence. The eldestdaughter, Anna, married Amos Lawrence, and the youngest, Lavina,married Douglas Pugsley, of Nappan, whose first wife was CarolineLawrence. James Fullerton (second) took an active interest in politics,and was a prominent man in the county for many years. He was one of themen that supplied the Halifax market with Cumberland beef. Although astout man in late years, he was very active on his feet, and few mencould out-walk him, even after he was seventy years old.
Samuel Embree was a Loyalist from White Haven, New York. He commandedthe Light Horse Dragoons during the Revolutionary War, and at its closehis landed estate was confiscated. He then left the country and settledin Amherst, N.S. The British Government did not forget his services forthe lost cause, and he drew a pension to the end of his life.
Cyrus Black says, in his "History of the Blacks," that Mrs. Embree oncedistinguished herself on a trip from Eastport to the Isthmus. Thecaptain was incapable of managing the boat through drink, and there wasno man to take his place. Mrs. Embree took the helm and brought theschooner safe to Aulac."
Thomas and Israel, Mr. Embree's sons, remained on the homestead at
Amherst. Elisha, a third son, settled at Amherst Head, now called
Warren. A daughter married Luther Lusby. A grand-daughter of Israel
married William L. Trueman.
Six brothers came to America from Yorkshire. Henry, John and WilliamRipley came in 1774; Joseph, Robert, and Thomas, later. Henry settledin Nappan, and his wife was Mary Fawcett, daughter of John Fawcett, ofLower Sackville, N.B. Henry and Mary Ripley had a family of sixteenchildren. Henry Ripley occupied a rented farm the first years in thiscountry, but later purchased a farm from the DeBarres estate, 600 acresof marsh and upland, for L 600, and became a very prosperous farmer.The name is pretty well scattered, but there are Ripleys still inNappan who, like their ancestors, are men of integrity.
The Pugsleys were Loyalists. David Pugsley came from White Plains, NewYork, to Nova Scotia, when a young man, and settled in Amherst. The onehundred acres of land given him by the Government was at Wallace. Hewas twice married. His first wife, by whom he had one son, was aMiss Horton. His second wife was a Miss Ripley, and had twelvechildren, seven daughters and five sons.
Mrs. Pugsley had a brother John, who was a half-pay officer in theBritish army. This brother lived a short time at Fort Lawrence, and hadone son, named Daniel. John Pugsley and his wife left this son withfriends in Petitcodiac, and returned either to the States or to GreatBritain. They were not heard from afterward. The Pugsleys of King'sCounty and St. John are descendants of this Daniel. Those in Cumberlandare descended from David. The Pugsleys are good citizens, and generallyhave the means and the disposition to help a neighbor in need.
The Finlays came from the north of Ireland about the year 1820. JaneFinlay, who married John Trueman, was born on the banks ofNewfoundland, on the voyage out, and only just escaped being calledNancy, after the ship. David and Margaret Mitchell came from theneighborhood of Londonderry, in Ireland to Nova Scotia, in 1829. DavidPatterson came from Maghera, Culnady County Antrim, Ireland, in June,1839. These families all settled in Cumberland County, bordering on theStraits of Northumberland. The Doyles emigrated to Nova Scotia, about1790, and settled at Five Islands, Parrsboro.
It is said David Patterson studied for the church, and perhaps that, inpart, accounts for the fact that four of his children are, or havebeen, teachers. A daughter has just offered and been accepted for theforeign missions. Mrs. Patterson writes: "Daisy has offered herself asa medical missionary and been accepted. She will leave for China nextSeptember, via San Francisco. It is something I can hardly talk about,yet I would rather she would go there than marry the richest man in theUnited States, for it is a grand thing to work for the Lord Jesus. Iremember," she goes on to say, "of being told that grandmother Truemanhad faith to believe God would save all her children and grandchildrendown to the fourth generation, and don't you think we are reaping thefruit of grandmother's faith and prayers to the present day?"
Two sons of Thomas Mitchell are in the Presbyterian ministry.
Of this Scotch-Irish stock Hon. Charles Bell says: "The Scotch-Irishwere people of Scottish lineage who dwelt upon Irish soil. They stucktogether and kept aloof from the native Celtic race." Macaulay says:"They sprang from different stocks. They spoke different languages.They had different national characteristics as strongly opposed as anytwo national characters in Europe. Between two such populations therecould be little sympathy, and centuries of calamities and wrongs hadgenerated a strong antipathy. The Scotch planted upon Irish soil wereScotch still, and the Irish were Irish still." One of their ownwriters says: "If we be not the very peculiar people, we Scotch-Irishare a most peculiar people, who have ever left our own broad distinctmark wherever we have come, and have it in us still to do the same,even our critics being the judges. These racial marks are birth-marks,and birth-marks are indelible. They are principles. The principles arethe same everywhere, and these principles are of four classes:religious, moral, intellectual and political."
I have been led to make these quotations referring to the Scotch-Irishbecause I have found so many of them among the early settlers of thiscountry, and wherever they are found they have proved true to theirlineage.
Others embraced in this emigration are: Clark, Moffat, Logan, Dickey,
McElmon, McClennen, Allison, and Dickson or Dixon.
Three brothers name Fawcett—William, John and Robert—came to NovaScotia from Hovingham, Yorkshire, in the spring of 1774. William, withhis and three children, settled in Upper Sackville, on the farm nowowned by Charles George. John settled in Lower Sackville, near presentMount Allison Academy, and built a mill on the brook that runs throughthe farm. The Fawcett foundry stands on what was the bed of the oldmill-pond. Robert was a sea captain. He removed his family to theUnited States and was afterwards lost at sea. One of his sons lost hislife in the same way.
William's children were: John, William and Polly. John marriedMrs. Eleanor Colpitts, nee Eleanor Forster, of Amherst, and had fourchildren, George, Ann, William and Eleanor.
William (second) married Sarah Holmes. Their children were Rufus and
Betsy.
Polly married John Dobson, who afterwards moved to Sussex. The Dobsonsof Sussex and Upper Dorchester belong to this family.
John Fawcett (first), Lower Sackville, had four children—two sons,
Robert and John, and two daughters, Mary and Nancy. Of these, Robert
married ——- Seaman; John married Jane Black; Mary married Henry
Ripley, and Nancy married John Ogden. Robert, a son of the second
Robert, married Jane Trueman, daughter of William Trueman.
In 1817 (March 22nd) Thomas Fawcett, of Stockton Forest, Yorkshire,sailed from Hull on the ship VALIANT, bound for Charlottetown, P. E.Island. The voyage lasted seventy-three days. About the middle of thevoyage the VALIANT came across a Scotch brig in a sinking condition andtook on board her sixty passengers and crew. There were one hundred andninety-three immigrants on the ship when she arrived at herdestination.
Thomas Fawcett settled first at Cove Head, P.E.I. He afterward moved toSackville, and finally located at Salisbury. He had three sons, one nowliving in Carleton County, N.B., one in Salisbury, and John is one ofthe solid men to Tidnish.
Other passengers on the VALIANT were: John Milner, settled inSackville; John Towse, settled in Dorchester; Robert Morrison, settledin Sussex; Robert Mitten and family, settled in Coverdale.
Isaac Evans came to this country, probably from the United States,shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war. The family wasoriginally from Wales. He was married to Miss Lydia Jenks, and settledwithin a few rods of the old Botsford place at Westcock. They had sevenchildren, all born in this country—James, Isaac, William, Lydia, Mary,Ann and Beriah. James married Miss Barnes, and Mr. Isaac N. Evans, theonly man of the name now living in the parish, is a son of theirs. Hisname and his brother William's are to be found in the list of studentsattending Mount Allison Academy in 1843. Isaac drowned off GrindstoneIsland when twenty-four years old, in 1819. William married aMiss Estabrooks, and they had ten children—James Isaac, who diedrecently at Shediac, where his family still live; Evander Valentine,who lived in Sackville and was well known as Captain Evans; Jane, whomarried Marcus Trueman, and now lives in California; William MurrayStuart, who at one time had charge of the Westmoreland Bank in Moncton;George Edwin, a mechanic, who moved early in life to the United States;Henry, who served on the side of the North in the War of Secession;Charles, who married a daughter of the late John Fawcett, but diedyoung. Lydia married Lewis Jenks; Mary never married, but lived to beold, and was known by her friends as "Aunt Polly"; Ann married JohnBoultonhouse, and Beriah married John Stuart. Isaac Evans, the originalsettler, was drowned off Partridge Island, St. John, June, 1798, agedthirty-four. Lydia, his wife, died November 11th, 1842, in her seventy-fourth year.
William Wood was from Buriston, near Bedale, in the West Riding ofYorkshire. His wife was Elizabeth Clarkson. They emigrated to Americawith the first Yorkshire contingent (1772-3). Shortly after coming tothis country Mrs. Wood died, leaving three children—a son and twodaughters. The son was born on St. Valentine's Day, and was namedValentine. Mr. Wood's second wife was the widow of an officer who hadserved at Fort Cumberland. Mr. Wood was at the "Fort" when the Eddyrebels attacked that place, and distinguished himself by his bravery.He was drowned in the Bay of Fundy.
Valentine Wood married and settled in Point de Bute. His familyconsisted of eleven children: William, who died in boyhood; Edward,Rufus, Joshua, Cyrus, Thomas, Albert, Mary Ann, Cynthia, Amelia, andthe youngest, Rebecca (Mrs. Thompson Trueman, of Sackville, N.B.)
Edward was named for an uncle in England. He made his home in BayVerte, N.B., and became a most useful and acceptable Methodist localpreacher. Two of the Wood family were teachers. Thomas W. was aprominent and successful educationalist. The Wood family were more thanordinarily gifted intellectually. Albert, the youngest son, becamecelebrated as a skilful and successful sea captain. He published abook, entitled "Great Circle Sailing," that quite changed the methods,in some particulars, from which ships had been navigated previously.Captain Wood finally settled in California, where he now lives, and isan enthusiastic temperance worker and writer. Joshua was musicallyinclined, and taught the old fashioned singing school. He possessedcharacteristics that made him quite a hero with many of his friends.
Most of the descendants of William Wood bearing the name have removedfrom the country.
The Harris name is one of the oldest in Canada. Arthur Harris came fromPlymouth, England, to Bridgewater, New England, in 1650. He removedfrom there to Danby, and from Danby to Boston in 1696. His son, Samuel,was with Captain Ben Church's expedition to Acadia in 1704, and shortlyafter Acadia came into possession of the English he settled inAnnapolis. Michael Spurr Harris, a grandson of Samuel Harris, was bornat Annapolis Royal in 1804. His wife, Sarah Ann Troop, was born inAylesford in 1806. Michael Harris started in business in St. John in1826; in 1837 he removed his family to Moncton and opened a generalstore and carriage building establishment, and soon after addedshipbuilding to the business. After his death the business was verysuccessfully conducted for many years by his two sons, the late JohnHarris and Christopher Harris.
This firm was always abreast of the times, and the city of Moncton owesmuch to its enterprise and farsightedness. The late Mrs. John A.Humphrey was a daughter of Michel Spurr Harris.
The Mains are Scotch. The family tree goes back to the beginning of thefifteenth century, one branch including the present Lord Rosebery andSir William Alexander, who are one time owned Nova Scotia and gave theProvince its name. David Main with two of his sons, John and James,emigrated from Dumfries. Scotland, to Richibucto, New Brunswick, in thespring of 1821, and settled at Galloway, on the farm now owned byRobert Main, a grandson of David, and son of James. James married JaneMurray, of Shemogue. James Main, of Botsford, is also a son of theirs.John married Jean Johnstone, and lived in Kingston, now called Rexton.Mary Jean Main, wife of Howard Trueman, is his daughter. The late DavidMain, of St. Stephen, was a son of John Main.
Four brothers named Sharp came to the Isthmus from Cornwallis, N.S.,
about the year 1812. Matthew settled in Nappan, William in Maccan,
Allan in Amherst, and John in Sackville. Samuel Sharp, who married
Fanny Trueman, was a son of William Sharp.
Two of William Trueman's sons married into the Weldon family. I am notable to give any more information about the Weldons than is found inthe "History of the Blacks," which is as follows: "A Mr. Weldon leftLondon for Halifax in 1760. The vessel in which he sailed was wreckedon the coast of Portugal. Returning to London, in 1761, he found thathis wife and family had sailed for Halifax, where he joined them in thefall of the same year." Mr. Weldon settled first in Hillsboro andlater removed to Dorchester, where the name has remained ever since.Dr. Weldon, Dean of the Halifax Law School, belongs to this family.
Adam Scott was from Langholm, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. He emigrated toNew Brunswick with his wife and family in 1834, landing first atQuebec. He settled in Shemogue, Westmoreland County. His wife's namewas Janet Amos. He had eight children. Two of the sons and the eldestdaughter, Janet, married into William Trueman's family. The daughter,Mrs. Joseph Trueman, is still living, bright and cheerful, in the 84thyear of her age. Mr. Scott was one of the most prosperous farmers inthe district in which he settled, and lived to be ninety-nine years ofage.
This name is believed to have come from bent grass, "a stiff, wirygrowth, little known in America." John Bent, the first of the name inAmerica, was born in Penton-Grafton, England, in November, 1596. Hecame to America in his forty-second year, and settled in Sudbury, Mass.The Bents came to Nova Scotia around 1760. The names of Jesse and JohnBent are found on the list of grantees for the township of Cumberlandin 1763, to which reference has previously been made. Sarah A. Bent,daughter of Martin Bent, married Edward Trueman.
Mary Jewett, who married Alder Trueman, of Sackville, and Asa Coy, whomarried Catherine Trueman, of Point de Bute, were of the New Englandemigration that settled on the St. John River in 1762-3.
John Harrison, of Rillington, Yorkshire, England, and his wife, SarahLovell, of the same place with their family arrived in CumberlandCounty, Nova Scotia, in the spring of 1774, and settled on the MaccanRiver. They had family as follows: Luke, born August 25th, 1754,married Tryphena Bent, November 22nd, 1789; John, married twice, firstwife Dinah Lumley, of Yorkshire, England, and second Charlotte Mills,of the State of New York; Thomas born March 28th, 1762, married MaryHenry; William, born March 25th, 1770, married Jane Coates; Mary,married Matthew Lodge; Sarah, married James Brown; Nancy, married JohnLumley; Hannah, married John Lambert; Elizabeth, married Henry Furlong.
Luke Harrison (son of John) and his wife Tryphena Bent, had family as
follows: Jane, married William Bostock; Margaret; George, married
Sarah Hodson; Hannah married George Boss; Amy, married Thos. Dodsworth;
Eunice, married Amos Boss; Elizabeth, married William Smith; Joseph;
Jesse, married Elizabeth Hoeg.
John Harrison (son of John), whose first wife was Dinah Lumley, and
second Charlotte Mills, had family as follows: Sarah, John, Maria,
Lovell, Mary, Charlotte, Rebecca; William, married Elizabeth Brown;
James.
Thomas Harrison (son of John) and his wife Mary Henry, had family asfollows: Luke, married Hannah Lodge; Sarah, married Martin Hoeg;Clementina, married Joseph Moore; Harriet, married William Coates;Thomas, married Clementina Stockton; Tillott, married Eunice Lockwood;Mary, married Gideon Trueman; Ruth, married Hugh Fullerton; Henry,first wife Phoebe Chipman, and second A. M. Randall.
William Harrison (son of John) and his wife, Jane Coates, had family asfollows: Sarah, married Robert Oldfield; Thomas, married ElizabethShipley; Edward; William, married Mary Tait; John, married JerushaLewis; Ann, married David Keiver; Joseph, married Jane Ripley; James,married Mary Lewis; Robert, married Hannah Wood; Jane, married NathanHoeg; Luke; Brown, married Mary Ann Coates; Hannah, married David Long.
Luke Harrison (son of Thomas and Mary), was born August 10th, 1787, and
died November 12th, 1865. He and his wife, Hannah Lodge, moved from
Maccan River, N.S., to Dutch Valley, near Sussex, N.B., and had family
as follows: William Henry, married three times, first wife was Sarah
Slocomb, second Rebecca Slocomb, and third Lavina M. Knight; Charles
Clement; Mary Ann, married J. Nelson Coates, of Smith's Creek, King's
County, N.B.; Thomas Albert, married Isabel Stevenson, of St. Andrew's,
N.B.; Joseph Lodge, married Charlotte Snider, of Dutch Valley, Sussex,
N.B.
William Henry Harrison (son of Luke Harrison and Hannah Lodge), wasborn July 20th, 1813, at Sussex, N.B., and died May 2nd, 1901, atSackville, N.B. He had no family by his first and second wives. He andhis third wife, Lavina M. Knight, daughter of Rev. Richard Knight,D.D., of Devonshire, England, had family as follows: Richard Knight,married to Anne Graham, of Sussex, N.B., living at Colorado Springs,Colorado, U.S.A.; Hannah Lovell, dead; William Henry, of Sackville,N.B.; Charles Allison, dead; F. A. Lovell, of St. John, N.B.; AlbertThornton, of New York City; Mary Louisa, married to T. Dwight Pickard,of Sackville, N.B., living at Fairview, B.C.; Frank Allison, ofSackville, N.B., married to Flora Anderson.
John Harrison, of Rillington, Yorkshire, England, who settled at MaccanRiver, N.S., Canada, in 1774, was a relative of John Harrison, born atFoulby, in the Parish of Wragley, near Pontrefact, Yorkshire, May,1693. John Harrison, of Foulby, was the inventor of the chronometer,for which he received from the British Government the sum of L 20,000.He died at his home in Red Lion Square, London, in 1776. Thechronometer accepted by the Government from John Harrison was seen inJuly, 1901, at Guildhall, London.
The following letters were written by members of the Harrison family tofriends in England.
William H. Harrison, a descendant of John Harrison, visited Yorkshireabout the year 1854, and received the letters from friends there,bringing them back to Nova Scotia, where they were written so manyyears before. They are interesting as giving the experience of theemigrant in the new country. The first was written by Luke, a young mantwenty years old, who had come to Nova Scotia with his father and hadbeen in the country but three months. The second was written by JohnHarrison, a brother of Luke's, in 1803, after they had tested thecountry.
"TO MR. WILLIAM HARRISON,
"Rillington, Yorkshire,
"England.
"June 30th, 1774.
"DEAR COUSIN,—"Hoping these lines will find you in good health, as we are at present,bless God for it. We have all gotten safe to Nova Scotia, but do notlike it at all, and a great many besides us, and are coming back toEngland again, all that can get back. We do not like the country, notnever shall. The mosquitos are a terrible plague in this country. Youmay think that mosquitos cannot hurt, but if you do you are mistaken,for they will swell you legs and hands so that some persons are bothblind and lame for some days. They grow worse every year and they bitethe English the worst. We have taken a farm of one Mr. Barron, for oneyear, or longer if we like. The rent is L 20 a year. We have 10 cows,4 oxen, 20 sheep, one sow, and one breeding mare. He will take the rentin butter or cheese, or cattle. The country is very poor, and there isvery little money about Cumberland. The money is not like our Englishmoney. An English guinea is L 1 3s. 4d. In Nova Scotia money a dollaris equal to 5 shillings, and a pistereen is a shilling. In haying timemen have 3 shillings a day for mowing. The mosquitos will bite themvery often so that they will throw down their scythes and run home,almost bitten to death, and there is a black fly worse than all therest. One is tormented all the summer with mosquitos, and almost frozento death in the winter. Last winter they had what was reckoned to be afine winter, and the frost was not out of the ground on the 20th day ofJune, which I will affirm for truth. I shall let you know the affairsof the country another year, if God spare life and health. Dear cousin,remember me to my uncle and aunt and to all that ask after me.
"From your well wisher,
"LUKE HARRISON.
"Direct your letters to John Harrison or Luke Harrison, at the River a
Bare, nigh Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia."
"TO MR. JOHN HARRISON,
"Rillington, near Motton,
"Yorkshire, England.
"Maccan River, N.S.,
"June 24th, 1810.
"Long ago I have had it in agitation of writing to you and now anopportunity is just at hand, which I gladly now embrace, hoping theselines will find you and your family all in good health, as me and myfamily are the same, thanks be to him that ruleth over all. I am nowgoing to give you a little sketch of our country, of Bonny Nova Scotia,and the advantages and disadvantages. I settled here on this riverabout 23 years ago, upon lands that had never been cultivated, all awilderness. We cut down the wood of the land and burnt it off, andsowed it with wheat and rye, so that we have made out a very goodliving. Here we make our own sugar, our own soap and candles, andlikewise our own clothing. We spin and weave our own linen and wool,and make the biggest part of it into garments within our own family.This, I suppose, you will think strange, but it is merely for want ofsettlers and more mechanics of different branches. There were twenty-five petitioned to the Government for new lands when I settled here,and we all drew 500 acres of land each. I bought 500 acres joiningmine, which cost me about eighteen pounds, and my part of the grantcost eight pounds. I have lived on it ever since and make out a verygood living. We milk ten cows, keep one yoke of oxen, three horses,betwixt twenty and thirty sheep. I do not doubt but that in the run often years more I shall be able to milk twenty cows. We generally killevery fall six or eight hogs. We use betwixt four hundred and fivehundred pounds of sugar every year for tea and other necessaries. Thedisadvantage we have here is in the winters being so long. There is sixmonths to fodder our cattle, and what is worse than all the rest, thesnow falling so deep, sometimes four feet. The last three or fourwinters have been very moderate, which we think is owing to the countryand woods being cleared more away. We have very much trouble withbears, as they destroy our sheep and cattle so much.
"N.B.—I have two sons, up young men. Pray send them each a good,industrious wife. Pray send out a ship-load of young women, for thereis a great call for them that can card and spin. The wages are fromfive to six shillings a week."
IN the early part of the last century several emigrants from the OldCountry found their way to Prospect Farm, with whom family friendshipswere formed and remained unbroken for many years. The Davis family isone of these.
Daniel Davis came from a small town near Bristol, England. He was aweaver by trade, but owing to the introduction of the power loom inGreat Britain, which ruined the hand-loom industry, Mr. Davis came toAmerica in the hope of finding some other means of gaining alivelihood. He with his wife and one child came to Prince Edward Islandin 1812. They were greatly disappointed with the appearance of thingson the island, and Mrs. Davis says she cried nearly all the time theystayed there. After a year on the island Mr. Davis moved to Point deBute. Although he was a small man and not accustomed to farm work, heremained in Point de Bute for ten years and made a good living for hisincreasing family. At the end of that time he got a grant of good landin Little Shemogue, on what is now called the Davis Road. On this landMr. Davis put up a log house and moved his family there. Afterundergoing most of the privations incidental to such an experience,success came, and with is a comfortable and happy old age. In his lateryears Mr. Davis made a trip to his old home in England, and received asubstantial legacy that awaited him there. He had a family of tenchildren, five sons and five daughters. Henry, the second son, was amember of the family at Prospect for fourteen years, and came to belooked upon almost as a son. John settled in Leicester, N.S., and was asuccessful farmer, with a large family. One son is a Methodist ministerin the Nova Scotia Conference, and another is stipendiary magistratefor the town of Amherst.
Henry Davis was a miller, and settled first in Amherst. One of hissons, T. T. Davis, is a professor in a western College. The other sonsof Daniel Davis were farmers, two of whom remained at the old home inShemogue, where some of their descendants still live.
John Woods was another of the early emigrants who found his way toProspect. He was a Manxman. After a time he bought a farm at Tidnish,N.S., and subsequently moved to the Gulf Shore, Wallace. Mr. Woodsvisited Prospect Farm in the seventies, and was greatly delighted tosee the old place again.
Samson Clark was also a member of the family for a time. He was abrother of the late Alexander Clark, D.D. When he left Prospect helocated on a farm on what he called the "Roadside," back of Amherst,N.S., now Salem. Samson, although a strong man physically, and withplenty of brains, did not make life a success. He became blind in hislater years, and never prospered financially. Politically Mr. Clarkwould stand for a countryman of his who, when asked soon after landingin America what his politics were, answered, "Is there a governmenthere?" He was told that there was. "Then," said he, "I'm ag'in thegovernment."
Isaac Vandegrift came from Halifax to Point de Bute. His mother was awidow. He married Miriam Smith, from Sackville, and the ceremony tookplace at the "Brick House," Prospect. Isaac settled at Hall's Hill, butafterward moved back to Point de Bute. He was an excellent ploughman,and was one of the drovers north when the Richibucto and Miramichimarkets were supplied with beef from the Westmoreland marshes. Hecontracted consumption and died comparatively young. Mrs. Edward Jones,of Point de Bute, is the only one of his five children now living.
A family named Ireland came to Prospect early in the centry, and Mr.Trueman took some trouble in assisting Mr. Ireland to locate. Theseentries are found in the journal: "May, 1811—Robert goes to Amherstfor Mr. Ireland's goods," and, later, Mr. Trueman "goes with Mr.Ireland and Amos Fowler to Westcock for advice." Mr. Ireland moved toKing's County, where he farmed for a time. Later he went to Ontario.The late Hon. George Ryan, when at Ottawa, met some members of theIreland family and renewed old acquaintanceship after a separation offorty years.
Extracts from the historical paper read at the re-union of the Colpittsfamily in Coverdale, Albert County, Sept. 6th, 1900:
"In the spring of 1783, immediately after the close of theRevolutionary War, there came to Halifax, from Newcastle-on-Tyne,England, a tall, stalwart Englishman with his wife and family of sevenchildren. The name of the man was Robert Colpitts, as far as we knowthe only one of the name to come out from the Mother Country, and theprogenitor of all on this side of the Atlantic who bear the name. Whathis occupation or position in society was before his emigration we canonly conjecture. Strange to say, there does not exist a scrap ofwriting which throws any light on these questions, and tradition isalmost equally at fault. Later in life Robert Colpitts was a captain ofmilitia, and it is thought he had some connection with the army beforehis emigration. Whatever his occupation was he must have been possessedof some means, as among the articles brought from England were thingswhich would be counted as luxuries rather than necessities for a newsettler among the wilds of New Brunswick. For instance, among thesearticles were three large clocks.
"Tradition says that this was not his first visit to Canada. Before theoutbreak of the American Revolution he had been over, it is believed,in connection with a survey of the Bay of Fundy. At this time he hadmade a small clearing on what is now the Charles Trites' farm, inCoverdale, and put up a small cabin on the place. He then returned toNewcastle-on-Tyne, and closed up his business with the expectation ofreturning with his family. In the meantime the war between England andher American colonies had broken out, and he could not reach NovaScotia until the trouble was settled, which was not for seven years.For a part of this time the family had charge of a toll bridge nearNewcastle. The following incident is declared to have actually occurredwhile they were keeping the toll bridge. A large man, riding a verysmall donkey, one day came up to the bridge and asked the amount of thetoll. The charge was more than he felt inclined to pay, so he askedwhat would it be for a man with a load. Finding that it wasconsiderably less he at once laid down the smaller sum, picked up thedonkey in his arms, and walked over the bridge. From Halifax Mr.Colpitts and the two oldest boys made their way overland, walking themost of the way from there to Moncton, while the others came in avessel soon afterwards. When they reached Coverdale the land he hadimproved had been pre-empted, and Mr. Colpitts had to push on. Hesettled at Little River, five miles from its mouth."
The writer, after giving a fuller account of the family, says: "It is,we freely confess, the history of a race of humble farmers, and such,for the most part, have been their descendants; no one of the name hasyet occupied a prominent place in the public life of our country. Butthe name has always been an honorable one, and those who have borne ithave been, with few exceptions, honest, God-fearing, God-honoring menand women."
Mr. James Colpitts, of Point de Bute, is a great-grandson of Mr. Robert
Colpitts.
Alexander Monro was born in Banff, Scotland. His father, John Monro,and family came from Aberdeen to Miramichi, New Brunswick, in 1815. Heremained in Miramichi three years and then moved to Bay Verte. The nextmove was to Mount Whatley, and, after a few years stay there, Mr. Monropurchased a wilderness lot on Bay Verte Road, to which they removed,and after years of strenuous labor made for themselves a comfortablehome.
It was from Mr. Robert King, school master—referred to in another partof this book—that the son, Alexander Monro, received the inspirationand training that started him on the road to success in life. Hisbiographer says: "When he was twenty-one years of age a Mr. Robert Kingcame into the district to take charge of the school, and under his careyoung Monro studied in the winter evenings geometry, algebra and landsurveying. Mr. King possessed a surveying compass, and gave himpractical instruction in land surveying, leading him to decide tofollow that business.
Mr. Monro obtained a recommendation from Dr. Smith, of Fort Cumberland,and others, and in the year 1837 went to Fredericton to obtain anappointment from the Hon. Thomas Baillie, then Surveyor-General of theProvince. Mr. Baillie complimented him on his attainments, but refusedto appoint him to the office. When Mr. Monro got back to St. John hehad but two shillings in his pocket, and with this meagre sum hestarted on foot for home. Before he had gone far he found a job ofmasonry work and earned fifteen shillings. With this money he returnedto St. John, and purchased Gibson's "Land Surveying" and some cakes forlunch, and set out again for Westmoreland. On the way he worked a dayat digging potatoes, for which he received two shillings, and later onbuilt a chimney and was paid two pounds.
The next year Mr. Monro received the appointment of Deputy Crown LandSurveyor. In 1848 he was made a Justice of the Peace, and was thesurveyor to run the boundary line between Nova Scotia and NewBrunswick. He was the author of a number of works, one on LandSurveying, also one on the "History, Geography and Productions of NewBrunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island." For a number of yearshe edited an educational monthly magazine called the PARISH SCHOOLADVOCATE. His biographer adds: "Such is the life and labors of one ofour foremost and most useful citizens, and if there is a moral to beread from it, it is this, that to make a man of cultured tastes, astudent, a scholar and a publicist of acknowledged rank and value inthe country, universities with their libraries and endowments are notabsolutely necessary; social position, influential connection andwealth are not necessary. Without such adventitious aids, what iswanted is a native taste for research and inquiry, and a determinationof character superior to environment."
The Palmers and Knapps were Loyalists. C. E. Knapp, a grandson ofLoyalist Knapp, writes: "The largest part of Staten Island, New York,should have been the possession of the Palmers of Westmoreland. Theirancestor, John Palmer, who was by profession a lawyer, moved from NewYork to Staten Island. He had been appointed one of the first judges ofthe New York Court of Oyer and Terminer. He was also a member of theGovernor's Council, and afterwards Sheriff. When the Revolutionary Warbroke out his son Gideon held the commission of captain in Delancy'sRangers, and when the war terminated he, in common with the otherLoyalists, had to leave the country."
Together with his brother-in-arms, Titus Knapp, John Palmer found a newhome at Old Fort Cumberland, where they commenced business as generaltraders. They purchased adjoining farms, and these still go by the nameof the "Knapp and Palmer farms." Mr. Palmer afterwards moved toDorchester Cape, induced to do so because it reminded him of his oldhome in New York. Palmer and Knapp must have found their loyaltyexpensive, as their confiscated property is now worth untold millions.In Mr. Knapp's case it was not so bad, as his property went to hishalf-brother, who, fortunately for him, was a Quaker and did not"fight."
The Palmers have taken a prominent place in the history of NewBrunswick. Mr. Gideon Palmer, a son of Gideon (first), was one of thesuccessful shipbuilders of Dorchester in the fifties, and Philip,another son, was for some years a member of the New BrunswickLegislature. The late Judge Palmer, of St. John, was a son of PhilipPalmer.
Charles E. Knapp, barrister, of Dorchester, is clerk of the Probate
Courty, and one of the oldest practising lawyers of Westmoreland. Mr.
Titus Knapp represented the county for some time in the Legislature of
New Brunswick, and for many years did a large trading business at
Westmoreland Point.
Christopher Harper was born in a small village near Hull, in Yorkshire.He emigrated to Nova Scotia in 1774, bringing his family and hisnephew, Thomas King, with him. He arrived at Fort Cumberland on a fineday in May, and his surprise was great the next morning to see theground covered with snow. Mr. Harper bought a property to the south-east of the garrison lands, and moved his family into a house said tohave been built by the Acadians; but this is very doubtful, as thesepeople chose to burn their dwellings rather than let them fall into thehands of the English. Tradition says Mr. Harper brought stock, bothhorses and cattle, with him from Yorkshire.
In 1777 Mr. Harper's house and barn were burned by the Eddy rebels, andsoon after the Loyalists came to Nova Scota he sold his property at thefort to his son-in-law, Gideon Palmer, and moved to Sackville, havingpurchased land near Morris's Mills. It is said he came into possessionof this property through prosecuting one Ayer and others for settingfire to his buildings at Fort Cumberland. In 1809 he obtained a grantfrom the Government at Fredericton of the mill-pond, and some twohundred or three hundred acres of wilderness land in Sackville,including about forty acres of marsh on the east side of the TantramarRiver, above Coles's Island.
Mr. Harper had three sons and four daughters. His son Christopher, whowas a captain in the army in early life, left for Quebec, viaRichibucto and Miramichi, and was not heard from after leavingMiramichi. John married Miss Thornton (whose father was a Loyalist),and after living at the mill for a time moved to Dorchester. Williammarried Phoebe Haliday, from Cobequid, and built on the place whereI. C. Harper, of Sackville, now lives; Catherine married Gideon Palmer;Annie married Major Richard Wilson, a north of Ireland man; Fanniemarried Thomas King, and Charlotte married Bedford Boultonhouse.
Christopher Harper owned the first two-wheeled chaise that was run inWestmoreland County. He was a magistrate and used to solemnizemarriage, and sometimes officiated in the Church of England in theabsence of the rector.
The Harpers of Sackville and Bay Verte are descendants of the twobrothers, William and John.
The Etters and Wethereds were on the Isthmus very shortly after 1755. Ifind that Samuel Wethered was married to Dorothy Eager, Nov. 26th,1761, by license from the Government. Dorothy Eager was a Scotch lassfrom Dumfries. Mrs. Atkinson, a grand-daughter, has several pieces offancy needlework done by Mrs. Wethered. "Sarah Huston Wethered was bornat Cumberland, in the Province of Nova Scotia, June 10th, 1763, at teno'clock in the morning. Joshua Winslow Wethered was born at Cumberland,Nova Scotia, in September, 1764, at ten o'clock in the evening."
Peter Etter was a jeweller and silversmith, and kept a shop near FortCumberland. He married Letitia Patton, daughter of Mark Patton, and wasbrother-in-law to Colonel John Allan. Peter Etter was twice married,his second wife being Sarah Wethered. He was lost at sea in coming fromBoston to Cumberland. His widow became the second wife of Amos Fowler,of Fowler's HIll. Peter Etter (second) married Elizabeth Wethered, andsettled at Westmoreland, and had a family of nine children, Bradley,Peter, Joshua, Letitia, George, Maria, Samuel, James, and Margaret.
The Etters are large marsh owners on the Aulac, and the aboideau acrossthat river takes its name—the Etter Aboideau—from Peter Etter, whowas one of the principal promoters of that work.
I find Jonathan Eddy's name among the customers of jeweller Etter. Mr.Eddy's watch must have been like that of Artemus Ward's or he must havebeen agent for others, judging from the amount of money he annuallypaid for repairs.
The Etters were originally from Switzerland, and were engaged in makingglass before coming to this country.
John R. Cahill was born in London, England, in the year 1777. Hisfather was a ship-owner, but decided to educate his son for the Church.During a college vacation young Cahill was sent as supercargo in one ofhis father's ships bound for Halifax. On the return voyage the vesselwas wrecked on the coast of Nova Scotia. All on board, however, wererescued and brought back to Halifax. For reasons not now known, Mr.Cahill remained on this side of the Atlantic and engaged for a time inteaching school. He married Miss Lesdernier, a sister of Mrs. RichardJohn Uniacke, and settled in Sackville as a farmer. They had a familyof eleven, and Mr. Cahill received regular remittances from hisfather's estate as long as he lived. Because of his superior educationhe was often called upon by his neighbors to assist in transactingbusiness of various kinds. Mr. Cahill died in 1852. The late John E.Cahill, of Westmoreland Point, was a son, and Walter Cahill,stipendiary magistrate of Sackville, a grandson, of John R. Cahill.
There were two John Smiths who came from Yorkshire and settled at
Chignecto in the decade between 1770 and 1780.
One settled in Fort Lawrence and married Miss Chapman. The Smiths of
Fort Lawrence and Shinemicas are descendants of this family. William
Smith of Albert County, who married Parmelia Trueman, was of this
family.
The other John Smith settled near Fort Cumberland, but remained only ashort time. He incurred the enmity of some of the outlaws in theneighborhood, and as a result had his buildings burned, in one of whicha large quantity of goods was stored that he had brought to thecountry. This so discouraged him that he left the place and settled atNewport, N.S. David Smith, of Amherst, belongs to this family.
Charles Oulton, the first of the name to settle on the Isthmus, came to
Nova Scotia with his mother in 1759. At this time Mrs. Oulton was a
widow, but before she had been here long she married Capt. Sennacherib
Martyn. Capt. Martyn had been with Winslow at the capture of
Beausejour.
Young Oulton was seventeen years old when he landed at Halifax. Shortlyafter this he came to Cumberland, and his name is on the list of thefirst grantees of Cumberland Township, in 1763. He settled in Jolicureon the farm now in possession of Joseph D. Wells; here, no doubt, hisgrant was located.
Charles Oulton married a Miss Fillimore, and they had a family oftwelve children, seven daughters and five sons. The children's nameswere: William, Charles, Thomas, George, Jane, Sally, Patience, Mary,Charity, Abigal, Betsy, and a twelfth, who died young.
William married a Miss Smith; Thomas a Miss Trenholm; George a Miss
King; Charity a Mr. Williams, of Fredericton; Abigal a Mr. Tingley, of
Albert County, N.B.; Mary a Mr. Frank Siddall; Patience a Mr. Smith;
Jane also married a Mr. Smith; Sarah a Mr. Fields; Betsy a Mr. Bulmer.
A daughter of Mrs. Williams married a Mr. Fisher, also of Fredericton,
and they had five sons: Edwin, Henry, George, Peter, and the late
Judge Fisher.
George, the youngest son, inherited the homestead in Jolicure, and wasfor many years one of the leading men in the parish. He married MissKing, of Westmoreland Point, by whom he had three sons: Thomas E.,Cyrus, and Rufus. Squire Oulton, as George was usually called, was oneof the most genial of men. In figure he was tall and straight. He hadan open countenance, a quick step, a hearty laugh, and a pleasant "goodmorning" for everyone. He was just the kind of man to make friends. Heenjoyed a good honest horse-race, and was always ready to bet a beaverhat on any test question that gave a chance of settlement in that way.An incident is told of him in connection with a trip made by his sonCyrus, which gives one a good idea of the man. It was customary beforethe days of railroads for the farmers and traders in Westmoreland tosend teams loaded with produce as far north as Miramichi. These tripswere generally made in the early winter, and butter, cheese, woolencloth, socks, mittens, etc., found a ready market. The journey usuallylasted ten days or more. Cyrus was sent by his father, Squire Oulton,on one of these journeys. A storm delayed the party, and more than theusual time was consumed before the return. When Cyrus returned he wasnot particularly prompt in reporting the success of the transaction toheadquarters. At last his father asked him about the returns, and Cyrussaid: "Well, to tell you the truth, father, I did not bring any moneyback with me. I met a number of good fellows and had to stand my sharewith the others, and the money is all gone." There was silence for aminute and then the Squire replied, "That is right, Cyrus, always be aman among men." That was the last of the affair, but it is porbablythat Mr. Oulton chose some other agent to market the next load ofproduce.
In later years Cyrus used to enjoy telling the following story, basedon one of his boyish experiences: "His father had been trying to buy apari of cattle from Mr. Harper, in Sackville. They could not agree onthe price, and Mr. Oulton had come away without purchasing. The nextday he decided to send Cyrus over to get the oxen, with instructions tooffer Mr. Harper twenty seven pounds for them, but if he would not takeit, to give him twenty-eight. Cyrus started away on horseback, in greatspirits,full of the importance of his mission. He rode as quickly aspossible to Mr. Harper's, and as soon as he saw that gentlemandelivered at once his full instructions, that his father wanted thecattle, and if he would not take twenty-seven pounds for them he wouldgive him twenty-eight. Cyrus got the cattle, but not for twenty-sevenpounds."
The Oulton nameis largely represented inJolicure at the present time,and most of those who bear it are energetic, industrious, andsuccessful farmers. A few of the name have tried other professions andhave succeeded. Geo. J. Oulton, Principal of the Moncton Schools, andone of the most capable teachers in the Province, is a Jolicure boy,and a descendant of Charles Oulton.
Thomas Keillor came to Nova Scotia from Skelton, Yorkshire, in 1774.
His wife's maiden name was Mary Thompson. He settled near Fort
Cumberland, on the farm now known as the "Fowler homestead."
Mr. Keillor had five children—three sons, John, Thomas and Thompson,and two daughters, Elizabeth and Ann. John married a Miss Weldon andsettled in Dorchester, where he and his descendants occupied aprominent place for many years. The name became extinct in that parishin 1899 at the death of Mrs. Thomas Keillor.
Thomas married a Miss Trenholm and settled at Amherst Point. He had anumber of sons. Several of the family moved to Ontario. Robert marrieda Miss Dobson and remained on the homestead. His descendants still ownthe farm at Amherst Point. Coates married a Miss Jones and settled atUpper Miramichi. One of Coates's sons moved to Upper Canada, and thename is still found there. Some of the descendants, but none of thename, now live in Point de Bute.
Thompson died when a young man from a severe cold caught while haulingwood from the lakes. Ann married Amos Fowler, and Elizabeth marriedWilliam Trueman, as stated in another place.
The Keillors were men of integrity, with a good deal of combativenessin their make up, and not noted for polished address. The followingstory is told of one of the Keillor boys: One morning when taking aload of port to the fort, at the time the Eddy rebels were at CampHill, he was met by a young man on horseback. The young man, aftereliciting from Mr. Keillor where he was taking the pork, ordered him toturn about and take it to the rebel camp. This Mr. Keillor refused todo point blank. In the parley and skirmish that followed Mr. Keillormanaged to dehorse his man, bind him on the sled, and forthwithdelivered him safely at the fort with his carcasses of pork. The youngman proved to be Richard John Uniacke, who afterwards became one of themost celebrated of Nova Scotia's public men. In after years, when Mr.Uniacke had become Attorney-General of Nova Scotia, and able lawyer,and a good loyal subject, he was conducting a case in the AmherstCourt-house. This same Mr. Keillor was called forward as a witness, andduring the cross-examination, when things were probably getting alittle uncomfortable for the witness, he ventured to say to Mr.Uniacke:
"I think we have met before, sir."
Mr. Uniacke replied rather haughtily, "You have the advantage of me, Ibelieve."
"And it is not the first time I have had the advantage of you," replied
Mr. Keillor.
"When was this?" asked Mr. Uniacke, in a tone that showed how fully heconsidered himself the master of the situation.
Mr. Keillor replied, "At the time of the rebellion, when I deliveredyou, a rebel and a prisoner, to the fort along with my pork."
It is said that the Attorney-General left the further conduct of thecase to his subordinates.
Thomas, the brother who settled in Amherst, was once warned as ajuryman to attend court, to be held in a building little better than abarn. When Mr. Keillor was chosen on a cause, and came forward to thedesk to be sworn, he refused absolutely to take the oath. Whenremonstrated with, he said, "I will never consent to hold the King'sCourt in a barn." And this juryman, who was so zealous of the King'shonor, was allowed to have his own way. The outcome of this was thatsoon after the county erected at Amherst a suitable building for acourt-house.
The name Ward was early on the Isthmus. Nehemiah was one of the firstgrantees of Cumberland. Jonathan Ward, the first to settle in Point deBute, came from New England in 1760. It is said his coming to thiscountry was occasioned by his falling in love with a young lady whoseparents objected to his becoming their son-in-law. The lady, however,was willing to accept her lover without the parents' consent. Anelopement was planned and carried out, the young couple coming toCumberland to set up housekeeping. Mrs. Ward did not live very longafter her marriage, and left a young daughter. This daughter was twicemarried, first to a Mr. Reynolds, and after his death to an Englishmannamed Merrill. From this union came the Merrills of Sackville, a namequite common in that parish seventy-five years ago, but now extinct.
Jonathan Ward married, as his second wife, Tabitha ——-, a young womanwho accompanied his first wife when she left her home in New Haven.They settled in Upper Point de Bute, and lived to a great age, Mr. Wardbeing ninety-six at his death. Stephen, the only son, inherited thehome place and married a Miss Folsom. The Folsoms were from New York,and one of them came to Prince Edward Island to attend to business forthe firm. While there he married. Soon after this event Mr. Folsomseems to have been caught by the land craze that few men escaped atthat date, and got a large grant of land in Antigonishe County, NovaScotia. Before they got fairly settled in their new home, Mrs. Folsomdied, leaving a daughter. Mr. Folsom soon after left his grant of landand with his little daughter came to Fort Cumberland. Leaving her withfriends he went away and was never heard of again. It was supposed hewas lost at sea.
The Wards were originally from Wales. Of Stephen Ward's family, Henryand William settled at Point de Bute, and Nathaniel at Wood Point, N.B.
Major Thomas Dickson, the first of the name on the Isthmus, was one ofthe New England soldiers present at the taking of Fort Beausejour in1755. The family were originally from the north of Ireland, andemigrated to the old colonies.
Major Dickson served under General Amherst, and his family had in theirpossession up to a few years ago a document in which General Amherstcommissioned Major Dickson to do certain work that necessitated greatrisk and skill if it were to be successful.
Thomas Dickson's name is on the list of the first grantees ofCumberland Township, and he received a grant of a large block of landabout a mile above Point de Bute Corner, on which he afterward settled.He married a Miss Wethered, and had a family of ten children—James,Dalton, Thomas, Charles, John, Robert, Nancy, Mary, Sarah, andCatherine. Mary married a Mr. Harper, Nancy a Mr. Gleanie, Sarah abrother of Col. John Allan, and after his death Thomas Roach, Esq., ofFort Lawrence; James married Susanna Dickson, and remained on thehomestead. Of the other sons, Thomas Law settled in Amherst andrepresented the county for some years in the Provincial Legislature;Robert, Charles and John entered the British navy. John was shot in anengagement in the English Channel. Robert was drowned in ShelburneHarbor. His vessel was lying in the stream, and he, while in the town,laid a wager that he could swim to the ship. He attempted it, but losthis life in the effort. Charles left the navy and settled in Machias,where he left a large family.
Shortly before the capture of Quebec, Major Dickson was sent out fromFort Cumberland to disperse a band of Acadians who had been reported byone of their number as camping near the Jolicure Lakes with the objectof raiding the settlers. The Major with his men started out in pursuit,the Frenchman acting as guide. The camp was found deserted, and theparty started on the return home. When they reached the Le Coup stream,an affluent of the Aulac, they found the tide had risen so much thatthey were unable to proceed farther in that direction, so turning tothe left, they followed the main stream to where there was a crossing.While preparing to ford the stream they were suddenly fired upon by theAcadians, who were in hiding behind the dyke. All the party were killedsave Major Dickson and the Acadian guide. Both were made prisoners, andas soon as the woods was reached the Acadian was scalped and theEnglishman was told that he "must walk alone."
Then starting north they made only necessary stops until they reachedThree Rivers, in Quebec. Here the Major was handed over to the Frenchofficer in charge at that place, and was put under guard, but treatedwell, as had been the case on the journey from Nova Scotia. Possiblyroasted muskrat would not be considered an appetizing diet, but themajor found it kept away hunger, and that was no small consideration ina journey of five hundred miles without a commissariat department.
The prisoner had not been many days at Three Rivers when he receivedword that Quebec had been taken by the English, and he was again a freeman. He soon made his way back to Fort Cumberland, and was present atthe defence of the fort during the attack of the Eddy rebels and didgood service on that day.
The Dicksons were men who thought for themselves. James, a son of thefirst James, was a teacher for a time, and in his later years did allthe conveyancing in the neighborhood, such as the writing of deeds andwills. He was an omnivorous reader, and, like Silas Wegg, was inclinedto "drop into poetry." Some of his efforts in this direction on localhappening caught the ear and had the ring that stirred the emotions.Titus, the only grandson of the major, lives on the old farm, andthough eighty-three years of age, is still vigorous in mind. The writeris indebted to him for some of the facts given in this sketch.
There were two Atkinson families that came to Nova Scotia about theyear 1774, one from Middlesex, the other from Yorkshire.
The Middlesex family settled in Fort Lawrence. Capt. S. B. Atkinson, adescendant of this family, writes: "My great-grandfather was a man ofconsiderable substance in the County of Middlesex, England, known asgentleman farmer, and dubbed "Esquire." The tradition is he married aLord's daughter, whose title would be Lady ——-, and as her familywould not recognize either her or her husband, they left the country indisgust."
Mr. Atkinson came to Nova Scotia alone in 1774, and prospected theprovince. It was a beautiful summer and autumn, and he was delightedwith the country. After securing a grant of land in Fort Lawrence, inthe old Township of Cumberland, he returned to England and madearrangements to move his family to his new domain the following spring.To accomplish this he chartered the good ship ARETHUSA, and put onboard of her his family and farm tenants, all of his belongings,household goods, and farming utensils, and after his safe arrival inNova Scotia, located on what is now known as the Torry Bent farm.
Capt. Atkinson, in his letter, gives some interesting informationrelative to the family after settling in this country. He says: "Mygrand-father's name was Robert. He was the sailor of the family. Heserved his apprenticeship to the sea out of England, and followed hisfather to America, sailing as master prior to 1800." His wife wasSarah, daughter of Obediah Ayer, generally known as Commodore Ayer,noted Yankee rebel, one of two brothers from Massachusetts.
Mr. Ayer held an officer's commission in Washington's army in 1776 andwas also Commodore of a privateer out of Boston in 1812. Inconsideration of his service in the war of 1776, the United StatesGovernment gave him a grant of land in Ohio, at that time one of theterritories. Some years ago his heirs undertook to look up the records,but found they had been burned in the Capitol during the War of 1812."Only for that little incident," Capt. Atkinson says, "I might haveowned the site where Cleveland now stands or otherwise—probablyotherwise."
For services in 1812 Commodore Ayer was granted a pension, but diedbefore any payments were made to him. His nearest connections, however,received two hundred dollars a year as long they lived (sic).
Capt. Robert Atkinson sailed his last voyage, from Kingston to Jamaica,in 1804, and died at that port of yellow fever. His widow returned toSackville, leaving her son Edwin, their only child, with hisgrandfather in Fort Lawrence, where he remained until he was twenty-oneyears of age.
Mr. Atkinson had three sons besides Robert, who lived with him in FortLawrence. Thomas moved to Kent County, where his descendants stilllive. William and John remained in Fort Lawrence, and the Atkinsonsthere now are descended from these brothers. Capt. Stephen Atkinson,from whom most of the information about the family has been obtained,is a master mariner, and has commanded some fine ships in his day. Hehas now given up the sea and spends a part of his time in Sackville.
The Atkinson family from Yorkshire settled first at River Hebert,Cumberland County, N.S. Robert was the founder of the family. He didnot remain in River Hebert for any length of time, but purchased a farmin Sackville, and moved his family there. This farm was afterwards soldby his son Christopher, and is now the site of the Mount Allisoneducational institutions.
Robert was married and had three children when he came to Nova Scotia.He was twice married, and was the father of fourteen children. Thomas,Christopher, Elizabeth, Sallie, Joseph, Robert, William, John andStephen were the names of the first family. Several of the sons settledin Sackville. Christopher, after selling his property in Sackville,purchased a farm in Point de Bute, and moved to that place. He had alarge family of boys. Robert (second) moved to Shediac. One brotherwent to the United States and joined the Latter-Day Saints. Josephmarried Ann Campbell, the daughter of Lieutenant Campbell, a Waterloosoldier, and settled at Wood Point. They had ten children, six sons andfour daughters. Isaac, Nelson, Hance, William and Joseph all becamemaster mariners, and were fine navigators. Woe be to the sailor whofell into their hands and did not know his duty or refused to performit!
The family still have in their possession their ancestor Campbell'ssword and some other relics belonging to the old soldier.
The Atkinsons have always been a strong, vigorous and self-reliantfamily, and have made a good record in this new country.
The following information regarding the Lowerisons was secured chieflyfrom Robert Lowerison, of Sackville, a great-grandson of the firstRichard Lowerison.
Richard Lowerison, the first to come to America, was born in Yorkshire,England, in the year 1741, and married Mary Grey in 1762. Ten yearslater Mr. Lowerison sailed from Liverpool, Eng., bound for Halifax,where he landed on the 1st of May. He settled on the Petitcodiac River,in Westmoreland County, N.B., but the frequent raids made by the Eddyrebels in that district caused him to purchase and remove to a farmadjoining the western bounds of the Garrison lands of Fort Cumberland.The buildings first erected by him have long since disappeared. Thefarm has been occupied by his son Thomas, by his grandson James, and atpresent by William Miner.
Six children survived Richard and Mary Grey Lowerison—Elizabeth, whomarried William Doncaster, and settled at Amherst Point; Anne, whomarried John Carter, and settled east of Fort Cumberland; Thomas, whomarried Hannah Carter, and occupied the homestead; Richard, who marriedAbigail Merrill, and after spending twelve years between the old home,Amherst Point, and Mapleton, moved to Frosty Hollow, Sackville, onSeptember 18th, 1817, on the farm now occupied by his son, ThomasLowerison, and his grandson, Bradford Carter; Joseph, the third son ofRichard, married Mary Siddall and settled near Mount Whatley, about twomiles from the homestead. Mary married James Carter, who for a timekept a public house in Dorchester, but afterwards moved to Amherst,Nova Scotia.
Richard Lowerison and his wife attended the Methodist church in Point
de Bute, as may be seen in the deed given by William Chapman to John
Wesley. He acted as precentor in the old stone "Meeting House." He died
February 24th, 1825, and was buried in the Point de Bute Cemetery. Mary
Grey Lowerison, born in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, died
September 16th, 1834, and lies beside her husband.
Mr. Lowerison must have had some means when he came to the country, forwhile living near Fort Cumberland he did an extensive business insending beef cattle to Halifax. His partner for a time was a man namedRice. He seems first to have deceived Mr. Lowerison, and then robbedhim by running away with the proceeds of three droves of cattle,leaving Mr. Lowerison accountable for the cattle, with no cash on handto meet the bills. The worry from this affected his mind to such anextent that he never fully recovered. The Lowerison name, until quiterecently, was pronounced as if spelled Lawrence. The family has notincreased greatly in the new country. Although the sons had largefamilies, there are very few grandchildren. Robert Lowerison, ofSackville, is the only living member of a large family. Captain RichardLowerison, of Amherst, is a descendant. Captain Thomas, Joseph, andSiddall, grandsons of Richard, represent the name at WestmorelandPoint.
The Lowerisons were always understood to be men of their word.
John Fillimore came from New England to Fort Lawrence, N.S., in 1763and soon after settled in Jolicure. He had a number of sons, two ofwhom, John and Spiller, settled at home—John on the homestead, andSpiller on an adjoining farm.
At the close of the Revolutionary War, Spiller sold his farm and
returned to the United States. John married Jemima Tingley, of
Sackville, and had a family of twelve children. W. C. Fillimore, of
Westmoreland Point, and Lewis Fillimore, of Amherst, are grandsons of
John.
The Fillimores came originally from Manchester, England, to LongIsland, New York. Captain John, father of John, who came to NovaScotia, was once commissioned by the State of Connecticut to clear thecoast of pirates, who were causing a good deal of trouble at the time.So well did Captain Fillimore perform the duty that the town of Norwichpresented him with a handsome cane as a mark of their appreciation ofhis services. This cane is still in possession of the family.
The Fillimores are a long-lived race of men, and have shown themselveswell able to hold their own in the competition of life. The name hasgiven a president to the United States.
Sylvanus Miner, the first of the name on the Isthmus, was of NewEngland stock. He and Robert King, "Schoolmaster King," as he wasgenerally called, came from Windsor on foot to Mount Whatley, N.B.,about 1810. Mr. Miner's father died when he was a boy, and his motherapprenticed her son to a blacksmith. His mother was a Miss Brownell, ofJolicure.
When young Miner had completed his apprenticeship he came to Jolicureby invitation to see his uncle, and afterwards settled at MountWhatley. He was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Church, ofFort Lawrence; his second, Miss Styles, from Truro, N.S. The sons,James, William and Nathan, now represent the name at Mount Whatley. Mr.Miner was an upright man, and successful in his business of blacksmithand farmer.
The Dobsons were among the first of Yorkshire emigrants to arrive inNova Scotia. There were two brothers, George and Richard. Georgebrought with him a wife and grown-up family. His daughter Margaret wasmarried to William Wells before the family left England. Richard was abachelor, and tradition says he had been a soldier. George purchased afarm in Upper Point de Bute. Neither of the brothers lived long intheir new home. Richard died in February, 1773, and George in July ofthe same year. George's will is dated the 24th July, 1773, and isrecorded the 24th November by John Huston. It is witnessed by MarkPatten and J. Allen.
George had four sons, George, David, Richard and John, and twounmarried daughters, Elizabeth and Mary. George and John settled atPoint de Bute. Richard sold his share of the homestead to John in 1795,and moved to Cape Tormentine, where he secured a large tract of landand became one of the substantial men of the place. A large number ofhis descendants are in that locality at the present time. The Dobsons,of Cape Breton, N.S., are descendants of Richard. John sold his farmand moved to Sussex, King's Co., N.B. George Dobson, of Sussex, is agrandson of John. David went to Halifax. George remained on thehomestead at Point de Bute, and the Dobsons of Jolicure are descendantsof George by his son Abraham.
Mrs. Dobson, the widow of George (first) married a Mr. Falkinther. Hedid not live long, and Mrs. Falkinther, who was said to be a very finelooking woman, had one of her grand-daughters to live with her duringthe last years of her life. Her grandchildren called her "GrandmotherForkey."
"Old Abe," as Abraham was familiarly called, was a character in hisday. He used to make annual and sometimes semi-annual trips to St. Johnto dispose of his butter and farm products, and was the kind of man toget all the enjoyment out of these journeys that was in them. It wassaid that he had large feet, and that early in life one of them was runover by a cart wheel, making it larger than the other. One day, whilesitting in a St. John hotel, with the smaller foot forward, a man,noticing the size of it, said, "I will make a bet that that is thelargest foot in the city." "Done," said Old Abe. The bet was made, whenMr. Dobson brought forward the other foot and won the wager.
Abraham was one of the best farmers in the township. He named hiseldest son Isaac, and had Isaac name his eldest son Jacob. Perhaps thelikeness to the old patriarch ended here. He had a large family ofboys, to all of whom he gave farms. His youngest son, Robert, wasdrowned in the Missiquash Valley one December morning as he was skatingto his farm on the Bay Verte Road.
The Dobsons were good men for a new country, and did not take life tooseriously. Jacob, Frank, Alder, Alonzo and John Dobson and theirfamilies represent the name now in Jolicure. Dr. Gay Dobson, ofPoughkeepsie, N.Y., U.S., is a descendant. John, a brother of AbrahamDobson, left no sons.
William Jones came from Wales. He was one of the first settlers at
Point de Bute Corner. He married Mary Dobson, a daughter of George
Dobson. They had a large family. Ruth, their youngest daughter, married
Stephen Goodwin and lived on the homestead. Stephen Goodwin came from
St. John to Point de Bute with his mother, who was a widow. She
subsequently became the second wife of Christopher Atkinson. By this
marriage she had three sons, George, Abel and Busby, and one daughter,
Nancy, who became the wife of John Fawcett, Esq., of Upper Sackville.
J. H. Goodwin, of Point de Bute, is a son of Stephen Goodwin.
Palmer Tingley emigrated from Kingston-on-the-Thames to Malden, Mass.,in 1666. Josiah Tingley, a descendant, came to Sackville, N.B., in1763. William, a grandson of Josiah Tingley, married Elizabeth Hortonand settled in Point de Bute in 1794. He bought land from Josiah B.Throop. The witnesses to the deed were Joseph and Ichabod Throop. Likemost of the early settlers, Mr. Tingley raised a large family, and allhis sons became farmers. Four of them, John, Harris, Caleb, andWilliam, settled near their father. Josiah settled in Jolicure, Joshuaat Shemogue, and Isaac at Point Midgie. There were four daughters. Annmarried Joseph Irving, of Tidnish; Mary, Cyrus McCully, Amherst, N.S.;Helener, William McMorris, of Great Shemogue; and Margaret, Asa Read,also of Shemogue. There were eleven children in all, and theirlongevity will surely bear comparison with that of any family inCanada, and is well worth recording:
John Tingley, born 1794, died 1874, aged 80.
Harris " " 1794, " 1875, " 80.
Joshua " " 1797, " 1897, " 100.
William " " 1799, " 1868, " 69.
Ann " " 1801, " 1881, " 80.
Mary " " 1803, " 1890, " 87.
Josiah " " 1807, " 1888, " 81.
Helener " " 1809, still living in 1902,
aged 93.
Isaac " " 1812, died 1891, aged 79.
Margaret" " 1816, still living in 1902,
aged 86.
Caleb " " 1805, died 1880, aged 75.
The Tingleys are generally adherents of the Baptist Church. Robert,Obed, Harvey, William, Alfred and Err are grandsons of William Tingleyand represent the name in Point de Bute and Jolicure.
Ralph Siddall came from Yorkshire to Nova Scotia in 1772, and soonafter, in company with Richard Lowerison, settled at "The Bend," nowthe town of Moncton, N.B. The Eddy rebels proving too strong in thatlocality for the loyal Englishmen, they soon returned to the protectionof Fort Cumberland, and eventually settled near the fort. Mr. Siddallhad a family of five children—two sons, Ralph and Francis, and threedaughters. The daughters married, respectively: Thomas Carter, ——-Cook, and James Deware. The Dewares of Jolicure belong to his family.Ralph (second) married ——- Ayer and had two sons, Edward and Williamand three daughters. William settled on Gray's Road, near Wallace.Edward remained on the homestead. One of the daughters married JosephLowerison, another Ephraim Rayworth; one remained single. FrancisSiddall settled first on the farm now owned by James Colpitts, nearPoint de Bute Corner, and married Mary Oulton, by whom he had a familyof five children, Ralph, Stephen, Charles, Susan and Experience. Susanwas twice married—first to Mariner Teed, of Dorchester, N.B., second,to Hugh McLeod. The late John Teed, of Dorchester, was a son of Marinerand Susan Teed. Experience married William Copp, of Bay Verte Road. TheCopps were from New England, and settled first in Jolicure. Hiram,Harvey and Silas Copp, of Sackville, Albert and George, of Bay Verte,are sons of William Copp.
Ralph Siddall (third) married Susan Oulton and remained on thehomestead at Westmoreland Point, which he named "The Crow's Nest." Mrs.Siddall is now living, at the age of eighty-six. Charles married LouisaChappell, of Bay Verte, and is still living, at the ripe age of ninety-two years. Godfrey and Bill, of Bay Verte, N.B., and Charles, ofSackville, are his sons. Stephen married a Miss Brown and had a largefamily. His youngest son, George, is the only one living in thevicinity of the old home. Stephen had a remarkable memory, and greatlyenjoyed a good sermon. He followed the sea for a number of years. Aftersettling down at home, near Fort Cumberland, he was appointed to anoffice in the Customs, which he held to his death. Few men could tell astory better than Capt. Stephen Siddall.
Rev. J. H. Brownell writes: "The present Brownell family are unable totell definitely when their grandfather came to this country, but I findit recorded in 'A Biographical Sketch of the Loyalists,' by LorenzoSabine, in Vol. I, which I have by me, that in the year 1783 twobrothers came from Vermont to New Brunswick. Joshua Brownell went toSt. John, and Jeremiah came to Westmoreland, and settled in Jolicure.He married Annie Copp. They were the parents of nine children. Theirnames, etc., are as follows: Aaron married first, Vinie Dixon; they hadone girl. His second wife was Margaret Weldon; they had two sons andfive daughters. He settled in Dorchester. John married Eunice Polly;they had two sons and seven daughters. He settled in Jolicure. Jeremiahmarried Rebecca Dixon; they had seven sons and six daughters. Hesettled in Northport, N.S. Thomas never married, and lived in Jolicure.William married Annie Davis; they had five sons and five daughters. Hesettled in Northport, N.S. Sarah married Thomas Weldon. They lived inJolicure for a time, and then moved away. When Weldon died Sarah cameback and lived with Thomas. She had six children, one son and fivedaughters. Edward married Margaret Adams; they had thirteen children.He settled in Jolicure. Annie married George Church; they lived in FortLawrence, and had four sons and five daughters. Lovinia married JesseChurch, and lived in Point de Bute for a time, then moved to Amherst.They had five sons and seven daughters."
My information, up to the receipt of this letter, was very positivethat Jeremiah Brownell came to Nova Scotia in 1763, with the Fillimoresand others, landing at Fort Lawrence. The family were adherents of thePresbyterian Church, and took an active part in building and sustainingthat church in Jolicure. The name has given two ministers to thedenomination, Rev. J. H. Brownell, of Little Shemogue, N.B., and Rev.Hiram Brownell, of Northport, N.S.
Thomas King came from a small village near Hull, Yorkshire, with hisuncle, Christopher Harper, in 1773. Before starting for America Mr.Harper hired his nephew, who was a blacksmith, to work for him forthree years for forty pounds sterling. When Mr. Harper found wages werehigh in this country, he released his nephew from the bargain, andyoung King worked several years in the Government Armory at FortCumberland. He married his cousin, Miss Harper, and they were theparents of six children, one son and five daughters. The son, Thomas,married a Miss Chandler; Jane married George Oulton; Fanny ThomasBowser; one remained single; of the remaining two, one married OthoRead, and the other Jesse Read. Thomas King (second) owned a large farmthat joined the Garrison land. He had a family of two daughters andfour sons, Jane, ——-, Watson, Edward, James and Samuel. None of thesons, and but one of the daughters married. Edward and Samuel occupythe old place, and are the only members of the family now living. The"King boys," as they were called, were well read and goodconversationalists. James was a school-teacher in his early years, andhad a local reputation as a mathematician.
RYAN.Daniel Ryan came from Ireland to Nova Scotia soon after the Expulsion,and settled near Point de Bute corner. He married a Miss Henry. Theyhad a family of eight—Daniel, Henry, James, William, and fourdaughters. One daughter married Joseph Black, of Dorchester, N.B.;another married a Mr. McBride; another, William Trenholm, of Point deBute. William settled in Little Shemogue; Henry moved to Hastings,Cumberland, N.S.; James married Christina Forster, of Fort Lawrence,and lived for a time on the old place. About 1813 he moved toMillstream, King's Co., N.B., where the family for many years occupieda prominent place in public affairs.
The Ogdens were U. E. Loyalists. John (first) came from Long Island,New York, in 1790, and settled in Sackville, N.B., on the farm owned bythe late Bloomer Ogden. An uncle of John Ogden spent the latter part ofhis life in prison rather than swear allegiance to the United States.John married Nancy Fawcett, a daughter of Mr. John Fawcett, Sackville,and had eight children—John, William, Henry, Thomas, Bloomer, Robert,Ann and Jane.
John (second) settled in Port Elgin. Edward Ogden, of Sackville, is ason of John. Amos and William of the same place are sons of Henry. Thelate Henry Ogden, of Jolicure, was connected with this family.
John Townsend came from Prince Edward Island and settled in UpperJolicure early in the last century. His descendants are living therenow. The Townsends are of English descent.
The Robinsons were an English family that settled in Cornwallis, N.S.,
about 1780. Edmund Robinson, a son, removed to Parrsboro'. His wife was
Miss Rand, a relative of the Rev. Silas Rand, the Micmac missionary.
John Robinson of Point de Bute is a grandson of Edmund Robinson.
John Phalen came early to this country. He was educated for Holy
Orders, but never entered the Church as one of its ministers. He was
married in Halifax, and taught school in Point de Bute for a number of
years. His son, John C. Phalen, was a member of the home of Thomas
Trueman, of Point de Bute. John married Priscilla Goodwin, of Bay
Verte, and had a large family. He settled at Bay Verte. John Phalen, of
Amherst, is son of John C. Phalen. The Phalens of Westmoreland and
Cumberland Counties are descendants of John. One of the name is in the
Methodist ministry.
William Davidson came from Dumfries, Scotland, to this country incompany with James Amos, in 1820. Mr. Amos landed at Charlottetown, butafterwards settled on the Murray Road, Botsford, and Mr. Davidson onthe Bay Verte Road, alongside of John Monro. The Davidsons were a mostintelligent family. The late Hugh Davidson of Tidnish was a member ofthis family and the Davidson brothers of Tidnish are sons of Hugh andWilliam.
William Turner, who settled in Bay Verte Road, came from the United
States about the year 1820 or 1825. The Turners of Bay Verte are among
his lineal descendants. Rev. E. C. Turner, of the New Brunswick and
Prince Edward Island Conference, belongs to this family.
Thomas Roach was born in 1768, in Cork, Ireland, where he spent hisearly years. He was educated for the priesthood, and could speakfluently in several languages. About the year 1790 he accompanied hisfather to Nova Scotia and settled in Fort Lawrence. The elder Mr. Roachdid not remain long in Nova Scotia, but pushed on to New York. His sonnever heard from him after they parted at Halifax. Thomas Roach wasvery successful in business and for many years was one of the leadingmen in the Methodist Church on the Isthmus. He was elected arepresentative to the Provincial Parliament five times in succession,and served the people in that capacity from 1799 to 1826.
Mr. Roach was married four times. His family of four sons and threedaughters was the fruit of his first marriage. Ruth, daughter ofCharles Dixon, Sackville, was his first wife; his second, Mrs. SarahAllen; third, Mary Dixon, of Onslow, and his fourth, Charlotte Wells.Mr. John Roach, of Nappan, and Dr. Roach, of Tatamagouche, aregrandsons of Thomas Roach.
William Silliker was a U.E. Loyalist from Connecticut, and came toBedeque, P.E. Island, in 1783, where he spent the last years of hislife. His son, William C. Silliker, moved to Bay Verte in the earlypart of the last century. This son was a master mariner, and spent mostof his life at sea. He married Amelia Chappell, and had a family ofthree children, two sons and one daughter. The Sillikers of Bay Verteare descended from Captain Silliker. Alderman Silliker of Amherst alsobelongs to this family.
James Hoytte Hewson and his mother came to Nova Scotia in 1783 with aparty of Loyalists, and settled in Wallace. His father, Richard Hewson,who was an officer in the British army, was killed in a negroinsurrection in the south. Mrs. Hewson and her young son were sentnorth to live with friends, which explains how they came to be with theLoyalists. Mrs. Hewson's maiden name was Hoytte. They soon sold theirproperty in Wallace and removed to Fort Cumberland, then one of thecentres of trade in the new country. Here Mrs. Hewson opened a littlestore and also taught a school, and her son worked as clerk for TitusKnapp. Mrs. Hewson was successful in her trade venture, and in 1796 sheand her son bought from Spiller Fillimore his farm on Jolicure Point,which has been known ever since as the Hewson farm. This property isstill in possession of the family, and has been the home of fourgenerations. James Hewson married Jerusha Freeman, of Amherst, and hadsix children—Richard married Seraphina Bent, of Fort Lawrence, andlived at River Philip, N.S.; James married Phebe Wry, and remained inJolicure; William married Elizabeth Chandler, and inherited thehomestead; Olive married George Darby, of Bedeque, P.E. Island; Jerushamarried George Baxter, Land Surveyor, and a Loyalist, and lived inAmherst; Phebe married John Schurman, of River Philip, the grandfatherof President Schurman of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. John Hewson,of Jolicure, Dr. William and Watson, of Point de Bute, and Dr. CharlesHewson, of Amherst, are sons of William Hewson.
Several persons answering to the name of Read came to the Isthmus soonafter the Expulsion. Thomas Read, who was one of the Yorkshireemigrants of 1774, settled on the River Hebert. In 1786 Eliphlet Readand Joseph Read were residents of Sackville. In 1788 Stephen Read wasone of the Trustees of the Stone Church (Methodist) at Point de Bute.In 1800 an Eliphlet Read lived in Jolicure. He married a Miss Converseand had a large family. John Read, of Jolicure, and William Read,* ofAmherst, are grandsons of this Eliphlet.
[FOOTNOTE: *Joseph Read, of Bay Verte, writes: William Read, from New
England, came to Sackville about the year 1760. His sons were Benjamin,
Joshua, Eliphalet, and William, the latter my grandfather. Grandsons:
Eliphalet, William, James, Caleb, Harris, Asa, and John, the last
mentioned being my father. END OF FOOTNOTE]
John Wry emigrated from Yorkshire to Nova Scotia about 1780, andsettled in Sackville. He bought from William Maxwell the farm on whichthe Brunswick House now stands and made his home there. The Maxwellswere from New England, and had been in the country some years. John Wrymarried a Miss Maxwell. The late Christopher Wry of Jolicure was a sonof John Wry. The Wrys of Sackville are descendants of John.
Thomas Bowser was one of the Yorkshire emigration of 1774, and settled
in Sackville. His son, Thomas, married Fanny King, and lived on Cole's
Island. Arthur and Blair Bowser of Point de Bute and John and Bliss of
Jolicure are grandsons of Thomas (second).
Tradition says that the Lowther name was brought to England by oneColonel Lowther, in 1688. This Colonel Lowther was one of the trustedsoldiers that the Prince of Orange brought with him from Holland, andwas afterwards allotted an estate in Devonshire. From there the familyspread to other parts of England. William Lowther, who settled inWestmoreland, N.B., came from Yorkshire, in 1817. He was accompanied bythree brothers and one sister. The three brothers and the sistersettled in Cumberland County, N.S. William had a family of ninechildren. William (second), married Lucy Chapman and settled in GreatShemogue. George married Mary Pipes and settled at the Head of Amherst.Mary married Joseph Carter, of Point de Bute. Hannah married EdwardSmith, of Amherst Head. Sarah Thomasina married Rufus Carter, of Pointde Bute. Rufus first married Sarah Pipes; his second wife was ElizabethLowther. Jane married Richard Pipes, of Nappan. Titus married PhoebeCarter, and remained in Westmoreland. Catherine married William Kever,and went to Minnesota.
Benjamin Allan was a Scotchman who came to Cumberland from the UnitedStates about the time of the Revolutionary War. There is evidence thathe was with Wolfe at the taking of Quebec. If so, he was probably oneof the disbanded British soldiers that found their way to Canada at theclose of (sic) American War. He married a Miss Somers, of Petitcodiac,at the Bend, and finally settled at Cape Tormentine.
Mrs. Allan was a very large woman, of pure Dutch stock, with, it issaid, a marked tendency to stand upon her rights. Tradition also saysthat the pugilistic tendencies of the family were inherited from themother, as the father was a very quiet, meek-mannered man. It might bethat domestic felicity was more likely to be attained by such ademeanor. The Allan family consisted of eight sons and three daughters—Ephraim, Jonas, James, Matthew, Liff, Dan, George, and Ben were thenames of the boys. It is told of Matthew that once when he was "on atime," the press gang took him and his boon companion on board a man-of-war and induced them to enlist. When the young men came tothemselves they were in great trouble, and one night, when the ship waslying near one of the West India Islands, they jumped overboard withthe hope of reaching the shore by swimming. Allan succeeded, and afterspending some days on the island in hiding, he found a vessel whichbrought him back to Halifax, from which place he soon found his wayhome, none the worse for his experience. His companion was never heardfrom. A great many of the name are now living at the Cape where theirancestor first settled.
The Chappells were early in the country. There were two brothers,
Eliphet and Jabez. Eliphet settled at Bay Verte, and had a family of
four sons and five daughters. George and Bill, two of his sons, married
sisters, Jane and Polly, daughters of William Wells, of Point de Bute.
George's children were William, George, Joshua, Watson, Susanna, Peggy,
Maria, Ann, Amelia, Almira and Jane. George married Betsy Freeze;
Susanna, ——- Strange; Peggy, John Rawarth; Maria, Rufus Chappell;
Amelia, Nelson Beckworth; Ann, William Fawcett; Almira, Rufus Oulten,
M.D. Jane did not marry. Bill Chappell's sons were Bill, Rufus, James
and Edwin. His daughters, Fanny (Mrs. Capt. Crane), Matilda (Mrs.
Edward Wood), Caroline (Mrs. John Carey), Louisa (Mrs. Charles
Siddall).
The Chappells were a prominent family in Bay Verte for many years, andhave a good record there.
Three brothers by this name emigrated from England to New York shortlybefore the Revolutionary War. Two of the brothers fought in that war onthe English side, and in 1783 came to Nova Scotia. Isaac settled atWallace, Cumberland, and his brother settled on the Miramichi River, inNew Brunswick, where the name is still found. George Betts of Point deBute, is a son of Benjamin and a grandson of the brother who settled atWallace.
Joseph Irvin was another of the North of Ireland men that came to OldCumberland early in the last century. He settled first on the north-west side of the Point de Bute ridge, where the road makes a slightangle to cross the marsh to Jolicure. Here he and his friend, IsaacDoherty, kept a store and built a vessel. The locality was calledIrvin's Corner in the early days. Mr. Irvin married Ann Tingley, andsoon after moved to Tidnish, where he spent the remainder of his lifeas a farmer. His family consisted of seven sons and three daughters.Three of his sons, Joseph, Edwin and James, now represent the name inTidnish.
Robert Hamilton was born in Tyrone County, Ireland, and emigrated toNew Brunswick in the year 1824, settling at Tidnish. He had a family offour children, Gustavus, Mary, Eliza and Eleanor. His son, Gustavus,married Eleanor Goodwin, and remained on the home farm, which is nowowned by his son, Isaac G. Hamilton. Rev. C. W. Hamilton, of St. John,and Dr. Hamilton, of Montreal, are grandsons of Robert Hamilton. RobertHamilton had a brother, Gustavus, who was a Methodist local preacher,and for many years was a valuable assistant to the regular minister atPoint de Bute when that circuit included the present Bay Verte circuit.
BURNS.—John Burns was from Ireland. He came to New Brunswick in theearly part of the last century, and settled at Mount Whatley. Hemarried a Miss Harrison, and had a family of six children. He carriedon a large and profitable mercantile business for a number of years.There are none of the name here at present.
PAGE.—William Page lived at Mount Whatley for some years in the earlypart of the last century, and carried on quite an extensive business inwood-work and dry goods.
SMITH.—Dr. Rufus Smith lived near Fort Cumberland and had a largemedical practice on the Isthmus. He belonged to one of the Loyalistfamilies, and represented the County of Westmoreland in the Assembly atFredericton for a period of fifteen years, from 1816. His remains liein the cemetery at Point de Bute.
CHANDLER.—Col. Joshua Chandler, of New Haven, graduated at YaleCollege in 1747. He was a member of the Connecticut Legislature. Beingloyal, he left when Gen. Tryon, was obliged to evacuate that place. Hisproperty was valued at L30,000 sterling, and was confiscated. Hesettled with his family at Annapolis, N.S. He and two daughters and ason were ship-wrecked going from Digby to St. John, in March, 1787. Theson was drowned in his efforts to swim to the land, while the fatherand the two daughters perished from cold and exposure after they hadreached the shore. The British Government allowed the survivingchildren, Sarah, Mary, Thomas, Samuel and Charles, each L1,000sterling. Sarah married Wm. Botsford, father of the late Judge Wm.Botsford, and grandfather of Senator Botsford; Mary married Col. JoshuaUpham, afterwards Chief Justice of New Brunswick. Thomas Chandler,M.P.P., a lawyer of eminence, died at Pictou. His wife, ElizabethGrant, was an aunt of Sam. Slick, whose name was Thomas ChandlerHaliburton. Samuel Chandler was also in the Legislature of Nova Scotiafor many years, representing Colchester County. He married SusanWatson. His eldest son was the late Judge James W. Chandler, ofWestmoreland, Charles H. Chandler was Sheriff of Cumberland for thirty-eight years. Among his children were Sheriff Joshua Chandler, ofAmherst, and the late Lieutenant-Governor E. B. Chandler, ofDorchester. The three sons of Col. Joshua Chandler in the early part ofthe last century, lived in the township of Cumberland for a time andconducted a general trading business. Their brother-in-law, WilliamBotsford, was also a resident of the township at the same time.
McMONAGLES.—The McMonagles lived for a time in Cumberland andafterwards moved to Sussex, where the name is still found.
FORSTER.—George Forster was from Yorkshire and settled in Amherst,N.S. One of his sons settled in Fort Lawrence, and another, Ralph, inPoint de Bute. Ralph subsequently went to Upper Canada. The Forsterswere Methodists, and it is doubtful if any of that Yorkshire band ofBible loving men and women equalled the Forsters in their venerationfor the Word of God and its teachings as they understood it.
CAREY.—The Careys belonged to the Scotch-Irish immigration that cameto Eastern Canada between 1815 and 1830. The family landed here aboutthe year 1822. Robert settled near Halifax; John came to New Brunswickand bought a property at Port Elgin, near the village of Bay Verte,where he built a grist and carding mill, and successfully conducted alarge business for many years. He married Caroline Chappell and had afamily of seven children. There are some of the descendants, but noneof the name living in Bay Verte at this date. Leslie Carey, ofSackville, and Everett Carey, of California, are grandsons of JohnCarey.
REXTON, KENT, July 4th, 1902.
DEAR SIR,—Yours to hand yesterday, and in reply I have to state thatthe widow Doherty (my grandmother) left the Parish of Rag, CountyDonegal, Ireland, about the year 1820, and landed with her family inMagudavic, walked to St. John, N.B., and eventually got by schooner upto Great Village, N.S., except my father, William, who remained forsome time longer in St. John, but also got to Great Village, N.S., andgradually worked his way to Richibucto, where he had an aunt (Mrs. JohnMcGregor, and sister to Mrs. Joseph Irvin, of Point de Bute orTidnish). My grandmother likely found her way for a time with part ofher large family to Point de Bute, where one of her daughters (Jane)married Richard Jones, of that place. One of her daughters (Mary)remained in Nova Scotia and married George Spencer, and after a numberof years moved to Mill Branch, Kent, N.B. Grisilda, the eldestdaughter, married John Reid, but I do not know when married, but theyresided in Mill Branch, Kent County, from my earliest recollection. Myfather, William, in time settled on a farm on the main RichibuctoRiver, and married Nancy McLeland, of Great Village, N.S., a sister ofG. W. McLelland, who for many years represented Colchester County inthe House of Assembly at Halifax. My father afterwards moved to thesouth branch of the St. Nicholas River, Kent County, and built anextensive establishment of mills, including saw, grist and cardingmills. Joseph Doherty, the youngest of the family, located inBuctouche, where he also established a mill property, now in possessionof John McKee, but subsequently removed to Campbellton. Isaac Doherty,the eldest of the family, came to Canada some five years before hismother and the rest of the family, and he and Joseph Irvin conductedsome trade with Newfoundland, and, I think, built a ship somewhereabout Tidnish or Bay Verte. Isaac and Joseph married sisters, theformer Cynthia, and the latter Polly Wells.
After my father, William, got settled on the main Richibucto River, hismother and youngest brother, Joseph, resided with him; so I don't thinkthat the family, except Isaac and Jane, remained very long in Point deBute. My grandfather's name was William, but he never came to America.My grandmother's maiden name was Marjorie Fetters. You can see that theDoherty family, with the exception of Isaac and Jane, were not actuallysettlers or permanent residents of Point de Bute. Both Isaac and Jane(Mrs. Jones) are buried there. Perhaps the Irvin family can add otherfacts to what I have written. With kind remembrance to self and family,I remain.
Yours very truly,
HOWARD TRUEMAN, Esq.
Prospect Farm,
Point de Bute.
McCREADY.—HIGGINS.—C. F. McCready's and David Higgin's ancestors wereLoyalists. The McCreadys settled in King's County, N.B., and Higgins,in Colchester, N.S.
SNOWDON.—The Snowdons were originally from Wales, England. Pickering
Snowdon was a resident of Sackville in 1786.
SUTHERLAND.—James Sutherland is of Scotch blood. Donald Sutherland,his grandfather, came from Sutherlandshire, Scotland, in 1818, andsettled in Pictou County, N.S.
BULMER.—George Bulmer is a descendant of George Bulmer, who came from
Yorkshire in the ship DUKE OF YORK in the spring of 1772. He came with
his brother-in-law, William Freeze. The Bulmers are said to be of
Norman descent.
FULLERTON.—Douglas Fullerton's grandfather was a Scotchman, coming toHalifax about the year 1790. He taught school for a number of years. Hemarried a Miss Peck and soon after settled down as a farmer inParrsboro', Cumberland County, N.S., where many of his descendantslive.
DOYLE.—James Doyle's grandfather came from Ireland and settled at Five
Islands, Colchester County, N.S.
HICKS.—This name was early in Nova Scotia. I find John Hicks incompany with three others, prospected Nova Scotia, in 1759, forprospective settlers, from Rhodes (sic) Island and Connecticut, anddecided to take up lands at Pisquid or Windsor. Josiah Hicks was aresident of Sackville in 1786. The late Samuel Hicks of Jolicure cameto that place from Sackville where the name is now in large number.
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