History of Sackville New Brunswick

Contributed by Chignecto Project
Source: History of Sackville New Brunswick. William Cochrane Milner. The Tribune Press, Ltd., Printers & Publishers, Sackville, New Brunswick (1934)

HISTORY OF SACKVILLE NEW BRUNSWICK
by
DR. WILLIAM COCHRAN MILNER
Historian, and Former Dominion Archivist
(1846-1939)

Originally published in 1934 by The Tribune Press, Ltd., Printers & Publishers, Sackville, New Brunswick

[EDITOR’S NOTE: When “(sic)” is used in the text, it was put there by the original author and not by us.]

CHAPTER I.

FRENCH OCCUPATION

The first European settlers at Sackville were French. The date of settlement here is uncertain, but it was some years after Bourgeois, a surgeon, (brought to Port Royal by D’Aulnay) settled at Beaubassin, Fort Lawrence, with Thomas Cormier, Jacques Belon, Peter Sire, and Germain Girouard. This settlement had been made in 1671, so it was after this date that clearings were made near the four Corners, (Tantramar), along the ridge from the Town Hall to the farm of the late Philip Palmer’s place called in the old maps Pre des Bourg and at Westcock (Veska). These localities were connected by a trail through the woods and Westcock is described as a “Port de mer,” seaport, from which intimate connection was made with Port Royal. Tantramar was also connected by a trail across the marshes with the settlements at La Coupe, La Lac, Beausejour, and Beaubassin, which latter place was described as one of the five principal settlements of the French in Acadia, the others being Port Royal, Les Mines, Pisequit and Cobequit. Tantramar like four of the other settlements was an off-shoot of the parent settlement at Port Royal. It grew by degrees to be a populous settlement and in time became the station of a missionary. A chapel was built on the site of Beulah, a Baptist Church at the Four Corners long abandoned. The records of the missionaries here have not come to light and are probably destroyed and with them all trace is lost of the family and local history of the former dwellers in this parish. For a period of eighty years or more they lived here in tranquility protected by their seclusion and remoteness from the theatre of conflict and conquest, and during that time they became a prosperous and populous community. But so completely has the fortune of war blotted out the memorials of them, that even the graveyard, where generations of them were buried has become a matter of tradition. A feature of an English churchyard:–

“Their name, their years, spelt by the unlettered muse, The place of fame and elegy supply And many a holy text around she strews, To teach the rustic moralist to die.– is here wanting; a field that has been ploughed and tilled for a hundred years is said to be the last resting place of generations of these people who knew no other country as their land and their home. The French having ceded (1713) their ancient Colony of Acadia to the English, the boundaries of which were not defined, it was the policy of the English on the one side to insist the boundary line was as far north and west towards Quebec as possible and of the French on the other to contend that the boundary was at the Missiquash river, now the boundary between the two provinces. In 1750, the Government at Quebec sent a small detachment under an officer named La Corne to establish a post of observation on the promontory at Beausejour, then dotted with farm buildings. In pursuance of the above policy, the French under La Loutre had by threats and persuasions induced the French population living in the villages that remained under British rule to abandon their homes and settle on the French side of the Missiquash, in order to deprive the English of an industrious class of people, as to form a bulwark against British aggression. In 1750, when Lawrence appeared at the French village at Beaubassin — now Fort Lawrence — the French people hastily burned their dwellings and left. Gen. Joshua Winslow*, then a young Commissariat officer attached to the command writes in his journal on 8th Sept. 1750: The Indians set fire to the village Hebert and another village opposite us and burnt a great many houses.”””

[*Joshua Winslow was the father of Anna Green Winslow, a young lady sent from Fort Cumberland in 1770–to go to school at Boston. She kept a diary which has been edited by a successful American authoress, Alice Morse Earle. General Winslow seems to have left Fort Cumberland before 1783. He was paymaster of the troops in Quebec in 1791 and died there 10 years later. When at Fort Cumberland he was engaged in the commissary business with Capt. Huston, who had on one of his trips to Boston picked up a waif, in the person of the afterwards celebrated Brook Watson, and brought him to Nova Scotia. Brook Watson owed much of his knowledge of business and his commercial success in after life to the training he received at the hands of General Winslow who is described as a “most complete accountant”. He was Lieutenant under Capt. Light in Col. Moore’s regiment at the taking of Louisburg in 1754. He was afterwards Commissary General of the English troops in Nova Scotia, and siding with England in the revolutionary struggle was excited and continued in the royal service till his death.]

It must have been with sore hearts that these Acadian farmers turned away from the homesteads made fruitful by the sweat and toil of themselves and forefathers, and that they set out to make new dwelling places, trusting themselves, their wives, and their children to unknown hazards in the game of war between France and England.

They poured into the villages west of Missiquash–Beaubassin, Memramcook, Shediac and Petitcodiac. They were supported by rations issued at Beausejour — 2 lbs. of bread and 1/2 lb. of beef per day, per man. In 1751, La Loutre made a statement of 1111 men, women and children then quartered west of the Missiquish receiving rations. At this period, small detachments of soldiers were kept at the following posts, as follows:–

Gaspereau 1 Officer 15 Men.
Baie Verte 1 ” 15 “
Point de Bute 1 ” 30 “
Westcock 1 ” 15 “
Shepody 1 ” 10 “

The peace and security the people enjoyed came to an end finally in 1755, when the French military post on the Isthmus was deemed a menace to English dominancy in Acadia. The Isthmus was made the base of attack by Indians and gens du bois, led by Bois Hebert, on the English posts; the newly formed settlement at Halifax, as well as the fort at Port Royal were kept in more or less constant alarm, by hostiles who ranged the woods and deterred any attempt at settlement. The English thereupon determined to drive the French flag from the Isthmus and the attempt was made in 1775. Early in the spring, the Acadian farmers witnessed an English fleet of war vessels and transports laden with troops and munitions of war, sail up the Bay and anchor in the Basin below Beausejour. At the season the Acadians of Tantramar were usually occupied in getting in their crops, they were summoned to defend Beausejour against the attack of Lawrence.

Their wives and children from their house stoops at Tantramar watched with the keenest interest and anxiety the course of the artillery duel between the English batteries and Beausejour, which ended on 16th June, by the appearance of a white flag at the fort and later by the lowering of the ensign of France. With grief they beheld the garrison march forth and take the road to Baie Verte thence to be shipped to Louisburg. The next act in the drama followed closely enough.

On 31st July, Lt. Governor Lawrence forwarded instructions by a military party under Capt. Croxton, to Col. Monckton at Beausejour stating the determination of the government to remove the neutral French from Nova Scotia, commencing with those at the Isthmus, who “were found in arms” at the capture of Beausejour and “entitled to no favor from the government.” Transports and instructions were to be sent to him later and he was to use stratagem to arrest all the men. Their cattle and corn were forfeited and must be applied towards the expense of removal. They were to be allowed to carry away only their ready money and household furniture. By a second letter dispatched by Capt. Goreham, he ordered the destruction of the French villages at Shediac and Ramsec (Pugwash). A third letter written on 8th of August, Lawrence orders the destruction of the villages north and north west of Beausejour and to try and save the cattle and crops.

On 20th of August a man of war under command of Capt. Proby and eight transports arrived from Halifax and cast anchor at Five Fathom Hole, and four days later two more vessels sailed in.

On 26th August Lawrence writes another letter to Monckton, giving further instructions and informing him as to the movements of Winslow at Minas &c. He is to lay hold of the priest Miniac, and send him with the rest. All the cattle that can be brought in from Petitcodiac, Memramcook and Chipoudy are to be distributed amongst the people at Chignecto as they think they can support during the winter and the rest to be used as rations for the troops.

The efforts of Monckton to gather the Acadians at Fort Cumberland were only partially successful. Out of over 4,000 of a population in the neighborhood, he secured less than 1200, although he sent Capt. Brook Watson with a detachment to scour the country about Baie Verte.

The scenes at embarkation were very painful. Even at this lapse of time one cannot but regard with sorrow mingled with a feeling of horror the tortures of a defenceless people and the cruelties perpetrated on innocent women and children. Abbee La Guerne says that many of the married women, deaf to all entreaties and representations, refused to be separated from their husbands and precipitated themselves in the vessels, where their husbands had been forced.

During the last days of August a strong force was despatched from Beausejour on board of two vessels to capture the French at Chipoudy and along the Petitcodiac River. At Chipoudy they found the men had fled leaving 25 women and children who were taken prisoners. They burned 181 houses and barns. On 3rd Sept. they sailed up the Petitcodiac and finding the villages deserted set fire to the buildings for a distance of 15 miles on the north side of the river and 6 miles on the south. In attempting to set fire to the Mass house (presumably at Fox Creek) Boishebert appeared with a large force and two officers Dr. Marsh and Lieut. Billing and six privates were killed and ten were wounded. The whole force narrowly escaping being exterminated, as the armed vessels had drifted down the river in the strong tide and it was not till flood tide, they could get into position to afford the detachment any protection. At high water the men were embarked. They destroyed 253 houses and barns besides the chapel.

When in 1755, General Monckton was engaged in the “Grand Derangement” at Chignecto, he sent a corps of New Englanders to destroy the Acadian dwellings at Tantramar. They did that thoroughly, burning 97 buildings. Those Acadians who escaped the expulsion saw from their shelter of the woods the torch applied to their homes. This was a melancholy fate. The innocent suffered with the guilty. The conflagration of the homes of the unhappy Acadians extended to Westcock and Wood Point, so that when the work of destruction was done, only heaps of ashes remained of the Acadian homes.

At the close of the year 1755, we find the populous French villages on the Isthmus as well as at Chipoudy, along the Petitcodiac, at Shediac and from thence to Pugwash destroyed, their ancient owners scattered from Quebec to Georgia or else, hiding in the forests, with their Indian allies and their farms acres of desolation. Those who escaped into the forests struggled forward to Miramichi and a few found homes at the head waters of the Saint John. From both of these places numbers were able to seek permanent homes in Quebec. At this period, Miramichi had a French population of 3,500 people.

CHAPTER II.

ENGLISH SETTLEMENT

The second part of the design of Lawrence and his Council at Halifax was now in order, namely to replace the French by English immigrants to strengthen English rule and power in Acadia. There were English garrisons at Beausejour, Fort Lawrence and Fort Monckton and the only English settlers were disbanded soldiers and tradesmen who had commenced to locate themselves around these posts and within the range of their protection. The French inhabitants had been so completely driven off that nine years later (1764) they only numbered 388 men, women and children in this portion of Acadia, when instructions came from the English government to allow them to become settlers on taking the oath of allegiance. Special inducements were held out to the irregulars of New England to become settlers, if they would remain on duty six months longer. To a Colonel was offered 2000 acres of choice land; Major 750 acres; Captain 500; Ensign 450; private soldier 200.

The Acadians had not cleared a wide stretch of upland, nor did they build aboideaux across the creeks. Their dikes skirted the rivers and creeks. The houses were of course, logs with roofs of bark and chimneys built up of wood and clay. Sawmills in those days were scarce. After the disappearance of the Acadians, Governor Lawrence issued his Proclamation, offering free grants to actual settlers.

Immigration from the New England States at once set in; vessel after vessel came with people from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and other New England colonies. The lands were surveyed; allotments made to the settlers, but they were obviously disappointed, because when Mr. Charles Dixon arrived from Yorkshire, in 1772, all but three New England families had disappeared. Two years after, the first settler from New England, Israel Purdy, arrived with a contingent of settlers from Newberry Port, and settled at Maugerville. At this time, 1772, the Peabody, Symonds, White and Hazen immigration were building up their trading post at the mouth of the Saint John River. Four years after the settlement at Sackville, the German settlement at Hopewell from Pennsylvania was made and also the Commins settlement at Hillsboro. At the same time, William Davidson arrived at Miramichi and established a trading post at Beaubear’s Island in fish, furs and masts.

When the Yorkshire people came to Sackville, there were only two New England settlers there–Mr. Hawkins, who lived near the land on what was known afterwards as the Oliver Boultenhouse place, which was the site of a former French resident–and Amasa Kellam who lived on the site of the Male Academy. This was exclusive of Moses Delesdernier who lived on the place occupied in recent years by the late Thompson Trueman. Hawkins sold two thousand acres of land to Charles Dixon, all Dixon’s Island, and the Island next to it, also the Salem district, including the Christopher Humphrey farm. The Dixons, Humphreys and Parkers came over from England in the same vessel. Mr. Humphrey settled in Falmouth, where he died, leaving a widow with a family. Mr. Parker settled at Windsor, and was the ancestor of the Hon. A. McNeill Parker, later Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. After Dixon settled at Sackville, he sent for Mrs. Humphrey. She settled on the place, known as the Christopher Humphrey farm, where she kept tavern. Mr. Dixon was the most important man in the community. He was a J. P. and held Court in a room in her tavern. Mr. Black, the father of Bishop Black, who afterwards settled in Amherst, also came over in the same vessel, the Ship, “Duke of York”. He did not bring his family; he wanted to examine the country first. Mr. Mason from Swansea, who was elected a representative in the Halifax Assembly, lived in the lower part of the parish.

The French settlements at Sackville skirted the marshes. The principal one was at Tantramar, where a Chapel had been built. At the time of the expulsion, (1775) the bell and perhaps the Communion vessels were saved and many years after, when there was peace, some Acadians appeared, obtained them and took them away. The Chapel was burned with the houses.

In consequence of the Proclamation of Governor Lawrence, dated 12th of October, 1758, offering free grants of lands, right of worship, in 1761, twenty-five families from Rhode Island arrived in a vessel and settled on the vacated French farms. Each family of six with seven head of cattle were to receive a grant of seven hundred and fifty acres; years later a return shows the township had a population of three hundred and forty-nine people, all but six from New England. In 1772, a township elected for the first time a representative to the Assembly at Halifax in the person of a schoolmaster named Foster.

A return in the Archives at Halifax shows that in 1763 Sackville’s inhabitants consisted of 20 families only and that only 200 acres of upland had been cleared up. They had 12,000 acres of marsh land. At the same time Cumberland, (now the parish of Westmorland) possessed 35 families who owned 600 acres of cleared land and 18,800 acres of marsh land.

The N.S. Legislature was constituted at Halifax in 1757 with 22 members, it being arranged that a settlement with 25 qualified electors should send one representative. This place was not accorded a representative. It was not until 1767 that Sackville secured the right to a member, a petition having been sent to the government in 1765 representing that there were then 80 families in this place.

Mr. A. Foster was the first member. His name occurs for the first time in 1774, in the proceedings of the House. In 1775, Samuel Rogers succeeded Mr. Foster, Messrs. Gay and Scurr at the same time representing the county (Cumberland).

1758, on 12th October, a proclamation was adopted in Council in Halifax offering the vacant lands to settlers, which “consist of one hundred thousand acres of intervale plough lands, cultivated for more than 100 years past and never fail of crops nor need manuring; also a hundred thousand acres cleared and stocked with English grass, planted with orchards, vineyards, etc. All these are situated about the Bay of Fundy upon rivers navigable for ships of burden.”

Applications were to be made to Thomas Hancock, Boston, Province agent at Boston, who being applied to by persons desiring to know the kind of government in Nova Scotia and whether toleration to religion was allowed, a second proclamation was issued on 11th January, guaranteeing representative institutions and full liberty of conscience, except to papists.

1759, on 19th July, Messrs. Liss Willoughby, Benjamin Kimball, Edward Mott and Samuel Starr, junr., a committee of agents from Connecticut appeared at Halifax proposing to make a settlement at Chignecto and they were given a vessel to visit the locality. In September they returned and proposed some alterations in the grants, which were agreed to.

While there were three garrisons on the Isthmus, settlement was very much hindered by the absence of any security to life or property. The Indians and French scoured the woods, ready to pick off any stragglers. They would even show themselves ostentatiously before the walls of the fort; any settlement out of the reach of guns was not only hazardous but impracticable. The French and Indians exhibited in their raids a skill, and a bravado amounting to recklessness. In April of this year, (1759), two vessels were at anchor at Grindstone Island, one the armed schooner “Moncton” belonging to the Province, the other a transport loaded with beef, pork, flour, bread, rice, peas, rum, wine, sugar, lemons, beer, shoes, shirts, stockings and other goods laden at Halifax for the shop-keepers at the Fort. During the night of 4th., the transport was captured by canoes manned by Acadians and French from the shore, and in the morning, they made a most determined effort to capture the “Moncton”, chasing her down the Bay for five hours. The “Moncton” had a boy killed and two men wounded in the fight. The schooner was afterwards ransomed for $1500, the French taking the cargo.

A more tragic affair occurred in the year when a sergeant and three men of the Provincial Rangers and seven soldiers of the 46th Regiment then at the Fort went out to cut wood. They were ambuscaded at a place called Bloody Bridge, and five of them were scalped and stripped. It was two years before this (20th July, 1757) that Lieut. Dickson when following Bois Hebert with a small troop, was ambushed where the La Coup stream enters the Aulac and was taken prisoner and conveyed to Quebec. His command was shot and scalped.

The capture of Quebec ended the hopes of the Acadians of repossessing their lands and the guerilla warfare in this vicinity ceased leading to a greater sense of security.

In 1759, a grant of 50,000 acres at Chignecto made in 1736, was rescinded, none of the conditions having been performed and the land remaining unoccupied.

In 1760, the New England soldiers at the Forts nearly all left, their term of enlistment having probably expired, but they could not be induced to remain longer in the country.

The first actual settlement in this parish after the deportation of the French may be placed at 1761 — six years after their deportation and two years after the fall of Quebec. The invitations extended in the above proclamations met with a ready response and a movement took place in Rhode Island to send a contingent here.

Some twenty-five families settled here that summer and others came to seek locations and erect habitations to bring their families the next summer. No record is known to have been preserved stating their names, but in the Archives at Halifax there is a “list of subscribers for the township lying on the Tantramar river, represented by Benjamin Thurber, Cyprian Sterry and Edward Jincks from Providence in Rhode Island.” It is not dated but it probably belongs to the year 1760 or 1761. The names attached are as follows.

CHAPTER III.

TANTRAMAR SETTLEMENT

The list of the Subscribers for the Township Lying on Tantramar River, Represented by Benjamin Thurber, Cyprian Sterry and Edmund Jincks, from Providence in Rhode Island. Taken from records in the Province Library at Halifax. The date is probably 1761, but possibly 1760.

Jos. Olney
John Jenckes
Solo Wheat
Benj’n Thurber
Cyprian Sterry
Edmund Jenckes
David Burr
Jos. Tower
Seth Luther
Jno. Young
Sam Thurber
Jacob Whitman
Edmund Tripp
David Waters
William Sheldon
Dan’l Wear
Rich’d Brown
Volintine Esterbrooks
Charles Olney
Thos. Field
Thos. Bowen
Jona. Jenckes
Step. Jenckes
James Olney
Wm. Brown
Sam’l Lethredge
Gershom Holden
Sam’l Currey
John Foster
Sam’l Clark
Nathan Case
Eben’r Robins
Wm. Clark
Jona. Olney
Wm. Ford
Sam’l Wetherby
Step. Angel
Peleg Williams
Jona. Allen
Peter Randal
John Tripp
Nath. Day
John Malavery
Noah Whitman
Nath. Bucklin
Noah Mason
Robert Sterry

47
23 1/2
________
70 1/2

The above mentioned names for One share and a half.

Sam’l Briggs
James Young
Ichabod Cumstock
Morris Hern
Jos. Burden
Ezra Heyley
Obediah Sprague (sic.)
Edward Thurber
John Olney
William Olney, Jr.
Daniel Thurber
Daniel Cahoon
Chas. Symons
Benj. Gorman
John Howland
Nathan Jenckes
David Tift
Jos. Brown
Gideon Smith
Jos. Hawkins
Sarah Cottle
Isaac Cole
Obediah King
Thos. Woodward
Rob’t Foster
Sam’l Toogood
Jos. Olney, Jr.
Wm. Whipple
David Wilbur
Oliver Casey
Elisha Smith
Nathan Case, Jr.
Charles Angel
Jos. Taylor
Oliver Man
Moses Man
W. Whipple, Jr.
Wm. Phillips
Benj. Robinson
Jona. Pike
George Wear
Edward Giles
John Smith
Gilbert Samons
Woodbery Morris
John Wiever
Nehemiah Sweet
Stephen Goodspeed
Abraham Olney
James Muzey
Benja. Medberry
Nathaneal Woodward
Zeph’r Woodward
James Jenckes
William Emerson
Chas. Spaulding
John Downer
Nath’l Packer
Thos. Sterry
Amasa Kilburn
Nathan Sterry
Samuel Mott
James Day, of Mass.
Asa Foster, “
John Peabody, “
Isaac Blunt, “
Caleby Swan, “
Peter Parker, “
Daniel Ingols, “
John Wilson, “
Nath’l Brown, “
Abiel Fry, “
Simon Fry, “
Remsley Stevens,”
Robert Davis, “
Jer. Brownel
Nath’l Finney
John Dexter
Steph. Carpenter
Levi Potter
Nedebiah Angel
John Brown
James Foster
Elisha Hopkins
Wm. Walcot
David Alberton
Rob’t Potter
Dan’l Wilcocks
John Wullin
Rob’t Woodward
Peter Bateman
Jeremiah Dexter
William Jenckes
Henry Finch
Sam’l Shearman
Wm. Olney
John Olney, Jr.
James Olney
Francis Swan, of Mass.
Coggshal Olney
John Power
Aaron Mason
Nathan Jenckes
Freelove Tucker
Benja. Cousins
Rowland Sprague
Nathan Giles
Jer. Dexter (erased)
These single shares each

154
47
______
107
70 1/2
______
177 1/2
45 first settlers
66 2 “
66 3 “
______
177

Some of these names, as Tower, Young, Estabrooks, Jincks, Foster, Curry, Bateman, Cahoun, Brown, Smith, Cole, King, Finney, Carpenter, Briggs, Sprague, Robinson, Seaman, Power, Tucker, Parker, Emerson, Davis, etc., represent well known families in our community. Many of the others probably never came to the country at all and others coming here were not satisfied with the prospect and returned again to the other colonies.

The first town meeting–or meeting of the committee for Sackville township took place on 20th July, 1762. It was held at the house of Mrs. Charity Bishop, who kept an inn at Fort Cumberland. There were present Capt. John Huston, Doctor John Jencks, Joshua Sprague, Valentine Estabrooks, William Maxwell and Joshua Winslow. Capt. Huston was made chairman and Ichabod Comstock, clerk.

The conditions and locations of the proposed new grant of Sackville were of the first interest to the newly arrived settlers and the proceedings were largely taken up with settling such matters. It was resolved that a family of six, and seven head of cattle should have one and a half shares of 750 acres.

At the next meeting held on 31st August, Mr. Elijah Ayer’s name appears as a committeeman.

At a town meeting held on 18th April, 1770, Robert Scott was appointed moderator and Robert Foster clerk. They with John Thomas were appointed a committee to settle with the old committee for the survey of the lands.

There is a record of the settlement the next year; they had 200 acres of land cleared and 12,000 acres of marsh — the former had probably been cleared by the French, who had reclaimed the marsh. It had 20 families settled.

The next immigration appears to have been in 1763, when a Baptist church at Swansea, Mass., left in a body with the pastor and settled here. It was a small body consisting of 13 members only. Their names were, Nathan Mason and wife, Thomas Lewis and wife, Oliver Mason and wife, Experience Baker, Benjamin Mason and wife, Charles Seamans and wife and Gilbert Seamans and wife. Nathan Mason was their pastor.

The names Nathan Mason, Thomas Lewis, Gilbert Seaman, Benjamin Mason occur in a document in the Archives at Halifax seven years later (1770) reciting the names of the residents here. The others are said to have returned to Massachusetts in 1771.

The first actual grant of Sackville appears to have been made on 12th October, 1765. Previous to that date, settlers had no title to lands they occupied beyond orders-in-council, issued at Halifax and which the grant confirmed. This grant was for 35,250 acres. The consideration was a quit rent of one shilling sterling for ten years for every fifty acres. If no rent be paid for three years and no distress be found, or if the granters sell the same within ten years the grant is void.

The township was to consist of 100,000 acres. It was divided into three sections, known as letters A B and C. Letter B division embraced the district between Foundry St., and Morice’s mill pond. “A” district was south of Foundry St.; “C” north of Morice’s mill pond. There were home lots for actual settlers, who had wood lots and marsh lots bearing corresponding numbers.

This grant contained sixty-nine names, in addition to those before mentioned the following were added: Isaac Cole; Amasa Killam, Nath. Lewis; Thomas Lewis; James Estabrooks; Joseph Tingley; Isaac Horton; Gideon Smith; Gideon Smith, Jr.; Jonathan Ward; Asel Carpenter; John Wood; Alex Huston.

The grant was divided into 200 shares of 500 acres each. The intention was to give a man of family one share; a single man half a share. Some, however, received a grant of 1 1/2 shares. Each right of share was numbered and specifically granted by three or four different patents to each grantee by number and quantity of acres.

There was a good deal of unprofitable land which was not located nor divided. The Committee of the Town of Sackville claimed the right to allot these vacant lands, which was disputed. In 1786 there were 60 families in the township.

Each grantee had as follows:

Town lot 1/2 acre
4 A lot
7 ” lot
16 ” pasture
100 ” lot
372 1/2 ” wilderness
__________
Total 500

The wood lots were not then or until many years after considered of any commercial value and when their owners left the country and abandoned them or when changes of title took place and the new owners took no interest or charge of them, the ownership of many became obscured. When the timer on them commenced to be valuable, there suddenly grew up a small class of land jumpers, who ran out vacant lots and exercised acts of ownership. These acts led to a great deal of litigation and, for many years the Supreme Court was kept more or less busy over “Sackville rights.”

Many of the original grants of lots were voided for want of settlement and other grants issued over the same lands. The names of the original grantees and numbers of lots held by each is as follows:

LETTER A.
Joshua Sprague 1 1/2
Nathan Mason 1 1/2
Joseph Winsor 1 1/2
James Olvay 1 1/2
Elijah Sprague 1 1/2
William Sprague 1 1/2
James Sprague 1 1/2
Isaac Cole 1 1/2

LETTER B.
Amasa Killam 1 1/2
Daniel Hawkins 1 1/2
Wm. Jinks 1 1/2
Charles Hawkins 1
Josiah Hawkins 1
Superam Killam 1 1/2
Levis Eddy 1 1/2
Deborah Eddy 1 1/2
Nathal Mason 1
Nathal, Mason, Jr. 1 1/2
Isaiah Mason 1 1/2
Jno. Day 1
Benj. Mason 1
Natel, Lewis 1 1/2
Charles Seamans

LETTER C.
Phinias Potter 1 1/2
Thomas Lewis 1 1/2
James Estabrooks 1
Nathel. Jacobs 1 1/2
Jacob Whitmond 1 1/2
Pno. Thomas 1 1/2
Val’tine Estabrooks 2
Josiah Tingley 1
Benj. Emerson 1 1/2
Eph’rm Emerson 1
Isaiah Horton 1
Daniel Eddy 1
Samson Mason 1/2
Matthew Mason 1/2
Gideon Smith 1 1/2
Stephen Smith 1 1/2
Gideon Smith, Jr. 1 1/2
Benijah Lewis 1/2
Jonathan Ward 1
Oliver Mason 1
Robert Williams 1 1/2
Asel Carpenter 1
John Eddy
Benjamin Mason 1 1/2
Michael Cushion 1
Sam’l Emmerson 1 1/2
David Alvason 1 1/2
Eben’r Salisbury 1 1/2
Israel Thornton 1 1/2
Eden. Salisbury Jr. 1
Jabish Salisbury 1/2
Richard Salisbury 1/2
Reuben Salisbury 1/2
Enemer Olvey 1/2
Eleazer Martin 1/2
Samuel Lewis 1 1/2
John Thomas, Jr. 1/2
Nicholas Thomas 1/2
John Manley 1
Elijah Ayer, Jr. 1
Henry Glin 1 1/2
Joseph Emerson 1 1/2
Seth Hervey 1
John Wood 1/2
Alex’r Huston 1
David Latimor 1
Thomas Hunt 1

Most of these are said to have represented actual settlers at the time, but when the war of Independence broke out sixteen years later, many of these settlers actively sympathized with the revolting colonies and returned to United States. Some of them joined Col. Eddy in his attack on Fort Cumberland and fled at his defeat to Machias. For these and other reasons this grant seems to have been superseded by other and later grants over the same lands.

The Eddy war, as it was called, was one of the most stirring episodes in early history.

In 1767, Sackville had already made considerable progress. A return made by Lieut. Governor Franklin, embracing a census of the 30 townships into which the Province was then divided, shows Sackville had then a population of 349 persons, 343 of whom were Americans. It possessed also the following:–

Horses 48
Oxen 133
Cows 250
Young head cattle 347
Swine 63
Grist Mills 1
Saw 1

Produce in 1766–
Wheat, bus.– 1035
Rye, bus. 1278
Pease, bus. 53
Barley, bus. 35
Oats, bus. 34
Hemp seed 10 1/2
Flax seed 53
Flax 9
Born during the year 26
Died 6

In 1763, a petition from Cumberland for land grants was sent to the government. Amongst the names on the petition were: Brook Watson, John Horton and Alex and William of the same name, Joseph Moore, Elijah Ayre, Obediah Ayre, Joseph Ayre, Samuel Gay and Martin Gay, Jonathan Eddy, Jonathan Coe, Daniel Gooden, Charles Oulton, Liffy Chappel, Jabez Chappell, Anthony Buck, Abel Richardson, George Allen, Nehemiah Ward, John Fillmore.

CHAPTER IV.

INHABITANTS 1876

List of settlers in Sackville in 1786 in Trueman’s Isthmus of Chignecto Book, page 41:–

The Yorkshire immigrants 1772-73-74 who settled in Sackville were Dixon, Bowser, Atkinson, Anderson, Bulmer, Harper, Patterson, Fawcett, Richardson, Humphrey, Carnforth and Wry.

At this time the township of Amherst had a population of 123 and the township of Cumberland 325; Hopewell (all Albert County) 159; Moncton 60.

A third immigration took place, commencing in 1772. On 16th May, 1772, a body of Yorkshire settlers landed at Fort Cumberland, having arrived at Halifax the previous months, from England. They embraced the Blacks, Bowsers, Dixons, Chapmans, Freezes, Bulmers, Lowerisons, and other well known families. Other parties followed. This immigration was most important from a commercial as from a political standpoint. The loyalty of these men was a tower of strength, when the attempt was made by Col. Eddy, aided by the New England settlers, to rush this country into union with the revolted colonies.

Another grant dated January 30th, 1773, is signed by Lord William Campbell, styled Captain General and Governor in chief in Acadia. By this document 51 shares or rights of 500 acres each are granted. It is recited that the township consisted of 200 rights, being in all 100,000 acres. The grantees with the numbers of their lots are as follows:

LETTER A. DIVISION

Samuel Bellew 1
Joseph Brown 1/2 of 5
Nicholas Cook 6
John Jinks 11
Samuel Curry 13
Benjamin Harper 17
Gilbert Seamans 20
Joseph Owens 21
John Thurber 29
George Shearman 32
Japhet Alverson 1/2 of 37
Jeremith Alverson 1/2 of 37
William Alverson 43 and 1/2 of 48
Charles Olney 25 and 1/2 of 49
John Jenks 1/2 of 44
Samuel Curry 1/2 of 46
Benjamin Thurber 1/2 of 46
Samuel Saunders 1/2 of 47
John Barnes 1/2 of 48
Nicholas Cook 1/2 of 50
Thomas Barns 1/2 of 53

LETTER B.

Bernoni Williams 4
Timothy Williams 6
Jesse Jenks 8
Joseph Cook 9
Michael Joseph Delesdernier 31
Samuel Hicks 40
Josiah Hicks 1/2 of 41
Nicholas Cook 10
Jesse Cook 11
Joseph Bennett 12
Comer Smith 15
John Hawkins 1/2 of 17
Richard Cumberland 22 & 23 & 24
Paul Ferdinand Delesdernier 29
Moses John Fred Delesdernier 30
William Lawrence 42
Nathan Seamans 43
Jeremiah Brownell 44
George Shearman 45
Joshua Shearman 46
Benjamin Tower 1/2 of 47
Joseph Tower 1/2 of 47
Ambrose Hicks 1/2 of 60
Samuel Eddy 1/2 of 65
John Eddy 1/2 of 66
Abraham Olney 67

LETTER C.

Nathan Seamans 4
Reuben Lattimore 6
Samuel Lattimore 10
Robert Lattimore 18
Joseph Tower 1/2 of 20
Benjamin Tower 1/2 of 20
Job Seamans 38
Eliphalet Read 1/2 of 39
Jonathan Jinks 57 and 1/2 of 63
Samuel Hicks 1/2 of 59
William Tower 1/2 of 64

This grant contained fifty-nine names, in addition to those before mentioned the following were added: Isaac Cold; Amasa Killam, Nath. Lewis, Thomas Lewis, James Estabrooks, Joseph Tingley, Isaac Horton, Gideon Smith, Gideon Smith, Jr., Jonathan Ward, Asel Carpenter, John Wood, Alex Huston.

The terms of this grant were a quit rent of one shilling for every 50 acres granted payable every Michaelmas, the grant to be void in case no payment be made for three years and no distress be found on the premises; also the grantees bound themselves to cultivate or enclose one third in a year, one in eleven years and one third in twenty-one years; also each grantee to plant annually two acres in hemp; also actual settlement shall be made before the last day of January, 1875, or the grant is void.

The next grant is dated 22nd day of July, 1774 and signed by Frances Legge, Captain General, &c. and is for 24 1/2 shares of rights, comprising 12,250 acres as follows:

LETTER A. DIVISION

Heirs of Thomas Barnes, Lot No. 15
Wm. Maxwell 12 and 1/2 of 53
Cogsholl Olney 1/2 of 31
Abiat Peck 26 and 1/2 of 51
Peleg Williams 34 and 1/2 of 54
Joseph Owen 1/2 of 47
Gideon Young, No. 19

LETTER B. DIVISION

Edmund Jinks 3
Benjamin Thurber 73 and 74
Lewis Eddy 1/2 of 49
Deborah Eddy 1/2 of 49
Josiah Tingley 1/2 of 66
Jonathan Cole 68
William Estabrooks 1/2 of 69
Edward Cole 1/2 of 70
Ambrose Cole 1/2 of 70
Samuel Jones 1/2 of 58
Joseph Rood’s Heirs 1/2 of 58
Gideon Young 1/2 of 50
Simon Rood 1/2 of 50
Job Archer 64
Joseph and Jonas Bennett 13

LETTER C.

William Brown 12
Andrew Waterman 7
Heirs of Benjamin Wilbur 2
Samuel Rogers 1/2 of 10
Robert Foster 22
John Foster 24

The terms are the same as in the former grant except the quit rent is made one farthing per acre and actual settlement has to be made within two years.

About 1786, the inhabitants of Sackville made a return of the state of the settlement to the government to shew that if a proposed escheat was made it would be attended with great confusion as but few of the grants had not been improved. The actual settlers at that date as set forth in the return appear to have been as follows:–

LETTER A.

Samuel Bellew
Joseph Brown
Samuel Rogers
Samuel Saunders
Valentine Estabrooks
Andrew Kinnear
James Jincks
Eleazer Olney
Nathan Mason
John Peck
John Barnes
Ebenezer Burnham
Simon Baisley
Wm. Carnforth
Abial Peck
Nathaniel Shelding
Job Archernard
Jonathan Burnham

LETTER B.
Charles Dixon
John Richardson
John Fawcett
George Bulmer
Thomas Bowser
Gilbert Seaman
Joseph Read
Wm. Carnforth
John Wry
Moses Delesdernier
Joseph Delesdernier
Michael Burk
Samuel Seamans
Joseph Tower
Joseph Thompson
Mark Patton
Nehemiah Ayer
James Cole
Hezekiah King
Daniel Tingley
Wm. Lawrence
Ben Tower
Elijah Ayer
John Thompson
Eliphalet Read
Josiah Tingley
Jonathan Cole
Valentine Estabrooks

LETTER C.

Wm. Estabrooks
Daniel Stone
Nehemiah Ward
Pickering Snowdon
Nehemiah Ward
John Fillmore
John Grace
Angus McPhee
Wm. Fawcett
Jonathan Eddy
Gideon Smith
Patton Estabrooks
Thomas Potter
John Weldon
Jos. C. Lamb
Josiah Hicks
Joseph Sears
Benjamin Emmerson
Titus Thornton

OLD TIME HOMES

The following statement dated April, 1820, shows how the Sackville people were housed:–

John Humphrey built what is known as the Lyons House. It was occupied by Pacon, a blacksmith, who had a blacksmith shop adjacent to it.

Christopher Richardson purchased from Amos Seaman the lands afterwards owned by John R. Richardson, now possessed by Gershom Maxwell.

Christopher Humphrey inherited from his mother the farm he occupied during his life. She had built there a commodious log house. It had four rooms downstairs and was more luxuriously appointed than most dwellings because it had two chimneys. She kept public house there. She had two daughters, one married Charles Dixon, the other married John Morice.

The next house was west of Salem Street–(Queen’s Road). It was occupied by the widow Richardson, her husband having died at Horton, It was a log house and built for her by her eldest son, Christopher. She had besides him, Joseph and Thomas. Her daughter, Sallie, married _____ Wilkinson and Charlotte married _____ Horton. At this date, 1820, there were no houses on Lower Fairfield Road which was not cut out until 1823.

The next house was the two story frame house built by George Bulmer and purchased by Jonathan Black. It was the first frame house built in Sackville. The builder had to purchase some of the lumber from United States.

Lieutenant Duncan Shaw purchased in 1812 from John Wry the lot of land known as Shaw’s Hill, the site of the Baptist Church. His name occurs often in the old records. He was a prominent man. He built one or more vessels about 1800. He was a brother-in-law, of William Harper, the first merchant store keeper, both of them having married daughters of Capt Hamm, a Loyalist living at Portland, Maine. Mr. Harper with his schooner was a Bay of Fundy trader and lived in Sackville from 1796 to 1800. A most interesting account of these days is given by a descendant of Mr. Harper — Mrs. Steeves, Shediac, in her book — “The First Store Keeper at the Bend”.

The next house up street was built by (Duncan) Shaw; a tramp came along, got in it, was drunk, set fire to it and was burned with it. His remains were afterwards found.

The next house was John Wry’s. It was a log house until about 1820 when Mr. Wry replaced it with a frame house. He purchased it originally from Gershom Maxwell. The next, Crane’s Corner was the Bowser House, in a garden with cherry trees on a side hill. The brick house remembered by the older generation was erected about 1825. The old house was then turned into a school house.

The next house was the Killam house

John Harrison lived in a small red frame house on the site of the Edward Trueman place in Maple Hill. John Fawcett built a frame house near the Academy Brook. He owned the farm where the late Robert Fawcett lived.

Cyrus Tingley occupied a log house almost opposite the Charles Fawcett residence. Mr. Tingley died and his widow married one Mahoney.

John Ogden lived on the place afterwards occupied by Marcus Trueman (near the Purington residence.) He traded places with George Kinnear (father of the late Edmund and William Kinnear) who owned the Bloomer Ogden farm, and moved there on the next hill.

Deles Dernier lived in a log house on one side of the highway and Major Wilson occupied a frame house on the other side. Major Wilson had two sons, Harper and Richard. Harper built opposite his father’s place.

George Lawrence — father of Nathan and Leban, had a house back in the field near where Leban afterwards lived. Wm. Lawrence lived in a frame house on the same property that was afterwards owned by his son, Nelson. John Outhouse lived on the Alder Trueman place. Old Mr. Lawrence lived opposite the Mariner Wood house. It was brick on a side hill — two storeys in front and one in the rear. Back of the Philip Palmer house, was a two storey house where Capt. Tom Ayers lived.

Above that came the Tingley, Ayers and Harper houses. The first was the Tingley where the late Amos lived. Nehemiah Ayer lived where the late Wm. Ayer resided and across the road was Obediah Ayer’s house. Further up the crest of the hill, Michael Grace lived. William Harper lived on the hill occupied by the late I. C. Harper. He had a nice farm house. John Harper lived in the Morice place. He and Obediah Ayer were partners in carrying on a saw and grist mill. They sold out to John Morice.

David Stone lived on the ‘Squire Titus Hicks place.

John Sharpe lived above Bethel Meeting House.

Joshua Read succeeded his father to the place on the hill owned afterwards by Nathan Lawrence and later by William Smith. Samuel Hicks, the projenitor of all the Hicks in the Country first lived in the Nath. Ward place which had previously been owned by the Reads.

Tolar Thompson lived next. Joseph Thompson cousin of Toler’s lived on the Thomas Anderson place.

A blacksmith named Woodworth had a house and Smithy at the Four Corners — South side.

On the opposite corner, Mr. Thornton built a house which was occupied by “Long” John Thompson — the father of Wilson and Jacob.

Thomas Wheaton built above the graveyard –the house has long disappeared.

Wm. Fawcett lived on the James George place and John Fawcett on the Chappel Fawcett place.

Mr. Emmerson, the great grandfather of the late Hon. H. R. Emmerson lived in a log house on the site of the Elisha Wheaton house. He had the reputation of being a good farmer. He left two children:–one of them married Mrs. Lefurgy mother of late Hon. Mr. Lefurgy of Summerside. David Wheaton purchased the place afterward. Benjamin Wheaton lived on the John Bickerton place and Josiah Hicks on the opposite hill.

Next to him, Jonathan Hicks lived.

Joseph Sears occupied the same place that his son Frederick Sears and later grandson Joseph Sears lived. At Jenck’s Brook, Joseph Sears was the only settler. “Corner” Bill Estabrooks was the first settler at the edge of Log Lake — then bog, now solid marsh 10 feet deep. Tusket was settled by Thomas McPhee.

CHAPTER V.

YORKSHIRE SETTLERS

CHARLES DIXON

The following paper was read before the Chignecto Historical Society on 9th July 1892, at the celebration on the Dixon homestead of the 120th anniversary of the landing of Charles Dixon at Sackville, by his grandson, James D. Dixon, Esq.:

To the ridge of land upon which we stand belongs perhaps as much of historic interest as any spot in Sackville. Upon it once stood a row of tenements erected and inhabited by the Acadian French. As the French gained access by water conveyance to the country threading the various rivers and streams in boats and small vessels, and as at this point the upland extends to the river which, with a single exception it does not do upon the whole length of the Tantramar, thus affording exceptional facilities for landing. I deem it more than probable they first landed and commenced their occupation of Sackville at this point. The marsh land to the Eastward now called the Dixon Island marsh, to the extent of 200 acres and upwards was reclaimed, occupied and cultivated by them from which they derived their principal means of support. Traces of these tenements were distinctly visible 50 years ago. Frequently in my youthful days I have ploughed over their foundations and turned up quantities of the marsh mud of which with a few sticks, their chimneys were constructed. There was also to be seen a hollow or depression of the surface indicating the existence of a cellar. In 1765 this locality was granted by the Nova Scotia Government to one Daniel Hawkins and was by him occupied and improved until the year 1772. Hawkins was one of the New England immigrants who were induced to come here by Governor Lawrence of Nova Scotia.

One hundred and twenty years have passed since Charles Dixon, one of the first of the Yorkshire immigrants, who were induced to come to Nova Scotia by the influence of Lieutenant Governor Franklyn, arrived and settled upon this farm, with his family consisting of his wife and four children. We are met today to celebrate events of historic interest and importance, rather than for the purpose of glorifying individuals, yet it may be well that we should not overlook or under estimate the difficulties to be surmounted and the privations endured by these English immigrants, in bidding adieu to old England and encountering a rough and tedious passage from Liverpool to Halifax of nearly seven weeks’ duration and from thence to Fort Cumberland in which nearly three more weeks were spent. Mr. Dixon found a refuge for his family in the Fort a couple of weeks, and employed his time in exploring and visiting the neighboring localities and in the purchase of the property upon which we are assembled of Daniel Hawkins, to which he removed his family on the 8th of June, 1772. The property consisted of 2,500 acres in all, about 260 of which was in this immediate locality and 186 acres of which was marsh, nearly all of which was dyked and 35 acres of improved upland. There was also included a farm of 200 acres and upwards on the lower Mill creek or Frosty Hollow, so called 20 acres of which were cleared and upwards of seventy acres was dyked marsh. The balance of his purchase consisted of 2000 acres of wilderness land nearly 700 of which lay on the lower Fairfield road to the south-west. For this property he paid the sum of 260 pounds sterling. He also purchased the stock upon the farm which consisted of 13 cows, 6 oxen and 25 young cattle, 6 horses, 36 sheep, 13 hogs and 2 goats. A house and barn and some outhouses stood upon the property very near where the house of the late Captain Towse now stands. There was also a house and barn on the farm at Frosty Hollow and about 20 head of stock which was under rental to one Daniel Dickinson. To this land where we are assembled he gave the name Pathos Isle. Mr. Dixon himself was not a farmer and had never followed that occupation. The spring he arrived here was late, cold and discouraging. He says he found almost the whole population, who had come here from New England some seven years previously much discontented and desirous of selling their lands and returning to New England. He strove to ascertain the cause of such universal discontent and soon arrived at the conclusion it was due to indolence and ignorance. Accustomed as he had been to notice the agricultural operations of Yorkshire, perhaps at that time the most advanced of any part of England or even of Europe, the newer and cruder operations which here met his observation could not but suffer by comparison. It is but reasonable to suppose the New Englanders with their seven years’ experience with the soil and climate of this country, should have acquired a more correct general knowledge of the country and its capabilities than a stranger, who had no practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits could be capable of forming with only a couple of weeks’ observation. Here, however he applied himself diligently to the cultivation and improvement of his estate in which he was assisted the first year by Thomas Anderson who with his youthful bride were his fellow passengers from England. It is said of Mr. Anderson that upon their arrival at Halifax, she was so homesick she earnestly desired to return to England in the same ship. A year later Mr. Dixon writes a paper recording the circumstances of his early life, his occupation, his religious views, his marriage, the reasons inducing him to leave England and his coming to America and his settlement here concluding with the words following “and now let us adore that Providence that has brought us through many dangers from our Father’s house and given us a lot in a strange land and an inheritance which we never deserved nor expected.” Between 1772 and 1777 a considerable number of other families from Yorkshire came out and settled in Sackville and adjoining localities, some of whom were encouraged to do so by Mr. Dixon while some were aided and assisted by him in procuring suitable locations for settlement. The loyalty of these English immigrants was almost immediately put to a severe test by circumstances connected with the revolutionary war, and the fact that so large a proportion of the New England settlers here actually sympathized with the revolted Colonies. But to the honor of the Yorkshire settlers be it said, they were almost a unit in adhering to the cause of Great Britain, though for a time they suffered the indignity of having their houses robbed and pillaged, and themselves forbidden to stir off their premises.

To a man like Charles Dixon this was a terrible humiliation. His loyalty to the crown and government of England was intense; he could not conceive of anything so foolish and wicked as rebellion against such a government and such a King as George the third and his feelings towards such persons and their sympathizers were such that he did not wish his family to associate or intermarry with them in after life. Of the Yorkshire immigrants, it can safely be said they were honest, moral, industrious, and loyal citizens, very plain spoken, when they said yea or nay, whatever that implied could be relied upon. If they differed, as they sometimes did, they expressed themselves upon the points at issue with admirable directness and without prevarication. They did much to improve the condition of the country both morally and physically. I rejoice to be permitted to participate in any demonstration to honor their memory, and to declare my conviction that none of their descendants have any cause to be ashamed of their ancestry.

The first grant of the parish of Sackville comprised 35,250 acres all to New England people and was issued in 1765. A later grant must have been issued soon after, as an assessment of the land owners of Sackville was made in 1777 by James Law and Charles Dixon in which the quantity assessed is over 90,000 acres and in which there are many names of New England people.

The largest land holder in Sackville at that date was Samuel Rodgers, one of the most active participators in the Eddy war, so called, to whose name stands 4,746 acres. I recollect this old man who died at a great age in 1831 or thereabouts, having been for several years previously a town charge. The next largest proprietor of land were Esterbrooks and Mason, 3,344 acres. Next comes John Barnes 2,750 acres and next comes Charles Dixon with 2,510 acres. Elijah Ayer 2,090 acres and Edward Barron 2,000 acres, Benjamin Emmerson 2,000, Robert Scott 2,000 and others with a less quantity. Of the 120 persons who were proprietors of land at that time there are not more than 25 surnames to be found on our assessment roll of the present year, corresponding to those in the list above mentioned. Thus we see that the names of nearly all of the landed proprietors of 1777 have removed from the country or became extinct.

Mr. Dixon as a Justice of the Peace, to which office he was appointed soon after he came to the country, was authorized to perform the marriage service. A few may be mentioned as follows, viz.: David Wheaton and Mary Barker in 1793; John Harper and Mary Thornton in 1791; John Dobson and Mary Fawcett in 1794; William Lawrence and Sally King in 1795; Michael Grace and Ruth Carnforth in 1792; Thomas Easterbrooks and Ruth Smith in 1793; James Hicks and Sarah Easterbrooks in 1785; John Wry and Phoebe Maxwell in 1786; Bedford Boultenhouse and Charlotte Harper in 1794; Timothy Lockhart and Elizabeth Teed in 1793.

THE OLDEST DESCENDENT

of Charles Dixon at the date of the meeting was Mr. Nelson Bulmer then in his 86th year. Mr. Bulmer’s father George Bulmer purchased his property of Nicholas Cooke, a son of one of the original grantees of Sackville in the year 1785 and immediately settled thereon. The adjoining property to the northeast was owned by William Maxwell and was transferred to his son-in-law, John Wry; next to Wry, Thomas Bowser settled, and next to him Robert Atkinson, who purchased his property from his father-in- law, Amasa Killam. These four lots comprised all the land between the Upper and Lower Fairfield roads with the exception of a half lot which was purchased by John Richardson. This block of land now constitutes a very valuable and populous part of Sackville, embracing the Mount Allison institutions, the English, Methodist and Baptist churches, hotels and private residence, stores and public buildings including the post office. The Dixon estate also contains a fair proportion of the natural growth and increase of the population and buildings of Sackville. The oldest surviving descendant of Charles Dixon bearing the name Dixon was William C. Dixon, of Maidstone, Essex County, Ontario, who though in his 79th year is here present. There were fourteen of the grandchildren of Charles Dixon still living, eight bearing the name of Dixon, and two bearing the name of Bulmer and four females bearing the names of O’Hara, Wightman, Simons and Smith. The descendants, over 2000 in number are widely scattered and are to be found in Australia, California, South Sea Island, Japan, England, in many of the States of the Union and in nearly all of the provinces of Canada.

At the conclusion of his interesting paper Mr. Dixon read a letter from his cousins Charles and Edward Dixon and their sisters Ruth, Martha and Mary of Payson, Utah, expressing regret at their inability to be present at the celebration and also extending to their relatives in the east an invitation to visit them should the occasion offer.

Shortly before the gathering broke up Mr. Wm. C. Dixon of Ontario, read an amusing poem appropriate to the occasion in which was set forth many historical and personal episodes of the early settlers. Among the historical relics exhibited were a spider used for heating flat irons, etc., a walnut tea tray, a clock of very early make, and an account book kept by Mr. Dixon the first entry in which bears the date 1760.

VISIT TO WINDSOR, HUNDRED YEARS AGO

An old letter describes a trip from Chignecto to Halifax by the Parrsboro-Windsor route. The writer says he took his wife with him, and both being young did not mind a hard seated wagon and rough roads. “On our arrival at Parrsboro we found there Jim White with a drove of cattle for Halifax. The old packet was covered with cattle and there was no room for my horse, so we had to wait until the return of the packet from Windsor. Mr. Ratchford was then doing a large business at Partridge Island and was very kind to us. On the return of the packet we were landed at Horton. There was great excitement at Windsor and many strangers attending the trial of a couple of men for the murder of Deputy Sheriff Kennedy. The Judge presiding was Haliburton, afterwards Chief Justice Sir Brenton. He was a small, delicate, light complexioned man. He possessed a clear voice and a distinct utterance and seemed to be an able man. The prosecuting officer was Attorney General Uniacke. He was a tall, powerfully built man, with massive head and strongly marked features. He spoke with a good deal of brogue. He was a powerful speaker. I looked at him with a good deal of interest. I had often heard my father speak of him. (After referring to Mr. Uniacke’s connection with the Eddy war, the writer proceeded.) I have forgotten who defended. The case was one of circumstantial evidence and the verdict of not guilty having been rendered, the men were discharged. We had difficulty in obtaining quarters, but Mr. Wilcox kindly gave us a private room and we were very comfortable.

I heard Job Ross had a marvellous hog. I went and found Ross–an old man, selling spruce beer and gingerbread. I asked to see the hog. He took me through a passage to the back of the house and close to it was the pen. There were three apartments for his hogship, a dining room, a bedroom and an outside apartment. The whole was scrupulously clean; the hog, being called, came to Job who scratched him, for which he received grunting thanks. The hog weighed 1100 pounds. The skin was perfectly clean. Ross said he washed and scrubbed him every day. The result was he ate less and thrived better.

We started for Halifax, where we arrived in the evening, passing on the road White and his cattle, approaching the city. It took him over a week to get his cattle there, much shrunk and deteriorated in value”, etc., etc.

CHAPTER VI.

PROVINCIAL SETTLEMENTS

It was not until three years after 1755 that Acadia was opened up for settlers from New England, previously which the whole country was practically all wilderness. In 1761 there were only six families in the territory outside of Port Royal, and only seventy-four in Port Royal. There were only ten families along the Saint John river as late as 1695. The first English settlement in the Province of New Brunswick took place in 1761 when twenty-five families came in and occupied the deserted French farms in Sackville. About the same time about the same date the English settlers arrived in Amherst.

Israel Perley of Newburyport, Mass., after an exploratory trip up the Saint John River, arrived there in 1763 with four vessels, laden with settlers for Maugerville and Sheffield. At this time the Peabody, Symonds, White and Hazen trading establishments at the mouth of the Saint John River commenced to build up large interests. The Hopewell, Hillsboro and Moncton settlements largely by Germans from Pennsylvania were made in 1765, when also William Davidson built up a trade of fish, furs and masts at Beaubear’s Island. Most of the original English settlers were merely squatters; immense grants of land having been made by Governor Wilmot in Halifax to non-resident land grabbers and speculators such as Boquet, Haldimand, Desbarres, McNutt and many others. These were either escheated later on by the Crown or sold under judgments obtained by settlers. McNutt had a grant of a territory not less than 1700 square miles along the Saint John River.

When in 1765 General Monckton was carrying on the “Grand Derangement” at Chignecto, he sent a corps of New Englanders to destroy the Acadian dwellings at Tantramar. It was not long before the smoke and flames burst from 97 buildings. Those Acadians who escaped the expulsion saw from the shelter of the woods the torch applied to their homes. Theirs was a melancholy fate. The innocent suffered with the guilty. The conflagration of the homes of the Acadians was not limited to Tantramar but extended to Westcock and Woodpoint so that when the work of destruction was done only heaps of ashes were left to remind one of the Acadian homes.

The Acadians had not cleared a wide stretch of upland nor did they build aboideaux across the creeks. Their dykes skirted the rivers and creeks. The houses were of course log ones with roofs of bark and chimneys built of wood and clay. After the disappearance of the Acadians Governor Lawrence issued his proclamation offering lands to actual settlers. Immigration from New England States commenced in due course. People came from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and other New England places. The lands were surveyed; allotments made to the settlers but they were obviously disappointed because when Mr. Charles Dixon arrived at Sackville from Yorkshire in 1772 all but three families had disappeared. The first settlers to come were twenty- five families from Rhode Island. This was in 1761.

APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS

The following is a list of applications for grants at the years named. Many of the applicants were never in the country, others came and returned to the colonies south. The list is of interest to show the land grabbing tendencies of the age.

Name Acreage

1763
Day, John 500
O’Brien, Henry 500
France, John 500
Fitzsymons, Francis
Fitzsymons, James & John 1500
Foster, Christian & Another 1000
Marshall, Richard 1000
Proctor, Thomas
Peck, Martin & Others
Philmore, John 89000
Lewis, Nathaniel & Others )
Lewis, Thomas & Others )
Lewis, Benjamin & Others ) 35250
Lewis, Samuel & Others )

1765
Cole, Isaac & Others )
Carpenter, Asel & Others )
Custen, Michael & Others )
Tingley, Josiah & Others
Thournton, Israel & Others
Thomas, John R. & Others
Thomas, Nicholas & Others
Mason, Nathan & Others
Mason, Nathaniel & Others
Mason, Nathaniel, Jr. & Others
Mason, Isaiah & Others
Mason, Benjamin & Others
Mason, Matthew & Others
Mason, Oliver & Others
Mason, Benjamin & Others
Martin, Eleanor & Others
Manly, John & Others
Killam, Amasa & Others
Killam, Superam & Others
Lewis, Nathaniel & Others
Lewis, Thomas & Others
Lewis, Benjamin & Others
Winsor, Joseph & Others
Whitmond, Jacob & Others
Williams, Rob & Others
Wood, John & Others
Ward, Joshua & Others
Day, John & Others

1768
Sherman, George & Others
Saunders, Samuel & Others
Smith, Coomer & Others
Simmons, Gilbert & Others
Simmons, Nathaniel & Others
Sherman, George & Others
Simmons, Samuel & Others
Simmons, Job & Others
Simmons, Nathan & Others
Simmons, Henry & Others
Jenks, John & Others
Jenks, James & Others
Jenks, Edward & Others
Jenks, Jesse & Others
Johnston, Stephen & Others
Jenks, Jonathan & Others
Irons, Samuel & Others
Mason, Nathaniel & Others
Martin, Experience & Others
Moore, John & Others
Moore, Rev. Wm. & Others
Glebe, Land & Others
Thurber, Benjamin, 2d. & Others
Towers, Benj. & Jos. & Others
Thurber Benjamin & Others
Tower, Wm. & Others
Thomas, John & Others
Young, Gideon & Others
Wilber, Benjamin & Others
Williams, Peleg & Others
Williams, Benoni & Others
Watts, John & Others
Watts, Samuel & Others
Otway, John, Sr. & Others
Owens, Joseph & Others
Olney, Charles & Others
Olney, William & Others
Olney, John R. & Others
Olney, Abraham & Others
Peck, John & Others
Peck, Abiel & Others
Leland, Amiriah & Others
Lewis, Timothy & Others
Lattimore, Ruben & Others
Deslesdernier, Paul & Others
Deslesdernier, Moses & Others
Alverson, Japhet & Others )
Alverson, Jeremiah & Others )
Alverson, William & Others ) 47000
Archer, Job & Others )
)
Newton, Hibbert & Others 2000

1772
Barron, Edward ) 2000

1773
Hawkins, John & Others
Hicks, Samuel & Others
Hicks, Josiah & Others
Hicks, Ambrose & Others
Hawkins, John & Others
Hicks, Samuel & Others
Hicks, Joseph & Others
Hicks, Ambrose & Others
Belew, Samuel & Others
Brown, Joseph & Others
Barnes, John & Others
Barnes, Thomas & Others
Bennett, Joseph & Others
Brownell, Jeremiah & Others
Owens, Joseph & Others
Olney, Charles & Others
Olney, Abraham & Others
Cook, Nicholas Others )
Corey, Samuel & Others )
Cook, Joseph & Others ) 25500
Cook, Jesse & Others )
Cumberland, Richard & Others )
Eaddy, Samuel & Others
Eaddy, John & Others
Williams, Benonie & Others
Thurber, Benjamin & Others
Towers, Benjamin & Others
Towers, Joseph & Others
Towers, William & Others
Seaman, Gilbert & Others
Shearman, George & Others
Saunders, Samuel & Others
Smith, Coomer & Others
Simmons, Nathan & Others
Shearman, Joshua & Others
Simmons, Job & Others
Barnes, John & Others )
Barnes, Thomas & Others ) 25500
Bennett, Joseph & Others )
Bronil, Jeremiah & Others )
Lawrence, Wm. & Others
Lattimer, Ruben & Others
Lattimer, Lemuel & Others
Lattimer, Robert & Others
Jenks, John & Others
Jenks, Jesse & Others
Jenks, Jonathan & Others
Alverson, Jophet & Others
Alverson, Jeremiah & Others
Alverson, William & Others
Foster, Robert ) 12250
Foster, John )

1774
Barnes, Thomas & Others )
Brown, Wm. & Others ) 12250
Bennett, Joseph and Jonas, Jr. & Others )
Read, Joseph & Simon
Rodgers, Samuel
Williams, Peleg & Others )
Waterman, Andrew & Others ) 12250
Willber, Benj. & Others )
Maxwell, Wm.
Archer, Job 12252
Eyre, Joseph & Others
Eddy, Jonathan & Others
Eddy, Lewis & Others
Eddy, Deborah & Others
Eddy, Lewis & Others
Eddy, Deborah & Others
Easterbrooks, Wm. & Others
Foster, Robert, and Andrew & Others
Jenks, Stephen & Others
Jenks, Edward
Jenks, Edward & Others
Olney, Coggshell & Others
Alvason, David & Others
Sprague, Joshua & Others
Sprague, Elijah & Others
Sprague, William & Others
Sprague, James & Others
Semons, Charles & Others
Smith, Gideon & Others
Smith, Stephen & Others
Smith, Gideon, Jr. & Others
Salisbury, Ebenezer & Others
Salisbury, Ebenezer, Jr. & Others
Salisbury, Jabesh & Others
Salisbury, Ruben & Others
Glin, Henry & Others ) 35250
Glen, Henry & Others )
Olway, James & Others
Olway, Emmer & Others
Jacobs, Nathaniel & Others
Johnnot, Peter 500
Jenks, Wm. & Others
Hawkins, Daniel & Others
Hawkins, Charles & Others
Hawkins, Josiah & Others
Horton, Isiah & Others
Herway, Seth & Others
Huston, Alex & Others
Hunt, Thomas & Others
Kennedy, Hugh & Others
Knaut, Philip & Others 29750
Potter, Phensake & Others
Eaddy, Lewis & Others
Eaddy, Deborah & Others
Easterbrooks, James & Others
Easterbrooks, Valentine & Others
Emmerson, Benjamin & Others
Eaddy, Daniel & Others
Eaddy, John & Others
Emmerson, Samuel & Others
Emmerson, Joseph & Others

1766
Scott, Robert 2000

1766
Scott, Robert 2000
Manly, John, license alienate to J. Winslow 500

Huston, Wm. )
Huston, Alex, license to alienate to J. Huston ) 1600

Owen, Joseph & Others
Cole, Jonathan & Others
Cole, Edward & Others
Thurber, Benjamin & Others
Tingley, Josiah & Others

John Thompson, Jos. Thompson, David Blackburn: Ask for about 300 acres of marsh land in the Great Marsh which they want to improve. Granted 17th August, 1786.

Charity French: Came from New York State and viewed the lands on River Petitcodiac, Westmorland County, and wants the lands of Wetmore’s Survey for himself and associates, Josiah Stebbens, Benj. Clees’ Wm. D. Vine, Zebulon Ross-Jar. Council grants 200 acres each, on condition they settle at once and report situation. Sept 15th, 1786.

Report of Mr. Milledge re Tingley and Chappel: Encloses certificate that Chapel has been in possession and made improvements in tract surveyed for him at Baie Verte. Also sends affidavits respecting Tingley’s claims. States he has sent a memo of fees due on Mr. Kinnear’s grant. April 17th, 1793.

Wm. Lawrence, Jim S. Outhouse, John Ogden, Nehemiah and Thos. Ayer: Applicants are destitute of woodland and ask for a vacant tract between the land of John Fawcett and Richard Wilson, and to the line in Dorchester. They ask for a warrant of survey and grant of 200 acres each. Sackville, January, 1801.

-149
Petition for 100 acres of marsh in Sackville on the River au Lac, joining the town line, and 500 acres on the North side of Gaspero River on Point Bonagr or Timber river, Fort Cumberland, January, 1801.

Thos. Wheaton, Jos. Seeds, Jas. Hicks: Petitions for vacant tract of land in the town of Sackville, near Point Midget, and greater part of tract consists of lakes and sunken lands and has never been granted or applied for. Sackville, January 6, 1801.

Simon Outhouse: Memorial for undyked marsh on the easterly side of Tantramar river, containing about 12 or 14 acres, and asking for a warrant of survey. Sackville, January, 1801.

Inhabitants of Cumberland: Appeal to the Lieut. Governor re the possession of Lot 5, formerly Collins, now Dr. Brown or Siddall, and No. 6, 7, formerly Catherwood, now 6 & 7 to Mr. Wells Nevart, now John Fillmore, which lie on Point Midget on which the inhabitants depend for fuel and which they wish to remain on. Jan. 31, 1801.

Lois Fitzgerald: Petitioner states that the debts against the estate of her deceased husband exceed the personal estate and will scarcely cover the just debts. She asks for authorization to sell the real estate of deceased so as to discharge her indebtedness. July 18th, 1805.

Thomas Easterbrooks: Memorialist is in possession of the following parcels of land: One eight acre lot, one twenty-one acre lot of marsh, which land he has improved at considerable expense, and his dyked two and half acres of said marsh, and asks that his title to the same right of marsh contained 21 acres, of No. 37, Letter B. Division, same situated on Cole’s Island, also the wood lot No. 39 in Letter A. Division containing 100 acres.

No. 53 Letter B. Division and No. 39 Letter A. Division are ungranted, the others are already granted. June 28th, 1808.

Thomas Herrett: Mr. Watson also pleads the cause of John and Berony Savoy who possessed and improved a vacant tract of land at the head of Bouktouche, Harbour, which land is now claimed through Jos. Guguen, by Simon and Placid Desroches, Bouktouche. Mr. Watson considers land really belongs to former possessors and recommends their retaining same.

Obtained a grant of 360 acres of wilderness lands which he improved and cultivated, but having no marsh land included in said grant, petitioner asks for 21 acres of same which is claimed by James Rogers, but which property he has not improved; as also a seven acre lot, both of which have been in his possession for 30 years without improvement of any sort, and lie in the center of the land owned by Memorialist No. 20, Letter A. Division Sackville, affidavit of Chas. Dixon re said statement. Commission to issue at the expense of applicants. Sept. 1st, 1809.

Wm. Crane, Bardin Turner, Thos. Ayer, Edward Burk: Petition for No. 14, Lot A. Division in Sackville, between Cape Meringuen and the Dorchester Line, fronting Chepody Bay, containing 60 acres and a quarry of Plaster of Paris, which they possess in common. They ask for a grant of the shore between high and low water mark in front of Lot No. 14. Referred to Surveyor-General. Lot No. 14 measures 48 rods in front of Shepody Bay. 1816.

Inhabitants of Sackville: Petition from inhabitants of Sackville praying for the appointment of Sewers Commissioners. January 7th, 1813.

Robert Atkinson, D. Shaw, Christ. Atkinson. Thos. Anderson: Make application for a Board of Sewers and recommend candidates for the same. January 21, 1814.

Joseph Gatso: Petitions for 300 acres wilderness meadow, lying in the rear of lands granted to Nathaniel Gilbert, and northward of the tract granted to Samuel Underwood, for stocking cattle and improving land. Sackville 11th of June, 1814. (No exact location given.)

Simon Outhouse, Wm. Lawrence: State that lots No. 39 and 72 in Sackville, Letter B. Division have never been granted, that the marsh lot and 16 acres lot of No. 37 would accommodate Simon Outhouse, and the marsh lot and 16 acres of No. 72, Wm. Lawrence so they pray for a warrant of survey and a grant for same accordingly. Sept. 28th, 1816.

Tolar Thompson: Wishes to obtain a proportion of the vacant sunken bog in Sackville, for the erection of fences to keep the cattle in, and as a compensation for a road he has undertaken to make and on which he has expended 364 pounds leading from Great Bridge River to Point Midgic.

Petitioner holds by purchases lot 60 in letter C. Division bounded by a brook which prevents from making fence, hence his request for 100 acres adjoining. Land contains 700 acres most of which is now sunken land, Affidavits attached. Filed March 3rd, 1817. Paid.

DEEDS AND TRANSFERS

Deed from William Shaw, (Dy. Provost Marshal of Nova Scotia) to Christopher Harper on 22 June, 1785, certain lands owned by Samuel Smith, William Jones, William Lawrence, Parker Clark, Simon Clark and Elijah Ayer to satisfy executions for 1247 pounds -9-8.

List of lots, 8, 50, 13, 13, 50, 32, 34, 34, 45, 50.

1785 Asa Fillmore, Wm. Taylor to Robert Keech, 200 acres upland — 60 marsh.

1802, John Keillor, and Elizabeth his wife, 4 acres to the Justices of Westmorland for the Court House Square, Dorchester, 51 acres of marsh. 20 pounds.

1790 Allen, Winkworth, William, George and Isabella to Brook Watson et al, mortgage for 1,295 pounds

Ayers, Obediah, Thomas and Nehemiah to Jonathan Cole, lands at Midgic.

Heirs of Amasa Killam lands to Richard Wilson.

R. Lowerison lands to Thos Anderson.

1796–Jonathan Eddy lands to Elizah Ayre.

1804, Andrew Kinnear to John Anderson, lands at Midgic.

1816, Robert Atkinson to Trustees of Schools, land at Crane’s Corner.

Israel Thornton lands to Wm. Fawcett, 27 acres.

1789–132, Martha Burnham to Ambrose Hicks in Northport, 21 acres.

Harlow Jonathan to Michael Grace.

Jonathan Barlow lands to Silas Thornton.

Jonathan Barlow lands to Silas Thornton.

1789 Michael Burke to John Fawcett, 7 1/2 acres.

Bulmer, George, to Amos Botsford–lot on King’s Marsh.

A–1785, Chris. Harper to Amos Botsford, 14 pounds, lot on West Marsh.

1797, Elijah Ayer to Amos Botsford.

1797, Elijah Ayer to S. Milledge.

1802, Elijah Ayer to R. Wilson.

Michael Grace sold to Wm. Campbell 20th Oct. 1794, 60 acres upland on land called Isle of Patmos Nos. 9, 10 and 11. Also 12 acres of land on Marsh called the Cove for 52 pounds.

In 1794 Richard Wilson leased his farm and stock for 3 years to John Ogden. His stock to be returned being 8 cows, 2 oxen, 1 horse, one bull 15 sheep and farm utensils.

The inhabitants of Sackville appointed a Committee to make a survey of the lands of the township and in 1791, the work was accomplished, so far as grants were then issued, and a plan was made. In 1808 Surveyor-General Sproul made a second plan embracing all the grants made up to that date. The parish was partitioned into three grand divisions, known as Letter A, Letter B and Letter C Divisions. Letter A embraced the township below Mill Creek; Letter B between Mill Creek and including Morice’s Pond, and separated from the wood lots in Letter C Division A four rod space, which is substantially the road to Beech Hill leading past the residence of Mr. W. W. Fawcett.

The fathers of the parish deemed Westcock a very suitable location for a town, and accordingly they reserved the uplands, enclosed in the roads about old Westcock house as a town flat, for residences and laid out seven acre lots East and West of it, suburbs of the new town.

CHAPTER VII.

SACKVILLE IN 1777

An assessment of the land owners of Sackville made in 1777 showed ninety thousand acres owned or occupied. The largest land owner was one Samuel Rogers who had won the disfavor of Loyalist Britains by his part in the Eddy War two years before. He was then a very old man and had become a town charge while at the same time he owned 4746 acres. Estabrooks and Mason owned 3344 acres; John Barnes owned 2750 acres; Charles Dixon 2510 acres; Elijah Ayer 2,090 acres; Edward Barron 2000 acres; Benjamin Emmerson 2000 acres; Robert Scott 2000 acres.

SACKVILLE IN 1803

Below is “A” list of the inhabitants of Sackville taken January 1803″. Many of the names are well known throughout the parish yet; a few are not so well known, while others will scarcely be recognized at all. The list is as follows:

Robert Atkinson, N. Ayer, Obediah Ayer, Thos. Anderson, Thos. Anderson, Jr., James Anderson, John Anderson, A. Botsford, John Burnham, John Barnes, Peter Barnes, Ezra Barnes, Oliver Barnes, Bedford Boultenhouse, Thomas Bowser, Thomas Bowser, Jr., George Bulmer, Isaac Bradshaw, Simon Bazely, Samuel Balau, Charles Boyle, Jona. Cole, Martin Cole, Laban Cushing, Joseph Crossman, John Crossman, Edwin Crossman, David Crossman, Charles Dixon, Edward Dixon, William Dixon, Charles Dixon, Jr., Ferdinand Delesdernier, Jos. Delesdernier, Henry Delesdenier, Major Delesdernier, James Estabrooks, James Estabrooks, Jr., W. S. Estabrooks, Edward Estabrooks, Thos. Estabrooks, Benj. Emerson, Jon. Eddy, Lydia Evans, William Fawcett, William Fawcett, Jr., John Fawcett, John Fawcett, Jr., James Fitzgerald, James Fitzgerald, Jr., Daniel Fletcher, Nath. Finney, Caleb Finney, Caleb Finney, Jr., John Fawcett, Thos. Grainge, Michael Graves, Thos. Gorman, Chris. Harper, William Harper, Wm. Harper, Jr., John Harper, John Harris, Thos. Harrison, Thos. Herrett, Wm. Humphrey, Samuel Hicks, Josiah Hicks, James Hicks, John Hicks, Simeon Jenks, Benj. King, H. King, James Kay, Will. Lawrence, Wm. Lawrence, Jr., George Lawrence, John Lowe, Tim. Lockhart, Stephen Millidge, Gersham Maxwell, Angus McFee, James McCormick, Simon Outhouse, John Ogden, John Patterson, Elijah Reid, William Reid, Chris. Richardson, Jos. Richardson, Tim. Richardson, Samuel Rogers, James Rogers, Joshua Reid, Duncan Shaw, Pickering Snowdon, William Snowdon, Gideon Smith, Gideon Smith, Jr., Joseph Sears, David Stone, Joseph Thompson, F. Thompson, _____ Thornton, Titus Thornton, Benj. Tower, Benj. Tower, Jr., Josiah Tingley, Jos. Tingley, Jr., A. Tingley, Jon Teed, George Tower, Samuel Taylor, Richard Wilson, Thos. Wheaton, David Wheaton, Neh. Ward, Joseph Ward, Edw. Ward, Daniel Ward, John Ward, John Wry, John Wood, Thos. Wade, William Kay, Jas. Smith, Benj. Reid.

Men, 134; Women, 121; Children under 10, 136; Children over 10, 231. Total 622.

SACKVILLE BEFORE 1820

When the first settlers came from New England, they found the forest had been cut away, by the Acadians, only in patches and those bordering on the marshes, which were protected from the sea by the dykes running up and down the creeks, — they had avoided making aboideaux. Their homes were marked by cellars and the ashes of their dwellings burned by a detachment from Fort Cumberland in 1755. These communities were connected by roads — or rather trails leading to Beausejour on the East and to the Memramcook and Petitcodiac river on the West. Therefore the New England pioneers largely hewed out homes for themselves in the green woods, built roads, bridges, churches, schools, and also boats and small schooners to maintain communication with the outside world; the main highways connecting the centres of trade and population being the work of another generation.

The following notes as to the inhabitants of Sackville were supplied about 1890, by an old lady long since gone to her rest, viz.: Mrs. Cynthia (Barnes) Atkinson. By her account, in 1820, the following persons lived below the Westrock Aboideau: Mark Campbell, School Master, _____ Snowdon, Christopher Boultenhouse, Oliver Barnes, James Ward, Joseph Atkinson; At Joggins: John Bulmer, David Cole, Joseph Tower, Benjamin King, Squire Cole, Capt. Martin Cole, Gersham Maxwell, Jon. Ward.

John Humprhey built what was known as the Lyons house near the Westcock aboideau. Payson, a blacksmith occupied it and had a smithy there.

Christopher Richardson purchased from Amos Seaman the lands later owned by John R. Richardson, now owned by Mr. Maxwell.

Christopher Humphrey inherited from his mother the farm that he occupied. She had built there a commodious log house. It had four rooms downstairs and two chimneys with fireplaces. She kept public house there for some years. She brought up a family of five children, as follows: William, who became a successful farmer near the Great Bridge; John, who lived and died in the home place; John A., a prominent citizen of Monckton; Betsy, who married Mr. Dixon, and Jane, who married Mr. John Morice.

The next house was west of the Queen’s Road, formerly Salem Street. It was occupied by a widow, Mrs. Richardson. Her husband died at Horton. It was a log house built by her eldest son, Christopher. She had besides him, Joseph and Thomas. Her daughter, Sally married Mr. Wilkinson and Charlotte married Mr. Horton. At this date there were no houses on the Lower Fairfield Road which was not cut out until 1824.

Robert Bowser’s farm was on the cross street between York Street and the Upper Fairfield Road. His descendants were Robert Richard, who went to Mass., established himself in business there and was highly thought of as a citizen. He died in 1832. Charles A., who became an enterprising citizen and merchant of _____, Mass., Rev. Alex T. Bowser, a Unitarian preacher who was regarded as a sincere and able preacher. He died in 1833. Eugene who held the home farm; Henrietta who married Mr. George McCord and Miss Susan Bowser.

The next house — the first frame one built in the parish was owned by George Bulmer. It was located at Boultenhouse’s Corner and is still an architectural ornament to the plan. It was later sold to and occupied by Jonathan Black. The rough lumber for it, was obtained from Tower’s Mill at Frosty Hollow and the finishing came by vessel from United States.

The next house was on Shaw’s Hill. It was built by Duncan Shaw. A tramp came along, got in it, was drunk, set fire to it and was burned with it. His remains were afterwards found.

The next house was John Wry’s. It was a log house until about 1820 when he replaced it with a frame house. John Wry married a daughter of Gersham Maxwell and acquired some hundred acres of land from him. They had nineteen children, eighteen of them married and had children.

The next Crane’s Corner was the John Bowser House on a side hill, in a garden with cherry trees. The brick house remembered by the older generation was erected about 1825. The old house was then turned into a school house.

Charles Dixon occupied a two story brick house on the site of the late Harmon Humphrey place.

About 1820 William Dixon erected a frame house opposite Mrs. Geo. E. Ford’s residence. It was a good home for a time. It had a chimney in the centre with three fire places.

Joseph Richardson had built about 1800 a frame house where later his son the late Charles Richardson lived near the Island Marsh Road.

Charles Dixon erected a brick house on the site of the A. E. Wry residence. It was demolished in 1848, by the late Christopher Milner. It was occupied for many years by John Wry. Charles Dixon built a log house West of the Richardson house; then he erected a brick house near the site of the residence of the late James D. Dixon — in Yorkshire style — on the side hill, two storeys in front and one in the rear. It was in good style — was one of the very few that had chimneys at both ends and plenty of fire places.

A lot at Crane’s Corner had been owned by Amasa Kellam, who being mixed up with the Eddy War, his property was confiscated and sold at auction and purchased by his son-in-law, Atkinson, who married his daughter. By her he had: a. John; b. Christopher; c. Joseph; d. Sarah — wife of Richard Bowser; e. Nancy (married Christopher Richardson); f. Richardson married the second time; g. Elizabeth married Anthony Lowe; h. Polly, not married; i. Robert Atkinson, went to Ohio; j. Thomas, who went West; k. Andrew married _____ Phinney and went West; l. Elizabeth married George Patterson; m. Olive, who went to United States; n. _____, who lived in the home place. The house stood near the site of the Charles Fawcett Hall. It was a brick house. The bricks were made on the Island Marsh Road. About 1839 or 1840, the late Hon. Charles F. Allison purchased the place from William Atkinson who removed to Ohio, demolished the house and replaced it by a frame house which was destroyed by fire.

John Harrison lived in a small red frame house on the site of the Edward Trueman place in Maple Hill. John Fawcett built a frame house near the Academy Brook. He owned the farm where the late Robert Fawcett lived.

Cyrus Tingley occupied a log house almost opposite Fawcetts. Tingley died and his widow married one Mahoney.

John Ogden lived on the place afterwards occupied by Marcus Trueman (near the Purington residence.) He traded places with George Kinnear (father of the late Edmund and William Kinnear) who owned the Bloomer Ogden farm, and moved there on the next hill.

Moses Delesdernier lived in a log house on the west side of the highway. Moses Delesdernier lived on the site of the house later occupied by the late Thompson Trueman. Mr. Delesdernier was a prominent actor in the Revolutionary War. He was a Trader. On one occasion he was in New York and met on a wharf, to which his vessel was tied up, a stalwart young Irishman, to whom quite a romance attaches — to wit: Richard John Uniacke, distinguished in Nova Scotia history. Uniacke sailed with him to Sackville, fell in love with his daughter Martha, whom he married. The lake at his country residence — Mount Uniacke is named after her, Lake Martha.

Major Wilson occupied a frame house on the other side. He had two sons — Harper and Richard. Harper built opposite his father’s place.

George Lawrence — father of (Nathan and Leban) had a house back in the field near where Laban afterwards lived. Wm. Lawrence lived in a frame house on the same property that was afterwards owned by his son Nelson. John Outhouse lived on the Alder Trueman place. Old Mr. Lawrence lived opposite the Mariner Wood house. It was brick on a side hill — two storeys in front and one in the rear. Back of the Philip Palmer house, was a two storey house where Captain Tom Ayres lived.

Above that came the Tingley, Ayers and Harper houses. The first was Mr. Tingley’s where the late Amos lived. Nehemiah Ayers lived where the late Wm. Ayer resided and across the road was the Obediah Ayers house. Further up on the crest of the hill, Michael Grace lived. William Harper lived on the hill later occupied by Chipman Harper. He possessed a nice frame house. John Harper lived in the Morice place. He and Obediah Ayer were partners in carrying on a saw and grist mill. They sold out to John Morice.

David Stone lived on the Titus Hicks place.

William Estabrooks lived on the Timothy Hicks place on the Back Road. He came here about 1762 or 1763. He was the father of “Corner Jim” who lived across the road. This was an old French place.

John Sharpe lived above Bethel Meeting House.

Joshua Read succeeded his father to the place on the hill owned afterwards by Nathan Lawrence and later by William Smith.

Josiah Hicks, the projenitor of all the Hicks in the country first lived in the Nath. Ward place which had previously been owned by the Reads.

Tolar Thompson lived next. Joseph Thompson cousin of Tolar’s lived on the Thomas Anderson place.

A blacksmith named Woodworth had a house and smithy at the Four Corners — south side.

On the opposite corner, Mr. Thornton built a house which was occupied by “Long” John Thompson–the father of Wilson and Jacob.

Thomas Wheaton built above the graveyard — the house has long disappeared.

Wm. Fawcett lived on the James George place and John Fawcett on the Chappel Fawcett place.

Mr. Emmerson, the great grandfather of the late Hon. H. R. Emmerson lived in a log house on the site of the Elijah Wheaton house. He had the reputation of being a good farmer. He went to P. E. Island. He left two children: Benjamin and a daughter who married Mr. Lefurgy, father of the late Hon. Mr. Lefurgy of Summerside. David Wheaton purchased the place afterward. Benjamin Wheaton lived on the John Bickerton place and Josiah Hicks on the opposite hill.

Next to him, Jonathan Hicks lived.

Joseph Sears occupied the same place that his son Frederick Sears and later his grandson Joseph Sears lived.

At Jenck’s Brook, Joseph Sears, was the only settler. “Corner” Bill Estabrooks was the first settler at the edge of Log Lake — then bog, now solid marsh 10 feet deep.

Tusket was settled by Thomas McPhee, Titus Thornton, and Jeremiah Sears. At Cookville, the first settlers were:–Towse and Samuel Boyce. About 1870, David Cook, John Lund, Gideon Estabrooks and Angus McPhee.

At Midgic the first settlers were:–Jonathan Hicks, Amos Hicks, John Anderson.

FIRST TRANSFER OF LANDS IN SACKVILLE

1765–Benjamin Mason to Nath. Jacob, 4 acres.
1768–Thomas Lewis to Benjamin Emmerson, 2 acres.
1768–V. Estabrooks to Thomas Lewis, 3 1/2 acres
1769–Reuben Lattimore to Nathan Seaman, 16 acres.
1769–Robert Lattimore to Thomas Lewis, 7 acres.
1770–Thomas Lewis to Benjamin Mason, Lot on road to Cut Creek.
1770–Thomas Lewis to Jobe Seaman, 18 acres.
1770–Thomas Lewis to Nathan Mason, 1/2 16 acre lot.
1770–Nathaniel Lewis to Joseph Alverson, Lot. No. 5.
1770–Nathaniel Jacobs to Jacob Alverson, 2 1/2 acres.
1770–Nathaniel Jacobs to Nathaniel Mason, 8 acre lot.
1774–Benjamin Mason to Nehemiah Wood, 16 acres.

Lieutenant Duncan Shaw purchased in 1812 from John Wry the lot of land known as Shaw’s Hill, the site of the Baptist Church. Lieutenant Shaw’s name occurs often in the old records. He built one or more vessels about the year 1800. He was a brother-in-law of William Harper, the first Moncton storekeeper, both having married daughters of Captain Hamm, a Loyalist living at Portland, Maine. Mr. Harper with his schooner was a Bay of Fundy trader and lived in Sackville from 1796 to 1800; a most interesting account of those days is given by a descendant of Mr. Harper’s — Mrs. Steeves of Shediac in her book — “The First Storekeeper at the Bend.”

ABOUGOGGIN SETTLEMENT 1817

The Memorial of Philip Palmer, Valentine Esterbrooke, Courtney Kinnear, Wm. Read, Samuel Durant, Caleb Babcock, James Easterbrook, Jr., Thomas Ayer, Jr., Samuel Easterbrook, James Hicks, John L. Smith, Henry Babcock, Daniel Esterbrooks, Joseph Reed and Eliphalet Reed, Jr.

That your memorialist, Philip Palmer, is thirty-one years of age, has a wife and three children; your Memorialist, Valentine Easterbrooks, is 29 years of age, and unmarried; that your Memorialist, Courtney Kinnear, is 28 years of age, has a wife and two children; that your Memorialist, Samuel Durant is 23 years of age, and unmarried, that your Memorialist, Caleb Babcock is 23 years of age and unmarried; that your Memorialist, James Easterbrooks has a wife and five children; that your Memorialist, Thos. Ayer, Jr., is 28 years of age and unmarried, that your Memorialist, Samuel Easterbrooks, is 30 years of age, has a wife and three children; that your Memorialist, James Hicks, is forty-four years of age, has a wife and seven children; that your Memorialist, John L. Smith is 34 years of age, has a wife and six children; that your Memorialist, Henry Babcock is 25 years of age, and unmarried; that your Memorialist, Daniel Easterbrooks is 34 years of age, has a wife and six children; that your Memorialist, Joseph Reed, is 21 years of age and unmarried, and that your Memorialist Eliphalet Reed, Jr., is nineteen years of age, and single.

That your Memorialist Philip Palmer has heretofore had granted to him 300 acres of wilderness land situated and lying in the gore between the townships of Dorchester and Sackville, for the accommodation of a saw mill which he has built, and now owns. That your Memorialist, Valentine Easterbrooks, had heretofore granted to him one hundred acres of low, sunken marsh land lying at the head of Great Marsh in Sackville, which he has enclosed and been at some considerable expense in draining, and also fourteen acres of marsh situated on the Coles Island marsh, so called, in Sackville, which he has been at the expense of dyking and ditching. That your Memorialist, Courtney Kinnear, heretofore had granted to him a tract of wilderness land containing two hundred acres situated on the Gulf Shore, in the Township of Botsford which domestic circumstances prevented him from settling, which your Memorialist has since sold, and upon which improvements have been made by the person who bought it,–and also about twelve acres of marsh land situate upon Sunken Island marsh in Sackville, which your Memorialist has been at the expense of dyking. That your Memorialist, Thos. Ayer, Jr., has heretofore had granted to him fourteen acres of marsh situated upon Cole’s Island, which your Memorialist has been at the expense of dyking. That your Memorialist, James Hicks heretofore had granted to him fifty acres of low sunken marsh situated at the head of Great Marsh in Sackville. That your Memorialist, Wm. Reed, Jr., Samuel Durant, Caleb Babcock, James Easterbrooks and Samuel Easterbrooks, John L. Smith, Henry Babcock, Daniel Easterbrooks, Joseph Reed and Eliphalet Reed, Jr. have never had any land granted to them or either of them.

That your Memorialists are all residents in Sackville and are desirous of forming a settlement upon the new road leading from Sackville to the Beaujoggin River, upon the South-eastern Branch of that River, where there is a large tract of vacant wilderness land.

That should your Memorialist be so fortunate as to obtain allotments of land upon the said Southeastern Branch of the Beaujoggin River, they will immediately settle the same, having the means for so doing.

Your Memorialist asked a grant to each of your Memorialists three hundred acres of land in severalty, of the above wilderness land.

The facts stated in the foregoing Memorial are correct and the Memorialists in the aforegoing Memorial will immediately settle the Lands applied for, if allotted to them, and possess the means for so doing which is humbly submitted by

Samuel Easterbrooks
Philip Palmer
James Hicks
Valentine Easterbrooks
John L. Smith
Courtney Kinnear
Henry Babcock
William Read, Jr.
Daniel Easterbrooks
Samuel Durant
Joseph Read
James Easterbrooks, 2nd
Eliphalet Read
Thomas Ayer, Jr.

W. BOTSFORD
J. EASTERBROOKS

CHAPTER VIII.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS

The old Sackville Academy opened its doors in 1843, but before that date, the Westmorland Grammar School had been established near the site of the Academy. It was the second grammar school established in the Province, the first one being that at St. Andrews in 1821. The Rev. Christopher Milner, then rector of the Parish, was the first teacher. The early minutes of this school are missing, the first available were those of November, 1831. There were present at the meeting then: Hon. Mr. Chandler, Hon. Mr. Crane, and Rev. C. Milner. At this date Mr. Ross was the master. He was afterwards president of Dalhousie College. The students were as follows: Martin Palmer; Stephen Palmer; W. B. Chandler; R. S. Bowser; James Dixon; Blair Botsford; Raper Milner; and Cochran Milner. These were all students in Latin and Greek, as well as English. A. L. Palmer; Richard W. Neilly; James Robson; Amos Ogden; Alfred Dixon; James Kimball; Andrew Kinnear; Edmund Kinnear; Amos Harris; James Cole; Amos Tingley. Besides Latin and Greek, they were taught history, geography, grammar, reading, writing and arithmetic. The trustees in 1841 were: Richard Bowser and Charles F. Allison. The teachers were: No. 1, John Hicks; No. 2, Ichabod Powell; No. 3, Edward Bowes; No. 4, William McDonald; No. 5, Sophia M. Nisbet; No. 7, Thomas Atkinson; No. 8, Lawrence O’Flannigan; No. 9, Ann Cowdell; No. 10, Abel S. Gore; No. 11, James Purdy; No. 12, Frederick Sears.

THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

At a meeting held in November, 1831, attended by Rev. C. Milner, William Crane, Esq., and Edward B. Chandler, Esq., the scholars were examined and “it appeared that many of them made considerable progress.” The following were the pupils: in Latin and Greek: Martin Palmer, Stephen Palmer, W. B. Chandler, James Dixon, Blair Botsford, Ralph Milner, Cochran Milner, Acalus Palmer, Richard Neilly, James Robson, Amos Ogden, Alfred Dixon, James Kimball. All but the three last also studied history, geography and grammar. The latter together with Andrew Kinnear, Edmund Kinnear, Amos Harris, James Cole and Amos Tingley, studied reading, writing, etc. There were 19 pupils.

At the next meeting, held in December, resolutions were passed to employ Mr. James Ross as Principal. He became later President of Dalhousie University. It was also resolved that the rate of tuition should be three pounds per annum. Also that a proper building had been secured in Sackville for the school, and fifty pounds subscribed for the teacher’s salary. The Trustees attending that meeting were Rev. C. Milner and Messrs. Crane, Chandler and Edward Dixon. Wm. Crane and Edward Dixon, Esquires,- -reported the pupils having been examined, exhibiting satisfactory progress.

At the next meeting, 22nd May, 1832, present Rev. C. Milner and Messrs. Crane and E. Dixon. It was resolved that Messrs Milner and James Ross be a committee to collect the subscriptions.

The next meeting — 5th December, 1832, held in the School House. Present, Rev. C. Milner.

Meeting held at Dorchester on 26th April, 1832. Present, Mr. Killam, Rev. C. Milner, Mr. Dixon, Mr. Crane and Mr. Chandler. Resolved that the School House be removed from the present site to the estate of late George Bulmer and that Mr. Dixon, Rev. C. Milner and Mr. Crane be a committee to attend to it.

Meeting 4th March, 1832. Meeting at house of John Kellam, Esq., at Dorchester. Present, Rev. C. Milner, Edward Dixon, Esq., Wm. Crane, John Kellam, Ed. B. Chandler. Resolved that Mr. Ross be continued another year, provided he keep the School House in proper repair and provide a stove.

SCHOOL HOUSES

Christopher Atkinson gave a lot for a school at Crane’s Corner. Charles Dixon and John Harris were commissioners for holding it. This was about 1820. The house was square and had accommodation for 30 pupils. The pay for a teacher was forty shillings a pupil. The government allowed 20 pounds per annum.

The first teacher in it was a Yankee named Pendleton who boarded around. The next Delancy Crandall. The last teacher was Sarah Towse (afterwards Mrs. J. E. Estabrooks). It was located nearly opposite the western end of the Wood store. It was burned down by an incendiary about 1860. About 1812, a boy’s school house at Westcock–(later the Barnes place.) Mark Campbell was the teacher.

A little later, James Rogers opened a school near the corner of Lower Fairfield Road.

Mr. Gallagher, the father of the late Hugh Gallagher taught school near the Academy opposite the Brook.

Mr. _____ Taylor taught school in a building under the Willows, below James Rainnie’s house.

An effort was made to erect a schoolhouse in Middle Sackville on John Fawcett’s Land, where Moses Delesdernier had lived. The leading subscribers were Robert Fawcett, Simon Outhouse, John Fawcett and John Ogden. Other subscribers were Nathaniel Kimball, Richard Wilson, Peter Neilly, George Lawrance, William Lawrence, James Lawrence, Agreen Tingley, Thomas Burnham, Christopher Atkinson, George L. Kinnear, Simon Mahoney, Henry Ogden and Edwin Atkinson. The attempt was abandoned.

In the early days the teachers were paid partly by government grants and the rest by the parents; a condition that ceased when free schools were inaugurated in 1874. The government grant was ten pounds. In addition to that the teachers received from twenty pounds to sixty pounds and board from the districts. Considering the meagre facilities teachers enjoyed for obtaining expert education to qualify them for their work, it is a little remarkable how efficient they were and what good results they achieved. The teachers in 1852 were — District No. 2, William King; No. 3, Isaac B. Barnes,; No. 5, Edward T. Bowes; No. 6, Richard Wilson, Jr.; No. 7, Katherine J. Watts; No. 8, Joseph Dixon; No. 9, Edward V. Tait; No. 10, Margaret B. Rye; No. 12, Olivia C. Cole. The pupils of Edward Bowes who taught at Tantramar were in 1851, as follows: Alec Smith, age 18; Fred Fillmore, 9; Henry Mitchell, 13; Michael Grace, 16; Cyrus Harper, 9; James Barnes, 10; John Tingley, 13; Bradford Tingley, 9; Alfred Tingley, 8; Freeman Ayer, 12; Nehemiah Ayer, 10; William Curtis, 11; Courtney Curtis, 9; John E. Estabrooks, 9; Charles Hicks, 10; George C. Lawrence, 10; James Main, 17; Alvo Tingley, 13; Herbert Hicks, 9; William Hicks, 7; G. Arthur Chase, 14; Charles Scott, 7; Daniel Scott, 6; Ann Tingley, 16; Ruth Tingley, 11; Eunice Tingley, 9; Henrietta Harper, 14; Elizabeth Harper, 12; Dorothy Easterbrooks, 11; Albert E. Hicks, 11; Martha A. Hicks, 9; Alice Cahill, 11; Rebecca Cahill, 9; Catherine Parker, 13; Sophia F. [or E.] Parker, 11; Augusta Anderson, 8; Ruth Bowser, 10; Elizabeth Read, 12; Ann J. Read, 8; Mary Harper, 8; Eliza A. Palmer, 8; Sara Anderson, 19; Lucy Tingley, 20; L. Ann Tingley, 5; Elizabeth Fowler, 12; Isabella Barnes, 6; T. Beal, 7; Randall Oster, 9; Elisha Tingley, 11; John A. Bowser, 6; Robert Harper, 13; William Fowler, 10; Reed Fowler, 8; Henry Atkinson, 12; Frith Atkinson, 9; Delaney Atkinson, 8; William Harper, 9.

SCHOOLS

In 1841, Richard Bowser and Charles F. Allison, Trustees, made a report as to School Houses. District No. 1, John Hicks is teacher. No. 2, Mansford Powell teacher. No. 3, Edward Bowes is teacher. No. 4, William McDonald is teacher. No. 5, Sophia M. Nesbit is teacher. No. 6, no report. No. 7, Thomas Atkinson, teacher. No. 8, Lawrence O’Flannigan, teacher. No. 9, Ann Dowdell, teacher. No. 10, Abel S. Gore, teacher. No. 11, James Purdy, teacher. No. 12, Frederick Sears, teacher.

Mr. Isaac B. Barnes’ pupils in 1845 were as follows: Amos Boultenhouse, age 15; Albert Black, 8; Abel G. Carter, 16; Albert Wry, 9; Bedford Dixon, 8; C. E. Dixon, 6; Charles Boultenhouse, 10; Isaac Wry, 9; Isaac Purrington, 12; George Wry, 10; Thadius Carter, 12; William Barnes, 17; Lennox-Kinnear, 18; James Dixon, 15; Amy Wry, 16; Charlotte Harris, 14; Charlotte Richards, 15; Jane Wry, 9; Julia Richardson, 8; Margaret Wry, 12; Cynthia Wry, 10; Sarah A. Wry, 8; Sarah Bowser, 7; Mary J. Carter, 7; Sarah A. Harris, 8; Rebecca Harris, 12; Rebecca Richardson, 12; Isabel Dixon, 13; Harriet Forbes, 17; Mary C. Kinnear, 11.

Miss Watt’s School, 1851-62:–Rebecca Fawcett, age 14; Letitia Fawcett, 12; Margaret Fawcett, 8; Elizabeth Fawcett, 6; Louisa Estabrooks, 10; Eliza Estabrooks, 8; Elizabeth Bowser, 14; Susan Bowser, 11; Frances Bowser, 7; Alice Barnes, 11; Eliza Barnes, 7; Mary E. Wry, 9; Lucy A. Wry, 7; Phoebe J. Wry, 4; Ellen Milner, 8; Addie Greenfield, 8; Lucinda Boomer, 10; Frances Estabrooks, 14; Elizabeth Sylagar, 13; Rebecca Black, 12; Mary Welsh, 12; Ellen Horton, 13; Henry Hennigar, 11; William Milner, 6; William Thompson, 8; Charles Wood, 7; Payson Barnes, 4; Esra Boomer, 8; Albert Boomer, 5; Francis Witherhead, 10.

Miss Cowdell’s School:–Elizabeth Richardson, age 14; Sarah Richardson, 14; Mary Bulner, 13; Mary A. Richardson, 13; Mary Horton, 12; Arinetta Gallagher; Eliza Bulner, 8; Sarah Bulner, 7; Mary Dixon, 6; Sarah Gallagher, 6; Elizabeth Gallagher, 6; Mary Bulner, 4; Lavinia Babcock, 15; Rebecca Barnes, 14; Eliza Richardson, 14; Ann Hall, 14; Margaret McHaffey, 13; Eliza Barnes, 13; Lucinda Lyons, 13; Mary Lyons, 9; Jane Hutchinson, 9; Eliza Evans, 9; Susan Power, 8; Charles Grey, 8; Hazen Bulner, 7; George Dixon, 7; Joseph Anderson, 5; Alexander Gray, 4 Nathaniel Anderson, 4.

CHAPTER IX.

CHURCHES

PRESBYTERIAN

The First Presbyterian Church built at Sackville in 1872 was located at Happy Hill — on land purchased from Robert Bell. The building was 30’x60′, with 16″ posts. It was intended to seat 250 people. When completed it was well furnished with seats, pulpit books, etc. The books were supplied by W. C. Cogswell. The Committee having it in charge were Messrs. Thomas Baird, and William McConnell, while Thomas MacKelvie, Bedford Barnes and William MacDonald gave important aid. The latter built in Prohibition days, (1856), a temperance hotel, the Brunswick House. The Church was the inspiration of Rev. Dr. Clarke of Amherst, a reformed Presbyterian, a powerful preacher and also, a most influential citizen. He had been officiating in the Temperance Hall in Middle Sackville, which amongst many other uses, was adopted by Christopher Harper for teaching Sunday School. The hall was decorated with a picture of Satan with horns, hoofs, and tail and furnished with a pitch fork, all of which were calculated to terrify poor sinners with the flames of Hades; whether for good or bad, is today unimportant for the world moves on, and has ceased to be horrified at pictures which to-day are the butt of scoffers.

Rev. Dr. Clarke labored on his sacred mission forty-seven years, being ordained in Ireland a Missionary of the Reformed Church when thirty-two years of age, then becoming a pioneer missionary in a wide district of country with Amherst at its centre. His field of labor was most extensive, as he established no less than fifteen churches. He was a most forcible and impressive preacher and always exercised a powerful influence with those with whom he was brought in contact.

BAPTISTS

The story has often been published how Sackville became the seed bed in Canada of the Baptist denomination. In 1763 — eight years after the deportation of the French, Nathan Mason and wife, Thomas Lewis and wife, Oliver Mason and wife, and a single lady by the name of Experience Baker of the second Baptist Church in Swanzea, Mass., and Charles Seaman and wife and Gilbert Seaman and wife, thirteen persons in all, organized a church on the 21st of April, with Nathan Mason their Pastor, and sailed for Sackville. They remained here eight years during which the Church increased to have about sixty members. Mr. Job Seaman of Attleboro, Mass., was amongst them and was converted. In 1771, Elder Mason with some of his disciples moved back to Massachusetts. Apparently there is no record of the proceedings of the Church from 1771 until 1797 when four Baptists in Cornwallis: Messrs. Payzant, Chipman and Edward Manning devised a plan for an association to consolidate the body. The first meeting of the Association took place in Sackville on the 25th of June, 1810.

The proceedings were as follows:

1. Sermon by Brother Daniel Merrill.
2. Prayer by Brother Harding.
3. Brother Harding chosen moderator.
4. Brother Thomas Annesley Scribe, and Brother William Freeman, Assistant.
5. Brothers E. Merrill and H. Hale from Lincoln Association, Maine invited to take a seat.
6. Read letters from the Churches.
7. Prayer Meeting.
8. Sermon from Elder Merrill.
9. Circular letter prepared by Elder Crandall.
10. Elders Manning and Harding appointed to the Church at New Port.
11. and 12. Relating to a day of fasting and prayer.
13. Brother Hammond to be examined for Ordination.
14. Brother Hammond may be ordained here.
15. Elder Manning to supply the First Baptist Church at Digby.
16. The Association appointed for next year at Onslow.
17. Elder Harding to write the circular letter.
18. Elder Annesley to write the corresponding letter.
19. Elders Manning and Annesley appointed Messengers to the Lincoln Association.
20. Elder Manning to preach the Introductory Sermon. In case of failure, Brother Crandall.
21. Six hundred copies of the Minutes to be printed.
22. Brothers Manning and Harding to superintend the printing and distribution.
23. Articles of the Lincoln Association be recommended to our Churches.
24. Ten dollars voted to each Messenger.
25. Elder Crandall to receive the same for attendance last year.
26. Brother Hammond examined for Ordination and accepted.
27. Ordination of Brother Hammond.

Churches Elders and Messengers Total

Digby James Manning 63
Lower Granville James Manning 60
Upper Granville Thomas Ansley 55
Cornwallis Edward Manning 56
Horton Theodore S. Harding 270
Newport William Smith 90
Onslow Nathan Cleveland 36
Amherst Thomas S. Black 15
Digby Neck Peter Crandall 69
Salisbury, N. B. William Sinton 46
Sackville, N. B. Joseph Crandall 55
Waterbury, N. B. Elijah Estabrooks 50
Prince William, N. B. L. Hammond 37
Wakefield, N. B. 22
______
924

Baptist Churches were built in the following years:–

Sackville, 1839 and 1883; Point Midgic, 1859; Point de Bute, 1852; Moncton, 1828 and 1850; Salisbury, 1800 and 1879 and 1882; Shediac, 1864; Buctouche, 1838; Cocaigne, 1862.

1848

The following is a list of Baptist Churches in Sackville and its neighborhood with dates of formation and members in 1848:–

1798, Sackville, No. 1, 141; 1798, Sackville, No. 2, 147; 1825, Dorchester, No. 1, 62; 1845, Dorchester, No. 2, 15; 1828, Moncton, 121; 1798, Salisbury, No. 1, _____; 1847, Salisbury, No. 2, 25; 1839, Salisbury, No. 3, 37; 1844, Buctouche, 28; 1852, Point de Bute, 1854, Point Midgic.

METHODIST

In April, 1835, John Fawcett made a memorandum as follows: “There was no meeting house in this township until 1788, when services were held in a small schoolhouse located near where the Central Schoolhouse is now standing. On the 17th of December, 1788, the Methodists met to consult as to what should be done, their Pastor, James B. Kay, being president. It was agreed to build one as near to the centre of the township as ground could be procured. They had secured half an acre where the Methodist burying ground is for three pounds. The land was purchased and a deed written by the Rev. James Mann., agreeable to the form of settling meeting houses amongst the Methodist. William Carnforth, John Fawcett, and William Fawcett undertook to erect a building on the ground 30’x28′, and finish it with what assistance could be got. A subscription paper was passed around but all that could be obtained was twenty-eight pounds; however, they pressed forward the work and in a few months it was completed and was opened by the Rev. James Mann. This was the first Protestant place of worship erected in Sackville.

In 1816, an agitation was started for a meeting house at Crane’s Corner. This was opposed by the Methodists from the upper part of the district. Mr. Fawcett wrote as follows: “It seems though some at the lower end of the village began to think it was too far to travel one and half to two miles to worship God and to meet their northern brethren, some of whom had much further than that to travel and they begun to give away to a wish to have worship nearer their own doors;” it was also unnecessary to state that the circuit was indebted to ‘Squire Charles Dixon for thirty pounds borrowed money to defray expenses of building for a preacher’s house, and it is further in need to state that Mr. DeBar was on this circuit, and Mr. Avard also lived in this vicinity being contiguous to one another, no doubt they and some other residents began to express a wish that a meeting house was nearer home. In order to accomplish this object, Squire Dixon offered to give the thirty pounds to them if they should build with which offer Mr. DeBar and Mr. Avard fell in. The matter was brought forward at a very thin district meeting, Mr. Edward Dixon and Richard Bowser being there, but no one from this quarter to oppose it, and the circuit steward being too easily led to fall in with the strongest side so it was carried. The brick house was built at a cost of nearly eight hundred pounds.” In 1835, Mr. Fawcett protested to Rev. John Strong against the brick house monopolizing the services and turning off “The Upper Church with the dregs”. Mr. Fawcett and the Upper Sackville people were deeply affected by the separation and he wonders “how they who brought it about would answer before Him that requires truth in the inward parts and justice in the outward conduct.”

The late Mr. John Palmer stated, “Rev. John Millidge was the first Minister of the English Church that I knew. He lived at Fort Lawrence. He christened myself and my father’s children. He travelled around visiting people at their homes. The first man I ever saw Baptized was at the grist mill at Morice’s Pond. His name was John Patterson. He lived at Coles’ Island, he was a mason by trade. Rev. Joseph Crandall officiated.” The late Rufus Cole, Esq., stated, “Joseph Read and Ebenezer Cole were the founders of the Baptist Church here. the earliest I can remember was a brick meeting house at Crane’s Corner. There was another one in Upper Sackville. There was also a small Baptist Meeting House where Bethel stood above Morice’s Mills. He, Mr. Cole, was present at a revival at the latter church, conducted by the Rev. Fathers Crandall and Tupper. There were twenty-five persons immersed in Morice’s Pond; a woman got up to exhort the people. She handed an infant, six months old to a by-stander to hold. He inquired who she was, the reply was, “She was Mrs. Tupper.” The infant grew to manhood and became the Rt. Honourable Sir Charles Tupper, Baronet.”

A letter written by Mr. Edward Dixon on 24th April, 1842 is the best account of the struggles, defeats and triumphs of Methodism in Sackville, from 1772 until 1839. He states:–

In the earlier times the people were Calvinists in their creed, were strangers to Methodism and hostile to it, and very generally adopted the sentiments of Henry Alline. For nine years the few Methodists were uncared for, save by the local brethren from Point de Bute. In 1781 William Black went to Sackville and held some meetings and began to preach, and for two years made regular visits to it, during which time many professed faith in Christ. Mr. Alline went among the people, caused a division and 70 persons withdrew from the Society. Mr. Black, being publicly informed, they have, is quoted as saying “the people have nothing to do with the law of God: that David was a man after God’s own heart, while living in adultery and murder, and that it is only the body and not the soul that sins; after two years Mr. Black went to Windsor and other places, and with the exception of an occasional visit to the Sackville Society, was left without a preacher for four years. The case was all the worse, because “among the English emigrants, or those converted under Mr. Black, there was no person who could hold a meeting, give an exhortation or lead a class.” In 1787 William Grandine came and was succeeded in the winter of 1783 by James Mann for a short time, and who was followed by James Wry. In 1790 Mr. Mann again appears at the dedication of the first Methodist chapel in Sackville and the first Protestant place of worship in the village and the second Methodist church in Canada. Mr. Mann’s text on the occasion was the four verses of the 9th Chapter of the Book of Proverbs.

A New Methodist Chapel was built at Crane’s Corner, Sackville, in 1838, and was opened by the Rev. E. Wood. In size it was 60×40′, and three years later an annex 40×15′ was built. Mr. Boultenhouse supplied the bell. During the next 16 years the following ministers labored there for a longer or shorter period: Thomas Whitehead, John Black, John Abraham Bishop, James and John Mann, at Middle Sackville; Benjamin Wilson, John Cooper, Joshua Marsten, William Bennett, Thomas Oliphant, and Stephen Branford. Special mention is made of the good result of Mr. Bishop’s short stay of three months, not the least important of which was the introducing Thomas Roach to exercise his talents as a social preacher, which he did for many years with much acceptance, but while the work grew elsewhere no progress was made in Sackville, the soil seemed ill adopted to the seed sown by the Methodists for after more than 30 years of more or less attention, Mr. Bramford found only seven members meeting in society. From that time a better state of things began, “there has been a regular succession of ministers and religion has greatly revived.”. In 1809 John Fawcett was appointed leader of the class. In 1811 the Mission House was commenced under the auspices of James Knowland and finished the next year. Mr. Charles Dixon and Mr. William Carnforth gave a site for a Methodist parsonage of about four acres. A brick house was erected about 1810. In 1850 it was demolished and a wood one erected in its place. This served as a parsonage for many years until a new one was erected on the Charles F. Allison property, west of the Methodist Church. In 1815 the first weekly prayer meeting was organized by Joseph Avard of whom mention has been made in previous papers, and, “who in various ways rendered very considerable service to Methodism both in Sackville and in the neighboring townships as a local preacher and class leader.” In 1818 a new chapel was built to replace the old one and another at the upper end of the township at Tantramar. Revivals of great power were spoken of as taking place in the years, 1823, 1836, 1839 and 1841, the results of which are thus summed up: “there are now nine classes together numbering 135 members; two local preachers and seven exhorters, beside many who pray in public; a mission house tolerably well furnished, with four acres of land attached to it, with a barn, outhouses, and other things necessary for the comfort and the accommodation of the occupants. The vine, though planted in an unfriendly soil, has taken deep root and has filled the land. The self denial, patience and fervent zeal of these passengers of peace, i.e., the early preachers, can never be forgotten. In summer they travelled on horse back, in winter on snow shoes in order to preach as the opportunity was afforded them, the unsearchable riches of Christ. They rest from their labors but their work remains. After having been for many years connected with Cumberland and later known as the part of the Westmorland circuit, it was given its present name in 1829. It had, however, been the head of the circuit since 1812, when William Bennett took up his abode in the new stone parsonage, and which stood on what is now Squire Street on the site then occupied by the house of Hiram M. Copp. Since then the record of ministerial supply has been as now given, always remembering that Point de Bute, Dorchester, and other places shared in their labors for a time.

1811-13, William Bennett; 1813-16, Stephen Bamford; 1816-18, James Dunbar; 1818-19, James Prestley; 1819-21, John B. Strong, 1821-23, James Prestley; 1823-26, Stephen Bamford and William Murray; 1826-28, William Temple; 1828-30, Sampson Busby; 1830-33, William Smith and Alex W. McLeod; 1833-35, Michael Pickles and R. Douglas, 1835-37, John B. Strong; 1837-39, Richard Williams, Joseph F. Bent, Wm. Bannister; 1839-41, Henry Daniel; 1841-43, Richard Shepperd; 1843-46, Arthur McNutt; 1846-49, William Miller, 1849-53, James G. Hennigar; 1853-54, John Allison. Duncan D. Currie; 1854-57, William Temple; 1857-58, James R. Narraway, Henry Holland; 1858-60, James R. Narraway, Stephen Humphrey; 1860-61; James De Wolfe; 1861-63, John Snowball; 1863-64, Edmund Botterell; 1864-67, Alexander W. Nicholson; 1867-70, Samuel W. Sprague, 1870-73, Elias Brittle; 1873-76, Joseph Hart; 1876-77, Humphrey Pickard; 1877-80, Douglas Chapman; 1880-81, Wm. W. Percival; 1881-82, Jobe Shenton; 1882-84, John S. Phinney; 1884- 87, Richard W. Weddall; 1887-88, Ralph Brecken; 1888-89, John S. Allen; 1889-92, Frederick W. Harrison; 1892-95, William Harrison; 1895-99, Samuel Howard; 1899-1902. Howard Sprague; 1902-1906, George Steel.

Church at Wood Point was built in 1838. Church at Sackville enlarged and re-opened on the 16th October, 1842, by Enoch Wood. The musical exercises were led by Joseph Avard, then 82 years of age. Three bass viols were played by three brothers. Mr. Wood reported the music a little slow, and needed more female voices but the tunes used were good old Methodist ones. “The bell was given by one good old friend, Mr. Boultenhouse.”

Services were only held on the Sabbath until McNutt’s time in 1843.

Organ music introduced in 1854, when the old practice of giving out the hymns, two lines at a time, was of necessity abandoned.

New chapel at Upper Sackville dedicated by Dr. Knight in 1855. First Sunday School in Sackville and Upper Sackville were started in 1833 by William Smithson.

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH

St. Ann’s Church at Westcock was erected before 1820, chiefly by the exertions of Hon. Wm. Botsford. The rectory at Westcock (later sold, and the proceeds devoted to a rectory at Sackville) was erected in 1822-23. It was destroyed by fire. St. Paul’s Church at Sackville was erected in 1855 on lands donated by Joseph F. Allison, Esq. Until the Westcock rectory was built, the rector and his family occupied a brick residence on the hill North East of Fort Cumberland owned by Mr. _____ Carter. Services were held at the Fort, at Mount Whatley, at Westcock and at Dorchester and occasionally at Shediac. There was a small garrison at the Fort until 1833, when it was withdrawn. The memorial windows in the tower and chancel of St. Paul’s, Sackville, were the gifts of the families of Hon. William Crane and Hon. Amos Botsford to their memory. The parish hall was erected chiefly by the Cogswell family — grand children of Hon. Wm. Crane. From the beginning of services up to and including Rev. G. G. Roberts’ ministry, the rector was supported by a grant of two hundred pounds a year from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, the parishes having then become self-supporting the grant was withdrawn.

Episcopal Ministers in Sackville: John Burnyeat, 1818-20; Christopher Milner, 1820-36; John Black, 1836-47; G. G. Roberts, 1860-73; David Nickerson, 1873-75; J. D. H. Browne, 1873-75; R. I. Uniacke, 1878-79; C. P. Mulvany, 1875-80; C. F. Wiggins, 1880-1930.

The late Venerable Archdeacon Raymond — the New Brunswick historian wrote an account of the services of Rev. C. Milner to the Church, of which the following is an abbreviation:–

He arrived with his family in Halifax in 1818. At the request of the Earl of Dalhousie he consented to take charge for a short time of the Collegiate School at Windsor. In 1820, Rev. John Burnyeat having retired from the Mission of Sackville, he accepted that and removed first to Fort Cumberland pending the erection of a rectory at Westcock. The old church at Mount Whatley had fallen in a ruinous condition; it was rebuilt and opened by him in March, 1821, a large congregation attending. In 1822, he established services every Sunday at Sackville, Fort Cumberland and Dorchester. The congregations at Sackville nearly doubled. He also visited Shediac once in quarter. There by his efforts, 200 pounds had been subscribed for a Church and the frame was up, also a schoolhouse built. The parsonage at Westcock — a neat brick building was then lately built. Dorchester was eight miles distant and Fort Cumberland twenty-one miles. At this time (1822) a Missionary was appointed in Amherst. In August, 1822, the Church at Shediac was enclosed and the tower. Bishop Inglis wrote to the Home Society: Much is due to Mr. Milner’s zeal and labor in building churches.” Dr. Wills, Ecclesiastical Commissary, wrote: “Mr. Milner was instrumental in moving the people to build the church more than any other man and it was through him that the Madras School was established. The Madras School was conducted by Mr. Barbarie and had 85 pupils. In 1836 Mr. Milner was transferred to Westfield and Greenich. In 1859, in July, when rowing in his boat from Greenich to Westfield, after morning service, he suffered a sun-stroke, which ended his labor as a Church Minister.

MOUNT ALLISON

Hon. Charles F. Allison, having become convinced of the necessity of giving the youths of the country a higher education than that provided in the common schools and being compelled by his sense of personal duty to promote it, he wrote a letter to Rev. Wm. Temple, District Chairman at St. John regarding his intentions to erect a boarding school at Sackville, which being accepted by the local Wesleyan Minister, a committee being appointed, to carry this design into effect met in Sackville on the 17th of January, 1840, when internal arrangements were decided upon, and on the 9th of the following July “an immense concourse of people came together” to witness the laying of the corner stone of the new building. The service was conducted by the chairman of the New Brunswick District, William Temple, and participated in by Richard Knight, chairman of the Nova Scotia District, William Croscombe, Sampson Busby, George Millar and William Wilson. The placing of the stone in position was performed by Mr. Allison, saying as he did so:–

The foundation stone of this building I now proceed to lay, in the name of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. And may the education here furnished by the institution be conducted on Wesleyan principles, to the glory of God and the extension of His cause, Amen.

The formal opening took place on June, the 29th, 1843. Educational work had, however, been previously begun on the 19th of January of the same year. The ministers present on that occasion were: Richard Williams, and Samuel D. Rice, and among the laymen the honored founder of the academy. It was indeed “the day of small things” as only seven students were reported, but additions were soon made to the number of eighty. These were reported as “well disposed and industrious,” all attending the religious exercises and conducting themselves with marked decorum. There were classes in geography, arithmetic, English grammar, geometry, navigation, natural philosophy; French, Latin and Greek. The Governor and Chaplain was Albert Debrisay, and the Principal Humphrey Pickard. The formal opening took place, as already stated, on the 29th of June of that year, and was an occasion of great interest to the Methodists of the Maritime Provinces. In the report of the proceedings as given in the B.N.A. magazine of that time, the ministers in attendance and taking part were Richard Knight, William Croscombe, A. W. McLeod, William Wilson, William Webb, Charles Churchill, Sampson Bushby, and Arthur McNutt. The names of William Temple and Enoch Wood are not among the number, why, no reason is given. The good feeling of outsiders was evidenced by the presence of such representative men as the Hon. Messrs. Botsford, Crane and Chandler of New Brunswick and Hon. Mr. Prescott of Nova Scotia. The day was delightfully fine, the audience large and sympathetic, the addresses appropriate and the entire proceedings of a highly interesting character. From “the feast of reason and the flow of soul,” some seventy persons sat down to a sumptuous repast which had been prepared for them in the dining hall of the institution.

But the establishment of the male academy was only the beginning, the first of a number of institutions which have won much more than a provincial reputation. The Ladies’ Academy was opened on August 17th, 1854; Lingley Hall on January 30th, 1855; the college began its work in 1862; Centennial Hall was opened on October 9th, 1884 and Owens’ Art Gallery was transferred from Saint John to Sackville in 1893.

Academical term commenced 19th January, 1843. Second on 29th June. Rev. Messrs. Williams, Wilson, Shepherd, Rice, and C. F. Allison were present. The 7 pupils present increased to 30, before April. Classes in Geography, English Grammar, French, Latin, Natural Philosophy, Geometry, F. M. Wood, Grammar School Master at Richibucto, was English Master.

The boys came in by schooner and steamer and a few by stage. The Academy had forty bedrooms, into which they were installed. These were Spartan in their appointments; two boys to a room. The furniture consisted of a bed, a table and two chairs; also a small wood stove. There was plenty of good dry wood in the wood yard, to which the boys could help themselves or go with cold fingers. There were no luxurious bathrooms with hot and cold water. There was a spring at the foot of the hill where the boys could take their pitchers and help themselves without extra charge.

In the halls were long black pipes leading from the boys’ rooms. They added nothing to the beauty of the “landscape,” and they sometimes gave off the odor of pyroligneous acid. The rooms were lighted by glass lamps containing whale or seal oil, with a double candle wick. Later naphtha came in vogue, then kerosene. The menu at the dining hall was Sybaritic enough to prevent indigestion. There were pie days, pudding days and hash days. The latter received the sobriquet of resurrection hash. One of the stunts was to go to the old church, Westcock, on Sunday mornings, two and a half miles away. This was hardly an example of genuine piety, for the boys always received as a reward a double portion of pie.

Work went on day after day with military precision. Instead of the bugle horn, bells were rung for every event. The half-past five bell was to get up. The ten o’clock bell, all lights out — go to bed. At this hour all exit by the outside doors was barred. There were rumors that more venturesome lads, off on a frolic, or to raid an orchard, had a basket and a rope mode of escape, from an upper window.

Rev. Dr. Humphrey Pickard who was first Principal of the Male Academy and first President of the Mount Allison College, was a very successful administrator. The work of financing a boarding school and making it pay requires special talents and adding to that the teaching and disciplining of a large body of students who without any deep sense of rule or order were for the most part imbued with the spirit of lawless adventure was a task most admirably discharged by Dr. Pickard.

Dr. David Allison, the second President, added to his scholarly gifts a disposition somewhat emotional, that entirely won the hearts of the boys, which became an important factor in promoting the educational work of the institution. Dr. J. R. Inch, the third President, had the gift of order and precision with an eminently judicial mind. His rule was most successful and when he resigned to accept the position of Superintendent of Education it was greatly to the regret of the friends of the institution. Dr. Byron C. Borden, the fourth President, showed himself to be a capable administrator, and possessed a genius for finance. He did much to meet the needs of a growing institution keeping in touch with the advanced movement of the times. These four educationists, in life pursuing the same beneficent ends, have in death together found an early resting place in the Rural Cemetery where they rest from their labors.

HISTORICAL DATA

Following are some dates in the history of the Mount Allison Institutions, Methodist:–

1839, Jan.–C. F. Allison proposed to the New Brunswick Conference to purchase a site, and erect a suitable building for an Academy.
1843, Jan. 19–Mount Allison Wesleyan Academy opened.
1854, Aug. 17–Mount Allison Academy, Female branch, opened.
1855, Jan. 30–Lingley Hall dedicated.
1858–Act passed by New Brunswick Legislature authorizing establishment of College with powers to confer degrees.
1861–Old lodge built.
1863–First class in Arts graduated.
1866–Second Academy building erected.
1874–South wing of Ladies’ College built.
1875–Commercial building erected.
1882–Third Academy building erected.
1884, Oct. 9–Centennial Hall dedicated.
1886–Charter amended and corporate name changed to “University of Mount Allison College.”
1890–Conservatory of Music erected.
1893, Nov. 18–Laying of corner stone of University residence.
1894, May 29–Laying of corner stone of Owens’ Art building
1899, Nov. 1–Laying of corner stone of second university residence.
1903–Ladies College annex built.
1903–Massey Treble school of household science opened.
1904, April 19–McClelan School of Applied Science established.
1910, May 26–Charles Fawcett Memorial Hall opened.
1910–Jairus Hart Hall built.
1913–Charter amended and corporate name changed to “Regents of Mount Allison.”
1919–Skating rink built.
1920–Addition to Ladies’ College.
1920–Separate residence for university women.
1921–New gymnasium built.
1924–Mount Allison farms united and barns and cottage built.
1925–Addition to Academy residence
1925–Biology building erected.
1927–Memorial Library opened.
1928–$40,000 received from the estate of Hon. A. R. McClelan.
1929–A half million dollars subscribed for building and endowment purposes. New McClelan School of Manual Training built.
1931–Installation of Central Heating Plant.
1933–$147,000 given by the Carnegie Corporation as endowment for the Department of Chemistry.
1933, March 1st.–Academy burned.
1933, March 17th–“Old Lodge” and Centennial Hall burned.
1993–Centennial Hall rebuilt. Fourth Academy residence built.

CHAPTER X.

THE GRAVEYARDS

The Acadian French, who occupied our country, a hundred and fifty years before the expulsion, have left no individual monuments in their numerous settlements as a record of their lives. Their descendants have not the poor satisfaction of visiting their graves in a churchyard where:–

“Their names, their years, spelt by the unlettered muse, The place of fame and elegy supply,”

but we can recollect that such remembrances are after all a modern contrivance for even–

“Imperial Caesar, dead, and turned to clay, Might stop a hole to keep the wind away.”

Tradition says that the Acadians had a graveyard at their chapel at the Four Corners, but that has been ploughed land for a hundred years. The old graveyards in the parish are the one at Westcock, the one at Middle Sackville and the one at Four Corners. The Middle Sackville one is on the site of the first Methodist Church in the parish, erected by Yorkshire settlers in the early days of Methodism. It was the second Methodist Church built in Canada. The graveyard has been badly kept, or rather not kept at all, old tombstones have fallen down and in some cases broken. There is an air of neglect about the place.

This graveyard was badly neglected, undergrowth with weeds and briers. Owing to the efforts of Dr. Fred A. Dixon in 1933, the land has been cleared and the rubbish carted away, making the place of the dead much more presentable.

Amongst other tombstones, can be mentioned that to Susannah D. Roach, wife of Hon. William Crane, now dead nearly a hundred years.

William Fawcett died in 1814, aged 75 years, and his wife who died in 1812, aged 77 years. Nearby is one of John Fawcett, died in 1830, aged 86 years.

The forebears of the Bowsers are also there,–Thomas Bowser, died in 1816, aged 72 years, and another one records the death of his wife, Mary. She was the mother of twelve children, three daughters and nine sons. The headstone of Christopher Harper, now broken, records his death in 1820 in the 90th year of his age and his wife, Elizabeth. Another one is of Charles Dixon, died 1817, age 88, and Susannah Coates, died in 1826, also 88 years of age. Captain Richard Wilson died in 1810 at the age of 70 years and his wife Ann, who died in 1825. The Atkinson family is also represented here by Robert, who died in 1817 at the age of 75 years and his wife, Mary, and also their daughter Mary, who died in 1794. John Ogden erected a stone to the memory of his son William, who died in 1825, aged 35 years.

The site of the graveyard was given by William Carnforth. His tombstone is marked 1792.

MIDDLE SACKVILLE CEMETERY

Robert Atkinson, died 1817, aged 75 years.
Thomas Atkinson, died 1792, aged 75 years.
Elizabeth Atkinson, died 1858, aged 58 years.
Fannie Bowser, died 1869, aged 40 years.
Ann, wife of David Derry, 1819, aged 77.
Elizabeth Bulmer, died 1859, aged 32.
(Lost her life, when the house was burned.)
Mrs. Geo. Bulmer, died 1835, aged 68.
George Bulmer, died 1811, aged 81.
Rhoda Dixon, died 1799, aged 30.
Susannah D., wife of William Crane, 1830, aged 31.
Obegial, wife of Nelson Bulmer, 1872, aged 59.
Edward and Mary Dixon, in memory of their children:–
John, 1810,– George, 1824–aged 11.
Benjamin Wilson, drowned 1824.
Martha, his wife, died 1843, aged 74.
William and Sarah Harper, died 1804.
Charles Dixon, 1817, aged 88 years.
Susannah Dixon, died 1820, aged 88 years.
Christopher Harper, died 1820, aged 90.
Rebecca, wife of John Morice, died 1821, aged 43.
William Carnforth, died 1791, aged 53.
Joseph Bowser, died 1869, aged 78.
William Fawcett, died 1832, aged 63.
Eldest son of Joseph and Ann Bowser, died 1843, aged 20.
Andrew Kinnear, born 1750, died 1818. Served His Majesty– (obliterated.)
John Ogden, erected to his son, William, 1825.
Eliza, wife of Robert Scott, died 1812.
Thomas Bowser, died 1816, aged 72.
His wife Mary, born in Liverpool, died 1836, in 89th year.
Sarah, wife of William Fawcett, died 1845, aged 68.
William Fawcett, died 1796, aged 79.
–wife, died 1812, aged 77.
–wife of John Harris, died 1825, aged 45.
Richard Wilson, Esq., died 1810, aged 70.
His wife, Anne, died 1825, aged 66.
Martha, wife of Duncan Shaw, died 1818.
Susannah, daughter of Charles Dixon, died 1835, aged 68.
Charles Bulmer, died 1864, aged 77.
His wife, Elizabeth, —– —–
_____, wife of James Scotson, died 1844, aged 72.
John Bowser, died 1879, aged 81.
George, son of Thomas Bowser, died 1840, aged 55.

Andrew Kinnear who came to Chignecto with the Loyalists and was Commissary at the Fort for thirty years, was married to his cousin, Letitia Boyd of Londonderry, Ireland. She was born in 1768; married in 1789, and died in 1834. They had seven sons as follows: Thomas, Alexander, George, Lennox, Courtney, John, Francis, Andrew, William Boyd, Harrison Galen.

TANTRAMAR GRAVEYARD

Anna, wife of John Fawcett, died 1848, aged 62.
Eleanor, wife of John Fawcett, died 1826, aged 57.
Timothy Charles, died 1886, aged 62.
His wife, Mary Ann, 1887, aged 54.
Thomas Anderson, 1841, aged 90.
James Anderson, 1828, aged 50.
Sarah, wife of James Anderson, died 1839, aged 54.
Thomas Wheaton, 1830, aged 72.
John Bulmer, born 1787, died 1863, aged 76.
Allison, son of Eliphalet and Rebecca Read, died 1842.
Sarah, wife of Samuel Hicks, died 1818, aged 46.
David and Dorothy Stokes, born 1786-82, died 1868.
Rebecca, wife of Reuben Chase, died 1807, aged 22.
William Lawrence, died 1822,–
Huldah, his wife, born 1782,–
Simon Outhouse died 1812, aged 52.
Francis, wife of Jonathan Estabrooks, died 1842, aged 33.
Thomas E. Anderson, born 1813,–
Josiah Hicks, born 1799, died 1850, aged 51.
Michael Grace, died 1836, aged 67.
Joseph Thompson, died 1884, aged 75.
Sarah, wife of ———-, died 1869, aged 54.
John Thompson, died 1837, aged 77.
Lavinia, his wife, died 1877, aged 59.
Jane Estabrooks, died 1839, aged 50.
Wm. Estabrooks, died 1838, aged 87.
Lily, wife of James Estabrooks, died 1844, aged 62.
James Estabrooks, died 1861, aged 88.
Elizabeth, wife of William Estabrooks, died 1856, aged 34.
Thomas Ayer, drowned in Dorchester River, 1839.
Alex Tait (of Aberdeenshire) 1791-1859.
Elizabeth, his wife, 1804-1892.
William Tait, 1891–62
Ann Griffin, 1858–66
Alex Mackintosh, 1861–86.
Valentine Snowdon, 1877–77.
Robert D. Carter, 1856-26.
William Milner, 1832–28.
William Milner, * —, aged 92.
*William Milner came from England about 1820. He was a tailor by trade and settled at Westcock. He had four sons — Thomas, William, Robert and Joseph. Thomas was a ship carpenter. He left two boys, Edmund and Winslow. William died early and left one boy, Capt. Wm. Milner, a successful master mariner. Joseph had three boys, Charles, Robert and Isaac, all mechanics.

SACRED TO
THE MEMORY OF
TOLAR THOMPSON
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
JUNE 23RD, 1846, IN THE
67TH YEAR OF HIS AGE.

Naked as from the Earth he came
And entered life at first;
Naked to the Earth returns
And mingles with the dust.

WESTCOCK GRAVEYARD

Elizabeth, wife of Wm. Snowdon died 1812, aged 29; William Snowdon; died 1852, aged 72; Mary, wife of William Snowdon, died 1819; aged 27; Isaac Evans, died 1798–34; Pickering Snowdon, died 1830–82; William Evans, died 1841–50; Leah, wife of William Evans, died 1848–50; Cynthia, wife of Thomas Milner, died 1848–38; Charles P. Evans, died 1862–44; Rupert Boultenhouse, died 1848–27; Bedford Boultenhouse, died 1848–86; Abraham Bass (of Northamptonshire) died 1842–69; Margaret, his wife, died 1842–78; Stephen Milledge, died 1803–43; Henry B. Purdy, died 1888–74; Dorcas, his wife, died 1892–79; Michael Taylor, (of Durham, England) died 1799–79; George Lawrence, died 1910–70; his wife May, 1929–; George Bulmer, died 1890–77; Latitia, his wife, died 1877–59; Martha, wife of John Barnes, died 1824–82; John Barnes, died 1815–77; Edward Barnes, died 1867–46; James Barnes, died 1861–82; Jeanie, his wife, died 1870–87; John H. Creamer, died 1887–58.

RURAL CEMETERY

The Sackville Rural Cemetery was established in 1864, being located on lands purchased from Robert Bowser. An act of incorporation was obtained in April that year, whereupon a meeting took place on 17th October, when Rev. Dr. Pickard, Edward Bowes and C. Milner were appointed a committee to prepare the By-laws and C. Milner and Edward Bowes, a committee to solicit subscriptions. At another meeting, there was present Rev. Dr. Pickard in the chair and C. Milner, secretary; J. B. Bowser, J. W. Dixon, Andrew Ford, Marcus Trueman, Ed Kinnear, and Ed. Bowes. In addition to these the following were subscribers:–Harmen Humphrey, Robson Dixon, David Purington, John Ford, Mariner Wood, T. W. Knapp, Rev. Jos. Allison, Wm. Cole, Robert Fawcett, Amos Ogden, Richard Wilson, Wm. Morice, John Morice, W. C. E. Hamilton, Ed. Bowes, Edward Cogswell, S. F. Black and J. L. Black. C. Milner acted as Superintendent for many years. He was succeeded by W. C. Milner who purchased from Eugene Bowser, the field west of the brook, and erected the keeper’s lodge. It was laid off by Messrs. J. L. Dixon and Amos Ogden with the Superintendent. The lot north of the original lot was purchased from the Estate of the late Charles Fawcett in the year 1912. The system of Perpetual Care has been adopted by the corporation. Payments are deposited with The Central Trust Corporation, the interest alone being used. The receipts to date amount at present to about $3,000.

CHAPTER XI.

MILLS AND SHIPBUILDING

At a town meeting held on the 31st of August, 1762, the Morice Mill Dam was referred to “Upper Mill Dam”; if it was old at that date, it must have been first constructed by the Acadian French, and their use of it was probably for grinding grain. At the same time the stream spanned by the Westcock Aboideau was called the “Old Mill Dam.” The mill built at the latter place by Amos Botsford was in the year 1812 to saw timer, grind grain and it was fitted with a carding machine. The latter was the first one ever seen in the country. He operated it with a gate at first and then he put in an aboideau and sluice. When he stopped working it, Charles Bulmer bought the gear and put it into the Mill at Fairfield, later owned by G. W. Milton. Morice took the carding machine. John Fawcett purchased the stones and used them in the Mill he built at the brook north of the Male Academy. The foundation of the timbers of the Botsford Mill can still be seen, having been preserved by the salt water.

The mill at Frosty Hollow, erected probably before 1790, by a Mr. Tower, at first to grind wheat and saw lumber, was sold by him to a Mr. Snell, who adopted the faith of the Latter Day Saints and removed to Salt Lake City. He sold to Mr. Geo. N. Bulmer. From him it descended to his son, Seth. Four years ago, he disposed of it to Mr. John Wiggins. The machinery having become out of date, and the mill suffering from old age, he demolished it in 1933.

SHIPBUILDING

There are no official records available for vessels built in Canada previous to 1819; probably such records have been kept and may have been removed to England. The first vessel that the late Mr. John Palmer recollected was the schooner “Hope”, 70 or 80 tons, built by Elijah Ayre, in Dorchester Creek. His son, Mariner, was master. Years after, Crane and Turner built the schooner, “Jane” in the same place. The Ayres built the “Dolphin” over a hundred tons. She carried plaster, lumber and stone from Hard Ledge to Passamaquoddy. The “Charlotte” 120 tons built by Richard Gross in Hillsboro and owned by Mr. Boultenhouse took lumber from Chapman’s at Dorchester to be used in the buildings at the Fort in 1812. James Purdy was the master, and the crew were Anthony Low, John Palmer and Joseph Brown. This vessel traded between Sackville and Saint John and Passamaquoddy. She was discharging wood on the south market wharf, one occasion when the funeral of Speaker Botsford passed up King Street; that trip of the “Charlotte” brought to Westcock, Mr. Botsford, the late Judge, Mr. Blair, who owned an estate at River Hebert, and Mr. R. L. Hazen, later Hon. R. L. Hazen, M. P. P., of Hazen’s Cattle, Saint John.

The Calhouns of Shepody owned a sloop which was on its way to Passamaquoddy with plaster from Hard Ledge when they heard that war (1812) had been declared. The sloop returned and discharged the plaster on Botsford’s wharf and waited till Fall for an escort. In 1821, the “Sal” was built by Mr. Starrett in Albert County; it was owned by Mr. Palmer and James Carter. Mr. John Palmer was master. He carried a cargo of lumber to Saint John where they sold her. In 1824 Amasa Weldon and James Sayre owned a schooner called the “Dorchester” that sailed on the Saint John and Eastport route. William Carlisle was master. At Sackville Jotham Estabrooks and John Best built a vessel called the “Ruth” on land high and dry. They employed a big team of oxen to draw it to the tide way; Best was master. Previously to 1830, William Crane built a vessel at Harris Aboideau, called the “Hope”, which he sent to England and sold there. Rufus and Martin Cole and William Fowler owned a schooner “Byrante” which was scuttled off of Apple River. She was sunk at high water and at low water only partially submerged. They were able to sell her for one hundred and eighty-five pounds.

In 1824, Wm. Crane built a vessel of 128 tons which he called the “Charlotte.”

VESSELS BUILT AT SACKVILLE

Name Tonnage Registered Owner

1829–Betsey 37 Rufus Cole
1829–Minstrel Boy 136 M. Delay
1829–Hope 30 Edward Dixon
1830–Good Intent 38 Isaac Lawson
1830–Sackville Packet 36 Sherman Wickwire
1831–Temperance 87 Titus Anderson
1831–Minstrel Boy 166 I. Woodward
1833–Rover 83 Stephen Barnes
1833–Herald 78 C. Boultenhouse
1833–Eclipse 52 Thomas Robson
1833–Victory 48 Joseph Atkinson
1834–Ann 63 William Wood
1834–Lighter 47 William Scott
1834–Susan Crane 150 C. Boultenhouse
1835–Spruce 145 J. & H. Kinnear
1835–Brothers 47 J. Bradley
1835–Lark 61 E. Cole
1835–Ann 88 John Boultenhouse
1837–William 96 William Boultenhouse
1837–Lark 35 David Stiles
1837–Spick 125 J. & H. Kinnear
1838–Pearl 30 William Boultenhouse
1837–Sarah Jane 48 H. Calhoun
1839–Forest Queen 839 Charles Dixon
1839–Freedom 111 John Boultenhouse
1839–Empress 1266 William Wright
1839–Mariner 221 M. Wood
1839–John & Ann 120 John Boultenhouse
1840–Sarah Jane 48 Thomas Kiellor
1840–Wood Point 133 H. G. Kinnear
1840–Loveomia 14 Rufus Dixon
1840–Victory 48 John Beaumont
Isabella 22 Thomas Robson
1840–Sarah Botsford 296 J. & W. Kinnear
1840–Barbara Ann 136 Joseph Atkinson
1840–Sackville 147 Bedford Boultenhouse
1846–Britain 61 Amos Seaman
1847–Amelia 330 Bill H. DeWolf
1847–Olive 61 G. W. Olive
1847–Jane 38 Charles Palmer
1847–Gazelle 60 Rufus Cole
1847–Princess 149 William Boultenhouse
1849–London 91 C. Boultenhouse
1849–Mary Carson 692 C. Boultenhouse
1849–Jane 38 T. Outhouse
1849–Jessie Burne 536 C. Boultenhouse
1849–Triumph 144 C. Dixon
1849–Jane Morice 256 C. Boultenhouse
1851–Water Lily 591 Bedford Boultenhouse
1851–Sarah Louise 377 James Lyons
1851–Bloomer 342 Bedford Boultenhouse
1852–Melrose 79 Martin Cole
1852–Lucy Ann 91 C. Boultenhouse
1853–Falcon 310 George Young
1852–Alert 130 B. Boultenhouse
1852–Falcon 310 C. Boultenhouse
1853–Alpine 514 C. Boultenhouse
1853–Lucy Ann 91 George Saulter
1854–British Made 172 C. Boultenhouse
1854–British Empire 1347 Charles Dixon
1853–Heart 138 R. Wilson
1953–Freedom 111 John Ferish
1848–Industry 75 Bedford Boultenhouse
1848–Cynthia 144 C. Boultenhouse
1855–Dasher Sackville 56 M. Wood
1855–Harrnoby 514 N. S. Demill
1855–Shepherdess 1125 William Wright
1855–Atalanta 930 C. Dixon
1855–William Hyde 295 M. Wood
1856–Mary 572 R. Wright
1856–Westmorland 192 C. Boultenhouse
(Steam) 100 H.P.
1856–Sarah Dixon 1468 C. Dixon
1856–Uncas 1320 C. Boultenhouse
1857–Druid 193 J. S. Jarvis
1858–Brothers’ Pride 1236 John Yeats
1858–Frederick 246 Jos. G. Kenney
Wm. F. Hawkins
1858–Havelock 100 J. F. Allison
Rufus C. Cole
1858–Veteria 106 Samuel Freeman
Black
1859–Bella 45 George Anderson
Ammi Anderson
1859–Black Eagle 391 Mariner Wood
John McFee
1859–Cygnet 99 Amos Ogden
Mariner Wood
Stephen Barnes
1859–Xiphias 980 Will. Morice
1860–Minne Haha 51 Elisha Embree
1860–Seamens Bride 167 Henry Purdy
Sam. Freeman
1861–George G. Roberts 161 Amos Ogden
Mariner Wood
1861–Williamina 187 Chris Boultenhouse
1862–Ellen 193 Chris Boultenhouse
1862–Empress 79 Mariner Wood
Amos Ogden
Timothy Outhouse
1863–Martha 206 William McConnell
1863–New Brunswick 839 C. Boultenhouse
1863–Tantramar 386 James Trueman
1863–Mary E. Purdy 288 M. Wood
1864–Charlie Wood 324 Mariner Wood
Henry Purdy
1864–Indian 564 Chris. Boultenhouse
1864–Jane 130 Mariner Wood
Amos Ogden, &c.
1864–Maria 13 Andrew Ford
1864–Mineola 232 John G. Wright
Stephen K. Brundage
Samuel L. Tilley, &c.
1865–Delegate 303 C. Boultenhouse
1865–Sea Crops 298 R. M. Dixon
1866–M. Wood 550 M. Wood
1866–Jim 195 J. L. Black
1866–William 139 M. Wood
1866–Trojan 133 R. M. Dixon
1866–Cadelle 473 C. Boultenhouse
1866–Gussie Trueman 464 George Anderson
1867–Effa 62 M. Wood
1868–Posie 187 George Bidell
1870–Rawport 103 Elias Tower
1972–Amedo 564 J. McIntosh
1872–Emma L. Oulton 667 George W. Oulton
1872–Northern Star 315 George Anderson
1872–Mary C. 99 A. D. Cole
1872–Amady 535 George McLeod
1872–Assyria 728 J. F. Taylor
1872–George H. Oulton 1132 J. S. D. Devebre

The last vessel built in Sackville was in 1896, by Mr. Thomas Egan; the “Two Sisters.”

OLD TIME STEAMERS IN THE BAY

The Steamer, Commodore, 92 tons, was built in Annapolis in 1847. Her registered owner was W. C. E. Hamilton, later a resident of Sackville. She was broken up in 1856. The Steamer, Creole, a paddle wheel boat, was built in New York in 1841. Owner John Levitt. Lost in 1859 off Green Head. Steamer, Reindeer, 108 tons, built in 1845, R. Read, owner. Steamer Pilot, 99 tons, built 1857, John Walker, owner lost off Grindstone Island. Maid of Erin, John Walker, owner, Captain Belyea, Master, lost off Grindstone Island. These two steamers made trips from Saint John to Sackville, carrying down the Bay cargoes of cattle, and country produce. Steamer, Westmorland, 192 tons, built in Sackville in 1856, 100 H.P. plied same time between St. John and Sackville, and was then put on the Summerside, Charlottetown, Shediac Route. Captain Evander Evans was her Commander. He became commodore of the P. E. I. Steam Navigation Company. It is remarkable that during his whole career as a Master Mariner he never lost a man at sea or had an accident. Soon after the Southern States proclaimed their independence, she was sold to the American Government. Christopher Boultenhouse built vessels at Wood Point, previous to 1840, when he moved to Sackville, where he built one or two vessels every year until 1872. He died in 1876. Charles Dixon was a successful ship-builder until he built his two last vessels, the Atlanta, and the Sarah Dixon. For the former, he refused 14 pounds a ton on the stocks. There was a sudden drop in vessel property and he was obliged to sell her for ten pounds a ton, whereby he lost a fortune. He died in 1864, aged 61 years.

The loss of the Steamship, Hungarian on February 20th, 1860, near Cape Sable, with all on board, was a disaster that caused wide spread sorrow throughout Canada. The most prominent business man in Sackville, at that date was Christopher Boultenhouse, for many years a most successful shipbuilder and at times employed hundreds of men. His eldest son, William, had gone to England in connection with his father’s shipping interests and returning in the “Hungarian” was lost. He was a young man of fine ability and much promise.

Henry Purdy at Westcock built a number of vessels. His sons, John and Reuben were ship masters and James built two steam vessels, the steamer “Sir John” and the “Albert”. The former was burned to the water’s edge in Saint John harbor and the “Albert” was lost with all on board in a severe storm off Halifax harbor.

CHAPTER XII.

THE PORT OF SACKVILLE

From the earliest times has been more or less a port for shipping. The Acadian French used it for building and sailing their crafts. The English used it for the building and repair of vessels and also for the entry of cargoes and their shipment. The Tantramar River pursuing a circular course made a loop with a narrow neck. The land thus surrounded was called the Ram Pasture. The Ram Pasture neck commenced to wash away by erosion. About the year 1920 it was cut through making the Ram Pasture an island and creating a direct course for the tides from the Bay up the river. The portion of the river cut off commenced at once to fill up by deposits from the tidal waters, destroying all shipping facilities. A little foresight on the part of our representatives and a small amount of money expended would have preserved the value of the port as a business place and also saved the entire value of the Ram Pasture to its owners.

SACKVILLE RIGHTS

The first appearance of Sackville Rights, which produced so many law suits and contentions was a Memorial signed by George Bulmer, but in the interests of Thomas Bowser, Timothy R. Richardson, Charles Bulmer and Duncan Shaw, Robert Atkinson, John Wry and David Crossman, who with George Bulmer were proprietors of lots 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. They state at the time of the purchase of these lots and agreeable to Troop’s plan, their lots extended back to the Dorchester line. They learn that parties have applied for and obtained 800 acres of such land. They pray for a grant of the balance, 1700 acres. Granted.

On Sept. 29, 1786, Joseph C. Lamb, Hezekiah King and Nehemiah Ward, a Committee on the part of the town memorialized the Government first to allot the balance of the town grant amongst the people. This would be about 70,000 acres, second claiming the mill and stream as town privileges. An attempt was made in 1785, to escheat about 20 or 30 rights of lands in Sackville belonging to absentees, some of whom were absent for 20 or 30 years. Upon holding an inquisition, claimants appeared for nearly every right, some for dyking or purchase or making improvements. This created so much perplexity that the inquisition was dropped. After that, some of the residents purchased the rights of some of the absentees who had removed to New England (from Amos Botsford’s report, 7th Oct., 1786.)

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

The Sackville and Westmorland Agricultural Society was organized on the 2nd of April, 1825 at the Court House, Dorchester. Those taking part in the proceedings were: Judge William Botsford; Hon. Wm. Crane; Hon. E. B. Chandler; Rev. Christopher Milner; Hon. Edwin Botsford, later Senator; James Black; Edward Dixon of Sackville; Humphrey Gilbert; John Weldon; Hon. Charles F. Allison; Benjamin Charters; William N. Venning; Philip Palmer, Esq.; Simeon Outhouse; Harmon Trueman; William Calhoun; Thomas Bowser; William Fawcett; Christopher Richardson; Christopher Atkinson and others. All together about ninety persons took part in the proceedings. The officers elected were: President, Hon. Judge Botsford; Vice Presidents, Hon. Wm. Crane and John Chapman, Esq.; Treasurer, John Keiler, Esq.; Secretary, Hon. E. B. Chandler. The managing committee were as follows, for Sackville: James Estabrooks, Wm. N. Venning, and Simeon Outhouse. For Westmorland: Harmon Trueman, George Oulton, and Charles Dixon, Jr. For Botsford: John Raworth, Sr., Ephraim Allen, John Anderson. For Dorchester, William Hannington, Humphrey Gilbert and John Weldon. For Moncton: Solomon Trites, James M. Kelly, and Lewis Trites. For Salisbury: Robert Scott, Daniel Wheaton, Ralph Colpitts.

Hillsboro: John McLatchy, James Chapman, William Chapman.

Hopewell: Peter McClelan, John Smith, Nathaniel Brewster.

The first active measures the Society took was to secure the purchase and distribution of seeds at prime cost and charges. The purchase of forty pounds in timothy seed and ten pounds in clover seed was ordered. A hundred and twenty bushels of wheat was ordered and a quantity of oats. At a later meeting, it was decided to purchase eight rams, one for each of the eight parishes, for which purpose Hon. Wm. Crane, Joseph Avard and Harman Trueman were appointed committee.

Such were the beginnings of a Society started one hundred and nine years ago and which has greatly promoted the farming interests of the community.

There was a plowing match in October, 1839, with prizes given by the Agricultural Society. The judges were: Hon. Edward Botsford, George Oulton, and Richard Bowser. First prize was won by Nelson Bulmer, prize 50 shillings; second prize, Joseph Wells; third prize, Charles Bulmer; fourth prize, James Anderson. At the same time, it was announced that the Shorthorns introduced by Judge Botsford had been purchased in England by the Hon. William Crane and Hon. L. A. Wilmot.

OLD TIME BUSINESS

There was very little traffic and trading a hundred years ago. Every household was as much as possible self contained and self supporting. Beef, grain, butter and wool, products of every farmer gave him and his family their foodstuffs and clothing. The ministers were itinerant, so were the teachers, shoemakers and tailors. The girls of the period had no time for the decorative arts and swains were not captured by any artificial ornamentations. The lessons of every day life were severe and left no room for frivolity.

The first store was kept by Stephen Milledge at Westcock– Amos Fowler and Titus Knapp also traded at Westmorland Point. The bills of that day show the limited character of the goods sold. William Crane commenced business at the mouth of the Lower Fairfield Road in about 1806. His place was burned–it is said by incendiary and he rebuilt at Crane’s corner. This was the Golden Age for peddlers. With their packs, on foot, they tramped from house to house through the settlements–selling their wares and trinkets and exchanging bits of news and gossip.

In 1812 there was only a trail or path through the woods between Sackville or rather Westcock and Dorchester, but a passable team road then existed from Westcock to Tantramar. In the war of 1812, militia were sent from Westmorland to garrison Saint John. They were under command of Capt. H. Chapman and Lieut. Shaw. Their transportation was by schooner. There was a ferry from Westcock to Aulac. The Ferryman at this time was “Lin” Baizley. He was succeeded by James Evans. There was at this date a narrow road leading from Crane’s Corner to the great Bridge. The Tantramar was then much smaller than it became later and was fordable at low water. A ferry was also maintained at that point. Amos Botsford and Christopher Harper had gigs to ride about in as early as 1810. There was an importation of six Concord wagons by some peddlers in 1820. They were seized by Sheriff Sayre — for debt — probably to the crown for duties. People were very lax in those days about paying customs duties and public sentiment was strongly “agin the law”. It was against the liberty of the subject to pay duties. As an example, an old residenter related to the writer the following incident: A trader imported 100 bbls. of flour from the States by the Wilson vessel. It was hidden in a barn near the Academy Brook. It was seized by Mr. Burnham who represented the majesty of the law, and placed in charge of Robert Atkinson. The owner gathered a force of between 30 and 40 men, seized Mr. Atkinson and hustled him away and then disappeared with the flour. Later on, Dr. Backhouse seized a load of goods at Bowser’s Brook that were being hauled by a farmer. The latter cut the traces and made off with his cattle.

In 1812, Sackville had a visit in passing of Sir George Murray, Quarter Master General and Admiral Yeo, in connection with mobilizing militia. The former was a tall, handsome man, the Admiral was short and thickset. “Tim” Lockhart, representing the artillery branch of the Imperial Service, fired a salute with a brass cannon in front of the house of entertainment kept by the widow Evans at Westcock.

The mails at this date were neither large or important. They were carried by Mark Campbell on horse back in saddle bags, connecting at Amherst and presumably at Dorchester with other mounted carriers. Very few of the letters of this date bear any post mark — evidently they were carried mostly by private hand and by vessels. Mark Campbell was a useful man in the community, afterwards he became school master.

The first Post Office in Sackville of which there is a record was kept by Crane and Allisons. When the Cunard Line was established and English mails started, a frontier office for the reception and forwarding English correspondence became necessary and the government created a Post Office at Sackville, in 1849, with C. Milner as Postmaster. He held the office until 1867, when he resigned and Joseph Dixon, who was assistant postmaster, became Postmaster. He died in 1922, when J. Frederick Allison became Postmaster. At his death the present incumbent, Mr. Anderson, was appointed. The connection of Halifax by rail with Saint John and Quebec and later the operation of portal cars dispensed with the frontier office, which thereafter became a local office. Before 1867 local mails were dispatched weekly from Sackville to Westmorland Point, Point de Bute, Jolicure, Baie Verte, Port Elgin and Cape Tormentine; also to Wood Point and North Joggins; also twice a week to Middle and Upper Sackville, all of which places possessed way offices.

The Fawcett Foundry was established about 1857 by John Fawcett and his son Charles, the former having been previously engaged in the hardware and tinsmith business. He removed to Moncton, leaving it in the hands of his sons, Charles and Alfred. The latter removed to Boston and the former made it a very prosperous concern. The Enterprise Foundry was started in 1872, by Capt. R. M. Dixon. He died in 1874 and the property was purchased by Mr. W. S. Fisher, a wealthy hardware merchant of St. John, who developed it, until it became one of the most successful stove foundries in Canada. During the first half of the last century, James Smith and James Ayer carried on harness and boot and shoe manufacturing in Middle Sackville, (rechristened as Hide Park) and W. C. E. Hamilton, a very large man, known as “Big Hamilton,” built up a large tannery business. They were succeeded by James R. Ayer, Abner Smith and Alex Smith and their establishments were purchased by the “Standard” Company organized by Mr. A. E. Wry.

Two immigrants from England, George and William Beal, built tanneries at Morice’s Pond and for many years did a thriving business. At the same time, a Quaker, David Purinton, from United States carried on the tannery business at Lower Sackville. He retired with a fortune and better than that, with the reputation of being an honest man. It seems reasonable that the hides from cattle slaughtered in this country should be tanned at home, instead of being shipped to Boston and there made into boots and shoes and shipped back to the Canadian market employing tanners, curriers and shoemakers from these provinces who ought to be employed in building up the land that gave them birth. Thus good Canadian money is spent in Boston, that ought to be spent at home.

It is a long distance from Mark Campbell, carrying mails by horseback in his saddle bags or pouch, to the days in the sixties, when Miles Hoar and Angus McLellan drove for horse coaches from Truro to Monckton and a still longer distance from those days to the mail trains that run daily from Halifax across the continent to Vancouver. The luxuries of the express train were rivalled in the long hours of travel by the tales of the road recounted by knights of the Whip whose humor Sam Weller might have envied. Sometimes distinguished men passed en route to and from Europe. Once a minister, Hon. Mr. Breckenridge, from the Southern Republic came thro’ the hostile lines and travelled by stage to Halifax for Europe. Another time, the son and heir of an English Premier (The Marquis of Aberdeen) passed along from Halifax and disappeared — his fate has been a long quest. The line between Truro and Amherst originally owned by Hiram Hyde and William Stevenson, was sold to Charles Archibald and Col. Edward Purdy of Westchester. That between Amherst and Monckton was owned by one of the numerous King Brothers–Patrick. A brother of his, Arthur, succeeded a notable host — William Coll at Sackville, whose house possessed a record for hospitality.

A successor to Hon. Wm. Crane in public spirit was Mr. Joseph L. Black. His grandfather was a brother of Bishop Black. A cousin, Mr. Samuel F. Black who did business in Middle Sackville was burned out there and removed to Lower Sackville where he erected a mansion and commenced business. He had two sons, Dr. Clarence of United States Navy, and Dr. Charles A. Black. The latter represented the county at Fredericton. Mr. J. L. Black occupied Mr. S. F. Black’s premises and entered upon a very successful career of merchandizing. He was elected to the Legislature in 1878, and immediately the roads and bridges of the county responded to his impulse. His occasional addresses in agricultural affairs and public matters — the result of personal experience — were practical and enlightening. He was an economist in matters of public expenditures and disagreeing with his colleagues as to appropriations and debt, he retired from public life.

In 1865, (January 23rd) the “Borderer” Newspaper contained some suggestions as to local trade at that date. The “Schooner Express” as a packet between Saint John and Sackville is advertised by Captain R. M. Dixon, and Capt. Wilson Estabrooks, advertised the schooner “Bella” on the same route. In those days, American stoves and franklins were generally used but Mr. Alexander Robb of Amherst announced he had just erected an iron foundry. Abner Smith was a successful manufacturer of boots and shoes. He advertised prime doubled soled boots at $3.25; common boots at $3.00, and men’s coarse shoes $1.75. Oulton Bros., Saint John, advertised groceries wholesale for the trade. Other advertisers in Sackville were: Mr. J. L. Black, Charles Fawcett, Lindsay & Vickery, and Andrew Ford, successor to James Murray.

At this time, Sackville had three tanneries, which furnished a market for local hides.

A copy of the “Borderer” of 4th September, 1868, contains a notice of the demise of its founder and editor, Edward Bowes, Esq., the father of the late J. Alonzo Bowes of Dorchester and of the late Mr. Fred Bowes, a leading citizen of Halifax. He was a son of William Bowes who had been a Commissariat Officer at Fort Cumberland. Mr. Bowes was fifty-five years of age at the time of his death, twelve years previously to which he had established the “Borderer”, which was, I believe, the only newspaper between Saint John and Halifax. He was a judicious editor. His paper, while always full of local news and taking an influential part in political and public affairs, avoided offensive personalities, won a just popularity. After Mr. Bowes’ death the “Borderer” after passing through the hands of a number of persons, was, in 1880, amalgamated with the “Chignecto Post,” becoming the “Chignecto Post and Borderer.” If this paper had survived, it would have been eight years of age and ranked amongst the oldest in Canada.

The advertising columns contain much of interest. The local merchants advertising were: Andrew Ford, J. L. Black, Lindsay and Vickery, Abner Smith, Dickson and Company, M. Wood, Thomas Baird, Reuben Chase and Robert Hallet. The latter also advertised photography and auctioneer business. William Moore advertised as tailor; Stephen Ayer harnesses.

At Amherst, Dunlap Brothers, and W. D. Main & Co. had extensive advertisements. Charles J. Townshend had a professional card at Attorney-at-Law. He recently died at Wolfville, having risen to become Chief Justice of Nova Scotia. Amos Page, was then watch maker. Joseph L. Moore, Dorchester advertisement appeared as Attorney-at-Law. He was later on elected a member of the Legislature and made an Executive Councillor. He died five years later. Allan A. Peck, of Sackville, as Attorney-at-Law, offered his services to the public.

The Saint John advertisers were: Hannington Brothers, and J. Chaloner, both druggists; Trueman & Taylor and Oulton Brothers and A. W. Masters & Co. Radway’s Ready Relief and Wister’s Wild Cherry Balsam, notwithstanding their superabundant virtues, have long ceased to cure the public. J. H. Wilbur, Dorchester, offered for sale the Dorchester Hotel. A Temperance Hotel was established at Amherst by W. H. Rogers, prominent publicist and platform speaker. He was afterwards Fishery Inspector for Nova Scotia. The late Hon. Justice Rogers of Halifax was a son. Lewis Carvell advertises the time-Table of the F. & N. A. Railway. Two trains left St. John daily for Point de Chene, at 7 a.m., and 1:45 p.m. Return, leaving Point du Chene at 7 a.m., and 11 a.m.

The railway was then being constructed between Moncton and Truro. H. G. C. Ketchum, the contractor for the New Brunswick section, advertises for 1000 men to whom he offers $1.00 and $1.10 per day. Pending through communication by rail with St. John, freighting was carried on by the “Express Packet Line,” consisting of the Schooner “Express”, C. J. Gray, master, and by Wilson Estabrooks in the Schooner “Effa”. Robert Cochran, of Moncton, station agent, had been promoted to the post of section foreman and was succeeded by James Pitfield.

A. J. Smith, later Sir Albert, advertises his office as the office of the Union Freestone Company, shipping building stone from Budroes. At this period Blair Botsford, later Warden of the Penitentiary, was Sheriff, and E. B. Chandler, later Lt. Governor, was Judge of Probates and Charles F. Knapp, Registrar of Probates.

Squire Rufus Cole in his relations of old times stated:–

John Horton’s mother lived where the late Israel Atkins lived. Mr. Crane boarded there. Widow Richardson and three sons, Christopher, Joseph and Timothy, were sent for by Mr. Dixon. Charles Dixon built him a brick store on Bridge Street, near where Squire Street joined it, and afterwards a stone residence near it, where Mrs. Ed Cogswell was born. He moved into the house at the Corner about 18 or 20 years after. Old Mr. Milledge and Botsford were first to have carriages from the States. The first tavern was kept by Mrs. Richardson and Mrs. Humphrey, near the Lower Fairfield Road. Old Mr. Ward kept tavern next on the Chase place; then Shaw Ross next; Andrew Fillmore in place of Shaw. He was a hatter by trade. It was burned down the night he was married for first time. His wedding took place at Fort Lawrence. My two sisters and two brothers were over to the wedding. They went over by horseback, up around the head of Sackville in those days. Old Tim Lockhart — first man that ever drove an ox team through the woods — brought a puncheon of rum from Dorchester Island. He had no foot money in those days. Every one had to help us do one day’s work on Dorchester Road.

At the date of peace between Britain and her American colonies, the total vessels owned in the province was about 250 tons. In 1835 it had grown to 80,830. In 1851, it owned 18 steamboats and 778 sailing vessels, measuring 116,711 tons. For many years it built 170 vessels per annum. The proximity of shipyards to tideways, lakes and streams, facilitated construction and cheapened the cost of vessels until about 1880, when iron became a substitute for wood in construction. The large population employed in construction and in sailing them found their occupation gone, hundreds of ship yards abandoned, and sailor folks looking for other employment.

The trade relations between Bay of Fundy ports and New England ports were very intimate until 1866, when Reciprocity was abrogated. This measure adopted by the United States government, was a great blow to the prosperity of our producers and shippers. Not two decades later, it was followed by the introduction of iron in shipbuilding. This ended the wooden ship building business and with it the foreign trade maintained by our own vessels. The National Policy, adopted by Parliament in 1879, promised to give a home market for our producers and manufacturer and employment for our working population. This result has been achieved so far as Ontario is concerned, which has largely abolished Maritime Industries, resulting in a large loss of business, of commercial decadence and loss of population.

A very great drawback to the future business of the place was the loss of its port, which in the past has been the origin of its settlement and growth. Tidal deposits at the mouth of the Tantramar river built up a body of marsh land, known as the Rampasture, connecting it with the mainland by a narrow neck, inside of which, wharves, had been built and shipyards established. About a quarter of a century ago, the neck became eroded and the tides broke through, making the rampasture an island. The result was the filling up the river with tidal deposits abreast of the wharves, destroying all shipping facilities. A little work would have prevented this loss, but our public men seem to have been dead to public interests. Two improvements are to be credited to public men. A new railway station was erected by the late Hon. H. R. Emmerson, when Minister of Railways, and a new Post Office by Hon. A. B. Copp when M.P.

In 1778, Mr. Carnforth represented to the government, that he had purchased lots 59, 60, 52, 12, 14, 16, 27, 8, 7, and 54 and 53. These were land grabbing days and one is not surprised to learn from the Government’s reply that many of these lots had never been granted at all.

Amongst the early medical practitioners in Sackville were: Marmarduke Backhouse, father of William Backhouse, for many years Registrar of Deeds; Dr. Lewis Johnstone, from Wolfville, N. S., who removed to New Glasgow, N. S.; Dr. Titus W. Knapp, of Fort Cumberland, a thoroughly trained and capable physician; Dr. A. H. Peck from Albert County; Dr. William Johnstone, also from Wolfville, who married Susan, daughter of Mr. Joseph F. Allison. At a later date, Dr. Bowser from Kent County and Dr. Joseph Calkins, both deceased, and who made an admirable record here.

OLD TIME TRAVELLING

Mrs. Joshua Tingley travelled from Bristol to Trueman’s Mill at Westmorland on horseback, carrying a bag of grain to be ground and returned the same day. The distance she travelled was forty- eight miles (statement from late Jacob Silliker, Esq., Baie Verte.) Squire Rufus Cole stated: “When I moved my family from Dorchester to Rockport, in 1824, there were no roads or bridges along the route. In order to cross the streams we used to start to get over when the tide was out, we would cross at Benjamin King’s, then through a path to Hard Ledge, then up the Beach to Dorchester Cape. We travelled that way on horseback. 1837 the roads were sufficiently made to enable me to take four cattle team with grain to John Palmer’s Mill at Dorchester.”

CAPE TORMENTINE RAILWAY

For many years Sackville cherished the ambition of becoming a railway centre for Prince Edward Island, as the Island mails and passengers, especially in winter, centred in Sackville. In the 60’s, the “Borderer” newspaper contained a series of articles on the subject but steel or iron rails at that time were too expensive for practical results.

In 1874, a number of branch lines were incorporated by the local Legislature, amongst them the one from Sackville to Cape Tormentine. The work was subsidised to the extent of $5,000.00 a mile. The Company was organized with Senator Botsford as its President and Joseph L. Black, George Campbell, Amos Ogden, William F. George and others as directors. A brisk agitation through the local press to construct it was maintained. A survey and plans were made by a private party. Sir Albert Smith, then Minister of the Crown at Ottawa, expressed himself as opposed to the “Sackville Farmers” loading themselves with the attempt to build a railway which he assured them the Dominion Government would later undertake. This viewpoint was strongly approved by his supporters in Sackville, who withheld any encouragement to the scheme. This division prevented any work being done until after the subsidy had expired. The logic of events ultimately united the two factions. In 1879 Sir Charles Tupper, then a Minister at Ottawa, directed Mr. McLeod, C.E., to make a survey. The survey made the southern terminus at Amherst, cutting off Sackville. The subsidy of $5,000.00 a mile, having expired, the Company had much difficulty in obtaining a renewal of it to the extent of $3,000.00 a mile losing $2,000 a mile. This was effected by the influence of the local members elected in 1878, namely, Messrs. J. L. Black, D. L. Hannington (later Judge), Pierre A. Landry (later Chief Justice, Sir Pierre) and Amasa Killam, who saved the terminal for Sackville. Later Mr. Josiah Wood was elected President. After work was commenced the Government gave a subsidy of $3,200.00 for rails per mile. The work of grading was let to Messrs. Gray and Wheaton. The road was opened for traffic in 1882. It had the reputation of being the least costly piece of railway ever built in Canada. The road was through a level country and possessed low grades. The earth work was of the cheapest kind, practically no rock cutting and the bridging and culverts were of wood and cheap and primitive in their character. There was no attempt to ballast except half the lower line. The rails, fastenings and rolling stock were requisitioned from the railway dump at Moncton. The entire cost of the road was less than $8,000.00 a mile. The local and Dominion Governments providing the entire cost except $60,000.00 which was a debt. The virtue of economy is not always its own reward. The company issued bonds for $100.00, which paid off the $60,000 and left $40.00. This sum was divided amongst the promoters, the President allotting himself one half. The Dominion Government afterwards purchased it from the Company for $260,000.00 to make connection with Prince Edward Island, the Government building docks at Cape Tormentine and on the opposite side at P. E. Island and putting on ice breaking steamers, so that transportation of passengers and freight could proceed without interruption winter and summer; upon the purchase being completed the Dominion Government made a splendid highway from Cape Tormentine to Sackville, having to rebuild the whole line — rails, rolling stock, ties, ballasting, &c. The subsidies, together with purchase price and later the cost of rebuilding, made it a most expensive job for the taxpayers to meet. The profits from heavily subsidized public works possess a faculty of disappearing and leaving no trace of the ultimate destination, in the public accounts or otherwise. The future investigation of national economics may be puzzled as the hole where $160,000 of the purchase price of the Cape Tormentine Railway went.

The harbor works on both sides together with the steam vessels connecting them were designed and built under the direction of D. W. McLaughlin, C.E., of the Marine Department, Ottawa. The engineering skill exercised has resulted in overcoming very difficult natural obstacles, at an economical cost.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE MARSHES

SEWER BOARD

In 1793, Joseph C. Lamb and William Fawcett, chosen to superintend boundaries of marshes by the proprietors, adjudged Isaiah Tingley owner of 8 acres of marsh sold him by Benjamin Tower. It had been drawn by John Moore but not granted in 1770.

In 1813, the marsh owners asked for a change owing to the age of the ten commissioners and recommend the following persons: James Esterbrooks, Esq., Charles Dixon, Jr., John Hanes, Thomas Estabrooks.

William Esterbrooks Geo. Bulmer, Jr.
Samuel Hicks John Bulmer
William Esterbrooks, Jr. Wm. Bowser
Agreen Tingley John Harper
George Kinnear William Harper
Thomas Bowser Neh. Ayer
John Wry Simeon Outhouse
Michael Grace George Lawrence
Charles Dixon, Edward Dixon Harper Wilson
William Crane Charles Bulmer
James Lawrence William Heneghar
Obediah Ayer James Anderson
Toler Thompson Thomas. Herrett
Gideon Smith William Outhouse
Thomas Wheaton Benj. Jamins, Jr.
George Bulmer Thos. Ayer
William Lawrence, Jr. Bardin Turner
Oliver Barnes B. Boultenhouse

W. BOTSFORD

THE MARSHES

It does not appear that the early Acadian settlers constructed aboideau; they dyked on both sides of the streams. The only exception was the attempt of Father La Loutre to aboideau the Au Lac river.

The early New England settlers followed by the Yorkshire ones were equally unacquainted with the principles of marsh drainage, which were thought out by an Irishman — Tolar Thompson, and applied by him. He met with much opposition, but was supported by Hon. Wm. Crane, the Botsford family and the Fawcetts, the results being the enormous values of marsh property.

In 1788, Amos Botsford applies for a grant of 700 acres, the history of which, he furnishes. In another petition he asks for 250 acres not granted to anyone. He states:–

“That in the Town of Sackville there is a large tract of marsh containing about 600 acres called Westcock Marsh undyked, which was formerly divided into 55 shares of 10 1/2 acres each in Letter A. Division, and the same ever since the settlement of said town by its inhabitants hath lay open, and its present condition of little value. That interspersed in said tract the 10 1/2 acres belonging to the rights No. 49 half 10, 16, 23 half 24, 27, 30, 33, 35, 39, 41, 42, half 51, 52 and 55 containing 152 acres never were granted, and could be of little service if granted to any, scarce any two laying contiguous. That in the first grant of said Town dated 12th October, 1765, No. 3 was granted to Elijah and William Sprague 8 and half 49 to Joseph Windsor, 14 and half 44 to Joshua Sprague, 36 and half 45 to Nathan Mason, 38 to Isaac Cole and 40 to James Olney. That in the second grant of said town dated 25th January, 1773, No. 1 was granted Samuel Ballau; 2 to Joseph Brown; 6 to Nicholas Cook; 11 and half 44 to John Jenks; 13 and half 46 to Samuel Corry; 17 and half 46 to Benjamin Thurber; 20 to Gilbert Seamans; 21 to Joseph Owens; 25 and half 45 to Charles Olney; 29 and half 48 to John Barnes; 32 to George Sherman; 37 to Jeremiah and Japhet Alverson; 43 and half 48 to William Alverson and half 47 to Samuel Saunders. That in the third grant of said Town dated 22nd July, 1774, No. 2 was granted to Benjamin Wilber; 7 to Andrew Waterman; half 10 to Samuel Rogers; 12 and half 53 to William Maxwell; 15 and half 53 to Thomas Barnes; half 18 to Stephen Jenks; 19 to Gideon Young; 22 to Robert Foster; 26 and half 51 to Abil Peck; 28 and half 50 to William Brown; 31 to Coggswell Olney; 34 and half 54 to Peleg Williams, and half of 47 to Joseph Owens. That all said rights lay in Letter A. Division in Sackville and an inquisition of office hath been made and returned more than twelve months and your Memorialist refers to that inquest whether the 10 1/2 acres of marsh belonging to said mentioned Rights ought not to be escheated. That could a new grant be made thereof all that tract of marsh now laying waste and unprofitable might be rendered useful a considerable share thereof belonging to absentees and might be appropriated for making compensation for subscriptions for the Roads towards which your Memorialist subscribed 120 pounds — and has obtained a transfer of 15 pounds subscribed by Robert Scott Esq. upon paying the subscription. That in case the present proprietors, or any of them, should appear to merit a new grant the same might be given as to your Excellency should seem meet unless they should consent to dispose of their shares to your Memorialist. He prays that the 10 1/2 acre lots should be vacate, and that it should be escheated. And that he have a warrant of survey for the subscription 35 pounds amounting to 700 acres. MIDGIC BOGS The Memorial of Thomas Wheaton, Wm. Esterbrooks, Joseph Sears, Titus Thornton, James Hicks, Edward Esterbrooks and Angus McFee all of Sackville, most humbly sheweth that there is a tract of vacant ungranted lands in the Town of Sackville adjoining the Farm line, Point Midjick and lands granted to Charles Dixon, Esq., that great part of the tract consists of Lakes and Sunken lands, and has never been granted or applied for. That the same would accommodate your memorialists, they being farmers in the vicinity. SALT MARSH In 1805, Mr. Simeon Outhouse applied to the government for a grant of Salt Marsh, that is land outside the dykes. A protest against the grant forwarded to the government. It was signed by thirty-two marsh owners. The opposition to it seems to have been effective. The names of those opposing it were: Ebenezer Cole, Joseph Richardson, John Patterson, John Fawcett, Jr., William Fawcett, William Fawcett, Jr., Isaac Bradshaw, Joseph Thompson, Toler Thompson, Timothy Richardson, John Harper, William Harper, Nehemiah Wood, Jonathan Cole, John Anderson, James Anderson, Thomas Anderson, Obediah Ayer, John Fawcett, Sr., Charles Dixon, Jr., Gideon Smith, Robert Atkinson, George Lawrence, William Read, William Estabrooks, Christopher Harper, Israel Thornton, David Stone, Gideon Smith, Jr., Thomas Estabrooks and John Harris, and also by Charles Dixon. PROHIBITION Sackville has always been considered a strictly temperance community. In the days when shipbuilding was active at the various shipyards after the week’s pay, rum and plenty of it was in demand and the atmosphere was boisterous. Otherwise the prevailing sentiment was unfavorable to king alcohol. The parish took a prominent part in the Prohibition Act of 1855, championed by Mr. Later, Sir Leonard Tilley. Previously a Division of the Sons of Temperance was organized. It was No. 40, in over a hundred that were established through the Province. Its first members were William Morice, Joseph F. Allison, Christopher Milner, Charles E. Knapp, Oliver Boultenhouse, Samuel McCarthy, George Campbell, James I. Evans, Christopher Harper, Robert Bell, Anthony Thompson, Thomas Baird, Samuel Greenfield, E. V. Tait,, Alder Trueman, Edward Briggs, and Samuel F. Black. It had seventy-six members that year. As its receipts were 16 pounds and its expenses 4 pounds, it was considered in a flourishing condition. A public hall was erected, near Ayer’s property where for many years public meetings were held. A monster picnic took place on the John Wry property on the Upper Fairfield Road. Mr. Carter, an American orator, delivered the address. He was a short time later lost on the S.S. Great Republic on his way to Panama, en route for California. The committee having it in charge was C. Milner and J. C. Everett. Mr. Tilley, who represented Gourney division No. 7, Portland, had been Grand Worthy Patriarch. He was succeeded by Mr. H. E. Seeley. The Grand Scribe was Mr. Keenes; Mr. C. D. Everett as Treasurer. The Order published a paper, The Temperance Telegraph”” under the management of Christopher Smiler. The Prohibitory Act was in advance of the times. Mr. Manners-Sutton, the Lieut. Governor, who was opposed to the Act dissolved the Assembly. The elections resulted in a majority against it and it was repealed.”

About 1869 the late Mr. Mariner Wood organized a Temperance Society in the Methodist Church which had something to do with the formation later of the league to enforce the Scott Act. The officials of Mount Allison Institutions were very active in this movement which proved highly successful. The most active man in it was the late Professor Burwash. The active propaganda both by the Sons of Temperance as well as the leading citizens has prevented the open sale of alcohol stimulants greatly to the welfare of the community.

THE MILITIA

The Militia at the beginning of the century assumed a greater importance and prominence than it ever has since. In Westmorland there were two battalions, the 1st Battalion was commanded as follows:

Samuel Gay, Major.

Captains as follows: Dalton Dixon, William Scott, James Watson, Cornelius McMonagle, Abiel Peck, Samuel Cornwall, Robert Colpitts.

Lieutenants: Charles Smith, William Read, Thomas Calhoun, Philip Palmer, Robert Smith, Robert Scott, Thomas Pearson.

Ensigns: Ralph Colpitts, Tate Taylor, Peter V. Hayter, Joel Edgett, Samuel Trites, David Ackerley, James Lewis.

Adjutant, James McElmon.

The 2nd Battalion was commanded as follows:–

Major: William Botsford.

Captains: Gideon Palmer, Bedford Boultenhouse, William H. Smith, Henry Chapman, Samuel McCardy, James Estabrooks, Humphrey Gilbert.

Lieutenants: Robert Ketch, Thomas H. Peters, George Chapell, James Deery, Richard Bowser, Duncan Shaw, Bill Chapell, George Wells.

Ensigns: Obediah Ayre, David Chapman, Malcolm McEachren, T. Odger Miles, Martin Chapman, Christopher Carter, William Raworth, James Hewson.

Adjutant: Joshua Weatherell.

Quarter Master: George Bulmer.

Surgeon: Rufus Smith.

Captain McCarthy had been a Sergeant in a regular army. He had charge of Fort Cumberland, where at the close of the second American War until 1833, a Corporal’s Guard manned the station.

-1830

Lt. Colonel William Botsford to be Colonel commanding Westmorland, 4th Battalion. Captain Henry Chapman from 2nd to be Major 4th. Joseph Chapman, Gent. to be Adjutant with the rank of Lieutenant. 2nd Battalion: Captain Amos Botsford to be Major. To be Captains: Lieut. Geo. L. Kinnear, Vice Harris, resigned; Lieut. W. P. Sayer, Lieut. Reuben Taylor.

Gazette on August 4th, 1820, published death of George III, who died on 26th June previously. The news having been received by barque “Mary” which left London on 29th June. In mourning.

The officials at Fredericton were: Secretary of the Province: Jonathan Odell; Attorney General, Thomas Wetmore; Surveyor General, George Sproul; Receiver General, Andrew Rankin.

In the Supreme Court, Jonathan Bliss was Chief Justice, and John Saunders, Edward Winslow, and Ward Chipman, were judges.

In 1812, Sackville had a visit in passing of Sir George Murray, Quarter Master General and Admiral Yeo, in connection with mobilizing militia. The former was a tall, handsome man, the Admiral was short and thickset. “Tim” Lockhart, representing the artillery branch of the Imperial Service, fired a salute with a brass cannon in front of the house of entertainment kept by the widow Evans at Westcock.

CHAPTER XV.

MARRIAGES

The following is a record of the marriage rite performed by Rev. Chris. Milner between the years 1820 and 1830 inclusive:–

Where the residence of the groom is not in Sackville it is designated by the letter “D” if in Dorchester; “S” if in Shediac or Botsford; “W” if in Westmorland; for Hillsboro or Shepody “H”; Amherst or Cumberland “C”; “K” Kings and other counties; “M” Moncton.

1820–Smith Dewire and Bridget Siddall (W); Edward B. Cutler and Caroline Milledge (S); Robert Clarke and Charlotte Harrison (H); William Humphrey and Mary Trueman; James Estabrooks and Isabella Bulmer; Gideon Ayer and Lucy Sprague; Arigus McPhee and Rebecca Thornton; David Cook and Charlotte Towse; Elijah Ayer and Jerusha Hicks; Harrison Kinnear and Maria Ayer; Thomas Ayer, Jr., and Mary Estabrooks; Joseph Smith and Mary Carter (W).

1821–John Tingley and Mary Ann Anderson (W); Isaac Derry and Mary Ann Wood (D); Henry Ogden and Sarah Ayer; Abner Taylor and Rebecca Cochran (H); Stephen Baxter and Ann Gooden (C); Ezra Beal and Eleanor McMonagle (C); George Robinson and Rosanna Hickman (S); Benjamin Bowser and Mary Ann Richardson; William Wry and Rebecca Hicks; Christopher Humphrey and Ann Bowser; John Dobson and Ruth Burnham (W); George Lund and Jane Ibbitson; Delancy Grannel and Sarah Wheldon; John Derry and Catherine Palmer (D); William Atkinson and Ann Keillor (D); John Tuttle and Catherine Thompson (C); John Gooden and Sarah Faulkner (W); Thomas Wells and Sarah Hicks (W); William Barnes and Charlotte Sears; James McLatchey and Janet Scott (H); Edward Wood and Nancy Dobson (W); Allan Sharp and Mary Thompson; M. L. Backhouse and Eliza Milledge; Hugh Logan and Elis Openham (W); Joseph Bowser and Ann Bulmer; Scripo Milligan and Jane Dixon (Colored) (W); John Read and Grisilda Doherty (W).

1822–John Tidd and Mary Lockhart; Wm. Ogden and Rachel Jones; Thomas Anderson Jr. and Zene Tingley; Michael Bryn and Olive Fillmore (W); Charles Oulton and Unice Gooden (W); John W. Smith and Matilda Beal (C); James Sayer Jr. and Susan Wilson (D); Thomas Davis and Sally Charters; Richard Hobin and Sally Clarke (W); William Wells and Ann Maria Allen (W); William Bislock and Jane Harrison (C); Barker Turner and Sarah Gooden (C); James Lockhart and Eliza Jenks; David Wheaton and Martha Wry; James Evans and Rebecca Barnes; William Tingley and Maria Parsons (H) Daniel Elkin and Elizabeth Tallen; Samuel Pitfield and Mary Holstead (K); John Fillmore and Sarah Reid; James Wry and Martha Estabrooks; Andrew Weldon and Martha Weldon (D); Joseph Tower and Mary Ward; John Hagan and Jane Kay; Henry Cookwell and Martha Wheaton (D); William Huddlestone and Peggy Dobson (W); John Rennison and Mary Tate (D); Thomas Wilkinson and Mary Hicks; William Logan and Margaret Duncan (C); Daniel Wadsworth and Maria Stiles (H); James Turnbull and Sarah Reid (H); Joseph Cuthbertson and Agnes Tait (D); William Tower and Dorcas Campbell.

1823–John Wood and Ann Derry (D); Thomas Wheaton and Jane Chase; Val. Snowdown and Mary King; George Wells and Ann Tuttle (W); Thompson Trueman and Mary Freeze (W); William Seamans and Amy Ward, Edward B. Baker and Elizabeth Oaley (C); Isaac Doherty and Cynthia Wells (W).

1824–Henry Bass and Elizabeth McDougall; James Caxton and Elizabeth Grace Davey; James McGinney and Mary Ann Kirk (C); Alexander W. McLeod and Sarah Trueman (W); Joseph Crandal and Catharine Wheaton; Jeremiah O’Leary and Dinah Shaw; Joseph Thompson and Sarah Brownell; William Lockhart and Cynthia Cook; Robert Fawcett and Jane Daniels Trueman; Eliphalet Reid Hicks and Martha G. Palmer; Layton Card and Phoebe Buck (D).

1825–A. S. Easton and Martha Brownell (K); William Kinnear and Elizabeth Wheaton; John Hatty and Sarah Sear (D); William Lawrence and Pamela Stewart; Stephen Barnes and Ruth Pearson; John Hopkins and Hannah Ayer; Nathaniel Hicks and Jemima Sears; Thomas Christie and Martha Barnes (C); William Morse and Almira Stewart (C); William Chase and Mariam Estabrooks; Asa Read and _____ Tingley; John Bowser and Mary Scotsen; William Ward and _____ McFarlane; Joseph H. Cahill and Elmira Cole; James Wells and Emily King (W); Joseph Atkinson and Phoebe Wilbur (D); James Clarke and Cynthia Snowdon (C); John Hannington and Alice Brownell (C); William Hughson and Elizabeth Chandler (W); James Chalmers and Mary Gallagher; Albert Hicks and Judith Barnes; Thomas Mitchell and Sarah Bowser; Lewis Jenks and Lydia Evans.

1824–William Hannington and Ann Brownell (C); William Wood and Charlotte Derry (D); John Watson and Ann McAddow; Christopher Boultenhouse and Rebecca Harris; Nathaniel Lawrence and Ann Anderson; James Maxwell and Mary King; Benoni King and Sarah Cook, James Sutherland and Letitia McGee; Andrew Atkinson and Jemima Phinney; Isaac Tower and Elizabeth Coalpit (H); Matthew Jackson and Abigail Ayer; Sylvester Murphy and Mary Wood; William Boultenhouse and Rebecca Barnes; Richard Wilson and Sarah Ayers; Samuel McClellan and Mary Read; Thomas S. Burnham and Olive Smith; Benjamin Cole and Jane Lockhart; Caleb Read and Martha Cole; John Horton and Elizabeth Grey; Robt. William Dobson and Ann Burnham; Valentine Hicks and Lydia Hicks (D); John McKinley and Elizabeth Dixon; William Lane and Catherine Trenholm (W); James McAvoy and Mary Gibson (D).

1825–William Fawcett and Ellis Chase; George Pattison and Jane Atkinson; William Allen and Hildah Laurence; John Keillor, Jr. and Amy Ann Reilly (D); Edward O’Brien and Margaret Doherty (D); Thomas Carson and Jane Hicks (D); James Sinder and Lacinda Ward (D); James Anderson and Diana Tingley; Meredith McQuire and Bridget McGee; John Horton and Rebecca McAlphie (K); George Bulmer and Charlotte Read; Ralph Steeves and Amy Ayer (H); George Darby and Olive Hewson (K); John Bowyer and Elizabeth Avard (K); Charles D. Roach and Rebecca Carrit (C); Christopher Coalpit and Olive Weldon (K); William Allen and Cynthia Browning (K).

1826–Richard Furlong and Mariam Akerley (D); Edward Atkinson and Cynthia Barnes; Ephraim Rayworth and Carlile Chappel (S); Edward Chappel and Eleanor Fawcett (W); Joshua Tingley and Cynthia Read (W); Benjamin Tower and Sylvia Cole; Winslow Gamming and Rachel Milner; Samuel Angus and Sarah Brennan (C) Thomas McMurty and Mary Tailor (D); John Harris and Sarah Blenkhorne; Gideon Estabrooks and Sarah Blenkhorne; George Baxter and Mary Hewson (C); Augustus Baxter and Sarah Wilson (C); John Brown and Jane McEachren (K); Robert Bowes and Mary Dobson (W); James Read and Elizabeth Estabrooks; John Beal and Halaah Estabrooks; William A. Robinson and Jeanet Lawder; Alexander Tait and Elizabeth M. Allen (W); Josiah Stiles and Mary Ann McClennan (W); James Cole and Olive Lockhart; Gilbert Wall and Maria Dobson; William Walsh and Johanna Fitzgerald.

1827–James Halliday and Catherine Halliday (C); George Crowson and Elizabeth Sears (D); Amos Anderson and Mary Fawcett; John Reilly and Mary Gayton (D); William Milner and Amy Snowden; James Purdy and Sarah Chapman (C); George Peter Fowler and Rebecca Hicks (D); Henry McClennan and Elizabeth Bulmer; Charles Hicks and Eliza Cole; James Main and Jane Murray (K); Joseph Reid and Mary Easterbrooks; Richard Carter and Milcah Freeze (W); Edwin Dixon and Martha Anderson; James Chubbuck and Elizabeth Dixon; William Blenkhorn and Elizabeth Anderson, James Smith and Ann Bent (F); Jonah Hicks and Esther Barnes; Valentine Estabrooks and Elizabeth Wood; Charles Dixon and Sarah Boultenhouse; John Fawcett and Anna Terrace; Henry Babcock and Obigail Cole; William O’Brien and Lucy Sears; James Ayer and Elizabeth Chase; Robert Atkinson and Elizabeth Huggard; William Page and Margaret Freeman (C); Abraham Taylor and Matilda Stower (D); Benjamin B. Verge and Christianna Siddall (C); John Harper and Janet Read (D); Henry Kyle and Catherine Maker (D); John Beaugment and Mary Ann Taylor (D); Charles Ross and Dorcas Ewing; William Black Killam and Mary Killam (D); Thomas Dixon and Cynthia Wilmot (D); Gideon Palmer and Catherine Weldon (D); Hugh Taylor and Jane Ogden (C); George H. McDonald and Hannah Steeves; Nathaniel Tower and Elizabeth Kitson (D); Thompson Brundage and Melinda Chappell (C); Christopher Ward and Phoebe Wry; Stephen N. Shaw and Mary Steadman (M); John McFadden and Zylphia King; John Fawcett and Rebecca Anderson.

1828–John Tingley and Jane Patterson; Thomas Lowerison and Hannah Carter (W); John Brown and Lucy Smith (D); Joseph L. Embree and Susanna Purdy (C); James McLelland and Dorcas Ward; William Smith and Isabella Estabrooks; John Bent and Cecilia Anderson (C); Robert Atkinson and Elizabeth Hicks; David Taylor and Sarah Sophia McLaughlan (D); John Hicks and Maria Sears (W); William Lawrence and Mary McGarry (W); John Bulmer and Rebecca Lawrence; Matthew Johnson and Mary Robinson (C); James E. Rockwell and Eleanor F. Oulton (C); George Kinnear and Hannah Tidd (D); Converse Richardson and Rebecca Copp (H); Joseph Patterson and Esther Sears; William Brown and Caroline McEachren (D); William Fagan and Jane Ruth Wilson (I); William Duffy and Elizabeth Gunning (H); Smith Boss and Sarah King; Joseph C. Smith and Lucretia Hieter (D); Charles Cahill and Margaret McInnes; John Crossman and Rebecca Estabrooks; George Richardson and Jane Bowser; William Atkinson and Elizabeth Bowser; Warren Perrigo and Rebecca Crandal (M); John Crandal and Olive Cutler (K); Ambrose Cole and Nancy Towse.

1829–Michael Lutes and Elizabeth Gallagher; John Atkinson and Lilly Hicks; Ronald Campbell and Margaret Keenan; John W. Weldon and Frances Upham (K); Ephraim Jones and Ann Leaman (H); John Casey and Caroline Chappell (W); Joseph Richardson and Charity Milner; George Read and Sarah Richardson (C); William Taylor and Mary Osborne (H); John Lewis and Lavinia Taylor (H); Patrick Ward and Elizabeth Cook; Lemuel Tower and Delilah Ward; Daniel McFee and Jane Hiscock; Christopher Richardson and Jane Hicks; George Carter and Maria Copp (W); John Richardson and Catharine Sears; John E. Stewart and Martha Weldon (C); Robert Carter and Phoebe King; Nathaniel Pennington and Catharine Jones; Silas and Mary Harris.

1830–William Weldon and Mary Ann Bowser (D); David Lyons and Jane Dixon; John Gamatier and Obigail Read; James Hewson and Phoebe Wry; John Colpitts and Seraphina Fillmore (M); William Pride and Ann Barnes; Reuben Sears and Elizabeth McCormick; Cyrus McCully and Mary Tingley (C); Titus Anderson and Jane Bulmer; John Fenton and Obigail Stone; Laban Lawrence and Elizabeth Harris; George Harshman and Alice Hannington (K); John Goodall and Jane Sears (D); John S. White and Martha Dunlever (D); Robert Keilor and Rebecca Jenks (K); John Spence and Jane Lesdernier; John Webster and Ann Smith (K); Charles Faulkner and Lucy Gooden (C); John Phelan and Priscilla Gooden; Hezekea King and Jerusha Cole; Hugh Alwin and Betty Fitzgerald (H); Robert U. Dickson and Ann Brewster (H).

William Hugson and Elizabeth Chandler were married on 24th July, 1823, by Rev. Chris Milner by license. Witnesses, Wentworth Allen, Olivia Hewson.

William Fawcett and Elsie Chase married on 20th January, 1824 by Rev. C. Milner. Witnesses, Eunice Atkinson, Thomas Wheaton.

Cynthia Barnes married Edwin Atkinson 12th January, 1826. Witnesses, John Humphrey, Eurice Ayer.

James Ayer and Elizabeth Chase, 7th June 1826. Witnesses, Thomas Wheaton and Wm. Lawrence, Jr.

James George married to Elizabeth Fawcett, 21st May, 1831.

1832–Cyrus Snell and Rhoda Barnes.

William Fawcett and Jane Chappell, 23rd August, 1832.

Willard Hicks and Mary Ann Beal, 21st September, 1831. Witness: George Beal.

Samuel Cahill and Rebecca Chase, 8th Sept., 1831.

Leonard Dixon and Eliza Robson 24th July, 1833. Witnesses, Hugh Gallaghar and Jas. Dixon.

Nelson Bulmer and Abigail Merrill, 16th May, 1833.

Michael Grace, widower, 20th June, 1833, and Nancy Ward, James Ayer and Moses Lawrence, Witnesses.

Moses Lawrence and Jane Sharp, 7th October, 1833.

Jonathan C. Black and Elizabeth Scurr 17th Oct., 1833.

Isaac Crocker and Sarah Wood, 24th December, 1833.

George Oulton and Mary Ann Duffy, 31st December, 1833.

David Purinton and Rebecca Read, 11th July, 1834.

Andrew Barberie and Eliza Cornwall, 21st July, 1834.

Michael Pickles and Fanny Wilson, 9th April, 1834. Witnesses, Ruth Crane and C. F. Allison

Bloomer Ogden and Cynthia Grant, 15th April, 1834.

CHAPTER XVI.

COUNTY OFFICIALS 1812

The County officials act the close of the second American War were as follows: Representatives in the Assembly, William Botsford, Titus Knapp, James Esterbrooks, and John Chapman of Dorchester. The Sheriff was Joshua Wetherell. William Botsford was Clerk of the Peace. The Justices of the Peace were: Samuel Gay, Ralph Siddall, Titus Knapp, Duncan Read, William Simpton, Jonathan Burnham, Rufus Smith, James Watson, John Keillor, Benjamin Wilson, Christopher Harer, William Wells, James Esterbrooks, Andrew Wheldon, Hezekiah King, Edward Dixon, and John Chapman. The Deputy Collector of Customs at Sackville was Jonathan Burnham and at Dorchester, W. H. Smith.

OLD TIME COURT

The first Court of Common Pleas held in Westmorland after the establishment of the Province was on July 5th, 1785 at Westmorland Point. There were present: Jothau Gay, James Law, Charles Dixon, Trustees; Amos Botsford, Associate Trustee. Amos Botsford was also Clerk of the Peace. Ambrose Sherman was High Sheriff. In September, 1807, Richard Wilson’s name occurs for the first time as a presiding Judge. The first cause entered was Spiller Fillmore vs. Robert Cain, which was continued till the following year and a verdict obtained by the Plaintiff for 2 pounds. 2. 6d. The second case was Amy Ayre vs. Charles Harper this was tried in July 1786. It was an action for trover and conversion. The Jury were as follows: Beling S. Williams, Joshua Horton, William Williams, Marcus Myers, Stephen Ward, Daniel Ryan, Jabez Rundle, William Trenholm, Samuel Williams, Michael Taylor, Charles Moore, John Derry. The Plaintiff recovered 12 pounds damages and 24 pounds, 10s, 2d costs. The first contested case was Martin Creary vs. Timothy McCarthy. The Petit Jury sworn were: Elijah Ayres, foreman; Michael Taylor, David Alverson, Nehemiah Ward, Henry Stultz, Thomas Harrison, Spiller Fillmore, Marcus Myers, Michael Burk, John Myers. The Plaintiff recovered the sum of 5 pounds, 15s, 5 1/2d, and 4 pounds, 13s, 2d costs.

At the January Court some six causes were entered; at the following July Court some eight were entered. In 1787, Thomas Chandler, Esqr., appears as Deputy Associate Justice. From the Records, he appears to have alternated between the Bench and the Bar; sometimes presiding and at other times pleading and making motions before the Court. He was the father of the legal profession in this Country, no other Lawyer appearing before the Courts at this date. He was a brother of the first Sheriff Chandler of Cumberland. These were halcyon days for suitors — only one Lawyer in the whole County and no counsel fees to pay! Plaintiffs as well as Defendants appeared in person and every one could revel to the top of his bent in cheap law. This happy state of things was duly appreciated. Courts were held in March, June, September and December. The docket of the first court held in Dorchester (April, 1801) had no less than 22 cases for trial! The population of the county in 1803, as appears by a record left by Amos Botsford, was 3,046. This included 19 slaves. The population of the same territory today is probably 65,000. It would be easy to prove from the records of the old Common Pleas of Westmorland that the mission of Lawyers is to wear the olive branch of peace between litigants thirsting for each other’s gore — the litigation of the present day bearing no proportion, considering population, to the amount indulged in by our pugnacious progenitors. This happy state of lawlessness was interrupted by the advent of the late Judge Botsford, who first appears acting as Counsel in Sept., 1807, in the suit of William Harper vs. John Long. Soon after the name of the late Hon. James Shannon of Nova Scotia appears as an opponent of Mr. Botsford, pleading at the local Bar. Then comes the late Judge Stewart. Fourteen years after Mr. Botsford the late Lieut. Governor Chandler. The first suit the latter’s name appears in is December, 1821, Francis Wheaton vs. David Foster, Mr. Desbarres being the Plaintiff. The Jury were Charles Dixon, Wm. Trenholm, Abraham Dobson, John Patterson Jr., Samuel Estabrooks, Josiah Hicks, George Robinson, Robert Fawcett, Jonathan Smith, Thomas Brownell, John Humphrey, and George Lawrence, Justice Gay presided. The Jury returned a verdict of 13 pounds for Plaintiff. For the next twenty years, Messrs. Chandler and the Stewards enjoyed almost a monopoly of the business. In 1787, there appears the names as Plaintiffs the firms of De Wolf and Prentice, Palmer and Knapp and Hugh McMonagle, Titus Knapp, Ralph Siddall, Thomas Scurr, Moses Delesdernier, Thomas Watson, Samuel Cornwall, Charles Baker, Jonathan Eddy, Philip Marchincton, Peter Etter, Geo. Bulmer, Richard Wilson, James Charters, Wm. Freeman, Gilbert Seaman, Charles H. Chandler, father of the late Lieut. Governor. Palmer & Knapp were traders at the Point; Mr. Palmer was Gideon, father of Mr. John Palmer, Dorchester; Hugh McMonagle was an immigrant from the North of Ireland. He did business as a trader at Mount Whatley, he was elected member for Westmorland and was drowned in the Saint John River while on his way to Fredericton to attend the session. His widow sold his property to the late John Trueman. J. G. Moir occupies it at present. The last Court held at Westmorland was in January, 1801. The April Court opened at the House of Elijah Ayer, Dorchester, the new Court House not being ready for occupation, the Justices being James Law and Charles Dixon, Esquires. The first suit in the docket was Ralph Siddall vs. Samuel McCully in which the Court assessed damages at 24 pounds, 13s, 4d.

GAME

Game was wonderfully abundant in early days. Deer, caribou, and moose made their home in the adjacent forest, with foxes and sometimes wolves. Wild geese and ducks in flocks made the Tantramar Marshes a feeding and resting place in their spring and fall migrations. The word, “Tantramar” supposed to be from the French, “so much noise” to be derived from the honking of wild geese. In the upper part of the Bay alewives and shad flourished in great abundance. Mr. Nelson Bulmer stated he had known John Bulmer in 1826 to take in a weir upwards of a thousand shad, in one tide at Little Creek at the Joggins. Pigeons were remarkably abundant in the forest, and by nets became an easy prey for our sportsmen. They were slaughtered without mercy. An old timer relates that in one day they disappeared as if by magic and failed to return. Shad were abundant until about 1890 when they became scarce. The loss of shad, pigeons, and other game is the just result of man’s rapacity — not willing to let live, game that supply him with food.

CHAPTER XVII.

STATISTICS 1840

Population of the Provinces, 156,162, Counties — St. John, 32,957; Charlotte, 18,158; Westmorland, 17,686; Northumberland, 14,620; Carleton, 13,381; York, 13,995. Towns and Parishes — Fredericton, 4,002; Sussex, 2,178; Woodstock, 3,186; Dorchester, 3,087; Sackville, 2,366; Moncton, 1,529; Newcastle, 3,013; Chatham, 3,503; St. Andrews, 3,682 St. Stephen, 3,405.

TRADERS

In 1795, Amos Fowler at Fowler’s Hill, ran a vessel to St. John and dealt with goods required by the settlers. An account of his with John Keillor is a splendid sample of old time bookkeeping. Gamblers at present day prices, would do well to examine what our forefathers paid.

1/4 lb. salt peter, one shilling; 1 lb. tea, 4 shillings; 15 knitting needles 40; Scythe 0 pounds. 7. 6; 6 lbs. tobacco 0 pounds. 6. 0; spelling book 0 pounds, 1. 9; 2 yards of cotton 0 pounds. 8. 0; 2 yards linen 0 pounds. 6. 0; 2 tumblers 0 pounds. 2. 6; decanter 0 pounds. 3.0; 1 lb. raisins 0 pounds. 1. 3; l lb. chocolates 0 pounds. 2. 0; 1 1/4 lbs. loaf sugar 0 pounds. 2. 9; 1 1/2 yards rubber 0 pounds. 1, 10 1/2; 1 lb. tea 0 pounds. 6. 0; 1 lb. souchong 0 pounds. 10. 0; 1 hand’chief 0 pounds. 3. 0; 4 lbs. sugar 0 pounds. 5. 4; 6 yards rusha duck, 0 pounds. 16. 6; 1 1/2 lbs. soap 0 pounds. 1. 10 1/2; 2 yds. linen 0 pounds. 5. 0; 1 lb. ten penny nails, 0 pounds. 1. 3; black silk hand’ch. 0 pounds. 9. 0; 10 bushels of wheat 5 pounds. 0. 0; 1 gallon rum 0 pounds. 10. 0.

CENSUS OF SACKVILLE OF 1766

A return has come down showing the condition of Sackville about six years after the advent of the Pre-Loyalists. It had then a population of 349 persons, all but six being settlers from United States. They had — Horses, 42; oxen, 133; cows, 250; young veal cattle, 347; swine, 63; grist milles, 1; saw mills, 1. Produce — Wheat in bushel, 1035; rye, 1278; peas, 53; barley, 55; oats, 54; hemp seed, 10; flax seed, 53; flax, 9.

CENSUS 1851

Sackville County

Inhabitants . . . . . . . . 3,078 17,814
Children at School. . . . . 507 2,706
School Houses . . . . . . . 12 85
Births . . . . . . . . . . 99 608
Deaths . . . . . . . . . . 25 147
Places of Worship . . . . . 8 38
Saw Mills . . . . . . . . . 23 108
Grist Mills . . . . . . . . 3 44
Tons of Hay . . . . . . . . 8,891 33,937
Wheat (bushels) . . . . . . 5,173 40,619
Oats . . . . . . . . . . . 20,708 145,396
Potatoes . . . . . . . . . 40,981 282,224

When the census of 1840 was taken Albert was part of Westmorland. The increase of both counties in eleven years was as follows:–Population, 6,441; Places of Worship, 22, Grist Mills, 4; Saw Mills, 24; Cleared land, acres, 32,010.

PIONEER FARMERS IN 1820 — BOUNTY IN GRAIN

In 1826, the Government gave a bounty in grain raised on land newly cleared, the wood burned in it and cultivated. The farmers who obtained the bounty were the real pioneers of the province. The following is a list whose names have been preserved:

Alex Boyes, 27 bushels, rye and buckwheat; John Brownell, 15; William Tingley, 40 wheat and rye; William Colpitts, 50 buckwheat, 3 wheat; Allan Price, 70 wheat and rye; George Spence, 56 rye and 20 oats; James Black, 16 rye, and 7 wheat; William Dixon, 20 rye, 19 oats, 12 wheat; Thomas Calhoun, 21 wheat, 3 buckwheat, 65 oats; Samuel Keith, 10 wheat, 50 rye; Harris Tingley, son of Wm., 50 rye; Jesse Ogden, 16 rye; Israel Styles, 80 buckwheat, 10 barley, 12 oats; James Black, 30 wheat, 14 barley, 35 oats; Archer Alward, 32 rye, 16 buckwheat, 5 oats; William Wilbur, 76 buckwheat; 6 barley; Robert Stiles, 14 barley, 11 buckwheat, 5 wheat, 10 oats; Jonathan Cole, 43 buckwheat; Charles Alward, 25 wheat, 30 rye, 15 buckwheat; Frances Davey, 33 rye; George Towse, 30 buckwheat; George Keith, 10 wheat, 40 rye, 39 buckwheat.

REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSIONS

The following is a list of old soldiers living in Westmorland (and their widows) who served in the American War:–

Years Year
Old Granted

Prudence Martin, widow . . . . . . 74 1842
Isabella McElmon, widow . . . . . . 75 1839
Thomas Gordon . . . . . . . . . . . 73 1840
Stephen Baxter . . . . . . . . . . 86 1841
Joseph Sears . . . . . . . . . . . 94 1840
Enoch Goodwin . . . . . . . . . . . 68 1840
John Underwood . . . . . . . . . . 82 1840
John Ogden . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 1839
Hezekiah Lyon . . . . . . . . . . . 84 1840
Suson Boiles, widow . . . . . . . . 68 1839

WESTMORLAND SESSIONS

The first meeting of the Westmorland Sessions took place at Fort Cumberland on 1st Tuesday in July, 1885. Amos Botsford was Clerk of the Peace and Ambrose Sherman, Sheriff. The Justices present were: Jothan Gay, Robert Scott, James Law, Charles Dixon, Thomas Dixon, Christopher Harper, William Allen, John Weldon, Joseph Cook Lamb, Andrew Kinnear, Jonathan Burnham.

The first assessment made was in 1785 was 120 pounds. 0. 0 for finishing the Court house, which was built near the Church at Mount Whatley. It was levied as follows: Westmorland, 31 pounds, 10. 0; Sackville 24 pounds. 10. 0; Petitcodiac, 27 pounds. 0. 0; Memramcook, 25 pounds. 0. 0; Shepody 12 pounds. 0. 0.

The next assessment was in 1786, for the support of prisoners in jail as follows: Westmorland, 7 pounds, 17. 0; Sackville, 6 pounds. 3. 0; Petitcodiac, 6 pounds. 15. 0; Memramcook, 6 pounds. 5. 0; Hopewell, 3 pounds. 0. 0.

Another assessment in 1786 was levied to finish the Court House and Jail. The amount was 52 pounds. 0. 0., as follows: Westmorland, 13 pounds. 0. 0; Sackville, 10 pounds. 12. 0; Hopewell, 7 pounds. 0. 0; Memramcook, 10 pounds. 8. 10; Moncton and Hillsboro, 11 pounds. 0. 0.

SACKVILLE TOWN OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR ENSUING 1785

Town Clerk, Nehemiah Ward; Overseers of the Poor, Gilbert Simmons, Eleazer Olney, David Stone; Assessors, William Cornsforth, William Lawrence, Elijah Ayres; Surveyors of Highways, William Estabrooks, John Wry, Benjamin Tower; Constables, Josiah Tingley, James Jenks, Jr., Fence Viewers, Pickering Snowdon, Thomas Bowser, Samuel Hicks; Surveyors of Lumber, Gilbert Simmons, Nehemiah Ayres, John Olney.

FIRST COUNCILLORS COUNTY OF WESTMORLAND

The first Council of the County of Westmorland met on the 7th of June, 1877, and the following are the names of the first Councillors:

Salisbury Parish–Alex L. Wright, Hiram Humphreys

Moncton Parish–Lovell Lewis, Richard Lutes.

Shediac Parish–Duncan S. Harper, C. H. Gallant.

Dorchester Parish–P. A. Landry, R. A. Chapman.

Sackville Parish–Joseph L. Black, Josiah J. Anderson.

Westmorland Parish–Charles A. Black, Rufus C. Wry.

Botsford Parish–James Carroll, William Avard.

A. E. Oulton, Esq., was appointed as County Secretary and Alexander Robb, County Treasurer.

Councillor P. A. Landry, Esq., was chosen as the first Warden.

In 1870 the County was still governed by the old Court of Sessions, Mr. C. E. Knapp was then clerk of the Peace. County Municipal Act did not come into force until 1877. Before that date, the office of Justice of the Peace was a very important one, as the body was the taxing institution for the county. At this date the Postmasters were as follows: Sackville, Joseph Dixon; Shediac, A. R. Weldon; Dorchester, C. B. Godfrey; Memramcook, S. C. Charters; Moncton, Joseph Crandall; Baie Verte, John Carey. The Collectors of Customs were at Sackville; James Dixon; Bay Verte, Edward Wood; Dorchester, John Hickman; Shediac, Hon. D. Hanington and Moncton, J. Robertson.

STAGE COACHING DAYS

When the Cunard Steamships commenced their trips to Halifax, they brought the mails. The Post Office service was then under the control of the British Postmaster General. Halifax was naturally the distributing place for British correspondence for all points in Nova Scotia. Sackville was selected as the distributing point for New Brunswick and accordingly a British Post Office was in 1849 set up at Sackville, though the steamship was only fortnightly at first. Bags were made up at Sackville for London and Liverpool, and for the incoming mails from Britain, bags were made for North Shore points, as Richibucto and Chatham, also for Saint John and Fredericton. It usually took two hours to make up the British mails, either coming in or going out. It was a big change in thirty years from the courier on horseback to the big coach with four horses, carrying mails and steamship passengers. At first the mails passed through Sackville at night; the Saint John coach at midnight and the Halifax one about three or four o’clock in the morning. When the railways were completed to Truro and Moncton, they came through four hours earlier. Their coming and going was never an old story to the Sackville people, who sometimes caught a glimpse of important passengers. On the occasion when the Southern Confederacy was in existence (April, 1862) Mr. Breckinridge, envoy from the Southern Republic, worked his way through the Northern lines and took passage at Halifax for Liverpool. On another occasion Lord Haddo (son of the Earl of Aberdeen, who was Premier of Britain at the time of the Crimean War and heir of the Earldom) passed through on his way to United States and disappeared. He was never after heard of by his family. These were the halcyon days for Coll’s Hotel, a great resort for the travelling public, where it was said the lights never went out and the fires never burned low. The sods of a hundred years will soon cover the host and hostess but the traditions are kindly that fit them into a pleasant place in the community’s history.

When through trains and postal cars were introduced the glory of Sackville as an Imperial Office was gone. Up to that time the mail coaches were driven by Mr. Miles Hoar and Mr. Hiram Burns. The latter was for a time Assistant Post Master at Sackville, an excellent official. Mr. Miles Hoar was famous in his day as a raconteur. He possessed the gift of humor. He could entertain the traveller with endless stories of men and things, so that a seat beside him was eagerly sought. He used to tell how his coach was once saved by the sagacity of a horse. It was at night when the darkness was intense. The leaders suddenly stopped. One of them kicked and “flared up”. He dismounted to find out the trouble. A bridge on the Tantramar had been carried out by the tide. A few feet more and there would have been a disaster. He was given a horn to blow when going through the villages. Many people who did not object to a horn, did not like the noise at night, amongst others the Postmaster. Said he one night to Miles: “You put that horn under your seat and keep it there and I will give you a new suit of clothes.” It was done and a few Sundays after he appeared rehabilitated in a new suit. He was for seven years on the Moncton-Amherst service, when it was discontinued. He then went on the railway section. As foreman he served for over thirty four years, when he was superannuated.

He was a native of Albert County, born in 1833 and died in 1915, aged 82 years. When nineteen years of age, he was employed on the surveys of the I.C.R. When about twenty-one years of age, he commenced driving between Saint John and Moncton; after seven years he drove between Saint John and Harvey, Albert County, for three years; when he went on the Moncton-Amherst route.

The old stage coach with its memories and traditions has gone supplanted by the locomotive. The locomotive is now on trial; the flying machine is commencing to do the business of the world. Not only mails and passengers but heavy loads of mine machinery are now being carried from Edmonton, Alberta towards the Arctic to Great Bear Lake Mines.

HONOR ROLL, WORLD WAR 1914-18

These are one who at the call of duty, left their homes and their home life with its future promise, for the camp in a foreign land, the trench, the horror of human slaughter and faced death itself and the grave far away from home and kindred. As a reminder of their self sacrifice a monument has been erected in the Memorial Park, Sackville, enscribing their names as follows:

ARTHUR BOURQUE HOMER PLAMER
ROLAND BEAL WARREN READ
GEORGE BICKERTON HARRIS READ
STANLEY CRAWFORD HAROLD SEARS
ALPHEUS CROSSMAN ALONZO PATTERSON
RALPH CROSSMAN CHRISTOPHER PIPER
ARTHUR DEVERENNE HAROLD ROBERTSON
STEEL PATTERSON NELSON RICHARDSON
HENRY DIXON FRED SCOTT
VIRGILE GAUDET EVERETT SCOTT
WINFRED HICKS ROY TOWER
WALTER KNAPP LEONARD TOWER
HUBERT KILCUP WALTER WARD
WILLIAM KINNEAR LESTER WARD
JOSEPH LYRETTE IRVING WIGMORE
FRANK MILNER RAINSFORD WHEATON
CLARENCE McCARTHY ARLINGTON WARD
DOUGLAS OULTON

CHAPTER XVIII.

SOME OF THE PIONEER FAMILIES

AVARD

Joseph Avard, the first, was born in Saint Austelle, County of Cornwall, England, in the year 1761, and in 1786 was united in companion of his joys and sorrows. After resting for a time in Exeter, Bristol and London, he removed to the Island of Guernsey. At that time there was much talk of the invasion of England by Napoleon, and the people of the Channel Islands were so great alarmed at what might be the outcome that many of them decided to seek homes abroad. Through the influence of some unknown friend, Mr. Avard was offered and accepted a position from a Mrs. Burns, who owned some lands, in Murray Harbor, P. E. I. to go out and manage her business there. Several of the Guernsey people having purchased farms from him, and others having decided to go with them, he chartered a vessel for 300 pounds and on the 15th of May, 1806, a party of 73 of both sexes and ages, sailed for the island, among whom were those who bore the names of Brehart, De Jersey, Le Marchon, Le Messieurier and Le Lacheur. French Methodists could tell of the benefit they received from the sermons and counsels of Adam Clarke, Methodism’s greatest son, Dr. Coke and of Mr. Wesley himself, who had preached in Mr. De Jersey’s home in Guernsey.

After residing on the island for many years, Mr. Avard came to the province and settled at Jolicure. He had four daughters, three of whom died in the Old Land, one of these being buried in City Road cemetery near the grave of the Rev. John Wesley and the fourth married Stephen Bovyer of Charlottetown, one of whose daughters became the wife of the Rev. Frederick Smallwood, and two sons, one of whom, Adam Clarke Avard, after four years in itinerant life, died in 1821 and his body lies in the old cemetery in Fredericton. The other son, Joseph Avard, the second, was born in Bristol, England, came with his father to this country and married Margaret Wells, resided in Jolicure until 1847, when he removed to Great Shemogue, where he remained until his death. His second wife was a widow Black, of Wallace whose daughter was married to Mr. Avard’s younger son, Charles, son of the said pair bears the name of the great grandmother, Ivey, Joseph Avard the second was the father of eight sons, George, Joseph, John, William, Samuel, Adam, Lewis and Charles, all of whom are now dead, and four daughters, the wifes of the Hon. A. McQueen (who worthily represented the County for many years), Dixon Chipman, Robert Copp, and Josiah B. Marven. Joseph Avard was a distinguished looking man and was very prominent in local affairs. He was a J. P. and a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas.

Joseph Avard the first united with the Wesleyan church in St. Austelle under the ministry of Adam Clarke, had frequent opportunities of listening to the discourses of John Wesley, heard Charles Wesley preach his last sermon, at the close of which the poet composed a hymn suited to the sermon and which was sung in closing the service. In Prince Edward Island and in this province he did excellent work for the church and on September 17, 1816, at the advanced age of eighty-six, he passed to his reward. His tomb is in the north wall of the United Church, Sackville, as is also Frances Ivey, his wife, who died on December 26, 1844, aged ninety years.

A section of the City of Charlottetown, P. E. I., is known as Saint Avard, a fine tribute to the memory of Joseph Avard, the first and Frances Ivey, his wife.

HON. CHARLES F. ALLISON

Mr. Allison belonged to the Allison family of Grand Pre. Col. Jonathan Crane’s mother was an Allison, sister of Mr. Allison’s father; consequently Mr. Allison was a first cousin of Hon. Wm. Crane. Mr. Allison served an apprenticeship with the Ratchford firm at Parrsboro and when Mr. Crane’s business required more help he invited Mr. C. F. Allison and later his brother, Joseph F. Allison to become partners. Mr. C. F. Allison retired from the firm in 1840, with a fortune. He married Milcah, a daughter of Thomas Trueman, of Point de Bute. They had one daughter, Mary, who died after arriving at womanhood.

The lack of facilities for education and religious training of young men and young women in the Maritime Provinces appealed strongly to Mr. Allison’s mind as deserving of the most serious attention. The result was the letter below:–

“St. John, N. B., Jan’y 4, 1839

To Rev. Mr. Temple

Rev. and Dear Sir:–My mind has of late been much impressed with the great importance of that admonition of the wise man, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The establishment of schools in which pure religion is not only taught but constantly brought before the youthful mind and represented to it as the basis and groundwork of all the happiness man is capable of enjoying here on earth, and eminently calculated to form the most perfect character–is I think, one of the most effective means in the order of Divine Providence to bring about the happy result spoken of by the wise man.

It is therefore under this impression connected with a persuasion of my accountability to that Gracious Being, whom I shall ever recognize as the source of all the good that is done in the earth, that I now propose through you to the British Conference and to the Wesleyan Methodist Missionaries in the Province of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, to purchase an eligible site and erect suitable buildings in Sackville, in the County of Westmorland, for the establishment of a school for the description mentioned, in which, not only the elementary but the higher branches of education may be taught, and to be altogether under the management and control of the British Conference, in connection with the Wesleyan Missionaries in these provinces.

If my proposal should be approved of, and the offer I now make be accepted, I will proceed at once to make preparation, so that the buildings may be erected during the course of the next year, and I will as a further inducement by the blessing of God, give towards the support of the school one hundred pounds per annum for ten years.

I shall be glad to hear that my offer has been accepted, and to have the earliest information of your decision on this subject, and am, my dear sir,

Yours sincerely,
C. F. ALLISON.”

The word “duty” to him was imperious; he proceeded at once to obey its mandates and he set aside $16,000 to commence a building—-the first Male Academy at Mount Allison. Ten years later he commenced the Girls’ Academy. Both schools were almost from the start fully occupied. The thousands of students that have passed through their walls is a great memorial to a great man.

Mr. Allison died November 20th, 1858, age 64 years. The writer remembers well his appearance, as he appeared driving around the town or taking up collections in the Methodist Church. His facial appearance was well marked. His forehead was high and broad, below which was a long nose, slightly aquiline. His mouth was somewhat compressed and his lips were thin, giving his face a self-contained, reserved, and somewhat severe look. The cast of his countenance was sad, with no suggestion of humor or any invitation to intimacy. In his latter days, he had but few associates, and amongst the students, he appeared to refrain from making personal friends. On the 30th of November, 1923, a long deferred and neglected Founder’s Day was celebrated. A striking procession of the Regents, relatives of the founder, the faculty, students and visitors proceeded to Charles Fawcett Memorial Hall, where an impressive service was held. Dr. Palmer, principal of the Academy, gave an interesting historical summary of that institution. After him, the hymn “For all the Saints who From Their Labor’s Rest”. Rev. Dr. B. C. Borden, President of the University, delivered an eloquent address, showing that spiritual instincts dominated the life of the founder, making him eager to contribute in some way to the extension of Christ’s kingdom in earth.

ATKINSON

By tradition there were two Atkinson families that came in 1774 to Chignecto from England — one from Yorkshire and the other from Middlesex. Robert Atkinson, the head of the Yorkshire family settled first at River Hebert and then at Sackville, on the lands known as Mount Allison. He was twice married and had fourteen children, named Thomas, Christopher, Elizabeth, Sallie, Joseph, Robert, William, John and Stephen. Christopher settled at Point de Bute. He had a large family. Robert moved to Shediac. Sallie married a Waterloo hero, named Campbell and settled in Wood Point. They had six sons and four daughters — Nelson, Isaac, William, Hance and Joseph. They were all skilful sailors and became Master Mariners in the good old days of wooden ships. Then the shores were lined with the habitats of sailors whose home was on the deep. One of the boys became a Mormon and went to the land of many wives.

The sword of Lieutenant Campbell and other belongings of his are preserved as family relics at Westcock.

The head of the Middlesex Atkinsons was a man of means and consequence. After making a reconnaisance of Nova Scotia in 1774, he returned to England, chartered a vessel — The “Arethusa” — and loaded her with his family, tenants, farming tools and stock, set sail for the promised land. He established himself at Fort Lawrence — now known as the Torry Bent farm. He had four sons, Robert, Thomas, William and John. The two latter remained at Fort Lawrence and are the ancestors of the family there. Thomas moved to Kent County. Robert was a Master Mariner and sailed his last voyage in 1804, as he died of yellow fever at sea between Kingston and Jamaica. He left a son Edward, who was brought up by his grandfather at Fort Lawrence.

Capt. Robert’s wife was Sarah a daughter of Obediah Ayer, who held a commission from Washington and was a leader in the revolutionary warfare out of Boston in the war of 1812.

In 1864, there were eleven Atkinson men on the assessment roll of Sackville, four of them shipmasters, to wit, Capt. Joseph, Capt. Hance, Capt. Isaac, Capt. William.

THOMAS ANDERSON

In 1809 Mr. Anderson stated that he came as a settler from the County of York in England about 36 years ago, and fixed as a settler in the then County of Cumberland and took a farm and by his exertions and industry about 24 years later, was enabled to purchase a farm on which he had brought up a family, having three sons and one daughter, all married who had families.

That on the 29th July, 1798, he purchased a lot or part of marsh from Elijah Ayer belonging to the share No. 60, Letter B Division in Sackville, which said Elijah Ayer purchased from Ambrose Hicks, the original grantee, which lot lays contiguous to his former purchase, the farm on which he lives laying all around it.

He memorialized the governor in which he stated he is lately informed that the said Ambrose Hicks had a grant of only a half share, the other half of the right having been granted to one Nathaniel Lewis who very soon quit it and returned to New England, he asks for a grant of the twenty acres or half lot of marsh belonging to No. 60, Letter B and which he is now dyking in.

Mr. Anderson’s statements were certified to by Amos Botsford, James Watson, Dycon, land surveyors and by Mr. Sproul in the Crown Land office and his request was complied with.

Titus Anderson, son of Thomas Anderson of Cole’s Island, was married in 1830 to Jane O., daughter of Charles J. Bulmer. He was a shipmaster in the coasting trade. In 1870 the vessel of which he was master was driven ashore in a gale off St. John and he was drowned. His age was about sixty years. His family consisted of George, also shipmaster in the Bay trade; Ammi, a stone mason, Charles M., who removed to New Zealand; Thomas R., a successful shipmaster employed in foreign trade. He met with an accident on the track of the N. B. and P. E. I. Railway by which he was killed; Gaius who removed to Fiji. George, was a capable and efficient shipmaster, left three sons: Rupert T., Ernest L., and Jesse E., who were also shipmasters, and a daughter, Carrie Bell.

THE AYER FAMILY

Thomas Ayer came to Sackville before the Revolution, and brought his wife and some of his children. He is the progenitor of all the Ayers in this country. He purchased lands extending from Morice’s Mill Pond to the Mariner Wood Farm. He lived in a house near the residence of the late Philip Palmer, the cellar of which was visible at a recent date. He cultivated an orchard. He died early in the last century. His widow was seen by Mrs. _____ Atkinson in 1820. She was then very old and bedfast. He left the following children: Elijah, Mariner, William, Thomas. Mariner was born in the schooner bringing the family up the Bay of Fundy, off Digby. They gave him the name of Mariner.

Thomas Ayer became a noted coaster. He and his brother, Mariner, died at sea. William removed to Buctouche, where he died and where also Elijah lived in his last days and died. Elijah purchased Dorchester Island from Amos Botsford. One of Elijah’s daughters, Hannah, married Leban Cushing of Buctouche and during the war of 1812, when Elijah (called the Commodore) was busy privateering. Another daughter married Capt. Robert Atkinson, who died in the West Indies. She then married Reuben Chase, Sr., who lived at that time at Morice’s Pond, but they afterwards removed to Boston, where he died. She had one child by her first husband. Dorothea married _____ Ward at Buctouche. Rebecca married another Ward and they went to United States. Polly married William Snowdon at Wood Point. She was the grandmother of the late Henry Purdy. Nehemiah Ayer married Jacobina Ayer at Fort Lawrence. Their children were: Lucretia married afterwards the late Oliver Barnes of Wood Point; Thomas who lived at Beech Hill and owned a sawmill there, married the daughter of deacon Estabrooks. Her sister was the mother of Commodore Evander Evans; June married James Barnes; Jesse married a Miss Harper, a daughter of his married the late Capt. George Anderson; James Ayer, father of the late James R. Ayer, married a Miss Chase of Cornwallis; Joseph never married; William Ayer married a Miss Siddall of Fort Cumberland; Sarah married Henry Ogden, father of the late Warden Amos Ogden; Thomas married a sister of King Seaman of Minudie. Their children were:–

(1) Lucretia, who married Simon Outhouse, the father of the late Edwin Outhouse of Coverdale. (2) Abigail who married a shoemaker, named Jackson, who removed to Illinois. She was the mother of the late Mrs. Ainsley Bowser. (3) Mariah, married to the late Hon. Harrison Kinnear of Saint John. (4) Amy, married _____ Steeves of Dover. (5) Sarah, the wife of the late Richard Wilson, Esq. (6) Emily, wife of Mr. James Barnes. (7) Cynthia, who died young.

Obediah Ayer married Zilpah Smith. They had two sons and three daughters, first Elijah Ayer, father of Theodore; second, Gideon Ayer who lived at Petitcodiac.

COMMODORE AYER

Soon after the country was occupied by the English, a brick house was built at Westcock, westerly of the Westcock Houses. It was occupied by two brothers-in-law, and fellow sympathizers, with the Anti-British feeling existing in New England. They were Capt. Eddy and Capt. Ayer. They had married daughters of Ira Hicks of Dorchester, who was uncle of the late Samuel Hicks of Sackville. Capt. Eddy’s wife died at the house of Samuel Hicks, Jr. They were partners in trade and ran schooners between the head of the Bay and Eastport. Previously to this, Capt. Ayer had lived at Dorchester Island until about 1807, and built a number of coasting vessels there. He afterwards removed to Westcock where he built a schooner or two. He built the Dolphin, sailed by Capt. Thomas Ayer. The revolution developed intense feeling between the loyal Yorkshire men and the New England settlers. Mrs. Eddy was living in a house on the hill a quarter of a mile south of Morice’s Mill Pond. The house was burned. There was little doubt about its incendiarism. Captain Ayer’s children were with her at the time but he was absent. The property of Capt. Ayer was confiscated and regranted to other people. After Commodore’s death, his children received a bonus of one thousand dollars from the government of the United States in recognition of his services as Indian agent. Soon after the Ayer fire, Mr. Harper and his wife went to Fort Cumberland to attend a ball given by the officers of the garrison there, while there, the flames of a building on fire were described. When he returned, in the wee small hours, it was to find his homestead smoking in ashes.

Thomas only had one daughter. She married an English gentleman by the name of Lamb. It was believed he was a brother of the then Lord Melbourne and also a brother of Lady Palmerston. Mr. Lamb was a well educated man and possessed much literary culture. He lived at Rockland and taught school there. He never communicated with his English friends. They had ten children: John, Joseph, Isaac, William, Mariner, Cook, also Polly, who married Gideon Smith; Sally who married Amasa Weldon; Abby who married Alex Kinnear. Mariner Ayer married Amy Estabrooks, daughter of Squire Jim Estabrooks, M.P.P. They had one daughter, Sarah. She married Josiah Wood, and had two children, first Mariner, second Ann. At Mr. Wood’s death, she married Squire Philip Palmer, M.P.P.

James Ayer was the son of Nehemiah. James R. Ayer, son of James, was a very energetic business man; he built up a large manufacturing concern giving employment to many hands. He was the first to introduce steam engine and boiler into the tanning business. He was the inventor of the oil tanned moccasin which became a standard article of trade all over Canada.

BARNES

The tradition in the Barnes family is that John Barnes, Peter Barnes, and others including Rogers, Ballou and Hawkins, were amongst the first that came to Sackville from Providence, R. I., after the expulsion of the Acadians. John Barnes married the daughter of a New Light Elder, named Deacon Rounds. She had married previously a man named Asa Read by whom she had a son and three daughters. Her son, named Benjamin Read, returned to Connecticut, where he died. John Barnes’ first winter here, was in 1767, eight years after the capture of Quebec by Wolfe. These were times of war and seven hundred men were reported as quartered in Fort Cumberland. He was at one time the leading land owner in the Parish. He lived one winter in the John Snowdon place at Wood Point, another on the Estabrooks farm at Morice’s Pond. He finally settled at Wood Point on the place where his descendant, Charles Barnes, later occupied, and there he died. Peter Barnes settled at Beech Hill. He was the progenitor of the Barnes family there.

John Barnes married Mary, the widow of Nathan Mason. Their children were John, James and Oliver. Oliver married and had three sons, Stephen, Charles and Oliver, and one daughter, Rhoda, who married a Mr. Snell, and went to Salt Lake. James Barnes married and had six sons, James, who married Cynthia Atkinson; William, who married Jane Estabrooks; Silas, who married Prudent Beal; John, who married Rebecca Beal; Edward, who married Vina Lawrence; Alfred, who married Julia Dixon.

BARNES BROTHERS

In 1809, they state they are sons of one of the first settlers in the Township of Sackville, where they were born and have always resided. That Oliver Barnes is thirty-two years of age, has a wife and two children, and has never obtained any lands from Government, that a few years since, he purchased some wilderness lots, about thirty acres of which he has cleared and are now under cultivation, and on which he has built a house and dam. That your Memorialist, James Barnes, is twenty-seven years of age, has a wife and two children, that he obtained about three years since, a grant from Government of two hundred acres, of which about fifteen acres had since been cleared, and are now under fence. That your Memorialist, John Barnes, is twenty-two years of age, is single, and has never had any lands from Government.

Your Memorialists beg leave to state, that Lots No. ten, containing one hundred acres, and Nos. eleven, twelve, and thirteen containing one hundred and fifty acres each, situate and being in Lot A Division in Sackville, and being a part of the Rights or Shares, Nos. ten, eleven, twelve and thirteen respectively, still continue in a wilderness state, that they are now, and have been for upwards of twenty years part claimed by one Samuel Rogers, and his brother James Rogers, who have never improved the same or cleared any part of them, excepting about one acre which now lies uncultivated and not even under fence, that the said lots are in the midst of a flourishing settlement, and if in the possession of any other persons would make valuable farms, but in their present state, are a great inconvenience to the farms on both sides of them.

That the said Samuel Rogers and James Rogers are single men and have no families or fixed residence, and have never discovered the least inclination to clear or improve any lands in their possession. That your Memorialists depend altogether upon their labor and industry for a living, and are settled very near to the said lots, and in case they could procure a grant of them, would assist them greatly in the support of themselves and families.

And your Memorialist, James Barnes, begs leave further to state that the seven acre Lots No. ten belonging to the said share or right No. ten situated near the Town Plot in Sackville, also claimed by the said Samuel and James Rogers, lies in a wilderness state, having never been cleared or improved by them. That as the same is adjoining lands owned and settled by your Memorialist, a grant of the same to him, would in particular degree benefit your Memorialist.

Your Memorialists therefore pray that Your Honor will be pleased to direct that a commission be issued for the purpose of escheating the said rights or shares Nos. ten, eleven, twelve and thirteen. 1809.

Mr. Dixon states:–The above Samuel Rogers was proscribed in the year 1776 and has never returned to his allegiance, a bad subject and no settler. In short, such settlers are a nuisance in a neighborhood; for the above reason, I recommend the Memorialist.

BLACK

Wm. Black was born in Paisley, Scotland, in the year 1727. His father was a public official and possessed an independent fortune. In 1750 he married Miss Elizabeth Stocks of Huddersfield, England.

In 1774 Wm. Black became interested in the new settlements in Nova Scotia and decided to come out and see the country. He came to Halifax in May, 1774. From Halifax he travelled by horseback to what is now Amherst. He secured a considerable estate there and returned to the Old Country in the autumn of the same year.

In April, 1775, he chartered a vessel in which he brought his wife, four sons and one daughter, one man and one maid to Halifax. He brought with him also some good livestock (cattle and horses). Two weeks after arriving in Halifax he sailed for Cumberland. A year after his arrival in Amherst his wife, a most accomplished lady, died.

Some years later Mr. Black married a second wife, Miss Elizabeth Abber. Mr. Black held the Commission of Justice of the Peace for Cumberland, and in 1779 was appointed Judge of the Common Pleas. After his second marriage he divided his Amherst property among the five children of his first wife and moved to Dorchester, where he purchased some 800 acres of marsh and upland.

He had seven children by his second wife, three daughters and four sons. He died in the year 1820 at the age of 93 years. At the age of 88 years he rode on horseback from Dorchester to Amherst, by the road then used, thirty miles, to visit his sons and made the return journey in the same manner.

A grandson, Samuel Freeze Black, came from Amherst to Sackville in 1839. He built a store at Middle Sackville on the site now occupied by The Jos. L. Black & Sons Ltd. He carried on a successful mercantile business there for some years, sold out to his nephew (who came from Amherst), Joseph L. Black, and built a store at Lower Sackville. His property was the land through which Wellington Street now runs. The store is now occupied by The Sackville Harness Co. Ltd. and his first residence, built nearly one hundred years ago, still exists, but is separated into the three houses on the south side of Wellington Street. He left two sons and two daughters, Dr. Clarence Black, surgeon in the U. S. Navy, who died in that service, unmarried, and Dr. Charles A. Black, of Baie Verte, a popular practitioner and a member of the Legislature for some years. He, Charles, left one daughter who married Mr. Wilson, of Saint John, N. B.

Joseph L. Black married first Miss Jane Humphrey, sister of the late Hon. John A. Humphrey. By this marriage he had one daughter, M. J. Black, who married Edmund Burke, Architect of Toronto. His second wife was Miss Snowball, daughter of the Rev. John Snowball. By this marriage he had two daughters, Hattie S., who married B. Eaton Paterson; Jane S., who married Fulton Macdougall; Frank B. Black, now Senator, who married Eleanor Wood, daughter of the late Hon. Josiah Wood; and John W. S. Black, who married Miss Borden, daughter of Judge Borden, and a second wife, Miss Charters, daughter of Mr. S. C. Charters. Frank B. Black has two sons and three daughters living and John W. S. Black, who died in 1916, left two sons, both now living.

Joseph L. Black was an able and successful man. He carried on in a large scale, merchandising, lumbering and farming. He acquired a considerable area of timer lands situated between Sackville and the Northumberland Straits which has been economically managed and concerved and has been a source of revenue to the owners and employment to many Sackville citizens for the past one hundred years.

Mr. Black was elected to the legislature. He was independent, progressive, and had reform ideas which brought him in collision with his colleagues. This decided him to retire.

While a member he was indefatigable in the public interest. No member, since the Hon. Wm. Crane had been more useful. He was a brother of the late Hon. Thos. Black, Senator of Amherst, and a cousin of the Hon. Wm. A. Black of Halifax. The business established in 1839 is still flourishing under the name of The Joseph L. Black & Sons Ltd.

Wm. Black, the second son of the first Wm. Black to come to this country, was a contemporary of John Wesley. He was the founder of Methodism in this country and known as Bishop Black.

The Memoirs of Wm. Black written by M. Richey, Principal of Upper Canada College, in 1839 give full details of his life and activities and contains copies of several letters written to him by John Wesley.

The late Silas Black, carriage maker came to Sackville from Dorchester. His sisters, Mrs. Amos Ogden and Mrs. James O. Dixon, were descendants of the Dorchester branch of the family. Mrs. Humphrey Pickard is the only child of Silas Black now living.

The descendants of Wm. Black are too numerous and scattered to attempt a history of them in the time and space available. In the shipbuilding days they occupied a prominent position. Some thirty sailing ships were built by them in the last century.

Another old Black homestead in Sackville, built ninety years ago, was occupied by Jonathan Black, Collector of Customs. In its prime, situated well back from the highway and surrounded by hedges and fine trees, it was an imposing colonial home.

SENATOR A. E. BOTSFORD

Mr. Botsford was in public life about sixty years, first in the Legislative Council of New Brunswick where he took the initiative for Union of the Provinces by resolution that ultimately defeated the Anti-Confederate Government. His name was on the first list of the Senators of Canada of which body he was at one time President. He was employed in many missions of a public character, all of which he discharged satisfactorily to the authorities. He was Government Commissioner for opening sundry roads, notably the one across the Tantramar Marsh, the building of the great bridge and the Etter Aboideau. He was Colonel of Militia and did excellent work in organizing them when they were the strong arm of the Government. In 1860, when the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), visited Saint John, Colonel Botsford was in attendance. His horse, a nervous, fiery animal, bolted, ran up against a stone wall, was killed and both legs of the Colonel were broken. He was a proud man and in business matters, it was his nature to be accurate and circumspect. During his whole career his integrity was on no occasion ever called in question. As an illustration he was a stockholder to the extent of ten thousand dollars in a bank (The Maritime) which went bankrupt. A deputation from Saint John waited on him and urged him to resist payment of the double liability on the ground of fraud. He heard them and replied, “No, Gentlemen, I subscribed and took the risk, I shall pay”; and he paid the additional ten thousand dollars, though it was believed that he could have successfully resisted.

SPEAKER AMOS BOTSFORD

Amos Botsford was engaged as an agent for settling the Loyalists in Nova Scotia. He was first located at Annapolis Royal; he then moved to Dorchester Island which was a port in those days of inconvenience by the absence of any roads. He sold his property there and removed to Westcock and built the brick residence still standing there. He had married Sarah, daughter of Colonel Joshua Chandler. He had a son, William, who succeeded him as Speaker in the New Brunswick Assembly, also a daughter, Ann. She married the Rev. John Millidge. The wedding took place on the 3rd of January, 1797, at the Westcock House; the ceremony being performed by William Allen, a Justice of the Peace in the absence of any clergyman. She died at the age of 22 years. She and her husband are interred in St. Marks Burial Ground, Westmorland Point.

RELIEF TO LOYALISTS — AMOS BOTSFORD TO GOVERNOR FRANKLIN

Sir:

I beg leave to inform your Excellency that soon after your departure from New York in the Packet the Refugees at Bergen and Lloyd Neck made application to Sir Guy Carleton for his assistance to their removal and settlement in Nova Scotia which was generally looked on must finally be an Asylum for that unfortunate people who had left their homes and taken shelter within the lines unless in case of a peace they should have a Restitution of Property. The General interested himself much in their favor and wrote the Governor here in the strongest terms on their behalf. Capt. Houser from the Post at Bergen and Mr. S. Cummins of Govr. Wentworth’s Volunteers are here with me soliciting grants of land for the settlers; upwards of 300 persons are arrived this Fall and now at Annapolis, they are principally sheltered in the Barracks, except some few who have hired houses and expect to move on the farms early in the Spring.

The Commander in Chief allowed the settlers one year’s provisions, axes, spades, shovels and some warm clothing and also furnished transports. Some other matters were asked as window glass, nails, millstones, irons for grist and saw mills, which not being in his power to give we expect he may have recommended home and that they may be sent out next Spring.

We lately arrived here from Annapolis on this business and certainly meet with great encouragement from His Excellency Govr. Parr who has lately arrived here as also from Sir Andrew Hammond, who are disposed to yield every aid in their power to promote the settlement of this Province and provide for the distressed Loyalist; we expect a larger number will follow in the Spring and that the Settlement will principally be made in the Bay of Fundy and about St. John River in that Bay.

That you may be fully informed of this matter; the Commander in Chief assured us that the Grant of Lands, &c. were not to be considered as a Compensation for property in the country, which he expected at the end of the War would be restored or a full identification stipulated by treaty but considered it as an object with Government to settle this Province, let the event of the war be what it will and to provide relief for those people from Bergen and Lloyd’s Neck, both of which are evacuated — 500 acres of land are proposed for a family and 300 for a single man, and no distinction made between those who left property and those who had none. This being the case I presume it can never be urged that the Loyalists are provided for, and that therefore the object of the war is so far at an end.

AMOS BOTSFORD.

JUDGE WILLIAM BOTSFORD

Judge William Botsford was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1773. It was then a British colony. The Revolution broke out and in 1782 he accompanied his father, Amos Botsford, in the first shipment of Loyalists to Annapolis. After peace he returned to Connecticut where he was educated and he graduated at Yale, in 1792 when nineteen years of age. He then returned to New Brunswick and commenced to study the law with the Attorney General, Jonathan Bliss. He was admitted in 1793 and opened an office at St. John. In 1802, he was married. He was appointed Judge of Vice Admiralty. When he removed with his family to Westcock, he resigned it. At his father’s death in 1812, he succeeded him in the representation of Westmorland. In 1817 he was elected Speaker and continued until 1822 when he was appointed to the Legislative Council and at the same time became a member of the Government with the office of Solicitor-General.

On the death of Judge Allen in 1806, the Government recommended Speaker Wm. Botsford for the vacancy. Imperial authorities had other views and he was not appointed.

In 1822, Chief Justice Bliss died, Judge Saunders was promoted and the local Government appointed Mr. Ed. J. Jarvis, prisne judge subject to the approval of the Imperial Government. The Imperial Government, which did not approve, appointed Mr. Speaker Botsford, who was then Solicitor General. It was a little curious how this came about. In 1802, Mr. Alpheus Morse, of Cumberland, a son of Col. Joseph Morse of the French and Indian wars, arranged for his son James (later Hon. James S. Morse) to go to Massachusetts to study law. On his way, he met Speaker Botsford, who on learning he was a nephew of Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Morse — a fellow student at Yale — invited him to study in his office. Young Morse returned to Cumberland, got the consent of his father, accepted Mr. Botsford’s offer, went to Westcock and studied there for five years without fee. This connection had a very curious result. In 1823, Sir James Kempt, then Governor of Nova Scotia, was on a visit to Mr. Morse’s at Amherst, who drove him over the marshes to call on Speaker Botsford. The judgeship matter then came up for discussion between Mr. Morse and Mr. Botsford. Between Mr. Morse and Sir James Kempt a dispatch was written to the Duke of Wellington, presenting the facts, with such effect that the Jarvis appointment was cancelled and Speaker Botsford received the appointment. Mr. Jarvis received an appointment as Judge in Prince Edward Island.

In 1825 he was elevated to the Bench, a position which he occupied until 1845, when he resigned owing to impaired hearing. He was a pioneer in securing better methods in agriculture and for years acted as supervisor of roads in Westmorland.

Mr. Wm. (Judge) Botsford married Sarah, a daughter of William Hazen — widow of Thomas Murray. He took up his residence at Westcock in 1807. Mrs. Botsford died in 1850 — they were 48 years married. He died in 1864, at the patriarchal age of 91 years. He retired from the Bench in 1845, conditional on a pension. The Legislature accepted the resignation but refused the pension.

Daniel Murray, son of Col. Murray, died 1794: grandfather of Hon. R. L. Hazen, great grandfather of Hon. L. A. Wilmot; Major of King’s Dragoons; represented York three times; retired to United States in 1803; died at Portland, 1832.

BOWES

Edward Bowes came from a Military family at Halifax. They went into business at Halifax and were for nearly a century leading job printers in that city. Mr. Bowes came to Sackville early in the forties and was engaged for some years as a teacher in Upper Sackville. Most of the old families up there received the rudiments of education at his hands. He was a well trained man in English and most painstaking in his work. He married a daughter of a leading farmer, Frederick Sears, and raised a large family, amongst them being the late Alonzo Bowes of Dorchester, the late Frederick Bowes of Halifax, a successful journalist and later proprietor of the Carleton House, and Edward C. Bowes, a prominent business man in San Francisco.

In 1854 Mr. Bowes gave up school teaching, purchased a printing plant and established the “Borderer” newspaper, probably the first between Halifax and Saint John. For a pioneer paper operating in a virgin field it met with immediate success and it became one of the institutions of the country. It was conducted on Conservative lines and great care was exercised while getting all the news, to have it accurate. During its existence it produced a local history of current events that today would have been most interesting if not historically valuable. Unfortunately its fyles were sent to the Legislative Library at Halifax for preservation, where they were carelessly destroyed. In 1868 Mr. Bowes died. In 1880 it was purchased by the publishers of the Chignecto Post and amalgamated with it as the Chignecto Post and Borderer. If continued it would have been eighty-one years old, the oldest in the Province and to rank with three or four papers in Canada of aged record.

Although not prominent except as a newspaper publisher, Mr. Bowes was active in all movements for the benefit of the community and proved himself to be a worthy citizen whose death was a public loss.

BOWSER

Thomas Bowser was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1774*. He sailed from Liverpool in March, 1772, with his wife and his two sisters for Halifax, in the ship, “Duke of York”. His wife was Mary Taylor, Liverpool England. She was born in 1754, and died 1836, aged 82 years. Mr. Bowser died in October 1816, age 72 years. Their children were as follows: Thomas Ebenezer, Richard, Shepherd, George, Joseph, William, Benjamin, John Layton and three daughters. No. 1 married John Smith; second married Ann Boyd; third married Christopher Humphrey of Sackville. Ebenezer settled at Beech Hill, married but had no children. Richard, Shepherd, Joseph, and John settled in Sackville on their father’s land. Benjamin settled in Fairfield. George died at middle age unmarried. William Bowser settled in Fairfield, married Rebecca Burnham. They had fifteen children, eight boys and seven girls. Their names were: Thomas, Jonathan, Joseph, Benjamin, Charles, William, Edward, George, Meriah, Mary, Sarah, Rebecca, Ann, Ruth, Frances. Thomas Bowser, the second, born August 29th, 1774; married Frances King who was born in March, 1781. They settled at Coles Island. Their children were William K. Bowser, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Charles, Thomas, Ebenezer, Fanny, Richard G., born 1822. George Bowser lived first at the corner of Queens Road and Main Street, occupied later by Edmund Kinnear. He than built a house at Boultenhouse’s corner which he sold to Jonathan Black.

[*EDITOR’S NOTE: sic; someone had added a handwritten note: “1744”]

Joseph Bowser married first Ann Bulmer, second Miss Bent, of Fort Lawrence. He left two children, George T., married to _____ Black, daughter of Jonathan, also Mary Ann, never married. Richard Bowser occupied the home place, afterwards sold it to Professor Thomas Pickard. He left thirteen children, five girls and eight boys: Mary, who married William Weldon; Sarah, who married Henry Mitchell — they moved to Iowa; third Jane, who married George Richardson (the late Charles W. Richardson was a descendant); Robert and Thomas were twins; Richard died in Fredericton; Wesley settled in Moncton; Benson kept the home place, which he sold and moved to Grand Pre, N. S., where he married Miss Avery, a niece of Dr. Avery of Halifax. Their son is a county official at Kentville, N. S. Susan married a Minister of the Gospel. They removed to United States. Eliza married Cyrus Black, Esq., J. P. of Amherst.

John Bowser’s descendants were, first Mary, who married _____ Scotson, but left no family. Second, Ruth, married _____ Anderson, third Ann, who married Christopher Humphrey, no family. _____ Bowser married Ann Lawrence. Their descendants were: George Bowser of Leicester, N. S. Lydia married _____ Townsend of Bay Verte Road.

Professor A. E. Bowser, a son of George Bowser, Middle Sackville, was a distinguished son of the Province. He was a graduate of Rutger’s College, New Jersey, and for twenty-seven years was a professor there of Mathematics and civil engineering. He was an author of seven text books on calculus and cognate subjects. He travelled much and in Syria was quite surprised to find some of his books in use there. He was born in 1837 and died in Honolulu in 1909. His ashes were brought to his adopted home at Rutger’s and interred there. He was never married.

Robert Bowser’s farm was on the cross street between York Street and the Upper Fairfield Road. His descendants were: 1st, Robert; 2nd, Richard, who went to Stoneham, Mass., established himself in business there and was highly thought of as a citizen. He died in 1832. Charles A., who became an enterprising citizen and merchant; Rev. Alexander, a Unitarian preacher, who left a fine reputation as an able preacher. He died in 1933. Eugene who held the home farm, Henrietta who married Mr. George McCord; Susan who married a Mr. Trueman.

BULMER

George Bulmer came from England with the Dixons. He was thirteen years of age when he was apprenticed to Mr. Freeze, a mason. He married Susannah, second daughter of Charles Dixon and left a family as follows: Charles, born in 1787 and married to Elizabeth Oulton; James, married to Ruth Harris, a grand-daughter of William Carnforth. His family consisted of: William, Rebecca, Edward, Susan, George, Mary Ann, John and Hazen B. John, born in 1793, married to Rebecca Lawrence. George, born in 1795, married to Levina Merrill. He followed John Barnes and Cyrus Snell in the mill business at Frosty Hollow. Edward, born in 1805, married to Zene Kinnear, daughter of Courtney Kinnear. Nelson, born in 1805, married to Abigail, daughter of Nathan Merrill. William, born in 1809, married Jane Crossman of Moncton. Jane, born in 1785, married William Smith of Maccan. Mary, born in 1791, married to Benjamin C. Scurr. He was born in 1788. He was the only child of Thomas Scurr and his wife, Elizabeth Carnforth. He sailed for the West Indies and was never heard from again. He had three daughters, Elizabeth Ann, married to Jonathan Black, Susan and Ruth Grace, the latter married Squire Jesse L. Bent. Ann married Joseph Bowser, son of Thomas Bowser. Isabelle, born in 1801, married James Estabrooks, son of James, M.P.P. Elizabeth, born in 1787, married to Henry McLellan. They settled in Lunenburg. Rufus, a son of Charles P. Bulmer, married in 1846 to Ruth Merrill. He lived on the homestead, later occupied by his son, Nathan.

Mr. Nelson Bulmer made this statement when he was eighty- three years of age: “My father came out from England as an apprentice with Mr. Freeze who came out to do mason work on Fort Cumberland. They landed at Fort Cumberland on the 16th day of May, 1772. Thirty or forty families came out at the same time; the Blacks, Bowsers, Dixons, Chapmans and others. They were the first English immigrants after the French War. My father bought a thousand acres of land and then got a grant of three hundred acres, commencing at the Shaw or Harper place and extending to the Anderson Round House. They lived in Fort Cumberland for some years. Mr. Freeze then moved to Amherst. My father built a log house near the site of the Salem Baptist Church. His property was divided up and sold at his death. He had six girls and seven boys, twelve of whom married and died. The early families were pretty much mixed up in the way of marriages. Mr. Carnforth had four daughters, one married John Harris, Sr., another Jonathan Burnham; another Michael Grace; and the fourth, Mr. Scurr, the grandfather of the late Charles Scurr. He lived and died and was buried near the Glebe lot in Mount Whatley. They left one son. He married Mary Bulmer and lived on the Carnforth property, situated where the late John Harris and the late John Patterson lived, and included Spectacle Island and Bear Island. The Carnforth and Dixon properties butted on each other. Mr. Dixon held the upland and George Bulmer and Carnforth divided the Spectacle between them. Mr. Carnforth is buried in the Tingley graveyard. The last time I saw Grandfather Dixon I was about eight years of age. He came over to see Mother; (nee Susan Dixon) stopped all day. At four o’clock Mother told me to yoke the cattle. I did so and took him down the field cart to the Aboideau from where he walked home. Old Jonathan Burnham was a big fat man. He was collector of customs; at his death his son succeeded him. The next collector was Marmaduke Backhouse.

MICHAEL BURK

1788, states: he served in His Majesty’s late Royal Fencible American Regiment for eight years and in the year 1776 was taken prisoner, and carried to Boston, where he remained sixteen months in close confinement, before he was released.

That after the disbandment of the Regiment in 1783 having a wife and four small children he purchased a lot of land, in the Township of Sackville, on which he has made considerable improvements, and has expended his little all on it, and labours under many difficulties as the quantity of land he is possessed of is too little for the maintenance of his family. He asks for a grant of lot No. 38 letter B Division, in the Township of Sackville, formerly granted to a Moore, a Dissenting Minister but never improved, is now the property of the Crown.

(I do certify that what Michael Burk states relative to his service and imprisonment is true, and that during that time, he bemeaned himself as becometh an honest man and good soldier.

RICHARD WILSON,
Capt. Late B. T. Amm. Regt.)

JONATHAN BURNHAM

Jonathan Burnham’s father, Jacob Burnham, left England with his family (he had a number of sons but it is not known how many) and came to the United States. The whole family settled in some part of the United States except Jonathan who came on to Sackville and settled with Stephen Milledge who lived near the Botsford place in West Sackville. Some time after his marriage with Mary Carnforth he settled on the Carnforth homestead and lived there until his death. For some time after his death his eldest son, William, carried on his business until finally he sold out and moved first to Eastport, Maine and then to some other part of the United States. Thomas another son married a Miss Smith from Dorchester and settled on the Bulmer place at Frosty Hollow. After a time he also went to the United States and finally died while on his way to California. John the third son of Jonathan Burnham went to Petitcodiac, married a young lady from that place and lived there until his death. There were five girls in the Burnham family who all married and went to live in different parts of the country. Mary married John Dobson; Ann married Robert Dobson; _____ married Thomas Fawcett; Mary married Benjamin C. Scurr.

He occupied what was known as Carnforth’s Island being the district east from Cape Railway Station.

Burnham was the first Customs officer in Sackville; his son, William, succeeded him. The others in turn were: Dr. Backhouse, Jonathan Black, James D. Dickson, Wm. C. Milner, Josiah Anderson, F. W. George.

CAHILL

The ancestor of the Cahill family — John R., born in London in 1777, was intended by his father for the Church, but during a vacation he came to Halifax as supercargo in a vessel owned by his father. The vessel after sailing on her return voyage was wrecked and John remained in Nova Scotia. He taught school but finally settled down to farming at Sackville. He married a sister of Martha, a daughter of Moses LesDernier, by whom he had eleven children. He received remittances regularly from his father. The late Stipendiary of Sackville, Walter Cahill, Esq., was a grandson.

CAMPBELL

Ronald, father of George Campbell (who was many times Warden of Westmorland) arrived in Sackville from Halifax in 1830, where he had landed from Scotland. He had a remarkable experience en route. He intended to take the stage at Halifax for Miramichi, but it being overcrowded, he decided to walk, and he followed the stage on foot. He arrived at Westchester Mountain (Purdy’s) at night as soon as the stage, where they changed horses. The passengers piled into the common room where there was a roaring fire in a big fire place, Mr. Campbell amongst them. Supper was announced and the passengers sat down at the table, but Mr. Campbell did not move. This aroused the curiosity of the landlady who asked the other passengers who that man was, no one knew, but someone said it was a man who followed the stage from Halifax on foot, the landlady called him again and he did not reply. She became aware that there was something wrong with him. She knelt down and felt his feet. She found he was frozen up to the knees. This discovery raised quite a commotion. A tub of cold water was hastily placed beside him and his legs were put in. When the frost came out, he was put to bed and he remained there several days until quite recovered. In after years, he used to speak of the sympathy and kindness of the landlady in terms of the greatest gratitude. His son, George, became the leading carriage manufacturer in the countryside. He was elected County Councillor and became Warden of the county. His goodwill, tact, and sense of fair play was such that he was re-elected time after time until it seemed to be a life job with him. After his disease, his son, Clinton C., succeeded him as County Councillor and was like him, elected Warden year after year until his death which took place in the year 1928.

CARTER

Thomas Carter the first of the name in this Province, came from Yorkshire, England, in 1774, and settled near Fort Cumberland, at what is now called Westmorland Point.

The farm originally was a considerable one, consisting of dyked marsh and upland, at this date (Aug. 11, 1905) occupied by his direct descendent — Trenholm Carter.

Thomas married Jane Thompson, who was a sister of the wife of the first Keillor.

Their family consisted of three sons — John, Thomas and Christopher.

Thomas Carter, the first, came to his death by drowning in the Missiquash River, on his way home from Amherst.

His widow, subsequently became the second wife of William Chapman, the first representative of that name in Point de Bute and one of the founders of Methodism in this province. His second wife’s name will be found in the deed from William Chapman to John Wesley of the grounds for a meeting house at Point de Bute. She died April 4th, 1813, and is buried in the churchyard there, where there is a monument to her still in good preservation.

Of the children — John remained upon the homestead; Thomas settled first at Westcock near Sackville, but later moved to Dorchester where he and his descendants at one time owned a large and valuable property. Christopher settled at Westmorland Point. The three brothers had large families, in all twenty-three sons and nine daughters. (See “Chignecto Isthmus”, Howard Trueman.)

Descendants — John, married Ann Lowerison; Thomas married Mary Siddall; Christopher married Catherine Roberts.

The children of John and Ann Carter:–Thomas married Elizabeth Trueman, (2) Elizabeth Sharpe; Richard married Milcah Freeze; Robert married Phoebe King; Edward married Melinda Church, Martin married Lucy Teed; Rufus married Thomazina Lowther; Charles married Jane Forster; Samuel married Susan Trenholm; Mary Ann married Joseph Smith; Eliza married William Bowser; Jane married George Trenholm; Joseph married Lucy Trenholm, (2) Mary Lowther.

Children of Thomas and Mary Carter — James Thomas, Ralph, John, Christopher, William, Charles, Benjamin, Biddy, Jane and Mary.

Children of Christopher and Catherine Carter:–George married Marie Copp; John married Jane E. Purdy; James married Mary Embree; Henry married Amelia Hoegg; William married Elizabeth Atkinson; Isaac married Mary Atkinson; Hannah married Thomas Lowerison; Anne married Thomas Copp; Betsey (Elizabeth) married Thos. E. Oulton.

Children of William, son of Thomas, by (1) Ann Weldon, daughter of Thomas, son of John Weldon:–

Ann Jane, born Sept. 11, 1816. Married Joseph Weldon, settled at Dorchester.

Thomas Odbur, born June 9, 1918. Married _____ Lewis. Children: Lebaron, Albert, Martha, Rainsford.

Martha, born June 25, 1820. Married Christopher Harper, settled at Dorchester. Children: Amelia, Martha, Jane, William, Christopher, Mary.

Sarah, born Feb. 20th, 1823. Married Otho Sayre. Children; William, Annie, Charles.

William Abel, born Feb. 26, 1825, settled at Kingston, Kings Co. Married Mary Anne Jones. Children: Annie Matilda, Charles Shepherd, Julia Theresa, William Samuel, Franklin, Byron, Edward Betts Smith, Constantia Cookson, Arthur Beverly, May Blanche, Grace, Florence, Roland Ritchie.

John Hazen, born Nov. 14, 1827, settled in U. S. Married Dorcas Brown. Children: 2 girls.

Isabella, born Jan. 30th, 1830, settled in Sackville. Married John Ayre. Children: William, Ethel.

Children of William Carter by Ann Eldon his 2nd wife — daughter of Andrew Weldon:–

Andrew Weldon, born May 27th, 1831, settled at Cape Elizabeth, U. S. Married Hannah Pillsbury. Children:–Charles, Frank, and two girls.

Charles Edward, born Nov. 14th, 1836, settled on the homestead and later at Amherst, N. S. Married (1) Roslyn Copp. Children: Laura P., Emily Florence, William Blair, James. 2nd wife, Elizabeth Travis. Children: George, Harold, Mildred.

WILLIAM CARNFORTH

He lived first on the Bulmer farm on Maple Hill later on Carnforth’s Island, which abutted on the Charles Dixon property on the north side, then he lived on Haris Island. His daughters married Jonathan Burnham, John Harris, Michael Grace, and Charles Scurr.

COLE FAMILY

Squire Rufus Cole of Rockport, a pioneer of Sackville, was born at Coles Island in 1796, the son of Ebenezer and Martha Grace Cole. His father moved to Coles’ Point, Dorchester Cape about 1802. He went to school in a log schoolhouse, situated near the railway crossing, a short distance from the Gideon Palmer place. The teacher was Mr. Ebenezer Cutler, who was a land surveyor and was also a graduate of Harvard University. He had been a prisoner of war in France for seven years. His eldest daughter, Lavinia, married Squire Cole. She was the mother of eleven children, all of whom grew up to womanhood and manhood. His second wife was Mrs. Calkin, Mary A. C., daughter of Capt. James Calhoun of Hopewell Cape. The grave stone of Ebenezer Cole, father of Squire Rufus, is visible on the Cole farm at Cole’s Island. In 1824, Mr. Cole moved to Rockport in the schooner, “Beaver”; James Calhoun, master. He lived in a log house for two years. The roof was made of spruce bark, kept on by poles. He purchased the property at Peck’s Point from his uncle, Martin Cole, put up a frame house and moved in in 1826. That year he sailed a small schooner called the “Deliverance”. With his brother, Martin Cole, he built a vessel, which Captain Martin sailed and ‘Squire Rufus, confined himself to farming and making and shipping grindstones. In those days, there was a good deal of trading with the New England Ports. During thirty-six years, he carried on this business, he shipped about twenty thousand dollars’ worth of grindstone. He raised a family of eight daughters and three sons. He drove the first carriage through the woods to both Dorchester and Sackville. He acted in various public capacities, by Road Commissioner, Deputy Treasurer, Sub Collector of Customs, and Justice of the Peace. He died in 1884 at the venerable age of 89 years. Jonathan Cole, the grandfather of ‘Squire Rufus’ came from Providence, Rhode Island and settled at Cole’s Island, about 1763. He was a cooper by trade but he sailed thirteen times to the West Indies. Once he went in a boat with only 13 tons burden.

Jonathan Cole settled on Coles’ Island probably ten years before the Revolutionary War. He was grandfather of the late ‘Squire Rufus Cole. Ebenezer Cole, who with Joseph Read was the founder of the Baptists at Sackville, was a son of his. Besides Ebenezer, he had two other sons, Martin and Ambrose. Jonathan had the reputation of being considerable of a traveller. He had been thirteen times to the West Indies, tho’ he was not a sailor by occupation, but a carpenter. On one trip to the West Indies, he went on a boat of 14 tons measurement. Jonathan had one daughter, Patricia. She married Samuel Halliday of Cobequid.

When ‘Squire Rufus Cole was a lad, about ten years of age, the people were not without the advantages of religion. The following were the places of Worship: (1) A small brick Methodist meeting house at Crane’s Corner. (2) Another meeting house at Tingley’s, on the site of the old graveyard there. (3) Bethel Chapel above Morice’s Mills. There were a number of preachers to warn the people of the wrath to come, the Rev. Messrs. Crandall, Tupper, McCully. Morice’s Mill Pond was a favorite place for baptizing.

The era of highways, not having arrived, trading and travelling were done almost exclusive[ly] by small schooners, and to be in touch of the vessels the first settlement grew up along the rivers and by the coast lines of the bays. In 1824 at Dorchester there was a schooner called the “Dorchester” owned by Amasa Weldon and Mr. Sayre. It traded between Dorchester Island and St. John and Eastport. The master was Wm. Carlyle. Sackville was the proud owner of a schooner, “Ruth”, built by Jotham Estabrooks and Jack Best. It was a step in advance as she was fitted up with a cabin and top gallant sails. In 1826, the “Deliverance”, a 60 ton schooner was built at Hopewell on shares. It was kept carrying grindstone from Joggins.

Cape Martin Cole and ‘Squire Cole purchased the schooner “Brant”, 60 tons, for 100 pounds and sold her to Wm. Fowler. It was scuttled off Apple River by some Wood Point folks. Cargo was saved. The vessel was raised and sold for 135 pounds. Capt. Martin and ‘Squire Rufus built a vessel of 100 tons, called the Martha Grace, which they sailed for 12 years.

During these years, Amos Seaman and Joseph Read carried on extensive grindstone shipments from Minudie to United States, which was very profitable until killed by the prohibitory duties put on Colonial products by the American Congress.

CHANDLER

Col. Joshua Chandler was graduated at Yale 1747, being ranked the thirteenth in the class of twenty-nine in “dignity of the family.” He settled at New Haven, in the practice of law, and his house stood where the Tontine Hotel was afterwards built and where the public buildings now stand. He and his son-in-law, Amos Botsford, who lived on the rear of it, owned the whole of that square. He owned the Avery estate at New Haven, and also a salt marsh farm five or six miles out from New Haven, near which passes the railroad. He got about one hundred Frenchmen from the provinces to dyke it. This is still called “Chandler’s Farm.”

At a town meeting at New Haven, 23rd May, 1774, Joshua Chandler, Esq., was placed first on a Committee of eighteen, “of Correspondence for the Public Safety”. He was a member of the Legislature of Conn. 1775. But he was soon suspected of loyalty, and was sent to North Haven as a prisoner by the Whigs of New Haven. Later Mr. Chandler and his family went off, and so sudden was the departure that Governor Baldwin, who was then a boy, said afterward he remembered going into Mr. Chandler’s house on the morning after they left, and there seeing the table spread for a large company, and the viands all untouched.

While on Long Island, 10th Feb., 1892, he with others, addressed Mr. Rivington, acting Deputy Inspector General of Refugees on the Island, and stated that “we were driven from our respective homes, having left our property in the country, &c.”

His property in and near New Haven, Conn., which he valued at 30,000 pounds, was confiscated under the agency of Charles Chauncey, Esq., of New Haven.

Joshua Chandler settled at Annapolis, Nova Scotia, on the South Shore of the Bay of Fundy. “The landing of the Loyalists, May 18, 1783,” is one of the remarkable events noticed in their registers, and that day as it returns is still celebrated by a salute of cannon firing, at noon.

Col. Chandler (as above stated) had a large property at New Haven, which he was forced to leave. He sailed for England to see about a remuneration for his loss. Commissions were appointed to adjust the claims of the Loyalists. He returned to Annapolis, and on that fatal March of 1787, he, with his daughter Elizabeth and son Wm. Chandler, took all their books, papers and evidence of their colonial property, and sailed across the Bay for St. John, New Brunswick, to meet the Commissioners, to prove their titles and their losses and to get their claims allowed. But the vessel, in a violent snow storm, missing the harbor, was driven on the rocks at Musquash Point, within about nine miles of St. John. His son, William, hoping to secure the vessel, fastened a rope around his body and jumped overboard to swim to the land, but he was immediately crushed between the vessel and rocks and was drowned. This was the 9th of March, 1787. Col. Chandler, his daughter Elizabeth and others finally got ashore. But they were miles from any dwelling and the weather severe. It is said he urged his daughter to leave him and make her way to some house, but she refused to leave her father. He then climbed a high point of the rocks for a look-out, from which, being so benumbed with cold, he fell and soon died. The others, his daughter and Mrs. Grant, after wandering about in the woods, perished on the 11th of March, 1787. Their bodies were found and carried to St. John, N. B. and buried in the old burying ground, at the head of King Street. After about seventy years, their remains were sought for, but only the smallest portion of the larger bones were found. These were carefully deposited in the lot of Amos Botsford, Esq., in the “Rural Cemetery”, the new and beautiful Woodside grounds, at St. John. The old slate-stone slabs — about two by three feet — were laid against the embankment of the Botsford lot, the letters of the inscription having been cut deeper by the pious order of his descendants. Under the “death’s head”, with rays and wings, is the following inscription:–

Here lyeth the Bodies of Col.
Joshua Chandler, Aged 61 years,
And William Chandler, His Son, Aged
29 years who were shipwrecked on
their passage from Digby to St. John,
on the Night of the 9th day of March,
1787, and Perished in the Woods, on the
11th day of said Month.
Here lyeth the Bodies of Mrs.
Sarah Grant, Aged 38 Years,
Widow of the late Major Alex Grant;
and Miss Elizabeth Chandler aged
27 years, who were Shipwrecked on
their passage from Digby to
St. John on the night of the 9th
Day of March, 1787, and
Perished in the Woods on the
11th day of said Month.

His son, Charles Henry Chandler, soon after the death of his father, then about twenty years old, went to Europe to get the claims of the estate allowed. He took what evidence of the losses of the family he could find. But they had mostly been lost in the wreck. Charles H. Chandler remained in England a year, trying to get a hearing and to get the claims allowed. The Commissioners at last said to him “We know your father, Joshua Chandler, was wealthy and had large and just claims, but we do not know how much, and there is no proof of it. We will allow you each, Mrs. Sarah Botsford, Mrs. Mary Upham, Thomas Samuel and Charles H. Chandler, 1,000 pounds.”

–From Book of Loyalist Records.

735 lv. Sarah B. 29 Mar., 1752; m. Amos Botsford, of New Haven, Conn.; 737, Vi. William b. 1758; d. March, 1787, aged 29; Y. C. 1775; piloted Gov. Tryon and his royal forces into New Haven, 5th July, 1779, when that city was sacked. But he personally, it is said, interposed and saved the life of the President of the College, Rev. Napthali Dagget, who, armed with a musket, had rushed to oppose the invaders. For his toryism he was roughly handled by the infuriated whigs. He was Captain in the Royal Army. He retired with his father’s family, 6th July, 1779, to Long Island, and in 1783, to Nova Scotia. He was with his father when they crossed the Bay of Fundy and when the vessel in the snowstorm, struck the rocks at Musquash Point; had a rope tied about his waist, and jumped in, in order to reach the shore, but was crushed, between the vessel and the rocks, on that fatal 9th of March, 1787. Administration of the estate of Wm. Chandler, late of New Haven, Conn., but now with the enemies of the U. S., is granted to Joseph Peck of N. H. Bond of 200 pounds. First Monday in August, 1781.

738, VII. Thomas B. in New Haven; d. at Pictou, N. S. while attending the circuit court, aged 61; m. Elizabeth Grant.

739, VIII. Samuel; m. at Fort Lawrence, 1796, Susan Watson.

740, LX, Charles Henry, b. at New Haven, Conn. 13th June, 1768; m. in Annapolis, N. S. 1st May, 1790, Elizabeth Rice.

741, X. Mary; m. Colonel Joshua Upham, Esq.

THE CHANDLER FAMILY OF CUMBERLAND

Charles H. Chandler, the second Sheriff of Cumberland, was a son of Colonel Joshua Chandler of tragic memory. The latter was a prominent loyalist and one of those employed by Lord Dorchester in 1783, to settle the newly arrived loyalists in Digby and Annapolis. He was a descendant of William and Annie Chandler who lived in the year 1637, in Roxbury, Mass., being removed from them in the fifth generation.

Charles H. Chandler settled in Amherst, where he held the office of Sheriff for 38 years, dying in 1851, in his 83rd year. His married children were: Sarah, married in 1815 to John Morse; Joshua, married in 1816 to Mary Dickey; Edward Barron, married in 1822 to Phoebe Milledge; William Botsford, married to Ruth, daughter of Dr. Smith, of Fort Cumberland; he was a successful lawyer at Richibucto, New Brunswick.

Joshua, the third sheriff of Cumberland, died in 1864, in his 72nd year, having held the office of Sheriff for twenty-eight years. He was succeeded in the office by his son-in-law, J. J. Kerr.

Edward Barron Chandler studied law at Westcock with Judge Botsford; called to the N. B. Bar in 1821, elected to the Legislature in 1827, and appointed to the Legislative Council in 1836; became leader of the Conservative party; was in several delegations to England; appointed to the Senate at Confederation but declined; was a Commissioner for building the I.C.R. Became Lieut. Governor of the Province in 1878, and died in 1880 in his 80th year. Mr. Chandler held first rank as a lawyer and a politician, and his home at Dorchester, N.B., was noted for its generous hospitality.

Descendants of Colonel Joshua Chandler were:–(1) Elizabeth, perished at Musquash, St. John; (2) Sarah, married Amos (Speaker) Botsford; (3) William, born 1758; (4) Thomas Chandler, a Barrister of Nova Scotia, dying at Pictou, while attending Circuit Court, aged 61 years. He married Elizabeth Grant, a daughter of an officer in the 42nd Regiment, who was killed at the battle of Fort Montgomery. His sister, Lucy, was mother of Thomas Chandler Haliburton (Sam Slick.)

Their daughter, Ann, married Silas H. Crane, a prominent resident of Economy, N.S., a brother of Hon. Wm. Crane. Mr. Chandler had also been an officer in his youth in the British service and retired on half-pay to study law. He was a man of splendid talents and was successful at the bar as well as in the Legislature.

(5) Mary, who married Col. Judge Upham, of Hampton, N.B. The latter was a Loyalist, attained the rank of Colonel of Dragoons, in the British Service; in 1781, he was Deputy Inspector of Refugees at Lloyd’s Neck, N.Y. At the organization of the Government of N.B. in 1784 he was appointed member of the Council and Judge of the Supreme Court. Amongst their children were: Kathrin who married George Papan of Richibucto, N.B.; Charles Wentworth Upham, who was first naval officer in the British Navy, then a Congregational minister at Salem, Mass.; then for years, a member of the Massachusetts State Legislature, then President of the Senate and then Member of 33rd Congress. He also published historic books.

Another descendant — Frances Chandler Upham — married John Wesley Weldon, the father of the late Charles W. Weldon, M.P., leader of the Liberal party in N.B.

(6) Col. Samuel Chandler married Susan Watson, daughter of Sheriff Thomas Watson, who was Sheriff of Cumberland for forty- five years. Col. Chandler represented Colchester in the N.S. Assembly. His married children were:

(1) Jane, who married Isaac Rhindress.

(2) Mary, who married Thomas King, of Cumberland.

(3) Elizabeth, who married William Hewson of Cumberland.

(4) Catharine, who married David McElmon, of Fort Lawrence.

(5) Hon. James W., who represented Charlotte County in the N.B. Assembly for many years and was later Judge of the County Court of Westmorland.

HON. WM. CRANE

Mr. Crane was born at Grand Pre, N.S., in 1784. His father was the distinguished Colonel Crane, who was for 35 years a member of the local Legislature of Nova Scotia. While nominally a farmer, he rose from a Militia command in Kings to take command of the Imperial forces at Halifax. His grandfather, Silas Crane, was a settler from Connecticut. The first date at which Mr. Crane is recorded at Sackville is in 1804. About that date, he commenced trading at the corner of the Lower Fairfield Road in partnership with Mr. Barker Turner. From the beginning, he was successful in his business but the firm was only well settled when an incendiary burned their store up. Mr. Crane abandoned that place and established himself at Crane’s Corner. Money being a scarce article, he at once adopted a principle of barter, in selling goods, he was prepared to take in return anything and everything the farmers could produce. He did not allow the farmers’ products to lay on his hands. He built cattle sheds where his beeves could be fed, awaiting shipment either to Miramichi lumber dealers, or to Halifax to feed the troops. Butter, cheese, wood, wool, also found a market that turned them into cash. He speedily had vessels on both sides of the Isthmus to market hogs, sheep, etc., that could not travel on the hoof. People complained he was a sharp man and selfish; perhaps he was, but he was not greedy. Selfishness is a proposition that had two sides. Behind the counter, he was a keen trader, but as a public man he was all for the people.

His judgment appeared to be infallible because he seldom made mistakes in his ventures. His word was accepted as final in any business transactions. He was not crafty; it was not in him to overreach. He trusted people as the wide range of credits he gave shows. He was a friend of the struggling man trying to make good, and many families were placed in a position of independence by his aid.

When Sir Samuel Cunard died, the London Times published an extended account of his public life, no doubt previously obtained from Sir Samuel. In that the place of honor was given to Mr. Crane for the establishment of the Cunard Line. Mr. Howe, Mr. Crane and Mr. Cunard were en route to England in a sailing vessel, when they were met by the Serius, the first steam vessel that crossed the Atlantic. Mr. Crane was powerfully affected by it; he foresaw a revolution in ocean navigation. He at once proposed to Mr. Cunard to take up the proposition of a steam line from Liverpool to Halifax and offered him assistance. He was as good as his word. He and Mr. Howe joined in a Memorial to the Colonial Secretary. Mr. Crane was able to convince the latter of the great advantage to the purpose of such a line.

Mr. Crane was intellectually a powerful man. He was easily a leader in the Assembly at Fredericton. The officials in the Colonial office in London, who were not entirely free from insolence to Colonials, took no liberties with this imposing Coloniel. He was the commercial man who was able to confront the Minister with facts and figures to support a subsidy for Atlantic Steamship Service. Mr. Howe had no such advantage and the Cunard firm doing a lumber business on the north shore of New Brunswick was then in bankruptcy. He has never been credited with his leadership by those who vaunt the success of the Cunard line, tho’ the London Times in its obituary notice of Sir Samuel Cunard, credited him with his service.

Two anecdotes will illustrate his character. On one occasion he received a letter from Miramichi to a friend of his standing by,–he said: “This is bad news, Joe Cunard has failed, I am sorry for him, he has been a good man for the country”. His friend asked him “Does he owe you anything?” Mr. Crane replied, “Yes, a matter of fifteen thousand pounds”. “Too bad — great loss to the people up there” — then he picked up the outside cover of the letter. He saw nine pence charged on the unpaid letter, and his tune suddenly changed; “The d- d- rascal to cheat me out of fifteen thousand pounds and nine pence postage,” he roared. In the year 1846 the crops failed and there was a good deal of alarm in the country as to whether the food stuffs were sufficient to carry the people through the winter. Mr. Crane ordered a cargo of flour from Boston, which he directed should be sold first to those who had no money; said he, “The people must be fed”. He engineered the opening of the highway from Crane’s Corner to Fowler’s Hill, previously to which travellers and the mails went around the head of the marshes. The people at the head of the marshes were so incensed at this undertaking they voted against him at the next election and defeated him. The government immediately put him in the Legislative Council. He had a great respect for brains and treated Tolar Thompson with much consideration. One of Mr. Crane’s friends was a witness to an example of this: Mr. Thompson rode down from Tantramar on his horse which he put up in Mr. Crane’s barn, he then went into the kitchen where he took off his shoes. They probably hurt his feet. The maid provided him with his favorite drink, a bowl of water, vinegar, and molasses; stirring it, he wandered off in his sock feet to the drawing room where Mr. and Mrs. Crane were entertaining a gentleman from England, who had arrived in his father’s vessel at Pugwash. Mr. Crane introduced him, had him seated and made it pleasant for him. Mr. Crane was no snob. In the early days of his merchandising, there were no banks within his reach. He became his own banker; he was able to make loans. His growing wealth and his sagacity made him perhaps the most influential public man in the Province. There was a contest between Hon. Mr. Chandler and Hon. Mr. Charles Symonds for the speakership of the Assembly. Mr. Crane became a candidate; they both retired. That was his last official position and when installed in that office, he was attacked by his last fatal sickness. He believed the trouble was only temporary and the lugubrious task of informing him rested upon his physician, Dr. Murphy. He at once disputed the doctor’s opinion. The doctor told him he had placed a candle at his eye and it had not flinched — the nerve was dead. “Which eye?” demanded Mr. Crane. “The left”. “Oh!” said Mr. Crane, in exclamation, “That eye always was weak”. While Mr. Crane was wordly, and animated by a resistless energy, and ambition to accomplish things, he was at the same time helpful to the poor and distressed. His mind was not occupied with spiritual matters but he never failed to recognize that life on this earth is but a drop of water to the ocean of eternity beyond.

Mr. Crane was first elected to the House of Assembly in 1824. When defeated on the road question, in 1842, he was elevated to the Legislative Council, the seat in which he resigned to contest the County again. He was then returned and was Speaker when he died in 1853. He was twice Speaker. He was married the first time, in 1813, to Susannah D., daughter of Col. Roach, of Fort Lawrence. She was born in 1795. She died in 1830, leaving one daughter Ruth, who married Edward Cogswell, Esq., of Sackville, who for many years was chief business manager for Mr. Crane. The second time he was married at St. John’s Church, London, October 25th, 1838, to Eliza, eldest daughter of Thomas Wood, Esq., of London.

He commenced the erection of his stone residence in 1836. Next year he went to England and returned in 1838. He brought with him his bride, Miss Eliza Wood. He returned in a timber ship to St. John; from there he took a coaster to Sackville. Arriving in the Bay, they found the river full of ice, so they disembarked at Wood Point. They found the new house not completed but they managed to stay there. By the second marriage, he had first, Mary Susan, born in 1840, married to Capt. Charles Farquharson. The latter had two children one died young; the other Violet Muriel, married in 1873, Streeter Lambert. Second, Laura, who married an English barrister, Robert Sisson, four children. Third, Eliza Emma, born in 1845, married to Sir Leonard Crane, who was connected with the British Medical Service in Trinidad. Fourth, Marian, born in 1851, married to Admiral Sir Thomas Jackson, they have one daughter Rose. Fifth, William, born 1853, died in 1931, unmarried. Mr. Crane went on two delegations to England, the second one with the Hon. L. A. Wilmot was to obtain the transfer of the Casual and Territorial Revenues to the Province, which was effected. Those revenues amounted to about a hundred and fifty thousand pounds, annually, and were transferred on the agreement to pay the provincial civil list and some other sums amounting to about thirteen thousand pounds. Mr. Crane was much disabled in the latter years of his life, by rheumatism, from which he greatly suffered.

Mr. Crane owned at the time of his decease forty-nine independent lots of land, some of them farms and six hundred and sixty-five mortgages or other securities.

Mr. John Shannon, of Halifax, father of the late Hon. Herman Shannon, wrote to Hon. Mr. Crane then in England (1837) in part:- –

“I am glad to hear you were so well received by your old friend, Lord Glenelg and are likely to have little trouble in completing your arrangements . . . I am glad you accepted the offer of being presented to His Majesty; it is satisfactory you had the favor of the Ministry, in the Revenue matter, but the approbation of the King from his own lips. Mr. Shannon gives details of commercial crisis in United States and great numbers of failures in the big cities. DOBSON FAMILY The Dobson’s George and Richard, two brothers, were among the first of the Yorkshire emigrants to arrive in Nova Scotia. George brought with him a wife and grown up family; his daughter Margaret married William Wells before the family left England. Richard was a bachelor and report says he was an officer in the English army stationed in Point de Bute, and a follower of Wesley. Richard died in February 1773 and George in July of the same year. George had four sons, George, David, Richard and John and two unmarried daughters, Elizabeth and Mary. George and John settled in Point de Bute. John afterwards went to Sussex, N.B.; Richard to Cape Tormentine and David went to Halifax. John married Miss Polly Fawcett, of Upper Sackville. They had three sons and two daughters, John Dobson, Robert Dobson and Joseph Wells Dobson, Mary Dobson and Ann Dobson. Ann married John Brown. Joseph married Ruth Trenholm, and had two sons, John Trenholm Dobson, and George Arthur Dobson; John and Robert both married two Miss Burnhams (sisters); John married Mary Aiton and had four girls and one boy: Jean, Minnie, Joseph, Lulu, Jessie. Jean married Wm. Graham and they had two boys and two girls and live in Colorado Springs. Minnie married Will. Robinson and had Harvey, James, Joseph, Donald, George and Mary and they live at Sussex. Joseph emigrated to British Columbia. Lulu married Mr. Del. Chapman, 1902, and live in Boston. Jessie lives in Colorado Springs with her sister. George Arthur Dobson married Mary Eleanor Ryan. Their children are Annie, born 1867, married H. E. Gould. They have one son, George William, born 1896; and Cyrus Trenholm, born 1872, married 1902; Eleanor Miriam, born 1878. Dr. Dobson, of Poughkeepsie, an able and distinguished physician, was a son of _____ Dobson. His summer home was on the Morse (of telegraphic fame) on the bank of the Hudson in the suburbs of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., his winter home was in Bermuda. He died in 1934. He married Miss Minnie Wilson, of Amherst. They left one son, a resident of Bermuda. In the old graveyard at Fort Cumberland, long since abandoned, as a city of the dead””, there are one or two gravestones remaining there. They record the death of the two Dobson settlers.”

The Memorial dated 26th June, 1809, of John and George Dobson, sons of George Dobson Sr. of Point de Bute, states:

“That they never had any land granted them from Government and are desirous of settling themselves in this part of the country, where by their care and industry they may be enabled to maintain their families with comfort. Therefore they humbly solicit your Excellency to order them a Warrant of Survey and allow them to occupy, improve and possess a lot of marsh land, lately petitioned for by Thomas Hewson, Esq. of this town whom we understand has given up the said lot. It is inclosed by the Westmorland big Batteau, but was not put in the dyking bill, it being considered not worth paying for it, without a good deal of improvements by ditching it lying close to Sunken Island between Westmorland and Sackville Township, and likewise a lot of wilderness land to contain 500 acres and being on the north side of Green Bay and joining to the lands granted to William Wood and John Polly, Your Memorialists humbly prayeth that your Excellency will take it into your serious consideration. DIXON Over forty years ago (1891) Mr. James D. Dixon, grandson of Charles Dixon, compiled a table of the posterity of Charles Dixon and his wife Susannah Coates, down to the eighth generation. He had this printed in book form. They numbered 2805 persons of whom 740 had passed to their long home, leaving 2065 living. At the ordinary rate of increase they number today over three thousand persons — so great a multitude could only have been produced by obeying the natural laws implied in the Scriptural injunction to increase and multiply. Mr. James D. Dixon undertook a most laborious job, involving an immense amount of research and correspondence — a work that has been faithfully performed for which he has earned the gratitude of the Dixon fraternity. The writer of these notes on Sackville has been greatly indebted to Mr. Dixon’s labors, for many facts, otherwise not obtainable. The power of the press was exhibited a hundred and fifty years ago. Mr. Charles Dixon in a letter to Mr. Sproule of the Crown Land Department, said when the General in command visited Westmorland, he expressed a wonder how all the English people came to be settled there. I told him that after my arrival, I wrote to a friend in England, giving an account of Nova Scotia. He had it published in a newspaper. The next spring seven vessels arrived from England, chiefly loaded with settlers. The Yorkshire immigrants of whom Mr. Dixon was a sample were a vigorous and moral people possessing respect for the law and high ideals of duty. Their descendants became the backbone, the sinews and strength of the country. Of another and different class were the Puritans, who composed largely of the riff raff of Britain, landed at Salem in 1629, established their autocratic government, and an infallible church — with home made doctrines which were enforced by brutal persecution. All who would not subscribe to their tenets were their victims. The brutality of the Puritan government almost exceeds belief. It is recorded that two women Mary Fisher and Anne Austin arrived from Barabados in July, 1656. They were arrested, stripped stark naked, ostensibly to find evidences of witch craft, imprisoned for five weeks, were refused communication with anyone and then shipped back to Barbadoes. Three citizens of Rhode Island arrived at Lymm to pay a brief visit to an aged and infirm man. They were Baptists and therefore systematics to the Puritans. One of them, John Clark, was arrested and fined twenty pounds or in default, to be whipped. He refused to pay but a friend of his paid it, without his consent. Another one, Obediah Holmes, was fined thirty pounds. He would not pay or allow others to pay. He received thirty strikes with a three quartered whip. In 1691-92, nineteen were convicted and hanged for witch craft, including Rev. Mr. Burroughs, who had the temerity to declare There neither are or were witches””. Puritanism was the seed bed of the American Revolution. The studied vilification of Britain and her institutions, year after year was a virus which envenomed the people. The result was the creation of a volunteer force to repel any attempted enforcement of British law. It was in evidence sixteen years after the fall of Quebec, at Lexington.”

Charles Dixon and Susannah Coates were married on the 24th of June, 1763. Their children were:–

(a) Mary, born 1764, married William Chapman 1780, settled at Fort Lawrence.

(b) Charles, born 1766, married Rhoda Emmerson. She died in 1799. He then married Elizabeth Humphrey.

(c) Susannah, born 1767, married George Bulmer 1784. She died 1838, age 67. Mr. Bulmer died in 1841, aged 82 years.

(d) Elizabeth, born in 1770, married Dr. Rufus Smith of Fort Cumberland in 1789. He died in 1844, age 78 years. She died in 1851, age 88 years.

(e) Ruth, born in 1772, married Thomas Roach of Fort Lawrence, in 1793. She died in 1810, age 38 years.

(f) Martha, born in 1774, married Benjamin Wilson. He was drowned at sea in 1824. She died in 1849, age 74 years.

(g) Edwin, born 1776, married Mary, daughter of John Smith, in 1802. She died in 1854, age 74 years. He died in 1861, age 85 years.

(h) William, born in 1779, married at Shediac, to Matilda, daughter of John S. Beckwith. He died in 1865, age 87. She, a few days after, age 62 years.

(a) Mary and William Chapman had twelve children, seven boys and five girls. He was a joiner and carpenter. He was the master carpenter on the military buildings at Fort Cumberland. Their sons, Henry and John, were the pioneers who went into the Green Woods at Chapman Settlement, Cumberland. Captain J. H. Chapman, a well known shipmaster, and an official at the Court House, Amherst, for years, was the son of Henry Chapman, and a grandson of William.

Susan Jane, the second daughter of Henry Chapman, married Stephen Peacock, a farmer at Botsford. They left a numerous family. John Chapman, fourth son of William and Mary Dixon Chapman married Jane Jonah in the year 1817. They both died in 1883, he aged 90 and she 85. Richard Chapman, the fifth son of William and Mary Dixon Chapman, married Jane Wells, a daughter of William Wells of Point de Bute. He moved to the Chapman settlement. Mary Dixon, who married William Chapman, had up to 1891, 854 of a progeny of whom 645 were still alive.

(b) Charles Dixon, eldest son of Charles and Susannah Dixon, married in 1788, Rhoda Emmerson. There was another wedding at the same time, Martha Grace was married to Ebenezer Cole. He was the father of ‘Squire Rufus Cole. He had first settled in Sackville, where he was a successful farmer. Their family were: William, Charles, Hannah, and Benjamin. Mrs. Dixon died in 1799, in the 30th year of her age. Mr. Dixon then married Elizabeth Humphrey, eldest daughter of Mrs. William Humphrey. Their children were as follows: John, born 1800; Elizabeth, 1803; Sidney, 1805; Leonard, 1808; Jane 1810; Ruth, 1813; Christopher Flintoff, 1816; Edward 1818; Alfred, 1821; Mary, 1823; Martha, 1825.

Mr. Dixon went on a cruise in 1803, with a neighbor, Timothy Richardson. They travelled to Ohio and from there down past the Mississippi to New Orleans. From there they secured a passage to New York. At that place Mr. Dixon got ill with fever and ague. They ran short of money, but his brother-in-law, George Bulmer, being in the city, helped them. They took passage home in a vessel of which Capt. Burnham was master. He erected stone buildings on Bridge Street on the site of the Rainnie house, for the purpose of brewing ale, which was not a success. Apparently there was but little demand for ale. He then erected a wind mill at the same location. He abandoned that and built a larger mill. This was highly promising but was destroyed by fire. With his son-in-law, Mr. McKinlay, they started to build a vessel. When it was well advanced, the price of ships in England declined and they stopped work and afterwards sold out to other parties. In 1837, he removed to Ohio. It seems that he and some members of his family had been converted to the Communion of the Latter Day Saints, or Mormons. Mr. Dixon and his family arrived at Kirkland, Ohio, on the 14th of October after six weeks travelling in emigrant wagons. He purchased a farm there. In 1854, when he was in his 89th year, he and his wife and members of his family, left for Salt Lake City. When they arrived at Rock Island, Mr. Dixon on account of his blindness, fell from the steps of a hotel which proved fatal. He was buried at Davenport at Iowa. The family then pursued their journey to Salt Lake. Mrs. Dixon survived her husband eleven years and died nearly ninety years of age.

John W., third son of William and Elizabeth Weldon Dixon, lived at Dorchester, where he was engaged in making boots, shoes and harnesses. He married Mary C., daughter of Enoch Stiles. Mr. Dixon was killed while raising a frame of a barn.

Hannah, the only daughter of Charles and Rhoda Emmerson Dixon, married John Barnes in 1815. In 1836, he and his family, except Rhoda, removed to Wisconsin, where they settled. Rhoda, the eldest daughter, married Cyrus Snell in 1832. Mr. Snell had been working the mills at Frosty Hollow. In 1853, they left Sackville and removed to Wisconsin. From Wisconsin they went to Spanish Fork, Utah. Mr. Snell died in 1873, age 64 years. His death largely resulted from injuries received at Salt Lake, when he was attacked on the street and robbed.

Banjamin, youngest son of Rhoda and Charles Dixon, married Mary, daughter of Andrew Welton, of Dorchester in the year 1818. They moved from Dorchester to Buctouche. In 1845, they moved to Indian Island. Mr. Dixon was a zealous and effective local preacher, but his convictions as to baptism induced him to join the Baptist Church and he was employed by that body as a missionary.

Leonard, the third son of Charles and Elizabeth Humphrey Dixon, married in 1832, Eliza, eldest daughter of Thomas Robson, who carried on merchandising at the Great Bridge, Sackville. Leonard’s heritage was mostly wilderness which he cleared and made a fine farm. He died in 1875, age 67 years. James, his eldest son, went to Australia, where he engaged in mining. Isabel, their only daughter, died of paralysis in 1887, age 52. Robson M. Dixon was an active business man. He was engaged in the coasting business and shipbuilding. He started what has since become the Enterprise Foundry. He married Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Christopher Boultenhouse. He left one son, Arthur Rainsford, who married. Henry, another son of Leonard, was a shipmaster. He married Jenny Jordan. They had one child, Jenny, who married Horatio N. Richardson, of Sackville. Thomas, youngest son of Leonard and Eliza Dixon, married Mary L. Stirling. He lived on the homestead. Their only daughter, Eva H., married Frank Phinney of Sackville.

(c) Susannah Dixon married George Bulmer in 1784. He came from England in the “Duke of York” when he was twelve years of age. Mr. Bulmer developed some cerebral infirmity, which rendered him incapable of business and the court put his business in the hands of Commissioners. His wife died in 1835, aged 67 years, and he in 1841, 82 years of age. They had thirteen children. The oldest (1) Jane, born in 1785, married William Smith, a farmer at Maccan, also a local preacher. They had seven children. She died in 1830. Their eldest daughter, Elizabeth, married Samuel Horton. He was a mechanic. He died in 1873, aged 68, and his wife in 1882, aged 77.

Charles D. Bulmer married Elizabeth Weldon in 1809. He was a good farmer. They left nine children. He died in 1864, aged 77; she in 1870, aged 83. Their eldest daughter, Jane O., in 1830 married Titus Anderson, son of Thomas Anderson, of Cole’s Island. He was a master mariner. On 8th July, 1870, the vessel that he commanded was driven ashore outside of Saint John Harbor and he lost his life, aged 60. Their family consisted of George, Ammi, Charles M., Thomas R., and Gaius. George was engaged in shipbuilding and in the coasting trade. He was greatly esteemed in the community. He married Arabella, daughter of Jesse Ayer. He died in 1872; his wife seven years later. Charles M. Anderson was a seafaring man. He was married twice, first to Mary E., daughter of Isaac Tory, and next to Bertha, daughter of John W. Dixon. He removed to New Zealand.

Charles D. Bulmer (2nd) (son of Charles No. 1) married Jane, daughter of Thomas Carter, Dorchester. He was a seafaring man. They had nine children. Mr. Bulmer died in 1876, aged 61. Elizabeth married Ammi Anderson. Charles (No. 3) went to California. Lucinda inherited her grandfather’s malady. Ezra, Albert and William not married. Amos married Julia, a daughter of Isaac B. Barnes. Rufus became an engine driver at Moncton. George N. Bulmer, second son of Charles D. (No. 1) married Lavinia, daughter of Nathan Merrill. They settled at Frosty Hollow and operated the Snell mill. They had six children. Mrs. Bulmer died in 1877; Mr. Bulmer in 1890.

Alma died unmarried. Bedford removed to New Zealand.

Melissa married Frederick Hunter, I.C.R. employee. Richard lived in Virginia City, Nevada. Seth lived on the home place until 1932, when he died.

Emma Alice married Daniel McQuarie, I.C.R. employee of Moncton.

Rufus Smith, son of Charles D. Bulmer (No. 1) married in 1846 Ruth Merrill. His wife died in 1886. His daughter, Jane Elizabeth, married John Estabrooks. Sarah Alice married Turner Bulmer and lives in British Columbia. Nathan H. married Minnie, daughter of William C. Bulmer. He lives on the home place. Addie V. married Adam Carter, Mount Whatley.

Wm. Crane Bulmer, youngest son of Charles D. (No. 1), married Sarah Ann, daughter of H. Nelson Bulmer, and became an employee of the I.C.R. at Moncton.

James B. Dixon, second son of George and Susannah Bulmer, married a daughter of John Harris, whose wife was a daughter of Wm. Carnforth, one of the Yorkshire settlers. Their children were William C., Rebecca, Edward, Susan, George, Mary Ann, John and Hazen B. William C’s children were Joseph, Frank, Turner and Minnie. Joseph (son of W. C.,) married Martha, daughter of Chipman Chase — no children. Turner married to Sarah Alice, daughter of Rufus S. Bulmer — no children.

Rebecca, daughter of James B. and Ruth Harris Bulmer, married James Tynon and settled at Denver. Col. Edward, stone mason, married first Sophia Blanche, next Lydia Briggs. He died in 1864, aged 48. The latter had one son, Frederic, who lives in Massachusetts. Susan, daughter of James B., married George Bowser — his second wife — no children. She died in 1886, aged 58 years. George married Miss Fanny Fowler at Fowler’s Hill, where he resided. She died suddenly while on a visit to Saint John, in 1889. Mary Ann became the first wife of John Estabrooks. John, a blacksmith, made his home in Boston. Hazen B. married to Annie Laura, daughter of Rufus Bulmer.

Thomas Scurr and Elizabeth Carnforth were married in 1787. Their only son, Benjamin C., born 1788, was married to Mary, second daughter of George and Susannah Dixon Bulmer. Thomas’ wife died in 1788, and he left for the West Indies. He was never heard of afterwards. Benjamin was brought up by his aunt, Mrs. Jonathan Burnham. He died in 1853, aged 64; his wife died 1866, aged 75. They left five children. Their daughter, Elizabeth Ann married Jonathan C. Black, son of Samuel Black, of Halifax. He was for many years Collector of Customs at Sackville. They left seven children. Their son, Samuel, married Mary, daughter of Reuben Watts. They removed to Calais. Mary Black married William Boultenhouse. He died in 1860. His widow and their two daughters removed to Boston.

Albert Black, son of Jonathan, married Rebecca Teed. They removed to United States. Rebecca, a daughter, married George T. Bowser — no family. Benjamin S., another son, married a Miss Marshall, of Saint John, where they lived, he being an employee of the Western Union. Louise, another daughter, married John T. Carter. They had three children. Thomas, their only son, went to British Columbia in 1890. He and a young man named Purdy, hands on a steamer, were drowned in the 21st year of his age. William Black, son of Jonathan, removed to Pennsylvania, where he left a numerous family.

Susan Scurr, daughter of Benjamin C., was married twice; first to Solomon Killam in 1837. He died the next year. Four years after she married James Smith, a prosperous farmer at Fort Lawrence. He died in 1868, leaving four children. One son, Charles Albert, exhibited much inventive skill in the way of farm machinery. Isabel Smith married William B. Fawcett, eldest son of Albert Fawcett, Sackville. Benjamin Smith, in 1883, was one in a charivari party at Mount Whatley where he was shot dead.

Ruth Grace, daughter of Benjamin I. Scurr, married Jesse L. Bent in 1839 — son of Vose Bent of Fort Lawrence. He was for many years the leading magistrate in Sackville. He died in 1889; she in 1886, aged 68. No family.

Charles, eldest son of Benjamin C. Scurr, inherited a part of his father’s farm at Sackville, and married Eunice, daughter of John Patterson, Cole’s Island. They had three children — Benjamin, John and Annie. Benjamin was married twice — first to Georgina, daughter of William Ayer, and next to Dulcibel, daughter of John Ford, Esq. John married Eliza, daughter of _____ Richardson. Thomas Scurr, married Elizabeth, daughter of Christopher Richardson, in 1852. They lived on the Scurr homestead–a brick house on the Scurr farm. Mr. Scurr exchanged farms with Mr. Charles Taylor, of Dorchester, and removed there. He died in 1873, aged 49 years, leaving seven children.

George, fourth son of Susannah Dixon Bulmer, married Charlotte, daughter of Joseph P. Richardson. They lived on the Richardson lands in Sackville. She died in 1859; he in 1862, aged 67.

Anne, daughter of Susannah Dixon Bulmer, married Joseph Bowser, son of Thomas Bowser, the Yorkshire pioneer. Mrs. Bowser died in 1834, aged 39. Mr. Bowser later married Ann, daughter of Vose Bent, Fort Lawrence. She left no children, but by the first wife there were three children, Stephen M., George T., and Mary Jane. The first died at the age of 19 years. George T. married Rebecca, daughter of Jonathan Black. No children. Mary Jane never married.

Mr. Bowser died in 1869, aged 78 years; Mrs. Bowser in 1877, aged 75 years.

The Bowser home, a brick house with a garden on the roadside was on the site of the residential college, Mount Allison. Mr. George T. Bowser built a residence for himself easterly of his father’s house. He was an educated and thoughtful man and desiring to promote the educational welfare of the community donated the property to Mount Allison.

Elizabeth, fourth daughter of Susannah Dixon Bulmer, married in 1827, Henry McLellan of Colchester County. They lived in Lunenburg.

Isabel, fifth daughter of Susannah Dixon Bulmer, married James Estabrooks, son of James Estabrooks, M.P.P. She died in 1842, aged 41 years, leaving seven children. The oldest, Susannah, married Edmund Kinnear, a blacksmith and well-to-do resident of Sackville. He died in 1885, aged 65 years.

Sarah Ann, daughter of Isabel Bulmer Estabrooks, married Charles G. Palmer, son of Philip Palmer, M.P.P., and Provincial Land Surveyor. Mrs. Palmer died in 1878; he in 1885, aged 68 years. They had twelve children, five dying in infancy. Their oldest son, Albert, married Jane Chase. He lived in the Christopher Humphrey farm. Philip, the second son, became a lawyer and resided in Saint John. He married Eliza, daughter of Conductor Bartlett — one of the first in the E. & N. A. Railway. Hanford was for many years the efficient Station Master of the I.C.R. at Sackville. Frank married Lois Estabrooks. He was a prominent farmer in Sackville. He died in January, 1933.

Edward, fifth son of Susannah Dixon Bulmer, married Asenath, daughter of Courtney Kinnear. They removed to Hopewell Albert County. He died in 1868, aged 65; she died in 1873.

(d) Elizabeth Dixon was in 1789 married to Dr. Rufus Smith of Fort Cumberland. He was a very prominent man at the time. He had a fine reputation as medical practitioner, as he allowed nothing to prevent him attending a call. He represented Westmorland in the Assembly from 1816 to 1834; with a lapse of three years from 1827 to 1830. They had ten children, Fanny the eldest born in 1790, married Martin K. Black, eldest son of Bishop Black. They had thirteen of a family. Their daughter, Matilda, married Rev. Dr. Charles De Wolfe, a distinguished divine long a resident of Sackville, as the head of the theological department of Mt. Allison. Charles D. Smith, son of Dr. Rufus, was also a medical doctor; he married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Wilson. They lived at Dorchester Island, they had nine children. He lived to the venerable age of 93 years. Ruth Roach, daughter of Rufus Smith, married William B. Chandler, a lawyer living at Richibucto and son of Sheriff Charles H. Chandler of Cumberland. Diana Gay, another daughter of Dr. Rufus Smith, married L. P. W. Desbrisay, for many years a leading merchant of the north shore.

(e) Ruth Dixon, in 1793, married Thomas Roach of Fort Lawrence. Mr. Roach possessed large interests, being farmer, merchant, politician and a local preacher. He represented his district in the assembly for twenty-seven years. They had seven children. Mrs. Roach died in 1810. Mr. Roach then married the widow Mrs. Sarah Allen, and at her decease, Mary Dickson of Onslow and at her decease, Charlotte Wells of Point de Bute.

(f) Martha Dixon married in 1793, Benjamin Wilson. He was a Virginian. When Bishop Black wrote to a Southern conference for help, he was sent in 1793 and continued in the ministry for ten years, when he decided to settle at Dorchester Island and engage in business. He formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, William C. Dixon, and under the firm name of Wilson & Dixon, until 1820, when owing to losses in the timber trade, in England, they were obliged to suspend. He was a very competent man and was elected to the legislature in 1820. In 1824 he was lost in crossing the Straits in a schooner commanded by Captain Samuel Cornwall. The crew as well as the vessel were lost. He left twelve children. Their fourth daughter, Jane Ruth, married in 1828, William P. Sayre, who succeeded his father as Sheriff. Their only son, Charles J. was a lawyer at Richibucto and for some years represented Kent in the local legislature. The fifth daughter married in 1834 Rev. Michael Pickles, a prominent Methodist minister. Their sixth daughter married in 1836 James Harris, an eminent manufacturer of Saint John. Martha, third daughter, in 1822 married Andrew Weldon, a son of John Weldon of Dorchester. Mr. Weldon was coroner and registrar of deeds. They had eight children. Their eldest son, William J., was a prominent and successful hotel keeper at Dorchester. In 1849 he married Mary J. Hickman. Their daughter, Martha Ann Weldon married Mr. Justice A. L. Palmer.

(g) Charles Dixon’s second son, Edward, lived his days out on the home place until his death at the age of 85 years in 1861. His heavy white hair and white beard gave him in his old age a most venerable appearance.

Mr. Dixon married Mary, daughter of John Smith of Falmouth, a local Methodist preacher. Mrs. Smith was a sister of Thomas Bowser, the pioneer settler of that name at Sackville. Mr. Dixon was a deeply religious man and a very zealous propagandist of the Gospel. They had ten children, the eldest, Charles, married Sarah Boultenhouse in the year 1827. They had eleven children as follows:

(1) Sarah, wife of Edward Cogswell.

(2) Mary E., wife of Professor Thomas Pickard.

(3) John E., who lived in San Francisco and was engaged in mining.

(4) W. Bedford, manager of the Enterprise Foundry.

(5) C. Edwin, a broker in London, England.

(6) Charlotte, who in 1864 married Rev. Thomas D. Hart.

(7) Charles, first officer in a ship that was lost at sea.

(8) Henry Arthur, died at sea of cholera in a vessel in which his brother was master.

(9) Robert Y. followed the sea and has one surviving son, Charles, whose career is given in the book, “A Million Miles in Sail.” Robert married his cousin, Hannah.

Elizabeth, married James Chubbuck. Four sons and one daughter reached maturity. Mary Chubbuck married A. P. Bradley, who for some years in the time of Sir John A. Macdonald, filled the position of Deputy Minister of Public Works. Sarah and Amelia Chubbuck never married. Hannah married her cousin, Robert Y. Dixon. Charles Chubbuck served many years in the Civil Service at Ottawa. He lived for some time after superannuation, passing away in 1934.

There were twin sons of Edwin Dixon — George and William Coates. George was killed by accident at the age of eleven. William Coates (the same name as his uncle) survived all his brothers and sisters. He lived for many years in Ontario, and made visits to Sackville in his later years. His son, James R., resides at Ottawa and has made frequent visits to Sackville, N.B.

Edwin, the second son of Edward Dixon, married in 1827, Martha, daughter of Thomas Anderson, Cole’s Island. They lived in Sackville. Their children were: George, Mary Ann, Martha Jane, (who married Amos Tingley of Sackville), Jerusha, Thomas E., William C., Ruth, John, Charles, and Elizabeth, in all ten children. His wife died in 1855. He married in 1856 Jerusha, daughter of John Anderson. They had five children, Archdale, Claudine, Hiawatha, Adrina, and Edwin C. Mr. Dixon died in 1887, age 82 years.

Jane B., daughter of Edward Dixon, married in 1830, David Lyons, a ship builder and master mariner. He died of fever at Benin, on the coast of Africa in 1865, age 57 years. Their son, Rufus D., was also a master mariner. After a successful career he died at Iquiqui, in 1873. William H., son of Captain Rufus, in command of ocean liners, married and made his home in England. Mary Ann, youngest daughter of Captain David, was a first class and most successful teacher. She died in 1867, age 46 years.

John E., son of Edward Dixon, removed in 1833 to Ohio. He was a successful shipbuilder. Rufus S., sixth son of Edward Dixon, at first learned and followed the shoemaking calling. In 1842, he felt the call to preach the Gospel, and he became a local preacher, and six years later, joined the East Maine, M.E. conference. The next year he married a daughter of Wm. Burnham, lately of Sackville. He was superannuated at a later date. James D., youngest son of Edward, and grandson of Charles the pioneer, married Eunice, daughter of George M. Black of Dorchester. Mr. Dixon was a public spirited citizen, lending his aid to any cause benefiting the community. He was collector of the port for twenty-seven years. For some years he was a member of the Board of Agriculture. His family are amongst the most prominent citizens of Sackville. He died in January, 1900, aged 80 years.

(h) William Roach, Edward Dixon’s youngest son, in 1820 married Matilda, daughter of John Steadman Beckwith, and until 1827, lived on his farm at Sackville, which they sold, and went to Shediac, where they kept a hotel for some time, later they sold out there and removed to a farm at Buctouche. He died in 1865, in the 87th year of his age.

ESTABROOKS

The Estabrooks family came from the New England states in 1761 among the first English settlers to arrive in the Province. It consisted of Valentine and his son James, (Squire Jim), and a widow Estabrooks and her son William, a boy of about 10 years of age.

Valentine’s family was Squire Jim a member of the Legislature, Thomas, Amy and Josannah.

Squire Jim’s family consisted of Valentine, William (known as Foxy Bill), Lois, and James, (known as Moony Jim).

William, sort of the Widow, married Miriam Thornton and their family was Edward, William, Daniel. James, (Corner Jim) married Lily Wry, Capt. Sam, married Jane Wry, Sarah married Hicks, and Abigal married John Smith. Tradition has it that he was first granted the Palmer Place, but that he traded it for “Lattimore’s” Point, later known as the Timothy Hicks place.

Corner Jim, lived where the Middle Sackville Baptist Parsonage now stands, but late in life moved a few hundred yards up the road to the place later sold to his grandson, David Estabrooks. James’ family was Miles, William, known as Corner Bill, James 111 [III ?], known as “Sappy Jim”, Valentine, Edward and Lily.

James Estabrooks was one of the last immigrants from United States. He had two sons, James and Thomas. The former was a leading man in the parish. He was a J. P. and a Member of the Assembly. He lived in a brick house on the place afterwards occupied by the late Josiah Anderson. He had one son, Valentine and two daughters. They married (1) _____ Cole; (2) Courtney Kinnear. Valentine died in 1776. The stone marking his grave is the oldest in the Upper Sackville Cemetery.

Thomas’ family was as follows: Thomas, Gordon, Jotham, Valentine, Butler, Tabethy.

Jotham Estabrooks did a schooner-trading business between Sackville and Saint John up to about 1860. Butler Estabrooks purchased the Brunswick House from the McDonald Estate and he and his family conducted a hotel business there for many years.

THOMAS ESTABROOKS

1808, says he is a farmer, that he has a wife and six small children. That he is in possession of the following parcels of land belonging to number fifty-three in Letter B Division which number was drawn for your Memorialist about forty years since, he being then a child. That considerable expense had been incurred in improving the said parcels of land and he had diked two acres and a half of the said Marsh, that to deprive him of the said parcels would be ruinous to him and his family, he therefore prays that his title to the same may be made good. He also asks for wood lot number thirty-nine in Letter A Division, situate on the Long Marsh so called and containing one hundred acres which said lot was formerly drawn by one Fuller, who left this Province about forty years since. Granted.

CAPT. EVANDER EVANS

Capt. Evans was born in 1820, at Westcock, where the Evans family have lived since the early settlement of the country; his father being Wm. Evans, and the family homestead being the farm later owned by Mr. George Ogsett. William Evans’ father’s name was Isaac Evans: he was a native of Wales, and was for many years ferryman between Westcock and Westmorland Point, at a period before highways can be said to have existed, and when communication was more sure and speedy by boats along our shores and up and down our rivers. On a voyage to Saint John in a schooner, the vessel sank during a violent storm off Partridge Island and he with his whole crew was drowned. The brothers of Capt. Evans were James Isaac, residing at Shediac, Edwin G. living at San Jose, California, and he had one sister, the wife of Marcus Trueman, Esq. formerly of Sackville, a wealthy resident of San Jose, California.

Capt. Evans was one of the pioneers as well as one of the best known steam-boat men in Canada. In 1856, he took command of the steamer “Westmorland” a vessel built by the late Christopher Boultenhouse of this place, for the Bay of Fundy service. Previous to this he had seen considerable service: he was first officer, in her last days of the old “Maid of Erin” whose bones lay off Grand Aunce shore. The steamer “Westmorland”, after running between Saint John and Sackville for a couple of years, was transferred to the Shediac-Summerside service, where she became mail boat. Here she remained until about 1862, under command of Capt. Evans, when she was sold to the United States government as a transport to be used in the war against the Southern Confederacy. Capt. Evans then took command, first of the steamer “Princess” and then of the “St. Lawrence” of the P.E.I. Steam Navigation Company from which he retired in 1886. During his active life, Capt. Evans had been steam boating with P. E. Island developing from small beginnings, employing but one vessel, to large proportions, keeping quite a number of steam vessels busy, either for local service or for the mainland, or for distant ports — Halifax, Boston, etc. When the steamer “Westmorland” was first employed, there were not wanting many croakers amongst the leading business men, who predicted nothing but disaster for so rash an enterprise.

Capt. Evans was widely known and wherever known was greatly respected. He was a popular commander and no man in the business, probably, ever gained so completely the confidence of the travelling public. He conducted his hazardous business with such good judgment and such caution and care, that during the whole course of his life, he was never met with any serious accident, or with loss of life. Few men could show a more successful and honorable career. He married Mary E., daughter of the late Thomas R. Lyons of Sackville, who came from Cornwallis, N.S.

Captain Evans left a wife and family of seven daughters.

The funeral services were performed by Rev. W. P. Hall of the Baptist Church, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Burwash, Rev. B. C. Borden and Rev. Mr. Lavers.

Two brothers of Capt. Evans, Edwin and Henry, fought for the North in the American Civil War. The latter, Corporal Henry A. Evans died from wounds in the Military Hospital at Washington and was brought home and buried in the old cemetery at Westcock.

Capt. Evans was a son of William Evans, who was a son of Isaac Evans. His mother was Lois Estabrooks, a daughter of William Estabrooks, who was a son of James Estabrooks (Squire Jim) the first Sackville man to become a member of the local House of Parliament.

James Estabrooks was a son of Valentine Estabrooks who came from Rhode Island to Sackville in 1761, and his monument is the oldest standing in the old Four Corner Cemetery. He died October 23, 1770 in his 48th year.

Both Capt. Evans’ father and mother, William Evans and Lois Estabrooks died when he was a very young man. His only son, Ernest E., died when a lad of ten years of age, and there were seven daughters: Emma (Mrs. Captain Purdy) who died in 1908; Lois A. (Mrs. W. A. Russell); Grace (Mrs. Captain Charles Moore); Minnie (Mrs. R. C. Tait) who died in 1927; Annette (Mrs. F. J. Robidoux); Margaret and Gertrude Evans. The five daughters all reside in Shediac, New Brunswick.

Mary E. Lyons, was of United Empire Loyal descent, daughter of Thomas Ratchford Lyons, who came from Cornwallis to Sackville. Capt. David Lyons of Sackville, who died at Benin on the African coast, was a half brother. Captain James Lyons, who was killed in Saint John, by falling from his ship, was her own brother. Captain Rufus and Henry Lyons were sons of Captain David Lyons.

Hon. Sanford Bates, Federal Commissioner of Correction for U.S.A. is a grand nephew, being a grandson of her sister, the former Lucinda Lyons of Sackville.

FAWCETT

Three Fawcett brothers, John, William and Robert, left Hovingham, Yorkshire, in 1774 for America. Robert settled in United States. He followed the sea and was lost. He left a son and a daughter. The son followed his father’s occupation and met the same fate, was lost at sea. All connection between the Sackville Fawcetts and the daughter has long been lost.

William Fawcett and his wife, Anne, settled at the Four Corners. The widow of the late Fletcher George occupies the site of his homestead. They raised three children: William, Mary (Polly) and John. William married into the Holmes family. His location was occupied later by Mr. James George and his son Charles. William raised two children, Rufus and Betsy. A tragedy took place that shocked the whole country. William while seated at a table near a window in the parlor, was shot dead from outside. Rufus soon after left the country for United States and was lost sight of. Betsy married an English gentleman — James George. They raised four children, namely: William F., a leading man in the community; Charles, who occupied his father’s place; Elizabeth, who married Rev. Silas James, and Emma. Mary (Polly) married into the Dobson family at Sussex; John married a widow. Her maiden name was Foster and her first husband was a Colpitts. They raised a family of four: George, who never married; Anne, who married a Glendenning of Baie Verte; Ellen, who married a Chappell, and Squire William. He married first Alice, daughter of Stephen Chase, of Cornwallis. They lived in his father’s place. They raised a family of four: John, Albert, Wesley and Ellen. After Mrs. Fawcett’s death, Squire William married a second time, this time to Anne Chappell. They had six children: Almira, who married Rev. William Perkins and went to California; Eunice who married James Fillmore, who also went to California, Amelia, who married Milledge Anderson, son of John Anderson of Coles Island; Margaret, who married Alex. Peakes, and Clara, who married Charles Perkins who went to California, and Chappel who married Ann Truth and kept the home place of Squire William. John, also a J.P. married into the Atkinson family who had a family of eight: Guilford, who went into the Civil Service and lived in Ottawa; George, William, S _____, Maria, Alice, Edith, May. Albert married Charlotte, daughter of Mr. John Harris and raised five children; William B., A. Chase who at one time was a representative in the Assembly; Alice, Sam., St. P. and Nellie. Wesley Fawcett married Margaret Goodwin, and raised a family of four: Julia, Nettie, Bliss, Agnes.

Robert Fawcett’s descendants moved to Lower Sackville. His grandson, Robert, occupied a valuable farm, occupied at the time by Miss Ledernier. Next, south of his was the property owned by his grandson, John, north of the Male Academy Brook. The latter, associated with his son Charles, started and built up Fawcett’s Stove Foundry. He had two sons, Alfred and Amos, doing business in Boston; another son Hibbert, and six daughters, Mrs. George E. Ford, Mrs. Walter Fowler, Mrs. Dr. Johnson, Mrs. Stephen Ayer, Mrs. Lyman Day, and Mrs. Edward Nash. Next to John Fawcett’s lands came Robert Fawcett on Fawcett Brook. Robert was a son of Robert who had also had John, Mary, Nancy.

FISHER

In our colonial history there is scarcely a name more prominent than “Fisher” to which the late William Shives Fisher, the proprietor of the Enterprise Foundry of Sackville, belonged. His ancestors were Dutch. They came to Bergen County, in New Jersey, about 1636. Lewis, Mr. W. S. Fisher’s greatgrandfather was a member of the New Jersey Volunteers, and fought against the revolutionists. He shared the fate of many others in having his property confiscated. With his wife and child, Peter, they came to New Brunswick as Loyalists and settled in what eventually became Fredericton in October, 1783. Peter eventually wrote the first history of New Brunswick — a most reliable as well as valuable work. Of his sons — William, became Superintendent of the Indians; Henry, Superintendent of Education. The three others were lawyers, Edward, Charles and Peter. Peter lived in Woodstock and endowed and created the Fisher Memorial Hospital, Fisher Memorial Library as well as Vocational School, High School, etc. Charles, the eldest, a lawyer in Fredericton, was the leader in New Brunswick in the struggle for responsible government. He became first Attorney General of New Brunswick, Premier and subsequently Judge of the Supreme Court. He was one of the Fathers of Confederation, and the first member for York County in the Dominion House. One sister became Mrs. Charles Connell, wife of New Brunswick’s Postmaster General, who subsequently became first member for Carleton County in the Dominion Parliament. W. Shives Fisher was the son of William. One daughter of William’s became the wife of David Pottinger, C. M. G., the ex-efficient manager of the Intercolonial Railway, another daughter married Sir George Parkin. One daughter of the latter married Dr. Grant, head of Upper Canada College, Toronto. Another married the Hon. Vincent Massey, the first Canadian Minister to Washington, a third J. M. Macdonnell, General Manager of the National Trust Company, the fourth Harry Wimperis, one of the leading men in aviation in Great Britain.

Many years ago, Mr. William Shives Fisher, partner in the wholesale Hardware firm of Emerson & Fisher Limited, Saint John, purchased the Enterprise Foundry which had not been a profitable concern. By his energy, foresight and capacity he developed it until it became one of the leading manufacturing industries in this part of New Brunswick and perhaps the Maritime Provinces. Since Mr. Fisher’s death in Saint John 1931, the business has been carried on by his three sons, all residents of Sackville.

HARPER

Christopher Harper was a Yorkshireman. He came out with some other immigrants in the Ship, “Albion,” that sailed from Hull, in March, 1774, He arrived at Fort Cumberland in May and was surprised to find the ground covered with snow. He is said to have brought with him a stock of cattle and horses. He first occupied a house at the Fort that had been built by the Acadians. Two years after he came, the Eddy force from New England appeared to capture Fort Cumberland. They burned his house. Soon after he sold his property at the Fort to his son-in-law, Gideon Palmer, who later removed to Dorchester. Mr. Harper obtained the Mill property, (Morice’s at Sackville) and removed there. It had been the property of the Ayer’s family. Harper had carried on proceedings in the Supreme Court for burning his house at the Fort. He was a very strong and determined Loyalist and the Ayers family, or most of them, were imbued with the New England spirit, of independence. In 1809, he obtained a grant of land from the Government of the Mill Pond and a considerable area of wilderness and marsh. He had a son, Christopher, a Captain in the British Army. He was ordered to Quebec and left via the North Shore route, but he was never heard of after he left Miramichi. Another son, William, occupied his lands. A portion of them came into the hands of his son, Christopher, and his grandson, Chipman. Mr. Harper is said to have owned the first two wheel chaise that appeared in Westmorland County. He was a magistrate and is credited with reading the lessons on Sundays at the Fort when there was no minister. His daughter married Capt. Richard Wilson.

The Memorial of Christopher Harper states in the year 1780 he obtained a judgment in his Majesty’s Supreme Court for the Province of Nova Scotia against Elijah Ayer, and other defendants for the sum of 585 pounds to satisfy which an execution was levied upon the real estate of the said Ayer, particularly upon three rights of land at Tantramar in the Township of Sackville, No. 53, 54, and 55, of which same rights a Sheriff’s Deed was duly executed to your Memorialist — that the possession of the same rights being afterward wrongly withheld from your Memorialist he was compelled for the recovery thereof to bring an action of ejectment against the said Ayer in the Supreme Court of this Province and recovered a judgment therein for the possession of the said rights so conveyed to him by the said Sheriff’s Deed. That in executing the writ of possession under the said judgment your Memorialist discovered that the lots No. 53 and 54 above mentioned although they had been a long time in the possession of the said Ayer, had never been granted but still remained the property of the Crown.

Your Memorialist therefore most humbly prays that your Excellency will be pleased to order a grant to be made to him of the said rights Nos. 53 and 54. Without them your Memorialist will remain a very great Sufferer in consequence of the trespasses for which his action above mentioned was originally brought in the province of Nova Scotia and more especially as your Memorialist most humbly conceives no other person has any fair pretention to a grant of the same right. The present occupiers have possession thereof by the Connivance of the said Ayer after the Commencement of the above actions at law by your Memorialist for redress of the manifold injuries he had sustained.

Amos Botsford certified that the facts were correctly stated. Ward Chipman certified in a letter to Jonathan Odell as to Harper’s rights.

Surveyor General Sproule certified Mr. Harper’s claim as remarkably good, grounded on his well known services at Fort Cumberland during the rebellion, and the great losses he sustained at that time from his rebellious neighbours, many of whom are still settled in the country. Amos Botsford reported to the Government (1786):–

Soon after the levy of the execution in order to defend Harper the inhabitants of Sackville resumed or escheated the mill and stream and by a committee of three of which Mr. Cornforth was one, gave a deed of the same to Nehemiah Ayer, son of Elijah, with covenants of warrantry. Harper brought an action against the two Ayers, which was then pending.

Mr. Botsford remarks that nothing is said in any of the grants about the mill privilege. The Committee asserted the mill was not kept in repair and it was sold by them on condition it should be kept in repair.

MORICE’S MILL POND — 1797

To His Excellency, Governor Carleton, Of His Majesty’s Province of New Brunswick, &c, &c, &c.

The Memorial of Charles Dixon, Esq., in behalf and at the request of the Proprietors of the Township of Sackville respectfully sheweth:–

That there is a tract of land in the Town of Sackville, overflowed with water. Originally at first settling of the Town, was set apart for a Mill privilege for said Town, and as it has never been granted and the Town of Sackville making a great progress in improvements, and work of general utility, such as Fulling Mills, &c., much wanted. Your Memorialist, in behalf of said Town, humbly begs Your Excellency would grant to such persons in trust for said Town as may meet Your Excellency’s approbation, the above Tract of Land, that improvements may not be retarded and Your Memorialist, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

P.S. — The particulars of what was done and what the Town would wish to be done will accompany this, with the names of Proprietors of the Town, at a public meeting respecting the above tract referred to your Secretary. January, 1797; Amos Botsford, Esq., Step. Millidge, Esq., John Millidge, Thomas Herret, Isaac Evens, George Boulmar, Wm. Below, Simon Peefley, Step’n Below, Joseph Lamb, Charles Lewis, Titus Thornton, John Fluther, Nicholas Simmons, Tho. Bowser, John Fawset, John Aakinson, Frederick Delesdernier, William Harper, Joseph Lederoy, Henry Delesdernier, John Wood, John Seares, Agnas Macfee, David Weton, William Fawset, Jr., Tho. Anderson, John Anderson, John Patterson, George Patterson, Tho. Anderson, Jr., Ebenezer Ward, Joseph Ward, Samuel Hicks, James Hicks, Allinandrew Rancday, Richard Wilson, Esq., John Harper, John Ogden, Tho. Verlow, John Tilton, Tho. Bowser, Jr., Ebenezer Bowser, Captain Eddy.

Mr. Harper had three sons and four daughters. Besides Capt. Christopher he had John and William, the former married a daughter of Titus Thornton, and William, one of the Haliday family from Cobequid. The former made a home for himself at Dorchester and the latter, the farm occupied later, by the late I. C. Harper at Upper Sackville. Mr. Harper’s daughters married as follows: Charlotte to Bedford Boultenhouse; Fanny to Thomas King; Annie married Major Richard Wilson and Catherine, Gideon Palmer. The late Joseph C. Harper, who started the milling business that gave the town of Port Elgin its first impulse, was a grandson of Christopher; Frederick Harper, a prominent citizen of Seattle, United States, a son of Joseph.

THOMAS HERRITT

In 1809, Thomas Herritt petitioned the government as follows: He is fifty-six years of age, his family consists of a wife and ten children the oldest of whom is twenty years of age. That about ten years since your Memorialist obtained a grant under the great seal of this Province for three hundred and sixty acres of wilderness lands which he immediately settled, and cleared about twenty acres, which is now under cultivation, and from which his family is principally supported, that he has also built upon the same a dwelling house and barn.

That your Memorialist having no marsh land included in his said grant has met with great difficulties in improving his farm having no other means for his support than what are derived from his own exertions and labor. He therefore begs leave to state that in front of the lands granted to your Memorialist there are twenty-one acres of marsh which is claimed by one James Rogers, who has never made any improvement by diking or otherwise, that suffers the same to be in its rude state tho’ he has had possession of the same for nearly thirty years past. That the said James Rogers also claims a seven acre lot of which he has had possession for nearly the same time which said lot still remains in its original wild state.

HICKS

Samuel Hicks was one of those Planters who came from New England in 1772. When Lord William Campbell in 1773 issued a grant of 51 shares of 500 acres each, Mr. Hicks was registered as owner of the half of Lot 59 in Letter C Division. Mr. Hicks is the ancestor of the Sackville Hicks family. The members have never shown any disposal to shine in public life, but belong to that class fortunate for the country, who as substantial farmers, are satisfied to pay their bills and while living themselves let others live.

HUMPHREY

In a Memorial dated 4th of July, 1807, Jane Humphrey stated — That she came about nine years ago into this Province, a widow with five children, fatherless and under age, three sons and two daughters, herself and husband, natives of England.

That by the exertions of herself and family, her eldest son being now about twenty-one years of age, by the aid of a little property, they have gained a competent livelihood, having purchased a wood lot of about forty acres in which she has built a small, comfortable house.

That in a late survey by James Watson, Esq., Deputy- Surveyor, for the representatives of Benjamin Tower, deceased, there are 300 or 400 acres of vacant land, which are unappropriated and she prays for a grant of the same. Her husband settled at Falmouth and died there. Amos Botsford, the first speaker, endorses the application in these words.

“The facts stated in this Memorial are just. The industry and exertions of the family are such as to merit consideration and we do not hesitate to say the prayer of the Memorial is just. The lands were granted. Mr. Botsford, in a letter to Mr. Sproule, the Surveyor-General, says (4th July, 1807): Mrs. Humphrey’s family are industrious, meritorious and have a preferable claim — this I pledge myself for. Mr. Watson will do the same, and Mr. Estabrooks may be enquired of.”

Her family consisted of five children: William, Christopher and John, and two daughters, Elizabeth who married _____ Dixon and Jane who married Mr. Morice.

LAWRENCE

The Lawrence family of Rhode Island belonged originally to Herefordshire, England. There were three brothers, John, William and Thomas. John came to Plymouth, Mass. in 1635. In 1674 he was Mayor of New York and in 1691 Judge of the Supreme Court. They were descendants from John Lawrence, buried in 1538, in the Abby of Ramses.

William Lawrence of Sackville, N.B., was in the fourth generation from William Lawrence of St. Albans, Herefordshire.

Deacon William Lawrence came to Sackville from Providence, R.I., in 1760. He died on July 2nd, 1820. He married 1766, Sarah Seaman of Sackville. His descendants were: First, William; second, George; third, Nathan; fourth, James; fifth, Sarah; sixth, Elizabeth; seventh, Hulda; eighth, Rebecca. William married Sarah King. Their descendants were: first, William, second Moses; third, Nelson, fourth, Hulda, fifth, Roxanna, sixth, Ann; seventh, Sarah; eighth, Cynthia. James married Roxanna Bulmer, their descendants were: first, David; second, Valentine, third, Thomas; fourth, Mary; fifth, Elizabeth; sixth, Sarah. Sarah married James Estabrooks and had three sons and five daughters. Elizabeth married Simon Outhouse and had four sons and five daughters. George married Mary Eddy. His descendants were: first, Eddy; second, Nathan; third, George; fourth, William; fifth, Joseph; sixth, Rebecca; seventh, Olive, eighth, Mary. Nathan married Ann Anderson, their descendants were: Caroline, Mary, John, Ann. William married Pamela Stewart. Their descendants were Eddy, William, Lois, Mary Jane.

George married Jacobina Barnes, their descendants were: first, Amos; second, George, who married Miss Purdy; third, James; fourth, William; fifth, Laban; sixth, Mary Jane; seventh, Elizabeth; eighth, Jacobina; ninth, Clarissa; tenth, Emily; eleventh, Ploma; twelfth, Jenny.

Olive Morse, daughter of Joseph Morse, married Capt. Eddy. Their daughter, Polly, married first, George Lawrence and afterwards _____ King. Eddy lived during the Revolutionary War at Eastport and was engaged in privateering. One of his daughters married _____ Wilder. Their daughter married the late W. K. Reynolds of Lepreau.

OGDEN

The first Ogden of whom we have any record preferred to spend his time in prison to swearing allegiance to Uncle Sam. He was a British soldier; was captured by the rebels, imprisoned, but offered his freedom if he would change his allegiance, but refused. He was later exchanged. His nephew John, belonged to Long Island, came to Sackville with the Loyalists, and occupied the farm later owned by the late Bloomer Ogden. He married Nancy, a daughter of John Fawcett. They had eight children: John, William, Henry, Thomas, Bloomer, Robert, Ann and Jane. Capt. Henry Ogden had two sons, Amos and William. Amos was very prominent in civic and municipal affairs and a very useful public man. William married a daughter of Mr. Bedford Barnes; a daughter, Halibartia, married Mr. H. H. Parlee, a successful and leading barrister at Edmonton, Alberta.

MARK PATTON

He states (1788) that there is a right or share of land in Sackville No. 56 Letter B Division, which was set apart to make good some lots that the mill pond overflowed by a committee at the first setting of the town and given to one William Baker. The said Baker and others put up a mill on the stream adjoining said No. 56. After some time said Baker purchased the whole of the mill and sold it to Nathaniel Mason; Mason sold it to Ayers and now by virtue of a judgment obtained it belongs to Christopher Harper Esq. and said Baker sold the land No. 56 to David Alvison which said land the subscriber bought of said Alvison and it has been on record these thirteen years. I have cleared and improved the same not doubting of a good title, till Mr. Harper told me he had applied for a grant. As the land, the mill and stream are different and no way connected nor in the least interfere with each other, your Memorialist begs to have the said No. 56 confirmed to him by a grant of the same and he will as in duty bound ever pray.

Charles Dixon writes: “I have examined the particulars respecting No. 56 and believe the above account to be just.”

Mr. Sproul stated the lot had never been granted to any one.

ELIPHALET REED

Mr. Reed memorialized the Government on the 22nd of July, 1786. He states that John Olney, Jr., drew lot No. 23 Letter C Division. That soon thereafter, he went to New England 24 years ago. He was then dead. Olney put Reed in possession who has put up a dwelling house in which he resides, besides he has dyked some land and fenced in land. He wanted a grant which was ordered, to be issued to him.

THE ROGERS

Charles Dixon in a letter to the government dated 1809 thus describes the Rogers brothers. The two Rogers have large tracts of land in Sackville for upwards of forty years back and yet without house or barn or stock or improvement of any sort, but as they found it in a state of nature so it remains at this instant. In consequence of the above neglect, your Memorialist is put to great inconvenience as the trees are still standing on the same and is not far from the dwelling house of your Memorialist, which said marsh and seven acre lot belong to the right number twenty in Lot A Division, Sackville. That the said James Rogers is a single man, has no family or fixed residence and never has shown the least disposition to clear or settle any land.

DANIEL SEARS

He states, 1805, your Memorialist purchases of one Cornwall a lot of land which had been registered to his son George on which he paid the sum of fifty pounds, for the purpose of erecting a Grist Mill, which is much wanted for the use of the Settlement there.

That the said Samuel Cornwall gave to your Memorialist an obligation (which is hereunto annexed) with a condition to procure for your Memorialist a legal Title to the said lot. That the said Samuel Cornwall in the beginning of this winter has again sold the same lot to one Rhuben Lyon who came over from the River Saint John.

That the said Samuel Cornwall has refused to repay to your Memorialist the purchase money paid for the said lot and is moreover in such indigent circumstances as to preclude the chances of recovering the penalty of the Bond.

That your Memorialist is a man with a family and has never drawn any land from Government, and therefore humbly prays that the said lot so by him purchased may be granted to him together with 100 acres of the adjoining abandoned lot survey for Ezekeal Sears. And as in duty bound, will ever pray.

Mr. Sproul states: “The lot surveyed for George Cornwall contains 200 acres, the abandoned lot joining it surveyed for Sears contains 500 acres of which 400 acres has been applied for by Josiah Burgess.”

SEAMAN

Charles Seaman, a native of Rehoboth, Mass., was born in 1700, removed to Sackville about the year 1761. He was a highly esteemed deacon of the Baptist Church, Sackville, N.B. He was the father of Job Seaman. When Job was about 18 years of age, the New Light movement spread to Sackville. He became interested, was finally converted and relating his experience to the Church at Sackville, became baptized and after a while, determined to devote his time to the ministry. He commenced his ministerial work in New Brunswick but in 1772, he supplied the Baptist Church in North Attleborough, Massachusetts, and in 1773, was ordained its Pastor. He continued there fourteen years and witnessed two revivals and baptized more than a hundred persons.

The following account of the Seaman family was written in 1906, by Miss Elizabeth M. Seaman of Chicago.

REV. JOB SEAMAN’S FAMILY

The names of Charles Gilbert, Nathan and Job Seaman. The latter was a son of Charles, known as Dea. Chas”; Charles Gilbert, Nathan, John, James, Thomas W., Susannah, Mary Rosamond were children of Thomas and Susannah Seaman of Swansea, Massachusetts in 1687, when they joined the “Old Baptist Church” — “The Myles Church”. The children were born from 1690 on. Thomas was called the “School Master” of Swansea. I descend from the son John, married Priscilla Wood and moved across the line to Scituate, R.I. about 1746.

Dea. Chas”, born 1700, died 1771 in Sackville: he married in Rhode Island, Hannah Bowen, and she died in 1798 in New Lindon, N.H., with her son Rev. Job Seaman. He married Sarah Estabrooks; she was a daughter of Valentine and Dorcas (Beverly) Estabrooks of Johnston, Rhode Island. He was ordained 1773, at Attleborough, Massachusetts, and was closely associated with Brown University in Providence. He named a son after President Manning. He went as a Missionary in New Hampshire 1788 and died there 1830. Mr. Manning Seaman of Brookline, Massachusetts, was a descendant of Rev. Job Seaman. Gilbert went to Nova Scotia and then returned to the Berkshires, Massachusetts. His descendants are in Ohio. He had a son, Gilbert, that married Martha Alger of Scituate, Rhode Island in 1758.

James had a large family in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The “Remington Typewriting” Seamans of Elmira, New York are descendants of this James.

Mr. A. S. Klein, of Upper Berne, Pennsylvania, claims that all the Seamans descend from one Nicholas Seaman of Switzerland, 1304. The descendants of Capt. John Seaman, Long Island, 1660 (Noted Quaker), claim that they are from Norfolk, England, and have this tradition “The Seaman family were originally Danish.”

In old Norse annals the members of families banded together for mutual protection and plunder. In one of their excursions they landed on the Eastern Coast of England, whipped the natives and held the land. They remained in possession until subdued by Norman Conqueror. They passed under the name “Seaman” (Men of the Sea). One of these leaders joined the Crusaders under Richard Ceour de Lion, gained great renown in the Holy Land and on his return from Jerusalem was knighted by the King, given a coat of arms and a crest. The name is spelled between Dutch and English, “Symnds.”

A society exists of about 900 Seamans in Pennsylvania who descend from Julian Luding Seaman of Germany. Mr. A. S. Klein of Upper Berne, Pennsylvania, is Secretary.

Mr. Frank Haviland of York, Pennsylvania and Mrs. Mary P. Bunker of Montagle, New York are authorities on Capt. John Seaman, 1660, L. I. Quaker. This tradition is current among the descendants of Thomas Seaman of Swansea, Massachusetts. “King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England. The family were ardent Catholics, but one member renounced the faith and was banished to Virginia, but the King was reported to be interested in him and he was allowed to take his money, treasures and silver. The King gave him a grant of land in the new country, in part of which Charlston now stands. The man had a wife and three sons. He died and she married again and at her death her husband became guardian of the three sons. He married again and had a family. The mother of _____ which was anxious to get rid of the Stuart boys. The stepfather took them to sea and bribed a Captain to take them to the Plymouth Rock Country under the name of Seaman and get them a home and they would be provided for. The oldest boy knew why he had been sent away and when he became of age, he told his brothers of their property in Virginia and he was going to claim it. He went in a vessel that was never heard from. Two years later the second boy made the attempt, but the vessel was wrecked. The third boy decided that as both of his brothers had lost their lives in the attempt to claim their property he would remain in the Plymouth Rock Country and retain the name Seamans”.

SMITH

Abner Smith, one of the leading citizens of Sackville, a generation ago, built up a large shoe-making and tannery business. His kindly disposition and genial manner will long keep his memory green in the minds of the people of Sackville. The father of Abner and James Smith was also named James. He was a non-commissioned officer in the British Army and was present at the Battle of Corunna, where he was wounded. He was mustered out of the service with a small pension. He returned to Scotland where he taught school for some time. He had three brothers, two of them, George and John, were master mariners and followed the sea. The third one was a surgeon in the King’s Dragoon Guards. Honorable William Crane, when he returned from one of his trips to England, said that in a hotel in London, a young man who had learned he was from New Brunswick, told him he had a brother living in a place called Sackville, and that his name was James Smith. Mr. Crane at once established the entente cordiale by informing him that he was from that place and knew him well. From papers in the Smith family, it would appear that the Smiths were stewards to the Earls of Fife. James Smith landed at Halifax and made his way to Shemogue in the Parish of Botsford, where he started to carve out a farm for himself in the wilderness, but imagining Sackville was a better location, he obtained a grant of lands from the Crown there. The lands are still in the hands of his descendants.

Abner had a brother Alexander, who engaged in the harness making business in Sackville. Mr. Abner Smith’s business descended to his son, James.

ELIZABETH SMITH

Elizabeth Experience Smith was married five times, Patrick Ward, Abel Gore, Foster, Sole Trites, S. Siddall.

By Abel Gore she had three children, one son, Abel Gore, two daughters, Deborah, who married Lewis Trites and Pollisene who married a Trueman.

Abel Gore’s sisters were Mrs. Starr, Mrs. DeWolfe, Mrs. Ratchford, Mrs. Bishop, Mrs. Newcombe. Abel Gore had a brother in Holland named Asaph Gore. The Gores came from Ireland County Mayo. The Gores are descendants of John Gore, England.

RICHARD THOMPSON

In 1788, Richard Thompson stated in a petition for a grant of land, he had been a settler in this County for nearly fourteen years and still disposed to remain in the same, but never had as yet received any grant of land from Government. Beg leave to address your Excellency for an Escheat of number forty-six and one half of number forty-four in letter B Division. Westmorland the other half of forty-four, your Memorialist being in possession of by virtue of his father-in-law’s will, and as your Memorialist has a family of seven children.

TOLAR THOMPSON

Tolar and his brother, John, came from Ireland. John married Mrs. Grace, the widow of Michael Grace. Grace was said to have been the chief gardener of Lord Tolar — Earl of Norwood. Tolar at first settled at Wood Point and then moved to Tantramar, where he soon obtained a reputation as a skilful marsh maker. Tolar left four sons, John, Benjamin, Joseph and William, all married and left families.

By tradition, Tolar Thompson was a grandson of Lord Tolar, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, Ireland, his father having eloped with the Judge’s daughter.

TOLAR THOMPSON AND THE MARSHES

There are about forty miles of marshes abreast of Sackville which are the source of immense wealth to the community. The Acadian French drained and cultivated districts between the creeks. The great body of it was untouched by them. When Tolar Thompson came to Sackville the vast surface was composed of floating moss, swamps, lakes and oozing streams, through which fresh water forced its way to the Bay. Mr. Thompson was the first man to appreciate the agricultural value of this area and conceived the idea of making drains to carry off the fresh water and replacing it with the tides to make deposits of mud and create firm land. He was followed in this work by the Botsfords and Fawcetts as marsh-makers. The late W. B. Fawcett visited the Acadian Settlements in Louisianna to inspect the methods there adopted of building levees against the Mississippi floods and also cultivating the lands. He found they had discarded the time honored dyking space and adopted a system of power machinery.

In a Memorial to the government Tolar Thompson states that he is thirty-six years old, and has a wife and four male and three female children. That he is desirous of obtaining a certain proportion of the vacant sunken bog in said Sackville, hereinafter described, for the sole purpose of enabling him to erect fences to keep the cattle from trespassing on lands which he already holds by purchase in that neighborhood, and as some compensation for a road he has undertaken to make, and on which he has already expended three hundred and sixty-four pounds of currency of his own money on the said road, leading from Great Bridge River to point Midgic,–to wit commencing at the eastwardly line of land granted to Charles Dickson, Esq., on the Southerly shore of Goose Lake so called, thence running along the South shore of said lake to line of the Township of said Sackville, thence north on said line to the woods; thence westwardly down the shore to Point Midgic; thence northwestwardly in a direct line to the southwest end of Houston’s Island (so- called) thence southwestwardly until it strikes the point of land joining Log Cove (so-called) thence along the rear line of land formerly granted to James Estabrooks, Esq. and two others, and also on the rear line of lands granted to Charles Dixon, Esq. to the first mentioned bounds.

That more than one half of the above described tract is a sunken mossy bog, in which a pole may (with ease) be run down to the depth of ten feet or more, and consequently, of no use whatever, but that above specified.

That the remainder of said tract is covered with water. That he holds by purchase, the Lot No. 60 in Letter C Division, bounded by a brook, on the North West side, which brook prevents him from making a fence on his own ground that might stand; that he is obliged to erect his fence on a small strip of land containing about one acre, lying between said brook and the road leading to the new West Marsh, extending from the bend of the road to the Old Abideau (so-called).

Your Memorialist therefore most Humbly prays that Your Honor will duly consider the expense that he has been at in making the road above said, and will grant to him such part of the sunken bog as is herein before described, as your Honor may think meet.

And as in duty bound will ever pray.

TOLAR THOMPSON.

February 26, 1817.

P.S.:–Your Memorialist would further represent to Your Honor that he has never drawn any land before, except a small Lake and two lots of wilderness land, belonging to the right and share of No. 10 in Letter C the whole of which right was formerly granted to Robert Lattimore.

The Front described in this Memorial contains about 700 acres, most part of it is low sunk marsh.

GEO. SPROULE.

The facts mentioned in the aforegoing Memorial are correctly stated. The Memorialist has been engaged for three years past in cutting a large ditch, at the Head of the Sackville Marsh, which has and will be attended with great public benefit, and has cost him much time and expense. The Memorialist is a person of enterprise and industry, and will by his exertions, reclaim much of the sunken bog applied for, being amply possessed with the means.

W. BOTSFORD.

The undersigned being acquainted with the tract mentioned in the foregoing, do hereby certify that the facts mentioned in the foregoing Memorial are correctly stated. And also that it is their opinion that the Road mentioned in the said Memorial may be completed for the sum of sixteen hundred and thirty-six pounds, in addition to what has been already expended by your Honor’s Memorialist, and as the Road mentioned in the Memorial will open a communication to a very large tract of vacant or unsettled land, of a very superior quality, and of great value, (when the road is completed) which for want of said, must remain a wilderness, and of little or no value, as there is no other way of convenient communication, with said land. We therefore beg your Honor in Council to take into consideration the enterprise and exertion of your Memorialist, which is most certainly a most valuable enterprise, and if successfully pursued, (as doubt not it will be) it will be a very great advantage to the Province at large, and to that part of it in particular, and we beg therefore that your Honor in Council will comply with the request of your Memorialist.

BENJAMIN WILSON J. ESTABROOKS,
RUFUS SMITH, JOHN CHAPMAN.

UPHAM

The first wife of Judge Upham was the daughter of Hon. John Murray. She died in New York in 1782. In 1792 he married Mary, a daughter of the Hon. Joshua Chandler, of New Haven, a Loyalist. The service was performed by James Law, J.P. at the Fort.

Stephen Milledge, of Westcock, farmer, merchant and land surveyor, married a daughter of the Hon. Joshua Chandler. His daughters married (1) Hon. E. B. Chandler; (2) Dr. Marmaduke Backhouse; (3) Capt. Mansfield Cornwall.

Amos Botsford’s son, William, had eight sons and one daughter. The latter married the Hon. R. L. Hazen of Hazen’s Castle, Saint John. The sons’ names were:

(1) Hazen, who lived and died in the Westcock House. He at the time represented the county in the Legislature.

(2) Amos, who was a member of the Legislative Council of New Brunswick, and later became a Senator of Canada.

(3) Chipman, a lawyer who lived at Dalhousie and was at one time a member of the Legislature from Restigoushie.

(4) George, a lawyer. He was clerk of the Legislative Council at New Brunswick.

(5) LeBaron, a medical doctor at St. John.

(6) Charles, who went to and lived in United States.

(7) Bliss, a lawyer elected three times to the Legislature and became Judge of the County Court of Westmorland.

(8) Blair, who for years was Sheriff of Westmorland and then became Warden of the Penitentiary.

These men were all strikingly large and physically vigorous. Stephen Milledge, who was Crown Land Surveyor, Sheriff of Westmorland, and probably the first trader in Sackville, lived at Westcock. Hazen married a daughter of Mansfield Cornwall and had one son, Milledge, who was lost at sea. Amos Edwin married late in life, the widow of Joseph F. Allison, (nee Mary Cogswell of Kings, N.S.)

Chipman married a daughter of Mansfield Cornwall. George married at Fredericton, Frances, a daughter of Henry G. Clopper. Bliss married Jane, daughter of Ichabod Lewis. Blair married Miss Cogswell of Cornwallis, Kings, N.S.

Edward Barron Chandler studied law with William Botsford at Westcock and married Phoebe, daughter of Stephen Milledge. Another daughter of Stephen Milledge married Dr. Marmaduke Backhouse, whose son, William, was for many years Registrar of Deeds, Dorchester. The family is extinct. Another daughter married into the Cornwall family. Amelia Cornwall married David Swayne, Collector of Customs at Richibucto. She with her family removed to United States.

Hon. R. L. Hazen had two children, Captain Frank Hazen and Islem. The latter married Charles U. Chandler of Dorchester and died without issue. Captain Hazen, who inherited Hazen Castle, Saint John, also died without issue. His cousin, Chief Justice, Sir Douglas Hazen, inherited his estate.

WARD

Jonathan Ward was a native of Yorkshire, England. He was in the army, operating in America in 1755-59. He was struck by a bullet in the hip but he died at the age of 97 years in 1827. He and his wife, No. 2, are interred in the graveyard at Jolicure. His wife, Tabitha French, followed him to this country. She brought with her her waiting maid. She showed unusual devotion to him. After her death, he married again, and had a family of four girls and four boys. One daughter, Mary Ward, of the first marriage, grew up and married an officer at the Fort, named Reynolds. A daughter of theirs married Nathan Merrill of Sackville, and raised a large family. Hannah, another daughter, married Abenezer Bowser. Stephen married Glenora Folson and lived at Point de Bute on the Ward farm. Henry married a Miss Rayworth at Cape Tormentine. William and Jesse enlisted in the army and left the country.

Jonathan Ward’s father was John Ward, came from Peekskill on the Hudson. His son, John, born in 1752, and with his sons, Charles and William, were pioneer settlers at Saint John. The late Charles Ward, of Upper Sackville, had a picture of John Ward. The older generation of Wards raised families, Nehemiah, a nephew of Jonathan, raised seventeen children, four boys and thirteen girls.

CAPTAIN RICHARD WILSON

In a letter to the Lieut.-Governor in 1788, Capt. Richard Wilson states that he served His Majesty in the Army during the last French War, and in the late war in America was a Captain in the Royal Fencible American Regiment, notwithstanding which he has never yet received any grant of lands from the Crown. That your Memorialist is desirous of settling with his family in the county of Westmorland if he can procure a grant of lands there to enable him to support himself, that the lots Nos. 62, 63 and 64 in the Tantramar Division Letter B in the Township of Sackville are yet ungranted as are also the lots Nos. 22, 23, and 24 in the same division which last lots have been applied for by Charles Dixon, Esq., but are now relinquished by him in favour of your Memorialist.

Captain Wilson obtained the grant.

THE WOOD FAMILY

Mr. Mariner Wood was the son of Josiah Wood, who was a Loyalist, he was an educated man and by trade a fuller. He at one time operated a fulling mill at Newport, N.S. and later one at Dorchester, where he also taught school. The Wood family being a pretty extensive one, it has been difficult to trace definitely the lineage of the local one, but it seems probable that the first Josiah was a son of Thomas Wood, of Rowley, Massachusetts. The mother of Mr. Mariner Wood was Sarah, a daughter of Mariner Ayer. Her mother was Amy Estabrooks, daughter of James Estabrooks, a J. P. and at one time a representative in the General Assembly. Besides Mariner she had a daughter named Ann. After the death of her husband, Josiah, she married ‘Squire Philip Palmer, M.P.P. Among their descendants were: Acalus L., a very prominent lawyer, Member of Parliament, and later a Judge of the Supreme Court; Charles G., Land Surveyor at Sackville; Stephen, a merchant at Dorchester; Martin, a lawyer at Hopewell; Doctor Rufus Palmer, also a resident of Albert County, both of the latter represented Albert County in the Assembly. Mr. Mariner Wood was an able business man. He built up a large business in country trade; he was a shipbuilder in connection with Charles Dixon. He opened up business from the West Indies. He married Cynthia Louise, a daughter of Stephen Trueman, of Point de Bute. He had two sons, Josiah and Charles H., the latter after attaining manhood, went abroad for his health and died in England from a pulmonary complaint. Mr. Wood died in 1875 and left an ample fortune and a prosperous business to his son, Josiah. He was a prominent Methodist and Treasurer of Mount Allison Institution. While avoiding public life himself, he was an active supporter of his half brother, Mr. A. L. Palmer, in his elections in support of the Liberal-Conservative party in its struggle for Confederation, against Sir Albert Smith, the leader of the Anti- Confederation party.

Mr. Wood’s success was largely due to his brother-in-law, Mr. Trueman, named after the Rev. Robert Alder. Mr. Trueman being the personification of integrity, possessed in a remarkable degree, the respect and confidence of the community.

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History of Sackville Editor and Transcriber:
Carol Lee Dobson

Additional Editing and Proofing:
Penelope Chisholm
___________
Sep-98
Published by The Chignecto Project

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