Robert Gamble 1790 - abt 1838

Relationship to me:

1. Robert Gamble & Martha Beattie
    2. John Gamble & Esther Cooke
         3. John William Gamble & Flora Ann Campbell (Beattie)
               4. Julia West Gamble & John Thomas Bragg
                     5. Russell Mackie Bragg & Dorothy Madeleine Harrigan
                           6. Me

Gamble Family Crest

Robert Gamble was born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland in 1790 and married Martha Beattie there in about 1817.  Martha, who was called Mattie, was born in 1800 in Derry, as well.  Robert was a farmer and a cooper, a trade that would pass down through several Gamble generations.

Following defeat at the Battle of Culloden, life and times became very difficult in the Scottish Highlands. The people were forbidden to speak their language (Gaelic), play the Bagpipes (considered instruments of war) or to wear their Highland dress. The economy went from bad to worse, and the atrocities committed on the Highlanders by Butcher Cumberland and his followers left tales almost too horrible to tell. The Highlanders, if they could, left.  Many of them crossed the sea and settled in Northern Ireland where they settled.

As with other ancestors in our family, religion played a big part in their lives and the Gambles were staunch Methodists.  But by the early 19th Century, adherents to religions other than the true Church of Ireland were no longer welcome.  So when tales of rich lands to be had in the Americas, many of the Scots Irish began to make plans to emigrate.

Samuel Beattie's home in Bass River

Robert and Mattie had one son, John who was born in 1817 when they set out for Nova Scotia.  They travelled with Samuel Beattie, Mattie's brother, Robert Starritt, John Crawford, both cousins and their families.  In all there were 15 people in the party.

However, in error they booked passage to Quebec and it was only on arrival they realized they were nowhere near Nova Scotia.  Having little money, it was decided that Robert Starritt would continue on to Nova Scotia to raise some the funds required to continue their journey.  Soon Mr. Starritt returned and they booked passage in a little vessel to Baie Vert and then travelled overland to Londonderry Township.

Gamble Brook, Castlereagh

The following information taken from records at the Public Archives of Nova Scotia, Halifax, re Land Grants - Castlereagh, Colchester County:

Gammel, Robert - 1820 (Gammel and Gammell are also spellings found in family records)

Petitioner is a native of the North of Ireland, Protestant - who emigrated to Londonderry, Nova Scotia in Summer of 1819.  He has a wife and one child.  He asks a lot on the north boundary of Londonderry, west of Westchester grant, where a new road is lately opened (50 acres).


"Londonderry" referred to above is the Township of Londonderry, which included the area between the Chiganois River (Masstown) to and including the Little Bass River.

They settled in a tiny new village called Castlereagh which was up the mountain from Bass River.  In addition to John, who came with them from Ireland, Mattie and Robert had 7 more children; Margaret, Susan, Robert Jr., Martha, James, George and Elizabeth.

The Gambles established deep roots in Castlereagh and were renowned for their hospitality and joyful spirits.

Gamble Barrel Factory, Bass River

Robert died before 1838 as he does not appear in the 1838 census of the area and Mattie is listed as the head of the household.  Mattie died at the age of 80 in 1880 leaving many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Both Robert and Mattie are buried in the old cemetery at Castlereagh.

Today, Castlereagh is a ghost town - overgrown with the forest taking back the land but you can still find foundations of many old homes and the old cemetery - in sad shape - is still accessible.  And nearby is a pretty little lake called Gamble Lake.