Springhill Mine Disaster of 1956

Springhill Mine - 1956

As with many historical events in Nova Scotia, my family was deeply affected by the Springhill Mine Disaster of 1956.  Three cousins were among the men who died on that cold November 1st.

George Thomas Ward

George (or Jack as he was often called) glanced up at the weak steel-grey November afternoon sky, pushing his miner's helmet to the back of his head, the lamp facing upward, and tucked his lunch under his arm.  The news on the radio today was pretty grim with stories about the battle over the Suez Canal and the invasion of Hungary by the Russians.  He breathed in the damp, cold air, waved to the neighbour lady,  and headed off to his afternoon shift at Number 4 Colliery.

Springhill Miners

Born in 1909 in Springhill, George had gone to work in the mines in 1949 as a hoist operator and was well respected by the men as one you could depend on. His mother, Phebe Ann Cook was a member of both the prolific Cook and Campbell families of Colchester County, Nova Scotia and George was my 6th cousin.

At 5:07 that evening, a mine train carrying fine coal dust derailed and hit a power line causing a massive explosion that shook the town of Springhill and sent the inhabitants running towards the mine to see what had happened.  Within a few hours the place became a bedlam of doctors, ambulances, police, Red Cross volunteers and hundreds of dragermen (mine rescue specialists) from other mines nearby.  For the first time in history, the story was covered - live on CBC and was followed by people across Canada.

In the end, 88 men were rescued from Colliery Number 4 and 39 lost their lives - among them George Thomas Ward - whose body was the final one brought to the surface before the mine was sealed off, leaving 26 men below.

Benjamin Herbert McLellan

Ben and his wife Rhoda Wilson lived in Springhill, and at the age of 50, he was beginning to feel the effects of a life underground.  He had four teenage children at home - 3 boys and a girl and was an active participant in the day to day life in the town.  He was my fourth cousin, twice removed and also my fifth cousin, once removed - being descended from William Nicholson on one side, and Joseph McLellan on the other.  The family originated in the Five Islands area of Colchester County, but Ben's father, Thomas had moved the family to a farm near Springhill when he was a young man.

On the evening of November 1st, Ben was working near the site of the mine railway when the explosion happened.  He was killed instantly.  A correspondant, Joanne Finlay sent me these lyrics from a song about the event:

In the town of Springhill, Nova Scotia

Down in the dark of the Cumberland Mine

there's blood on the coal and the miners lie

In the roads that never saw sun nor sky (2x)

In the town of Springhill, you don't sleep easy

Often the earth will tremble and roll

When the earth is restless, miners die

Bone and blood is the price of coal

Benjamin Herbert McLellan was buried in the Mapleton Cemetery.

David Henry Vance

Springhill Miners Monument

David had just celebrated his 20th birthday earlier in 1956 and had been working at Colliery No. 4 since he left high school 2 years before.  He had big dreams of going west and working in the oil fields and finding the right girl to settle down with.  He was my 5th cousin, once removed being descended from the original David Vance who came from Northern Ireland to settle in Great Village.  His great grandfather, John McLaughlin Vance had moved his family to Springhill in search of opportunities in the mines as the Acadia Mines in Colchester County became depleted.

David Henry Vance was working on the mine railway at the time of the accident and took the full brunt of the explosion.  His body was recovered and buried at Leamington.

Lest We Forget - Lieutenant Daniel Lionel Teed and his brother Lieutenant Hugh Mariner Teed

Hugh and Daniel Teed were born in 1892 and 1893 respectively to Mariner George Teed QC and Margaret A. Hanington in Dorchester, New Brunswick.  They were descendants of our United Empire Loyalist ancestor, Daniel Teed and were my fifth cousins, once removed.  The brothers were close, having attended the prestigious Rothesay Collegiate Boarding School and then going on to Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario.

Lieutenant Hugh Mariner
Teed

Lieutenant Hugh Mariner Teed served in the 28th New Brunswick Dragoons prior to his enlistment in the regular army on September 22, 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec at the age of 22.  He became part of the Second Battalion of the Canadian Infantry, Eastern Ontario Regiment in the capacity of Engineering Officer.  On the very day of his enlistment, the Battalion was shipped overseas aboard the S.S. Cassandra and after several stops along the Gaspe Peninsula, finally arrived in Plymouth, England on October 14th.  His unit was immediately sent to an area near the Salisbury Plain for further training.

It was there, in Salisbury that Hugh met and married his wife, Violet May Stacy.

Over the next 3 years, the Battalion fought at Ypres, St. Julien, The Somme, Arras, Festubert and Pozieres.  It was near Bruay, France that Hugh was killed in action and was buried in the Bruay Communal Cemetery Extension at Bruay, France.

Hugh was memorialized in the Chapel of Remembrance in Ottawa and also on his parent's graves in the Dorchester Cemetery, Dorchester New Brunswick.

Lieutenant Daniel Lionel Teed had served with the 5th Battery, Canadian Militia as a Captain, prior to enlisting in January 1916 in Fredericton, New Brunswick.  His unit was the 36th Howitzer Battery, Canadian Corps, 9th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery.  He was with this regiment from its formation.

He appears to have been a respected officer and was considered to be a brave and clever man.  During the Battle of Hill 70 in August 1917, Daniel's gallantry earned him the Military Cross.  During this battle he was injured by a German chemical artillery shell that carried caustic substances that left the skin burnt and blistering.

On September 1, 1918 Daniel's unit was charged with clearing some German barbed wire in preparation for an impending attack.  The battery was very exposed and came under artillery fire.  A second volley of enemy shells fell short and as Lieutenant Teed ran to the next Howitzer to relay orders a shell struck the gun, killing Teed and two others instantly..

Daniel was laid to rest in the Monchy-le-Preux Military Cemetery nearby.  Like his brother, his name can be found in the Chapel of Remembrance in the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa and on the tombstone of his parents in the Dorchester Cemetery, Dorchester, New Brunswick.

Lest We Forget - Pilot Officer Douglas Waldo Peers

Joining the Royal Canadian Air Force must have seemed like a dream for Pilot Officer Douglas Waldo Peers.  Hailing from the beautiful seaside village of Wallace Bay, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, he was a descendant of my two fifth great grandfathers - United Empire Loyalists, Alexander Peers and Daniel Teed.  His parents were James Lalacheure Peers and Nina May Ellis and he had three brothers and two step brothers from his father's first marriage.  He was my 4th cousin, once removed.

He was about 21 years old when he enlisted and shortly thereafter, he married Ada Elsie Brander of Middle Musquodoboit in Colchester County.  Doug was posted overseas almost immediately but not before Ada discovered she was expecting.

During his first year overseas he became father to a lovely little baby girl, Elaine.  A little girl he never knew.

Pilot Officer Douglas
Waldo Peers

In the early summer of 1944, Doug was seconded to 101 Squadron, RAF which was part of Bomber Command.  He trained as an Air Bomber and soon joined the crew of Flight Lieutenant Marwood Tucker and his Lancaster Bomber. Their first mission was over Gelsenkirchen and it was a success.  The next two missions were over Evreaux in Normandy and Reims in the Champagne-Ardennes in France were also well executed and successful.

On the night of August 13, 1944 the crew's target was Braunschweig/Brunswick but before they could reach the place, their plane was shot down by a night fighter and crashed near the village of Brockum, Germany.  Douglas Waldo Peers did not survive the crash.  He was buried in the Hanover War Cemetery in Germany.

Lest We Forget - Private Henry Parkinson

Private Henry Parkinson was born on October 25, 1878 in Teeswater, Ontario to John Parkinson and Jane Tindall Hodgson.  He was my 3rd cousin, once removed.  His father, John was from England and his mother was part of the large Hodgson clan from River Philip in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia.  They, with their 6 children, moved first to Teeswater, Ontario and finally to Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

Henry, with his father and four brothers worked their prairie farm together and eventually moved to his own farm which he shared with his brother, Eleazer in Yorkson, Saskatchewan.

When World War One broke out, Henry was already 36 years old - much older than most enlistees.  However, on January 16th, 1916 he joined the Canadian Infantry, Saskatchewan Regiment, 46th Battalion.  This Battalion was subject of many books, including Pierre Burton's "Vimy" as it participated in many of the major battles of the war, including Arras,Ypres, Passchendale, Vimy Ridge, and Hill 70.  On his attestation papers, Henry is described as 5'7", fair with blue eyes and a Methodist.

It was at Droucourt-Queant, France on September 4, 1918 that Henry lost his life.  His remains were interred with full military honours in the Ligny-St. Flochel British Cemetery, Averdoingt, Pas de Clais France.  He is memorialised on Page 482 of the 1918 Volume of the First World War Book of Remembrance in the Chapel of Remembrance at the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa.  He was 42 years old when he was killed in action.. Flochel British Cemetery, Averdoingt, Pas de Clais France

Lest We Forget - Private Perley C. Palmer

Perley C. Palmer was the baby in a family of nine.  He was born on February 8, 1896 in Wentworth, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia.  His parents were Calvin Palmer and Sarah McLeod.  Perley was my 4th cousin, being a descendant of Daniel Teed, the United Empire Loyalist. He was also related to me by marriage through my great great grandfather, Thomas Swallow of Yorkshire, England.

It is unclear whether Perley moved to Maine prior to the war, or whether he decided to choose the American Army and went to Maine to join up.  At any rate, he enlisted in Aroostook, Caribou County Maine in 1917.  He joined the 103 Infantry Regiment, 26th Division which had the motto "To the Last Man"  Upon arriving in France, the Regiment was plunged immediately into action.

On the evening of September 25, 1918 Perley was part of a group of two platoons sent off to march in a different direction, hoping to create a diversion and to take the enemy attention away from the point of the main attack which was set to take place at midnight.  The rain was pelting down and the men had trouble keeping to their feet due to the slick muddy surface of the road.

This march was inevitably a death sentence for these men.  Within minutes, the enemy opened up with machine guns and mortar rounds.  Some time around 10:45 that evening, Perley was struck by a bullet and grievously wounded.  Eventually, with his life fading, he was transported to a hospital ship several miles away and succumbed to his injuries there.

The burial record states that he was buried at sea.  He is memorialised in the Memorial Chapel at St. Mehiel American Cemetery and Memorial at Thaircourt, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France.

Lest We Forget - Private Howard Richardson Murray

Private Howard Richardson Murray certainly did not start out to become a war hero.  His ambition was to become a plumber and to settle down to a quiet life in Harmony, Nova Scotia.  The eldest child of James Duncan Murray and Mary Harriett (Hattie) Johnson, Howard was born on the 17th of November, 1897.  Through a series on inter-family marriages, he was related to me as a descendant of John Johnson, the Cobequid Planter, James Campbell of the McNutt migration from Northern Ireland and James Blair of Aghadowey, Northern Ireland.  He was my 6th cousin, my 6th cousin once removed and my 6th cousin twice removed.

Private Howard Richardson
Murray

However, with the war well under way in Europe, he heeded the call of his country and enlisted at the age of 18 on November 25, 1915 in Truro.  Tall and lanky, his attestation papers describe him as having blue eyes and dark brown hair and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

After three difficult years of muddy trenches, rampant disease and terrible food, Howard finally met his end at the Battle of the Somme.  On March 12, 1918, as the war was in its last months, he was killed in action.  His remains were laid to rest in the Thelus Military Cemetery, near Arras in the Pas de Calais, France.  He was just 21 years old.

Lest We Forget - Private Frank William Langille

Frank William Langille was born one of 8 children of William Henry Langille and Priscilla Jane Lynds on December 28, 1897 in Malagash, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia..  He was my 7th cousin, once removed.

On finishing school, he went to work as a Labourer and also joined the 76th Battalion, Canadian Militia where he got his initial military training.

With the outbreak of the war in 1914, Frank was eager to enlist and, in fact, did so on his 18th birthday.  His attestation papers describe him as a tall young man - 5'11 1/4" tall with blue eyes and fair hair.  His religious affiliation was listed as Baptist.

Frank William Langille

Posted overseas almost immediately, he spent nearly 3 years in the battlefields of Belgium and France.  At some time during this period, he must have been promoted, as he was awarded the Military Medal which was designated for Warrant Officers or Non-commissioned Officers for individual or associated acts of bravery on the recommendation of a Commander-in-Chief in the field.

On the 18th day of October 1918, while armistice talks were well under way, Frank William Langille was killed in action in the Pas de Calais, France.  He was just 20 years old and was buried with full military honours in the Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais France.

His widowed mother received the Silver Cross medal for her sacrifice to her country.

Lest We Forget - Private Charles Ernest Johnson

Charles Ernest Johnson was born on the 12th of September, 1890 in East Mountain, Colchester County, Nova Scotia.  He was one of nine children of  William George Johnson and Eunice Emmeline Blair.  Related to me through two branches of the Bragg Family Tree, he was my fifth cousin, once removed as a descendant of the Johnson family who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1761 from New Hampshire.  He also descended from our Campbell family who also arrived in 1761 from Northern Ireland, making him  my fifth cousin, twice removed, as well.

Private Charles Ernest
Johnson

In 1916, Charles joined many of his fellow Nova Scotians and headed west to Manitoba to work on the harvest.  Jam packed harvest trains regularly crossed the country, providing much needed labour to western farmers.  Charles ended up in Lauder, Manitoba and it was there that he enlisted as a Private in the 16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Manitoba Regiment.  His attestation papers describe him as 5'9" tall with grey eyes, fair hair and fair complexion.  His church affiliation was Church of England.

On October 1, 1918, just 5 days before armistice talks began, Charles was killed in action.  He was 30 years of age and his remains were laid to rest with full military honours in the Sancourt British Cemetery near Cambrai, France.

Lest We Forget - Second Lieutenant Samuel Leonard Tilley Harrison

Second Lieutenant Samuel Leonard Tilley Harrison came into this world in 1874 in Baie Verte, New Brunswick.  Named for his Uncle, Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley, Father of Confederation, he grew up in various Methodist Manses, where his father, George ministered to his congregations.  His mother, Margaret Tilley was a dedicated minister's wife as the family moved from place to place in New Brunswick and Northern Nova Scotia.

In 1904, Samuel married my Great Aunt, Josephine Ambrose and the two had a daughter, Margaret.

On December 20, 1915 at the age of 41, he joined the 38th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionery Force as a Lieutenant, and set out for Europe.  While there, he became attached to the elite Cameron Highlanders.  His war record indicates that he survived many major battles over the three years he served.

Grave of Second Lieutenant
Samuel Leonard Tilley Harrison

On September 29, 1918, Samuel was killed in action.  He account of his death tells the story:  "Killed in Action - While leading his platoon to the attack on an enemy strong point just in front of the Sunken Road and about 200 yards forward of the Douai-Cambrai Road, on the morning of September 29th, 1918, he was hit in the head and instantly killed by a bullet from an enemy machine gun."

Samuel Leonard Tilley Harrison was buried in the Bourlon Wood Cemetery near where he was killed.  He was 44 years old.

Lest We Forget Private Gordon MacDonald Crowe

Private Gordon MacDonald Crowe was a strapping young man, topping 6' in height and one of six children of Edgar Prior Crowe and Helen Wright Holesworth.  He was born on January 24, 1893 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  He was my fifth cousin, twice removed.

Gordon was quiet and bookish and on completing school, became a bookkeeper.  On December 6, 1915, he joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force and was a member of the 25th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Nova Scotia Regiment.  He had a fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.  He was a member of the Church of England.

The Nova Scotias', as they were called, aquitted themselves with honour at the Battle of Vimy Ridge but it was at the subsequent Battle of Hill 70 that Gordon lost his life.  Although his remains were never recovered, he is memorialised on the Canadian Vimy Memorial at Vimy Ridge and in the Chapel of Remembrance in Ottawa.

Posthumously, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.  His mother received the Silver Cross Decoration from a grateful nation.

Lest We Forget Private Alden Samuel Blaikie

Born in Upper Stewiacke, Colchester County, Nova Scotia, on August 7, 1891, Private Alden Samuel Blaikie was the son of David Morrison Blaikie and Elmira Ogilvie Webster.  He was my fourth cousin, once removed.

As a young man, he took great interest in math and science and saw the Canadian Army as an opportunity to further his engineering skills.  He enlisted in Valcartier, Quebec on the 28th of September, 1914 at the age of 23.

The 17th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force embarked for Europe in the early days of the war and saw action almost immediately.  Life in the trenches was an endless succession of mud, cold, rats and dreadful food and it must have seemed a far cry from Alden's engineering dreams.

On June 3, 1916 a bullet ended Private Blaikie's life.  The Battle of Ypres had claimed yet another victim.  While his widowed mother, mourned at home, Alden was laid to rest in the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Ypres, West Belgium.  He is memorialized in the Chapel of Rembrance at the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa and on the cenotaph at Upper Stewiacke.

Lest We Forget - Private Isaac Baird Archibald

Private Isaac Baird Archibald, son of David Waddell Archibald and Sarah Baird was born on October 8, 1881 in Pembroke, Upper Stewiacke, Colchester County, Nova Scotia.  In 1905 he married Minnie Mae McLellan (my 4th cousin, once removed) in Truro and the pair subsequently moved to Vancouver.  Isaac went to work for the Railway and they had three lovely daughters, Jean, Della and Margaret.

On March 11, 1916, Isaac joined the Canadian Army and prepared to go to France with the 12th Company, Canadian Machine Gun Corps.  His attestation papers describe him as being 5'9" tall with light brown hair and blue eyes.  He was a Presbyterian.

On the 27th of October, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, Isaac lost his life.  His remains were never recovered but he is memorialized on the Canadian monument at Vimy Ridge and in the 1916 Book of Remembrance in the parliament buildings in Ottawa.

Family Ghost Stories

GRAHAM GHOST STORIES

George M. Graham was my 4th cousin, twice removed.  He was born in 1854 in Lower Economy, Colchester County, Nova Scotia.  As an old man, he loved to regale his family with tales of the supernatural.

One of his stories was about the old grandfather clock that stood guard over the front parlour.  The clock, having been brought by his father, James  from Dumfries, Scotland had stood silent for many years. George had two older sisters, Mary and Martha and in October 1959 both girls came down with diphtheria.  On the night of October 14th of that year the clock suddenly came to life and chimed the hour.  Shortly thereafter, Mary succumbed to the deadly disease.  Again during the night of the 19th, the clock chimed as Martha quietly passed away.  From there on after, the clock remained forever silent.

When George was a small boy, he was sent out to the barn to do his chores and was startled to find the family sled, which had been left by the woodpile had disappeared.  He followed the tracks and found the sled halfway up a hill about 1/4 mile from home.  Returning the sled to its place in the yard, the young lad went to get the colt, that he had let out earlier for water earlier.  He was amazed to find the colt, tucked up in his stall in the barn, the stall door securely locked and fresh hay in the manger.  In both cases, no footprints could be seen in the snow and no one else from the family had ventured out of the house that morning.

So, who moved the sled and who put the colt back in his stall......?

THE GREAT AMHERST MYSTERY

Daniel Teed's Home in
Amherst

The story of Esther Cox is renowned across Canada and has been the subject of several books and a stage play.  Her story is quite amazing!

Esther Cox was born to Archibald Thompson Cox and Esther Logan Fisher on the 28th of March 1860 in Upper Stewiacke, Colchester County Nova Scotia.  She was the youngest of six children.  Her older sister was married to Daniel Teed, my 3rd cousin, twice removed who worked as a shoemaker in Amherst, Cumberland County. And it was in Olive and Daniel's home that most of the poltergeist activity took place.

Esther Cox began experiencing unexplained phenomena in late August 1878 after being assaulted by her boyfriend, Bob MacNeil. The manifestations of a poltergeist continued for more than a year.

The poltergeist took different forms, expressing itself originally through the movement of bedclothes and other articles and through loud rappings. By October 1878 manifestations were more aggressive; furniture was tipped over and Esther complained of being pursued by objects, especially when in the basement. The poltergeist communicated with observers, answering their questions with knocks and, at times, by writing on walls. While some of the written messages were too profane to be published in newspapers, the sensational "Esther Cox, you are mine to kill" was widely reported.

After the ghost threatened to burn down the Teed home, lighted matches reportedly fell from the ceiling and two unexplained fires were discovered. From the beginning Esther suffered physical symptoms that included spells characterized by swelling of her body and uncontrollable movement of her limbs.

In June 1879 Cox began to tour, accompanied by actor and writer Walter Hubbell and a local businessman, John White. They returned home following only two engagements in New Brunswick, however, after they were frightened by disapproving members of the audience. Esther's manifestations ended in November 1879.

At that time she was sentenced to four months in jail for burning down a barn belonging to the family with whom she was living. Reportedly she was released at public urging after serving one month. Subsequently, no accounts of disturbances appear in newspapers. One interpretation is that she had been cured by a Micmac shaman.

In 1882 she had married Adam Porter and was living in Springhill. They had one son. Apparently her married life was unaffected by poltergeists and she ended her years quietly in Brockton, Massachusetts, married to Peter Shanahan, where few, if any, knew of her earlier fame.


THE GHOST OF OLD BILL EAGLES

Sometime about the year 1880 a man, WILLIAM EAGLES by name, disappeared on Westchester Mountain. A search was made for him but he was not found. Bill, as he was called, was my 1st cousin, 3 times removed.

Some time after, a ghost was reported to have been seen by several different people, and always at the same place on the Halifax road. One evening, the sun was down, but it was not dark, Hugh Scott, (whose stepmother was my 2nd cousin, three times removed)  who had been on a short visit to his brother William, was coming home over the mountain on horse back. His horse had trotted or cantered for several miles. He had eased him down to a walk and was about to fill his pipe, that he had taken  from his pocket, along with his knife, and tobacco. He started to the cut the tobacco, when he noticed what he supposed was someone walking close to his stirrup.

He took a second look and recognized Bill Eagles. Frightened, he then whipped up his horse and hurried away from there.

Some time after he met his brother William, who asked Hugh why he did not speak to Eagles and said that if he ever saw the ghost he would ask him what he wanted.

Several months after this William Scott was travelling the same road on the way to visit Hugh and at nearly the same place on the road he had allowed his horse to walk and had started to fill his pipe, when he noticed Bill Eagles walking beside his horse.

William Scott said, "Hello, Bill, what do you want?"
Bill Eagles said, "I want to be buried." 
William Scott said, ''How will I find you?" 
Eagles said, "You will find me just a short way up this little brook under a pile of old brush."
William Scott said, "All right, Bill, I'll attend to that tomorrow", and went on his way to Hugh Scott's.

Next morning he wanted Hugh to go with him to look for Bill Eagles' remains. Hugh could not go, so William went up on the mountain and got someone to go with him. They found the pile of old brush without much trouble, gathered Eagles' bones up the best they could, carried them out and buried them.

 Bill Eagles' ghost was never seen again.

LADY IN THE WINDOW

Two summers ago, I had an opportunity to take a look inside the old Anglican Church at Oxford Junction.  The church was built in 1857 by Theodore Harding Carter in preparation for his marriage to Amy Ann Bragg, daughter of John Bragg and James Rogers of Windham Hill.  The lumber for the church came from John Bragg's wood lot.  Since then the little churchyard has been the final resting place for John and Jane Bragg and many of their descendants.

In going through my photos of that day, I was startled to see the figure of a woman in the centre window behind the altar. She appears to be wearing old fashioned clothes and I believe her to be my great grandmother, Matilda Swallow Bragg who died in 1896 and is buried with her husband, Charlie and several of her children in the little cemetery outside.Matilda connects us to our United Empire Loyalist ancestors and I would like to think that she was there that day to welcome us to this epicentre of the Bragg Family Tree.

THE LITTLE GIRL IN THE ROAD

The little girl in the road.

A story from Ed Gilbert of the Families of Cumberland County, tells still another interesting tale:

I read this story in an old newspaper.  A fellow named Adams was driving home when he came upon a little girl, terribly wounded and bleeding.  When he got down from his horse to help her, she vanished.  No tracks, no blood - nothing to tell she had been there. I'm not sure this Adams is connected to our family, but we have quite a crew of Adams' in the Wentworth area - so, could be!

Welcome to the Family Carlo!

Danielle and Carol
& Mike

If you came expecting your traditional wedding last night, you would have been delighted to find this evening different than anything you might have imagined.  Setting the stage, you can imagine the hot desert sun dipping down behind the nearby mountains.  The temperature was in the mid 90s. The area was surrounded by palm trees, gently swaying in the warm breeze.  In the centre of an area called the Commune stood an arch of cactus vine, dotted with spider succulants and desert flowers.You were in Palm Springs, and you knew it.  150 or so guests were here to witness this wedding and we were about to begin.  First down the aisle was Domo, Danielle and Carlo's gorgeous dog, sporting an orange and creme bow tie and accompanied by the best man, Matt and the matron of honour, Virginia in a matching and very chic gown.  Next came Danielle between Suzanne and Mike as they walked her towards the waiting Carlo.  She was stunning in a wonderful strapless gown of sequins that was inspired by mid century glamourous Hollywood.

In their personal vows, Carlo talked about Danielle being his super hero and Danielle talked about how Carlo completed her as a person.  Following the vows, a very proud Mike, pronounced them husband and wife and the crowd erupted in applause.

Cake in the Face

Cocktails were served around the pool while some old friends of Mike's played great 70s music as we enjoyed great wine and nibbles.  Dinner was a wonderful selection of salads, chicken, beef, pork,  and salmon.  Everything was served "family style" and was delicious - especially the sticky pudding and brownie.  During the meal there were some warm and heartfelt - and very funny toasts and Virginia sang a hilarious song she wrote about Danielle and Carlo to the tune of "Call me Maybe".  Mike created a wonderful presentation on the lives of the wedding couple, including  videos of Danielle teaching a lesson on making "Egg in the Hole" and Carlo sporting his favourite Giants T shirt.

On a table sat a basket of postcards and guests were invited to write a message to Danielle and Carlo.  Every few days for the next year, one of these postcards will be mailed to the couple to remind them of this amazing day.

A beautiful day, a beautiful couple and a beautiful wedding.

Many thanks to Coleen for the pics.

Birthday Sunday - September 30th - Esther Barnhill, Isaac Brown, Teresa McCabe Harrigan, Margaret Symons

If you were born on September 30th, you share a birthday with many of our relatives and ancestors.  These include:

Esther Logan Barnhill was born in Chiganois, Colchester County, Nova Scotia on September 30, 1819 to James Barnhill Esq. and Esther Putnam. On her mother's side, she was a descendant of Rebecca Towne Nurse who was hanged for witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials.  In December 1939, she married Alexander Boyle William McNutt.  Alexander could trace his roots back to the original Alexander McNutt, who orchestrated the settlement around Cobequid Bay on the Bay of Fundy, by the Ulster Scots from Northern Ireland and New England.  Esther and Alexander had seven children who grew up in Onslow, near Truro.  Esther died in 1898 in Truro and is buried in the Robie Street Cemetery there.

Grave of Isaac Brown
Wallace Bay Cemetery

Isaac Brown was just a baby when his life changed forever.  His mother, Amy Ann Wilson,  died when he was born on September 30, 1789, and the following year he lost his father and older sister during a thunder storm when they were both struck by lightening.  His father, John Brown was originally from England and after emigrating to Long Island, New York sided with the British during the American Revolutionary War.  The family relocated to Nova Scotia in 1783 at the end of the war.  Baby Isaac was taken in by the family of Alexander Peers and Mary Bolding (my 5th Great Grandparents) and raised as their son.  In young adulthood, he married Mary Peers, the daughter of Alexander and Mary.  Isaac became a farmer and the couple raised nine children on their Wallace Bay farm.  Isaac died on September 28th, 1864 at Wallace Bay and is buried in the Wallace Bay Cemetery.

Teresa McCabe
Harrigan

Dan Harrigan's farm
Caledon

Teresa McCabe came into this world on September 30, 1869 in Adjala Township, Simcoe County, Ontario.  Her parents, Peter McCabe and Ellen Keenan were just a generation away from County Cork, Ireland and part of an active Irish Catholic Community in and around Caledon.  In February of 1890, she married Daniel Joseph Harrigan (1st cousin, 3 times removed) and the pair had five children.  Teresa lost her husband Daniel, in 1918 from Liver Cancer but she carried on, living with her family and taking part in church and charitable activities until 1936.  The Harrigans had come to Caledon in about 1832 from Cork, Ireland and by 1850, half the family had relocated to Kinkora, near Stratford.  Caledon was not a particularly easy place to farm, as it is hilly and rocky but Dan and Teresa persevered and eventually passed the farm on to their sons.  Both are buried at St. John the Evangelist Cemetery at Albion, Ontario and many of their descendants still live in the area.

Margaret Wood Symons

And September 30th is the birthday of my favourite daughter-in-law, Margaret.

The Woeful Tale of Dr. John Leander Peppard

Main Street - Great Village 1907

John Leander Peppard was the second of 12 children born in 1840 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, to John Peppard and Sarah Davis.  He was my 2nd cousin, 4 times removed, my 3rd cousin 4 times removed and the husband of my 3rd cousin, 3 times removed.

The family had 4 generations of roots in the Great Village area of the Fundy Shore in Colchester County, Nova Scotia.  His father was a carpenter who thought he'd give New Brunswick a try, but soon returned to their home to raise their growing family.

John went to school in Truro and then completed his medical training at the Dartmouth Medical College and Harvard Medical School.  After a short time practicing in Boston, he returned home to tend to the folks of Great Village.

Now Great Village is a charming town of 500 with winding roads, ancient trees and charming Victorian architecture.  There, on a lovely 150 acre plot of land, John developed "Derry Farm" - his pride and joy.  He lovingly established orchards of plum, apple, cherry and pear trees, bountiful vegetable gardens and meadows of hay and oats.  When not practising medicine, he spent almost every spare moment working on his land and beautifying his flower beds.  The view from the front porch looked down over Economy Point onto the rich red sands of the Cobequid Bay.  Life was good.

John married 3 times - each time to someone much younger and as a result enjoyed a happy household of 9 busy children who tumbled over the lawns and fished in the little pond.

Great Village

On September 27, 1907, John and his friend Sam Lindsay were mowing hay under an unusually hot autumn sun.  They decided to go up to the house and enjoy a glass of cold buttermilk before continuing with their work.  Arriving in the kitchen, John suggested they have a "Wee Dram" rather than the buttermilk and he reached for a bottle on the shelf.  Both men took a good long draw on the bottle and then returned to the field to get back to their mower.

Shortly, however, John fell from the mower and before assistance could arrive, the man was dead.  His friend lingered for a few days before succumbing himself.    Upon investigation, it turned out that the bottle they had drunk from contained Strychnine, rather than whiskey.

The irony was that Dr. John Leander Peppard was the chairman of the Great Village Temperance Society.  I'm told, locals still recount the tale as they drive by the still productive orchards.

The Salem Witch Trials - Our Connection

Home of Rebecca Towne Nurse
Salem Village, Massachusetts

Ernest Raymond McLellan of Bass River (3rd Cousin - twice removed) married one. So did Amos Geddes Peppard of Great Village (3rd Cousin, 3 times removed). William O'Brien Esq.  (Husband of 1st cousin, 4 times removed) of Noel, Hants married one too.  So who were all these ladies?  Each one and a few more in our family tree are descendants of Rebecca Towne Nurse - also known as Goody Nurse, who was hanged for witchcraft at Salem on July 19, 1692.  Here is a bit of her story.

Rebecca was 70 years old when she went before the Court of Oyer and Terminar (Hear and Determine) court.  She was a fragile elderly woman who had lived a good life, even if on her own terms to some extent, was 'cried out' upon and hung at the Gallows Tree.


She was considered intelligent, pious and devout. She bought some land in 1678 and had to go to court to fight for it against one Zerubabel Endicott, where he lost.

This incurred his hostility. Part of the disputed land was made a portion of Ipwich, MA and controversies about boundries of Salem and Ipwich arose. John Putman and others of his large family met the Nurses and the Esteys  on the land and angry words were exchanged. This controversy was long and bitter.

Memorial stone at the site of the
Witch Hangings
Salem

The charge was for afflicting Ann Putnam Jr. and Abigail Williams. Ann Putnam, Sr. testified that the ghosts of Benjamin Houlton, Rebecca Houlton, John Fuller, and her sister Baker's children (6 of them) as well as her sister Bayley and her three children came to her at various times in their winding sheets and cried for justice of being murdered by Rebecca Nurse.


Rebecca stoutly denied this. Asked if she believed the afflicted persons were bewitched, she said they were. She remained in jail until June 1. On June 2, 4 indictments were returned against her for afflicting persons.

The trial was delayed until June 28.

Several witnesses testified they were afflicted by her, that her apparition pinched and chocked them and were threatened by death. Rebecca's body was examined for a "witchmark" which one was found.


Rebecca's two sisters were also accused for many of the same reasons. Several years earlier Rebecca's mother had been accused of witchcraft. She was, however, never tried.  Mary Towne Easty, Rebecca's sister was also hanged on September 22, 1692.

Local gossip during the trials suggested the profession was passed down from mother to daughters.

The trial itself was a sham and a virtual mockery of the judicial system. The complaint was signed by Edward and Jonathan Putnam.

At her trial, testimonials regarding her Christian behavior, care, and education of her children brought a verdict of not guilty.

William Stoughton then politely asked the jury to again retire and reconsider their verdict. So much for not being tried twice for the same offense.

Rebecca's Grave

On July 3, 1692, the Reverend Nicholas Noyes had Rebecca brought from her prison cell to the church. When she arrived, the Reverend excommunicated her before the congregation. How shattering would this be to such a deeply religious person as she was known to be?

A petition was drawn up and signed on May 14, 1692 by most of the richest and most influential people such as Israel Porter (his name appears first), Daniel Andrews, even John Putnam, Sr. and his wife along with 35 other were cosigners of the petition. The petition was sent to Governor Phipps who responded with a temporary reprieve.

The reprieve ran out and Rebecca, along with four other ladies, was carted to the summit of Gallows Hill and hanged on July 19th.

Grave charges have been made against the chief of justice in this case as he practically forced the jury to reverse their not guilty verdict.

She was buried in such a shallow grave on that rocky hill that some body parts remained exposed. Her family came in the dark of night, collected her remains, and reburied her on the family's property.

EPITAPH:

Rebecca Nurse

Yarmouth, England 1621

Salem, Mass. 1692

O Christian Martyr who for truth could die

When all around thee owned the hideous lie!

The world redeemed from Superstition's sway

Is breathing freer for thy sake today.

Rebecca's house still stands and is now under the care of Salem Historical Society.

Descendants of Rebecca Towne Nurse at the
dedication of a monument in her memory
Danvers, Massachusetts
July 1855

William James Moore - Cargo Master and Pioneer

Grave of William James Moore
and Rebecca Nicholson,
Economy Cemetery

Relationship to me:
William James Moore & Rebecca Nicholson (5th great grandparents)
   Margaret Moore & James Charles Campbell
      John Scott Campbell & Janet Chisholm
         John William Campbell & Sarah Simmonds
            Flora Ann Campbell & John  Gamble
               Julia West Gamble & John  Bragg
                  Russell Bragg & Dorothy Harrigan
                     Me

William James Moore was born in 1741, near Coleraine, Northern Ireland.  We have no information on his parents, but do know of a brother, George, who was born in 1747 and accompanied William to North America in about 1761.

Coleraine is a picturesque town about 55 miles northwest of Belfast, Northern Ireland. and 30 miles east of Derry.  In the days of St. Patrick, the town was named after the luxurious ferns that grew along the banks of the River Bann.  In the mid 1700s the area became home to many of the Scots who settled there and it is likely William's family were among this group of 250,000 Presbyterian Ulster Scots.

In the late 1760s, he was said to make his living as a cargo master on ships that delivered flax seed to Philidelphia.  On one such trip he was was aboard the vessel, Eleanor and was shipwrecked near Sable Island. Fortunately he and other survivors were picked up by a passing ship and delivered back to Halifax.

The story goes that he asked a fellow seaman, Thomas Durning, where he might find a good Irish family to stay with.  Thomas sent him to the home of his girlfriend, Rebecca Nicholson, in Portaupique where it is said that he "stole the girl and married her in 1772".  Rebecca's parents, William Nicholson and Lady Janet Smith had eloped from Ireland themselves in 1749.  We don't know if Lady Janet was a member of the aristocracy or if her given name was "Lady", but it's fun to speculate!

It is interesting to note that William and Rebecca's son George, married Elizabeth Durning, daughter of jilted suiter, Thomas Durning.  Thomas married Sarah Jane Cook who is also related to us - but that's another story.

Thomas Headland near
Economy, Nova Scotia

William and Rebecca eventually settled on a farm in nearby Economy.  William maintained ties to the sea by keeping interests in several ships that plied their trade up and down the Bay of Fundy.  The couple raised 9 children.  Their youngest son, another William, died as a small child and was the first person buried on the land which would become the Economy Cemetery -  land that William Senior had donated to the town.

William James Moore died on the 14th of June, 1820 in Economy and Rebecca in 1829.  Both are buried with their little son at the Economy Cemetery.

I often wonder what the early settlers must have thought of their new homes.  Many came from tiny tennant farms in Ireland to receive grants of 500 or more acres and for many of them, supplies and provisions to take them through their first year.  Although the work must have been hard and the trials, many - they must have had such hope for the future.

On the Road to Bountiful

Mormon Wagon Train 1852

In 1761, brothers James and Lieutenant John Johnson arrived in Nova Scotia from New Hampshire and established a prolific family in the area called Lower Village, Truro.  James was my 4th great grandfather and John, who married Sarah Hogg my 4th great great uncle.  Years later, Eleanor Johnson, John's granddaughter set out on an adventure that has been chronicled in the history of the Mormon Church.

Samuel Henry Lufkin

In March 1814, Eleanor met and married Samuel Henry Lufkin of Westford, Massachusetts.  The two lived in Nova Scotia where their first two children were born.  In subsequent moves they lived in Acworth, New Hampshire, Kirtland, Ohio and then in Vermont.

In letters sent home from Vermont, Eleanor writes to her daughter, Sarah and her brother, James Johnson.







Londonderry Nova Scotia
April 27th 1835

My Dear Daughter

I avail myself of this opportunity to inform you that I am still alive and in tolerable health for a person of my advanced age. I live in the same place with my son James and his family who are all in good health, they have a family of six children alive, and two died. four boys and two girls alive. 

The girls names are Eleanor Jane and Sarah Ramsey. The boys names are John Young and Timothy, William Henry and Orlando. They are very good children. I am surprised you did not write and let us know your state, and how your husband and children were. It would aford me much comfort to hear from you all. We heard of Mr. Lufkin was dead but had no certain information.

Your brother Timothy's family are much in the same state you left them, only Lavinia is married to a Mr. Johnson and has two boys. Your sister Rachel and family are well. Your brother Adam and family were well when we heard from them last. I wont be tedious to mention the many deaths and marriages that occured here since you left this place.

About three years ago I wrote you by Mr. Weir, who went to Boston, but received no answer, in it I informed you of the death of your sister Salley Ramsey who died about five years ago before the date of that letter, and the death of your father which took place about three years before the date of the same. 

I am the only survivor of my fathers family and am old and feeble and it would afford me much comfort before I go home to hear from you all. Sally Ramsey's only child (Eleanor) is here these five years. She is a fine steady girl.

Please write immediately and be particular in letting me know how you all are. Our united affection to you all.

I remaine my dear son and daughter,

Your affectionate Mother, Eleanor Johnson

To Mr. James Johnson,
Londonderry,
County of Halifax, Nova Scotia
May 24, 1848

Long absent yet not forgotten,Mother, brothers sisters and friends. 

I now embrace the present opportunity of informing you of my health and family which is good at present and I hope these lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. 

I received your letter dated March 29, 1845 and was very glad to hear from you. I hope you will excurse me for neglecting to answer your letter the cause of me not writing as I agreed to was my youngest child Charles Henry was taken sick and lie sick a great while with the tufus fever, and I kept neglecting it thinking I should go west with the brethern and I calculated to write to you when we started but I fell in hopes the Lord will open a way for us to be gathered with the rest of our brethern we still belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and believe it to be the only true church on Earth with which the Lord is well pleased. 

You wrote in your letter you believed Joseph Smith was an imposter I beleive him to be a true prophet of God as any of the old prophets were in ancient times, brother James and sister Rachel condem me not for my religious principles for the judge standeth at the door for he that feareth God and worketh rightiousness is accepted with him. As it is impossible at present for me to visit you I want you should be particular in writing to me about your family. Rachel's Timothy's and Adams how they are settled in life and especially Rosannah and Eleanor Caroline Ramsey. 

I should like to have you write concerning Uncle John Johnson and family and about the old neighbors I will now write concerning ourselves. We have taken a farm in Bristol to the halves there is a good sugar orchard on the farm it hasn't been a good year for sugar we haven't made over 300 pounds for our share, we shall not be able to sell much if any.

 There is a fruit orchard also we make a good living here better than we could in Nova Scotia. Sarah and Asenath that are married are doing well, they haven't any children. Sarah lived about ten miles from us and Asenath is at home on a visit she lives about 30 miles from us across lake Champlain, Cyrus we haven't heard anything from since I wrote to you before we heard his wife and child they were will his wife's name is Sarah Ann Goodel and his childs name is Leanora jenette we have three children at home with us now there names is George Washington is 17 in June he is a very steady boy he puts me in mind of Timothy in looks and actions Jane Ann is taller than I am she will be 14 in November Charles Henry will be 9 in July he is a real rattle head he is very tall of his age and slim. 

they are good schollars of their age, all of them belong to the temperance society, I want to know if temperance prevail in that country.

 Our crops of potatoes have failed us for two or 3 years. I should like to know how it is with your potatoes down there. I want you to write to me if any of my relations have moved to the U.S. because there was a letter come to the Postmaster of Lincoln inquiring of the postmaster if he knew where Samuel Lufkin lived. If so write to him immediately he has lost the letter and forgot the name and place. 

I want you should write to me if any of them has moved to the U.S. if so please write their names and the place. I should life to have you all come out here to live I think it is a far better country that where you now live. Give my love to Mother and sister Rachel's family and Timothy's family and Rosannah and Eleanor Caroline and take the same to yourself and family. Write immediately when you recieve this not as I have done. Give my love to all inquiring friends.

This from your affectionate sister, 
Eleanor Lufkin to James Johnson [1]

George Washington Lufkin

Samuel became a disciple of the Mormon prophet, Brigham Young and in 1852,  when Eleanor was 57, the entire Lufkin family joined a wagon train destined for Utah.  They were part of the Captain Isaac Bullock company.  The journey was arduous and, in Illinois, they joined up with a wagon train bearing the dreaded Cholera infection.

10 days later, Eleanor died of the dreaded disease and was buried alongside the trail. Samuel completed the journey with his son, George Washington Lufkin, who became a veteran of the Walker Indian War and a High Priest in the Mormon Church.  George's wife, Martha Townsend was the daughter of a close associate of Brigham Young and very committed to his teachings.

The original home of Samuel Henry Lufkin, in Bountiful, Utah has recently been designated a national historic site and is to be preserved by the state.

Quite the adventure for a young girl from Truro.

Captain George Duncan Simmonds - Civil War Veteran

Captain George Duncan
Simmonds

Relationship: George was my third cousin, three times removed.   We both descend from John Campbell and Mary Scott.

Captain George D. Simmonds was born on the 29th of November 1843 in Londonderry, Colchester County, Nova Scotia.  When he was a young man, he left Nova Scotia and emigrated to the United States.  As the Civil War progressed he joined the Union Army and took part in many of the major battles, including Shiloh, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahooche River and Nashville.

At Shiloh he was shot through the shoulder and suffered some debility from that wound for the remainder of his life.  

In late 1862, he was detailed to accompany the bodies of several fallen comrades to their homes in Madison, Wisconsin.  Among them was the body of Private James Bridges.  On the day of their wedding, following the ceremony and wedding dinner, Private Bridges received his orders to report immediately to his regiment.  He left later in the day and never again saw his bride, Eliza Jane Sigsby.

Simmonds Homestead
Cedar, Kansas

Eliza was ever grateful for the kindness shown by Captain Simmonds and the two began a correspondence.  On December 7th, 1864 George and Eliza married in Bristol, Wisconsin.  On the completion of the war, the couple moved to Cedar, Kansas and settled down to farming.  They raised five children and had a very happy life until Eliza's death in 1883.

A year or so after Eliza's death, George married Sylvia Baker, who herself was a young widow.  They met at a convention of Civil War Veterans, being introduced by Sylvia's father.

George and Sylvia moved to Abilene, Kansas where they had a cattle ranch and lived there until George's death in 1911.

Our Seafaring Ancestors

I guess it stands to reason that, surrounded by the sea, many of our early ancestors made their living on the bounding main.  To date, I have discovered 74 early family members who Captained their own ships.  Here are some of their stories.

Captain James Beattie Hill (5th cousin, twice removed)

USS Finland - 1919

On August 5, 1919, the great ocean transport ship, "Finland", sailed into New York harbour - its flag at half mast in respect for their Commander, James Beattie Hill.  As he would have wished Captain Hill, died suddenly on the bridge of his beloved ship. Born in Great Village, Nova Scotia in 1863, James married Annie Esther Spencer of Londonderry.  The couple had four children including twin daughters.

The Finland had a company of nearly 3700 and was used during World War One as a troup transport, where in 17 trips it carried some 60,000 troups without the loss of a single man.

The officers of the Finland accompanied his remains to the Hill home in Great Village and participated in James' funeral.

Captain John Geddes 3rd (1st cousin 4 times removed)

Avon River near Windsor, Hants, Nova Scotia

Captain John  was born in 1820 at Highland Village and married Isabella Urquhart.  They had 10 children.  John was the nephew of our great great grandmother, Esther Cooke

John owned his own little ship which was built at Highland Village, Nova Scotia.

In the early to mid 1880s, much of the travel between villages in coastal Nova Scotia was done on the water and John made regular trips from Five Islands to Windsor carrying fish, produce and other agricultural products to the larger town.  In November 1871, he set sail with a cargo of dressed pork and beef which he planned to trade for some Christmas treats for his family.

The Bay of Fundy is famous for its amazing high tides and, near the mouth of the Avon River, close to Windsor, Captain John's little vessel was wrecked a mile or so offshore.  A heavy winter storm prevented the transport of the remains back to Five Islands and so the victims of the accident were buried in the churchyard at Chivaree, near the Noel Shore where the bodies were recovered.

Although Isabella, Captain John's wife remarried, she insisted on being called Isabella Geddes until the day she died.

Captain David Chisholm (1st cousin, 5 times removed.) & (3rd cousin, 4 times removed)

Portaupique Beach
Cemetery

David, the son of William Chisholm and Mary Cooke was born in 1808 in Londonderry, Nova Scotia and although he spent over 40 years at sea, found time to sire 9 children with his wife, Mary Yuill.  His obituary tells you much about the man, himself:





"A GREEN OLD AGE

Mr. David Chisholm, of Mount Pleasant, Great Village, is one of Colchester's veterans, who is remarkably smart in his old age. he lives with his daughter, Mrs. Robert Elliott, and has lately been visiting for two or three months with another daughter, Mrs. Daniel McLaughlin, Pleasant Hills, Economy. He is 87 years of age, having been born Dec. 15th, 1808. 

His conversation about past events is most interesting; and his memory of the many exciting events of the long ago, is truly remarkable. With almost minute detail can he describe the "happenings" of 70 and even 80 years ago. 

Mr. Chisholm followed a sea-faring life for over 40 years, and with the exception of a little rheumatism, he is now a wonderfully preserved man. He reads without glasses, and though once a great slave to tobacco, has overcome the habit, and is now master of the situation in this respect. His wife was a daughter of the late John Yuill, of Lower Truro.

The 'News' wishes this aged veteran many years yet of continued good health and happiness. [Truro Daily News - Jan 6 1896]"

David is buried in the Portaupique Beach Cemetery on the shore of the Bay of Fundy.