All families have their heroes and villains and I've devoted many blog posts to some of our more dashing and heroic relatives. Today, I will talk about James Archibald who was hung for murder on the Halifax Common in 1815.
James was born into the prolific Archibald clan who came to Nova Scotia from New Hampshire prior to the American Revolution. His father, David, himself refused to sign the oath of allegiance to the English King. He still had family in the United States and his loyalties was divided. This refusal could have seen him arrested and charged with treason had officials not had enough to do battling American Privateers and trying to establish sound government in this new land.
James was born in 1787 in Truro Township and lived on the family farm at Salmon River. In 1811 he married Sarah McCurdy and the couple had two sons, James Jr. and David. James was described as a large man with a dour outlook and over the years there had been whispers about his many misdeeds. There was the story of a peddler who called at the farm, supposedly carrying quite a sum of money, who disappeared never to be seen again. Neighbours speculated over James' part in this disappearance.
In 1813, James was introduced to the Privateer, Captain Benjamin Ellenwood. With the War of 1812 in full swing, the captain had gained a reputation of one of the most successful Privateers on the Saint Lawrence River and in the Bay of Fundy. During a visit with the Captain and his wife Epiphene, James Archibald made arrangements to purchase a major share in one of the Captain's schooners. Mrs. Ellenwood took an instant dislike to the dressy man who obviously lived beyond his means. He warned her husband to have nothing to do with Archibald, but the Captain decided to proceed with the sale of the schooner.
One evening shortly after the deal was completed, James Archibald crept aboard the vessel and killed the Captain with a marlin spike. Immediately, all eyes were on a young Portuguese boy who worked for Ellenwood, but soon suspicion turned to Archibald.
James Archibald was arrested and taken to Halifax for trial before Chief Justice Blowers in the Easter sessions of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. After his conviction, he admitted to a great many robberies - most of which were trifling but made for wonderful reading in the local newspaper.
On May 1, 1815, James Archibald was taken to the Halifax common and hanged by the neck until he was dead.
The following year, his wife, Sarah married Captain Henry Cumminger of Truro and the two lived many happy years in Sherbrooke, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia.
This is a genealogy blog that tells the stories of my family. Surnames include: Bragg, Harrigan, Gamble, McLellan, Cook, Campbell, Vance, McLaughlin, Blair, Johnson, Morrison, Peers, Teed, Swallow, Beattie, Starritt, Fulton, Archibald and many, many more...
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Remembering Dan
Dan Bragg 1940 - 2003 |
Unbelievably, it will be 10 years this Saturday that we bid farewell to Dan, although I often get the feeling he's not really that far away. While there is plenty to say about Dan, I could not put it any better than Suzanne did in her wonderful eulogy that she gave at Dan's memorial later that year:...
"April 12, 2003 Suzanne Levanas
Hello. For those of you who don't know me, let me introduce myself. I'm Dan's younger sister, Suzanne. I live in Los Angeles with my husband & 2 daughters.
First of all, I'd like to thank all of you for coming here today to celebrate & remember Dan's life. It means a great deal to my sister, Marilyn, and I as well as to Dan's children, Russell & Dani.
So who was Dan Bragg? Well, I suspect each of you knew a slightly different Dan and had a unique relationship with him. To some, he was a relative; to others, a friend or co- worker. To me, he was my big brother & I would like to share some of my thoughts and memories with you today.
John Daniel Bragg was born on November 25, 1940 to Rusty Bragg & Dorothy Harrigan. As a child, he was always called 'Danny'. It wasn't until much later that he insisted on being called 'Dan'. Danny didn't get to meet his father until he was 4 years old. My mother was pregnant when my father went overseas at the start of WII and he didn't return for 4 1/2 years. My mother tells the story of how, as a little boy of 3, Danny would walk up to men in uniform, tug on their pant legs and ask: 'Are you my Daddy? Are you my Daddy?' Mom was so embarrassed!
At his birth, Dan was welcomed as a grandson to Nana & Grandpa Harrigan & Grandma & Grandpa Bragg, a nephew to Vincent & Isabel Harrigan, Florence & Harold Curtis, Lloyd & Eileen; Raymond & Mary, Norman & Rachel, & Ed & Florence and he became one of many cousins which, over the years, included Bill, Bob, & Paul Harrigan; Joan, Doug, & David Curtis; Ruth, Shirley, John, Norma, Allan, Robert, Mary Lee, Charlotte & John Bragg. As children, we shared many wonderful occasions with our cousins & my cousin, Bob, who is 12 days older than Dan, will share some of his memories with you.
After my Dad returned from the war, Dan quickly took on a new role: that of big brother to my sister Marilyn, with me following 5 years later. As the baby in the family, I tended to get spoiled and that created a certain amount of friction between Danny& I. He used to complain about how spoiled I was but he also learned to use it to his advantage. On our almost weekly and infamous Sunday afternoon drives, which my mother said always included getting lost & driving down a back alley, the 3 of us: Danny, Marilyn & I would be sitting in the back seat. Danny knew that if he asked for ice cream, my father would say No. So he would prompt me to ask instead and when I said 'Keen Cone Daddy!' my father always gave in.
Not only was I spoiled but I apparently also loved to tattle on my older brother! Our parents used to go out & leave Dan to baby- sit Marilyn and I. Upon their return, they would ask how everything went and Danny would say "oh, fine!" to which I would pipe up: "Yeah, everything is Oh fine! Danny's hitting Marilyn & Marilyn's crying and everything is Oh fine!" Needless to say, this did not sit too well with Dan!
But growing up, I adored my big brother! He was 10 years older than me and I thought he could do anything! I'd follow him around & get in his way and bug him a lot but to me, he was my hero. I'd do almost anything just to spend time with him. I even remember one time when he went duck hunting and he came home with half a dozen fresh ducks. He "allowed me" to help him gut them - Yuck! To me, Danny was handsome & "cool" - he drove a gold mustang and had girlfriends. When I was 9 years old he joined the air force and I was heartbroken until I realized that I could take over his bedroom and move out of the room I had always shared with Marilyn. Of course, the room I inherited had model airplanes hanging from the ceiling and strewn all around. From a young age, he was in love with airplanes and he continued to be fascinated by them for his entire life. Dan was an airman in the RCAF for about 5 years. I remember how exciting it was to go visit him and to see him in his uniform. We were all very proud of him but no one was more proud than our father, Rusty Bragg, who was in the RCAF for 28 years. As an armament system technician, Dan learned the computer skills which he later took with him to the oil industry. After leaving the air force, Dan worked as a geophysicist, a career that took him to Los Angeles and Sydney, Australia.
In 1964, Dan became a husband when he married Peggy Hembrock and 2 years later, he became a father when his son, Russell Bragg was born. That was a joyous yet difficult time as our mother was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly afterwards and died in 1967. With the death of our father a year and a half later, Dan was forced to take on another role: that of orphan. It may sound odd to refer to an adult as an orphan but losing both parents while in your twenties forever changes your life path.
Dan's second child, Dani, was born in 1970. Dan struggled with the role of father. He loved his children dearly but when he and Peggy divorced and she moved to Vancouver & remarried, Dan truly felt that it was best for his children if he stayed out of their lives. I think he came to regret that decision and to realize how much he and they had missed out on during their childhood. Thankfully, he, Russ & Dani reconnected about 10 years ago and Dan treasured the times he spent with them. He also loved being a grandfather to Russ's son, Roan, who was born in January, 2002. Just 3 days before Dan's death, we celebrated Roan's first birthday with Dan in his hospice room. Dan loved little Roan, just like our Dad had loved Little Rusty.
Dan was also a loving uncle to Marilyn's children: Bill & Carolyn and my daughters, Danielle and Virginia. Though we were separated by many miles, my girls have fond memories of getting together with Dan and the rest of our family for reunions at Bragg Creek & dinners at the Steak Pit.
In 1972, Dan reluctantly took on another role: that of cancer patient. He was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin's lymphoma and was given 6 months to live. Following surgery, he started a rigorous course of chemotherapy and was the first cancer patient in Calgary receive chemotherapy on an outpatient basis. Fortunately, his treatments were effective and he lived cancer free for 19 years. In 1992, the lymphoma returned and this time, unfortunately, his treatments left him with permanent lung damage .For the next 10 years or so, Dan struggled with health issues and was in and out of the hospital on numerous occasions. Despite his precarious health, Dan managed to lead a fairly active life. He was recruited by Foothills Hospital to act the role of 'standardized patient', a role he enjoyed for 10 years. His affable nature and willingness to take on any role endeared Dan to the hospital staff.
As you all know, Dan was a good- looking guy, although he never saw himself that way. The camera loved him. He worked as a model for print ads and appeared on the back cover of the telephone book. He ventured into acting and had small roles in such films as Legend of the Falls with Anthony Hopkins and Blood River with Rick Schroeder.
Some of you probably knew Dan through his involvement with the Stampede Board. He was so proud of the fact that he had put in 28 years as a volunteer. He looked forward to it every year, would get on his cowboy hat & boots, & put in long hours at the Stampede grounds.
Dan also volunteered for many years at the air museum and loved being surrounded by planes and fellow airplane 'nuts' (my term, not his!). At the time of his death, Dan was working on a history of the Sopwith Triplane from WWI and the history of WWI Canadian aviators. He had compiled volumes of photos, stories and history and these materials are now at the air museum.
Dan was a bit of a loner and liked to spend time by himself working on his projects. But he also had a wonderful sense of humour and was fun to be around. He had a ready and engaging smile and he enjoyed the company of his friends, including Barry, Brent, Brian, John, Clarence & Sheila. When he was in the hospice, I asked him if he wanted me to call his friends so they could come to say goodbye and he said, "no, I'd rather they remember me the way I was'. Thank you to all of you who were friends to Dan, who offered him rides, called him to say hello, met him for drinks etc. You enriched his life and I'm sure, were enriched by his friendship.
In addition, I'd like to thank the staff of the Agape Hospice for how tenderly and lovingly they cared for Dan during his final weeks. People who dedicate themselves to hospice work and are there until the end of life are truly angels on earth.
I'd also like to thank my cousins, Bob & Grace & their family; Paul & Eva; & Robert & Joanne, for visiting Dan & spending time with us at the hospice. Your presence & support were very meaningful. I'd like to thank, in particular, my cousin Paul who was at Dan's bedside with Marilyn when Dan died & who was so helpful & supportive to Marilyn in the days that followed.
To all who sent expressions of sympathy & who shared stories of how Dan had touched their lives, my sincere thanks. I'd also like to thank my daughter, Danielle, for singing our grandmother & mother's favourite song, Danny Boy; my daughter, Virginia, for the reading during mass, and my friend, Colleen, for the beautiful handmade quilt which will be draped over Dan's ashes at the cemetery.
Finally, I'd like to thank my sister, Marilyn. There are no words to convey how dedicated and devoted Marilyn was to Dan during the past 10 years. She was there through each and every medical crisis and procedure; she took his calls day or night; listened to his concerns; visited him at home or in the hospital; and offered advice, encouragement and support. She was the one person he could always turn to and who was always there for him no matter what. She was his best friend and together they shared many holidays, birthdays, Sunday afternoon drives and cups of coffee. So Marilyn, thank you for being the best sister and friend to Dan that anyone could have ever been.
When I was a little girl, Danny was my hero. But over the years, as we grew up and went our separate ways, his hero status faded somewhat in my eyes. We were a lot alike: both very stubborn & both wanting to be right. So it is fair to say that we had our share of disagreements. But we always knew that we loved each other. In the last few months and weeks of his life, Danny truly became my hero again. He faced his death with such grace and acceptance. He never complained through medical procedures, brain surgery, radiation, and repeated hospitalizations. In the hospice, he joked with the nurses and treated everyone from the doctors to the cleaning help, with respect and appreciation. I was privileged to spend the last 5 days of his life with him in the hospice, along with Marilyn, Russell & Dani & their families. We laughed with Dan & told stories; looked at old photos, some of which were sent by our cousin, Bill; we reminisced and we cried but it was wonderful being there together.
Dan and I talked about many things that week. I asked him if he was afraid and he said 'no' - he felt that he had lived a good life and had no regrets. He accepted that everyone has to die at sometime and he felt that he was lucky: he had lived 30 years longer than expected. I asked him if he believed in heaven or an afterlife, & he again said 'no - when you're dead, you're dead and that's it!' So I challenged him: 'Well, what if you're wrong? What if you find yourself in heaven and Mom & Dad & all our elatives are waiting for you?' 'Well, then I would have been wrong' he said, to which I replied: 'Well, that would be a first!'
So Dan and I made an agreement that if he got to heaven, he would send me a sign but we never really did decide what that sign would be. The day Dan died, Marilyn called me and said: 'Well, you got your sign!'. Apparently, when she called the mortuary, she was put on hold and the song playing was Elton John's 'Daniel' which goes like this:
'Daniel my brother you are older than me Your eyes have died but you see more than I I can see Daniel waving goodbye Daniel you're a star in the face of the sky '
For about 2 weeks after Dan's death, there was the brightest star outside my bedroom window - it was there when I went to sleep and still there when I woke up. Was it Dan? I like to think so.
So perhaps the question is not 'Who WAS Dan Bragg?' but rather, 'Who IS Dan Bragg?' for he is and will always be our brother, our father, our uncle, our cousin and our friend. I have no doubt that he is looking down on us today and enjoying the attention. While I somehow can't picture him with wings, I can imagine the joyful reunion that took place on January 19 when Dan arrived in heaven. I can see him being greeted by Mom & Dad & all the Harrigans, Curtises & Braggs. Someone hands him a cold beer and asks: 'Dan, what took you so long? We've been waiting for you for 30 years! Let the party begin!'
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Major James Howard Tupper - Letters to His Sons
Major James Howard Tupper |
James Howard Tupper was 40 years old when he enlisted in the 25th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry - Nova Scotia Regiment. The date was December 7, 1914 and he was designated a Major due to his age and experience as a leader in his community.
During his time in France, it is said that Jim asked a friend to take a small piece of ivy from a French Convent home to his wife, Letty. She planted the dried up vine in the rich Annapolis soil and soon it thrived and became a symbol of luck in the community. Even today it graces anniversary corsages, bridal bouquets and crawls along the walls of the old family home.
Before leaving for France, Jim left letters with Letty to be given to his children when they reached the age of 12. These letters were written, just in case he did not return from the war.
In the letter written to his son Douglas - aged 9, he said:
'In going into this war it is a great satisfaction to me to know your mother thinks I am doing right and I do not know but what she has hardest part to do, to stay home and have the care of every thing. I know you boys will be a great help to her. Perhaps some day you will be a soldier and a soldier must on all occasions fulfill and carry out his duty his first duty is to obey. Can you do that? I hope so and I think you do. If not you are no soldier. A soldier must obey. I am taking a group of you four children with me. Vera is so young she will not remember me, she is a dear little thing. And now my own dear boy farewell I hope I may return to you. I pray that God may watch over and keep you. There is not a German Sword cut that cuts as deeply as it cuts me to leave you all. I am simply doing my duty as thousands of others are doing. My own dear boy good bye.
Your loving father,
J.H. Tupper'
The other letter that survived was to his son Borden - aged 12
My dear Son:
How dear you are to me you will never know or how hard it is for me to leave you, perhaps never to return, you can never understand unless you go through the same ordeal yourself some day and I hope you may never have to but if you do, face it boy, face it bravely. Do not back down. I love you with all the power of love within me and now on the eve of my departure for war I am writing to you and if I do not come back this will help you to understand why I went, why I took such a risk, why it was necessary. I count my life cheap in the scale compared with the empire. I am a man and being a man I could not stand by and see our country in danger and not do my best to save it. It does not appeal to all alike. As you grow older you will realize more fully what I mean. Perhaps when you read this the war will be over and peace in the world once more.
It may be my lot to fall and not return with the troops and if so I would like you to always remember that I loved you better than life itself. I have looked forward to the time when you would be a little older and I would have the benefit of the years of experience I have had. We would be good friends, you and I, the best of friends. You are my eldest son and I hope you will grow up to be as good a man as you promise to at present.
My boy, always be good to your mother. If my actions deprive you of a father, you will still have one of the best of mothers. You cannot afford to neglect her. Honour her and love her above all else and you can safely rely on her councils and judgement. Be kind and true to Grandma. She is Daddy's mother and has a great store of wisdom for boys and girls.
I must think of you as a boy of twelve, a big boy, a true boy, a boy who will make a man. True men are not plenty and all boys are not true boys. Be a true boy. There are things to be true too. First, be true to your "God". Second, be true to yourself. Third, be true to your country.
You can be true to God by obeying His commands, carrying out His will and being kind to all his creatures.
You can be true to yourself by treating yourself fair. God has given you a body to go through this life. Use your body in the way He would wish you to. Keep your body clean, that will keep it healthy. Keep your mind clean by reading good books, thinking good thoughts and doing kind acts. Choose clean friends and always by friendly. Never go back on a friend. One good friend is worth a great many poor ones. In your play and daily contact with your friends and school fellows be clean in your conduct to them, particularly with the girls. Remember you are a gentleman and treat them as ladies. No matter what they are like it will not excuse you. Avoid the bad ones. You cannot afford to spend time with them. That would not be treating yourself fairly.
To get an education God has given you a time of youth to prepare your mind, knowledge to gained every day but only one day at a time. You will get tired of school and you will see boys who do not do very much and you will think they get along just as well but they will not and they will perhaps find it out in time. Study your lessons each day, one day at a time and you will find the better you know your lessons the better you will like to go to school. You will not be true to yourself unless you learn your lessons each day as they come along. You are storing up knowledge that will be most useful by and bye. Get your storehouse "your mind" well stored with the useful knowledge that you get at school and as you go through life you will always find use for it and no man can take it from you and you cannot lose it. You will always have it.
Be true to yourself in your play. Play fair or not at all. A boy who will not play fair is likely to make a man who will cheat in his business. They are both on the same road. The business comes a little later on.
You can be true to your country by being a good citizen, one ever ready to defend what is right and oppose what is wrong. As you grow to manhood you will have to decide on many questions, "public questions" and take one side or the other. It is your duty to do that. Decide honestly and then act accordingly. If filling any office of any society, or in any public capacity, do your best. This is all included in "citizenship of the right kind. It is not always necessary to die for your country to serve her. You can live for her, and only do your duty as you see it and you will not be fulfilling your obligations.
I have many friends upon whom you may rely for council and help. I cannot name them all but only a few of my nearest and dearest ones. I need not mention your uncles Elias and Forbes as well as uncles Charlie, Hallet, and Uncle Reg. You can always depend on Rev. E. B. Spurr. He is one of my very best friends and I claim him as a brother. Mr. C. L. G. Hervey, Mr. L. Wiltshire, Mr. C. C. Rice, Mr. R. G. Whitman, as well as many of the newer friends in Bridgetown. You will of course have your own friends and companions but you can remember these as some of my best and truest friends. I did not mention Mr. Young or Mr. Williams you know now what friends they are.
And now my own dear boy may God keep you, protect you and watch over you and make you worthy of the love bestowed upon you.
Be kind to your sisters. You have two sisters now and I hope you will have them for many years. You and Douglas love each other which is right. I know you both love your sisters and they love you. How happy you will all be.
My own dear boy I must close. I cannot express my love for you. May God keep you and watch over you,
Your loving father,
J.H. Tupper
Major James Howard Tupper was killed by artillary fire during the Battle of Courcelette, France on September 16, 1916 and is buried in the Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme France. He was 42 years old.
What a rich legacy he left behind!