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REFERENCES

a NovaScotia foal C^KMinin^ Area

b Acadia Coal C9>Mimny Areas

Intercolonial CoalMininy C^^^^ Areas
Halifax fonipanif's (Limited J Area

e Montreal & Pictou f^^Aiea

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i Vale foal TrondMfyC^y Area

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, .^^\

A HISTORY

or THE

COUNTY OF PICTOU

NOVA

SCOTIA.

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By the Rev. GEORGE PATTERS6N,/D.D.

AOTHOB or "MEJCom or Jambs M-Ghkoor, D.D.," "MEMmns or Johmstom
AND Mathbson," "The Dootrinb c7 the Tui.i.y, cxDErLviKO

THB RbVBLATION OF RkDEMPTION," &C.

MONTREAL: DAWSON I'.ROTIIERS.

PICTOU, K. S.: JAMES M'LEAN & Co.

Halifax, N. E. • v & w. McKINLAY. St. John, N. B. : J. & A. MoMIJ.LAV.

TORONTO: JAMES CAMPBELL & SOX.

1877.

191586

Pmn/i£.dfj^c^

rBlJITW) AT TBI "OazBTTI" PnWTDrO HoCBf, MOMTMAU

■iMcotyp-jd bj Morrimn A Son, UontnaL

PREFACE.

By those for whom this work is intended, no apology
for the undertaking^ will bo deemed necessary. As to the
manner in which it has been accomplished, however, the
author deems eome explanations due to hims3lf and his
readers. First, he feels it but right to mention the diffi-
culties in the way of obtaining correct information, par-
ticularly regarding the early Bettlement of the county.
With the exception of copies of grants and oimilar papers,
preserved in the public records, there is scarcely a docu-
ment of that period i" \ii8tenco, and these servo very
imperfectly to give us uix insight into the life of the early
settlers. "Wo are thus indebted for all our knowledge of that
era, almost entirely to unwritten sources, and the difRoulty
of obtaining exact information in this way, can only be
understood by those, who have made an attempt of the
same kind.

The author must, however, here acknowledge valuable
aid from a writer, whoso name is unknown to him, who
under the signature of ♦• Philo-antiquarius," published in
the first volume of the Colonial Patriot, a series of letters
on the early history of Pictou. These letters lie has
quoted fully, but they do not enter largely into details,
and wnon they do, they are not always accurate.

It is but due to himself to say, that he has spared no
effort to gain information. He has ransacked the County
and Provincial records, and teased officials with his
enquiries ; he has plodded his weary way through news-
paper files, and, works of Colonial history ; ho has inter- '
rogated Micmacs, and, as the Scotch would say, " cxpis-
cated " every old man and woman ho has met with in the
county for years ; he has also conducted a largo corres-
pondence, and visited varjaug sections of the country in
search of facts. To arrive at the exact truth, ho has
labored as conscientiously, as if he were writing the history
of Europe ; and though he can scarcely hope, that his

IV.

work will be found free from all errors, yet he belieTes
that these will not be material.

Farther, as to the execution of the work, he desires to
say that the plan adopted has been, to present as full an
account of the early sottlers of the county and tho pio-
neers in ea'^h section of it, with as vivid a picture of their
toils, as in his power, even to the exclusion of informa-
tion that might be desired, regarding more recent events.
This course has been followed, partly on the general
ground, that these things being longer past, are now more
properly the subjects of history, partly because he con-
siders that portion of our annals as most worthy of notice,
but especially, because the information regarding it,
depends on oral tradition, which in another generation
would be lost altogether.

In this course he has also had a special object in view.
Of those who have hitherto professed to write the History
of Nova Scotia, none have yet attempted fully to delineate
tho period of British colonization ; and yet the author
regards this as the most important era in the past of the
Province. He has, therefore, attempted to depict tho life
of tho early settlers in Pictou, — to give, as far as he can,
the very form and pressure of the age ; and as what
occurred in one county, was, in a largo measure, " repeti-
tion of what took place in another, he hopes that his work
will thus serve, as a contribution to the illustration of that
era in our colonial history.

It is too well known that the history of the county has
been disfigured by i^ainful controversies. These could
scarcely bo ignored in a history like this, but tho treat-
ment of them, it will be readily seen, must be a work of
difficulty and exceeding delicacy. The course which he
has adopted, has been to pass over all contentious of a
personal character, but where there seemed questions of
importance at issue, to point them out clearly and can-
didly. And though he could not help, to some extent,
viewing these from his own standpoint, yet it has been
his aim to look at them from all sides, to endeavour to
arrive at the exact truth regarding them, and to judge
charitably, where his convictions would lead him to con-
demn.

There only remains the duty, which the author has
great pleasure in discharging, of acknowledging the aid

received from varioiis parties in his undertaking. Of tne"-
public officials, who were always ready to facilitate his
enquiries, he desires to mention, — in Halifax, Messrs. "W.
A. Hendry, late of the Crown Land Department, Thomas
Robertson, Provincial Secretary's office, Venables, of the
Legislative Library ; and in Pictoti, Messrs. David ^Mathe-
6on, Clerk of the Peaco and Protlionotary;, and John Fer-
guson, IiPgistrar of Deeds. Ho must also record his obli-
gations to Itev. S. T. Rand, for much of the information
m the second chapter regarding tho Micmacs, to T. B.
Akius, Esq., of Halifax, for access to works of tho early
French voyagers, to Dr. J. W. Dawson, and Ed. Gilpin,
jr., Esq., for information as to tho geology and mineralogy
of the county, to Thomas Millar, Esq., of Truro, for aid
in enquiries in Colchester, to tho officers of tho different
coal companies, especially Thomas Blenkinsop, Jesse
Hoyt, Roderick McDougall, George Ilaltio and J. P. Law-
son, Esqs , for information regarding tho different collie-
ries ; and, for various personal reminiscences, to Messrs.
Robert Patterson, George Glennie, W. H. Harris and Jas.
Hepburn of Pictou, John McKay, Esq., of New Glasgow,
and among tho departed, Mr. John Douglass of Middle
River, James I\IcGregor, Esq., of New (jiurigow, and his
late father. To the following he u specially indebted for
tho information regavding the settlements under-men-
tioned: to Rev. H. B. McKay, for River John, Toney
River and Cape John Shore ; Rev. "William Grant for
Eo-rltown and West BrancL River John ; Rev. J. \Yatson,
for New Annan; Rev. D. i3 Blair, for Blue Mountain,
Barneys River and Garden of Eden ; Rev. Robert Cum-
ming, for St. Marys ; and IMr. William Eraser, for Pictou
Island. Ho has largely adopted their words and inter-
woven them with his own narrative. Many others have
rendered him aid, of which ho is fully sensible, who, he
trusts, will accept this general acknowledgment.

GEORGE PATTERSON.

Neio Glasgow. N. S., Feby., 1877.

CONTE NTS.

r. I

III

CUAPTEB I.

INTRODUCTORY.

Boundaries — Divisions —Coast and Ilarbours — Interior — Geological
Structure — Natural History — Name

CHAPTER IT.

PICTOn IN THE rnEHISTORIC PERIOD.

Early visitors — Micmac occupation — Hi mains — Names— Their wara

CHAPTER III.

THE FRENCH IN PIC TOD.

French Settlements — Remains found— Removal of French— Peace with

Indians — Vessel stranded at Carriboo 37

CHAPTER IV.

FIRST ENGLISH SETTLEMENT OF PICTOtJ — 1767-1773.

Schemes for settling Nova Scotia — Philadelphia Company and their ,
grant — Arrival of first settlers — Their labours — Social condition ... 46

CHAPTER V.

ARRIVAL OF HECTOR AND SETTLEMENT OF HER PASSENOERS— 1773-1776.

Hector's voyngo and arrival — DifRculties of settlers — Progress — Settlers

from Dumfries, on I'rinco Edward Inland and removal to Pictou . . 79

CHAPTER VI. '

PICTOU DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR — 1776-l78a.

American Revolutionary War — Effects on Trade — Vessels captured —
Indian gathtring — "Malignant" — Slavery — First settlement at
Mcrigomish 98

CHAPTER VII.

FROM THE CLOSE OF TUB WAR TILL THE ARRIVAL OF DR. M'anEGOh — 1 783-1 78G.

Eighty-second Regiment — Eighty-fourth — Upper settlement, East River —
Other arrivals — First settlers of Tatamagoucho and River John —
Dr. McGregor's arrival 114

trs 24

their i
ion . . . 46

;-l776.
Settlers
ictou.. 79

-1783-178G.

114

vu.

CHAPTER VIII.

DR. H'OHEQOR'a EAHLY LABOUBS — 1786-1789.

State of Society — First churches — Pastoral labours — Redemption of slaves

— Missionary journeys 186

CHAPTER IX.

ritOM TUB COMMXNCEMENT OF TUB TOWN TILL THE FRENCU WAR — 1789 — 1703.

Oovernor Patterson's grant— Commencement of town — First ship-building

—Immigration— Pictou made a separate district 151

CHAPTER X.

raOM THE COHMENGEUXNT OV THE FRENCH WAR TUL THE WALLACE ELECTION —

1793-1799.
Jrench Revolutionary War and trade — Rev. Duncan Ross — Population-
Social condition — Hunting — Micmacs — First contested election —
Discovery of coal 168

CHAPTER XI.

COUNTY AND COORT BUSINEBCi

Building jail — Stocks — Collecting taxes — Sessions regulations — Inferior

Court — Supreme Court — First trial for murder 190

CHAPTER XII.

IHUIGRATION AT THE BEQINNINO OF THE CENTURY.

Large immigration — Dunoon's passengers — New settlements — Mount

Thom, McLennans Mount, New Lairg, &c 222

CHAPTER XIII.

FROM THE BEOINNINO OF THE CENTURY TILL THE PEACE — 1800-18J5.

Timber trade — Drinking — Edward Mortimer and others — War times —
Travelling — Dr. McCulloch — First Bible Society — Rev. John
Mitchell — Rev. Wm. Patrick — New Glasgow commenced 244

CHAPTER XIV.

IMMISRATION AND NEW SETTLEMENTS AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR.

New pcttlements — Dalhousio Mountain, Earltown, Blue Mountain, St.

Marys, &c 275

CHAPTER XV.

FROM THE PKAOB '' I i. THE FIVA.VCIAL CRISIS OF 1825-6 — 1815-1826.

Effects of peace — Year of the mice — Year of (rost — Agricultural improve-
ment — Murders — Business men — Financial critis — Religious
fiocieties — Religious divisions 292

Vlll.
CHAPTER XVI.

DR. M'ClLLOCn AND THG FICTOU A0ADEH1

Higher seminary projected — Commenced — Opposition— Dr. McCulloch's
labours — Native preachers — Institution remodelled — Decay and
fall 321

CHAPTER XVII.

v. .Oil THBPINAKCIAL CHISIS OK 1825-G TO THE DIVISION OF THE COUNTY — 1826-36.

Trade — Jotliam Blanchard and I'ictou Patriot — First Temperance Society
— Improved roads and travelling — Dr. McGregor's death — Election
of J 830— First steam navigation — L. and S. Society 363

CHAPTER XVIII.

MINES AND MINING INDUSTI'.IES OP THE COUNTY.

First coal mining — Coal field — General Mining Association — Acadia
Company — Intercolonial — Nova Scotia Company — Vale — Iron
ores 30»

CHAPTER XIX.

Fr.OM THE DIVISION OP TUB COUNTY TO THE PRESENT TIME — 1330-1876.

Piciou r.s a separate county — Shipbuilding and Capt. McKenzie — Trade,
agriculture and manufactures — Religiaus denominations —
Conclusion 423

Appendix. 44^

hiStoi^y

THE COUNTY OF PICTOU,

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY

The County of Pictou lies on the Northern Shore of
the Straits of Northumberland, along w hich, it presents a
leni^th of about fifty miles. It extends into the interior to
a distance of over twenty miles, being bounded on the
South, by the County of Guysborough, on the East by the
County of Antigonish, and on the "West by the County of
Colchester. When originally set olFin the year 1792, from
Colchester as a separate district, its boundaries were thus
described : " Beginning four miles eastward of David
Archibald's house, at Salmon liiver, between Truro and
Pictou, as the road now runs, from thence to run north,
four degrees west, (by the Magnet,) to the shore of Tat-
amagouche harbour, thence from said place of beginning,
to run south twenty-seven degrees east, to the southern
line of the District of Colchester ; thence east by the said
line to the western line of the County of Sydney, includ-
ing all the lands to the eastward and northward of said
lines, within the (then) District of Colchester." ]More
exactly its limits are thus described, " commencing at the
boundary of the County of Colchester, at the Gulf of
St. Lawrence, thence south four degrees east 19 miles.

thence south twenty degrees east 26 miles, thence east 25
miles, thence north 26 miles to the shore."

Tho following are the Latitudes and Longitudes of
leading points, determined by a series of observations by
officers of H. M. Navy, in the year 1828.

Lat. Long.

Pictou Island South Side 45 47 52 62 37 33

Pictou Harbour 45 41 56 62 42 ....

Pictou Academy 45 40 20 62 44 28

It is divided into three townships, Pictou, Egerton
and Maxwelton. The first of these embraces the western
part of the county, from the Colchester County line to the
harbour of Pictou. It is separated from the Township of
Egerton, by a line commencing at Boat Harbour and run-
ning thence south 54 ® west, till it reaches East River, at
what is called the Big Gut, and by another line commenc-
ing at Doctor's Island, at the point between the Middle
and West Rivers, and thence south 30 degrees west 19
miles, to the Colchester County line. The Township of
Egerton embraces all the central portions of tho county,
and is bounded on the west by the Township of Pictou,
as just mentioned, and on the east is separated from tho
Township of Maxwelton, by a line commencing at the
bridge at Sutherlands River, and thence running south to
the Guysborough County line. The Township of Max-
welton includes the remaining part of the county.

Its estimated area is as follows : —

. Pictou Township 215,360 Acres

Egerton " 239,600

Maxwelton " 222,400

Its coast is indented by several harbours, of which
the mcH important is Pictou, about the centre of its sea-
'>u v.t which is the largest, and by far, the best har-

. ;! o \ii Northern shore of Nova Scotia. It has a bar

at its mouth with twenty feet of water on it at low tide.
Th entrance is narrow, but within it expands into a very
large and capacious basin, ha^ang from five to nine fa-
thoms of water, whore a largo navy might ride in perfect
safety, and with muddy bottom, affording superior hold-
ing ground. Its main disadvantage is that it is frozen
over from the middle or end of December to the beginning
or end of April. Three fine streams, after winding through
a fertile district, fall into it, known as the East, Middle
and "West Rivers, the first navigable for small vessels for
five miles from its mouth.

A short distance to the westward is the small har-
bour of Carriboo, ^ formed between the main land and two
islands, named respectively Big and Little Carriboo.
This name is said to have arisen, from some of the first ex-
plorers, having seen a herd of caribou on ttie east point of
what is now the Big Island, but which was then a head-
land connected with the shore, and which they thence
called Caribou Point. This harbour has two principal en-
trances, one between the two islands, the other much nar-
rower but deeper, between the smaller and the mainland.
"When the first settlers arrived this was the only entrance,
what is now the wide entrance being then a sandbeach,
over which the sea was beginning to make its way. It
has, however, continued its encroachments, till it has en-
tirely separated between the two islands, making a pass-
ago half a mile wide with four feet of water on it at low
tide. "Within the memory of the first settlers the sea has
alsocut across the beach, which connected what is now the
Big Island with the land, and thus formed a third entrance,
which, however, is still shallow, f And further changes are

• Such is tho Bpelling now coraaionly adopted, though the name of the an-
imal is generally spelled Caribou.

t The late James Harris used to say that when he first visited tbo island, ho
could cross hctwecn them by wading to tho knee, and ho remembered tho Grot
stcrm which cut occms the beach connecting tho Big Island with the land.

If I

li 1-

going on. At two if not three places on the Big Island, which
were once meadows, cutting considerable qiiantitcs of hay,
are now only narrow sand beaches, which the sea is wear-
ing away, and which it will soon cut through, and thus
conrert it into three or four islands. In the days of the
Pictou timber trade, vessels of considerable size loaded in
this harbour, but it is now but little used. Two small
streams dignified as Big and Little Carriboo Rivers, unite
their waters about three quarters of a mile from the har-
bor into which they flow in a deep channel. About 15 miles
farther to the westward, is the only other harbour on that
side of the county, viz : — River John, being the estuary
of the river so named. This harbour is not large and not
well sheltered, being exposed to northerly winds, but it
has for many years been the seat of a large shipbuilding
trade. The River John, (in Micmac Cajje-Boogwek, i. e.,
flowing through a wilderness, *) flowing into it, drains a
large tract of country. Between these two harbours a
small stream known as Toney River, with several brooks
empty into the Strait.

Proceeding from Pictou Harbour eastward, along the
coast, we pass some small harbours, known as Chance, Boat
and Little Harbours, and then meet Merigomish, formed by
what is called the Big Island of Merigomish, which, how-
ever, is connected at its eastern end with the mainland by a
sand-beach a mile and a half long. Here seems originally to
have been the entrance to the harbour. The early French
explorers in the 17th century speak of this as the entrance,
but represent it as becoming choked with sand, so that
only small vessels could enter, and that only at high-tide.
When the first English settlers arrived, the old Indians
could recollect when there was suflicient water to afford
passage for their canoes. Now, however, it is a sand beach
from an eighth to a cjuarter of a mile wide, and for some

• From. Cajjahf to be alone.

distance along the centre, judging by the eye, about 30 feet
high, covered with a coarse grass and a few plants, such
as will grow in that situation. The entrance is now at
the west end of the Island, and my opinion is that originally
this was connected with the land, but that the sea here
cut a new entrance, that in consequence the tidal and
river waters flowing in this course, the stream at the east
end became too sluggish to keep the passage there clear of
the sand accumulating at its mouth, and thus led ultim-
ately to its being closed up. Even yet a very heavy storm
will make a passage across it.

The i^resent entrance has a bar with 14 feet at low wa-
ter, formed by rocky shoals running out from the points
on each side. Within, however, it is a large and safe har-
bour. Once inside, the mariner flnds himself well shel-
tered, but it has this disadvantage, that from the bend in
the channel, turning round the end of the Island, the same
wind by which sailing vessels can enter, will not bring
them up to the upper parts of the harbour. It contains a
number of islands, varying in size from a few acres to a
square mile in extent. Into it ilow as we joroceed easterly,
Sutherlands, French and Barneys Eivcrs.

Beside the islands already mentioned and some smaller
ones, there lies off the coast at a distance of about eight
miles from the entrance of Pictou Harbour, Pictou Island,
about five miles long from east to west, with an average
breadth of about a mile and three quarters. From each end
reefs run out to a considerable distance.

The coast has few dangers for navigation, and these are
largely, obviated by light houses. Approaching from the
cast, the mariner first sights Pictou Island light, which is
situated on the south-east point of the Island, showing a
white iixcd light, 52 feet above sea levol, and visible 11
miles, from a square white biiilding. Then comes Pictou
Harbour light on the south side of the entrance. It is a
white fixed light, with a small red light below, 05 feet

above sea level, visible 12 miles. Tbe building is octago-
nal, painted in red and white vertical stripes. Farther to
the northward and westward is Big Carriboo Island light,
situated on the north-east end of the Island, a white re-
volving light, showing its greatest brilliancy every JSiin-
ute, 85 feet above high water, and visible 10 miles from a
square white building.

The coast is generally low, scarcely in any place form-
ing cliffs, " the Roaring Bull," a point four miles to the
eastward of Pictou Harbour, making the nearest approach
to one. Both inside and outside the harbours, it is being
gradually worn away, the sandstone, which forms the
underlying rock, readily yielding to the influence of the
waves. At Middle River Point, those who can remember
a period of about fifty years, estimate that in that time
about 200 feet of the shore has been carried away. The
Island there is not now half the size it was within their
recollection, and a small island on the Middle River haa
in the same time been entirely carried away, except a few
stones visible at low water. At Abercromby Point, resi-
dents calculate that about sixty feet of the bank has been
carried away.

This wasting goes on with greatest rapidity under the
influence of north-east winds, which cause our highest
tides, and drive the water with great force, particularly
against the shores on the south side of the Harbour. In
this way the banks are undermined, and the frost and
rain bring down the superincumbent soil, which is
washed away by the waves and tides.

In Merigomish the same thing is observed. Mr. Wm.
Dunn, an intelligent resident, estimates that during
a period of about fifty years, from sixty to a hundred feet
of shore has been carried away on the point formerly
occupied by Mr. James Crerar, and in the cove on the
front of his own farm. The old ship yard is now almost
entirely covered with water, so that where the bow of the

vessel rested on the " ways," is now about high water
mark.

On the open coast the wasting must be greater. "We
have already referred to the changes going on at Carriboo
Island. But Pictou Island is weiring away with perhaps
greater rapidity, though at one [point toward the south-
east side, a sand beach is making. The old Indians spoke
of a time, when the passage between it and Carriboo
Island, now five and three quarter miles wide, was com-
paratively narrow. At Cole's Point, near the entrance of
the harbour, about thirty yards of a bank twenty or thirty
feet high has been carried away within a short time, and
its foundation is now a shingly beach. Since the light
house was built in 1884, about 200 yards of the eastern
side of the beach on which it stands, then yielding a
coarse hay, is now under water, and had not a break-
water been erected, protecting that building on three
sides, it would have been swept away some time ago.
At the same time, however, the beach has been making
toward the west.

The beach on the north side has also been diminishing,
though not with the same rapidity. It is calculated that
during the same period it has narrowed to the extent of
fifty yards. One great storm carried away about a quarter
of an acre in one place. On examination of the ground
laid bare, there were found roots of ash trees as they had
grown, and with them the skeleton of a bear. The sand,
however, after a time again covered the spot.

On the other hand, the land covered by the estuaries
of the rivers, and the shallower parts of the harbour are
gradually rising. On the "West Jtiver, by the calculation
of those who can remember fifty years, the flats have
risen over eighteen inches. At Middle River Point, be-
tween the island and the shore, it has filled up to the
extent of about eighteen inches, and where it was once
too soft to walk on, it is now so hard, that a horse and cart

1/ i

may bo driven over it. On the Middle River, similar
changes have been noted as in progress. Not only are
the marshes rising, bnt a channel formerly largely used
by boats, for which the regular landing place was at
Lochoad's, is now filled np. In like munnor what the
residents knew as *' the long pool " i3 now iillcd with
gravel, and generally tha creeks on both rivers are
estimated as having risen to about the same extent as
the surrounding flats.

In the harbour the flats from Middle River point to the
channel, are estimated to have risen about a foot in the
last fifty years, while residents at Abercromby Point esti-
mate that those off that point have risen at least two feet.
The East River, from its greater size carrying down a
greater amount of soil, will naturally account for this.
Thirty years ago it was considered, that vessels drawing
nineteen feet of water might safely load at the loading
ground at the mouth of the East River, but since that time
a ford has arisen further down, over which, previous to
the late dredging operations, it was difficult to take
vessels drawing over fifteen. Indeed it is maintained that
every part of the harbour, even the channel itself, is
becoming shallower. In former years vessels drawing
twenty-four feet of water passed over the bar outside the
harbour, but this cannot be done now.

In Merigomish the same thing is noticed, particularly
in the eastern portion of the harbour, between French
and Barneys Rivers. Residents have observed that the
flats are widening and the water upon them becoming
more shallow. The bottom, too, consists of a rich, soft,
fine mud, extending up, to the beai h itself, evidently
brought down by the rivers. On Barneys River from
the bridge downward, where people forty or fifty years
ago went freely in their canoes, is now in grass.

Along the shore the land is level and not elevated, but
in the interior ranges of hills extend in every direction,

which, with the various river valleys, by which it is
traversed, present scenery of the most beautiful, though
not of the grandest description. Some of these hills, such
as Frasers Mountain, Green Hill, Mount Thorn or Fitz-
patricks Mountain, exhibit prospects which in richness and
variety, of sea and land, hill ond dale, river and shore,
field and forest, will compare with any in America. On
the western boundary the hills rise to greater elevation,
being a continuation of the Cobequid Mountains, while a
similar range, not so high, but more rugged in outline, and
regarded as a continuation of the South Mountains of
Kings and Annapolis Counties, traverses the southern por-
tion of it, and is continued in the Antigonish Mountains.

It has few lakes, compared with some of the other
counties of the Province, and these are all small. . The
principal are Eden, Brora, Sutherlands, and McDonalds
Lakes, in the southern portion of Maxwelton township.
The others, though small, add in some places a pleasing
variety to the landscape.

In the descent of the streams are some pretty cascades,
the largest of which and the only one which may be called
grand, is on Sutherlands River, about two and a half
miles from its mouth. The stream is here about 100 feet
wide. In the centre a large rock, on which is a little soil,
bearing a few scrubby trees, divides it into two, and each
portion descends by three stages to a pool at the bottom.
But just below, a perpendicular precipice, which on the
left bank rises high over the fall, projects nearly half-way
across, so that the parted streams as they reunite arc forced
through a narrow gorge.

It has but little marsh land, and none to compare in
fertility with the dyked marshes of the Bay of Fundy,
but along its rivers and brooks is much intervale, and
meadow land of excellent quality, while much of the
upland, even to the summits of the hills, is fertile.
Indeed with the exception of a tract extending from the

it -^ m

ili^H

! i

head of the West River to the County of Guysborough,
and some smaller portions elsewhere, the whole is capabla
of cultivation. Forest fires have, however, in some
instances rendered considerable tracts for a time com-
paratively barren. Perhaps the largest extent of land
of this kind Ues between the Albion Mines and Middle
Eiver.

Its geological structure may be described in general
terms as follows : Across the whole southern side of the
county extends a range of hills of Upper Silurian forma-
tion, composed principally of beds of quartzite and slates,
the latter varying much in colour and texture with
masses and dykes of syenite and greenstone. This band
which commences on the east at Cape Porcupine and
Cape G-eorge, is about fifteen miles broad from the east
side of the County, till it approaches the East Eiver, when
it suddenly bends to the south, allowing the carboniferous
strata to extend far up into the valley of the river. Far-
ther west it again widens and so continues beyond the
boundaries of the county. Eocks of the same formation
are also found further north on its western border, where
the Eastern Cobequid hills enter the county at Mount
Thom and adjacent hills. In an economical point of
view, these rocks derive their chief importance from their
valuable iron ores, but a large part of them are covered
with a fertile soil.

At the base of these hills are lower carboniferous rocks,
chiefly sandstones and conglomerates, over and associated
with which, is a series of reddish and grey sandstones and
shales, with thick beds of limestones and gypsum, the
latter not of the economic importance, of those of Hants
County. These can be traced from the upper part of the
"West Eiver, eastward to the East Eiver, along the valley
of which, they enter in the form of narrow bay into the
Metamorphic District to the Southward. Eastward of
this they continue to skirt the older hills, until they reach

the Gulf of St. Lawrence, at Arisaig, beyond the bounds of
the county.

To the northward of these older members of the system,
there is in some places, especially on the East River, a
large development of the productive or middle coal mea-
sures, which we shall have occasion to notice more parti-
cularly hereafter. The remaining portion of the county,
stretching along the straits of Northumberland, consists of
newer carboniferous rocks, supposed by Dr. Dawson, to
belong to the upper coal measures, or pcrmo-carboniferous
series. These formations afford in a great number of
places grey freestones, much esteemed for architectural
purposes, and also suited for the manufacture of grind-
stones. Copper ores are found at various localities, the
principal being Oarriboo river, the West River a little
below Durham, the East River a few miles above the
Albion Mines, and River John near the village, but none
yet in quantities to be of economic value.

Its Natural History need not further be particularly
described, as its flora and fauna are the same with the
other portions [of the Province. The Beaver has become
extinct, though the effects of his labours may yet be seen
in various places. Most other wild animals have become
scarcer, and some, as the Fisher and Marten, are nearly if
not quite extinct. "We may mention, however, that the
Skunk and the Raccoon are recent arrivals. The first ap-
pearance of the former was a noted event about fifty years
ago. A young man from the Middle River was on his
way to the East, to attend a sacramental service ; crossing
the wilderness land lying between the rivers, he saw an
unknown animal, which he attacked vigorously, and with
results ahixt may bo imagined. He proceeded on his
journey, but as he approached the groups surrounding the
church, met the averted faces even of friends, and was
obliged to return home and bury his clothes. Other scones
of a sipilar kind took place in other quarters.

The waters along our shores exhibit similar changes in
their inhabitants within the historic period. AVhen
European voyagers first visitod our coast, the Walrus was
still found in this latitude ; and within the memory of
persons still living, the Seal was in such abundance as to
be each spring a regular object of pursuit. The first
visitors to Pictou describe in glowing terms the size and
abundance of the oysters, to be found in our harbour, and
the shell heaps on the site of old Indian encampments,
corroborate their statements, but now scarcely any are to
be found, and these are but small, I am also informed
that the clams, which are but little used, are not only
becoming fewer in number, but smaller in size.

As to its vegetable productions, occasionally a rare
specimen may be found. A short distance from the road
up Sutherlands River, toward Antigonish, stands a solitary
specimen of a species of spruce, which is not found any
where in this part of the Province at least. And I have
heard of other instances o{ trees being found, belonging
to species not known to exist anywhere near. Many
plants have been introduced by colonists, which have
spread and become wild. The introduction of one pre-
sents some circumstances of interest. A vessel landing
ballast at Mortimer's wharf, a few stalks of a species of
ragweed, known in Scotland among the common people
as Stinking Willie, were thrown out with it. They had
been pulled by some cultivator in the old country and
thrown among stones, and with them conveyed to the
hold of the vessel, and thus transported across the Atlantic.
Some of the seeds took root on the shore, and some fifty
years ago the late John Taylor pointed out the plants and
warned some bystanders of their character. They laughed
at him, and he took no trouble in the matter, but he after-
ward often expressed his regret that he had not himself
set to work and rooted them out, which he might readily
have done. About forty years ago, a Highland servant

of my father's, pointed out to me a larg-e bunch of it on
the shore of the side of the point toward the town. At
that time, farmers being interested in getting rid of the
oxeyed daisy aiid other weeds, he remarked that he was
mistaken if they did not find ere long that that would be
more troublesome thaii any with which they were con-
tending. Since that time, it has not only occupied all the
highways round the town and proved troublesome in the
fields of the fairmers there, but it has spread to the
extremities of the county, an'l beyond it. I have seen it
at Carriboo Island on the north shore, at Tatamagouche to
the west, well up the East and Middle Rivers to the
southward, and I have pulled a stalk of it on the road by
Lochaber Lake to the east.

Its meteorology exhibits little of interest as distinct
from the other portions of the Province. Like the rest of
the north coast it present a remarkable contrast to the
southern, in its almost entire freedom from fog. The
mean and extreme temperatures are, however, higher there
than here, owing specially to the influence of the Gulf
stream. The ice which comes down from the north in
spring lingers long off" our coast, cooling the air, so as to
retard vegetation and impart a rawness to the east winds
at that season, which is trying to the health, particularly
of persons under any pulmonary weakness. The autumn,
however, is much finer than on the south coast, there being
much less wet weather, and the southerly gales of that
season being felt less severely.

The name Pictou was supposed by many to have been
a corruption of Poictou, the name of an old Province of
France, and to have originated with the French. In
many documents of the early part of this century, even
Government plans, it is so spelled, and the old Highland
settlers pronounced it in this way. I have heard of
educated persons in Pictou, who maintained that this was
the proper name, and spelled it so in their correspondence.

li I

But this is a mistake. The name appears spelled as we
spell it in the writings of the earliest French voyagers,
and there can be little doubt that it is formed from the
Indian name, which, according to Mr. Rand, is Pictook.
The k at the end of Micmac names, he says, marks what
grammarians call the locative case, expressing at or in.
The French generally dropped the k. Thus we have
Chebooktoo for Chebooktook, and so Pictou for Pictouck,
the ou being originally sounded as in French.

As most of the Indian names are descriptive, attempts
have been made to discover the meaning of this, but as
yet we do not think that certainty has been reached. Some
hare supposed that the word is analogous to Buctou, pro-
perly Booktook, which means a harbour, or more properly
a bay or arm of the sea ; but this is used only with a
prefix, as in Chebooktou, Richibookiou, Chedabooktou, &c.

Mr. Eand explains the word differently. He says that
the word Pict means an explosion of gas, and he sup-
poses the name to have originated from the escape of gas
at the East River from the coal lying below. "Whenever
the noun ends in the sound of kt, the regular form of the
case locative is the addition of ook. Thus nebookt means
woods, nebooktook " in the woods,'' and thus Pict becomes
Pictook, and the k being dropped, as just mentioned, we
have the name Pictou. It may appear presumptuous to
express any doubt regarding a point of Micmac philology,
on which Mr. Rand is satisfied. Yet it appears to us a
serious objection to his view, that the phenomenon to
which he refers was only seen at the East River, to which
the Indians gave another name {ApcJiechkumooch — waakade,
or ducklnnd) while it seems certain that the name Pic-
touck T^'as applied specially to the harbour, where no such
phenomenon exists.

Others again have supposed, that it is a corruption of
the Micmac word, Bucto, which signifies fire. That this
was the derivation of the name, was a common opinion

tiinong the early settlors, and I find it asserted by Peter
Toney, now about the oldest of the Micmacs in Pictou, and
by others of the tribe. Their story or tradition is, that at one
time there had been a large encampment up the "West River.
On one occasion they all left in their canoes on a cruise
down the harbour. During their short absence, the whole
encampment was burned up, and also the woods for a con-
siderable distance around. No person could tell how the
lire originated. They always spoke of the event as the
" Miskeak Bucfo,'" or big fire, which naturally became asso-
ciated with the place. "When the whites came, hearing the
Micmacs speak of it in this way, they corrupted the name
and called the whole north side of the harbour, Pictou,
because according to this learned Micmac, they could not
pronounce it aright. Others adopting the same derivation,
have supposed the name to have been given in conse-
quence of a large fire, at what is now the East River
mines. "When coal was first discovered there, it was
covered with from four to six feet of burnt clay and ashes,
over which large hemlock trees were growing, and I am
informed that the Indians had traditionary accounts of a fire,
which continued burning there for some length of time.
This view I regard as entirely a supposition, and would
consider Mr. Toney's much more probable, on this ground
if on no other, that the name was originally given not to
the Mines but to the north side of the harbour. But Mr.
Rand assorts, that the difference between the words is too
decided, to admit of this being the correct derivation.

Another meaning was given by Philo Antiquarius, and
also by the lato Mr. Howe, as derived from a Micmac. It
is that it means anything like ajar or bottle, which has a
narrow mouth and widens aft:^rward. Wo have never
received this from Micmacs, but when we have suggested
it to them in the form of a loading question, they have
assented to it, whether to ploaso us or because it was correct,
may not be quite certain. This would well represent tha

shape of the harbour, and could it be shown to be in:
accordance with the Micmac language, we would deem it
preferable to the others. But when such difference of
opinion exists among the learned, we are obliged to leave
the matter unsettled.

CHAPTER II.

PICTOU IN THE PREHISTORIC PERIOD.

It is now known that these coasts were risited by the-
Breton and Basque fisheiir ^n during the sixteenth century,
and that they traded \^ah the aborigines, supplying
them with various implements in exchange for their furs.
It is probable that iictor bar'' u? was then well known
to these hardy mariners. The only fact, however, known
to us which seem to afford evidence of their presence, was
the discovery by Henry Poole, Esq., on the 17th March,.
1860, of a piece of wood three and a half feet below the
surface of the ground, while the men were engaged in
cutting a drain, on what is now the Acadia Company's
area at the Albion Mines. This piece of wood, three feet
long, showed marks of having been cut by an axe, w^hile
the trees growing above the spot were two feet in diame*
ter, and he counted 230 rings of annual growth in the
hemlock tree cut down just over it.

The first recorded notices of Pictou, however, are to be
found in the voyages of the early French visitors, in the
early part of the 17th century. We may here give a
description of its shores from an account published in the
year 1672, by Monsieur Denys, appointed Governor of the
Gulf of St. Lawrence in the year 1654.

" Starting from Cape St. Louis (now Cape George), ten.

d by the

century,

applying

leir furs.

1 known

r, known

>''!'!)

jnce, was

1 March^

elow the

■|

^aged in

tmpany's

;hree feet

:e, while

n diame-

th in the

are to be

s, in the

i give a

}d in the

or of the

leagues thence we come to a small river, whose entrance
has a bar, which sometimes closes it, when the weather is
stormy and the sea piles up the sand at its mouth, but
when the river swells it passes over and makes an open-
ing. Only small sloops can enter this river, and it does
not run deep into the countiy, which is tolerably fine and
covered with trees." This we take to be the eastern end
of the Big Island of Merigomish. " Proceeding westward
for about a dozen leagues the coast is nothing but a rugged
mass, with the exception of several openings of different
dimensions. The land round about is low, it appears
fertile, and is covered with fine trees, among which I
noticed quantities of oak."

The following is his description of Pictou harbour, or,
as he calls it, the river of Pictou : — " Passing these you
find a large opening, where there are several cliffs by the
side of low headlands or meadows, in which are numer-
ous ponds, where there is so great an abundance of all
kinds of game that it is surprising, and if the game there
is abundant, the earth is not less beneficent. All the
trees there are very fine and large. There are oaks,
maples, cedars, pines, firs and every kind of wood. The
large river is right at the entrance, and the sloops go from
seven to eight leagues within, after which you meet with
a small island covered with the same wood, farther than
which you cannot proceed without canoes. The country
on both sides of the river, for the space of a league toward
its source, is covered with pines, large and small, and
they are fine trees, as they were down below. There are
also along its sides, creeks and " cul de sacs," with mea-
dows, where the chase is capital."

" A league and a half up the river there is a large har-
bour (we suppose at South Pictou) where you may find
large quantities of excellent oysters ; some, in one place,
are nearly all round, and deeper in the harbour they are
monstrous. Among them are some larger than a shoe and

nearly the same shape, and they are all very fat and of
good taste. And at the entrance of this river, toward the
right, half a league from its mouth, there is also a large
bay, which runs nearly three leagues into the land, and
contains a number of islands, and on both sides you find
meadows and game in abundance." For some of these
details Mr. Denys seems to have drawn on his imagination.

"When first visited by Europeans this, like the rest of
the Province, was inhabited by the Micmac (properly
Miggumac) tribe of Indians, a branch of the jjreat Algon-
quin race, which included all the tribes along the
Atlantic coast from Virginia to Labrador. Of these the
Micmacs were one of the most powerful, occupying not
only Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, but the
whole eastern and northern coasts of New Brunswick and
the south side of the St. Lawrence for some distance from
its mouth. This extensive territory, known to the abo-
rigines as Miggumahgee,* Micmacland, or country of the
Micmacs, was, and indeed is yet, divided into districts,
inhabited by tribes, or subdivisions of the race, each under
its separate chief, who acknowledged the chief of Oona-
mahgee, or Cape Breton as their head, his superiority,
however, consisting in little more than his being umpire
in case of any dispute between the other chiefs, and pre-
siding at any general council. Of these divisions, Pictou
was the centre of the district extending along the north
shore of Nova Scotia, those belonging to it being known
as Pectougawak, or Pictonians. f Merigomish, however,
seems to have been their head quarters.

This was a favorable position for them. It was near
the fishery in the G-ulf ; the islands abounded in wild

• The classical reader may observe in the termination of this and other
names the Greek word ge, land or country.

t The others were, besides Cape Breton, Memramcook, and Restigouche to
the north, and Eskegawaage, from Canso to Halifax, Sigunikt or Cape Negro,
and Eespoogwit or Cape Chigaecto, seiven in all.

i\J

fowl, the rivers swarmed with fish, and the woods in the
rear were plentifully stocked with game. Their principal
place of encampment was at the foot of Barneys River, on
the east side, where they had, when the English settlers
arrived, some clearings on which they raised a little
Indian com and a few beans. Other places around, such
as the Big Island, some of the smaller islands in the har-
bour, and some of the jwints on the shore, were also sites of
their encampments, as may yet be seen by the quantities
of shells of oysters and other shelliish found on the
land, and the stone hatchets and arrow heads still occa-
sionally picked up. Their burying ground, when the
English settled, and for how long previous we know not,
was near the west end of the Big Island on the south side,
a short distance east of Savage Point.=^ This they used
till about forty years ago, and here stood a number of
crosses till a recent period. But all the Indians of the
county now bury on Chapel Island or Indian Island, an
island in the harbour donated to them by Governor
"Wentworth.

In the map accompanying Charlevoix's work, the mouth
of the East River is marked as the site of an Indian village.
This must have been situated on the east side, nearly
opposite the loading ground, on the farm of the late Jas.
McKay, now in possession of J.^^McGregor and McKenzie.
There, close by the river, is a beautiful flat, like a piece of
intervale, but higher and very slightly rounded, bounded
in the rear by a bank, by w^hich the land rises abruptly to
a higher level. Here the land was clear when the English
settlers arrived, and for some time after, when it was
ploughed, various articles were turned up, such as broken
pieces of crockery, a gun barrel, and on one occasion a

• This was so called from a Captain Savage, of Truro, who had died while
his vessel was lying there, and was buried in the sand on the shore. Either
his vessel or another, named the Betty, drifted ashore on the point of the
island opposite, which has since been called Point Betty Island.

pewter basin, about eight inches in diameter, with a narrow
rim, also five or six table spoons, while around have
been found quite a number of stone hatchets, and oyster
shells are abundant. Thesu facts show that this place
was occupied by them, both before and after the arrival of
Europeans.*

The opposite side of the river gives evidence of similar
occupancy, in particular a field on the farm of William
Dunbar, on being ploughed, has been found covered with
oyster shells.

On a point a little lower down the river was another
burying place. Here stood at the arrival of the English
settlers, and until a recent period, a large iron cross, about
ten feet high. Hence the place is still known as Indian.
Cross Point, though the locality is known among the
Micmacs, as Soogunagade^ or rotting place.

Here the Indians buried till a few years ago. Many of
the graves can still be traced by the rows of flat stones, by
which they were originally covered, which have now
sunk to the level of the ground or perhaps were always
in that position, and are partly overgrown with grass.
The water is wasting away the bank, so that human bones
may be found exposed on the shore.

Frasers Point, particularly on the farm of Mr. Hugh
Eraser, and ^Middle River Point, especially at McKay's
farm, by the shells which the plough turns up, and the
stone implements formerly found in abundance, and still
occasionally obtained, are shown to have been also places
of frequent resort.

The decaying remnant of the Micmac tribe look back

* An impression has prevailed that this was a French settlement, and it
has even been supposed that some embankments at the Big Gut, a little fur-
ther up were their work. One hut was found by the English settlers at the
latter point, but all the other facts indicate the occupancy of the place by
Micmacs, while the slightest examination of the embankments referred to,
show that they were not raised by the hand of man, but by the tide assisted,
probably by ice along the shores of the creek.

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ill;

on the period referred to as the golden age of their race.
Then they held undisputed possession of all these regions,
and were a terror to surrounding tribes. They could muster
by thousands. They were at peace among themselves,
drunkenness was unknown, and the various European
diseases, by which they have since been swept away, were
unheard of. The land abounded with game and the
waters teemed with fish. The forest sheltered them from
the Btorm, and skins of animals afforded the warmest
covering by night and by day. " My father," said an old
Indian, " have coat outside beaver, inside otter." Thus
speaks tradition, and in some respects truly, though it
would not be difl&cult from what we know of savage life,
to find another side to the picture.

Though divided into small tribes they could combine
to prosecute wars, in which they were frequently engag-
ed with the natives of Maine and New Hampshire, and
with the Iroquois and the Mohawks of the St. Lawrence.
The wkrs with the latter occupied a prominent place in
the traditions of the Micmacs of Pictou, and they preserve
the memory of fierce battles, fought in the neighborhood
ofMerigomish.

I have lately had evidence that these traditions are not
without foundation. Mr. Donald McG-regor of the Big
Island, in ploughing a spot in his field, where the vegeta-
tion was ranker than usual, turned up a human skull.
On examination there was found a mass of human bones
much decayed, among them a skull, transfixed by a flint
arrow head, which yet remained in its place. Along with
these remains were a large number of ancient implements,
stone axes, flint arrow heads, etc., but none of them
giving evidence of intercourse with Europeans. The
transfixed skull, and the whole appearance of the place,
plainly showed that here the bodies of those who had
fallen in some battle, have been heaped together, "in
one red burial blent."

I visited the place in 1874. The spot is small, not more
than eight or ten feet in diameter, and as soon as the
ground is turned, it will at once be distinguished from
the surrounding soil, being a loose black mould, contain-
ing fragments of bone, so decayed that they can be crushed
between the fingers, all, no doubt, once the flesh and
blood of brave warriors. This pit, if it can be called
such, is very shallow, being not more than fifteen to
twenty inches deep. At the bottom I found decayed
fragments of the birch bark, in which, according to the
custom of the ancient Micmacs, the dead were laid.
Below this was a hard subsoil, which plainly had never
been disturbed. The shallowness of the pit also indicates
that this burial took place previous to the coming of
Europeans, when sharpened sticks of wood were their
only instruments of digging.

The ground had been so thoroughly dug over before my
visit, that it was impossible to ascertain anything as to
the arrangements of the bodies, and nearly all the imple-
ments had been carried away ; but I found a stone axe,
which bore the evidence of having been ground to a sharp
edge, probably immediately before the encounter in which
its owner fell, some fragments of very rude pottery, and a
broken tobacco pipe, made of a piece of very finely grained
granite rock, the shaping and polishing as well as the
drilling of the bowl and stem of which, must have
involved much labour.

On examining the ground around, we found that it
was the site of an ancient cemetery, in which we founds
in addition to such implements as already mentioned,
bone spearheads and small copper knives. The burying
ground used by the Micmacs till about forty years ago was
about half a mile further to the west, but the place we
refer to is evidently much older. Indeed, some of the
remains seemed to indicate that they belonged to another
race, a people of small size, like the Esquimaux. That

the Algonquin race came from the south-west is now
the received opinion of American Antiquarians, and there
are also strong reasons to believe, that the Esquimaux
occupied the shores of North America, to a point much
farther south than they now do. Charlevoix describes the
Micmacs in his day, as maintaining a constant warfare
<vith them, and the probability is that tho former on first
occupying this region, drove the latter before them, and
these remains may be the relics of their conflicts.

One curious fact was manifest in this cemetery, which
has not hitherto been noticed in connection with Micmac
customs, viz., the use of fire in some way in connection
with the dead. Some of the graves give no indication of
this, and in one I was able to trace tho position in whick
the body had lain, viz., on its side in a crouching posture.
But in other cases the remains were mixed with ashes,
small pieces of charcoal -^iid burnt earth, showing ILo use
if fire for some unexplained purpose. In another I
ound just a quantity of ashes with small fragments of
Durut bones, none of them an inch long. The whole had
been carefully buried, and were probably tho remains of
some captive whom they had burned.

We may add that here, as elsewhere, every prominent
object, whether hil.' or river, streamlet or lake, headland
or island, had its appropriate designation in their lan-
guage, which is still in use among them. A few of these
names, with the meanings, so far as we have been
furnished, we subjoin : —

English Names.

Pictou iBland

Moody's Point

Merigomish

C'arriboo Harbour . .

Green Hill

Miemae Names.

Cunsunk

Poogunipkechk . .
Mallcgomichk . . .
Comagun ....

Espakumegck . . .

Meaning.

A hardwood grove.

A decoy place, where they

Bet duck decoys.
High land.

Englith Ifatnu.

Mount Thom

Middle Bivcr

Woe* River

East Biver

Saw Mill Brook.
Fisher's Grant. .

Roger's Hill

Narrow entrance of Cariboo
harbour

Toney River

Shore between Carriboo and

Lazaretto

Little Harbour

Sutherland's Island

Morrison's (?) Island

Point Betty Island

Miemae Name*.

Pamdunook*

Neoicheboogwek, .

Wakumutkook

Apchechkumooch-wa-

akade

Nawegunichk

Soogunugade

Nimnokunaagunikt. .
Tedootkesit

Bucto taagun. .
Nemtookawaak

Munbegweck . .

Coondawaakado . . .
Tumakunawaakade .
Mkobeel

Mwming.

A mountain chain.
Straight flowing.
Clear water.
Duckland.

Saw mill brook.

Rotting place, so called
from the old Indian
burying groimd.

Black birch grove.

Running into the bushes
place, from Tedootkin»
desink, «he rushes into
the bushes."

Spark of fire.

Running straight up.

Little Harbour.
A stone quarry.
Pipe stone place
Beaver place.

Mr. Hand tells us that the Micmacs regard themselves
as the bravest and best of the Indian nations, and boast of
success even over the Mohawks. But we know that till
very recently the name of a Mohawk, was sufficient to
excite the most abject terror in the mind of a Micmac. Tell
him that there was a Mohawk at any place, and he would
rather than pass it, go miles round even to reach his
home. So late as our boyhood, it was an amusement even
for children to frighten the Indians by some tale of Mo-
hawks, and they never seemed to get over the feeling of
alarm, which their name inspired, and we believe they
are not yet free from it. f

One incident of these wars seems well established, viz.,
the loss by drowning of a large number of warriors of the

" Pamdun is a mountain chain, and Camdun a mountain peak. It is inter-
esting to note hero the word dun, a hill, which both i n Gaelic and Anglo-
Saxon and cognate langiiageij denotes a hill, which appears in so many Scot-
tish names, Dunheld, Dunblane, Dunvegan, i,c., also in Dumbarton, Dumfries,
Ac, and another form of which we have in the English Downs.

t Mr. H. B. Lowden who hr^ so long kept the lightboose, informs me that
if a strsAge canoe is seen passing tiie entrance of the harbour, the Indians
wiU still come enquiring anxiously about it, and showing fears of an invaaioa
of their old foes.

Mohawk tribe at the little entrance of Carriboo harbour.
As we have been able to gather the facts of the story, the
Micmacs had concealed themselves in the woods on Little
Carriboo Island. Between this and the main land the
passage is very narrow, not 200 yards wide. The Mo-
hawks had detected the hiding place of the Micmacs, and
supposing that they might readily, by wading or swim-
ming, pass that distance, resolved to cross by night and
attack tiieir enemies while they were asleep. But the
tide is too powerful for any man to swim across it. The
Mohawks, not knowing this, plunged in, and the tide
ebbing at the time, they were swept away. In the morn-
ing the returning tide brought back their dead bodies, each
with tomahawk tied on his head. The Micmacs coming
out of their place of concealment, were filled with joy at the
sight of their dead foes, and danced in triumph for their
deliverance. At the time of the arrival of the English
settlers the affair was still fresh in the memory of the
Micmacs, and was represented as having taken place only
a short time before, during the wars between the English
and the French. The late James Harris mentioned that he
found two or three iron tomahawks in the sand on the
shore of Little Carriboo Island, which at the time were
regarded as having belonged to the Mohawks. The place
is still named by ^he Micmacs Tedootkesit, meaning the
place of running to the bushes, from the Micmacs taking
refuge in the woods.*

• An old rceidcnt in the neighborhood informed \w that as near as he could
guesg, about fifty-six years ago, or in the year 1820, an old squaw, one of the
most reliable ho had k.-<own, told him the story, adding that sho wns the first
to discover what had happened. She was at the time a little girl. In the
morning, as soon as she had awakened, she had gone to the shcre, and there
saw the dead Lcdics. The wind, she said, had been easterly, which would
have helped to bring them back to land. Sho immediately rr.n had. to tell
her father, and soon the whole band were at the shore, rejoicing ci cr their
fallen foes. L tpposing she were seventy years of age when Khe told the story,
«nd ten when the affair occurred, this would make the date of it 17C0, clout
the lime wo had supposed.

I
;

As illustrative of these times, we shall give a tradition-
ary account of the conclusion of the last war with th„*
Canibas, as the Micmacs call them, the tribe of Indiana
inhabiting Maine, and extending up to the St. Lawrence,
now usually known as the Abenakis. This was related
by Peter Toney and taken down by Mr. Rand, and we
have reason to believe that the main facts are correct : —

" There had existed for sometime a state of hostility
between the Canibas and the Micmacs. Two parties of
the former, led by two brothers, had come down to Fictou
and had fortified themselves in two block houses, at Little
Harbour. These block houses were constructed of logs^
raised up around a vault first dug in the ground. The
buildings were covered over, had each a heavy door, and
were quite a safe fortification in Indian warfare. At the
mouth of Barneys Eiver, near the site of the burying^
ground, the Micmacs were entrenched in a similar fort.'**^

" There was no fighting for some weeks. The parties
kept a careful eye upon, each other ; there was no friendly"
intercourse between them, but there was no actual conflict..

" One night a party of the Micmacs went out '* torching "
(catching fish by torchlight). They were watched by the
Canibas, who ascertained that they did not return to their
fort after they returned to the shore, but lay down on the
bank, about midway between the fortifications of the
hostile parties. This was too powerful a temptation to be
resisted. Two canoes came upon them, filled with armed
men. They were surprised and butchered, except two,
who effected their escape.

" These had rushed to the water and swam for life, and

* Tho old Indian fortifications were a sort of palisaded enclosures, formed
of trees and stakes driven into the ground between them, with branches of
trees interlaced. In times of war tho women and children were always kept
in such fortifications. After obtaining axes from Europeans they may have
constructed one like a block house, as here mentioned. There is a sort of dim^
tradition of a French fort at Merigomish. We ar j satisfied that this is a mis-
take, but probably the idea rose from a Micmac fortification of this kind.

idition-
ith th-
[ndians.
vvrence,
related
Eind we
set : —
lostility
irties of
J Fictou
at Little
of logs^
id. The
loor, and
At the
burying
ar fort.*
) parties
friendly
conflict-
>rching '*
dby the
to their
n on the
of the
ion to be
h armed
ept two,

life, and

res, formed
jranches of
Iways kept
y may have
sort of dim:
is is a mis-
kind.

were hotly pursued. But passing a place where a tree
had fallen over into the water from the bank, and lay
there with a quantity of eelgrass piled and lodged upon
it, they took refuge under the eelgrass and under the tree,
and their pursuers missed them in the darkness. After
the search was abandoned and the canoes had returned,
the two men camo forth from their hiding place and
hastened home to spread the alarm.

" Their dead companions had been scalped and their
bodies consumed by firo. This news roused all the war-
riors, and they resolved immediately to attack the party
that had committed the outrage and avenge it. They i ad
a small vessel lying inside the long bar that makes out at
Merigomish. This was immediately emptied of its ballast,
drawn across the Big Island beach, filled with men,
arms and ammunition (for it was since the advent of the
French), and immediately moved up to the forts of the
Canibas, where it was run ashore. The party was led by
a "keenap," a "brave," named Thunder, or Caktoogow,
or, as this name first rendered into French and then
transferred back into Indian, has come down, Toonale
(Tonnerre). They ran the vessel ashore, and, in his
eagerness for the encounter, the chief jumped into the sea,
swam ashore and rushed upon the fort without waiting
for his men.

"Being a mighty Powwow, as well as a warrior, ho
could render himself invisible and invulnerable, and they
fell before him, as we would say, like the Philistines
before Samson and his jaw bone of an ass.

" Having despatched them all he piled their bodies into
the building and set fire to it, serving them as they had
served his friends. When all was accomplished, his
wrath was appeased.

" He then, at the head of his men, walked up towards
the other fort without any hostile display, and the Abenaki
chief directed his men to open the door for them and

admit them in a peaceful manner. This chief had taken
no part in the fray. He had disapproved of the attack
upon the torching party, and had endeavored to dissuade
the other from it. So when Toonale entered his fort there
was no display of hostility. After their mutual saluta-
tion, Toonale dryly remarked, 'Our boys have been at
play over yonder.'* 'Serve them right,' answers the
chief, ' I told them not to do as they did. 1 told them it
would be the death of us all.'

" It is now proposed that they shall make peace and
live in amity for the future. A feast is made accordingly
and they celebrate it together. After the eating comes the
games. They toss the alkestakun — the Indian dice. They
run, they play ball. A pole is raised at the edge of a
void space, some three hundred yards across. The par-
ties arrange themselves four or five on each side. The
ball is thrown into the air, and all hands dart toward it
to catch it. He who succeeds in catching it before it
strikes the ground darts away to the pole, all on the oppo-
site side pursuing him, and if they can catch him before
ho reaches the pole, his party loses, and the one who
seizes him throws up the ball and another plunge is made
after it ; it is seized and the fortunate party dashes oflf
again for the pole, and the excitement is kept up amid
shouts and bursts of laughter, until the game is finished.

"This kind of game at ball is called Uooadijik.^
Another kind is called Wolchamaadijik, the ball being
knocked along on the ground. ' Did they not wrestle ? '
I enquired of my friend Peter. ' Oh, no,' was the reply.
♦Wrestling is apt to lead to a quarrel, and they would not,
imder the circumstances, run any risk on that score.'

" In all the games the Micmacs get the victory. And,
if they are impartial historians, they usually beat in their
wars with the other tribes and with the whites. Unfor-

* Compare 2 Sam. 3, 14

Innately we have not the records of the opposite parties of
Mohawks and Abenakis, but if we may judge from what
takes place among other nations, their accounts would
present a very different view.

" But, to return to the fort at Little Harbour. After the
games were ended, the Caniba chief gives the word
Novgooelnumook, ' Now pay the stakes.' A large blanket
is spread out to receive them, and the Canibas strip them-
selves of their ornaments and cast them in. The follow-
ing articles were enumerated by the historian : Meehootaale,
epauletts, Pugnlaky breastplates, Neskumunul, brooches,
Nasaboodakun, noserings, Nasogwadakunul, linger-rings,
Nasunegunul, a sort of large collar loaded with ornaments,
more like a jacket than a collar; Epelakunul, hair binders,
Egatepesoon, garters, sometimes, as in the present case,
made of silver; Ahgwesunahel^ hat-bands. These arti-
cles were piled in and the blanket filled so full that they
could scarcely tie it. Then another was put down and
filled as full. After this the Canibas returned to their
own country. A lasting peace had been concluded, which
has never yet been violated, and it is not likely it ever
will be."

CHAPTER III.

THE FEENCH IN PICTOU.

The period of Micmac ascendancy in Nova Scotia, was
followed by the time of its colonization by the French,
and of contention between them and the English for its
possession. But at this time Pictou is scarcely ever men-
tioned. When we consider the resources of the county,
and the skill of the French in availing themselves of all

i
i

II f

liyi

88^

the advantages of the country, it seems quite surprising
that they had done so little here. But the .coal and other
mineral resources were in the interior and unknown.
Cape Breton was more convenient for the fisheries, and,
for agriculture, they had been led by their experience of
the richness of the marshes of the Bay of Fundy, to seek
that kind of land, of which there is little in Fictou, and
that of inferior quality. Besides they had made consider-
able settlement at Tatamagouche, which, being nearer
than Pictou to Truro, was the point of communication by
water, between their settlements on the Basin of Minas^
and Ihose in Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton.
At all events there is not a county in the Province, in
which they have left fewer trac ' of their presence than
in Pictou.

Halyburton says, " The French had made a few incon-
siderable settlements here previous to the peace of 1763,
but upon the reduction of Canada they deserted them^
and in a few years they were again covered with wood."
All we know of their presence here is by what the first
English settlers found on their arrival. We thus learn
that their largest settlement was on ihe big island of
Merigomish. A small channel which makes off" from the
main one there, is still known as the French Channel.
It has good water and is well sheltered, and is said to
have been used by them for running into with their small
shallops, in which they prosecuted the fisheries or traded
with the other French settlements. At the head of this
were found the remains of several dwellings. "Within
the memory of persons still living, the foundations of
seven or eight could still be traced. There was but little
land cleared ; but there were gardens or orchards, the
bushes in which continued to bear for many years. A
variety of articles were picked up here, shovels, knives^
spoons, crockery and a few coins. Towards the west of
the island the remains were seen of a similar settlement^

iili

and among other articles found was the debris of a forge,
with axes unfinished and one in the tongs.

They had also a small settlement at the mouth of the
French Kiver, from which it derives its name. Here also
various articles have been picked up.

A few also had settled at the upper part of Little Har-
bour, where they also seem to have been employed in
fishing. The first English settlers found there the remains
of their old dwelling houses. An old man, in 1873,
informed me that in his boyhood he had picked up beads
and other articles among the ruins, and that some of the
first settlers had told him that they had found a brass
kettle under almost every chimney. A well was found
on what was afterward Lauder's farm, which was long
afterward known as the French well. Some traces of
them were also found at the harbour of Pictou. A log
shanty stood at the mouth of the Middle Eiver, and
another on the East River. Some pine had been cut down
at the Town Gut and along the stream upward, and the
spot where Barrie's (late Dickson's) mill now stands,
selected as the site of a mill. The remains of a cellar,
which had been well constructed with logs was, for a
length of time, to be seen about half way between the
Town Gut Bridge and Browns Point.

At what has long been known as the Burying Ground
Point, inside the entrance of the harbour, on the north
side, now known as Seaview Cemetery, was found a saw-
pit fallen in, with a log upon it in which the whip saw,
much rusted, still remained. It is believed by many, on
the assertion of some Micmacs, that this was used as a
burying ground by the French, and in the faith of this
several Roman Catholics have been buried there, and with
their Protestant neighbors sleep their last sleep in peace.
The remains of two or three huts were also found near
this point toward the entrance of the harbour.

Evidence of their presence was also found at Garriboo.

i/i'

The remains of three houses were found on the island^
and of three or four on the mainland ; one at Rod. McLeod's
and another at Three Brooks, now Weir's place. Here
they had fenced the marsh and used it for pasturing and
feeding a few cattle, but they had very little land cleared.
They are generally spoken of as having been principally
engaged in fishing, but the tradition is that the shores of
this harbour then abounded with large oak, which they
cut and shipped to Louisburg, where it was largely used
in the construction of the city, and probably also in ship-
building.

Various remains have been found at different places in
the county, which tell ^e tale of the presence of visitors
at this period, but which afford us scarcely any further
information regarding them. The hilt of a sword, with
only a small portion of the blade remaining, and supposed
from its appearance, to have been French, was picked up
on Carriboo Island, and some soldiers' buttons on the
mainland, near the entrance of Carriboo Harbour. Twa
muskets, with bayonets attached, were dug up at Fraserar
Point, and the remains of some guns, so decayed that both
wood and iron fell to pieces when handled, were turned
up by the plough near the Beaches.
, The late Mr. Hugh Fraser, some time after he had
settled at Middle River Point, turned up with the plough
parts of a human skeleton, alongside of which he found
a sword, still of such excellent temper that the point
could be bent to touch the hilt. Alas for military glory !
It was taken to a blacksmith's shop and there made into
knives for splitting mackerel. "When digging the bank
at the east side of the West River for the erection of the
bridge at Durham, the workmen came upon the bones of
a very larg 3 man, covered with a flat stone. In digging
a well at Dunbar's, near South Pictou, a skeleton was
found about eighteen inches below the surface ; the bones
were of small size, and were supposed to have belonged

ones oi

to a young person or a female. Other remains of the
same kind have been found at other places, all telling of
visitors previous to the English settlement. " Only this
and nothing more."

Such arc all the facts we have been able, after diligent
enquiry, to collect regarding the French settlement of
Pictou. "We had despaired of ever being able to know
anything of those of whom these remains speak. Unex-
pectedly, however, we have become able to give the name
of at least one settler. A number of years ago Charles
McGee, of Merigomish, coming from the Strait of Canso,
as he passed Big Tracadie, lodged at the house of a Mr.
Petitpas ; during the evening, finding that he was from
Merigomish, the conversation turned on the original
French settlement, when he learned that Mr. P's father
had been one of the settlers there, and his mother, who
was then very old and infirm, said, that if able to go to
the place, she could yet show them where she had buried
a large brass kettle, containing a number of household
articles.

Of this era, tradition has preserved some faint reminis-
cence of a fight between an English and a French man-
of-war in the harbor. But the details are given in such
difierent and even contradictory ways, that while I have
little doubt of some such afiair having taken place, I am
unable to give the particulars. The first settlers found
in one tree back of the town a piece of chain-shot, and in
another a cannon-ball lodged, which they considered as
evidence of such an encounter. According to tradition,
the French had some guns landed and mounted on the
battery hill.

There is also a tradition of the capture, off" Pictou island,
of a valuable French vessel on the way down fromi
Quebec. Word had been received of the saiUng of such a
vessel, and accordingly one or two English vessels laid in
wait under the island till she made her appearance, when

m 1

I --ir;

^ '■■!;

they put ont and captured her, but the whole is inyolved
in obscurity.

At what time they left Pictou, cannot be determined
exactly. At the time of the expulsion of the Acadians
from the district around Truro, then known as Cobequid,
•Colonel Monckton was ordered to send a detachment to
Tatamagouche, to demolish all the houses they found
there, together with all the shallops, boats, canoes, or ves-
sels of any kind, etc. ; and to give " particular orders for
entirely destroying and demolishing the villages of
Jediacko (Shediac), Ramsack (now Wallace), etc." How
far these injunctions t^ ere carried out, we have no infor-
mation. It is not likely that those employed came as far
east as Pictou, but certain it is that all the French settle-
ments along the Forth Shore of Nova Scotia were aban-
doned shortly after, and the circumstances in which
articles were found leave little doubt that their departure
was hurried. It is said that those driven out moved
eastward, and formed the settlements of Tracadie and
Harbour Bushie, in the County of Antigonish.

As there were no English inhabitants in Pictou during
the period referred to, this county was the scene of none
of the atrocities inflicted by the Indians on the early Eng-
lish settlements, though there is little doubt that the
Micmacs in this quarter had their share with their
brethren in the war carried on under the instigation oi
the French against the English in other parts of the Pro-
vince. But in the year 1761, on the 15th October, as
stated by Mr. Murdoch, a treaty of peace was signed in
council with Janneoville Pectougawack (meaning Pictou-
man), chief of the Indians of Pictouck and Malagoniche
^Merigomish), and the way was thus opened for the
peaceable occupation of the place by English settlers.

"We have not been able to find the record of this treaty,
said Mr. Murdoch could not direct us to the source of his
information. The name is not Micmac, and we believe

it is either a misprint or that the Micmacs have corrupted
the French name. At all events, we believe that the
party was the same person afterward known as Capt.
Toncy. He is said to have been a Frenchman, who had
adopted the mode of life of the Aborigines, and had
acquired such influence over them that he was regarded
as a high chief, — that he spoke French well and English
tolerably, besides Micmac, — that he has dined at the
Governor's table and was able to conduct himself w^ith
the politeness of a Parisian. He was the ancestor of the
present Toney family among the Micmacs, and they
assert that the treaty was made by him in the name of
the tribe — that on the part of the English, gun and bay-
onet, and on the-part of the Micmacs, tomahawk, bow and
arrow, were solemnly buried in one grave on the Citadel
Hill, at Halifax, the latter weapons underneath. Perhaps
the name as given by Murdoch may have been a mis-
reading for Toneyville. "We may add, that from him
Toney River derives its name, but how it came to be
connected with him we have not been able to ascertain.

One incident, however, we shall give as connected with
this period, which we believe to be well established.
Among the first English settlers it was received as a well-
known fact, that a French war vessel had escaped from
Louisburg during the siege, containing treasure, and that
she had been chased into Carriboo Harbor. The entrance
being narrow, and the English probably not acquainted
with the navigation, did not venture to pursue. As she
did not come out, and could not be seen, it was supposed
that she had gone ashore in some creek. Accordingly,
soon after the arrival of the first English settlers. Dr. Har-
ris an^^ his brother Matthew resolved on a search for her.
They set out in a log canoe and paddled down the har-
bor and round the coast to Carriboo Harbor, thence along
the south shore of the harbor till they reached Carriboo
JJiver, then up that stream to where it forks. Here they;

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resolved to separate, each following a branch of the river,
agreeing that if either should succeed, ho should sound a
horn to call his brother. Matthew took the Little Eiver,
which joins the main stream at a course nearly at right
angles with it. On going round the point formed by
their juncture, he had proceeded but a short distance
when, in a little cove, ut what is now George Morrison's
place, he suddenly came upon the object of their search,
snugly beached. The channel of the river is deep, but
somewhat crooked, and those on board must have been
thoroughly acquainted with it to have brought her here,
and to have selected this spot to run her ashore. So
completely concealed was she by the bend in the shore
and intervening woods, that Harris was within ten yards
of her before she was seen.

He immediately blew his horn, when his brother came,
and they gave a cursory examination of their prize. She
was a sloop, a neat and trim vessel. She had been
armed, but the cannon were out of her, it was supposed,
having been thrown overboard. All her rigging still
remained on her.

From the position in which she lay, they supposed
that there would . be no difficulty in getting her off,
and they left, intending to return speedily with pro-
per appliances for the purpose. On arrival home, they
freely made known their discovery, but before they could
return, the Indians had set fire to her. "When spoken to
about their conduct, they explained that she had been
left in their charge by the French owners, with instruc-
tions not to touch her unless the English discovered
her, but if they did, to burn her at once, which they did.'*^

• Aljout fifty years ago James A. Harris, of Cartiboo Island, a son of
Matthew, and who frequently told this story as he received it from his father,
pointed out to his son James the keel and some of the timbers still standing.
One who was present tried them with his axe, and pronounced them to be of
American white oak. Probably some remaiofi of her might yet be found in
the mud.

It is certain that vessels escaped from Louisbnrg with
treasure during the siege, and there is strong reason to
believe that this had contained valuables, which those on
board, when they abandoned her, could not carry away
and concealed. About the year 1802 a vessel one evening
came to anchor off the mouth of the harbour, and a boat
with a strong crew put off from her, and was seen going
up the river. It was not seen to return, but early
the next morning the vessel got under weigh and
departed. Shortly after, some of the people going up
the river found, at the head of the tide, a place bearing
all the marks of their having been at work. There was
a hole from four to six feet square, and not very deep,
perhaps four feet, with hand-spokes, whose position
showed that they had been used in prying something
like a chest out of the bottom of the hole.

It is said that on examination the trees around were
found to have upon them marks pointing in the direction
of where the hole was. This place is at some distance
from the place where the vessel was ashore, and on the
other branch of the river, but we can easily understand
the wisdom of seeking such a place of concealment.

A settler who lived near, is reputed to have found a
large sum of money. There have been various stories
of the French burying money, which have led parties
foolishly to dig in various places. That in the hurry of
leaving and in the expectation of returning, they some-
times buried some of their possessions, we have reason toi
believe, but it was little money they had to bury, and
^^ hat they had they carried away. "We are generally
incredulous regarding all stories of money found, but the
ir 'brmation we have received, leads us to give some credit
to this case. A son of the settler referred to, told a gentle-
man who reported the case to me, that it was true — that he
and his sister, both then children, first found the money
under a stanp, that it consisted entirely of old coins.

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strange to him, but whether French or not he did not
know ; that they told their father of it, who gathered
them, but gave them none of it. The Btory commonly
received is that he took it to his merchant who shipped :t
to England, both agreeing; to say nothing about the mat-
ter lest government should claim the amount. The
merchant in the meantime supplied the settler abundantly
with articles for his family, but afterward failed, so that
they received little more for their find. Other facts that
we have, give probability to the story.

CHAPTER IV.

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lit.

FIBST ENGLISH SETTLEMENT OP PICTOU — 1T65-1778.

During the war on this continent between the English
and French, which resulted in the taking of Louisbtirg
and Quebec, and was terminated by the peace of 1768,
the settlement of Nova Scotia engaged considerable atten-
tion in the old colonies. About the years 1760 and 1761
a considerable number of persons removed from different
parts of New England and settled several townships in
the western parts of the Province. So little, however, was
known of Pictou at this time, that in a description of '• the
several towns in the Province, with the lands compre-
hended ill and bordering on said towns," drawn up by
ihe Surveyor General in the year 1762, by order of
Lieutenant-Governor Belcher, for the information of the
Home Government, it is stated that " from Tatamagouche
to the Gut of CaTiso there is no harbour, but a good road
under the Isle Poitee (Pictou Island). No inhabitant ever
settled in thia part of the coi.ntry, and consequently no
kind of improvement."

At the conclusion of the war, a large number of influen-
tial i)ersonK, not only in the New England States, but in
other of the Old Colonies, took up tie subject of the
colonization of the Province, and it is in this way that
Pictou first comes into notice in the early settlement of
Nova Scotia. Their views are thus stated in a letter from
the Lieutenant-Governor of the Province to the Lords
Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, dated 30th
April, 1765 :—

<< By th« late arrival of several persons from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and
some of the nc:.,hbouring coloniefi, we have the prospect of having this
Province Koon peopled by the accession of many settlers from these parts.

" These persons have come on behalf of several associations of commercial
people and others in goocl circumstances, to view the country and examine
what advantages the settlement and cultivation of it may produce. By their
Itccounts the considerablo numbers of Germans annually imported in the
Colonies from whence they come, has so overstocked the good lands, and
those situated within any convenient distance of navigation, that not only
many of them have lately been obliged to move into Carolina and Virginia,
j;)ut that there are also now numbers of useless persons among them. And
this is not the only motive they have for making settlements in this country
for the merchants in those parts ore much at a loss to provide an export in
return for the British commodities, and, therefore, have turned their thoughts
to this Province for fish and hemp, to produce which, of the best kind and
greatest abundance, notliing but a sufficiency oi luVuutiiig people is wanting,
and thus those people being employed, they will be sufficiently prevented
from any attention to manufa.?ture8.

" And indedd, my Lords, w ;at seems to promise the certain acquisition of
these great udmntages from the present applications, is that these settlements
are to be undertaken by people of very sufficient and able circumstances, who
propose the establishment of many German families, by which means the
annual current of Germans to Ameiicn will very suddenly bo diverted into
this Province, from whence it must receive a very considemblo degree of
strength, for these frugal, laborious and industrious people will not only improve
and enrich their property, but pertinaciously defend it.

" Among the several persons who have arrived hero with a vie\,^ to these
undertakings is Mr. Alexander McNutt, who has frequently attended at your
Lordships' Board. His applications arc of a very considerable degree and
extcpt, .nd ho produces many letters from the associations I have before men-
tioned, so icitiug him, in the most pressing manner, to use his utmost
endeavours to procure for them the tracts of land for which they apply, and on
such conditions as ho had obtained at your Lordships' Board tho 27th
February, 1761, for all such settlers as he would introduce into this Province."

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When we remember that at this time the whole of
what is now the Western States was still open for settle-
mentj it seems curious to find parties in the Middle States
a century ago representing the good soil there as already
overstocked, and in consequence seeking land in Nova
Scotia. Accomi)anying this representation was a list of
firms or companies, to the number of fifteen, among
whom we notice James Lyon, of Trenton, and " Dr.
Franklin & Co.," who sought grants of land, some of
100,000 acres and some of 200,000, making altogether
2,000,000 acres. The Dr. Franklin mentioned here is we
believe the great Benjamin, who was at that time influen-
tial in England and interested in the settlement of this
Province. In a petition on their behalf, McNutt says,
" that he did engage with several persons in Ireland,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, and other parts of His Majesty's
dominions, to provide lands in this Province on the terms
contained in his proposals, for the settlement of as many
families as they would furnish ; that the several persons
so engaging with him had been at considerable expense
and trouble to fulfil their engagement by procuring
many families for that purpose, who are now waiting
with much anxiety and impatience to transport them-
selves to this Province."

Among the speculators at that time engaged in taking
up land and bringing settlers to the Province, jione was
more active than Mr. McNuft, who is styled by Halybur-
ton "an enthusiastic adventurer from the North of
Ireland," who had already been the means of settling
Truro, Onslo\^^ and Londonderry.*

The result of these applications was, that in June of
that yoar it was agreed in Council to reserve 200,000
acres for a company consisting of the Kev. James Lyon,

• He was also engaged ofterward in settling portions of the County of
8hclburne. At the close of bis life ho resided on an island there, still
called McNutts Island, and was drowned crossing to the shore.

McNutt, and thirteen othPTd. priiicipally residing in the
city of Philadelphia, of land " between Onslow, Truro,
and the lands granted to Colonel DesBarres at Tatama-
gouche." In July, on their representing that they had
at considerable expense and fatigue viewed the 200,000
acres reserved for them, and found that there was not the
quantity applied for there, it was resolved that they
should have " liberty to chooso the aforesaid quantity
between Tatamagouche and Picto.^*

At the same time 1,000,000 was reserved for McNutt
and his associates at various places, among which is a
block of 100,000 acres at Pictou.

At this period land was being granted by order of the
British Government to various individuals, principally
officers of the army and navy, for services during the
war. It was in this way that two years later the whole
of Prince Edward Island was granted in one day.
Accordingly, on the 15th of October, five grants passed
nominally for 20,000 acres each, though in reality
containing much more, embracing the whole eastern half
of the county.

In accordance with the resolutions above mentioned,
there was a lot of 100,000 acres granted on the same day
to McNutt and some of his friends, and on the 31st
another nominally for 200,000 acres to the Philadelphia
Company, commonly known as the Phila "''^Iphia Grant,
to which we shall have occasion more ^^ -*rticularly to
refer presently. Thus in one month, and principally in
one day, a district not exactly coinciding with the county
of Pictou, but embracing the larger portion of it, and also
a large part of the comity of Colchester, was granted to
individuals, the most of it to speculators.

The names of the grantees of the first five mentioned
lots are John Major, John Ilenerker, John Haygens
(afterward corrected Godhard Huygens), John Fisher,
and John "Wentworth. Major's grant fronted on Merigo-

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mish Harbor, at its eastern end. To the west of this lay
Henerker's lot. In the rear of these and extending still
further westward, was Ihiygens'. Of these i>arties we
know nothing. The only mention of their names we
have seen is in a memorial from Sir John Wentworth, in
which he petitions against the escheating of these grants,
" on behalf of the most noble Duchess Dowager of
Chandois and Sir John Henerker, Bart., and member of
the British Parliament, heirs and proprietors of certain
lands at Picton and Merigomish, formerly granted to
John Henerker and Godhard Huygens."

Fisher, we have heard, was a major in the army.
Wentworth, in a memorial at the close of the American
war, says,'" That your memorialist and said John Fisher
were in His Majesty's service in America, and in conse-
quence of their fidelity, and zeal in their duty, were
proscribed and exiled from the United States of America,
their extensive property in Nev; England confiscated,
and their means of improving their estate at Pictou
considerably diminished." By letters at that date, it
appears that he was then residing in London. His grant
is now only interesting as having given its name to that
part of the south side of the harbor immediately fronting
upon the town ; but to show how lands were granted at
that time, we may give the description of the grant. It
is as follows :

" Beginning at the north-east coiner of McNutt's land, at a cove on the ca«t
Bide of I'll, ton Harbor, and running south 47°, cast 45G chains on said M/ Nutt's
hmd, thence south 808 chains on the same, thence cast T4 chains on lot No.
1 (Iluj-gcns grant), thence north GOO chains on lot No. 3 (Wcntworth grant),
thence cast till it meets Merigomish Harbor, thence along the sea-coast and
harbor of Pictou to the first mentioned boundary, including tlie islands in the
harbor of Merigomish."

We may mention that the portions of these? grants on
the shore nearly coincide with what was afterward called
the 82nd grant. "Westward of Henerker's lot, and fronting
on the western part of Merigomish harbor, was what is

still known as the "Wentworth grant. Of all the grants
given in that October, this is the only one which was not
<;scheated. As it is thus the oldest grant in the county,
we may give its boundaries as originally described :

" Beginning at a cove in Mcrigomish harbor, boundid on lot No. 2 (Fishet'a
grant), and to run west 56 chains, thence south COO chains (or 7 J UMles) on
suid lot, thence cast 352 chains on lot No. 1 (Hiiygons), thence north 648
chains (over 10 miles) on let No. 4 (Hcncrker'n lot) to Jlerigomish harbor,
thence to be bounded I y raid harbor to the first mentioned liouudary."

"Wentworth, afterward Sir John, was a native of New
Hampshire, afterward Governor of that Province, and at
a later jieriod of Nova Scotia (1792 — 1808). He was at
that time Surveyor of His Majesty's woods in North
America, an office which he continued to hold till the
American Revolution, after which he held the same
position in the remaining Provinces,

The conditions of these grants were the same, viz.: that
the grantees should pay a quit rent of one farthing per
acre for the one-half within five years, and the whole to
be payable within ten years ; and secondly, to settle Pro-
testant settlers upon it in the proportion of one i^erson to
every 200 acres within ten years from the date of their
grant. These conditions were never fulfilled, and, so far
as we know, no effort was made for that purpose by any
of the parties except Wentworth, at a period, however,
after the time fixed ; and, as already mentioned, all the
grants except his were escheated.

"We may mention here that the only mines reserved on
these lands were gold, silver and coal, so that the picsent
owners of the Wentworth grant are proprietors of all
other minerals they can find on their land and already
portions of it have been found to be rich in iron ore.

On the same day with the date of these grants another
passed to Mr. Alexander McNutt, William Caldwell,
Arthur Vance and Richard Caldwell, of a tract of land :

" Beginning at a cove on the east side of Pictou Hhrbour (this must have
been near the mouth of the East Biver) and running south 47'\ oast 550 chains.

52 '

thence Bouth 1,040 chains (13 miles), thence west 872 (nearly 11 miles), thenco'
north till it meets the innermost rirer of Pictou, tbcuce bounded by said
river and harbour of Pictou to first mentioned boundary. Also one otber
piece beginning at a point bearing north 33 cost, from the little island in the
harbour of Pictou (this was at Brown's Point), and running north to the sea
shore (near Itoddicks, Carriboo), thence to be bounded by the seashore and
harbour of Pictou to the first mentioned boundar}-, including Pictou Island."

This was afterward known as the Irish grant. Of the
parties to it, except McNutt, all we know is that they are
said to belong to Londonderry, in Ireland. It will be seen
that it embraced all the southern and western shores of
the harbour from Fishers Grant round to the West River^
and the land into the interior to the southward to ; dis-
tance of about 20 miles, embracing both banks of the
East and Middle Rivers and the west side of the "W"es.. to
the distance of about a mile above Durham. It also
ombraeed the block on which the town now stands, com-
mencing at Browns Point and extended round the coast
to Carriboo.

It will also be seen that it covered nearly all the most
desirable portions of the harbour, and had the first settle-
ment been upon it, the effort might have been more
successful, and much of the suffering afterward experi-
enced might have been avoided.

But the grant, which is of special interest, as connected
with the early history of Pictou, was the last one men-
tioned as having passed at that time, usually known as
the Philadelphia grant. It is dated the 31st October, and
it is to Edmund Crawley, Esq., (for 20,000 acres) the Rev.
James Lyon, John Rhea, Richard Stockton, George Bryan,
William Symonds, John Wykoff, Isaac Wykoff, Jonathan
Smith, Andrew Ilodge, John Bayard, Thomas Harris,
Robert Harris, and David Rhea for 180,000 acres.

Of these grantees Lyon and the Harrises will come
under our notice again. Ot ;he others, we know nothing
except that they resided in Philadelphia, from which

•circumstance the company and the grant derived their
name. The following is the description of their land :

" Beginning at tho southwest bounds of lands granted to Joseph Frederick
Wallet Des Barres, and running thenco west 550 chains on iingranted landfl,
thence south 580 chains on ungranted lands, and on tho township of London-
derry, thence cast 800 chains on the township of Onclow, thenco south 900
-chains on Sts.id township and on ungranted lands, thenco 1,000 chains on
ungrantt'd lands, thence north 932 chains, more or less, till it meets tho west-
ernmost river of Fictou, thenco the course of the said rirer on the north side,
till it m?etB the westernmost boundary of land granted to Alexander McNutt
«ud associates, thence running nortii on said lands till it meets the seashore,
thence the course of tho seashcro till it Jieets the northeast boundary of lands
granted to J. F. \V. Des Barres aforesaid, thenco on his eastern boundary 480
chains, on said lands to the first mentioned boundary ; together with the
islands adjacent, containing on tho whole 200,000 acres, more or less.

■<In manner and form following, viz.: one equal undivided tenth part to
Edmund Crawley, Esq., and the remaining nine-tenths to and among the
others mentioned."

The line of the Des Barres grant referred to, commenced
at Point Brule, between two and three miles to the west
of the present county line, so that the Philadelphia grant
included not only the greater portion of the township of
Pictou, but a large portion of the county of Colchester,
including part of the River John road settlement to Point
Brule, a large part of New Annan, the whole of Earltown
and Kemptown, with a considerable portion of Stewiacke.
In fact, it would have made a county of itself.

But it will also be seen that on Pictou Harbour it had a
very small frontage on the water, including only that part
of the shore from Browns Point to the head of the harbour.
All the shore from Browns Point eastward round to
Carriboo had been obtained by McNutt. This naturally
belonged to the Philadelphia Company's grant, and it
plainly appears that, while acting for his friends in Phil-
adelphia, he had also been acthig for himself and some
others, and had managed very uniairly to get this into his
own hands. This we know was afterwards the subject
of bitter complaint against him, we have no doubt, justly,
and, as we shall presently see, it was a great obstacle in
the way of the settlement of the place.

The conditions of these two grants are somewhat
curious. They were, first, that the giantees should pay a.
quit rent the same as on the other grants. Secondly, that
they plant, cultivate, improve or enclose one-third part
within ten years ; one other-third part within twenty
years, and the other one-third within thirty years ; other-
wise, such portions as are not improved to be forfeited.
These tei-ms we think simply impossible to be fulfilled.
Thirdly, they were to plant, within ten years from the
date of the grant, one rood of every 1,000 acres with hemp,,
and to keep a like quantity of land planted during the
successive years. This condition is in a good many grants
of the time. It probably originated in the desire of the
British Government to be independent of foreign nations,
in providing cordage for her marine. But though this is
the condition on which so much land in the Province i»
held, yet, as the late L. Doyle remarked in the Legislature,
there is now not sufiicient raised in the Province for crim-
inal purposes. The last condition was, that they were to
settle one-fourth of the land within one year after the 31st
day of November next, in the proportion of one Protestant
person to every 200 acres ; one other fourth within two
years ; one other fourth within three years, and the
remaining fourth within four years, or the land so unset-:
tied should revert to the Crown. The last condition was
an excellent one, and had it been carried out to any extent,
it would have tended to the rapid settlement of the
country. But the time allowed was too short. Altogether,
the terms were unreasonably severe. For five months the
agents had remained seeking better terms, and then, as
the Grovernor says, " it was with great difficulty they sub-
mitted to these terms, which they thought severe, and it
was -with reluctance they were granted, because they were
not strictly conformable to the King's intentions," and
they only accepted them on condition that they should.
be at liberty to avail themselves of such better terms as.

could be obtained by representations to the Home Gov-
ernment.

It does not appear that McNutt made any attempt to
settle his land, and the grant was consequently escheated
in the year 1770, but not until the first settlement had
been made by the Philadelphia Company, and till his
grant had proved an obstacle to their progress. The
Philadelphia Company, however, seemed determined
honestly to carry out their engagement as far as practicable.
In a memorial to the Governor, dated 21st August, 1766,
they represent that '* they have received many disapi)oint-
ments, in their intentions of settling the lands granted to
them between Pictou and the townships of Onslow and
Truro, by the misrepresentations of one Mr. Anthill, who
had represented the country as rocky, barren and unfit
for improvement, and likewise made very injurious repre-
sentations of the Government of this Province, all which
very much prejudiced the persons who had engaged to
settle the lands. That they had likewise met with a very
great disappointment, on finding that a considerable part
of the harbour of Pictou, by some mistake in the survey,
was not granted to them, as they expected, all which,
with many obstructions from the scarcity of money and
the stagnation of trade, occasioned by the Stamp Act
taking place at that time, rendered them incapable of
making any settlements this year, as intended." In con-
sequence of this, they were allowed to the 1st of June
following to settle the first portion of settlers.

On the 5th of May, 17G7, seven of the Company, George
Bryan, "William Symonds, Andrew Hodge, Robert Harris,
John Bayard, and John Smith, all of Philadelphia, and
Thomas Harris, of Baltimore County, in the Province of
Maryland, executed a power of attorney to John "WykofF, of
Philadelx)hiii, merchant, and Dr. John Harris, of Baltimore
County, empowering them to grant and sell, in the name
of the Company, their land, on such terms as they sliould

I
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Bee fit. The Rev. James Lyon, v7ho was already in the
Province, afterward executed a similar paper to Harris.

They also despatched a small brig, called the Hope,
Captain Hull, of Rhode Island, with six families of settlers
and supplies of provisions for their use. These families
consisted of Dr. Harris, the agent and wife, Robert
Patterson, who came as a surveyor for the Company,
his wife and five children, the eldest nine years old,
and the youngest only three months ; James McCabe,
wife and six children; John Rogers, wife and four
children; Henry Cumminger, wife and four or five
children, and a sixth family whoso name is uncer-
tain. Besides these, Patterson had with him a convict
servant. It was customary at that time in the old
colonies to sell criminals sentenced to penal servitude, to
serve out their sentence in a position similar to that of
slaves, to any who might be willing to buy them. Pat-
terson had bought this man for a term of seven years,
which, we may here observe, ho fully served. Thus the
company consisted of twelve heads of families, about
twenty children, and one convict servant, and possibly
one or two colored slaves.

The Hope sailed from Philadelphia toward the end of
May, and called at Halifax to obtain information regarding
the coast round to Pictou. Harris's power of attorney is
attested there on the 3rd June. Leaving Halifax after
a few days' stay, they reached tho harbor of Pictou
on the 10th of June. The people of Truro had heard of
their coming, and five or six young men set out through
the woods to meet them and aid in commencing opera-
tions. Of theso we have heard the names of Samuel
Archibald, father of the late S. Gr. "W. Archibald, John
Otterson, Thomas Troop, and Ephraim Howard. The
two latter we notice from the circumstance that, in
passing the mountains on the western border of tho
county, they named the one Mount Thorn and the other

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ther

Mount Ephraim, after themselves, names which they
have retained to this day.* They reached the harbor
the same afternoon that tho vessel arrived, and made
large fires on the shore about Beck's place to attract her
up. Those on board saw the fires and supposed that
they were made by savages, of whom they naturally
«tood in terror. The vessel accordingly stood off and on
till next morning, and the company deliberated whether
to resist or submit to their mercy. Like true English-
men, they chose tho bolder alternative.

During the night their number was increased by Mrs.
Harris giving birth to a son, afterward known as Clerk
Tommy, having filled the situation of Clerk of tho Peace
and Prothonotary for some years. He died in 1809, and
was buried in Pictou graveyard, where a monument stood
till recently to his memory, on which he was described as
*• the first descendant of an Englishman born in Pictou."

The next morning they saw the Truro party coming
along the shore, and by their spy-glasses, discovered, to
their joy, that they were whites, and as the vessel stood
in toward the shore, they heard the cheerful hail of friends.
That day they landed at tho point just above the Town
Gut, which had been SGlected as the site of a town, as the
part of the Company's grant nearest to the entrance of th^
harbour. The prospect was indeed dreary enough. One
unbroken forest covered the whole surface of the country
to the water's edge. "What is now tho lower part of the
town was then an alder swamp. All around stood the
mighty monarchs of the wood in all their primeval
grandeur, tho evergreens spreading a sombre covering
over the plains and up the hills, relieved by tho lighter
shade of the deciduous trees, with hero and there some
tall spruce rising like a black minaret or spire above its
fellows. But chiefly conspicuous to the eye of the obser-

* Somo think that Mt. Thorn derived its name from Thomas Aichibald,
hut the tradition we hare followed we think well founded.

' M

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ver wero \he tasselled heads of the white pines, for which
Pictou was afterwards so long distingviishod — their
straight stems towering to the height of 150 or 200 foet,
•' like masts of somo hiigL> admiral." ^ Some of tho early
grants roseircd all pino trees ovor two loot in diamotor,
" suitable for His M.ojosty's navy," l)ut herr within sight
might be seen probably enough to havo i:iiiytod all tho
ships, not only of His Britannic Majesty, but of all the
navies in Christendom. The scene was one on which tho
eye of Iho lover of nature might have gazed with delight,
but it is needless to say that these settlors looked upon
tho matter with more practical eyes. Tho interminable
forest only presented itself to them as an injuporablo
obstacle to their labours, and their hearts sanlc as thoy
contempli;txl the idea of wre&ting a subsist _>nc(> from tho
soil so encumbered.

Knowing tho hostility which tho Indiana had main-
tained to tho English almost up ta that period, and tho
cruelties which they practiced upon the infant settlements ;
familiar, too, with the talo of th?ir atrocities in the colonies
which they had left, their mindrj wero filled with fear of
the savages. Nor was this without reason. Tho French
were not yet without hopo of regaining their ancient
power over this land by the expulsion of the English,
and with this view were still intriguing with the Indians.
During the two years previous the latter held meetings in
a hostilo spirit, and on tho last of these occasions had
declared their intention not to allow any settlement at
Pictou, on the north shore of tho Province, f

• In the days of tho pine timbi^r trado, a tree that would not square a foot
to tho length cf sixty foet would bo considered a small tree, not worth taking,
while somt times they stood so close together that tho lumberers could not
take them all, lest in felling them they would break by falling across one
another.

t " The last year they showed how capable tho French are of drawing them
together whenever they think proper, which they actually did by some means
unknown to the Government, for tho whole body of Indians wero collected

"When we add that there was not one English settler on
the north shore of the Province, from the Strait of Canso
to Bay Verte, or perhaps, even to Miramichi, wo may pic-
ture the loneliness of the little band, and need not wonder
that their hearts snnk within them at the prospci t of tho
toils and dangers before them.

What rendered this disappointment greater was, that
highly coloured representations had been made to them of
the country to which they were coming ; siich as, that
they could get sugar off the trees, in fact, they had come
with such ideas of tho place as are now entertained by
the emigrant to California. The advantages of those who,
in the years immediately previous, had removed from tho
old colonics and taken possession of tho clearances of tho
French, and who had exchanged tho rocky and barren
shores of Now England for the rich marshes of the Bay
of Fundy, had excited high expectations regarding Nova
Scotia. Tho more bitter, therefore, was their disappoint-
ment at the dreary prospect before them. After 'hey
landed, Mrs. Patterson used to tell, that she leaned her
head against a tree, which stood for many a year after,
and thought that if there was a broken-hearted creaturo
on the face of the earth, she was the one. As she looked

from every part of tbo Province, and assembled on an island called Madame,
to tho north East of Canso, and not far from tho head of La Brador, and as
they passed through the difftrent townships to their rendezvous they declared
they were to meet French forces and threatened to destroy tho settlements
when they should return. This alarmed the inhabitants to so great a degreo
that for several weeks together they were kept in continual apprehension, and
some part of the time even in arms ; and with diiQculty this body of Indians
were dispersed, partly by the influence of some gentlemen, and partly upon
finding themselves deceived in their expected support from the French.

" This year they have assembled in like manner, although not in so great a
body, but with tho samo disposition, and some of them have, in addition,
declared they will not allow any settlemenls to be made at Pictou, and that part of
the coast of this continent which Mes nearest St. Peters ; but they dispersed
upon the Government sending for a Canadian priest who officiates in tho Bay
of Chaleurs." — Letter of Lieutenant-Governor, dated 3rd September, 1766.

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upon hor liUlo ones Icfl, HhrltdrlrHH in Ihocrupl wildf^moHH,
amon^ Hii.va'^vH (Ircmcd nlill nioro cniol, kHo could only
rViuy; to licr Inisliiind with llio cry, "Oh, Ilohnri, takn mo
back." So di.scoiiraj^rid w«'ro i\w whole band wilh th(?
sluld of imillcrH, (hat iho most of ilu^m wcro dcfminincd
to rclurn in Ihc vckncI whicli I'voiif^hl. Ihcni ; buf tho
capl.'iin, jillrr liMidiiifv liin pnNKc:iL;'..irN nntl HUpplics,Hlipp(Kl
oul, ol" lh<' li.'irbouv in ihcni]Uihl and loll, (hem to their ialo,
pi(^])ably with the concurrfnco ol' tho a^ont.

Wo havo no i)!irticular account ol" tho Hul)8C(]Uont
proceedings, but lh(! lew IiicIh wo havo j^lcancd wo shall
put toj^ollior as connectedly ns in our power. Tho first
night on shore they npent under tho t/cos, without oven
a camp to sheitiM* them, l)ut tho woa'her was :varm and
they did not sull'er from lh<^ cxpoHuro. Their tirst caro,
olcoiUNe, was to i>rovi<le some Khclter, which they did by
the erection ol' rude iiuis. Tho ngents ol' tho company
proceeded to lay out a town vvln^re ihcy had landed. A
half acni was assii^ned to (»ach I'amily, No. 1 being
McCabe's. At that ]ioint the trees wero not larf^e. Ho
immodiatoly set to work ;ind cleared hin hall' acre, and hii
descendants boast that ho cut down tito first tree in l*ictou.
lie had brouf^ht wilh him what Ihcy called a mattock, a
heavy instrument, on one side an axe and on tho other a
prubbinjjf hoe. TnsU^ad oi' chopping down tho troo, his
l)raclice was to take away tho oarlh from the main roots and
cut oil all the smaller ones, and then cilher leave it to fall
by tlie wind or drai^ it down and out of root. In this
way he <leared his lot, aiul instead of burninj^ the trees, ho
haided tlicm out to the tide, He was so ])rompt that
to reward him he was assigned another half acre. Ho
planted his lot with potatoes without ploughing, just
placing tho seed under tho moss, which had not been
burned, and which ho supposed would serve for manure,
Tho land at this point was inferior, and not having been
prepared, only a few weakly sprouts appeared, and in tho

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fn)l tlio tuhors wore not larj^erihun potatoo ImIIh. Whnthor
the olhdVfj planted moro or fared bcltrif that Hoason, wo
havo not awortnined, Imt not likely they did.

j\ round thin ftoint a {dot wan reMerve'l lor a town, and
hence llin creek cIomo ])y ]\m over Klnce been known as
tho Towit (Jut. Farm lots were ansit^iKul to each Kottler.
Palti^rHon, afterward the Hquire, had hifi whero his eldeht
son, John, afterward resided, and where hi.s f:,Toat f^rand-
Bon, llesiry, and tho FullartoiiH now live, about two miles
from txiwn. Tho reraainu of hi.s orchard are Ktill ntandinij.
McCaho ^ot his whoro W. Kvana now lives, about five
milcH from town, and another where tho late Georijo
Murray lived below Durham. Ihit ho was a lionian
Catholic, and tho company's /rrant bound them to settlu
their land with Proteatants, and hcnco the deed of \\h
lots io in IiIh wife's namo. He had been partly educated
for a priest, and raana<Ted to ^'ain in thir way an influenco
over tho Indians, who pointed out to him the ])lac(' wherj
ho took up his land a.s rich, which it proved to be.

John Ilogors took ui) hi.s land on Jfogors Hill, which
derived its namo from him, whero his f^randson recently
lived. Tho situation \h a beautiful one, beint,' nearly at
tho summit of tho hill. But it seems singular that, with
all tho shore luiocoupietl, h<! should havo gone so far back ;
but tho la)id there was rich, with a line lay, and it wa.s
on tho blazed path to Truro, which he supposed would
bo tho road to Haliiax. Some of tho ap[)lo trees raisr;d
from seed which ho brought with him from Maryland
are utill standing.

' Among tho first effortpj of tho settlors was tho Ojjoning
of a road, or rather blazing a path, to Truro. It is
claimed that this was done by Thomas ArchibaM, John
Otterson, of Truro, and John Ilogcrs, tho cornp;).ss their
only guide. The road left tho shore at tho head of Pir tou
harbor, above Evan."?, place, and went over Kog.;rs hill,
following nearly the course of the present road through

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Hogcrs settlement, beyond the Six and Eight Alile brooks.
I have hern informed that the first course was by the
North Mountain and down the North Eiver to Truro,
whii h if, rej^ardod by many as the shortest line between
iho two i^laces. But there were difficulties by that route,
and a line was oj^ened over Mount Thom, for which
Thomas Archibald has always got the credit, which
continued to be the regular line of communication
between the two places till about iho year 1831. After
rea-^hing the summit, it descended till it struck the
Salmon River, which it crossed at Kt ptown, thence
proceeding along the north side of the river, along the
upland, till within about f'^ur luiles of Truro, and the
remaining j^art of the distance along the intervale.

It seems even at this early period to have been regu-
larly laid out and duly measured. We find in the deeds
given shortly after such desciii^tions as the following : —
" At the Kouth-west corner of land laid out on the Coby
quid Road, between iho three and four mile trees."
" Another lying on Cobyquid Road, beginning at a stake
and stones near the eight mile camp, thence westwardly
on said road a mile and a quarter." At what time this
road was laid out we are uncertain, but think it was the
6umm;n- they arrived. It may be mentioned that the
various streams on the west side of the West River derived
their names from the distance on this road from the point
of departure. Thus Forl)es Brook was long known as
th" Half-mile Brook, and so we have the Four, Six and
Eight-mile Brooks. It may bo added that the farthest-up
settlor on the Truro sido for a long time was Thomas
Archibald, generally known as Uncle Tom, whose house
was long the home of ihe traveller.

" In addition," says Philo Antiquarivis, " to the difficul-
ties already mentioned, they were constrained to submit
to many indignities from the aborigines, who viewed
their operations with no friendly eye. These considered

the settlers as usurpers o{ their natrral rights, who had
cncroachod on their undoubted property ; and it required
not a moderate portion oi skill on the part of the civilized
to gain the good-will oi the savage, nor inconsiderable
prudence to establish i'lis amicableness when formed."
We have heard, for example, of a white man taking a (iiih
from the river, and an Indian taking it from him, saying
it was not his. They would enter the houses of the
settlers, and help themselves to the cakes that the women
might be baking on the hearth, or other j^rovisions, with
threat ^ning gestures. The settlers cultivated their friend-
ship hj such means as playing draughts, wrestling or by
what was perhaps more eflective, drinking fire water with
them. And though the Indians were fond of working on
ihcir fears, when they could do so, they do .not se«nn to
have intended to do them any serious injury. In face,
through I ki-iidness, they became attached to some of the
settlers, anvi showed them great kindness. iStill incidents
sometimes occurred which showed that they were not to
be trifl' d with, and that their old savage nature might be
revived. A young man, wrestling with an Indian, Ijy a
dextrous movement, which his opponent thought unfair,
tripped him. The Indian was very cross, and sometime
after, the young man going to the Middle River, whera
the former had his camp, his sc[ua\v came out and earnestly
warned him away, saying that her husband would kill
him if he found him there.

" During the summer months the settlers experienced
little inconvenience from the weather, but they found tha
winter much more severe and of longer continuance than
i '1 their native clime. They were consequently ill prepared
to meet its blasts, and sulTercd intensely from its inclem-
ency.

"As their provisions diminished, they directed their
enquiries to the internal resources of the country, and this
investigation was amply recompensed by discovering the

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forest to be plentifully inhabited by different species of
wild animals. In hunting these, the settler usually had
the Indian for an associate, and his faithful dog for a
follower. Among the several kinds of animals, none were
more valuable or abundant than the moose. The hunter,
in endeavoring to procure these, was subjected to much
fatigue, having frequently to pursue one of them a w^hole
day, with the probability of not overtaking it at the end.'^t'
If, however, he were fortunate enough to catch it, the
quantity of excellent venison it produced might have been
deemed an equivalent for the labor of the chase, but,
besides, its skin, when properly prepared, was valued at
ten shillings, and was advantageously bartered for neces-
saries to traders, who were accustomed to run into the
harbour with small crafts. '

" Necessity is truly the mother of art. Congregated as
the early inhabitants of this district were, in a place which
was devoid of every conveniency, where the most common
and indisponsible commodities were wanting, their ( reativo
powers were laid under heavy contribution, in order to
provide for the deficiency, and their inventive genius was
called into ceaseless operation in constructing articles for
household use, in forming implements of husbandry, and
making instruments for hunting. They thus became more
ingenious and more fertile in resources — what, in America,
is called more ' handy ' — than if living in older inhabited
places."

In the following spring they found it necessary to pro-
ceed to Truro for seed ; the journey required three days
to go and as many to return. They returned, bearing
each a bag of seed potatoes on his back. The labour of
such a journey through trackless and intricate forests,
carrying a burden, we can scarcely estimate. That year
they planted the seed thus brought, and succeeded in

* The late Jamts Patterson told the writer of starting one back of the town,,
and killing it in descending the southern side of Green Hill..

^stitmmm

raising a quantity of good potatoes, bnt not sufficient for
their subsistence, so that winter had not much more than
begun before their supply was exhausted.

The following year they again went to Truro for a sup-
ply, but this time they cut the eyes out with a penknife,
by which they could carry a large supply, and that season
they raised enough for their subsistence during the follow-
ing winter.

TVe subjoin slightly abridged, a return of the population
at the close of the year 1709, which is, probably, the first
census taken in this place, from which it wdll bo seen
that besides the settlers wo have mentioned there had
arrived here, in 17G7 or 17G8, the families of Robert
McFadden, the Rev. James Lyon, and Barnabas McG-ee,
and that the first of these left in 17G9. By this return it
appears also that nine families arrived in that year, but
only five remained. Some of these were from Truro and
some w^ere from Philadelphia. Of those from Truro
"William Kennedy deserves special notice. He was one of
the grantees of Truro, but sold out there in 17(38, and
obtained a lot in Pictou, at the Saw Mill Brook, extending
in front from the mouth of tho brook up the harbour, now
the McK^enzies' property. Here he made a clearing long
known as Kennedy's Clearing, or Kennedy's Hill. On
that stream he, in 1769, erected the first saw mill in the
county, which was the first frame building in Pictou. On
the 2Sth of September, 1774, ho deeds "half of saw^ mill
now built on a stream now known by the name of tho ]\Iill
Brook."' Two years later he returned to Truro, and in 17F0
settloil in Stowiacke, whsro he was the first settler.
Moses Bluisdoll also came from Truro. He «( ttled on the
lot ^^in^^ occupied by the Becks, at the head of the harbour,
but afterward removed to the eastern part of the Province.

Of those who came from Pennsylvania w^e are certain
of the names of only two — Matthew Harris and Barnabas
McGree. The former was an elder brother of the Doctor,

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and settled on the farm now owned by George Davidson,
about five miles from town. The remains of his cellar
may still be seen near the shore, cind the apple trees
which he planted are still growing, and, if properly cared
for, might still yield good fruit. We may here mention
that all the American settlers planted fruit trees, and
originally of good quality, especially the apple trees.
The settlers that arrived afterward, being chiefly from
the Highlands of Scotland, paid no attention to the raising
of fruit, and their children after them showed the same
spirit, so that among them even yet but a few have
orchards of any account. McGee was a native of the
North of Ireland, who had emigrated to Pennsylvania or
Maryland, and there married a London woman. He had
his land on Rogers Hill, but being dissatisfied with the
want of frontage on the shore, he gave it up and was
afterward the first settler in Merigomish.

Thus during this year 67 souls had arrived and 4
children had been bom, but 36 had removed, and oae had
died, leaving the net population 84.

The return of produce raised in that year exhibits 64
bushels of wheat, 60 of oats, *J of rye, 8 of barley, 6 of pease,
and some flax, potatoes not given. "When we consider that
this was the result of the labors of six families at most,
in what we may regard as the second year of their labors
m the forest, the progress made, we think, was creditable.
Their show of cattle under the circu] nstances is very
good, viz., 6 horses, 16 oxen, 16 cows, 16 young cattle,
37 sheep, and 10 swine. "We also find thus early the
commencement of our Marine, for Dr. Harris is credited
with owning a fishing-boat and a small vessel, and
Kennedy had a saw-mill.

Of those in the above list, Henry Cumminger, who had
originally come in the Hope, afterward removed, and
Nathan Smith, "William Aiken and Thomas Skead seem
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arrived, among them, it is said, two or three from Cum^
berland. 01' these, one was named James Fulton, and
another, we believe, was named Watson. Fulton was born
in Ireland in the year 1726, and with his wife and family-
emigrated to Halifax in 1761. lie went first to Lahave
and afterward to Cumberland, whence ho removed to
Pictou. His name appears in the list of town officers of
the latter place in 1775, but ho removed shortly after to
the lower village of Truro. " In removing from Pictou
to Truro," says Miller, " they underwent great hardships;
they had then to travel through the woods without any
roads, and carry their stuff and their children on their
backs. This journey occupied the whole of the week,
although they had the assistance of several men. While
on their way there came on a snow storm which caused
them much suffering, as they had to stop in the woods
for five nights, and one night in particular, their fire-
works being damp, they could get no fire for some time,
and were in danger of perishing." Watson lived on the
west side of West River, and died there, and his farm
was afterward purchased by Robert Stewart. His family
moved away.

Of the settlers who arrived, some took up land of the-
Philadelphia company, and occupied the west side of the
West River, nearly up to the ten mile house ; others
had their lots assigned to them in the rear, but discour-
aged by their location in the woods, they either moved
away or squatted in other places round the harbour,,
without titles. Besides those already mentioned, we find
the name of Jonas Earl, who had his farm to the west
of Watson's, already mentioned ; and Isaiah Horton, who
lived to the east of him, besides others, some of whose
names are given in the following list of town. ofS.CDrfi,
which may be inserted as a curiosity :

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ii:

V Onslow Sessions,

FEnniARY Term, 1775.

A list of Town OfTiccrs for the townsliip of rictou :

Clerk of the District John Harris.

Overseers of tiie Toor Rolxrt Mersom, John Harris, James Fulton.

Overseers of the Road Mntlhew Ilarriu, Willinm Ktnnctly.

Surveyors of Lumber Moses rilaisdell, William Aikin.

Constable William Aikin.

Clerk of the Market James Fulton.

Culler of Fish Abraham Slater. '

Approved and cstablishpd by the Sessions.

(Signed,) NOAH MILLER,

Clerk of the Peace.

One other settler is deserving of notice, yiz., James
Davidson. Ho was a native of Edinburgh, where ho
married and the first of his family was born. He
emigrated from Scotland in the same vessel in whl«:h the
Rev. Mr. Cock brought out his family. Soon alter he came
to Pictou. He took up a considerable quantity of land,
but specially claims attention as being the first school-
master in Pictou, the school-house being situated at Lyons
Brook. He also deserves notice as being a pious man,
who first cared for the spiritual interests of the settlers.
He collected the children on the Sabbath day for religious
intHtruction, so that Lyons Brook is known as the site of
the first Sabbath school in the County, and probably in
the Province, established even before Raikes began that
movement, which made these institutions part of the
regular machinery of the Christian Church. " Here," says
'ihe editor of the " Colonial -Patriot," " this worthy man
•taught school seven days of the week, and, to our shame
be it spoken, the Sabbath was more sanctified then, when
there was no place of worship, except tlie school-house
where James Pavidson taught and prayed, than it is now,
when churches are in abundaiico, even at our doors."
Partly from want of a minister in Pictou, and partly from
friendship for Mr. Cock, he removed to Truro about the
year 1776, and settled at Old Barns, where he died, leaving

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no sons, but several daughters, whose descendants ax&
still numerous in Colchester.

"VYo must remark here, however, that though these first
settlers had a number of hardships to endure, yet they
never suffered actual want of the necessaries of life. This
was owing partly to the arrangements of the Company^
end partly to their own industry and skill. The Company,
had sent a supply of provisions, wo believe, for two years.
The settlers were acquainted with American life, and
soon learned to avail themselves of the resources of
the forest. The coasts abounded, particularly in spring
and fall, with fowl, so little disturbed by man, that they
were shot or even snared with little trouble and in great
numbers. ='<' Fish were abundant, the most valuable of
which was the salmon, which came into the rivers in
great numbers, as one said to me, " as thick as the smelts
do now." I have heard old people describe them even
at a later period, coming in such numbers into the West
River, that at a narrow place they would seem almost
jammed together, so that one would think he could walk
upon them. These they not only caught for their own
use, but salted for exportation.

As they cleared the land, they were able to grow crops,
potatoes never failing to yield a bountiful return ; if only
as much of the potatoe as had a sprout were planted.
But perhaps their chief resource was the wood of the
forest. The pine they split into four feet clapboards,
and they manufactured staves from the oak and ash^ both
of which found a market in the old colonies.

Squire Patterson had brought a large supply of goods,
with which he traded with both the Indians and the
settlers. The former he supplied with guns, ammunition,

* I have heard James Patterson tell of even sometime later, going to the
Beaches in the month of March with his gun, and, after being away a day or
ttwo, sending home for a horse and sled, which he brought home loaded with,
^vild geese, which they salted down for their summer provision.

Ill

clothing, &c., in exchange for furs, or sometimes for food,
and the settlers he supplied with various articles, taking
the produce of their labor in return. Small trading
vessels from the old colonibs, employed principally in
fishing, brought them supplies, receiving in exchange
their fish, fur, and lumber. With all the toil and hardship
connected with their life, there must have been something
fascinating about it. The father of the Harrises having •
visited his sons, endeavored to persuade them to return
to Pennsylvania, but they refused.

Of their social life at this period we have little further
information. The peculiar circumstances of the first birth
have preserved the remembrance of it. Wc may add that
Dr. Harris' daughter, afterward Mrs. Robert Cock, born in
1769, was the first female child born in Pictouof English
parentage. Of marriages we have no record ; but we find
in the foregoing return mention of one death, in the family
of Oughterson, probably his wife, as he is returned as alone
in his family. Probably there were more, as before the
arrival of the Hector passengers, there was a burying
ground. This, which was the first in the county, was on
thn farm owned by John Patterson, Squire's son. It was
situated to the west of his house, the same in which his
son Charles lived. The ground has long since been
ploughed over, and the spot cannot now be distinguished.*
"We may say here that the people were generally serious
and religiously inclined, most of them being Presbyterians,
and the others, with one exception. New England Puritans.

It is said that there were sixteen families in Pictou on
the arrival of the Hector in 1775, but of these only six
remained, and we shall conclude this chapter with a more

• A woman who came to reside iu that neighl)orhood, not knowing there
had been a burying ground there, took hold of a stake and, working with it in
the ground, struck something that sounded hollow. She ran home to tell that
Bhe had found what must be money. Further information, however, led to
the conclusion that it must have been a coifiu. '

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33 WIST MAIN STRUT

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particulaT notice of these. Especial ly deserving of attention
is Eobert Patterson, made a magistrate in 1774, and hence
long known as Squire Patterson. He was a native of
Renfrew, in Scotland, but had for some time been in tho
Old Colonies, residing, at least part of the time, at a place
called Cross Eoads, in the State of Maryland, about 14 miles
south of the Penusylvania line, now called Churchville,
a small place in the midst of a rich agricultural district.
Here also the Harrises resided. He had for some time
been employed as a pedler, and also, I have been informed,
OS a sutler to the army, previous to the peace of 1763.

He was for many years tho leading man in Pictou, laid
out all the first lots, surveyed all the early grants, and
"was prominent in all the public affairs of the place. '* On
account of his steady adhesion to the soil and interests of
Pictou ; on account of his disposition and ability at all
times to relieve the distressed, and on various other
accounts, he fairly earned the title of Fatiier of Pictou,
As such he was loved and esteeme<^by the inhabitants
during his life." *

His first location was, as we have seen, about two miles
from town ; but he afterwards obtained from McNutt a
claim, after- '.rd confirmed by Governor Patterson, to a
lot a little above Mortimers Point, where he built the first
frame house in Pictou. There he continued to live till
his death, which took place on the 20th September, 1808.
His remains were interred in the old burying ground at
Durham. We shall have occasion to refer to him again.
Mrs. Patterson died March 6th, 1812.

Of his children who were with him in the Hope, his
eldest, known afterward as John Patterson, second, lived
about two miles from town. He was an Elder in the
Presbyterian Church, and died 8th May, 1820. He left a

• Editor Colonial Patriot. — An eight-day clock, brought vith him in th«
Bope, is in the possession of a great grand daughter, Mrs. A. P. Eois, and
•till marks the hours. t

large family, but there are now few of his descendants
living. The second James wilJ still be remembered in
Picton. Ho settled to the west of the town, where the
remains of his old orchard still exist. He also was for
many years an Elder in the Church, and died May 14th,
1857, iged 96. The third, David, lived above Mortimers
Point. He and his brother James usually worked together,
and their houses were the next frame houses in Pictou
after their father's. He died September 2Gth, 1844. The
Squire had two daughters also on board the Hope, Sarah,
afterward Mrs. Mortimer, and Margaret, afterward Mrs.
Pagan. Of the children bo^-n after his arrival, Thomas
settled on Carriboo Island, and George was one of the
early settlers in Merigomish, where, and elsewhere, he
has left numerous descendants.

The Harrises, Matthew and John, were of the Scotch-
Irish race, their ancestors, Edward Harris and Flora
Douglas, having left Ayrshire, in Scotland, in the reign of
Charles II., or James II., losing a fine estate for their
attachment to Presbyterian worship. They settled near
Raphoe, in the County of Donegal, Ireland.

Thomas, grandson of Edward and father of Matthew
and John, and an older son, Robert, were members of the
Philadelphia company. He was then described as of the
county of Baltimore, Maryland, and his son as Doctor of
Medicine, Philadelphia. He died in Elizabethtown,
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 4th December,
1801, at the ago of lOG, having seen three centuries.

John was the younger son, but had most to do with
the settlement of Pictou. Ho Was bom July ICth, 1739.
He acted as attorney of the Philadelphia company in
disposing of their land, and a host of deeds are recorded
from him, of lots not only along the West River and Rogers
Hill, but at Carriboo, Cape John, River John, and other
places. He was the first magistrate in the district,
having baen appointed in 1769. He was first registrar of

ill

a.'

■ '4\t

mmm

'mtm

deeds, -and held' other public offices. He lived near
Browns Point, on a lot purchased from McNutt, and
confirmed to him by Governor Patterson, the same which
has since been occupied by his son Thomas and his
descendants. He, however, removed to Onslow about
the year 1778, where he was clerk of the peace for some
years, represented Truro in the House of Assembly from
1779 to 1785, celebrated marriages and was otherwise a
public man. He died in Truro April 9th, 1802, through
a fall from his horse. His descendants are numerous, a
considerable number being in Colchester and some in
Pictou, his eldest son Thomas having settled at the Town
Gut, and his youngest, dohn W., having been long High
Sheriff of the county.

Matthew Harris was born on the 12th January, 1735,
according to a statement received from the United States,
though his age as published at the time of his death»
would make the date of his birth four years earlier.*

Of his family, the eldest, Thomas, was a surveyor,
and laid out 'much of the land in this and the neighboring*
county of Colchester. He divided the back lands of the
township of Truro undor the wr*^ of partition and made
a plan of them,' dated August 12th, 1788, which is still
in use, and was for twenty years Sheriff of Pictou.
Another son died unmarried ; a third was lost at sea.
coming round from Halifax ; a fourth, Kobert, studied
medicine and lived on his father's place, but afterward
removed to Philadelphia, where he died ; a fifth son,
James, settled on Carriboo Island, and has left numerous
descendants, and his youngest son removed to Pennsyl-

** " Died, at Pictou, December 9, Mr. Matthew Harrin, aged 88 years, the last
bead of a family of the first settlers from the State (province) of Punnsylvaf
Dia. In the year 1763 (should be 1769) removed to Pictou, which at that
period was a rude, uncultivated wild, inhabited only by a few wandering^
Indians and four families who arrived there shortly before from the same
place. He has left 9 children, 40 grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren.**
JVinoqMfper, 1829.

vania. Of his daughters, one was married to John
Patterson (deacon), hereafter to be noticed. The others
were also married, but their descendants have nearly all
removed from this county.*

James McCabe was a native of Belfast, who emigrated
to the old colonies. He there married Ann Pettigrew, a
North of Ireland Presbyterian. He was a Koman CathoUc
himself, but not a very strict one. He was too fond of
the good things of this life to regard Lent or the other
fasts of that Church, and cared little for her holydays.
He attended Dr. McGregor's preaching, but never
became a decided convert. He had with him in the
Hope two sons, John and James, and four daughters.
The sons afterward married, and had, the one thirteen and
the other eleven children, or two dozen between them,
whose descendants are widely scattered. His four
daughters were married, one to a Watson and another to
a Snow, both of whom removed to the United States ; a
third to Kobert Gerrard, but died when only 26 years of
age, and the fourth to Owen McKowen, or McEwau.

John Hogers was a native of Scotland, brought up in
Glasgow, where he married, his wife's name being Ritchie.

* We may here remark that the Harris family to which these two brothers
belonged is very widely spread through the United States. A gentleman of
the connection has sent mo a genealogical chart containing the names of 425
persons, and adds, " leaving hundreds and CT«n thousands of whom I know
little or nothing." He farther remarks, '■ Taken as a whole they represent
a very respectable body of people, none of them very distinguished either for
wealth or genius, but nearly all of good character and fair respectability. Of
the 42S names given, about 40 are those of professional men, while several
others have "General," "Colonel," "Judge," or other title attached, and quite a
number have been liberally e'ducated. One was a mimber of the Legislature
of Pennsylvania at the time of the Revolution, an active participant in the
•fiifiirs of church and state of the day, and one who had particularly distin«
guished himself by his efforts to abolish slavery in that State ; and left a name
behind him for patriarchal wisdom and goodness. For many generations
christian faith and Uto have been manifested among them, several being elders
•Dd pillan in the Presbyterian Chnrcb, from attachment to which their anc«s>
ton wex« driven from Scotland."

•76

Ho thence removed to MaiyUrid. He never assumed
much prominence in the settlement of Pictou, but was a
quiet, industrious ai\d inoffonsivo, and wo have reason to
believe, a gfood man, as have been many of his descend-
ants. Ho left one daughter and four sons, of whom all
but the youngest son were in the Hope. His eldest son,
James, lived on the farm, since owned by Alexander
McKay and Rae, above the Town Gut. His second son,
John, lived and died on his father's homestsad. His third
son, David, went to River John, where his descendants
are numerous. His youngest son died comparatively early.

Baniabas McGoe, we have already mentioned. He was
lost, with his eldest son, going down to Newfoundland,
His descendants aro still in Merigomish.

The Rev. James Lyon appears as one of the Phila-
delphia company. In the petition from the inhabitants of
Pictou, in the year 1784, they say, "The Philadelphia
company made provision for, and sent, a minister, viz.:
the Rev. James Lyon, at its firsf settlement, yet he did not
continue among us, which very much discouraged the
people and was exceedingly detrimental to the settling of
tha place." It would appear from this that the company
had been mindful of the spiritual wants of the settlers.
In fact we have reason to believe that the zeal manifested
at that time in the old colonies in the settlement of the
Province, was induced partly by motives of religion, par-
ticularly a desire that these regions where French Popery
had hitherto prevailed, should now be occupied by sound
Protestantism. Mr. Lyon was regularly ordained by the
Presbytery of New Brunswick, in New Jersey, and came
to the Province in the fall of 1764 or early in 17C5, and
was the first Presbyterian Minister in the Province of
whom we have any account. In the latter year he was in
Halifax. By the return which we have published, he
appears to have been residing here with his family since
1769. He has given his name to Lyons Brook, about

three miles from the town of Pictou. At different dates,
from 1767 to 1772, we find his name in deeds as of
Onslow, which was then the place where the public
business of that district was transacted, and after that we
find him described as of Machias, in the State of Maine.
"Wo have been informed that the lot of land about two
miles from town, now occupied by Mr. Daniel ]!.IeKenzie,
had been set apart as a glebe, and that there was a
burying-ground upon it. After the Philadelphia com-
pany's grant was escheated, it was granted by Sir John
C. Sherbrooke to Dr. McCulloch.

We have thus, with considerable labor, gathered all
the facts within our reach regarding this fii-st attempt at
the settlement of Pictou. The result is by no means
proportionate to the effort. "We have been minute in the
details, as being the first attempt of the kind, and amid
diflBculties which might have appalled the stoutcRt heart,
we deemed it proper to presers'^c everything wo can .earn
of the early actors in these scenes. None of the settle-
ments in Nova Scotia had such obstacles to encounter as
that of Pictou. At Halifax and Lunenburg colonization
began under the superintendence of Government, which
also expended large sums in j)roviding for the wants of
the settlers. Those again who came to settle the town-
ships along the Bay of Fundy.in Annapolis, Kings, Hants,
Colchester, and Cumberland countii-3, entered at once
upon the rich marshes prepared to their hands by the
French Acadians. But the first settlers in Pictou came
to a country covered with heavy forest, without an acre
cleared, and after a little were thrown on their own
resources. We must admire the heroism with which they
entered upon their work, the energy with which they
so bravely combatted the difficulties in their path, and
the perseverance by which they at length happily sur-
mounted them.

The results for the first six years, it will be seen, were

lit

ii:

very small. The great cause of this was the unfortunate
position of the Philadelphia grant, in having ivithin its
hounds no place in the harhour suitable for a town, and
so little frontage on the shore. This spoiled the efforts
honestly made for the settlement of the place, and frus-
trated, as we shall see, the next great effort made toward
that end in 1778. In that year came the ship Hector with
emigrants, mostly from the Highlands of Scotland. From
that the efiective settlement of the place may be dated.
The event w?is important and deserves commemoration.
But the first honor is due to the little company who
arrived here previously, who cut down the first trees,
erected the first huts, run the first lines, cleared the first
land, and planted the first seed — the little band of pioneers
who, in their little brig, with its well omened name, the
Hope, first planted the standard of British colonization
upon our northern coast; and the true natal day of Pictou
is the 10th of June, when she first dropped anchor in our
harbour, or the 11th, when her precious cargo first set
foot on our shores.

*' What noble cotinge mntt tlieir hearti Imye fired.
How great the ardour wbicb their gouls inspired,
Who leaving far beyond their native p^ain
Have tonght a home beyond the western main;
And braved the perils of the stormy seas
In search of wealth, of frcedcm, and of case.
Oh, none eon tell, but they who sadly share,
The bosom's anguish, and its wild despair,
. What dire distress awaits the hardy bands,
That rentnre first on bleak and desert lands ;
' bow great the pain, toe danger and the toil

Which mark the first mde culture of the soil.
When looking round, the lonely setUcr sees
His home amid a wilderness cf trees ;
How sinks his heart in tbosn deep solitudes,
Where not a voice upon his ear intrudes ;
t7here solemn silence all the waste pen-ades,
• Heightening the horror of its gloomy shades ;
Save where the nturdy woodman's strokes resound
That strew the fallen forest on tho ground."

Bitinff Vaiagt, By H. Golobiotb.

CHAPTER V.

ABBIVAL OF THB SHIP HECTOB AND SETTLEMENT OF
HER PASSENGERS— 1773-1776.

Some of the shares of the Philadelphia company were
transferred, so that the celebrated Dr. Witherspoon
became one of the proprietors,')!^ and John Pagan, a
merchant of Greenock, became the purchaser of three
undivided shares. They seem at that time to have
been combined in promoting the settlement of the old
colonies. "We find the ship Hector, which was owned
by Pagan, in the year 1770 arriving in Boston with
Scottish emigrants, and there is a deed on record in the
Pictou registry office, after the American Revolutionary
war, from Witherspoon, conveying to Pagan all the land
of the former in Pictou, in exchange for the lands of the
latter in the United States, f

To carry out the original obligations of their grant, the
proprietors offered liberal terms for the settlement of it.
They employed an agent named John Eoss, with whom
they agreed to give each settler that he might bring from
Scotland, a free passage, a farm lot, and a year's provi-
sions. Eoss went to the Highlands, and, drawing a
glowing picture of the land and the advantages offered,
many, knowing nothing of the difficulties of settling a^
new country, and allured by the prospect of owning a

* Dr. Witherspoon is sometimes represented as the projector of the Vhila-
dclphia company's scheme, but bis name docs not appear among the first
members of the company.

t In a petition against the escheat of the grant, Pagan's son alleges that
the father and sons sent out altogether about 800 souls ; that they had spent
£280 sterling in provisions, and altogether bad ez^endfid about X600 stetling
in settling the grant.

farm, eagerly embraced his proposals. Tho Hector was
chartered to convey them to Pictoii. She •was under tho
command of John Spears as master, James Orr being
first mate, and John Anderson second. Three families
and five young men embarked in her at Greenock,
■whence she sailed for Loch Broom, in Eoss-shire, where
she received tho rest of her passengers, amounting in all
to thirty-three families and twenty-five unman-ied men,
beside the agent. The number of souls is stated in ono
account as 18J>, in another as 170, while Governor Leggo,
on their arrival, speaks of them in round numbers as 200.
In tho beginning of July, 1773, they finally bade adieu
to their native land.'**' As they were leaving, a piper
came on board, who had not engaged his passage. Tho
captain ordered him ashore, when tho passengers inter-
ceded, offering to share their rations with him in exchange
for his music. At their request, he was allowed to
remain. There was not ono person on board who hcd
ever crossed the Atlantic, except ono sailor. Though
hearts doubtless were saddened as they parted from
kindred, and as their native hills faded from their vision,
yet hope beat high in every bosom, and for a time all
went cheerily among the pilgrims. Song, music, wrest-
ling, dancing, and iher amusements relieved the tedium
of a sea voyage. But the passage was destined to be a
long and painful one. The Hector was an old Dutch
ship, and a dull sailor. Passengers said that they could
with their hands pick the rotten wood out of her sides.
When they arrived off the coast of Newfoundland, they
met with a severe gale, which drove them so far back
that they were a fortnight before they were again as far
forward. The accommodations on board were poor and
the provisions of inferior quality, perhaps not worse than

* Pbilo Antiq. says on tho 10th July, but the universal statement among th&
old settlers is, that they were eleven weoka on tbe passage, which would,
make the date of sailing ist of July.

in emigrant ressels of the time. Small-pox and dysen-
tery broke out on board, so that eighteen, most of them
children, died on the passage and were committed to the
'^eop. The former disease was brought on board by a
mother and child, both of whom afterward lived to a
great age. And one child was born, afterward the late
Mrs. Page, of Truro. As the voyage was prolonged, their
stock of provisions and water became low. For some
time before arrival, they were put on an allowance of
Tvater, the scarcity of which, with the salt provisions, was
a great privation. During the voyage the oatcake sup-
plied to the passengers became mouldy, and the i)as8en-
gcrs often threw away pieces of it or other food. Hugh
McLcod was in the habit of gathering up all these frag-
ments and putting them into a large sack, and the last
two days of their voyage, they were glad to avail them-
selves of this refuse food.

At length all the troubles and dangers of the voyage
-were surmounted, and on the 15th of September, t'iiis
pioneer band of Scottish emigrants arrived in the harbour
of Pictou, and the Hector droppsd anchor opposite where
the town of Pictou now stands. Previous to her arrival,
as we have seen, the Indians had been somewhat trouble-
43ome to the f ottlers ; if not positively dangerous, they at
least gave annoyance, and the whites, from their small
numbers, were kept in considerable alarm. It was even
reported, that there was a plot among them at that time
t«> cut off the whole settlement, which we have seen was
the only one on the north shore of the Province. When
the word was received of the coming of the Hector with
Highland emigrants, the whites, in reply to threats of the
Indians, told them that the Highlanders were coming —
tbe same men they had seen in p3tticoats at the taldng of
Quebec. Sure enough the Hector appeared. Her sides
being painted, according to the old fashion, in imitation
>^f gunports, helped to induce the impression that she was

a man-of-war. The Highland dress was then proscribed^
but was carefully preserved and fondly cherished by the
Highlanders, and in honour of the occasion the young-
men had arrayed themselves in their kilts, with akein
dhUy and some with broadswords. As she drcpped anchor
the piper blew his pipes to their utmost power ; its thrill*
ing sounds then first startling the echoes among the silent
solitudes of our forest. All the Micmacs fled in terror
and were not seen for some time, so that trouble with the
Indians was never heard of again.'N'

"We may here remark the importance of the arrival of
the Hector to these Lower Provinces. With her passen*
gers may be said to have commenced the really effective
settlement of Pictou. But this was not all : the Hector
was the first emigrant vessel from Scotland to Pictou, or
even these Lower Provinces. That stream of Scottish
immigration which, in after years, flowed, not only over
the county of Pictou, but over much of the eastern part
of the Province, Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island, por-
tions of New Brunswick, and even the Upper Provinces,
began with this voyage, and even, in a largo measure,
originated with it, for it was by the representations of
those on board to their friends, that others followed, and
so the stream deepened and widened in succeeding years.
We venture to say that there is no one element in the
population of these Lower Provinces, upon which their
social, moral and religious condition has depended more
than upon its Scottish immigrants, and of these that band
in the Hector were the pioneers and vanguard. We may
mention here that after returning to Scotland from this
voyage she was condemned, and went to sea no more.
Truly her work was done.

The first care was to provide for the sick. One woman,

* W« do not bolicTO that there was really any plot of the kind. It was
good fun for the Indians to frighten the white people, and we believe the^f
laised the reports for that purpose;

wife of Hugh McLeod, afterward of West River, had juat
died of smallpox ; the body was sent ashore in a boat and
buried, we believe, at the burying ground already men-
tioned. Several were sick ; some dying. The resident
settlers did what was in their power to provide for their
wants, and with the supply of fresh provisions most soon
recovered their health, though some, I cannot learu how
many, died on board the vessel.

If the expectations of these people had been excited by
the prospect of an estate in America, their hopes were
lowered by the sight that met their view as +hey
crowded on the deck of tho vessel to see their future
home. One unbroken forest still covered the whole land,
with the exception of a few patches on the shore between
Browns Point and the hen 3 r. the harbour.

But if the first view of matters was discouraging, worse
was in store for them. Squire Patterson and Dr. Harris,
the agents of the company, lived near Browns Point,
nearly a mile above the town, and had erected a small
store, in which they kept ihr supplies of the company,
though even there the woods were scarcely broken. Here
the immigrants were landed without provisions and with-
out shelter, except as with the assistance of those here
before them, they erected rude camps for themselves,
their wives and their little ones. However glad to be
relieved from the confinement of shipboard, bitter were
the feelings of disappointment, with which they contrasted
the expectations they had entertained of a free farm and
plenty in America, with the reality before them. We need
not wonder to hear of some sitting down and giving way
to bitter weeping. The arrival of such a number swept
the place like a torrent of all the provisions it contained
and left it nearly destitute. The few settlers previously
here could not have provided food for one-third of the
number for any time, and it was too late in the season to
raise any crops that year.

In the meantime they began to select their future
homes. The company had the land laid out in regular
blocks, named A, B, &c., which were subdivided into
lots regularly numbered. But here the fact to which we
have already adverted, of the small frontage of their
grant on the harbour, spoiled the whole of this well meant
and not ill contrived eJQTort at settlement. "When the Hec-
tor arrived, all the shore of their grant was occupied, and
her passengers were taken back one, two or three miles,*
and there, amid the primeval forest they were invited to
settle. Never did there seem to be offered to men such
an utter mockery. The gigantic trees would have seemed
to any person a serious difficulty in their way, but to men
unaccustomed to clearing the wood in America, and
unskilled in the use of the axe, the work seemed hopeless.
"Without roads or even paths, and unprovided with com-
passes, they were liable to be lost in the forest and they
were afraid of Indians and wild beasts. Even if these
difficulties could have been removed, they saw that they
would be shut out there, from what must hereafter form
a large part of their subsistence, viz.: the Hsh in the har-
bour and rivers. "We have heard of McCabe taking some
of them back to where he promised to show them good
land, which they might take up, when, looking round on
the big trees, they only asked, with an air of helplessness,
that he would take them back to the shore.

In consequence of these circumstances they all refused
to settle on the company's land, and when a supply of
provisions arrived the agents refused to give thom any. A
jealousy arose between them and the American settlers.
Ross and the company quarrelled. They refused his
demands and soon after he abandoned the passengers he
had brought out. A few who had a little money.

* Each division of lots was a mile in length from the shore, and so tho lots
on the north side of the harbour still are, the side lines running north and
aouth by coinpass.

ised
y of
.A
era.
his
he

loU
land

bought provisions for a time or even exchanged clothes for
food, but the majority had absolutely nothing" to buy with ;
and the little that the others had was soon exhausted, so
that they were loft without provisions and entirely desti-
tute of means to provide for themselves.

Driven to extremity they insisted oti ha^'^ng the sup-
plies sent by the company. On one occasion Donald
McDonald and Colin Douglas were in the store claiming
a supply ; being rather pressing the agent ordered them
out ; they refused to go, when he threatened to lock them
in. As they still refused he w*jnt out and attempted to
lock the door, when Donald drew his dirk, an article
which many of them then wore, and drove it in before
the bolt. Finally they resolved to take the provisions by
force. They seized both Squire Patterson and Dr. Harris,
tied them and took their guns, which they hid at some
distance, told them that they must have the food for their
families, that they were willing to pay for them when
they were able. They then proceeded to weigh and mea-
sure the various articles ; they took account of what each
man received, which they left. Roderick McKay, father
of our late custos, a man of great energy and determina-
tion, and who in this and all the proceedings of the time,
was recognized by the Highlanders os their leader,
was left to release the prisoners. After a sufficient time
had elapsed to enable the rest to get to a safe distance,
he undid the ropes by which they were tied, and having
informed them where their guns would be found, got out
of the way himself.

Intelligence was despatched to Halifax, that the High-
landers were in rebellion, with a request for assistance.
We may suppose that at a time when the scenes of " the
forty-five" were still fresh in memory, this was heard with
dismay. Report says that orders were despatched to one
of the Archibalds of Truro, usually known as Captain
Tom, or Uncle Tom, to march his company of militia to

Pictou to suppreers the rebellion. He received the order
with the most nnmilitary reply, " I will do no such thing ;
I know the Highlanders, and if .they are fairly treated
there will be no trouble with them." Representations of
the true state of the case were sent to Halifax. Lord
William Campbell, whose term of service, as Governor,
had just expired, was still there, and interested himself
on behalf of the immigrants as his countrymen, so that
orders came from the Government to let them have the
provisions. We may add here,iaat Squire Patterson used
to say afterward, that the Highlanders, who had arrived
in poverty, had paid him every farthing that he had
trusted them, but he had lost two hundred pounds by
his good friend the Governor of Prince Edward Island.
Beset with such difficulties and with winter approach-
ing, the majority of the immigrants removed to Truro
and ploces adjacent, to obtain by their labour food for
their families. A few settled at Londonderry, at a place
which has since been known as Highland Village. Some
went to Halifax, and some even to Windsor and Com-
waliis. Not only men, but mothers of families, hired
out, and their children, male and female, they bound
out for service, till they should come of age. Some went
that season, and others not till the spring following. One
man stayed till the musquitoes made their appearance in
the following summer, when, thinking it a judgment,
he left. The majority of them, however, returned in
subsequent years. The number who remained is stated
at seventy, and for a time, particularly during the fol-
lowing winter, they endured almost incredible hardships.
Not having taken up land, they remained at Browns
Point, with only rude huts, covered with branches or
the bark of trees to shelter them from the cold, of the
severity of which they had previously no conception. To
obtain food for their families [ihej had to proceed to
Truro, through a trackless forest and in deep snow, and

"there obtaining a bushel or two of potatoes, and perhaps
« little flour, in exchange for their labour, they had to
return, carrying this little supply on their backs or
■dragging it on a handsled.

The labor of this we can scarcely estimate. One
bushel of potatoes was a sufficient load for a man to carry
ihat distance. One who boasted of his strength under-
took to carry two and started off with his load quite
jauntily. The Highlanders have a Gaelic proverb, that
a sheep the first mile will be a cow the second, meaning
that a burden which a man can carry easily a short
•distance will be intolerable afterward; and so this man
found, for before he had reached half way to Pictou he
was glad to get quit of part of his load. Then there was
the climbing of stiff braes or the descending steep banks,
the crossing of brooks on a single tree, or the sinking in
wet or boggy ground, or in winter in deep snow ; this
continuing for three days, involving two nights camping
in the woods. Even the potatoes they did get were
inferior, being of a kind known as Spanish potatoes, large
:and soft, like a kind known some years ago as yams, or
like some of the coarse kinds still used for feeding cattle.
Sometimes they froze on their backs, but even so, whea
roasted in the ashes or sliced and roasted on the coals,
they were heartily relished. No wonder that some of
those who had gone through these scenes, could not bear
in after life to see even the peeling of a potatoe thrown
into the fire.

Perhaps, however, a better idea of their privations may
be gained by giving a few incidents of this period. Two
young men set off for Halifax. They could get so little
provisions w^hen they left, and had so little on the way,
that they were scarcely able to travel from weakness, and
•when they reached Gays River they were nearly ready
lo give up altogether. But there they saw a lot of fine
4rout, strung on a rod, hung on a bush. They hesitated

ill

whether to take them or not. They thought they
belonged to the Indians, who they feared would come
after them and kill them. They, therefore, left them and
went on a short distance, when, finding that from their
weakness they would not be able to prosecute their
journey, they returned to where they had left the trout.
' Each put it upon the other to take them. At last the
claims of hunger prevailed and they proceeded to make a
meal of them. They afterward discovered that they had
been caught by two sportsmen from Halifax, who had
disputed who should carry them, and finally left them,,
where, in the kind providence of God, they afforded a-
meal for the hungry travellers.

The late Alex. Fraser, elder, of Middle River, when
only a lad of about sixteen, carried a younger sister to
Truro on his back, while the only food he had for the
whole journey was the tail of an eel.

One or two incidents of this family, though at a some-
what later date, may be given. Hugh, a younger brother
of the last, and who was one of the last survivors of the
Hector, told the writer that on one occasion his father,
having exhausted every other means of obtaining a
supply of food for his family, cut down a birch tree and
boiled the buds, which he gave them to eat. He then
went to a heap where Horton, one of the old settlers, had
buried some potatoes, and took out some. Before ha
could inform the owner of what he had done, some of his
neighbors maliciously did so, when Horton merely
' replied that he thanked God he had them there for the
poor old man's family.

On one occasion, when the husband and eldest son had
gone to Truro for provisions, everything in the shape of
food for the younger children was exhausted, except one-
hen, which the mother finally killed. She boiled it in
salt water for the benefit of the salt, with a quantity of
weeds or herbs, which she had collected, and of the

natnre of which she was entirely ignorant, which she
served up for them with the flesh of the hen. But not
long after the children found the hen's nest with ten eggs,,
some of which she cooked for their next meal and the
rest she retained till her husband's return.

On another occasion, the men of the family had brought
home a supply of potatoes, from Truro, for seed, but
after planting them and enclosing the ground, they were
so much in want before going back, that they had to dig
up some of the splits to use for food. Some time after,
having earned as much money as would buy a cow,
Alexander was sent to Colchester to make the purchase ;
but having fallen in with his brother Simon, who had
been bound out, and finding him dissatisfied, he applied
the money to the purchase of his time. On arriving
home, on his mother meeting him, her first enquiry was
" Have you got the cow ?" " No, but I have brought
Simon instead," was the reply. " "Well, poor as I am,"
said the mother, "I would rather see Simon than the
cow." The girl whom this same Alexander afterward
married, was bound out in Truro, and served till she was
eighteen years of age.

These few incidents, most of them in the history of
one family, and that one of the few which had arrived
with some means, will give an idea of what they endured
for the first few years. All were in the same condition,
and none could help another. The remembrance of
those days sunk deep into the minds of that generation,
and long after, the narration, of the scenes through which
they had passed, beguiled many a winter eve, as they sat
by their, now, comfortable firesides.

To return to our narrative. That winter the first death
occurred among the immigrants, a child of Donald
McDonald, who was buried at John Patterson's (second))
place, already mentioned ; and the first birth occurred, &
son of Alexander Fraser, afterward of Middle EiYei»

named David, afterward Captain Fraser, who lived at
what is now Evans' place, about five miles from town.

In Ihe following spring they applied themselves
earnestly to provide for the wants of themselves and their
families. Thongh tinaecustomed to the use of the axe
and the employments peculiar to a new country, yet,
except in this respect, never were immigrants better
adapted to the work of settling in the wilderness. They
were children of the mountain and the flood. They were
accustomed to coarse food, inured to hardship in its
roughest form, and were not easily dismayed by difficulties.
** They accordingly exerted every energy, and sought out
suitable spots on which to settle. In their enquiries after
these, they were enabled to judge of the virgin mould
from the growth and species of wood. "Where high and
bulky black birch, ash, rock maple, elm or oak was
discovered, the land was accounted to be of a strong and
superior kind. They explored the different rivers, which
abounded with fish; and finding the soil near their banks
to be the most fertile, and capable of being more easily
improved than that of higher lands, they seated themselves
tipon it." *

Difficulties were thrown in the way of their getting
their grant, principally, we presume, through the opposi-
tion of the agents of the Philadelphia Company, by whom
they had been brought out. The first grant was to
Donald Cameron, who had been a soldier in the Fraser
Highlanders at the taking of Quebec. His lot was situated
at the Albion Mines, being the same lot afterward purchased
by Dr. McGregor. It is dated 8th February, 1775, and
beside the condition of payment of quit rent, as in the
other grants, contains the following : —

« That the grantee, his heirs or assigns, shall clear and work, within three
jears, three acres for every fifty granted, in that part of the land which he
shall judge most convenient and advantageous,ror clear and drain three acres

Philo Antiquarios.

cf fwampy or annken ground, or draic three acres of; marsh, if uaj such be
wilbin the bounds ofthis grant, or put and keep on his lands, within throo
years from the date hereof, three neat cattle, to be continued upon the land
imtil three acres for every fifty be fully cleared and improved.

« But if no part of the said tract be fit for present cultivation, without
mannring and improving the same, then this grantee, his heirs and assigns
shall bo obliged, within three years from the date hereof, to erect on some
part of said landn dwelling house, to contain twenty feet in length by sixteen
feet in breadth, and to put on said land three neat cattle for every fifty acres,
or if the said grantee, his heirs or assigns, shall, within three years after the
passing of this grant, begin to employ thereon, and so to continue to work
for three years then next ensuing, in digging any stone quarry or any other
mine, one good and able hand for every 100 acres of such tract, it shall be
accounted a sufficient seeding, planting, cultivation and improvemeni , and
every three acres which shall be cleared and worked as aforesaid ; and every
three acres which shall bo cleared and drained as aforesaid, shall be accounted
• sufficient seeding, planting, eiiltivation and improvement, to save for ever
from forfeiture fifty acres in every part of the tract hereby granted."

The rest of the Hector passengers, who remained in
Pictou, occupied land on the three rivers, especially the
intervales, on what had been McNutt's grant, which
was now escheated. They did not, however, obtain a title
to it for some time. As late as the 22nd January, 1781,
they complained, in a petition to the government, that a
grant had been often promised but never received. At
last it was issued on the 26th of August, 1733. It contains
the names of forty-four persons, some of whom had
arrived from other quarters after the Hector, conveying
the lots on which they had been located, the size of the
lots being regulated by the number of their families. The
conditions were the same as in Cameron's grant, and the
mines reserved are gold, silver, lead, copper and coals.
iWe append a list of the grantees with the number of acres
received by each and notices of the situation of their
lots. (Appendix A.)

In the meantime they were energetically using the
means in their power to supply the wants of their fami'
lies. They learned to hunt moose. Timber of the finest
jquality abounded, and they soon could split staves or the

'II

1 .7:

■m

long shingles formerly mentioned, with their neighbours.
Small vessels came from the old colonies, which supplied
them with necessaries in exchange for these articles.

Seeing the majestic trees on every side, and knowing-
the value of timber in Groat Britain, they formed the
idea of preparing a quantity for exportation. Unskilled
in the use of the axe, they invited a company of hewera
from Truro, and with their aid prepared, during the
summer, a sufficient quantity of squared pine to load a ves-
sel, which had been condemned in Prince Edward Island
and purchased by Governor Patterson. This was the.first
timber ever shipped from Pictou, and the commencement
of that wood trade afterward carried on so extensively
from this port.

It is just to say that the Indians, as soon as the mutual
terror had subsided, treated them with much kindness.
From them they learned to make and use snow-shoes, to*
call moose', and other arts of forest life. From them they
often received supplies of provisions. One old man used
to say that the sweetest meal ho ever ate was provided
and prepared by them. Hunger, we presume, was the
sauce. The Indians were indeed sometimes disposed to
make use of the terror which they knew their name and
appearance inspired, particularly among the weaker sex,,
to secure their object ; but it is due to that unhappy race
to say, that from the time of the arrival of the Hector, they
never gave the settlers any serious molestation, and gene-
rally showed them real kindness, which, when the tables
Iwere turned, so that the whites had plenty and they
'were needy, has not always been reciprocated.

During that summer they also prepared to occupy the
land which they had selected, but could get little, if any^
ready for crop that season, and in the fall the majority,
even of those who had remained, disheartened at ihe
prospect of another such winter as the past, left for
Colchester or other places. By a return made on the Ist

Jmiaary following (1775), the following were the familien
«nd unmarried men on the settlement at that date :,

FauHiIES. — Johu Rogers, Bobcrt PAttcnon, William McKenzic, Alex. Rom,
Kenneth McClut:heoB, Wm. McCrackcu, Abram Slater, Muses Blaisdull, Wm.
Scnncdy, Colin McEenzio, Jamcn McCabc, Jamea Daridson, Bar. McOce.

UmfABKiKD Men. — John Hall, Juhn Patterson, Oeorgo McConncll, Joseph
Richards, J&moH Hathorue, Thomas Troop.

The whole population consisted of 23 men, 14 women,
21 boys, and 20 girls; total, 78. The produce raised in
that year was 260 bushels wheat, 13 of rye, 5G of peas, 36
of barley, 100 of oats, and 840 lbs. of flax. The farm
stock consisted of 13 oxen, 13 cows, 15 young neat cattle,
25 sheep, and 1 swine. There were manufactured 17,000
feet of boards, and Squire Patterson was the owner of a
sloop or schooner.

Of the above list over five or six were Hector passen-
gers. The return seems imperfect. At all events, quite
a number returned the following season (1775). As the
law of the Province then allowed a representative to each
township having 50 families, wo find a return in that
year by Dr. Harris, showing that Pictou contained the
required number. (See Appendix B.)

That year their circumstances continued to improve
and some crop was raised, though not sufficient for their
subsistence ; and still there were the same weary jour-
neys to Truro for necessaries. They were, however,
acquiring more skill in availing themselves of the
resources around them. The moose afforded them a
supply of meat for the winter, and the rivers plentifully
supplied them with fish, and they learned to make sugar
from the juice of the maple. One mode of laying up a
supply of food for winter was, to dig a large quantity of
clams in the autumn, pile them in a heap on the shore,
and then cover them with sand, though they were some-
times in winter obliged to cut through ice a foot or
more in thickness to get at them.

! >••

■I ■

• Wd fiiVe isnlie appendix a list of the Hector passengers,
with notices of their places of settlement, and history, so
&r as known. (See Appendix C.)

Though still poor enough, they were provided with at
least the necessaries of life, when they were again tried
by the arrival of a class poorer than themselves. Induce-
ments having been held out by some of the proprietors of
Prince Edward Island (then called St. John) to parties in
Scotland to settle their land, John Smith and Wellwood
Waugh, then resident in Lockerby, in Dumfriesshire, sold
out their property, and chartered a small vessel to carry
thither their families and any others who might join them.
They accordingly arrived at Georgetown, or Three Rivers,
in the year 1774, and were followed by others a few
months later.

They commenced a settlement with fair prospects of
success, when their hopes were blighted by a remarkable
visitation. Diereville, a French writer, in a work published
in 1699, says : — ** The Island of St. John is stated to be
visited every seven years by swarms of locusts or field
mice, alternately — never together. After they ravage the
land, they precipitate themselves into the sea." There is
no evidence of any such regularity in this visitation of
mice, but later writers speak of it as recurring on the
Island at longer or shorter intervals, and there was one
of the kind some years later in Nova Scotia, though now
it is unknown. At all events, it came upon the new
settlers, to whom we have referred, in full force. These
animals swarmed everywhere, and consumed everything
eatable, even the potatoes in the ground.*

The new settlers would have had difficulties enougK
under any crcumstances, but this filled their cup to the
brim, and during the eighteen months that they remained
there, they endured all the miseries of famine. For three

* In Bome houses at West River are still preserved bppks of which tiift
leather on the coven has been gnawed by them*

months in summer, they subsisted on lobEders and other
shell fish, which they gathered on the shore. In the
spring they had obtained from Tatamagouche a few pota*
toes for seed, but the mice devoured them in the ground,
and everything else in the shape of crop, so that when
winter came, they were on the verge of starvation. An
old woman in my congregation, though a strong child
and with a constitution which carried her to ninety year*'-
of age, told me that when she was two years of age, she
was not able to walk from weakness, owing to want of
food. One boy died, it is supposed from eating some
herbs which were injurious or poisonous. Waugh had
brought a supply of provisions and other articles, so
that the first summer they 'did not suffer much, but at the
end of the second season, he had all his goods in the store
of a man named Brine, who traded with the small fishing
vessels from the colonies. A number of these vessel;
happened to be in the harbour, and before returning
home the crews came ashore for a carousal. The Ameri-
can Revolution was just commencing, and they were leav-
ing with the idea of not returning, expecting when they
reached their homes to serve either as soldiers or sailors.
Before going on board they plundered Brine's warehouse
of all it contained, carrying off all Waugh's property.

That winter they would have perished, were it not for
a French settlement some miles distant, from which they
received supplies, principally of potatoes, in exchange for
the clothing they had brought with them from Scotland,
until they scarcelv retained sufiicient to clothe themselves
decently. From scarcity of food the men became reduced ^
to such a state of weakness, and the snow was so deep,
that they became at last scarcely able to carry back pro-
visions for their families, and when, with slow steps and
heavy labour, they brought them home, such was the
state of weakness in which they had left their children,
they trembled to enter their dwelling, lest they should

find thou dead, and sometimes waited at the door, listen-
ing for any sound that might indicate that they were
alive.*

Having heard that there was food in Ficton, they, in
spring (1776), sent one of their number (the late David
Stewart) to enquire into the state of matters there.
Some of the American settlers had brought slaves, one of
whom had been sold in Truro by his owner, who brought
home part at least of the procaeds in wheat, which he
was consuming in his family when Stewart arrived and
lodged in his house. The latter, amid all his troubles,,
retained some measure of cheerfulness, and on his return:
his friends gathered round him to hear his report.
" Well, what sort of a place is Pictou ?" was the enquiry.
" Oh, an awful place," was the reply, in a very solemn
tone. *' How ?" it was again asked. He replied, •• I
stayed with a man who was just eating the last of his
nigger." Such was their own condition on the verge of
starvation, that for a minute they actually supposed that
the people of Pictou were reduced to such a state from
hunger as to have devoured the flesh of their colored
servants.

Having explained the true state of the case, his report
was on the whole so favorable, that they were glad to
exchange total want in Prince Edward Island for the
partial supply to be found in Pictou. About fifteen
families accordingly moved over, of whom seven settled
on the West River. When they arrived, the only break
in the woods on the west side of the West Eiver was

* One old woman, living in 1831, used to tell that for three months her
children had neither bread nor potatoes. During that time their food was
principally shell-fish and boiled beech leaves. One calamity she described as
having tiicd them severely. They bad brought with them iron pots, but not
knowing the severity of the frost in this country, had left water in them, by
the freezing of which they were cracked. In their circumstances, believing
that they could not obtain others nearer than Scotland, and seeing no hope of
obtaining them there, she said that the loss was next to the loss of a child.

vrhere the Rev. George Roddick now resides. Four
-settled on the Middle River and two on the East River.
The John Smith who came with Wangh removed to
Truro. Ho first visited that place to have his child
baptized und to hear the gospel, camping in the woods
between Ficton and that place. In the fall ho brought
•over part of his movables, carrying a large two cwt.
anvil to Truro on a horse, which ho hired from Squire
Patterson. Wellwood Waugh settled on what has since
been known as Dunoons farm. Ho used to toll that ho
left the Island with only a bucket of clams for the support
of himself and family ; that tn lay after his arrival in
Fictou he went to the woods ..o make staves, and was
4iblA to make a living for them ever after. His step-
ibrother, William Campbell, then a young man, who came
Vfiih. him, settled on the farm next above.

Though the Highlanders were ready to extend their
vronted hospitality to the new comers, and did so, to the
best of their ability, yet, having barely sufficient for the
support of their own families, such an influx pressed
heavily upon them. Though these people arrived here
in such destitution, they were among the most valuable
of the early sectlers of this country, and their descendants
to this day are among the most respectable members of
the community.

We give in an appendix a list of these settlers, with,
notices of their places of settlement. (Appendix D.)

■ 4

OHAPTEH YI

- »;v.^,

PIOTOU DtmiNO AMERICAN IlEVOLimONAirr WAB^

1770—1783

The breaking out of the American Revolutionary War
at first subjected the settlers to serious inconvenience.
They had hitherto received most of their supplies by
trading vessels from the Old Colonies, which received in.
exchange the proceeds of their labour, especially fish, fur
and lumber. This trade, however, was now stopped, and
the want of it was at first severely felt. Even salt could
not be obtained, and in summer the settlers might bo seen.
for days boiling down sea wo tor to obtair. a supply of thifip
necessary. But the war soon had an oniivoninginfluenctr
upon tho trade of the Province. Halifax was chosen as
the chief depot for the British Navy in this Hemisphere.
Large sums of money were expended on tho dockyard ;
Tess^ls of all classes were there annually refitted, and
employment was given to artizans. A largo military force
was kept at Halifax, and there was, in consequence, a
larger circulation of money, in the advantage of which
the country districts shared.

The following is ^iven as the price received by the
aettlers for their wood : —

1775. 1776.

Squared Pine, per ton Oft, 12s. OcL

Hardwood, « IBs. 208.

Barrel Btaves, per M 258. 60l.

Hhd. " « 358. VOi.

The settlers in Pictou were for a time, however, still
at a loss for British goods, but in the year 1779, John
Patterson went to Scotland and brought a supply, and
£rom that time continued to trade.

But the American -war had another effect, in the division
l^hich it occaRioned between the new and the old settlers.
The Scotch were loyally attached to the British Govern-
ment. But, with the cxceptiorf of Squire Patterson, most
of the American settlers strongly sympathised with the
American cause. Murdoch, in his history of Nova Scotia,
tries to make it appear that those who came to this Province
from the Old Colonies, and settled various townships before
the American Revolutionary "War, were at this time loyal.
From the facts that have come to our knowledge regarding
these people in Colchester, and the few settlers in Pictou,
wo can assert most positively that they generally sympa-
thized with the Americans, and that a number were ready
to manifest their sympathy by taking arms, if there had
appeared a favourable prospect of thereby serving the
cause. And when this seemed hopeless, they manifested
their spirit in more harmless ways, as in the refusal of tea,
of which the good wives could sometimes only secretly
brew a small quantity for private indulgence, and moro
X)ermanently in the names, which their children have
carried down to our own day — the Adamses, the Burkes,
and the George Washingtons, the latter of which, however,
it was found more convenient to change into John
"Washington or George "William.

In Pictou, it will surprise many of the present generation
to hoar, the feeling was quite violent. A circular was
addressed to the magistrates throughout the Province,
requiring them to bo " watchful and attentive to the
behaviour of the people in your county, and that you
will apprehend any person or ijersons who shall be guilty
of any opposition to the King's authority and Government,
and send them properly guarded to Halifax." The
Inhabitants were ordered to take the oath of allegiance, and
magistrates were required to furnish lists of those who
complied and those who did not.

Patterson, who had been made a magistrate in 1774, was

i **

ill

' - ia

100

actire and zealous, perhaps more so than wise, in carrying
out these instructions. He started for Halifax, intending
to get copies of the oath required, for the purpose of
imposing it upon the inhabitants. "When he reached Truro,
his |)urpose becoming known, one of the Archibalds
invited him to his house, and took him to a private room
where, drawing out a pistol, by its persuasive inJUuence,
he induced him to return home.

The squire also attempted to arrest some of the old
settlers, who had openly declared their determination to
swear no oath of allegiance, while the others endeav-
oured to conceal them. Wo have heard, for example, of
Horton being obliged to hide under a haystack. On the
other hand, their passions became so excited that they
threatened to murder him. So serious did the danger
become that his older sons were obliged several times to
hide him in the woods, taking him over to Frasers Point
for the purpose.* Matthew Harris, having had some dis-
pute with Squire Patterson, regarding some business in
which they had been engaged together in Maryland,
started thither in the heat of the American war. While
in Halifax the circumstance exciting suspicion, or perhaps,
in consequence of his giving too free expression to his
63rmpathy for the American cause, he was arrested as a
spy, and placed in the care of a guard of soldiers, who
went into an inner room of a tavern to drink, leaving
him to move about on his parole. While he was calmly
walking on the platform, a woman rushed in where they
were, exclaiming, "Your prisoner is escaping." They
rushed out, half intoxicated, and one of them struck him
over the head with a weapon he had in his hands, cutting
him very severely. He was detained in custody till
evidence was obtained from Pictou that he was a peacefal

* Wo bad heard of thi8, but regarded it as an exaggeration. The familj of
James, one of hia sons referred to, asseits positively that their fJather fro-
quentlj mentioned it to them as a &ci

101

Tesident. The old man was Christian enough to say, in
after life, that he could forgivre everybody except that
woman.

A few incidents connected with the war, as affecting
the County of Pictou, may here be given. The iirst was
tho capture of a vessel at Merigomish by an American
privateer, which took place near the beginning of the war,
probably in the spring of 1770. She was not a large ves-'
sel, but was loaded with a valuable cargo of "West India
produce. The previous fall she had been on her way to
Quebec, but being too late to get up the St. Lawrence, she
made Merigomish harbour, where she remained in the icei
all V ter. The captain and crew landed, and from the
scarcity of provisions, some of the latter went to Truro or
Halifax. One of the settlers, named Earl, went off, it was
supposed to the States, and with the design of giving
information which might lead to her captuie. At all
events, early in spring, as soon as the gulf was clear of
ice from the Strait of Canso, a vessel appeared off Meri-
gomish. Those in charge of the vessel in the harbour,
suspected her purpose, and commenced conveying to the
shore and hiding in the woods articles of value that could
easily be removed. Soon, however, parties from the
strange vessel came on board and took possession of her.
James and David Patterson had been making oak staves
on the land near where she lay. The captors, to prevent
the word circulating, or any attempt to frustrate their
purpose, sent a boat on shore, with a crew, who seized
them and carried them on board their vessel, where they
were put in irons. The captors then set to work to get *
the vessel to sea. When they got her well out into the
gulf they released the two brothers. There was some
difficulty in unloosing the handcuffs on David's hands,
when one of the men struck it with a marlin spike to
break it, and in so doing smashed his thumb, which bore
evidence of the fact till his death. They then put the

' ■^;"

£!:l

%0^

^wo brotheiB into a small boat with a few biscciits and 4
9mall earthen jar, called a coggie, of sugar, to find thei?
way back to port as best they might. |n the meantime
word had circulated of the capture, and as it was expected
the privateer would come to the harbour, the inhabitants
collected with every old musket and fowling-piece, pre-
pared to offer a sturdy resistance to the enemy. They
assembled at the Battery Hill and soon saw a small boat
coming up the harbour, which they eagerly watched, and
as it approached they saw in it two men, whom, as it
drew near, they recognized as the Pattersons, who had
thus made their way to port.

The next incident was the capture of Captain Lowden'9
vessel in the harbour in 1777. Haliburton speaks of it as
effected by rebels from Machias, who came from Cumber-
land. The information I have gathered attributes the
work to the American settlers in Pictou, and some friends
in Truro. It is certain that they were in the plot. At all
events, the circumstances of the capture are as follows : —
The vessel was loading with timber for the British
market. A time was chosen v/hen the crew were absent
with the boat for part of the cargo. The captain was
invited to the house of "W. "Waugh, where a number of
them were gathered. "Waugh was an old Scotch
Covenanter, and from rigid adherence to the principles of
that body, would not swear allegiance to the British
Crown, nnd though afterward he was in the employment
of the Government, yet, at this time, seemingly from the
common fact of their not taking these oaths, sympathized
with the Americans. The Captain went without suspicion,
leaving the ship in charge of the mate. During his visit,
at a given signal, the company gathered round him,
informed him that he was a prisoner, and commanded him
to deliver up his arms. " Gentlemen," said he, " I am
very sorry to say I have no arms," was his reply, in atone
of indignation at their treachery. In the meantime, a,

103

strong party, fully armed, proceeded fo the i^sel, and
£nding scarcely any person ou board, easily took possession
•of her, and made the mate a prisoner, confining him in
the cabin. They then placed sentries on deck. Some time
4ifter, the rest of the crew came on board, and as they did so,
they were made prisoners and confined in the forecastle.

Some of the captors then took a boat belonging to the

ship and proceeded up the East River. On their way they "

met Roderick McKay and his brother Donald coming

-down the river wilh a boat-load of staves. They gave no

hint of their object, but encouraged the McKays to

proceed to the vessel. They then continued on their way

to Roderick's place. He had erected a blacksmith's forge,

and had it duly stocked. They plundered it of everything

worth taking away, loading their boat with his tools, iron,

v^c. In the meantime, the McKays had proceeded to the

Tessel. As Roderick mounted the deck, he saw the sentries

with their muskets on their shoulders, and beforo he could

"take in the situation, one of them tapped him on the

■ shoulder, saying he was a prisoner. His reply was a tap

<-on the face with the back of his hand. The sentry

l>rought down his musket and told him he was serious.

Roderick was obliged to yield, and both he and Donald

were taken to the eabin as prisoners.

After some time the party who had gone up the East
^iver returned, their boat laden with the plunder of
Roderick's forge. They came on board, leaving the boat
alongside, which afterward sank with its contents, and
remains to this day beneath the waters of the harbor.
They then proceeded to celebrate their success by a night
-of carousal. "When they became pretty well under the
influence of liquor, Roderick, with his usual determina-
"tion, wished to take the ship and urged his brother
Donald to join him in the attempt. His plan was that
ih. J should make a sudden rush up the cabin stairs to
it^e deck ; that he should seize the sentry and pitch him

104

overboard, while Donald shotild with an axe stand over
the companion and not allow any of them to come up.
Donald, however, was a quiet, peaceable man and refusedl
to join in a scheme involving the danger of bloodshed^
and Kodcrick could not communicate with the mate..
He was deeply disappointed and used to say that if the*
mate had had two words of Gaelic, they would have-
retaken the ship that night.

The McKays wore soon set at liberty, and the captors^,
anxious at once to secure their prize, sailed as soon as-
they could for Bay Verte, where the Americans for a-
time had possession, taking Dr. Harris, under a certain
kind of compulsion, with the mate and part of the*
crew, to navigate the vessel. Information of these pro-
ceedings was immediately sent to Halifax, the late John
Crockett and Colin Douglas being the messengers. They
proceeded on foot to Shubenacadie, and finding tho;
rivers very high and difficult to cross^ they employed' an:
Indian to proceed by the lakes and deliver the letter,*
which he did.

After the sailing of the vessel, Capt. Lowden was:
released and started for Charlottetown in a canoe. Ho;
found there a man-of-war, under the command of Lieut..
Keppel, which immediately started in pursuit. In the-
meantime, the captors had reached Bay Verte, but
finding that the American invaders had retired, they, on.
the approach of the man-of-war, abandoned the vessel'
and took to the woods, where it is supposed many or
them perished. One reached the settlements in Colchester,,
after having eaten the upper leather of his boots, and died
soon after. Th'^ mate took charge of the vessel and.
hailed th^ . v-i" as she was about to fire, when

Capt. L« ' , ^' K ' vas on board the latter, knew his.
voice. J lie , -^ • 'as taken charge of by the com-
mander, wh>cj,^^ w . . the harbor of Fictou, threatening:
vengeance on all who had any share in the afiair. All

105

"Waugh's goods were seized and sold,* and such was the
feeling against him amongst the old settlers, that he left
the place and afterward settled at "Waugh's River, Tata-
magouche, to which he gave his name. It may be
mentioned here, however, that not only did he afterward
act the part of a loyal subject, but the communication,
between Halifax and Prince Edward Island being through
Tatamagouche, he was employed by Government as their
conrrier between that place and Truro.

The affair of Capt. Lowden's vessel, I have no doubt,
mado the place too hot for the settlers, who S3rmpathized
with the American cause, and was one reason for their
removal. Some whom I have been able to trace, moved
eastward without selling their farms, and we may hero
mention an incident which occurred at this time^
Matthew Harris embarked with his family in a vessel
intending to remove to Guysborough. But while on.
their passage thither, they fell in with an American
privateer. Those on board were unwilling to lower
the British flag, when the privateer fired a shot ahead
and another astern of her. Upon this, one of the men
hauled down their colors and the vessel was brought to.
The captain of the privateer came on board in great
wrath. An infant child of Harris was sick and laid upon
the deck, wrapt in a blanket. The captain struck the
bundle with his sword, not knowing what was in it.
The mother sprang forward, saying, " You have killed
my child." The captain immediately calmed down,
asking what the child was doing there, and shortly
after left, taking only a few tubs of butter that were
on deck.

During the war American privateers were on the coast,
but had very little effect on Pictou. One of the Hector
passengers, who had moved to Halifax and there earned

■ 1.!:!

* Another tradition i&j% that this tvas done by the officers and crew of tha
Malignant when in Pictou as hereafter mentioned. This may he correct.

106

f ome money, mairied and came to Picton by land, but
put all bis Ihin^s into a vessel to come round by watei.
She was captured and he lost his little all. One camo
into the haibour, and the alarm was given, and the settlerei
began to gather to repel the intruder, when one of the
American settlers went out to her and urged that there
were only in the place a few Scottish settlers commencing
in the woods, not having anything worth taking away,
and that all they could do was to bum Squire Patterson's
house. In consequence of his representations they sailed,
taking only a boat belonging to Waugh.

"What excited the greatest alarm, however, during the
war was a large gathering of Indians, it is said, from
Miramichi to Cape Breton, i)robably a grand council of
the whole Micmac tribe, which took place at Frasers
Point in 1779. In that year some Indians at the former
place, in the American interest, having plundered the
inhabitants, a British man-of-war seized sixteen of them,
of whom twelve were carried to Quebec as hostages
and afterward brought to Halifax. This led to a grand
gathering of the Indians. For several days they were
assembled to the number of several hundreds and the
design of the meeting was believed to be, to consult
on the question of joining in the war against the English.
To this they were probably instigated by French agents.
The settlers were much alarmed, but the Indians dis-
persed quietly.

Another incident which excited some attention in Pic-
tou at this time was the wreck of the Malignant, which
took place near the close of the war.* She was a man-of-
war, bound to Quebec, and was wrecked late in the fall,
at a place ever since known as Malignant Cove. The crew
came to Pictou and were provided for through the wiAter
by the efforts of Squire Patterson, as far as circumstancejl
ifvould permit.

To finish what we have to say here regarding the s^-

107

tiers in Pictou from the old colonies, we may here advert
to another circumstance in connection with them. Some
of those who came to Pictou, as well as other parts of the
Province, had brought slaves with them, and as a curiosity
of the time wo shall insert here a copy of a document,
which is on recoid in the office of the llegistrar of Deeds
in Truro :

Bo it known to all men, that I, Matthew Harris, of Pictou, in his Majesties^
Province of Nova Scotia, yeoman, have bargained and sold unto Matthew
Archibald, of Truro, within said Province, tanner, and I do by these presents
bargain, sell, alien, and forever make over to him, the said Matthew Archi-
bald, his heirs and afsignx, all the right, piopcrty, title or interest, I now
have, or at any timo hereafter can prett^nd to have, to one Negroe boy, named
Abram, now about twelve years of age, who was born of my Negro slave in
my house in Maryland, for and in considcmtion of the sum of fifty pounds,
•cnrrency, to mo in hand paid by the said Matthew Archibald, or secured tob«
paid, aud I do by these presence, for myself, my heirs, and assigns for ever,
'quit claim to my Negroe boy, now in possession of said Matthew Archibald.
In testimony of which I have to this bill of sale set my hand and seal, thif
29d8y of July, Anno Dom., 1779, in the 19th ytax of his Majesties' reign.
Truro, County of Halifax.

Mattw. Hasbu.
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered '

in presence of

David AncmBALD, Js. Peace.

The following, however, which we find in the records
of Pictou, is still more curious :

Enow all men by these presents that I, Archibald Allardice, of the Pro>
vince of Nova Scotia, mariner, for and in considemtion of the sum of forty
pounds currency to mo in hand paid by Dr. John Harris, of Truro, havo made,
over, nnd sold, and bargained, and by these presents do bargain, make over,
and sell to the aforesaid Dr. John Harris, one negro man named Sambo, aged
twenty-five years or thereabouts, and also one brown mare, and her coll now sucking.
To have and to hold the said negro man and mare with her coll, as his property,
for and in security of the obove sum of money until paid with lawful interest.
And at the payment of the above mentioned sum with interest and expenses,
the aforesaid Doctor John Harris is by these presents firmly bound to deliver
up to the aforesaid Archibald Allardice, the said negro man, named Sambo,
\rith the mare and colt (casualties excepted). Dut if the said negro man, maro-
Qr colt, should die before the said money should be paid, then in such propor>
tion, T, the said Archibald Allardice, promise to make good the deficiency to
ike uid Doctor John Harris. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand

108

and lea], this tenth daj of August, in the year of our Lord, one thousandl
seven hundred and eighty-six, and in the twenty-sixth of our Sovereign Lord,
George the Third's Beign.

Archibald Allardice, l. s.
Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of

James Phillips,
Ilobcrt Dunn.

f' Truro, August 26th, 1786, Bccorded on the oath of James Phillips.

John Harris, D. It.
Along the margin the following words were written : « Assignment to
Thomas Harris, 20th day of April, 1 791 ."

per John Harris, D. R.

We have not heard of any cases of those in Pictou
who owned slaves ill-treating them. On the contrary,
a poor woman who had belonged to Matthew Harris,
and obtained her freedom, used to confess that her life
had never been so free from anxiety as when living
with him ; but in other places tradition has preserved
the remembrance of some cruel deeds, showing the
character of the system. We have heard, for example,
of a negro slave in Truro, who was so treated by his
master, that several times he ran away, usually making
for Fictou. On one occasion his master having caught
him, cut a hole through the lower lobe of his ear through
which he passed the end of a whip lash, and knotting it,
he mounted his horse and rode off, dragging after him in
that way the poor man, who shortly after died, it was
believed, in a large measure through the treatment he had
received.

At this time the first settlement was made in Merigo-
mish by Barnabas McGee. As we have already men-
tioned, he had first taken up land on Rogers Hill, but
dissatisfied with its distance from the shore, he removed
to Barneys Eiver, which took its name from him. Here
he settled in the fall of 1776 or spring of 1777 ; his
daughter Mary, afterward Mrs. Gillies, the first child of
English descent bom in Merigomish, being born in May:

109

of the latter year.'N' The harbour and coast then swarmed
with fish, particularly the salmon. The islands were
visited by great flocks of geese and other wild fowl, while
moose were plenty in the woods, so that he had no diffi-
culty in providing at least flesh for his family. The
Indians were then numerous, their chief place of encamp-
ment being on the west side of his farm, and his child-
ren, from want of associates, made playmates of their little i
Micmac neighbours. "

He was soon aher joined by G-eorge Morrison, who
settled on the adjoining lot to the west. Ho had origin-
ally come in the Hector. Ho was a strong and determined
man. On one occasion, being from home, a number of
Indians came to his house, made his wife cook whatever
they saw in the house that they desired, would not
allow his children to the fire, and otherwise frightened the
family. On his return, hearing of their behaviour, he
immediately started in a rage for the Indian encampment,
and meeting some of the offenders, he attacked them, in
detail, with his fists, giving them a hearty drubbing as a
hint for better behaviour in the future. The next day the
whole band had decamped.

They were joined soon after by Walter Murray. He
had been originally a soldier and had served in India, but
had emigrated to Nova Scotia in the Hector. He first
settled on the East River, but now removed to Merigo-
mish, where he took up land on the east side of Barneys
River, McQ-ee taking him, with his family and household
goods,, in a boat round the coast. In commencing their
labours, Murray and Morrison each carried a bushel of
potatoes on their backs from Truro. They took the eyes -•
out of them, for seed, with a knife or a quill, retaining
the rest for food, so that, as they used to say, each planted
his bushel and ate it.

• Wo may add that his son Charles, bora the 24th Norember, 1778, wuth*
first English male child bom there. Ho died in the autumn of 1876.

110

! l^he Ber. Mr. Oock, on one of his visits to Picton^
extended his journey to Merigoinish, and preached the
first sermon in the settlement, in Morrison's house, cither
in 1788 or 1784, probably the latter, and at the same timo
baptized all the young children.

At the period at which we have now arrived, the
following may bo regarded as a view of Pictou : A few
settlers were thinly scattered along the north side of tho
harbor, from below tho town to the head of tho harbor„
and on both sides of the "West River, as far up as tho late
Deacon McLean's place. There was one family on Rogers.
Hill, three or four on the Middle River, and some others
on the intervale of the East River from StoUarton nearly
tip to Fish Pools, and there were three families in
Merigomish. Altogether, the x>opulation might be from.
200 to 250.

"We append a return to Government of the men capable
of bearing arms, made at this date. (Appendix E.)

We may here give some account of the social condition
of the inhabitants at this time. " The society of Pictou,**"
■ays Philo Antiquarius, *' down to the moment of which
we are now treating, might be viewed as one family, whero!
the children were all under the immediate superintendence-
of a good parent. One venerable settler had heretofor.^
presided over the others, advising them to discharge their
various duties, and impressing upon them the necessii' y
of honesty, unanimity and industry, while they, v^'ith.
confidence, looked to him as their best director, and yielded
in most cases obedience to his counsels." Squire Patterson,
teferred to in this extract, is described as short and thick-
set, one of those men sometimes said to be as broad as they
are long, with a free and pleasant manner, and was highly
esteemed. From his skill in business he was very
influential, indeed, a sort of factotum for all the settlers,
even celebrating their marriages, notices of the 8a:.iic being-

111

poisted np for three weeks as a substitute for the
proclamation of banns.

Along with him we must notice " John Patterson,
commonly known as Deacon Patterson, and, after his
death, as the old Deacon, from the circumstance of his
eldest son of the same name being also an Elder in tho
Church. Ho has been called the Father of tho Town of
Pietou, from his having been the means of fixing tho
town on its present site. But tho old Deacon merited tho
title of Father of Pietou on other accounts. For many
years after he came, there was neither law nor lawyers. In
those happy times men took tho Scriptural modo of settling
disputes. They were not afraid to leave tho adjustment of
" tho things that pertain to this life " to their conscientious
neighbors. These two old patriarchs, tho Squire and the
Deacon, famed as they were for integrity and sound sense,
became the general peace-makers. None dared or wished
to gainsay their decisions. Generally when two men in
any place are upon an equality, tho disposition to be first,
80 universally distributed among men, crcstes feuds
between them, and the public good is left in tho back
ground, and the public peace disturbed. The two good
men of whom we are speaking formed an honorable
exception from that common occurrence. They lived
together, not merely on good terms, but a pattern of warm
and inflexible friendship. "*

Tho most of the Highlanders were very ignorant. Very
few of them could read, and books were unknown among
them. The Dumfries settlers were much more intelligent
in religion and everything else. They had brought with
them a few religious books from Scotland, some of which
were lost in Prince Edward Island, but the rest were
carefully read. In the year 1779, John Patterson brought
a supply of books from Scotland. Before leaving the old
country, he had built a ron^e of small houses for working

* E/^tor Colonial PatrM.

112

i. ople, on what was called a thirty-nine year tack, that is,
a lease for that period, the buildings at the end of the
term reverting to the proprietor. "When he returned, his
rents had accumulated to about £S0 sterling, a good portion
of which he laid out in books, among which was a plentiful
supply of the New England primer, which was distributed
[ among the young, and the contentg of which they soon
learned. Of teachers, I have noi; heard the names of any,
after James Davidson left, about the year 1776.

The people, however, were all religiously educated and
desirous of religious ordinances, and some of them
decidedly pious. They met together on the Sabbath day,
Robert Marshall, known afterward as Deacon Marshall,
holding what was called a reading for the Engliuh, and
Colin Douglass doing the same in Gaelic. The exercises
at these meetings consisted of praise and prayer, and
especially, as their name indicated, the reading of the
Scriptures and religious books. Marshall was a man of
strong powers of mind, well informed, especially in
theology, and particularly distinguished by the boldness
with which he rebuked sin. Ho is said some years later
to have reproved the Governor for travelling on Sabbath.
They also received occasional ministerial service. The
Rev. Daniel Cock, of Truro, and the Rev. David Smith,
of Londonderry, visited them, Mr. Smith only once or
twice, but Mr. Cock several times. "We cannot tell the
date of the first visit of cither of them, but know that the
latter visited them each summer for several years, spend-
ing a week or two among them preaching in private
houses, or in the open air, and baptizing their children.
The people considered themselves under his ministry, and
went on foot to Truro to be present at his communions,
and some of them carrying their children through on
their backs to be baptized by him there. This was done
by a people who had so little English that they could
scarcely have understood any sermon in that language.

113

' 1

"This may be judpfed from an incident that occurred
•.«ome years later. A Highlander, living in Truro, attended
Mr. Cock's preaching. The latter one day took as his
text the words " Fools make a mock of sin." The
former bore the sermon patiently, but said afterward,
^' Mr. Cock needn't have talked so about moccasins;
Mr. McGregor wore them many a time."

They were also visited by travelling preachers, the
mo:t important of whom was Henry AUine, so noted
in the early religious history of the western part of the
Province. In his journal ho says, under date July 25th,
1782 : " Got to a place called Picto, where I had no
thought of making any stay, out finding the Spirit to
attend my preaching, I staid there thirteen days and
preached in all the different parts of the settlement. I
found four Christians in this place, who were greatly
revived and rejoiced that the Gospel was sent among
them."

The Rov. James Bennet, itinerant missionary of the
•Churc'h of England, also visited this place. "We have
never heard his name mentioned by the old settlers;
but Mr. Aikin, in his sketch of the rise and progress of
the Church of England in British North America, says
that in 1775 he visited the eastern harbors of the Pro-
vince, and at Tatamagouche administered the Lord's
Supper to 28 communicants; that in 1780 he again
visited Pictou and Tatamagouche, and on his return lost
his way in the woods.

During the war the price of timber rose, and the trade
in it from Pictou increased. During each year three or
four cargoes were shipped to Great Britain. It was at
this time that Capt. Lowden, afterward an active vodxi
in the county, first commenced trading to this port

11%

CHAPTER VII.

PROM THE CLOSE OF THE AMERICAN WAR TILL THF"
ARRIVAL OF DR. m'qregor. — 1783-1786.

The next accession of settlers to the county, and the
largest it had yet received, was at the peace of 1783.
These, however, were not loyalists from the revolted
colonies, as in some other counties. It might have been,
well for them and for the county, had they occupied sucIl
a rich district as Pictou, instead of the rocky shores of
our southern coast. The most who came here were dis-
banded soldiers, with a few families who had emigrated,
from the old country about that timo. The largest body^
of them were of the 82nd, or Hamilton Eegiment, as it
WQS called. The main body had been employed in gar-
rison duty in Halifax, with the exception of an expedition,
to Casco Bay, in the State of Maine, under General
McLean. Another portion were employed in the Southern.
States, at least some of the men saw severe service there.
The most important event, however, which befell the
regiment was, the loss by shipwreck of a transport on
the coast, near New York, when, of three hundred men
on board, only eighteen were saved, who were taken off
the rigging, to which they had clung for some time.

Being disbanded in Halifax at the close of the war, a
large tract of land was set apart for them in Pictou, prin-
cipally 6f the grants of Fisher and others, which had just
been escheated, in spite of the efforts of Wentworth, who
strove to maintain the titles of the old grantees, but only
succeeded in upholding his own. This tract, which has
since been so well known in the county as the b2nd grant,
embraced the shore on the south side of the harbour, at
Frasers Point, and from the upper part of Fishers Grant

115

ftronnd the coast, almost to the eastern extremity of the
county, including Fishers Grant, Chance Harbour, Little
Harbour and Merigomish, with the exception of the "Want-
worth grant and of some smaller grants previously made
at Barneys Eiver, and extending into the interior to the
depth of three or four miles. It was said to *' contain in
the whole 26,030 acres, allowance being made for a town
plot, common, glebe and schools, and for other public
uses." It was divided as follows : to the Colonel, (Robert-
son, of Struan, in Perthshire,) the Big Island, hence often
known as Eobertsons Island, estimated at 1,500 acres,
though in reality containing considerably more ; to Capt.
Fraser, 700 acres at Frasers Point, which obtained its
name from him ; to four other officers, 500 acres each ; to
another, 300 acres ; to thirty-two non-commissioned
officers, 200 acres each ; to two others, 150 acres each, and
to 120 privates, 100 acres each. The following is the
description of the grant, which is dated 15th February,
1785 :

" Six certain several lots or tracts of land, containing on the whole 22,600
acres.

"One tract beginning at west boundary of land granted to Sbbert Patterson,
near tho head of Merigomish harbour, thence to run south by the magnet 373
chains of 4 rods each, thence west 120 chains, thence south 38 chains, thence
west 109 chains, thenco south 2G chains, thence west 187 chains, 60 links, <a
until it comes to Wentworth grant ; thenco north 276 chains to the harbom
aforesaid ; thenco by the several courses of tho said harbour, running cast up
to the grant made to Robert Patterson as aforesaid ; thence crossing on thai
lino to tho west side said harbour, and mnuing west down the harbour and
round tho sea-coast, running east to the bound first -mentioned, containing
11,388 acres. Also, ono other tract beginning at a stake and stones on the
west point of tho entrance into the harbour of Merigomish, thence to ran
couth 48 <^ west 300 chains, thence north 78 <=' west 10? chains, thenco north
12 chains, thence north 45 ^ west 48 chains, to the harbour of Fictou ; thence
bounded by tho several courses of the said harbour and sea-shore, running
cast to tho bounds first mentioned, containing 12,000 acres. Als>.v one othei
tract beginning at the point between East and Middle Rivers in Ficton har-
bour, thence to ran south 66 <^ west 43 chaius, thence south 67 chains, thence
cast till it comes to tho East River aforesaid, thence bounded by tho several
courses of the shore to tho bound first mentioned, containing SOO acres,
hereby cnmted wholly to the said Colin McDonald. Also, one other tract,

til

116

beginning at the first mentioned bound of tbe last described tract, thence to
ran south 65 ^ west 43 chains, thence south 104 chains, thence north 85 o
west till it comes to the harbour of Pictou, thence bounded by the 'several
courses of the said harbour to the bounds first mentioned, containing 700
acres, hereby granted wholly to the said John Froser. Also, one other tract,
beginning at the northern bound of lands granted Archibald Allardyco, on
the aforesaid harbour of Pictou, thence to run south 85 ^ cast 153 chains, or
until it comes to lands granted to Hod. McKay, thence north 48 chninti, thence
west 34 chains, thence south 3 chains 50 links, thence north 85 ° west to tho
harbour, and by tho several courses of the said harbour to tho bound first
mentionod, containing 500 acres, hereby granted to tho said Donnct Fcnu-
cone. Also, one other tract beginning 28 chains to tho cast of land granted to
R. Putterson aforesaid, thence to run south 140 chnins, thenco east 75 chains,
thence north to the sea-bLore, tb<fnco running wcstwardly by tho several
courses of the sco-shore to tho bound first menticacd, containing 950 acres,
and containing in the whole of the aforesaid tract of laud, 26,030 acres of
land , allowance being made for a town plot, common, glebe and school, and
for other public uses, excepting always the land marked on the plan as
reserved, and being oil wilderness land."

Tho ground reserved for a town was at Fishers
Grant, which was laid out to contain every public
convenience, and was duly named "Walmsley, but as
our readers are aware, it was a town only in name,
and we venture to say that even its name is entirely
unknown to the majority of the young generation of
Pictonians.

By the tenure of the grant, " all mines of gold, silver,
copper, lead, and coals" were reserved, and also an " entire
right to all His Majesty's subjects to fish on the coasts
of the tract hereby granted, where it butts upon the
sea-shore." We hop 8, therefore, none of those resident
on the grant will aitempt to hinder any of the lieges of
Queen Victoria from this privilege. It proceeds : " also
fcaving and reserving to His Majesty, his heirs and
successors, all white or other pine trees of the growth
of twenty-five inches diameter and upwards, at twelve
inches off the earth, and if such trees shall be so cut
or felled without license for so doing, either from the
Surveyor-General of the "Woods or his deputy, or from
the Governor of the Province for the time being, the

117

lot or share of land on which said trees shall be so cut,
shall be forfeited and the lands revert to His Majesty,
his heirs and successors." Surely with such a penalty
nobody on that grant has ever cut down any big pine
trees on his lot, and surely Her Majes!y, as the lawful
heir of George the Third, must have a largo reserve of
masts for her navy. But somehow we don't see them
there nowadays.

The grantees were also required to pay a quit rent
of two shillings sterling for every hundred acres on the
Feast of St. Michael (which we may inform our ignorant
readers is on the 29th September) in every year, the
first payment on the first term after the expiration of
ten years from the date hereof. There were also the
same conditions as to working as in Cameron's grant.

Wo have given the conditions of the various early
grants, as curious exhibitions of the ideas of the time, but
it is to be observed that those issued at the same period
in the other counties were in the same terms. At this
time, however, a condition was inserted, not in previous
grants, as follows : — " If the land hereby given and
granted shall, at any time or times hereafter, come into
the possession and tenure of any person or persons what-
ever, inhabitants of our said Province of Nova Scotia,
either by virtue of any deed of sale, conveyance,
enfeoffment, or exchange, or by gift, inheritance, descent,
or marriage," (most likely, we think, it would at some
time in some one of these ways), " such person or persons
being inhabitants, as aforesaid, shall, within twelve months
after his, her, or their entry, take the oaths prescribed by
i.nv, and make and subscribe the following declaration,

that is to say: — * I, , do promise and

declare that I will maintain and defend, to the
utmost of my power, the authority of the King in
his Parliament, as the Supremo Legislature of this
Province,' before some of the magistrates of the said

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pravince, and such declaration and certificate of the
^^gistrate that such oaths have been i</i£en, being recorded
i^ the Secretary's office of the said Province, the person
or persons so taking the oaths aforesaid, and making and
subscribing the said declaration, shall be deemed the
lawful possessor or possessors of the land hereby granted*"
|f this were not done within twelve months, the grant
was to be void. We hope all our friends in Merigomish
and the other settlements upon this grant, have carefully
dtttended to this, otherwise, they ^ee what a certainty
tjijueTe is of their losing their lands.

The land was surveyed by Squir-t Patterson and a son
^ tbe Surveyor-General, anc; dlv^esd into lots, which
yrero duly numbered. The men were drawn up on the
Barrack Square in Halifax, aud ch \:ic.u. drew his lot
\^Y number.

7he attempts made in the Colonies to fprm settlements
l^y disbanded soldiers have not generally been very
(j^UQcessful. Governor Lawrence, writing sopietime
previously to the Lords of Trade and ipiantations on tlii^
lEiubject, says : — " According to my ideas pf the military,
yrhich I oiOFer with all possible deference a;id submission,
they are the least qualified, froni theJr occupation f^
Bpl^i \ of any men living, to establish a new country,
whei ^ they must encounter difficulties with whiphi they
are altogether unacquainted." This was soon realized
in the present attempt. Some came and looked at the
land they had drawn, and without cutting a tree upon it,
returned to Halifax and re-enlisted. Others sold out for
trifling sums. The county records, for 1785 particularly,
contain a number of transfers of their lots, sometimes
"with their right to a town lot and their share pf
provisions," for sums of four and five pounds. A number
never sold, and their land has since be^n unoccupied, or
occupied without title.

Still a good number came to settle their grants, somo

119

raniying in the fall of 1783, others in the spring of 1784,

.«nd thus the "whole shore of the eastern part of tho
county was in some measure occupied. A large proportion
of these settlers were reckless and prolligate, but a
number proved steady and industrious, and from them
are descended many of the most prominent and useful
r^embers of society in the county at the present day. The
most of them were Scotch, and of these the majority wore
Lowlanders ; but a number were Highlanders, of whom
a considerable proportion were Catholics, principally
from tho Island of Barra, who had enlisted under that
persuajsive influence which Highland Lairds were accus-
tomed to exercise over their dependants. A number of
these afterward removed into t^e neighboring county of
Antigonish. We give in the appendix a list of gran^tees,
with such notices of them as we have been able to obtain.
^Appendix F.)
We must now notice another band who arrived —

■ some of them at this time, and others not till a little
later, who first occupied the upper settlement of the
East Kiver. These belonged to Ihe 84th Eegiment,
known at that time as the Eoyal Highland emigrants.
It consisted of two battalions, originally embodied in,
the y^ar 1775, though not numbered as the 84th till
the year 1778, when each battalion was raised to 1,000
men. Their uniform was the full Highland garb, with
purses made of raccoon instead of badgers* skins. The
officers wore the broadsword and dirk, and the men a
half basket sword. The first battalion was raised among
the discharged men of the 42nd, Fraser's, and Mont-
gomery's Highlanders, who had settled in Canada or
the old colonies at the peace of 17C3. It was stationed

; at Quebec, under the command of Col. Allan McLean,
where it did good service in defence of that post, and
was thus the principal means of preserving the Pro-

'ixince .to .the British crown. The other battalion wai^,

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raised principally among immigrants arriying in the?
United States or Nova Scotia. At the time the war
broke out, a large number were on their way from--
Scotland to settle in various parls of the old colonies. -
In some instances the vessels were boarded from a-
man-of-war before arrival.* After arrival they were-
induced partly by threats and partly by persuasion, to-
enlist for the war, which was expected to be of short:
duration. They were not only in poverty, but many
wore in debt for their passage, and they were now"
told that, by enlisting, they would have their debts-
paid, have plenty food as well a? full pay, and would'
receive for each head of a family 200 acres of land and"
50 more for «ach child, " as soon as the present unna-
tural rebellion is suppressed," while, in the event of
refusal, there was presented the alternative of going to
jail to pay their debts. Under these circumstances,
most of the able-bodied enlisted, in some instance*
fathers and sons serving together. Their wives and
children were brought to Halifax, hearing the cannon,
of Bunker Hill on the passage.

This battalion was under the command of Col. Small-
Stewart, in his history of the Highland clans and regi-
ments, says : " No chief of former days ever more firmly
secured the attachment of his clun, and no chief certainly
ever deserved it better. "With an enthusiastic and
almost romantic love of his country and countrymen, it
seemed as if the principal object of his life had been to-
servo them and promote their prosperity. Equally
brave in leading them in the field, and kind, just, and
conciliating in quarters, they would have indeed been
ungrateful, if they had regarded him otherwise than
fVey did. There was not an instance of desertion in.

* Tbo tradition in several families is, that they were captured by a British*
man-of-war. I do not understand how this could be. A number were oou
their way to Virginia.

121

ihe battalion. Five companies remained in Nova Scotia
daring Iho war. The other five joined General Clinton
and Lord Cornwallis to the southward. At Eutaw
Spring's, the Grenadier company was in the battalion,
which, as Col. Alex. Stewart, of the 3rd Regiment, states
in his despatches, drove all before them."

That portion of the regiment which remained in Nova
Scotia, was stationed at Halifax, Windsor and Cumber-
laud, and the men were distinguished by their good
behaviour, in which they presented a remarkable <:ontrast
to the rest of the army at that time.

At the close of the war, both battalions were disbanded*
The first battalion settled in Canada, the second in Nova
Scotia, The transports, with the flank companies, from
the Southern army were ordered to Halifax, where the
men were to be discharged, but owing to the violence of
the weather, and a consequent loss of reckoning, they
made the Islands of St. Nevis and St. Kitts, which
delayed their final reduction till 1784. The largest por-
tion of the battalion obtained their land in Hants County^
where they formed the township of Douglass, but a num-
ber of them settled on the upper settlement of the East
Eiver. The first who came was James Eraser (Big) who,,
in company with Donald McKay, the elder, followed the
river up till he reached the intervale, a little below St.
Paul's Church, where his grandson Donald resides, which
he chose as his future home. We may mention that
intervale land was then eagerly sought, and that it was
this that principally attracted the settlers to such a dist-
ance from the shore. Accordingly he and fifteen of his
comrades took up a tract of 3,400 acres, extending along
both sides of the river,* on the east side, from Finlay

• Tbo discharges wo have seen are dated 10th April, 1784, but the grant i»
dated 3rd November, 1785. There was, however, always delay in the issu*
of the old grants. Curiously enough I could find no record of this in the:
Crown Land office at Hali&s, Jt wo* surye]ri.'d and the lots laid off by Sqoir*
Patterson.

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Frier's, a little below Springril^ to a little above Samuel
Cameron, Esq.'s house, and on the west side, from John
li'orbes' to James Fraser's (CuUoden). This grant, usually
Icnowu on the East River, as " the soldiers' grant," is in
the same terms with that of the 82nd. The settlers also
received a town lot at Fishers Grant and a supply of
pToyisions.

They made a beginning of settlement here, as near as
we can ascertain, in the summer of 1784. We may
say of these as well as those of the same class who
settled on the West Branch, that they were very different
from disbanded soldiers in general, being sober and indus-
^rioYis, ^nd many pf them serious. But they had for some
^me great hardships to endure. Till they made a blaze,
th^re was no path to the neighbouring settlement. AH
i^eir seed i^nd supplies for thei^ families, they were obliged
to ct^rry on their backs, or in winter, to drag on bandslods.
i^^d from their secHusion from the rest of the settlemeut.
they were for a time exposed to peculiar privations. We
appoud a list qi these grantees with notices of them. (■A-P'
pendi^ Q-.)

j^Lboui the same time with the occupation of the East
!!Pranch, or a little after, the West Branch was occupied,
principally by men of the same regiment. The first to
make their way thither were David McLean afterwards
[^squire, and John Fraser, who made their way along the
hed of the river to the falls, at Gray's Mills, where they
spent the night sleeping in the open air. Their grant
however did not come out for some time after. The one
in use is dated 13th December 1797, and includes a num-
ber of other parties, who had settled on other parts of the
river. This grant is not on record, but there is one regis-
tered for the same quantity of land with nearly the same
names, dated 1st April 1793. Wo subjoin a list of the
grantees with brief notices of them. (Appendix B.)

The some summer (1784) there arrived at Hali&l ^

128

Tassel vnth immigianto, of whom some eight families, all
Highlanders, removed to Pictou, all of whom, so far as \?e
know, settled on the East River. Perhaps the most no-
tigeablo of these were Thomas Frt^ser, who settled nearly
opposite where New Glasgow now stands, and who was
long known as Deacon Thomas, and John Robertson who
was the first settler at Churchville. A list of these settlers so
far as we have been able to obtain, we subjoin. (Appendix I.)
About the same time a number of others, who had
«Qrved during the war, settled in various parts of the
couuty. Thus we find Lieutenant Gordon, who lived at
Mortimers Point, hence for some time after known as Gor-
dons Point, Henry Burnside, a native of Glasgow, who
had served ten years in the 42nd Regiment, who joined
the i^eitlers on West Branch, taking up the farm since
occupied by Peter Ross, Esq., Robert and Joseph McDo-
nald, brothers, who settled on Barneys River ; and William
MpEay, Archibald Gray and Dalgliesh, who had served
in one of the Highland Regiments, and Donald McGillivray,
who h{^d been a dragoou, all of whom settled on the lower
part of the Eight Mile Brook ; Samuel Cameron, who had
l>9en ^ light horseman, and who settled at Merigomish,
and Gregor McGregor, a native of Perthshire, who had
also served in the army and now settled at Barneys River.
There oame also others of those whom we have mentioned
as having been on their way to the United States when the
war broke out, among whom may be named Alpin Grant,
who, we believe, belonged to the 84th, and who settled
below the town, where Capt. Foote now lives, the McMil-
lans, (though one son William served his full time as a
soldier in the Cavalry and did not arrive for some time
after) and James McDonald and John McKenzie, of West
River, who had bei-^n employed in Halifax during the war,
the former as a tailor to the troops, and the latter as a
carpenter. To these we may add James Chisholm, a son
of a parish minister in the North of Scotland, who had

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124

been on the staff of Oen. Washington, but finding his
Highland conntrymen generally taking the other side,
deserted and had a price set on his head.

About the same time, Governor Wentworth made efforts
to settle his grant. In a letter written in the year 1783,
to prevent process of escheat against him, he says, " I had
made an agreement with agents of li?0 families in Con-
necticut, all loyaHsts, and churchmen, with their mission-
aries, to remove upon our lands in the spring next, to giro
them alternate lots of 100 acres, and something more to
the missionary and one or two principals among them.
They are dissatislied with their present Government, are
well recommended, and determined to sell their present
possessions."

This scheme was never carried out, but at this tiine to
secure his grant from forfeiture, ho offered liberal terms
to those who should occupy it. Several embraced his
proposals, the first of whom was Mr. John Sutherland.
He had immigrated a young man in the Hector, and
removed to "Windsor, where ho marviod. After this ho
returned to Pictou, he and his wife travelling on foot, and
carrying that distance an iron pot, as the beginning of
house furnishing. After being a short time on the East
Kiver, he removed about the year 1785, and settled at the
mouth of Sutherland's River, which received its name
from him, on the farm still occupied by his descendants.
Among others, who settled on the Wentworth Grant
about this time, we may mention Alex. McDonald, (Garty)
who had been a soldier in one of the Highland Kegiments
during the war, and three brothers, George, Charles and
Joseph Roy, who had just emigrated from Scotland.

The most important accession to that settlement at that
time was Nicholas Purdy (properly Puidue, that being
his mother's name), Olding. Both by his father and
mother's side he belonged to families of some rank in the
County of Kent, England. He was well educated, had

126

studied for the bar, and commenced practising in the
State of New York, where ho had married, when the war
broke out. Ho took the British side, though his father-
in-law took the opposite, and joined one of the loyal
A -an regiments, and served throughout the war as a
chasseur, or light horseman, with great credit. At the
€nd of the war ho removed \o Halifax, and commenced
practising law, and might have attained to the highest ,
honors of his profession. But ho had received a wound
in the head, which hod been trepanned, and rendered
him unfit for the excitement of the bar and the social
habits of the time. Ho had drawn his land at Sheet
Harbor, but, not liking the situation, he, at tho solicitation
of Governor Wentworth, removed to Point Betty, where
he spent the rest of hi.s life. He was for many years a
man"istrate, and on the list of lawyers, though he did not
p^ so much, and, in his old age, recognized as the father
o^ Bar of Nova Scotia.

The large influx of settlers produced important changes
upon the state of the community. Perhaps the most
important was the injury done to its morality, by the largo
number of drunken profligates, discharged from the army,
a fact which will come under our notice hereafter.
Another circumstance must here be mentioned. From
the large influx of male settlers, there was such a scarcity of
the gentler sex, as wo now hoar of at the first settlement of
some of the "Western States. An old woman in the author's
congregation used to say that she recollected the time
when there was " only one girl in all Pictou " — marriage- '
able, of course, she meant. Why that one remained in *
the market, wo regret that we omitted to enquire, but
presume that it was because she was " owre young to
marry yet." But extreme youth was not always a
protection. A case is well authenticated of a woman who
was married when she was fourteen years of age, and had
six childron before she was twenty. "What a contrast to

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126

our present degenerate race ! Men then travelled, like
Jacob, long distances for wives, and married tliem with
as little previous acquaintance as an Oriental. A vessel
having arrived in Halifax with immigrants, three young
men on the East Iliver set off through the woods to the
city. On their arrival, they went among the newly
arrived, and each selecting the girl whose appearance
caught his fancy, at once made proposals to her. We
suppose it must have been through the persuasive
influence of the G-aelic language, but, at all events, the
fair ones yielded, went home with men they had never
Seen before, and proved faithful and, we have no doubt,
happy wives. One reason given for so many of the 82nd
men leaving was that they could not get wives in Pictou.

"We must here notice another class of settlers who,
ri.bout this time, commenced in Eiver John, and as their
history is somewhat peculiar and interesting, we shall
give it at some length. They were originally from the
town of Montbeliard (pronounced Mong bilyar) which
formerly formed part of the dominions of the Duke of
"Wurtemburg, but which was annexed to France by the
ami>ition and treachery of Louis XIV, after the treaty of
Nimeguen, in 1679.*

In the third volume of D'Aubigne's History of the Refor-
mation will be found an interesting account of the intro-
duction of the Reformation into this place, by Farel, in
the year 1524. His labours were successful ; a large
number embraced that system which also spread through

* " The lato-trcaties had ceded to France sereral important cities and dis-
tricts, 'with the dependencies belonging to th«m.' This vague expression
opened a wide field to the grasping ambition of Louis. He proceeded to
institute courts called Chambrea da reunion, for the purpose of ascertidning
what dependencies had appertained at any former period to the territories tiow
annexed to France, and by this ingenioos device ho soon added to his domi-
nions no less than twenty towns, wrested from neighbouring princes, includ-
ing Saarbiuck, Luzembuig, Deux-ponti and Montbelianl."->5mi(A'« Biriory
qf Fntnet.

127

the suTTonnding districts. Soon after their annexation to
France, came the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in the
year 1685, which let loose the floodgates of suffering npon
the Reformed Church of France. But in that act the dis-
tricts referred to, were excepted, and the Protestants for
some time suffered no molestation, owing to the stipula-
tions of the Treaty by which they were annexed. But
after a time the Lutherans in the annexed Provinces were
exposed to the same sufferings as their Reformed neigh-
bours, and the remembrance of these is still handed down
among their descendants in this country. One incident
connected with their emigration may be mentioned.
Orders had been given that one of their chapels should
be taken away from them and handed over to the Roman-
ists. Fifty young men, among whom were George Tattrio
and Peter Millard, assembled at it, armed only with
stones, prepared to resist. A detachment of troops was
Bent against them, with a priest at their head. He warned
the party gathered of the uselessness of resistance. They,
however, refused to yield, when a section of the troops
were ordered to fire, which they did, killing two and
wounding others, among whom was G-eorge Tattrie, who
received a ball in i he fleshy part of the leg. The order to
fire was answered by a volley of stones, by which some
of the soldiers were badly injured, and, it was said, one
killed. The Protestants were again summoned to surren-
der, but refused, until the priest called on the whole
detachment to ftre, when they submitted, and saw the
house where their fathers had worshipped given to their
enemies.

As soon as his wound was healed, George Tattrie,*
who we may here mention, had previously been ^t "id'rench
soldier, and fought at the battle of Fontenoy Millard,
and most of the party joined a body of their fellow-coun-

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• In 1873 I conversed with a son of his, over ninety years of ago, from,
irhsm I received these particulars, as I had received them some years before.

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128

trymen, who were preparing to emigrate to Nova Scotia,
ill response to the invitations, which had been addressed to
Protestants on the Continent by the British Government,
offering liberal terms to those who should settle in this
Province. They came down the Rhine and took shipping
at Rotterdam for England, in the year 1752. They
landed at Portsmouth, and for a time were left in destitu-
tion by those who had brought them there. But their
case was taken up by the British Government, by whom
ihey wore despatched in four vessels, two for South Caro-
lina and two for Halifax. Those who came in the latter
reached their destination in the following spring, and
were landed at Georges Island, to the number of 224.
Prom Halifax they proceeded to Lunenburg, where they
endured the hardships and dangers of the first settlers.

After the peace of 17G3, Col. DesBarres, a countryman
of theirs, and a son of one of their old Protestant minis-
ters, who had entered the British military service, and
who had served at the taking of Louisburg and Quebec,
being, it is said, one of the officers in whose arms "Wolfe
fell, and who was afterward successively Governor of
Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island,^* had obtained
a grant of a large tract of land at Tatamagouche,
extending from Point Brule along the shore westvvardly,
some distance beyond the present village. By his
persuasion, a number of them were induced to settle
there. Accordingly, eleven removed from Lunenburg
with their families in or about the year 1771. Tho
names of these were George Tattrie, who settled on tho
French River at what is now Donaldsons place ; George
Gratto; David Langill, who settled on what has since
been known as Lombards place, and his son John

• Old Mrs. Mattitall, who liTcd whera the village of Tatamagoncho is now
Bitaated, had been his nuno. When he was Oovemor of Prince Edward
Island she went to see .him. He took her to Goreixunoiit House and showed
her erery kindness.

121)

James Lang-ill, then mandod, who also sottlecl on tho
French Itiver; Matthew Lang-ill, his ])rother, James
Uigncy and George Mattitall, who located themselves
where the villag-o now is, and at th'.> same time, or
perhaps a little later, Peter Millard, who settled at the
point below Mrs. CampbeH'w, and John Millard, who
settled next him to the v est. There were three other
settlers who did not remain ; Ledurney, who settled
where Wangh afterward lived, John Lowe and John
Buckler.

"When they arrived they found the indications of
what had once been a ilourishing French settlement.
A considerable extent of land on the shores of the bay
and harbor, from tho church to McCulley's, had been
cleared by them, and their furrows were still visible.
The intervales both on French and "Waughs Rivers
had also been cultivated, and on tho former they had
been extracting and attempting to smelt tho copper ore.
The remains of no less than five mills were found ; one
on Mill Brook, one at Blockhouse Bridge, one at Mur-
dochs, one on tho main French River, and ono at
Goosar, Traces also of a graveyard, with crosses still
standing at the head of tho graves, and of a Romish
chapel, were to be seen between what is now Mr. Wm.
Campbell's field and the schoolhouse. The first settlers
for a time endurod great hardships. A supply of imple-
ments and provisions was to have been sent round to
them in a vessel, but she never arrived. They had to
carry wheat and potatoes on their backs from Truro,
the former article costing them twelve shillings per
bushel and tho price of the latter being proportional.
They frequently resorted to a plant growing on tho
marsh, which, when boiled, mado a palatable sort of
greens. But they had the benefit of the clearings mado
by the Acadian French, those on the intervales being
particularly rich, from which they soon derived a com-

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fortable subsistence, and they were soon joined "by others
of their countrymen from Lunenburg.

But Dos Barres was unwilling to soil his land and
wished to keep th;i sjttlers as tenants. This, of course,,
they did not like, when ther«) was so much land around,
which might bo had in full ownership. Accordingly, as
the young men of lhes3 families grew up they began to
look elsewhere, and were attracted by the land in River
John, then knawn as Deception lliver, and, as near as wo
can ascertain, in the year 17S5, four young families, viz.:
George Patriquin, John Patiiquin, James Gratto and
George Langill, son of John James, above mentioned^
took up their abode there. =i*= Following the plan which,
had been adopted at Lunenburg, especially from fear of
the Indians, of living in a town and having their farm
lots outside, they laid out for themselves small lots at
what is called Smiths Point, and where they intended
also building a blockhouse. They took up land for farm-
ing purposes, but for several years continued to live
together at Smiths Point, thus strengthening each other's
hands, and overcoming the feeling of loneliness, incident
to the situation of the new settler.

John Patriquin took up and occupied for a number of
yea.rs the farm owned afterward by the late Alexander
McKenzie, Esq., and from him the point where the ship-
yard is, now occupied by Charles McLennan, Esq., was
known as Johns Point. It is supposed by some that
the river received its present name from him. It was for
a length of time known as "Johns lliver," and on the
communion cups of the Presbyterian congregation of
River John, it is so named ; but before the English settle-

• Tlio land here belonged to the Philadelphia Company, and the first deed
on record is dated 25tU July, 178C, and u to James Gratto, (John) James
Langill, George (Frederick) Langi'; .ohn (Frederick) Patiiquin, Ocorgo
Pakiqttin and Georgo Tattrie, of lana uoscribed as " lying on a river and bay
known Ly the name of Deception Hirer, near Capo Jean, beginning about a.
luilo north from the entrance of said river on west Bide," ice.

131

ment tho cape, at the entrance, was known as Cap Jean,
or Cape John and in Des Barros' chart published in 1770,
the estuary of the river is called " Harbour or River John."
This John Patriquin again removed to Tatamagouche,
but several of his family afterward returned to Eiver
John.

George Patriquin took up his farm adjoining John's to
the north, whore Thomas Mitchell now resides. He had
four sons, James, who settled in New Annan, David and
George, both of whom settled on the road leading to
Earl town, and Frederick, who, when five years of age,
was stolen by the Indians. This was a very severe trial
to the afflicted parents, who mourned over their loss
during their lifetime, between hope and despair, the
feeling still lingering in their minds that, probably by
b3me event in Providence, their darling might be restored
to them again. Whenever the^' h'^ard of any white person
among the Indians, they would make enquiry, but no
tidings of the lost were ever received. His daughter
Phebo, universally known as aunt Phebe, wife of Joseph
Langill, Brook, was the first white child born in River
John. James Gratto, a son of George Gratto, one of the
first settlers in Tatamagouche, took up his farm beyond
Smiths Point. He left two sons, George and Matthew,
and his descendants etill occupy part of the old property.

The last of the four first settlers of River John was
Gcorgo Langill. He was a grandson of David, or John
David Langill, already mentioned, as one of the first set-
tlers of Tatamagouche, whoso widely scattered family we
shall presently notice.

Five years later or about the year 1790, the settlers in
Eiver John were joined by the families of George Joudry,
who settled next above him, by Georgo Bigney, son of
James mentioned as one of the first settlers of Tatama-
gouche, who settled where Thomas Bigney now resides,
and Mattitall and George Langill, only son of Matthew

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Langill, already mentioned, as one of the first settlers of
Tatamagouche. lie obtained John Patriquin's place by-
exchange. His father Matthew, who had been a light
horseman in the French army, came afterward to lUvor
John, and died there at the age of 7G, and was the first
person buried in the old graveyard, his tombstone bearing
the date 1800.

At a later date, Louis Tattrie, son of George already
mentioned, settled on the Tatamagouche road, and others
from Tatamagouche, and two brothers Perrin, Cluistopher
and George, came direct from Lunenburg.

Wo must now notice, however, the fam.iy of (John) Da-
Tid Langill. By his first marriage, he had one son, John
James, who, as we have mentioned, settled with him on
the French TJiver. He had fivo sons, George, David,
James, Joseph and Frederick. This George was, as wo
have seen, one of the first settlers of River John, but ho
remained only a few years, and then removed to New
Annan, and the Langills, in that quarter, are descended
from him. Frederick removed to the United States, and
the other three settled in Eiver John. David is the ances-
tor of the Miller Langills, and James and Joseph settled
on the Mill Brook, where their descendants are still.nume-
rous.

(John) David Langill, by his second marriage, had no
children. He was married a third time to a woman, who
had a son previously, who assumed the name of Langill,
and who settled at Point Brule, where he became the
ancestor of the Langills in that quarter.

By this third marriage, David Langill had (1) Nicholas,
who went to the United States and was never heard from,
(2) John David, (3) John George, (4) John Frederick, and
(5) John Louis.* These four all settled on the shore from

* Amoug the German-i in Lunouburg, it was a practice not uncommon till
recently, and perhaps still existing, to give encli son in a family tho same first
name and to distinguish them by their second names.

133

River John toward Tatamajrouche, about the year 1792.
John G-eorge was long an elder in the Presbyterian Church,
and was regarded as a man that feared God with all his
house. His son Ephraim was also an elder for 8G years,
and now his grandson Ephraim is also an elder. One son
of John Louis, David, has also long been an elder in the
Presbyterian Church, and is now the oldest member of
Session.

The old people spoke a corrupt dialect of French, but
with a German tone and accent, as the inhabitants of
Alsace and neighboring districts do till the present day.
But they understood pure French ; some of them could
read it fluently, and they could also understand the
patois of the Acadians. Some of them also had Bibles
and other books in that language. But amiong the
present generation it has nearly died out. Indeed,
in their general character, they show more of the staid-
iisss of the German than the vivacity of the Frenchman.

The large accessions to the population of the district
induced in 1783 and 1784 an effort to obtain the services
of a settled clergyman. A meeting of the inhabitants
was accordingly held in the fall of the latter year
with that view, when it was agreed to apply to Scot-
land for the services of a Presbyterian minister. For
his support they a^eed to " raise £%0 per annum for
the first and second years, jCOO per annum for the third
and fourth years, and thereafter jBIOO currency, that is,
^90 sterling annually, — one-half thereof in cash and the
other in prodace ; and if Providence sliould smile upon
the settlement and their industry, to mjike additions to
that sum." They also agreed to build a house and barn
for their minister, and that he should have a glebe, and
that they should clear so much of it, from time to time,
for his encouragement. A committee was appointed,
consisting of llobert Patterson (the Squire), John Pat-
terson (deacon), of the harbor, as it was then called,

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Wflliam Smith, of "West IJirer, Kobcrt Marshall, of
Middle Iiiver, and Donald McKay, of the East, to act
for them in obtaining a minister. A petition, drawn up
by Ml". Cock, was accordingly signed by them and
entrusted to John Buchanan, Sen., and John Pagan,
respectable inhabitants of Greenock, with authority to
''present it to any Presbyterian Church Court with which
they were likely to be successful.

It was accordingly presented to the Greneral Associate
Synod of Scotland, then usually known as the Antiburgher
Synod, at their meeting in Spring, 1786, and as the
result, the Eev. James, afterward Dr., McGregor was
appointed to proceed to Pictou. He accordingly, ou the
4th June, set sail from Greenock, in the brig Lily, for
Halifax, where he arrived on the 11th July, and the
same week came to Truro, travelling on horseback.
There was something like a road for eleven miles from
Halifax, but beyond that there was only a narrow
avenue through the woods, on which the trees had beeu
cut down and sometimes cut across and rolled to one
side. The ground was generally so soft that even at
midsummer, as it was then, the horses sank to their
knees in mud and water, and as each horse put his
foot where his predecessor had, the path became a
regular succession of deep holes, such as one may see in
a road recently made in deep snow.

From Truro there was only a blaze, but men were then
employed in opening the road, which, however, consisted
only in cutting down the trees along the line of travel.
On the 21st he left Truro, and arrived at George
McConnell's, now the ten-mile farm, and then the nearest
clearing to Truro. On the following morning he was
taken in a canoe to the harbour. His impression he thus
describes: — "When I looked round the shores of the
harbour I was greatly disappointed and cast down, for
there was scaiceJy anylhing to be seen but woods growing

185

down to the water's edge. Here and thero a mean timber
hut was visible in a small clearing, which appeared no
bigger than a garden, compared to the woods. Nowhere
could I see two houses without some wood between
them."

On the following day ho commenced his labors by
preaching in Squire Patterson's barn. He thus describes
the event : —

" The Squire gave orders to lay slabs and planks in Ins lam for scats to tLo
•tfongregation ; and tcforo eleven o'clock next morning I saw the peoplo
gathering to bear the GoBpel from tbe lips of a stranger, and n stranger who
felt few of its consolations, and bad but little bcpo of communicating them
to bis bearers. None came by land except certain families who lived a few!
miles to the right and left of Squire Patterson's. Those who camo from the
south side of the harbor and from the river, had to ccmo iu Lcats or canoes,!
containing from one to seven or eight persons. The congregation, liowevcr,'
was not large ; for numb^ .s could not get ready tbcir craft, the notice was so '
short. I observed that the conduct of some ot them, coming from tho shore
to the bam, was as if thej had never beard of a Saubath. I beard loud
talking and laughing, and singing and whistling, even before they reached'
tho shore. They behaved, however, with decency so long as I continued tO'
speak, and some of them were evidently much affected. I endeavored to,
explain to them in the forencon In English, ' This is a faithful saying, and'
^worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus camo into the world to save
sinners ;' and in tho afternoon, in Gaelic, <Tbc Son cf jMuu is como to seek
and to save that which is lost.' Tho first words which I heard, after
pronouncing the blessing, were from a gentleman of tho ani^y calling to hia
companions, « Come, ccne, let us go to the grog shop ;' but instead of going
with him, they camo toward mo to bid mo welcome to the setUcmcat, aoj. ho
came himself at last." •

In the same vessel with Dr. McGregor arrived one who
was afterward well known in tho county, viz., AYilliam
Eraser, surveyor. Having traversed tho eastern part of
the Province about this time, ho says : — " In 1787 there
were only four or five houses from Salmon Ivivcr to
Antigonish. To tho eastward of tho East Iviver there was
not even a blaze on a tree. There was not one inhabitant
on the Cape Breton sido of the Gut of Canso, and but one
on tho Nova Scotia side. In 17SS there was one house at
iShip Harbour. I may add that from Pictou to Cocaigue,

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there were but four or five families at River John; a
few more at Tatamagoucho ; some refugees at AVallace^
and but one at Bay Verte. At Miramichi there were but
five families."

'Wo may add here, that by a return to Government,^
signed by John Fraser and Eobert Patterson, dated 8th
June, 1786, the following was the amount of farm stock
in Pictou and Merigomish : —

Oxen.
230

Cows.
356

:luxaU Cattle.
450

Sheep.
ICOO

CHAPTER YIII.

DR. m'oregou's early labours.— 1786-1788

Hitherto we have had great difficulty in getting any-
thing like clear information regarding the state of eociety
among the early settlers, but Dr. McG-regor, in his auto-
biography, has given a very vivid picture of the con-
dition of the country at this period. "Wo have already
published this in another form, but it is necessary, for
the completeness of our present work, to give, at least,
a condensed view of the state of matters as he found
them, and of his early labours.

•' As for our population," ho says, •' Pictou did not con-
tain 500 souls ; if Merigomish be included, I suppose
they would amount to a few more." These were settled
principally along Ihe intervales of the three rivers, and
thinly along the shore from Fishers Grant to Merigo-
mish. The Fite of the town was still covered with
woods. The majority of the settlers, having commenced
within the previous two years, were in extreme poverty.
Squire Patterson's house was the only framed one-

187

Of tho rest, but seven or eight had two fire-places.
The most were of round logs, with moss KtuiTcd in
between ihem, and plastered with clay, while Iho roof
was formed of tho bark of trees cut in pieces of equal
length, disposed in regular tiers, tho ends and edges
overlapping, and kept in position by poles running tho
whole length of the building, placed on tho ends of each
range of bark, and fastened at tho ends to tho building-
by means of withs. Their furniture was of tho rudest
description, a block of wood, or a rude bench, serving
for chair or table. Food was commonly serv'cd up in
wooden dishes or in wooden plates, except when discard-
ing such luxuries, they gathered round tho pot of pota-
toes on tho middle of tho floor. Among the new comersr
at least, straw formed tho only bed. Money was tjcarccly
seen, and almost all trado was by barter, wheat and
maple sugar being the principal circulating medium.

"Not a loaf could bo afforded of our own wheat.
There was no mill to grind it. "We had an imitation flour
by the hand-mill, but of oatmills we had not a semblance."
These hand-mills, or querns, were in almost every house.
They consisted of two stones, about two feet in diameter ;
the lower was fixed, and the upper surface " picked, "
as millers say, and a pintle of iron inserted in tho centre.
The upper stone T'as heavier, being about ten inches
thick, with a hole in the centre through which iho jnntlo
in the lower stone passed, and by which, also, the grain
to be ground was introduced. The lower end of an
upright I le was fastened to tho upper Esurfaco of this
stone, near its outer edge, Avhile the upper end was fixed
in a cross piece of wood between the upper beams of the
house. The operator seizing the upright polo in one
hand, whirled the upper ctone by means of it with a
rapidity according to his strength, at the same time, with
the other hand, i)utting tho grain into the hole in tho
centre. John Patterson made an i m provemeut upon them»

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138

"by putting a rim round them and a spout at ono Bid(% so
that tho Hour might como off tho stono at ono place.
This was afterward sifted and mado wholosome broad.
" Grinding on tho hand-mill was so laboiioua that it was
let alone till necessity impelled to it. This was tho otxa-
sion of saving much wheat, for many a meal was mado
without bread on account of tho troublo of grinding."*

" There was not a merchant in tho district, nor any who
commonly kept goods for sale, or made the third of his
living by tho sale of goods. Little schooners came round
in tho summer with some nocrssary articles, to which tho
people repaired in their canoes, and got a few things, for
which tlioy exchanged a little produce. Sometimes John
Patterson got a ft w pounds' worth more than he needed,
and afterward cold them. "Wo had scarcely any trades-
men of any kind."

" There was net a foot of road in the district. There
was a path from tho "West to the Middle l?iver, and from
tho Middle Eiver to tho East, but no path from any of tho
rivers to the harbor. "Wo had not a dozen of horses,! and

• Mention is made of a grist mill of Kennedy's in tho census of 1774, but
itmuttbnvc worked but frr n Miort time, if it ever worked nt all, as bo
returned to Truro in 177(!. Certainly, at this time, there was none in opera-
tion, and the tradition is, that tho first application of any other power than
tho hand-mill to grinding was ly tho erection of a windmill by John Patter-
son, at Nonvay Point, where ho then lived. Tho wheat which tho settlers
exchanged with tho merchants for goods, was shipped to Halifax and ground
at a mill at Dartmouth.

f William Frascr, surveyor, says that in 1787 there was only four or fivo
borBCS between Salmon River and Antigonish. Though there were horses in
tho settlement, they were still rare enough to bo objects of wonder and dread
to tho rising generation in somo places. Wo havo heard John McLean, of
West Pkivcr, tell of tho first horse ho ever euw, lie had heard of a mnn in tho
neighborhood having got such on animal, and not long after, being down on
tho intervale, ho was struck with terror at the sudden appearance of a bugo
beast, which ho concluded must bo tho aforesaid horse. IIo retained his
faculties sufficiently to consider whether it would bo better immediately to
take to flight, but concluded that if ho did so it might lead tho animal to
forsuo him. He, therefore, glided away quietly, till ho got some bushes

139

for rarriaj^e, neither sleighs nor gigs." These roads, if
they can bo called such, served scan^oly any other purpose
than to prevent the traveller going astray. Though there
were inconveniences in travelling by them from their
roughness owing to stones or roots, from the branches of
trees which crossed the path, or from wet and boggy
ground, yet old people have assured me, that from the soft
moss, with which the ground was covered, walking on
them was easier and less fatiguing than on an ordinary road.
Over most of the district, however, there was not even this
convenience. The most there was to direct the traveller
between one settlement and another was a " blaze," which
^e presume all our readers know means a chip taken ofF the
sides of the trees along the line of travel. The chief of
the travel on land was along the shore or the banks of the
rivers, which were often incumbered with trees and stones,
and at other places presented bogs, the crossing of which
was most inconvenient, or creeks which required a long
circuit round, or brooks, which it was necessary to ascend
for some distance, to a convenient places of crossing. In
winter, the regular mode of conveyance was the snow
shoe. It is certain, that whether more snow fell then than
now, it lay more continuously through the winter, and
as winter advanced, was of greater depth than is now com-
monly seen, rendering this at that time the only possible
way of travelling. In summer, canoes were largely used
ill ( ■r,£;<jiiig harbours and streams on passing along these
shores. These were what are in the west called dugouts,
being « Mistructed of a section of a largo pino tree, hol-

iiotwecu liimse'f and the liorso, when ho <ook to hia heels and ran with a'-l
his miglit till ho roachc<l homo. Tho late John Douglass, of Middle River,
nsed to tull, with equal interest, of the first horse he saw. It belonged to a
man from Truro, who lUcd at his father's house. John, returning homo
from a short absence, was surprised at seeing such an animal tied to a tree.
While peeping curiously at it from behind another tree, ho was still more
purprised to see a t-trango min, who came out of the bouse, mount upon hia
back and ride away.

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lowed out and properly shaped. These were lar^'e and
capable of cany ing four or five persons with perfect safety,
but from the uniskilfulnesy of many of the settlers, who
had not been accustomed to them, accidents frequently
Lapiyened.'^

" It was no little diHcoin as'v^raeiit to mo that I saw
scarcely any books among" the p;>ople. Those who spoke
English had indeed a few, which ihey brought with
them from their former abodes ; but scarcely one of them
had got any addition to his stock since. Almost all of
them had a Bible, and it was to be seen with some of tho
Highlanders who could not read. Few of them indeed
could read a word. There was no school in the place.
Squire Patterson had built a small house and hired a
teacher for a few months now and then for his own
children. In three, or perhaps four, other places three
or four of the nearest neighbors had united and hired a
teacher for a few months at different times, and this

• I have been Knrprisetl in tracing the history of families of tho early inhabi-
tants, to find so many cases of drowniug ly the upsetting of canoes or falling
through tlie ice. On one occasion at the Jiidillo River three men were
drowned in attempting to save a woman. She was a Mrs. Cummingcr, who
lived on the cast side. She was on her way to town by tho ice en foot, when,
for some reason unknown, she took a wrong course and went over to tho oppo-
Bite side, where tho ice was had. When opposite what is now Blairs place, it
gave way under her ; her cries attracted the attention of three men, who wcro
woiUing in tho woods, two named Eoss and one named McLean, who immedi-
ately proce< dcd to her assistance. They cut poles which they laid upon tho ice,
and on wMdi they walked out towards her, hut when close to her, stepping
on the outer ends of the poles, on the edge of the water, tho ice gave way, and
they were plunged in. Their cries in turn nvtractcd the attention of two ether
men, tho late Samuel Archibald and a Mr. Ilinglcy, who wore going to town
on skates. Owing to tlic state of t he ice on that side the river, they had to mako
oconsidcrablc detourto reach the place, so that wh';n vhcy arrived the v/oman
and two of tho men had sunk. Tho third was supporting himself on his polo
which he held in an upright position, but just as vliey approached ho let go
and disappeared. Tho next day tlic whole four Lodies were taken out of tho
one hole. The three men were all young, had not been long in this country ;
two were brothers, the third a coUl^i.'}, and one of them had only been ahoQt
eix weeks married.

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141

Tvas a great cxcTtion. "What was more disco iiraginj^, I
could not see a situation in Pieton where a school
could be maintained for a year, so thin and scattered
was the poi)ulation. Besides, many of the Highlanders
were perfectly indifferent about education, for neither
themselves nor any of their ancestors had ever tasted its
pleasure or its profit. But afterwards I found thai
rhildieu mad^ quicker progress in the small and tem-
porary schools, with which the people were obliged to
content themselves, than they did at home in largo and
stationary schools ; and I found it easier than I had
thought, to rouse tho Highlanders to attend to the educa-
tion of their children, so far as to read the Bible."

Dr. McGregor, wo may hero observe, was a native of;
Perthshire, born at what is now tho village of St. Fillans,
at the foot of the romantic Loch Earne, inDecem-ber, 1759.
His father had been brought to the knowledge of the
Saviour under the celebrated Ebenezer Erskine, when a
young man laboring near Stirling. He returned to his
native parish, to bo an earnest friend of the Gospel, and
continued active in promoting its extension during the
rest of his life. His fc on was early devoted to the Tniniistiy,
and, possessing strong natural powers, an earnest spirit
and active habits, he passed through his college curriculum
at Edinburgh with credit, studied theology under William
Moncrieff, at Alloa, then professor in tho Antiburgher
branch of tho Secession, and was in due course licensed
to preach the Gospel. Believing that duty coiled him to
preach the Gospol to his Highland countrymen, he gave
him. -"If to tho study of their language, and became a most
aeoomi.litehed Gaelic scholar. Ho not only si:)oke it with
ease and flueniy, but wrote it with precision and elegance,
so that befor(^ leaving Scotland he had been employed in
preparing a corrected version of tho Gaelic Scriptures.
We may here observe that ho had somewhat of a poetical
ffe?.aus, and in his later years, with a desire to beucHt his

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countrymen, he prepared a small volume of Gaelic poems,
in •which he exhibited the doctrines of the Crospel, in verse,,
adapted to the sweetest melodies of his native land. The
work is still popular in many parts of the Highlands.

Now commenced that course of protracted and ener-
getic labors, which endeared him to the hearts of the
people of that generation, which established the moral
and spiritual character of the county and built up the
Presbytorian cause through the eastern parts of the Pro-
vince and in the other Maritime colonies. "Wo have in
another work described these labors at some length, but
as his history is for some time the history of Pictou, a
brief account of them is necessary in this place.

On the second Sabbath after his arrival (July 80)
preaching was at the East Eiver, at the head of the
tide, a little below the present Albion Mines, and he
complains that the conduct of those in attendance "was
as disorderly as before. " Their singing and whistling,
and laughing and bawling, filled my mind with amaze-
ment and perplexity. I took occasion to warn them of
the sin and danger of such conduct." During the
service one man stood up and, in a loud and angry
voice, told him that he was good for nothing and did
not deserve the name of a minister, and that he would
never pay him a shilling, as he had refused to baptize
his child.

The following Sabbath he preached at the lower part
of the Middle Eiver, at what was then Alexander Fra-
sers place, near where Samuel Fraser'fc) house stands.
Service was under the shade of a largo elm tree. At first
it was contemplated to erect one church here, as being
central for the whole district. This idea, however, was
soon abandoned, and it was resolved to erect two, one on
the East River and the other on the "West.

During the summer preaching continued thus alter-
nately, with some improvement in the conduct of the

143

people, but not very decided, till the cold weather led
the gentlemen, of the army to dispense with their
presence. He remarks that though public worship was
conducted in the open air till they were compelled by
cold to go into houses, they were never disturbed by a.
shower.

Early in October he first visited the upper settlement
of the East Eiver. The only mode of travelling to this
quarter was by walking along the edge of the river till
thoy came to a brook, and then ascending it till they
reached a place where it could be crossed. His first
sermon was preached at James McDonalds intervale,
under the shade of a large tree. " On iSabbath," he says,
" they came all to hear me with wonder and joy ; for they
had not indulged the hope cf ever seeing a minister in
their settlement. They had very poor accommodations..
I had to sleep on a little straw on the floor."

A little before wintc^ set in he paid his iirst visit to'
Merigomish, preaching und visiting. The people solicited
a share of services, and for about thirty years he continued
to give a portion of his labors to that settlement. To
attend his ministry, a number were in the habit of
travelling to his church at the lower settlement of the
East Eiver, going in canoes to the head of ^ t harbor, and
thence on foot through the woods to the chii.'-ch. It was
not, however, till two years t'l'ter, that thoy wore fully
organized as a congregation, by the ordination of Eiders,
the first beincr Wolter Murrsiv, .Tnhii i^tnall, qv'\ George
Koy. ^ " ,

The winter following was the severest known among
the early settlers for many years. It set in on the 15th
November. There had been snow previous, which had
melted, but what fell on that day remained till the middle
of April, and some of it till the month of May. Before the
end of the month, the harbour was wufficiently frozen for
persons to cross on the ice. " When winter came on," ho

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144

continues, " preacbing was in private houses. Pcoplo
could not sit in a house without fire, and they could not
travel far. It was thf reforc agreed, that I should preach
two sabbaths at tho East Eiver, two upon tho Harbour,
two upon tho West Kivcr, and iwo upon tho Middle Ri-
ver, and then renew tho circle till tho warm weather
should return. Tho Upper Settlement of the East Eiver,
being unprovided with snow-shoes, were excluded
through tho whole winter from all communication with
tho rest of the pcoplo, as cfFectually as if they had bolong-
ed to another world, excepting one visit by two young men,
who made a sort of snow-shoes of small tough withes,
plaited and interwoven in snow-shoe frames. This cir-
culating plan of preaching was no little inconvenience to
mc. For six weeks in eight, I was from home almost
totally deprived of my books and all accommodation for
study, often changing my lodging and lixposed to frequent
and excessive cold. But it had this advantage, that it
gave me an easier opportunity of visiting and examining
the congregation, than I could otherwise have had, for I
got these duties performed in each portion between the
two Sabbaths on which I was there."

With this winter began his regular course of family
visitation, and catechetical instruction. " I resolved not
to confine my visitations to Presbyterians, but to include
all of every denomination, who would make me welcome ;
for I viewed them as sheep without a shepherd. Tho
purport of my visitations was to awaken them to a sight
of their sinful and dangerous state, to direct them to
Christ, to exhort them to be diligent to grow in religious
knowledge, and to set up the worship of God in tho
family and closet, morning and evening. I did not pass
a house, and although I was not cordially welcomed by
all, my visits were productive of more good than .1
expected ; and I trust they were the means of bringing to
Christ several who were not Presbyterians." He also.

145

annually held meetings in each section of the congrega-
tion, at which young and old were duly catechised accord-
ing to the old Scottish mode.

This course of labour, both in preaching, visiting and
catechising, ho regularly fulfilled over the whole district
during the nine years ho was solo minister of Pictou.
With the state of traveling as we have described it, it
may be understood that this involved a large amount of
toil. " I had to learn," he says, *' to walk on snow-shoes
in winter, and to paddlo a canoe in summer, and to cross
brooks and swamps upon trees overturned or broken by
the wind, and to camp in the w^oods all night — for there
is no travelling the woods at night, where tlioro is no
road." But ho possessed an ardent temperament, and an
active, wiry frame. People have said, that they never
saw one brought up in the old country, become so good a
traveller on snow-shoes, and such were his powers of
endurance, that he outdid many who were accustomed to
labour and travelling in the forest.

He w^as also subjected to serious privations. For weeks
ho was from home, and in the poor huts of ihc settlers,
he suffered extreme cold and had to partake of the x>oore8t
fare. Often the plank was his only bed, and a potatoe his
fare, but never did he complain. Cheerfully he went in
tmd out amouff them, cheering thorn with the message of
life.

The effects of his labors soon began to appear. The
people gene -ally began to awake to the subject of religion,
many were :bund turning to the Lord, and a great change
in their religious habits passed over the whole population.
Family worship, and family religious instruction became
almost universal, and people flocked from all quarters to
attend on the preaching of the word, young women even
walking in summer from the West to the East River, a
distance of ten miles or more, for that purpose. When the
settlers thus became in earnest on the subject of religion,

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a most bitter feeling of opposition was raised against bins
by a set of profligates, at the head of whom were the retired
army officers. These men were living in drunkenness
and disregard of the marriage tie. The Dr. as in duty
bound, spoke to them about their conduct, and induced
one to reform, but the rest were hardened.* As the
influence of his labours was felt, the people reprobated
their conduct in the plainest language. Besides they had
hoped to exercise over the soldieis the same authority
as previously, but now as ho says, "time, intercourse
with the other settlers and doubtless an increase of kno^^
ledge, induced them to withdraw their subjection." O
this he had to boar tho blame, and their animosity
against him was excited to such a pitch, that before the
end of tho first winter they threatened to shoot him, and
bum tho house in which he lodged. The following
winter they held a meeting with a view to send him
bound to tho Governor, hoping that their mere word
would be sufficient to procure his banishment. But, as
he says, they went fast to destruction, and on tho breaking
out of the French war in 1793, all tho drunken among
the old soldiers enlisted, so that he could look upon
Pictou as purged.

He also labored to promote the educational and social
interests of tho community. Parents receiving Baptism
for their children were put under pledges, to give them
as good an cJiicatioii as their circumstances would per-
mit. He encouraged them in establishing schools, and
when established, frequently visited them. And though

• Ono of them, who lived on Robortson's Island, had bought a soldier's
wife from her husband (for selling wives was ono of tho venerated institutions
of the olden time), and was so jealous, that when he left home, he was in the
habit of taking her out in his boat and .. iving her on a small island off the
main one. Dr. McGregor urged upon hi>ii the duty of separating from her.
" But what will become of the children." " Oh " said tho Doctor, " You
should do your duty, and lcat.e them to the care ofL. Providence." " They
would be the better of my help,"

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for a length of time they were poor enough, they were
the means of giving the young at least the elements of
learning.

Among the settlers there were three, who had been
ordained elders before leaving Scotland, Thomas Fraser
and Simon Fraser, In the parish of Kirkhill, and Alex-
ander Fraser (Mc Andrew), in the jparish of Kilmorack.
These were called to exercise their office here, and soon
after, the following were elected, and on the 6th of May,
of the following year, were ordained, viz. : Donald McKay
and Peter Grant for the East River ; Robert Marshall and
Kenneth Fraser for the Middle River ; John McLean and
Hugh Fraser for the West, and John Fatterson for the
Harbor. These first elders, from all we have heard of them,
were men eminent in godliness, and a large propor-
tion of their descendants now occupy positions of use-
fulness in the community and are active members of the
church.

This summer (1787) were built the first two churches
in the country. *' During this month" (July), he says,
'* the men were chiefly engaged in building the two
meeting houses ; but, instead of employing contractors to
build them, thoy agreed to divide the work into a number
of lots, and appointed a party of themselves to every lot.
One party cut the logs and hauled them to the site ;
another hewed them and laid them in their place ; a third
provided boards for the roof and floors ; a fourth provided
the shingles ; those who were joiners were appointed to
make the doors and windows, and those who did not
care to work provided the glass and nails. Moss was
stuffed between the logs to keep out the wind and rain ;
but neither was one of them seated otherwise than by logs
laid where seats should be. Public worship was con-
ducted in the open air all this summer, and part of har-
vest, till the churches were finished, and we had the came
kind Provjldence preserving us from wind and rain and

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tempest as wo had last year; but no sooner were the
honses built than great rain came on the Sabbath."

" Such were the first two churches of Pictou, and for a
while they had no pulpits, purely because they could
make a shift without them, and when they were made
they were not of mahogany, but of the white pine of
Pictou." Those two churches wero some thirty-fivo or
forty foet long, by twenty-five or thirty wide. The only
seats in them at first were logs of wood or slabs sup-
ported on blocks ; there was a gallery, or rather, an upper
story, with a floor seated in a similar manner, to which
the young went up by a ladder. The one on the East
River was situated on the west side of the river, a short
distance above New Glasgow, on a rising ground between
the old burying ground and the lino of the present rail-
road. The one at Loch Broom was situated near the head
of the harbour, on the farm then owned by William
M«Kenzic, still held by his descendants. It was situated
near the shore, close by the brook that there enters the
harbour.

•' As soon as the meeting-houses were built, the i^eople
set themselves to make roads to them, that they might be
as accessible as possible by land ; but these roads were
nothing more than very narrow openings through the
woods, by cutting down the bushes and trees that lay in
their line of direction, and laying logs, with the upper
side hewed, along swampy places and over brooks which
could not be passed dry, by way of a bridge. The stumps
and roots, the heights and hollows, were left as they had
been. The chief advantage of this was that it prevented
people from going astray in the woods. During winter
the roads and meeting houses both were totally useless,
for the preaching was in dwelling-houses where there
was a fire."

It was in November following that he received the first
payment of stipend. He should have received jC40 in cash

149

and as much more in produce ; but he actually Teceive<l
only £27 of the former, and about £Z0 of the latter. And
yet, of this £2T, about i;20 was cxi)ended in an act of
charity, wrhich, wo venture to say, has rarely been
surpassed, and which, as connected with the early social
state of the Province, we must hero notice. As already
mentioned, some of the settlers from the old colonies had
brought with them slaves, and retained them as such for
a number of years. Among others, the late Matthew
Harris was the owner of a colored girl, afterward known
as Die Mingo, and a mulatto man, named Martin. The
question of the slave trade had, just previous to the Doctor's
leaving Scotland, begun to ogitate the public mind of
Britain. His feelings had been warmly enlisted on the
subject, and ho now interested himself in securing
their freedom. For this purpose, he actually agreed to
pay £50 for the redemption of Die, and of the £21 he
received in money the first year, i;20 was paid toward
this object, and for a year or two a portion of his produce
receipts went to pay the balance. He also persuaded
Harris to give Martin his pardon, after a period of good
service. He also relieved a woman, who was in bondage
for a term of years, paymg £9 or iJlO for her freedom, and,
in addition, aided in supporting and educating her
daughter.

Fired with zeal on this subject, he soon after wrote a
severe letter to a clergyman in a neighboring district, who
held a black woman as a slave. This letter, enlarged,
was published in pamphlet form in the following year,
and led to an epistolary controversy.

In the year following (1788,) the Sacrament of the
Lord's Supper was dispensed for the first time in Pictou.
The spot selected was a beautiful piece of intervale on the
Middle Biver, partially shaded by an overhanging bank.
This was chosen however as central for the whole district,
and as accessible by boats from the harbour and coast.

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Hero the ordinance was observed with all the si^rvices
then customary in Scotland. These were all perfonned
by Dr. McGregor himself, who preached every day from
Thursday till Monday, both in Gaelic and English, The
number of communicants was 130 In this spot the
supper was observed annually and with the same solem-
nities, during* the whole time, that he was solo minister in
Pictou, and people came from long distances, even from
the Countv of Hants, to attend them.

Th3 same summer he commenced that series of
missionary labors, which rendered I\is name so venerated
and beloved among the older settlements throughout
these Ijower Provinces. There was not at that time
another minister of any denomination on the north shore
of Nova Scolia or Cape Breton, and not a Presbyterian
minister, and scarcely any other in New Brunswick or
P. E. Island, and from this date, for a period of forty
years, he employed a portion of every summer, and
oven of winter, in visiting the settlements throughout
these regions. For this work he possessed the highest
qualifications. From the first loving the gospel, all
the energies of a very ardent nature were aroused,
as he saw the destitute condition of those who dwelt
Bolitarily in the woods, and his preaching grew in*
impressiveness and power, so that it would be impossible
to convince the old settlers that there ever came to
America one so eloquent. He possessed the special gift
of directing conversation into religious channels, so that
whatever subject was started, he gave it a pious turn.
When ho visited a settlement all gathered, and days and
nights were spent for weeks together, in preaching, pray-
ing, religious conversation, and travelling from place to
place. In this way he traversed the eastern part of Nova
Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton, and New
Brunswick, and was the means of founding or cherishing
in their infancy all the older Presbyterian congregations

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Ihroughoiit this widely extended territory. In this work
he spared no fatigue, and readily ondured hardship, find-
ing pleasure in the work, and the richest reward in tho
joyful reception of tho gospel by the solitary dweller in
the wood.

The Highlanders having now Purmonntcd the first
difficulty of settlement and, above all, having tho gospel
preached in their native tongue, now invited their rela-
tions over from Scotland, and they continued to arrive in
greater or less numbers till all those portions of tho
county most desirable for settlement wore occupied.
Others who had settled in other parts of tho Province
were so attracted by his preaching, that they sold their,
farms and removed to Pictou to enjoy his miiiiatiy.

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CHAPTER IX.

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE TOWN TILL THE
BEGINNING OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTIONAEY

WAR, 1789—1793.

l!Ve must now, howe^'er, give some account of the
•origin of the town. "We have already mentioned that on
the arrival of the first settlers, a town was laid out above
the Town Gut, and another afterward at Fishers Grant ;
but at neither of these places was one ever built. Its
being located on its present site, was owing to old John
Patterson. "We have already mentioned that at the time
of the issue of the first grants, the block on which the
town stands, embracing the shore from Browns Point
round to Carriboo, had been reserved out of the Philadelphia
Company's Grant, and given to Col. McNutt and his

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associates. The grant of the latter, however, was escheated
in the year 1770, and an order of survey issued in favor of
Eichard "Williams, described as "late lieutenant in the
80th Regiment," and said to have served at the taking of
Louisburg and Quebec, for this block and another on the
Middle River, extending from Middle River Point up to
Kerrs, a distance of ten miles along its banks, and one
mile back, the rear line to run parallel with tho river,
the lirst said to contain 6,000 acres, but in reality containing
10,000 ; the second estimated at the same amount, but
also considerably in excesa

Tho grant is dated 21st January, 177G. The conditions
as to pine trees, fisheries, quit rents, and reserves of
minerals, are tho same as in tho 82nd Grant, and tho
conditions as to working are tho same as in Camerons.
But it contains the following additional clause, Ihtit tho
grantee shall " settle one person upon it for every hundred
acres, and the settlers to be introduced to bo Protestants,
from such parts of Europe as aro not in His JMajesty's
Dominions, or such persons as have resided within Ilis
Majesty's Dominions in America for two years, antocedcnt
to the date of the grant." This exhibits an idea that was
prevalent at this time, of the danger of the British Isles
being depopulated by cmip^ration, in consequence of which
parties were bound to settle their grants with Protestants
from abroad.

This grant was transferred to "Walter Patterson, Esq.^
who came out in 1770 as Governor of Prince Edward
Island, but who had previously been a judge in the
province of Maryland, and was, we believe, originally
from the North of Ireland. According to tradition, which
there is every reason to believe well founded, tho title
passed to him in the following manner : Riding one day
ho accidentally met "Williams, with whom he entered into
conversation, when the latter said, " I have a lot of land
in Pictou ; what will you give mefor it ?" " I'll give youi

153

this horse," was the half joking reply. " "Will you givo
saddle and bridle ?" was the next enquiry. •* Yes."
•• Then jump off." lie did so, when the other mounted,
and thus the bargain was completed. At nil evonts,
Governor Patterson became the possessor, as it was found
afterward, without any proper conveyance, and at the
date of our history began selling portions of his land.*.
He also laid out a town, which he called Coleraine, to the
eastward of what is still known as Coleraine street.
According to his plan, it was to contain various public
conveniences, the ground at the foot of that street being
reserved for a public landing, and a lot near set apart for
a market. Jlence, the wharf there has been till recently,
and wo suppose is by some yet, known as the Market
Slip. TLis, however, like previous efforts, was for some
time at least a town only on paper.*

On the 10th September, 1787, for the sum of £Q2 10s.,
he deeds to John Patterson 150 acres, afterward purchased
and occupied by Mortimer, at the Point ; and another lot

• \Vc may here give the subsequent history of this grant : Patterson, whilo
on the island, sold portions loth of the part on the Middle River and at tho
town, Ly his agent, Lieutenant Gordon, already referred to ; hut his title being
doubtful, persons squatted on various portions cf his land, particularly on tho
Middle River, and somo who purchased one lot took possestiion of another,
"We have seen deeds running in something like the following strain : "Whereas
I have made improvements on tho land of Governor Patterson, at such a place,
I hereby give all my right, title and interest in tho said lot of land," &c,

Patterson became involved in debt to Messrs. Cochrane, then leading merch-
ants in Ilalifaz, doing business at what has since been known as Cochranc'a
Comer, where the Dominion public offices now stand. In consequence, after
he left tho Province, they sold his property under a judgment, and one of them ■
became the purchaser, and hence this grant has since been usually known as tho '
Cochrane Grant. But there was, for some time, a difficulty about the title,
partly in consequence of want of proof of a transfer from Williams to Patter-
eon, but partly also, we believe, from some irrcgul.'^rity in tho legal proceed-
ings of Cochrane against the latter, and squatters resisted attempts to cj3ct
them. One of Patterson's heirs camo some years after, claiming the land,
with whom Cochrane compromised. After this his title was generally con-
ceded, and he sold the rest of the land, but a good deal having [previously
been occupied, the parties held it by possession.

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of 100 acres, described as follows : " Beginning at p stake
and stones at the west corner of a town lot, thence run-
ning north 320 porches, from thence west 60 perches,
thence south 320 perches, thence cdgc the different cou^nes
of the harbour to the place of beginning." The front of
this lot embraced the central portions of the town, extend-

' ing from Coleraine street westwardly to the market. A
settler named, we believe, Kennedy, had previously
squatted on a portion of this, having made a small chop-
ping, and erected a shanty on the face cf the hill, below
Dr. Johnston's house, so that the deac m had to buy out
liis claim.

13 y the terms of the deed, the ground along the shore,
to the width of forty feet, was reserved for a highway,
and this became the front or lower street of the town,
from the west end as far as Grlennies. This will explain
its sinuous course. To this point the south side of the
street was originally water lots, and all the buildings now
upon it are upon made ground. The ground near
Meagher's slip was regular bog, through which logs were
laid to form a pathway. At Glennies the coast took a
turn to the. southward, with a somewhat high bank,
forming a cove, which was long used for the reception of
timber. From this point the deacon run a street in a
straight line to Coleraine street, although there was a road
round the shore to the Battery Point, within the memory
of many still living.

In the previous winter (1Y87) the wood had been cut on

' part of the ground where the town now stands, and Patter-
son removed from Mortimer's Point to where his grandson,
A. J. Patterson, now resides. He next commenced divid-
ing the front of his land into small building lots, which
he sold at low rates. These, however, were conveyed
upon the condition that the purchasers should build upon
them, and under a per ilty for every year in which
this was not done. Thus, in his ledger we find, iu

155

1805, one man charged, "To 7J years' damaj^es for not
building one house ;" and in another case we find the
following entry, *' To 5 years you did not build on the
l-A, at 6s., £1 5s." Those lots are described as in the
town of New Paisloy,=^ doubtless, so named aflt^r his
native town. Among the iirst lots, of which the deed is
recorded, is one to James Dunn, of the lot on which the
lloyal Oak Hotel lately stood, on which ho erected the first
tavern in the town,t just behind where that building
lately stood.

The Deacon having been originally a carpenter,
commonctid now the erection of small buildings to sell or
let to tradesmen, and it is in this way that the town
was fixed on its prescn', hUq. "We have been unable to
ascertain whore the first house was built, but believe
that it was on the street leading down to I^Iessrs. Yorston's
wharf At all events, one that still stands there was
among the first. It was originally occupied by him as a
store, afterward by his sons, John and Abraham, in the
same way ; again, for a length of time a.", a cooper's shop,
and now as a sailir.akers. The timber v/as cut on the site
of the lower part of the town. This is, without doubt,
the oldest house in town. On repairing it lately, the
carpenters found that the frame was entirely of hard
wood, oak, ash, or beech. The date oferection of the first
house was either 1789 or 1790, Dr. McGregor says in r.ne
place, " There was not a single house for years after I
came here. The town was for some years without a
single inhabitant; then there was a shod with one

• We may here notice the variety of iiatnt>s ficlectod for the town or dis-
trict. BcBidcs the deacon, wc find in old documents, tlic townsliip of Alexan-
dria, the township of Doncgall, Tdgnmoutl:, SoutLampton, AValmslcy and
Coleraine.

f Wc read, however, the name of Francis Hogg, tavern keeper, before tliis
<1atc, and, as wo have seen, the grog shop was in full blast, before Dr.
McGregor's arrival. The eUc, however, of these estAbUBhxaciits we do not
icnow.

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family ; then another with it, and so on, till it became
what wo see it now." In his narrative he says: — "I
think it was in this year (1790) that the first house in
Pictou was built. It was some years without a second."
Philo Antiquarius, speaking of the year 1789, says : —
" Two or three houses were also erected about this period
on the spot which was cleared the preceding" year.
Families were soon attracted, buildings wer<^ run up, and,
ere the lapse of much time, a respectable ha .Jet rose into
view."

He also built a wharf, the fi ' in the town, on the site
of what, afterward coming into possession of his son, also
an Elder in the Church, long continued to be known as
the Deacons Wharf, now Yorstons. It was described as
consisting at first of three logs, but afterward a more
respectable structure was erected. We may add, that he
always showed an earnest and hopeful interest in the
pro;;ress of the pl-^ce, and a most enterprising spirit in
undertaking measures for this end.

Thus it was to the sagacity and public spirit of John
Patterson that the town rose upon its present site. The
question has been raised whero it ought to have been.
Richard Smith maintained that it should have been on the
south side of the harbor, at Abercrombia or Frasers Point.
With tho knowledge we now have of the mineral wealth
of the East Eivcr, raucn may bo said in favor of that
looality. But the fact that after attempts to build a town
elsewhere, tlio deacona site held its own, even though
opposed by Mortimer, shows that something may be said
in its favor. Under any circumstances, its nearness to
the entrance of the harbour would have almost neces-
sitated the erection of a town somewhere in that neigh-
borhood. One unfortunate mistake ho committed, though
a natural one in the circumstances ; that is, in taking the
road originally laid out round the tihore as the basis from
which to lay off lots and other streets. The side lines of

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the original lots run from t]ie harbor on a due north and
south course, and had tho cross streets been laid off at
right angles to these, the inconvenience which the subse-
Vjuent inhabitants have suffe.'cd from the want of square
corners, would have been avoided.

We may add, that tho first teacher in town, so far as wo
have been able to ascertain, was Peter Grant. When his
father, Alpin Grant, settled in Pictou in 1784, he remained
with a friend in Halifax, where he was educated ; and on
coming to Pictou, about the year 1703, he opened a
school and continued to teach for six years. In the year
3 800 he took up land at Scotch Hill and removed thither
the following season, where he resided till his death. In
ihe year 1802 we fmd S. L. Newcomb teaching, though
probably 'or a , hort time.* Then, for some time, George
Glennie occii; 'ed his place. He was a graduate of Aber-
deen College, a superior scholar, and did much to form
the lainds of the youth of that generation.

Philo Antiquarius says, " a vessel was launched from
the point above the Gut in the year 1788," he does not
say by whom, but the manner in whieh ho speaks seems
to imply, that it was the first built in the harbour, but
the tradition is that the lirst in the harbour, was
built by Thomas Copeland, on the site of what is now
Dr. Johnstons wharf — that she was what was called
a snow, that is a two-masted vessel, with another small
mast abaft the mainmast, to which a trysail was attached,
and that tho first built in the county, a schooner called
the Ann, was built previously at Merigomish, for John
Paiterson. The date we cannot ascertain, but it must

' Mr. Nowcomli mariiwl a daiighlir of Matthew Harris, and had a fHmilr,
POTcral of whom wtrc once well known in Pictou and Cumhcrlaiid. One son,
Simon, after long sailing out of Pirtou to tho West Indies and elsewhere, as a
captftin, serred in the Texan war of indepondcnce, and obtained a large grant
c'f land there. He persuadiKl his brother Thomap, then a promising lawyer in
^'utoberland, to remove thither, where he died, and his son was lately Secrc-
l*Ty of that State.

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have been abont this time. In a ledg'er of his in om
possession, which however was not his first, we hayc
" an account of things sent to the vessel, November 21st,
1Y89," so that it must have been built before that time,
though probably not long. Farther on she is called " the
schooner" and Jerry Palmer appears to have been the
name of her first commander. Small vessels howevei
were owned previously. In the year 1784, we find
recorded a bill of sale to Hugh Dunoon from Barnabas
McGree, of " the good shallop .Nancy," and by the returns
already quoted. Dr. Harris appears as owning a schooner
or sloop in 17G9, and Sviuiro Patterson another in 1774.

About the same time arrived a number of persons, who
occupied prominent places in connection with the early
progress of Pictou, the most important of whom was
Edward Mortimer, who is said to havo arrived in 1788,
but to whom we shall have occasion to refer fully in a
subsequent chapter. Captain Lowden also at thie time
removed with his family to this country.

At this time also came the Coi)elands. Alexander and
Thomas were brothers, natives of CastL; Douglass, in the
County of Dumfries, and for some time did business in
Halifax. They brought out two cousins, Samuel and
Nathaniel, also cousins of each other, whom they had in
their employment. A story has been commonly told of
their making money by purchasing at the sale of an
American prize some kegs of nails, which, however, were
found to contain dollars in the centre. Their descendants
discredit this, and tell a story of an opposite 'character,
viz., that during the American war, Plalifax being menaced
by some American armed a'. ssels, which had plundered
other places, they had buried their money in their garden,
but afterward could not find it, and circumstances led
them to suspect a neighboring family of having discoAcred
their secret and stolen their treasure. This, and some
other losses, led them to remove to Pictou, where they

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obtained the farm lot west of John Patterson's, including
what has since been the western part of Abraham
Patterson's farm and the lot of Matthew Patterson. They
built a wharf at what has since been known as Smiths
Wharf, the second in the town, and commenced business
there. Alexander and Samuel (father of Robert S.) died in
Pictou, the latter being- the first buried in the Pictou
cemetery, about the year 1807, the cemetery at Durham '
being previously used by all on the north side of the
harbour. Their families removed to Merigomish, as
did also Thomas and Nathaniel. They all settled on
lands, which they had purchased from 82nd men, in
most instances for a mere trifle.

About the same time came Robert Pagan. He was a
son of John Pagan, already mentioned as one of the
proprietors of the Philadelphia grant, and owner of the
Hector. Ho was in Pictou as early as 1789. In that year
we find a deed to himself and his brother Thomas,
described as merchants, from AValter Patterson, Governor
of P. E. Island, of " Lots 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the town of
Coleraine," described as " beginning at a stake and pile
of stones upon the shore or bank of the harbour of
Pictou aforesaid, at the south-east corner of lot No. 1, in
said town, and 117 feet east from the boundary lino
between lands granted to John Patterson, senr. of Pictou
aforesaid, and the said town of Coleraine." This was at
the head of ihe Mining Companys wharf and extending
westerly to Crichton's wharf, and his house was on the
site ot that recently occupied by Mr. Boggs. He married
a daughter of Squire Patterson and engaged in business,
bat was not very successful. He was a man of excellent
education, and filled several offices with credit, the
highest being that of Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas. He died 8rd December, 1812. None of his
descendants are in the county.

Hugh Dunoon, after doing business in Halifax, removed

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to Pici^ou about the same time. He was a native of the
parish of Killearnan, in the county of Inyerness, of which
palish his father and brother were successively ministers.
He took up land on the East lliver, as early as 1784, and
we find him soon after living in Merigomish, where ho
had bought out the rights of some of the 82nd men. He
built a mill on Hogans brook, the first in that part of the
county, and carried on business there. He afterward
removed to Pictou, where he lived about a mile below
the town, where Mr. Fogo now resides. Subsequently
he occupied a prominent place in the public affairs of the
County, filling a number of olTices. He w^as for many
years a Judge of the Inferior Court, Deputy Registrar of
Deeds, Collector of Customs and Custos of the Disti'ict.
He died the 24th March, 1830, aged 74.

John Dawson was hero as early as 1701, his marriage
having tak(?n place in that year, but he will bo more
appropriately noticed elsewhere.

"We give a plan of the town .nt this time, copied from
one in 1 ho possession of the late Peter Crerar, Esq., which
will exhibit at a glance its progress to this period.^

In the meantime the rural settlements were receiving
settlers, especially from the Highlands of Scotland, among
ifiiom wo may mention Martin McDonald, w^ho arrived
in 1787, and settled at Knoydai t, to which he gave the
name from his iiative place ; and Alex. McKenzie from
near Inverness, who, after serving eight years in the army,
settled with Archibald Cameron, on Irish Mountain, where
they had been preceded In Patrick Finner, an Irishman.

In iho year 1788 or 1780 came a number of Lowland
Scotch, imnripally from Dumfries, who settled in various
parts of the country. Among these may be mentioned
John Cassidy, who settled on McLcnnan's Brook ; William

• For this plan we are indebteil to the kindness of J. 8. Arnison, Esq.,
Sandyford Hotisc, Newcastle-tipon-T.vno. The date of it is not given, bnt it
ifl before iTOt and after 1790.

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Munsie, who was the first settler on Green Hill, on the
farm still occupied by his descendants ; Robert Sturgeon,
who settled on the south side of the hill ; "William Porter,
who Settled on the Middle Eiver ; John McGill, afterward
of West Eiver, and David McCoull, of Green Hill.

"We may here give a notice of a visit to Pictou in the
summer of 1787, of Sir John Wentworth, afterward Gov-
ernor of the Province, and at that time Surveyor General
of "Woods and Forests in British America, as given in a
letter of his, dated JOth January, 1788 :

'•Continue J toward Miramiclii, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Being over-
taken with a hard gale of wind, and my boat, under 13 tons, unahlc to live in
such cross-combing seas, we attempted Mcrigomish harbour in the night, and
were soon on the sands ; the tide rising we got off and rode out the night in a
little pool between two rcefd. The next day, at high water, we went over all
into the harbour, which is very safe, and, with a pilot, of easy access for a
ship of four or five hundred tons. Contrary winds detained mo here and at
Pictou (which is still a deeper harbour) for fourteen days, during which time
I travelled into the woods from ten to twelve miles round, surveyed timber
for the settlers and that proper to be reser\'ed for His Majesty's service. In
this district is some good pine timber, but the longest and best has been cut
nway by the Acadians and first English settlers, to whom that part of the
country has been granted for some time. On the harbours and rivers of Mcri-
gomish and Pictou there was, formerly, the best growth of oak and pino ;
some still remains, and I have taken every measure to prcser^-e the best of the
latter, and have no doubt it will come into His Majesty's scruce, should any
contract b« extended to these Provinces.

" We sailed from Pictou the first possible moment, and mot a very heavy
sea, with which we contended until sunset, when the wind arose suddenly at
southeast and obliged us to take shelter in Johns Harbour, to leeward of a
rocky reef We rode out the night, but at daylight were obliged to slip our
cable, and rim up the river, where the t; le suddenly ncnpcd on the change of
the wind, and we were five iays unloading provisions Rnd ballast, perching
out a channel, near five miles, and recovering the anchor. In this time I
explored the adjacent woods, and found some good pine timber. Those unfit
for the King's service I have granted license for to the settlers, who have
promised to preserve those marked for reservation."

"W have given the above for the purpose specially of

noticing the claims, which it had long been attempted

to maintain, of reserving the large timber for the use of

the British Government. "Wentworth had been Surveyor

General of "Woods for all the British Dominions in Amer-

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ica, and, till the commencement of the American Ilovohi-
tionary "War, residing in New Hampshire ; after that he-
retained the same office in the remaining British Pro-
vinces. The attempts to enforce this claim had prod*uced
great disturbance in the old colonies, and was one of the
causes of the discontent, which led to their separation
Irom the mother country. In this Province it had been
a hindrance to its settlement, as it had been necessary to
communicate with him in New Hampshire, as Governor
Legge complained, before grants were issued to settlers.
Yet, notwithstanding these things, and the utter absurdity
of expecting settlers to clear their land and leave the big
trees standing, Wentworth came to Nova Scotia, seeming
to regard it almost as the chief end of his creation, to
enforce this and every other arbitrary claim, that had ever
been set up on behalf of the crown. As late as the year
1804, we find timber seized as cut in violation of this
claim, and only released on the parties paying a certain
sum as damages, and instructions issued that " the timber
be surveyed on their lots and such as are fit for masts,
yards or bowsprits marked * I. a TV.,' also some of the best
to cut into planks for the King's service. These to be
faithfully preserved, then the rest to be free to the party."

Again, in the year 1806, we find timber seized, which,
however, "Wentworth instructed his agents to release on
the party paying the sum of .£12, " which sum is to be
applied, under your care and direction, toward building
a bridge at the head of Carriboo Kiver, on the new road
now t» be made leading from Pictou to Carriboo Harbor."

"We do not know that this claim was ever directly
abandoned. To a very late period surveyors, in making
their return of the survey of Crown lands, were accus-
tomed to report that there was no timber upon it fit for
the use of His Majesty's navy. But no such old fossil as
"Wentworth ever governed us again, and it died a natural
death.

163

In the summer of 1791 arrived two vessels loaded with
emigrants, mostly lloman Catholics, from the Western
Islands of Scotland. They arrived so late in the season
that few could provide houses for their families before
winter. The old settlers, at the solicitation ol their
pastor, received them with the most open-hearted hospi-
tality. Hundreds of them received the best shelter that
the inhabitants could afford — such as could pay, at a very
moderate price, and they that could not, for nothing.
For a time they commenced settling in Pictou, and a
number of them went to hear Dr. McG-regor preach, but
Priest McEachran came over from Prince Edward Island
and persuaded them to go beyond the reach of Protestant
influence. They accordingly left their settlements in
Pictou, some of them with great reluctance, and took up
land along the Grulf shore, a few in Pictou county, but
the majority in Antigonish county. Some, however, went
to Cape Breton. Among this class there is cherished to
this day a fe vent and grateful recollection of the kind-
ness of Dr. McGregor and his people. But the Dr.
complained that they proved dangerous guests, by foolish
and profane conversation, and particularly by their tales
of superstition, and that the evil influence of such close
intercourse with them was felt upon his congregation
long after.

A few of these, however, Were Protestants, or became
so, and settled permanently in the county. Among these
may be mentioned John McKinnon, Lauchlan McLean,
Angus McQuarrie, and Alexander McMillan, and others,
who settled on the east branch of East River. All was
woods above what is now Samuel Camerons place, except
where Charles Mcintosh, who had settled where David
Mcintosh now lives, and on the west side, where John
Fraser, who had come from Strathspey in 1788, had
commenced. There was only a blaze to the lower settle*-
ment. The salmon in the river were still exceedingly

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plentiful, and gasper^anz so abundant that as many as
fifteen barrels were taken in a single night, whieh they
often were not able to use for want of salt. Such was
the difficulty of obtaining other conveniences, that they
were obliged in summer to carry their produce on their
backs to New Glasgow, and thence transport it by means
of canoes to Pietou ; or, in winter, drag it on hand sleds
the whole distance. There they sometimes had to give a
bushel of wheat in exchange for a bushel of salt. They
adopted another plan, however, of getting their pork to
market. They drove the animals to Fishers Q-rant, where
they obtained the use of a slaughter house, and then
butchering them, they disposed of the meat to the
merchants for such goods as they required.

James Grant, who had originally settled at what is
now called Grahams Pond, Carriboo, was induced by the
settlers, who wanted a grist mill, to move up. He erected
the first grist mill in the settlement, a little below the site
of the mills, since occupied by his sons and grandsons,
near Sprir.^ille. The first mill above Springville was
erected at Sunny Brae, by Hugh Fraser, about 1805,
where the mill still is.

There was then no church, and preaching was, in
winter time, in houses, particularly Charles Mcintosh's,
and in summer, when the weather was wet, in barns, but
when fine, by the river side. The first church was built
at Grants Lake, to accommodate both branches of the
rrver, ond was of logs.

Such was the progress of settlement that in that year
the population of Pietou was estimated at 1,300 souls.
In the first settlement every man was obliged to act as
artizan for his own family. Now, however, mechanics
were attracted, who attended to their own employments.
The increased population created a demand for various
articles which led to trade. Roads, as they were called,
were opened, though as yet none of them were fit for a

165

wheel carriage, bein;g mere bridle paths. The price of
land increased, and farms partially made brought what
would now be considered fair prices.

In !May, 1792, "Wentworth became Lient.-Grovornor of
the Provincp, and that summer visited various portions
of the provinco. His visit to Pictou is thus noticed in
Murdoch's history: "Friday, Sept. 21, Lieut.-Governor
Wentvvorth sailed in the armed schooner Diligent, for
Pictou, having gone on board under a salute of thirteen
guns. He arriv d at Pictou, on the evening of "Wednes-
day, the 3rd of October, and landed on the 4th. He
received an addrers, signed by 30 persons. They stated
that 500 men there had agreed to work on the road to
Halifax. Ho returned by land by way of Musquodoboit,
and it was stated that the road from Pictou to Musquodo-
boit was now open for horses and cattle." William Fraser
(surveyor) says of this visit, that he came to Pictou,
bringing plenty of provisions, axes and hoes, bought
with the proceeds of a Government lottery, and that the
new settlers were called to meet at William McKay's,
for the purpose of receiving them according to their need.

There seems to have been at this time much ado about
this road. After His Excellency's return to Halifax he
and his lady gave a ball and supper, described in the
gazette of the day, as " altogether the most brilliant and
sumptuous entertainment ever given in this country."
The writer adds. "Among other ornaments, which were
altogether superb, there were exact representations of
Messrs. Hartshome & Tremaine's new Flour-mill and of
the Wind-mill on the common. The model of the new
Light-house, at Shelburne, was incomparable, and the
tract oj the new road from Pictou uas delineated in the most
ingenious and surprising manner, as was the representa-
tion of our fisheries," &c. Haliburton in. his history also
says, under the year 1792, " Great Pictou road opened,'*
and has been followed by others.

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The idea of a shorter route from Halifax to Pictou than
by Truro has been often entertained. At a later period 6ir
James Kempt projected one by Stewiacke, Middle River,
and Loch Broom. It seems that at this time the plan of
a road by Musquodoboit had been so far carried out, that
cattle and horses could pass over it. But, strange to say,
for a length of time we could not find, even among our
oldest inhabitants, any person who knew anything about
this great road. It is, however, noticed in the early
county records as tho Governors Road. The fact is,
that notwithstanding the great flourish of trumpets about
the opening of it, nothing more was done to it, and the
old route by Truro continued to be the one generally
used.

Hitherto Pictou formed a part of the district of Col-
chester or CobyCjUid, as it was commonly called, and all
its municipal business was transacted at Onslow, where
the Court of Sessions met. There also was the place of
holding the poll, for the election of representatives. The
increase of population, and the inconvenience of attending
such a distance, led the inhabitants of Pictou, to petition
"to be relie\x.d from attendance there. Accordingly in
this year an act of the Legislature was passed, forming
Pictou into a separate district, defining its boundaries as
WG have already given them, and appointing the Court
of General Sessions of the Peace and Inferior Court of
Common Pleas, to be held at VValmsley, on the 3rd
Tuesday of January and 3rd Tuesday of July. It was also
ordered, that a poll should be opened here, on the occasion
of the election of representatives for the County of
Halifax.

The changes which this introduced we shall no ice
hereafter. In the meantime we give a copy of Deacon
Patterson's account of charges and receipts for the poor
of tho district at this period :

167

The Poor Dr. to John Patlerion, Senr.

t787^To 1 blanket to a sick man at James Carmichacl's JCOIO

To rum and other things by Mr. Abercromby for

burien of the above man at James Carmichacl's 10

1789.— Nov. 16,— To 88. payd to James Dun by order of the .. 8

To stocks by order of do 15

To ^ gallon rum by order of the Justisses, omit-
ted January, 17 SO 4

1791— Dec. 19.— To 2 yds. blue cloth at 8s. and 2.^ lbs blister steel,

at is. 2d 18 7

To 1 pair blankets by Pagan f... 10

To 1 coverlet by Mr. Mortimer 12 6

To 1 cape 28. and 1 lb— by do Is 3

To 1 pair shoes by do 10

1792— To Butting, surrayin, colecting and comiseion on timber

this year lo

1793— Toa weedow womanW R 15 10

To Lachlan McDonald, gulf oil 8

To Mrs. Patterson Dowry for gaill lot 110

£9 19 3

Contra, Credit, July, 1792.

To i of 1 log by James McKay, Mr. Pagan 4 6

To J of log by James Reid for Mr. Mortimer 2

To ^ of log Frank Carmichael & Campbell for do 3 G

To drift timber by Mr. Pagan 7

To do do delivered to Mr. Copeland, Amount 1 13 7

To 1 log McQuarry for do 3

Neat proccds of the above £2 4 7

The spelling of our worthy grandfather is not always
in accordance with Johnston or "Webster, but as we like
originality, we have given it in its primitive form. The
logs of timber used in payment of poor tax would seem
rather a cumbrous cun'ency. When the poor asked for
bread, to give them a stick of wood, scarcely seemed
Christian charity. It does not appear that the district
was very prompt in meeting his expenditures, but he has
left a name behind him, especially for kindness to the
poor.

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CHAPTER X.

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OP THE FRENCH REVOLU-
TIONARY WAR TO THE FIRST CONTESTED
ELECTION, 1793—1799,

III the year 1793, as we presume all our readers know,
commenced the French Revolutionary War. One of the
first effects of this upon the County of Pictou was, that
the Governor raising a regiment, a number of the
disbanded soldiers who had settled in Pictou, took the
opportunity of enlisting. As Dr. McGregor describes
them, '* All the drunken and profligate," while none of
the sober and industrious, either of the soldiers or the
other settlers, followed their example.

Before this time the timber trade had been carried on»
and was '»f some importance to the infant settlement.
The first effect of the war was a slight reduction in the
price of timber ; but this was soon succeeded by its rijiug
to an unprecedented height, and with this came a rapid
increase in the trade from Pictou, which was at its height,
as we shall see presently, from about the year 1800 to
the year 1820.

At this time, too, ship building was being carried on to
some extent, Captain Lowden's efforts in that respect
being specially worthy of notice. Indeed, he may be
considered the father of the ship building art in Pictou.
He was a native of the south of Scotland, and had
commenced trading to Pictou during the American
Revolutionar / War. Previous to this, he had been fifteen
years in Russia, and also employed in carrying convicts
to Virginia. In the year 1788, he removed with his
family to Pictou. Ho first located himselt near the
Harrows, at the East River, whore he erected a windmill

169

at what has since been known as Windmill Point, and
commenced ship building there. But soon after ho
removed to town, where he occupied a two-storey building
of John Patterson's, on the site of Messrs. Yorston's store,
the lower as a dwelling house, and the upper with goods,
which he exchanged for timber. lie also built a wharf,
on the site of what has since been known as the Mininir
Companys Wharf, and commenced ship building there.
The whole eastern part of the town, from Ives' store to
the Battery Hill, was covered with a fine growth of hard-
wood, and the timber necessary for the work was cut
close by his yard, or, afterward, on the top of the Deacons
Hill, whence it was slid down on the snow to the
shore, and, when once set in. motion, it may be supposed^
went with terrific rapidity. He erected a building on the
east side of Coleraine street, which he used for boarding
his men, but which was commonly known as the Salt
House. Some years later he erected a windmill on a round
hill near the head of the wharf, long after known as
Windmill Hill, but which has now been carried away in
levelling the ground near the Custom House. This mill
was well constructed, had a large amount of machinery
in her, and for some time did a large amount of work^
both in sawing and grinding.

He continued for a number of years the business of
ship building, h !s vessels being sent to Britain for a
market, and was rather noted in the Province for his
skill. Of one of his vessels we copy from Murdoch's
History the following notice :

" rictou, October 23, 1798.
" YcBt.TcIay was launched here, l.y Messrs. Lowdens, the ship Haitiet, burthen
COO tons. She is pierced for 24 guns, and supposed to bo the largest and
finest ship built in this Province. Her bottom is composed of oak and black
birch timber, and her upper works, beamf, &c., totally of pitch pine ; on
account of which mode of construction, she is said to bo little inferior in
quality to British built ships; and does peculiar credit, not only to this
growing settlement, but to the ProTiace at larj^c.''

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This we presume was the vessel known as Capt.
Lowdens " big ship." She was commanded by his son
David. She was mounted with four real guns, the rest
being what were called " quakers." Cn her first voyage,
she fell in with what was supposed to have been an
enemy's privateer. The captain, backed by a determined
Scotch crew, determined to fight rather than be taken.
The other vessel, however, kept shy of them, and at
night disappeared.

Another of his vessels he called the ♦' Prince Edward "
after the Duke of Kent, then in Halifax, who sent a sum
of il60 to purchase a set of colours for her.

He had four sons engaged in business, first with him
xipd afterward on their own account, Robert, who
afterward removed to Merigomish, where his descendants
still are, David who afterward lived at the Beaches,
where his sons still reside, Thomas, whose house still
stands near the head of the public wharf, and "William,
usually known as Bishop Lowden, long regarded as one of
the characters of the place. Ho was a splendid scholar,
knowing the classics and several modern languages, even
acquiring the Gaelic. But owing, it was said to his being
crossed in love in early life, he became partially insane.
For years ho never washed, and went about in a greasy
coat, which made him the object of sport to the young. In
his lodgings he pored over his books, and in later years,
gave himself to the composition of an English grammar,
which he succeeded in getting printed in the United States.

The year 1795 was noted among the early settlers as
the date of the arrival of a second minister to share the
toils of Dr. McGregor, the late Rev. Dui\can Ross. The
settlement of a single minister would not now be regarded
as involving very important results to a county ; but at
the time it was regarded as of sufficient interest to call
forth rejoicing, and in many devout thanksgiving — in
fact, to form an era in the history of the settlers

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Mr. Ross was a native of the parish of Tarbert, liossshire,
but at an early period of life, he removed with his parents
to Aljrth, in Forfarshire. He received his Latin education
at the parochial school of that town, after which he passed
through the usual curriculum at Edinburgh University.
He studied theology under Prefes.sor Bruce at "Whitburn,
and was, on the 20th January, 179"). ordained by the
Presbytery of Forfar. In June he arrired in Pictou, by
way of New York and Halifax, along with the Rev. John
Brown, afterward of Londonderry. They assisted Mr.
McGregor at the dispensation of tho Lord's Supper, and
thereafter these ministers formed the first Presbytery of
Pictou, under the name of " The Associate Presbytery of
Pictou." Their first meeting was held in Robert
^larshall's barn, as central for the whole district. It
stood near the road from New Glasgow to ^Middle River,
on the ascent of the hill to the west of the bridge across
McCuUoch's Brook, and on the left-hand side of the road
as you go westwardly.

Immediately after, Mr. Ross was called as assibtant to
Dr. McGregor, and until the year 1801 they were jointly
ministers of all Pictou, though Dr. McGregor labored
principally on the East River, and Mr. Ross on the "West.
In that year it was agreed to divide the congregation
into three, the East River, with Merigomish, under the
charge of Dr. McGregor ; the "West River, with Middle
River and Rogers Hill, under Mr. Ross ; and the Harbour
and Fishers Grant to form a third, to be supplied by the
ministers of the other congregations, till they should
obtain one of their own. This arrangement continued
till the arrival of Dr. McCuUoch.

Mr. Ross was a man of a very clear and logical mind
and strong natural powers ; he could sc j,rcely be called a
popular preacher, but by intelligent persons, his pulpit
ministrations were highly relished for their clearness,
•variety and solidity of matter, and oftentimes ingenious

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172

and striking illustrations, while, among^ his ministerial
brethren, for sonnduess of judgment, knowledge of
Church matters, and intellectual capacity, ho took rank
among the " first three."

In private pastoral work ho was laborious and faithful,
visiting and catechising over the whole of his extensive
charge to tlie end of his life, llo also laboured for the
advancement of the general interests of his people,
especially by cncoiiraging education, and promoting
agricultural improvement among them. T?he influence
of his example and recommendations was, in a variety of
forms, perceptible among them, so that they became dis-
tinguished among our rural population for their intelli-
gence and public spirit As we shall see, ho was also
the first in the Province to found and support temperance
societies.

He did not write much for the press. His principal pub-
lications were on the Baptist controversy, in which ho
showed himself a vigorous thinker and acute controver-
sialist. He also contributed to the newspaper press,
especially the Acadian Recorder and Colonial Patriot. He
was a man of much quiet humour, one or two specimens
of which may be given. Mr. Mortimer once meeting
him riding on horseback, with a spur on one foot, said,
" ^r. Ross, is one side of your horse slower than the
other, that you have a spur only on one foot ?" '* Oh,
yes," said Mr. Ross, "one side will get along without
spurs as fast as the other will with all the spurring I
can give it." Meeting the late Jotham Blanchard, the
latter began playfully to tease him about hb hat, which
w^as of rather more than the usual breadth of brim. Mr.
Ross replied, " Oh, Mr. Blanchard, you need not be so
hard, it is only an error of the head, not of the heart."
Some of his sayings of mingled wit and wisdom still float
among the people of that part of the country, of which
the following may serve as examples : Hearing amandes-

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173

cribed as '* hard and honest/' he said *' that generally
meant hardly honest." Again, he was accustomed to
say, " that he had tried three ways of living ; the first
was to buy just what he wanted, but he found that
would not answer ; ho then tried only buying what he
could not do without, but did not find that to answer
either. lie then. tried only buying what he could pay
for, and that he founa to answer well." These may serve
to illustrate a wit which, if not sparkling, was genuine,
and which, combined with his affability and intelligenco,
rendered him a genial companion.

In bodily stature he was below the middle size, broad
and strongly made, and during the latter years of his life,
inclining to corpulency. His appearance in the pulpit,
especially at that period, was particularly clerical, his
long whitu hair contributing not a little to the effect. He
died on tht •25th October, 1834, after a short illness.

As society was now fully organized, and the community
had assumed a settled form, we may here pause to give a
brief view of the social and material condition of the
population at this time.

As to origin, the large majority were from the Highlands
of Scotland. On the East Kiver, when Dr. McGregor
came, there were only two settlers who were not, and
these were Lowland Scotch. In the other settlements
there was a larger infusion of other nationalities; but in
all, with the exception of River John, the majority were
Scotch. The Gaelic language was everywhere heard;
the customs of their fatherland overyw^here seen, and its
memories and traditions — in some instances, even its*
superstitions — fondly cherished. Some had been old
enough to have been " out " in the Forty-five ; many, at
least, remembered CuUoden ; the sympathies of the
majority were with Bonnie Prince Charlie, while all the
older generation had their reminiscences of the scenes of
that day. A few others had served under "Wolfe, and had

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their tales of Louisbiirg and Quebec, while many mor€
had been in the service of the British Government during
the American Revolutionary War, and were full of hatred
of " the Rebels."

The Highlanders, as settlers, have been pronounced
unsurpassed for encountering the first difficulties of a
settlement in a new country, but inferior to some other
people in progressivoness. Accustomed to extreme
poverty, they readily endure hardship ; but it is said that
they are apt to bo content with a condition, but little
beyond what they had previously enjoyed, and do not
show the same eagerness for farther progress that others
do This has, to some extent, been the case where they
have settled by themselves, but where they have been
mixed with others, there is so much of the spirit ot
emulation in them, that they will soon compete with
their neighbors in almost anything.

Physically the inhabitants were generally a superior
class. An unusual proportion, both of the Highlanders
and Lowlanders> were remarkably stout, strong men*
This was no doubt in part owing to the fact, that it is the
most adventurous who first emigrate, and they generally
possess a good measure of physical vigour. But wo
cannot help thinking, that the tremendous drafts on the
able bodied in the Highlands, to supply the British army^
for more than fifty years previous to 1815, so much
greater in proportion than in any other part of the empire,
materially weakened the vigour of the race. Certain it is
that the late immigration from the Highlands would not
compare physically, with the first settlers of this county
from the same quarter.

At this time, the population were scattered principally
along the shores of the harbour, and the coast thence to
the eastern extremity of the county, and along the banks.

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of the rivers, "wherever there was intervale, there the
settler bcin^ attracted, as the eagle to the carcass. Only
in a few instances, had settlers gone back from the rivers.
William Mathcson had settled on Rogers Hill, John
Rogers farther up, William Munsie and John Blaikie
were on Oreen Hill, and on the East River two or three
settlers were on McLellans brook, Angus Campbell and
perhaps one or two others were on Scotch Hill, but we
know of none others, who at this time lived away from
the shore or the banks of the rivers. And so scattered were
they, that distances of from half a mile to three or four,
commonly intervened between their resi- 'ences.

They had now, however, reached that position in vhich
they had plenty to eat. The lands chosen were > od, and
when the wood was burned, produced plentifully ; 1 'ut
from the largo bize of the trees, tbo clearing inv'>h ;d
much l:.l>or, and the stumps were left, so that there
was yet but little ploughing. The most of the ciop
was still covered with the hoe, but even with such
husbandry, potatoes, wheat and other crops never failed
to yield an abundant return. Fish in the river were still
abundant. A net set at the end of the Deacons Wharf
has been found in the morning sunk to the bottom with
the multitude offish, and salmon and gaspereaux thronged
the rivers, so that, even without the produce of hunting,
to which we shall presently refer, the inhabitants were
abundantly provided with the means of subsistence. But
in regard to other conveniences, they were still deficient.
Their houses were still generally of logs, small, and
containing few elegances. Some British cloths were
imported, but generally people were clothed in what they
manufactured from their own wool or flax. As to their
feet, all ages and sexes carried them a great part of the
year in a state bare enough to appear in before an Eastern
king. When the severity of the weather rendered
necessary some additional covering, it was generally a

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Taw-hiclo moccasin. "Ht Store luxuries woro littlo used. What
would the prosent f^oneration ihiuk, of Mr. lilortimor
hrinu:ini]f home in a small j^reen })iv;^ all the ti'a needed for
a seasons trade in Pietou ! There Avas consequently an
iiynoranco of the i>roper mode of using it, \vlii(!h somo-
times led to amusinj^ misfakes. A party of men who had
fifono from home on somo work 071 which they wcro
enj^aii^ed, took about half a i>ouud with them. Delivering
it to the woman with whom they were staying, to prepare
the beverage for them, they were surprised to ho treated
to a black and nauseous draught, which they were
unable to drink, and, on enquiry, found that sho had
boiled the whole at once. And there is an instance well
established of a woman just arrived from tho Highlands,
who, wishing to show her gratitude to a person who had
kindly entertained her on arrival, boiled a half-pound of
green tea, which she had bought before leaving S<'otland,
as a great rarity, and, throwing away the liquor, served
up the leaves, as a special entertainment. Her chagrin
on learning her mistake may bo imagined. Much later, a
man said, " "Wo bought a i^ound of tea ; it cost eight
shillings, but it did us eight years."

Horses were still few, so that tho most of the travelling
was on foot. But those who were becoming moro inde-
pendent in their circumstances, were beginning to use
them more for travelling to any distance, and " riding
double," or pillion riding, as it is called in some places, for
business of more family interest was becoming an insti-
tution. And a cozy way it was, for tho good man and his
wife to proceed thus to kirk or market, or tho lad with his

• A woman who nrrivod hero in 1T95, told mc tbat in attending tho SacrA-
mcnt, wearing a good pair of hhoes, Bho was told to take good caro cf them,
AS sho would never sco another pair. John JlcCabe, coming homo from
Halifax in the month of October, staid nil night in a hut, which had been
erected at Mount Them, at what is now McKay's place. On getting up in tho
morning, ho found tho ground covered with Bnow, whilo hia feet were bare,
and hia legs covered only by pants, made from flax spun and woven at homo.

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lass, to rural merrymaking. Years were yet to pass before
there would bo a single carriage in the district, and long
after that, this was the common mode of travelling. Wo
doubt not, many of the older generation still retain some
pleasant associations of •' riding double."

Wo may remark, thi't with all the cold and even
hardship endured, the i)eople wen? generally remarkably
healthy and vii^orous. In the country, consumption was
almost unknown. Persons have told us of growing up
to twenty years of age, without knowing a cnse in their
neighbourhood. Infant mortality was rare, compared
with what it is now. In settlements with which we are
familiar, large families were reared on almost every farm,
it being quite common to find cases of ten or twelve
children, all growing up to maturity. Their little houses,
comparatively open, and heated by large open fire places,
had the benefit of the purest air, and were much more
conducive to health, than more comfortable but ill
ventilated dwellings, heated by close stoves ; while in
summer, women as well as men working much in the
open air, they were just the class to rear a stalwart race.

Hunting was still largely followed, particularlv by the
young men brought up in the country, some of whom
equalled the Micmacs in skill and endurance. The
moose was the chief object of pursuit. Two modes of
hunting were principally followed, the one was in
September by calling, that is, imitating the cry of the
female, so as to attract the male within gunshot; the
other, and that chiefly adopted, was by running them
down on snow-shoes in the months of February and
March. Their pace is a trot peculiar to the animal.
It is said that they neither gallop nor leap, l)ut the dispro-
portionate length of the forelegs, enables them to step
with the greater eas« over fallen trees or other obstacles.
When the snow is light, they sweep through it without
difficulty, and as their power of endurance is great, it was at

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such times no easy matter to run them down, but when the
snow became deep, and especially, in the month of March,
when, by the sun thawing the surface of it by day, and
this freezing by night, a crust was formed, they were
readily overtaken, and afforded a good supply of coarse
but well flavoured meat. "VVhen it was inconvenient to
remove it at the time, the hunters were in the habit of
making a trough, in which they would deposit it, and
putting a cover upon it, to preserve it from bears leave it
till they found it convenient to bring it home.

Among the men of this period, there are two specially
worthy of notice as hunters. The first is John McCabe.
In the chase, particularly in the pursuit of the moose, he
manifested both the skill and the enthusiasm of the child-
ren of the forest. Catching sight of a recent track, he
became all excitement ; his bundle, and perhaps his coat,
was thrown away, and even with the thermometer near
zero, freely perspiring with his efforts, he pressed on till
within gunshot. One or two incidents which befell him
may here be given.

On one occasion he had shot a moose, which lay appar-
ently helpless, though not dead ; his companion urged
him to kill it outright ; he refused, saying that it would
get cold too soon for skinning. They began digging a
hole with their snow-shoes to prepare a place for a fire,
when suddenly the moose sprang to his feet and rushed
at him with the utmost fury. They had not reloaded their
guns, and he had only time to take refuge behind a tree.
The moose pursued him, and for some time he kept run-
ning round the tree. He could make j quicker turn
than the aniiial, and was thus enabled to baffle him, till
his companion got his gun loaded and shot the creature.

On another occasion, having shot a large mooGe, he, as
night came on, wrapped himself carefully in the skin
and laid down to rest. In the night the fire went out
and he slept the sleep of the wearied hunter. On awaken-

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ing in the morning he found the skin frozen solid, jind so
tightly round him, that he could move neither hand nor
foot. He rolled about for some time, helplessly struggling
to get one hand freed sufficiently to get hold of his kniio,
which he managed to do, but only after considerable
effort, and then cut himself free.

On another occasion, returning to his camp, he stood
his gun alongside of it, and stooping down to enter by a
low door, out came a bear, snuffing. The two were
frightened about equally. He ran back, forgetting his
gun, while the bear took to his heels, and befare he
recovered his presence of mind, was beyond his reach.

On another occasion, a whole flock of wild cats came
round his camp. They climbed upon it and ran round it,
making a continual howling through the night. There
seemed to him, from their noise, to be as many as twenty
of them. He kept his fire burning, and watched till
dawn. Toward morning they all left, and on examina-
tion he found the snow round his camp beaten, as it
would have been by a flock of sheep round a barn.

The other was Simon Fraser of Middle River. He
would sometimes spend weeks in the woods, usually
with the Indians, who regarded him as their equal, if not
their superior, in all the arts of forest life. He killed
twenty-seven moose in one year, so that he earned the
title, which ho sometimes received, of Nimrod. He was
the first to make his way through the woods from Middle
River to Stewiacke, and blazed the first path between
these places. He moved to Port Hood, where he took
\\p a large grant of land. Having quarrelled with his
wife, he left in a small vessel, in which he had been trad-
ing, professedly for Newfoundland, but privately declar-
ing to some of his most intimate friends that ho would
never return. He was accompanied by his son, a young
lad, and by a Cape Breton Frenchman. They were
never heard of by the public, but I am assured that the

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family received communicatious, which led theni to
believe that he was living at the Northwest, and it is
believed that he is the same Simon Fraser who, in the
year 1804, first explored the country from the Saskatche-
wan to the Fraser River, to which he gave his name, and
who established, on behalf of the Hudson Bay Company,
the first trading post in British Columbia, a short dist-
ance from the great bend of that river.

There was a smaller kind of hunters, of which, almost
every settlement had its specimen, viz.: men who spent
much of their time in hunting or snaring the smaller
kinds of animals, especially for their fur, and to whom
the catching of a black or grey fox was one of the prizes
of life.

The bears were numerous, and gave great trouble, as
the settlers began to keep farm stock, carrying off pigs,
sheep and calves. Some were largo enough, however, to
attack cattle. Indeed, the settlers regarded them as of two
kinds, which they distinguished as cow bears and sheep
bears, the only distinction between them, except their
size, being that the smaller had a stripe around the nose
of a grey color, which, in the larger, was black ; but we
presume that they were the same species, differing only
in age or size. At all events, the larger were able to
carry off cows. I have heard of one springing across a
brook, carrying a good-sized heifer. When killed, the
meat dressed would sometimes weigh between five and
six hundred pounds. The cattle, however, learned to
resist thei • attacks. On being alarmed by the sight or
sound of one, they would run together and take position
like the spokes of a wheel, with faces outward, and heads
in the attitude of attack. In some places near the woods
in the interior, where these animals were numerous, by
imitating the noise of a bear, the cattle would immediately
run together and assume this position. McG-regor
says that the largest and most spirited bull is soon

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vanquished and killed by a full-grown bear ; but I have
heard instances of their maintaining successfully a single
combat with bruin. A man on the East Kiver had
brought home from fcjhubenacadie a very large animal of
this kind. Missing him one day, he went in search of
him, and found that ho had maintained a fierce conflict
with a bear, and finally had killed his foe. Few of the
old settlers, and, indeed, few of the old men of the present
generation, but could tell of bear hunts, of losing pigs or
sheep, or even cows, by them, or of catching them in traps.
These, at first, were constructed of logs, so placed, that
when the animal pulled at the bait, they fell across his
back. Afterward large spring, traps were used, and we
may observe, that the settlers regarded bears as superior
in intelligence to most wild animals.

It was rarely that they attacked a man. The only
instance we have heard of, was in the case of the late
Alexander Cameron, Loch Broom. He had gone out to
look after his sheep, ainong which bruin had been regal-
ing himself, wher. b • met a very large bear, which
immediately ran at him. To escape he commenced climb-
ing a tree. It was a good sized spruce, straight and clear
of limbs for about forty f-^et. The bear followed, and
overtaking him, caught his heel in his mouth and com-
menced dragging him down the tree. When about twelve
feet from the bottom of it, the barkle, by which, accord-
ing to the fa.^hion of the times, the shoe was fastened,
gave way, and <ho. bear wa.3 precij>itated to the ground.
Enraged, he tore the shoe to atoms, and again climbed
the tree in i>ursuit of Cameron. The latter succeeded in
getting among the branches, and having broken ofi" a
dead limb, struck with it at the bear's eyes as he
came near. Between this and the approach of others at
his call<,bruin retired. But one was caught in a trap a
day or two after, with the eye badly torn, supposed to
have bcM?u the same.

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The most amusing bear story wo have heard, however,
was an incident that occurred to the late "William Clark,
whose family arrangements were considerably disturbed
one morning by a bear, suddenly and without notice or
invitation, coming down the chimney, as his wife was
preparing breakfast. His house was built against a bank,
with a shed roof. The bear had been attracted by the
smell of the viands cooking, and came upon the roof,
making his way toward the chimney, which according to
the fashion in those days, was very large. Just as he
came to it, David Stewart, who lived close by, and had
been watching him with his gun fired. The ball went
light through his heart, and making one jump, he came
flop down tl»o chimney to the no small surprise of the
i.'.imatps of the hous«»hold. " Fac, it gave us a start," said
the old man, as he told the story, which we can readily
believe.

Strange as it may appear, the pigs became so fierce as
in some instancas to maintain a conflict with a bear
They were allo^v^d to roam the woods during the
summer, feeding as they could. After the nuts began to
fall in the autumn, they became in a short time very fat,
and by that time they were so wild, that it was dangerous
to approach them. They would turn on a man. Even
a good sized dog could do little or nothing with them.
If he attempted to seize them by the ear, he was in danger
of being ripped up by their tusks, with which they would
inflict very severe wounds, so that the common way of

slaughtering

them was by shooting them. Of their

maintaining a conflict with a bear, the following instances
we believe well authenticated. On one occasion, a bear
came into a pasture of J^mes McCab(!, West River, v/herc
there was a veiy large pig, which gave him battle and
maintained the conflict gallantly for some time. The
contest issued, like many an engagement among wiser
beings, in great loss to both i^arties. The pig was so

183

badly injured, that he slowly made his way up to the
front of the house and there laid down and died, while
the bear was either unable or afraid to pursue. On
another occasion, near the same place, a bear came out of
the woods into a field, where were a number of pigs,
who combined their forces to give him battle. They were
Uterally too many for him. Finding himself unable to
cope with their superior numbers, he sprang on to a large
stump. One of the boldest of his enemies, however,
executing a dexterous flank movement, charged upon,
him in that position, and dislodged him, when being
attacked by the whole pack, he was eventually torn to
pieces.

We mnst, however, notice the Aborigines in their
relations to the settlers. We have already mentioned
that they sometimes gave trouble to the first inhabitants.
That they ever contemplated any serious injury to the
English is not probable. Their boast is that when they
made a treaty of peace by burying the hatchet, it has
never been broken by them. Knowing the terror which
their name and appearance inspired, they took pleasure in
frightening people who showed any fear of them. The
late Deacon McLean, of West River, used to tell that when
a little boy, going down to an encampment of Indians,
near his father's house, one of them came up to him, and
assuming a fierce look, said : — " Supposum me killum you
— scalpum," and, taking out his knife, he brandished it
over his head, dancing round him, sounding his w^arwhoop,
and frightening him generally. In the same way, they
would take advantage of the absence of the men, to extort
from the fears of the women what supplies they fancied,
though in this, sometimes the mother wit of our good
foremothers proved a match for their cunning. On one
occasion, an Indian having entered a house where a
woman was alone, and being rather threatening, she
immediately went to another part of the house, and calling

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her husband loudly by name, let a roll of leather, -which
happened to bo on a bench, fall on the floor. Before she
returned, the Indian was off. Mrs. Roderick McKay was
a woman of great firmness and strength of mind. She
never yielded to them, and when they came to her house,
she would order them round, and scold them if they
attempted too much freedom. On one occasion, some of
ihem coming in, asked her, "What news ? " She replied,
" Ah, ha, great news ; there is another regiment of soldiers
arrived at Halifax, and Indians must now behave them-
selves." They were quiet, and soon went away, and
shortly there came an invitation to the whites, to attend a
feast provided for them by their red brethren. It was
accepted, and on going to the place appointed, they found
provided every variety of provision, which the sea or the
forest afforded, fish, flesh and fowl, which they requested
the whites to cook in their own way. This was intended
as a grand peace offering, and as such was accepted.

The Government did what it could to gain their good
will by annual supplies, particularly of blankets and a
Idnd of coarse blue cloth, usually known as Indian «loth;
but they doubtless retained a lingering attachment to the
old French, and, there is reason to believe, that had there
been a prosi)ect of the French again having possession of
these regions, they might have been roused to renewed
hostilities. At times, too, particularly about the years
1804-8, there was considerable agitation among them ;
gatherings of different tribes at Quebec, at which Mic-
macs were present, and among those returning, hopes were
freely expressed of a French invasion. In 1808, Judge
Monk, Superintendent of Ir iian affairs, writes on the
report of Mr. Dunoon and others, through the Province :

« That the Indians expect the Province will be invaded, and that it appears
generally to be their intention, in case of such an event, to remain neutral
until they can form an opinion of the strength of the enemy, and then (in
their own words) to join the strongest party.

II That seTeial Indians went last autumn from Fictou to Quebec, as it was

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nndentooil, to establish a commtniication with tho Indiaus of Cannds,— that
two Nova Scotia Indians, who had been for some time in Canada, had rc-turaed
to this ProTlnco lost summer, and informed a man employed in tho Indian
Department, that there were many Indians from tho United States with the
Canada Indians, and much talk of war with them, — that in the district of
Pictou somo Indians havo declared they will not accept of anything from
Government, as they expect the country will soon be invaded and conquered ;
and one of them was heard to say, that in case of war he and a few others
would scalp all Pictou .in two nights."

The last was, of course, bravado, yet the circumstances
were sufficient to excile apprehensions, and rendered it
prudent for the Government to take precautions against
hostilities. As a general rule, however, they were kind
to the whites ; oftentimes they supplied the first settlers
with food, and frequently I have heard old i)€ople speak
gratefully of their kindness. It was their characteristic,
to manifest strong feelings of gratitude to those who
treated them well, but equally strong feelings of animosity
against those who treated them with injustice or harsh-
ness, though a sense of the superior power of tho white
man kept them from any violent acts of revenge.*
Indeed, when we consider the manner in which they
were deprived of their lands, and the unfeeling manner
in which they have often been treated, it is wonderful
that they have been so quiet and free from deeds of vio-
lence.

It is, perhaps, more surprising that they have been so
honest. How easy it would be for them to steal our sheep
or cattle as they wander in the woods, or to purloin articles

•11*

• The only instance of this '.ind which we have heard, which threatened
fieriouF consequences, was an afifair between Lulan and Rod. McKay. Soon '
nft«r the arrival of the latter, he had in some way seriously offended tho former,
who came all the way from Merigomish to tho East River to shoot him. It
was night when he arrived, and McKay was nt worl^in his forge. Lulan looked
in but as ho saw tho glare of the fire on his face, and the sparks flying from
the anvil, and heard the reverberation of his blows, ho became scared, and his
hands could not perform their enterprise. For long after the two were good
friends, and Lulan used to tell the btory, groiiliically descnbing hisiccliogs,
" Sartin, me taut yea debbil."

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from OUT bam yards; and yet an act of theft is rare
among them ; and when such has occurred, the othor8
have generally surrendered the guilty io justice. Squire
Patterson and others of the first comers gained their
confidence, and as an instance of his tact and their sense
of justice we may give the following incident : On one
occasion Simon Fraser going down the ice met Fatlass,
who pointed his gun at him. Fraser immediately went
to him, took the gun out of his hand, and dashed it to
pieces on the ice. Patlass went to the Squire for redress,
who issued a summons, and directed him to bring as
many Indians as he could to the trial. They came, and
the Squire heard the whole case, — Simon defending him-
self on the ground, that he thought Fatlass was going to
shoot him, and the latter maintaining that what he did
was in fun. The Squire said he had no jury, and must
have one. He, therefore, selected five or six Indians to
whose judgment he committed the case. The result
was, that they gave a verdict against Patlass.

"When the English came, the Indians had several places,
where they had clearings and cultivated a few vegetables,
as beans and Indian corn, but the Government, in
granting the land, made no reserve of such rights. "We
do find it ordered, on the 18th December, 1783, that " a
license be granted to Paul Chackegonouet, Chief of the
tribe of Pictou Indians, for them to occupy the land they
have settled upon, on the south-east branch of the harbor
or Eiver Merigomish or Port Luttrell, with liberty of
hunting and fishing in the woods, rivers and lakes of
that district." But the land was not reserved in giving
grants to settlers, and the Indians were gradually worked
out of all their claims. Some settlers honestly bought
out all their rights, and had no trouble with them after-
ward. "Walter Murray, in Merigomish, finding them
coming and planting corn, even w^here he had planted
Ms potatoes, fi.nally agreed to pay them five pounds to

187

rolinquish all claims, which they accepted, and never
troubled him again. Donald Frasor, McLellans Brook,
paid Lilian a bushel of wheat annually, and was accus-
tomed to speak of him as his landlord. Thus they were
gradually deprived of all places of this kind. The last
we know of was the front of the farm at Middle lliver
Point, since owned by William McKay. This had been
one of their places of encampment, from the time of the
arrival of the first English settlers. It was on Cochrane's
grant, tho title to which was in dispute. Here they had
some five or six acres cleared, each having his own patch,
on which he raised potatoes and beans, and with fish olTal
and the refuse of their camps, it was very rich. "Within
the memory of persons living, they even raised a little
wheat. Parties who attempted to settle, they drove off.
On one occasion, a person came and built a house in their
absence. Having left to bring his family, the Indians
returned, and when they saw the intrusive dwelling, they
gathered brush round it, which they set on fire, causing
a great conflagration, around which they danced and
yelled as long as it lasted. Through Mortimer's influence,
McKay was allowed to remain on the land, and gradually
obtained possession of their little plots.

The only land in tho county, so far as we have been
able to ascertain, reserved for them in Government grants
is a small lot at their burying ground, at tho mouth of
the East Kiver, but this they sold to tho late James Car-
michael, with the exception of the burying ground itself.
The Sessions, however, have purchased a lot for them
inside the beaches, which they now occupy. The only other
land to which they lay claim are two islands in Morigomish
Harbour, one, on which their chapel and burying ground
are, known as Indian Island, and another claimed by
Peter Toney, both of which are said to have been giA'^en
them by Governor "Wentworth, but attempts have been
made to dispossess them of the latter.

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Every year, usually in the month of September, they
assembled in large numbers from Prince Edward Island,
Antigonish and other places, their usual place of rendez-
vous being either Erasers Point or Middle Hirer Point.
A person brought up at the latter place, has told mo that
he has counted one hundred canoes at one time drawn
up on the shore, and it was said that they would some-
limes number one hundred and fifty. Sometimes two
days would bo spent in racing or similar amusements. At
night came feasting. My informant on one occasion, when
a boy, spent an evening at one of these entertainments.
Ho says they had twelve barrels of porridge prepared,
which the squaws served out to the men, ladling it into
dishes that, he supposed, would hold near a peck each.
Two moose were also served up on the occasion, and also a
quantity of boiled barley. Afterward they had various
plays and games, but the last night they spent in singing
and praying. These gatherings continued yearly till a
vessel with small pox was sent to quarantine at the mouth
of the Middle River, about the year 1838. They have
now a similar gathering annually, in the month of July,
on Indian Island, Merigomish. All assemble in their
best attire, and after mass, and the celebration of any
marriages that may be coming off, the rest of the day is
spent in feasting and dancing. As to the latter we are
informed, that they have adopted the common Scotch
figure of eight reel, in which men and women join.

A common amusement was to get the Indians to dance
the war dance. At weddings or other occasions, where
they might be present in numbers, for a share of the good
things going, they would go through all the scenes of
war, even to the scalping and torturing their prisoners.
They acted the whole so perfectly, and their appearance
in doing so was so frightful, that women and timorous
persons would sometimes get thoroughly scared.

Among the Indians two were particularly noted, and

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189

are still remembered by the older generation, viz. : Patlass
and Lulan. The former was particularly distinguished
for his skill in draugtits, so that his death was announced
in a Halifax paper, as that of " the celebrated draughts
player." At this game, it is a question whether ho was ever
beaten. "When he met a stranger, he would allow him to
win the first game, but then he would induce him to play
for a wager, which was all he wanted to show his skill.
He was also noted for that grim humour, characteristic
of the red man. On one occasion a sea captain had
brought a fighting cock ashore, and set it fighting with
one belonging to the town. Patlass came along, where
a number of persi ' . were standing looking on. After
looking at the scene for a few minutes, he seized one of
the combatants, and walked off with it. The captain
called out angrily after him to come back, asking him
what he was about. *' Take him to jail, fightin' on the
streets," was Patlass' reply. On another occasion Mortimer
met him on the wharf, smoking one of the long clay pipes
then in use. The former being disposed to cultivate
familiarity with all classes, asked him for a smoke.
Patlass handed him the pipe, when Mr. M., taking a
s'^k handkerchief from his pocket, wiped the stem carefully,
before putting it into his mouth. When he had finished
smoking, he returned it to Patlass who, holding it up,
immediately broke two or three inches off the stem,
saying, " Dat more better, Missa Mortimer." The follow-
ing joke is often told, but we believe that Patlass was the
real author of it. He was coming from Halifax and by
the time he arrived at Shubenacadie, his supply of rum
was exhausted. Applying at a tavern there for a supply,
he was charged at a much higher rate than in Halifax.
He grumbled at the price, when the tavern keeper said,
alluding so the cost of license, it costs me as much to sell
a puncheon of nun as to keep a cow. " No eatum as
much hay, but sartin drinkum more water, " w^as the

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100

Indians rojoindcr. llownw drowmnl noav Middh? IJivcr
Toint, on Iho 1st, So]>t(>nil)('r IS'JT.

Lul!«i\ was (>r n milder disposil ion, ihon«i,h rcjiidcd io
hav»> ])(>('n II ••rcul wiurior in liisyoulli. IltMisc*! lobonst
that lu» had n'alix'd nin('iynin(> pcrHons, thon};li Ihcri^
Nvas i>rol)aI»ly sonn» bonnro in lliis. llo\viiHrulli(»r l)(>low
llu> middlt^ lieiuld, l>ul siraiijfhl and broad-shonld^Tcd, and
in his later years torpnleni lor an Indian. He was the
nii'ati.s at on<» time ol'savinc^ l!»o lil'e of the writers n'raiul-
luther, old ,Iohn Patterson. The latl»>r was crossin*;' tl. ^
ice, wlien it i::av(> way, and he fell into the water. The
Indians pnt ont io \\\a help, and NueceeiU'd in reiscninfjf
liini, hilt lie wa.s insensible for a lime, and wlu'n lie
reeovored, he I'onnd hinuselfin alari»v tub in Lnlan's eanj]>.
Lulan was tner alter freely entertained at my f^rand-
I'athev's licnu \ of which lie did not fail to tako advanlat;;*'.
As an instanei* of the attachment, indnced by kindiu'ss,
we may m(Mitit>n an ii < ident that oecnrreil at, my grand-
father's funeral. It beinij; customary thcMi to hand licpior
round to all i^rosent. some was ollered to l^idan, who
replied: "Mo no drinkem loni*' time, but bleov take some
to-day ; me most dead jjfrief my friend." Aft<'r my
grandfather's death, liowovcr, lie continued to expect
from my grandmother the same attention as in liis life
time. " ;Mo save your liusband's life," was tho appeal
which ho siipposed would never lose its edicaey, which
ho rendered more impressive by adding i>articulars :
" "Walk out on thin boards ; only head and arms out of
water; most lose my own life save his." And after her
death, their sons' store was laid under contribution on tho
same ground.

He died about tho year 1827, when he was said to
have been in his 07th year, so that he must have nearly
reached manhood when Halifax was founded, and been
in full vigor when Louisburg and Quebec surrendered.

His son is still well remembered as Jim Lulan. He had

191

NOTTK'wlmt of Iho dry linmor of Homo of Iho rmv. Mr.
(/nruiicliiicl Imd built a v<'hs«'1, wlii<h, in honor of tlio old
Chior, lin called llui Lilian. Homo porHonw, icasin;^ lii.s
son, Niiid lo liiitj Uiul. lie oti^ht !o nnikn licr a ]>r<'K('iil oja
wl. <»l colors. " TJfj^li ! " said .linj, '• nic l»iiild l)ij.,f canoe,
mil il, Old Carniirhael."

H|>eakin,Lf of llie wil of lh(« Indiann, we. iriay j,nv<'. an
instance, wliic li w.ih lonfj;' a Hlfindinj^ .j"'<f' "I J^iclonians
iif.5ainHt their nei<^hl»orK in (JolchcHtcr. Some Indiani-i
})ein<^- iifler /^ecHe in Hprinf.^, isliot one which ft-ll on the i<;e.
Seeing" that it, <(Mild not esoajM", they did not ^o lor it at
onco, wlien nonu^ persoim coming alont^ in a Kleij^h i)icked
it up. Tim Indians, liowovor, came up and claimed it.
The others rej'used to ^ivo it \\p, sayint? that th(!y lia<l
shot it. " Where you I'rom ? " said an Indian. " I«'rom
Truro," wiiH th(^ reply. " Sartiii ))leov so; IMctou num no
shoot dead ^oose."

.Amtlhor, tisually known as Heelle John, is c.sf)ecially
worthy ol' notice, as liavin«^])een the owner ol" a shallop. It-
was built on the lii^ Island of Meriiromisli, in a small cove
;it the liead ol' the French channel, and ibr some time h(!
traded in lier.

As to their nundiers, wo liave no doubt that the views
entertain<Hl ])y many and expressed by themselves, rej^ard-
u\q; the larj^e numbers ol" the Af)origines in this and other
parts f)f North America, aro ^^reatly exagfjeratt'd. On the
other hand, the assertion made by some who have studied
the suljject, thattho Indians in these quarters are now a.s
]iumerous as ever they were, is not correct, as to this part
of the country. In the year 1775, a return was made ]>y
Dr. Harris, })y which they were cstimat«.'d at 8G5. This
may not have been an exact census, but could not be far
from the truth. Yet in the report of the Indian branch of
the Department of the Secretary of State for the Province.",
1872, the number in the County of Pictou is estimated at
125, and in Antigonish at 93, while Colchester has only

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31. This agrees "with the recollection of the old people,
who speak of seeing 40 or 60 of them travelling together,
or of 60 camps in one place. Before the first of these
periods, there is a tradition of a great mortality among them
by small pox. During the war against the English, a
number of ihem had killed and scalped a family sick with
the disease, by which they caught the infection, which
spread through the tribe. It was their practice, as soon
as one felt himself unwell, to plunge into the water, and
all who did so died.

Since the period referred to, the free use of fire water,
the diminished supply of food to be obtained by fishing
and hunting, and epidemics at different times, have dimi-
nished their numbers. But of late there has been an im-
provement among them. Their supplies of food from
their old resources having failed, they have been engaged
in industrial employments, such as cooperage, and supply-
ing the markets with fresh fish, in which, from their
activity and skill, they can earn a more regular and better
living than formerly. "We believe, too, that both from the
laws against selling liquor to them, and their own sense
of the evils which it has brought upon their race, there is
now much less drinking among them than years ago, and
that not only are they better off) but their numbers are
beginning to recruit.

The Government, at various times, have projected mea-
sures with the view of inducing them to adop^ more
settled habits. With this view a series of queries wag
addressed, in the year 1800, by Judge Monk, the Superin-
tendent of Indian affairs, to leading men in the different
sections of the Province, seeking information regarding
their willingness to adopt the employments of civilized
life, or to have their children receive education or train-
ing in useful arts. Mr. Mortimer replies for Pictou, and
to the enquiry : " Are there any who have shown a dispo-
sition to settle, or who have taken up trades ?" He says.

i^i

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ding
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rain-

and
ispo-

says,

193

*• Joseph Purnall has made sereral attempts to settle by
planting potatoes, Indian corn, beans, &c. Indeed, the
greater part of the Indians who frequent this quarter have
shown a disposition to settle, by planting a little, as above,
in sereral parts of this district. An Indian from ' Mathews
Vineyard,' named Samuel Oakum, who has married into
this tribe, is a tolerable mechanic in several branches,
particularly coopering and rigging vessels, and is also a
pretty good sailor." Proposals were also made to teach
the women knitting and spinning.

It is but just to add that the benevolent of this county,
from Dr. McGregor downward, have been interested in
the improvement of their social and spiritual condition.
On various occasions attempts were made to educate
young Indians, but these failed, partly from their own
repugnance to the restraints of civilized life, and partly
from the opposition of thoir spiritual guides. In the year
1828, a society was formed in Pictou, called the Indian
Civilization Society. I^ut all these efforts produced no
l>€rmanent result.

The year 1709 is notable in the historyof the county as
that in which the first contested election was held within
its bounds. From the first settlement of Ilaliftix, society
embraced churchmen and dissenters, and thus contained
all the material for "Whig and Tory parties. The Ameri-
can Revolutionary war, and the influx of Loyalisis, the
majority of whom were Tories and high churchmen,
tended to strength<?n the hands of power, and repress
everything like popular influence. Still there had been a
growing feeling of opposition to the irresponsible power
of the Provincial rulers, and an increasing desire to bring
the Crovernment under the control of public opinion.
This state of feeling, which afterward swelled to a flood,
under the guidance of S. G-. W. Archibald and Joseph
Howe, first found expression in this election, and had for
its exponent and apostle, "VV. Cottnam Tonge, said to have

I,. ' _m m

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been a man of brilliant talents, an eloquent speaker, and!
having many qualities fitted to make him a popular leader.
At all events, he Tvas now the tribune of the people and
everything that was bad in the eyes of Sir John Went-
worth and his official clique. To their no small annoy-
ance, he now offered for the County of Halifax, (which
then embraced what now forms the Counties of Halifax,
Colchester and Pictou) against the old members, Michael
"Wallace, Lawrence Hartshorne, Charles Morris and James
Stewart (afterward Judge Stewart), who were friends of
the Government, and who had issued a card jointly, ap-
pealing to the electors, though afterward they denied that
there was any combination among them.

Another element, however, had perhaps more influence in
the country. The representation of the county had hitherto
been in the hands of the town of Halifax, and, indeed, of
the Government officials. A feeling, however, was grow-
ing up through the rural districts, that their views were
little understood and imperfectly represented at the
Capital ; and through Colchester and Pictou, there was a
strong desire to have local members. Accordingly, the
people of these districts generally combined in favour of
Edward Mortimer of Pictou, and James Fulton of Lon-
donderry, and united with the friends of Tonge inJIalifax,
to oppose the Government candidates,

The poll opened at Halifax on the 13th November, and
closed on the 23rd. It was then adjourned to Onslow,
where it continued for two days. It was thence adjourned
to the town plot of "Walmsley, as it was called, at Fishers
Grant, where it opened on the 5th December, in the barn
of James McPherson. By consent of the candidates, the
last day's polling was at the East Kiver, where it finally
closed on the 13th December. In Halifax, the country
candidates received very little support, and Tonge, though
receiving more, was still far behind the Government can-
didates, but Colchester and Pictou went almost unanim-

.i?-i ' !; if-

195

ously for their local members, and at the same time gave
large majorities for Tonge, so that the three were tri-
umphantly elected, and with them, the highest on the
poll of the Government candidates. The result of this
election to the Province was a systematic attack upon the
old irresponsible regime, which, however, produced little
fruit.

The election however had a special importance for t!ie
County of Pictou, as it was the origin of those party feuds,
for which it has since been noted. The opposition to
Mortimer formed the nucleus of a party, formed partly on
political and partly on personal grounds. The division
thus formed was fostered in after years by various
circumstances, and unfortunately became mixed with
ecclesiastical, we can scarcely call them religious, differ-
ences, which gave intensity to the feelings excited,

Mr. "Wallace, who was defeated, was at that time
treasurer of the Province, had been for some time a
member of the House and became so again, by the unseat-
ing of Tonge, for want of a freehold in the county. He
was afterward a member of Council, and several times
administered the Government in the absence of the
Lieut. Governor. He was a native of Scotland, but had
emigrated to the Sou.thern States, where he had been
doing business as a merchant, but, on the American
Revolutionary war breaking out, he espoused the side ol
the British Government, and removed to Halifax, where
he was engaged in business, till he became Provincial
Treasurer. He was thus described in one of the Halifax
papers at a later period. " He is one of those who think
the King can do no wrong, that the British constitution is
the most perfect fabric the world ever saw. He hates a
radical as he hates Satan himself. He would, if he had
the power, shake all the liberals in the world over the
crater of Vesuvius, but his heart would be too kind, to
let them ' fa' in.' When he was a member of the

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,196

Assembly mahy yeats ago, his opponents used to take"
advantage of the irritability of his disposition, and gene-
rally put him in such a passion, as to deprive him of the
power of speech. He was once sitting on the bench of
the Inferior Court, and was engaged in some calculation
of damages, when one of the counsel for the parties
uttered something, which grated on the old man's ears,
and forgetting for a moment the dignity of his ofl&ce, he

abruptly asked, ' What's that you say, you rascal ? ' "

He was distinguished even in tho8' days of irresponsi-
ble power, for his adherence to arbitrary ijrinciples, and
his hatred of everything like popular rights. On one
occasion the Speaker of the Assembly having presented
an Appropriation Bill, which had passed both branches of
the Legislature, to Dr. Croke administering the Govern-
ment, the latter said, " I do not assent to this Bill," and
three days after summoned the House, and addressed
them in a speech in which he told thom, that the Govern-
ment would appropriate the revenue of the Province more
beneficially and economically, than the Assembly had
provided for by their bill, " after which", as the journals
of the House say, " Mr. Speaker offered to address his
Honour the President, but was prevented in a turbulent
and violent manner, by the Hon. Michael "Wallace, acting
President of His Majesty's Council, who declared the
House prorogued." And on the President consulting the
Council whether ho should not draw warrants on the
Treasurer, without an Appropriation Bill of the Assembly,
Wallace alone voted in favour of the proposal.=^ At a
later date, the House of Assembly having made some en-
<^uiries regarding the revenue received from the coal
lines, Wallace rei^lied that the disposal of it "v^as none of
i'eir business.

But we have here to do with him as his influence

•Murdoch's History, III, 288, 293.

197

affected Pictou. He took his defeat with a keenness that
we can now scarcely understand, and Mortimer having
given free expression to feelings of triumph, natural under
the circumstances, he publicly vowed revenge. From
that time his course was one of unrelenting hostility not
only to Mortimer, but to the leading men in Pictou, both
in church and state. Those being the days of irresponsi-
ble Executive power, and from his offices being always
influential, and at times administering the Government,
he had the machinery of Government very much under
his control, and was ever ready to exercise it for their
annoyance, and to nurture the personal and party feelings
that had begun at this election. Years after even the
descendants! of those who opposed him, might be driven
from his office with passionate execrations, while for a
man to quairel with his minister was tiufficient to entitle
him to official favour.

He is said to have kept a book containing black and
white lists, of every man in Pictou at the time of the
elect ion. "W hen any application was made to Government
from parties in Pictou, his first care was to examine these
lists, to see what had been the conduct of the parties at
that time, and treat them accordingly. On one occasion,
a road having been laid out in such a way as to do a great
deal of damage to a man's intervale, a petition was for-
warded to Government, to have its course altered. On
applying to Mr. Wallace, he asked if the course in which
they proposed taking the road would suit the public as
well. The parties said that they thought it would suit
better. He began making a favourable reply, but on
glancing over the petition, and observing the name of the
party interested, he stopped and exclaimed, " John D — ."
Reaching down his black book and finding the name, he
said, *' Take it where it was laid out, if it should go
through his house." He, however, afterward relented.
The following incident, which I received from my father.

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however, will show that he could remember favours as
well as injuries. Among those in Pictou who voted for
"Wallace was his father, old John Patterson. Some years
after, my father and his brothers applied to Government
for a grant of Crown lands. At that time there was an
unwillingness to grant land in quantities, in consequence
of parties taking it up on speculation. On applying to
Mr. "Wallace, he asked who they were. They said they
were the sons of John Patterson, deacon. " Sons of Old
John Patterson ! Oh, yes, you'll get your land," was the
immediate rejoinder. Other parties having applied about
the same time, they were told to " go to Mortimer, and
let him get them land."

An incident may be mentioned in connection with the
close of the poll, as illustrative of the progress of the
country. On the last day of the election. Dr. McGregor
entertained the candidates and some strangers at dinner,
and made for them a fire of coal. This was considered
quite a novelty, and an important event for the Province.
It was only the year previous that coal had been discov-
ered on a brook, passing in rear of his and "William
McKay's lots. "William Fraser (surveyor) in that year
carried a sample to Halifax to the Governor, Sir John
"Wentworth, who sent him with it to Admiral Sawyer,
who ordered a small cargo to be sent to Halifax, which
was done, but it did not prove of good quality. Soon
after the Dr. and some of his neighbours took out licenses
from Government to dig coal, but undoubtedly he was
the first to use it as fuel. He first opened a pit on what is
still known as the McGregor seam, discovered on his
own land, and used the coal in his house. This would
be as early as 1801 or '2. From that time he regularly,
in the fall of the year, got out his winter's supply, and
sometimes sold some. Previously the blacksmiths had
used charcoal, but now John McKay, of Pictou, com-
menced sending lighters up the liver, and took the coal

III.

199

^0 Pictou for use in his smithy, and the other blacksmiths
soon followed the same course.

' 'I
' '1

CHAPTER XL

COUNTY AND COURT BUSINESS.

As we hare mentioned in a previous chapter, Picton
Avas, in the year 1792, set apart from Colchester as a
separate district. One of the first steps taken in conse-
quence, was the erection of a jail. It stood on
the lot now occupied by the establishment of James
D. B. Fraser & Sons. The lower part of the
building, forming the cellar storey, was built of
stone, with grated windows. The upper was of logs,
and clap-boarded on the outside. This contained at the
one end rooms for the jailor ; at the other, a lock-up for
prisoners. Below were cells, in which criminals were
confined, the more desperate in irons. It was built by
John Patterson, and the following account at this time,
including this and other items, may be given as a curiosity :

The Magittratet of Pictou Dr. to John PattertoPf Sr.

Brought forward JE8 IDs. 3d ; To interest lOs. 6d £9 17 9

1 793— Captain Allardice, broak hinges and other damages 10

James Carmichael, 30s. for goiu with tbo jury laying out

roads 1 10

Thomas Harris, Senr., order for laying out roads 2

James Dun, for the use of his house some years for M. Mingo 13 10

To help to build the town brige 10

Building the gain 87

To Mr. Morlimer for provisions for a sailor 17

To goods by Mr. Dawson to the poor, by the c^rerseers 1 15 7

To James Dun for stocks, Handcuf^), lock, stove, &c., jury

box 1 15 6

To John Patterson, Senr., for three terms store rent 2

n f.

200

To Bobeit Lowden, for Clerk of the Sessions 1?03 2 10

To Do Do 1792 6

To Taking of and Beparing and Putting on the Gaill lock,

broke by Mitlan 3 6

To 1 Double Faddlock Replaced for 1 Destroyed by Mr.

Mirian 4

To Darid McCoull, for cutting Cobequit Boad ISIO'O

To colecting, Storage, urastage in and out of 94X, in Grain,

Butter & Shouger at Ten per cent O

To colecting £20 at Pive per cent 10 0'

£183 11 4

Contra, 'Credit.
Brought forward > • 2

1794— From James Dun, collector 15 6

From Alexr Robertson, do ... 12 9

John Brownfield, do 6 12

,' John McKenzie, do 13 17

James Briden, do 10 1

From clerk, Augt. 20 1 13

From Do Deer. 29 1 lo

From Duncan McEenzie 20 7

From Robert Lowden 2 10

From Mr. Mortimer, Previous Tax for 1792 6 6

From Mr. Scot, in grain for Road 3 16

From John McDonald, Road Tax in orders 4 6

To Thomas Copland's Noat i lo

To William Fraser Noat 2 1

To Joseph Scot's Noat 2 16

^rom James Dun, License i 15

From George Roy, Colector 4 2

'constables Colin McKay £4 Ss. 7d., Duncan Cameron £2

140. Ij^ 6 19

7
8
6
1
3
10
6

6
9
3

0-
6
6

£121 7 1}

The stocks stood in front of the jail, and for many years
were used for the punishment of offenders. In our
younger days a pair stood on the east side of George
street, but were not then used.

Dr. McGregor says that on his arrival, " As for lawyers,,
there was such good neighborhood, that we never expected
to need a lawyer or a court housCi" But the above account
shows that these days had passed ; that they had use for

201

a jail, and that on one occasion its occupant had been so
dissatisfied with the accommodation, that he had taken
forcible measures to be relieved from it.

By the act erecting Pictou into a separate district, a
Court of General Sessions of the Peace and Inferior Court
of Common Pleas, was appointed to be held at "Walmsley,
on the 8rd Tuesday of January and 3rd Tuesday of July.

The Eecords of the Sessions for the first few years have
been lost. The first book commences with January term
1797, held before, Hugh Dunoon, Robert Pagan, John
Dawson, Nicholas P. Olding and Edward Mortimer,
Esquires. These, we may observe, were the leading
justices of the county for many years. An account of the
business done, will afi'ord some interesting information
regarding the state of the county.

First comes a large number of regulations, regarding
animals of the male kind going at large, which we need
not particularly specify. But we may remark, that the
establishment of pounds in various parts of the district,
and regulations for impounding cattle, occupy a large
space in their proceedings in subsequent years.*

Then we find regulations regarding the preservation of
the salmon fisheries, manifesting a care and wisdom^
which we would not have expected at that early period.

« That no person shall sett a salmon net, seine or wear more than two-
thirds across the channel at low water, in any of the rivers within this dis-

* Thus we find, in 1802, the various pounds located as follows :

« Harbour Where it now is.

Above the Town Gutt At a brook above John Patterson, Junr'a.

Fishers Grant At James McPhersons.

West Eivcr. ...•••• At Hugh Fraser's Brook.

Middle Biver At Joseph Crocketts.

Fast Tviver, west side At Donald McNaughton's Brook.

East Biver, east side At Alex. McLeans.

McLellan's Brook At William Frasers.

East Branch East Biver At Alex. Grants.

West Branch « At James Camerons.

Little Harbour At Alex. McQueens."

11 1 1

202

trict, nor nearer to that of his ncighbour'a than ihe distance of fifty yarJs, to
bo measured in the direction of tho tide or stream.

" And that no pcraon or persona shall fish salmon in any manner of way
vhatoTcr within thiu district after tho 19th day of October, on transgresHion
the not to bo forfeited, and a ftno of twenty shillings to bo loviod of tho same,
or from tho goods and chattels of tho offender, the same to bo disposed of as
in the case of boars (i. e. one-half to the informer, and one-half to the over-
seers of tho poor,) no prosucntion to bo without the complaint is made within
ten days after tho offunco id committed, tho selno or net to be seized whilo in
the water, and carried immediately to a Justice of tho Peace, who is to Judge
of tho offence, and if tho seine or net is returned by the owner or any persons,
the fine is to be doubled, any proprietor or householder may prosecute said
offence.

<* Also, that no person or persons within this district shall fish salmon with
A spear or by sweeping with a net or seine, under tho penalty of £5 for every
offence, said fine to bo disposed of as in tho regulations respecting boars.

" Also presented and ordered that no person or persons shall fish salmon
with net, spear or otherwise in that part of tho Middle River between Archi-
bald and Taylor's Mill-dam and Alexander Fraser, Sr.'s., under the penalty of
£10 for each and every offence, one moiety to the prosecutor, and the other
moiety to the overseers of tho poor, for the use of tho poor. And that no
person or persons shall catch any salmon fish, in either of tho two pools at the
foot of the falls, on tho West Branch East Biver, and also in tho pool at the
foot of tho falls on the West River of Pictou, about two miles abovo William
McKenzio's, under a penalty of 408., to be disposed of as in tho last case."

For the killing of a bear a premium of twenty shillings
is allowed on. presentation of the muzzle. This was
afterward reduced to ten shillings.

Then comes an order to •' tar every poll from 16 upward
three shillings, every horse one year old and oxen and
cows four years old three pence, every sheep one year
old one half-penny each, every 100 -icres of land, three
pence per hundred, for the making and repairing high-
ways within this District, the respective overseers and
committees to lay out the work as formerly, in the most
needfull places on the publick highways in the different
settlements within this District."

The roads then existing, for which ovierseers were
appointed are named as follows, viz., *' Fishers Grant,
West River, Middle Eiver, "West Side East River, East
Side East River, East Branch from Colin McKenzie to

203

Peter Finnors, Upper Settlement, "West Branch, Little
Harbour, Above the Town Gutt, Merigomish, Gulph. "
But at this meeting steps were taken for the opening of
the roads from " John Bin ikies on the hill (at what is now
the Cross Roads Green Hill) unto Charles Blaikies on tho
West River," and " from Charles Blaikies to the mouth of
the Middle River," and *' from Alex. McLean's upper lino
on tho East River to the head of the tide," and a Special
Sessions was appointed to *• lay out a road from liobert
Marshalls to Hugh Frasers."

In regard to the collecting ot taxen, we find the fol-
lowing :

" Presented and ordered that John Patterson, scnr., be allowed ten pir cent,
for being Treasurer, and collecting the tax assessed in tho jcar one thousand
seven hundred and ninetj-flre, and likewise charge no leakage or wcastago ou
any oi tho pro<luce that ho receives, but to be accountablo to the District for
the whole as he receives it."

The taxes were generally paid in grain or maple sugar,
and were received by local collectors, who brought it to
him, but we find in July the same year, that it was

" Presented and ordered that John Brownfield bo allowed tho sum of twelve
shillings and six pence for bringing wheat and oats from Merigomish to Pictou
(o satisfy the jail tax."

The following are all the other items of expenditure :

" Also ordered that Mr. Patrick McKay be allowed the sum of iivo shillings
for the use of his house for a Grand Jury room this present term, by an order
upon the Town Treasurer.

" Also presented and ordered that the sum of twenty shillings be allowed to
Edward Mortimer, Esquire, for tho use of his house as a Court House, cuttin
and Hauling fire-wood, putting on fires, &c., &c., by an order on the '
Treasurer."

Similar bills were allowed in subsequent years, the
places of meeting being John Patterson's store, William
Lyndsay's tavern, or other places.

The business was concluded by a criminal trial, the
full record of which we must present to our readers.

Ml-

\ H

*■• t

" For |>ctty Iniveny.

NORTOCB,

204

« DISTRICT OP PICTOIT, 8S.,

*' (Ibnkuai. flRMtoNS or Titig I'lDArig,
Jim'y Term, 1707.
" Tub Kino
v«.
Peter 'J'lHlM'd,
Hoplilik 'J'nrlictt,

And
Ifnnniili, alia» Itono.

"Tlio prinononi linviuK boen lnotiglit forwiml nntl arraingcil nt tlio bar,
witncHBOg Rworii nnd iivterniRHtod, T!«o C'nint Iiiiving ooiiKidcnHl tlio ovldonco,
and tlm parties being foiiiul guilty, do ftdjmlgo tlio wliolo of them bo stripped
naked from tho luiddio «pwanin niid roceivo am follown, viz : Peter Turbolt
Ihirty-iiino Imdien, Sopbin Tnrbett, Ibirty-niiio IkhIioh, mid llunnnh alias lloso,
thirty lanhei on tho naked llody by tho liiindH of tlio proper oflleerH, nnd bo
thonco committed to Pnson, until! tho Court think it prnetieablo tu baniuh
them out of thix Pistriet, it being now nn intenHo eeiiNon.
" PietMi, January 18tb, 1 T'J7.

«' Jiin'y IfiUi, 1 TOT. IsKucd n wftrnint unto Jiunes Croeket, William Uobcrt-
son mid WiUimu Friwer, constables, to take tho three negroes and strip them
from tho middio upwards, and whip them as Kpeeilk'd in tho acntonco, &c.
which warrant wan .f turned Executed to-duy.

" Wlliam Fmsor, oro of tho constables, who being nppoiuted to assist In
whippin;;; the negroes, refused to aesist, was lined by tho Court ia tho sum of
forty shillings.

" Ills Majesty's Genenil Quarter Sessions of tho Poaco for the District oi
Pictou stands adjourned until next term.

THOMAS IIARUIS, JUNRi,

D'y Clerk of tho Pottoe."

" Vivant Rex et Retina."

Wc may mention that tho punishment of flogging
continuod to be inflicted for years after. The last case
took place in the year 1S22. A person, residing ne/ir tho
Town Gut, having lost his wife, bought a full mourning
suit. A darky stole the same, and having arrayed himself
in the whole, even to hat and crape, started for Truro,
but was arrested in this genteel rig, and was flogged, tied
to a cannon, which still stood in Ov.r younger days at
Yorston's corner, though on other occasions parties were
tied to a cart.

At the July term we find the name of Robert Lowden

206

as an aildiiional Jusiico, and iho following added to iho
Tognlalions regarding »alrnon I'lHhing :

•' No Hoitlor to buy or bnrtor Rnlmnn flsli, Knit or frcHli, from uny Indian or
IntlinnH vrithin wM Diiitrkt, from iiinrtncnUi iltiy of Oi:t<ihc>r, 17i)V, to tlio
niiu'teonth «liiy of May, tin<lrr n pcnnHy of tt-n poiindfi, ouu-tinSf to tho i)ro(ic-
riitor, tlio alluT Imlf to tho oviifHiicrH of Iho p«M)r."

Tho jail Ncoms to liavo engaged attention, for wo lind
tho following order: i

••That tho Lower iitory of (ho Jnil (orrhr to lio floornd with two Inch
j)lRnk in tlio yimt l79t ho»ion« iiwoy) 1)0 now floored with four inch pilch pino
piunit, witli pitcli pino (diioprrn laid n|)on Hhmc, tlio Klcrpcru to ho fmir inched
illicit nnd Nik itu iiPN deep, flvo itt nunil)cr, iiio planic io lio npil^rd (o tlin
HlocprrH, with ni)il<cH t^iglit itw lies lon^ — liliowiso tlifit tiio jiiil lio ciujilmiirdcd
wiUi wiwcd clniiiioanJH, tlio first Ptrolic to ho 1 J incJi planlt ronml Iho foimdiu
lionH ; corncrH, doorH nnd winddwn to ho itmd with wcnthcr hounln on
(III h end, tho wholo to ho finiNliod hy tlio .'iOtli Octoher in a workmanlilto
manner — tlint.Iohn rnlterHon, Ronr., and Win. Lowden, Rcnr., iio inRportf^rH U)
Hi'o tho work carrii'd on — uIho (hat D.'iniol ]\Ii Kiiy, Wni. MonRicnrnrid Thotnns
l'ni3(!r, carpenter, lie n coniniittoo (o hcc that it ho fininlicd in n workmanljko
nmnntr nnd (hut tho Rnmo !)o randnetl (o (ho h)tvcHt hiddcr nt Mr. John
I'aderHou's Rtoro, nn TncHdiiy, llio Htli diiy <i( ;\ii(:;nst Mxt at 12 o'( lock,
nisridian, and that David Lowden, John rattcr-Km, Juiir , and Ininran Carn.ron
iio a committeo to vnndiio (ho Manic — also ordcrr;d, (hat (Ik; f hik of tho I'ca' o
advrrtiso tlio uhovo in tlio nioKt piihlic placcH on tho Ifarhonr of rictoti, WcHt,
Middle and East Rivcrn, Mcrigoniuh and (inlph."

Tho following additional items of expondituro passed :

•'Also presented nml ordered, that ThomaH HarriH, j'lnr,, hn allowed tho
mini of tlireo poiindn (iirrency for h in HcrvieeH as f'hrk fif the Peace for tho
year onnthouHand scvcm hundred and ninnly-Hcveri."

" I.ikewiso preRcnted and ordered (hat Thf.man IfaniH, Rcnr., ho alh'wod tiio
Slim of two pounds <'iirrency liy an firdcr on tho TrcaHiirer fur receivinp,
victualling and attending pcrwonH in jai! in Ihc year 17'j7."

As to the assessment for tho year, it was now ordered

"That XHO currency ho raJKcd in tlio l)islri( t, tlu' Hiimc. to ho afipropriutod *
(o (ho making nnd repairing a certain road hading from Mr. George AfcCon-
neH'H unto Truro, as far as (bo lino of the Diftrict of I'ictoii, and XOO for
defraying District churgcR."

Considering tho stato of ihc rountry at this time, wo
regard tho above vote for tho Truro road as exceedingly
creditable. Tho raising of tnc amount, however, was

f tl

I II

206

afterwards deferred till the year 1799, at the January term
in which year it was resolved, that

" All the license money now on hand, due or that may become due li^iLre
the Ist day of July next, and not already appropriated, he added to tL« J(i40,
the overseers to straighten the crooks as they may sec most beneficial for th«
benefit of the public. Also that the Xl9 9s 6d in the Treasury, hfAng the
sum allowed the District for the express purpose of making roads, out of the
sum raised hero as Provincial taxes, be also laid out on such road. And
further provided that in case any part of the X140 to be levied be n<yt paid
before July the amount be borrowed, so that the work may be dont before
haying."

David Archibald was selected as commissioner, to have,
with John Archibald, of Truro, the whole manitgement.
He was to be paid Ts. 6d. per day, and to give his
obligation to the Court to see the money laid out for
repairing said road in the most advantageous manner. It
was at the same ordeved that it " be made 12 feet wide,
clear of every incumbrance whatever and to be thrown
up from each side where it may be necessary."

The collecting this tax however was a work of time.
For years we find in John Patterson's ledger, charges to
the settlers of " Cobyquid Hoad Tax."

In the year following, the business was so similar that
we need not repeat, but a few items of a different nature
may be given. Thus in regard to salmon fishing we have
the following in the year 1798 :

« That no person or persons within this district shall set or leave a net or
seine in any of the rivers within this district, from Saturday at 12 o'clock,
noon, until Monday following at 12 o'clock noon, and for each and every
ofi'ence, upon the oath of one credible witness, shall pay a fine of 408. And
also that no person or persons shall chase, follow or drive fish into nets, or
8einc3 in any manner of way whatever in any of the rivers within this District,
nor be seen carrying a salmon spear near any of the rivers within this District
during the fishing season, and for every offence on conviction by the oath of
one credible witness, shall pay a fine of £2 currency."

"We also find in the year ? 805, orders for a fish-gate at
Archibald's mill-dam. Middle Eiver, to be only one foot
high from the bottom of the river in front of the dam
and three and a-half feet on the back, four feet wide in

207

■HI

dam
Idein

passage — according to the frame given by David Archi-
bald so as to allow passage at all seasons.
In the same year we find the following :

" It is ordered that Samuel Copeland, James McPherson, (Fishers Grant)
Hugh Fraser, Sr., East River, and Alexander Chisholm (Gulph) be taken cog-
nizance of for not doing their duty as overseers of thistles for the year 1TS7."

" That no person or persons within this District shall carry any unbroken
flax into Lis, her or their swelling house within the District, nor suffer the
game io be done, and on conviction by the cath of one credible witness,
shall pay a fine of £5, the same to be applied as in the case of boars."

" That Act 21 George III. be put in execution, to call out the inhabitants
after deep falls of snow, with their horses, oxen and sleds, in order that the
road be rendered passable."

" Also that all proprietors, agents or present possessors of lands in this Dis-
trict shall cause to be cut down uU thistles growing on such lands, on or
before the twenty-eighth day of July instant, and likewise all inspectors neg-
lecting their duty, as also every person cr persons refusing obedience to said
regulation, shall bo dealt with as the law directs."

" Also ordered that this regulation shall be published in the most public
places within this District."

Criminals still required attention for the same year we
find:

"Ordered that Mr. William Lowden, Senr., be empowered to get a good
and sufficient pair of stocks made for this District in the cheapest manner
possible, on or before the fifteenth day of January, 1799, and to be delivered
to the sheriff or jailor, to be by him deposited in the jail, unless otherwise
directed by the magistrates, the expense to bo defrayed by an order on the
Treasurer."

These did not seem to last long, for at the July term,
1804, we find an order, that two pairs of stocks be made,
one for Merigomish, and one for the Harbour of Pictou.

Again in 1805, we find it ordered :

" That a board fence bo built at the front of the District Jail, sufficient to
prevent any communiation from persons on the outside to them within said
jail, the fence to be about eight feet high and twelve feet from the front of
the jail."

Then as to expenditure we find the following

District of Pictou Dr. to John Patterson.

1797— To premiums paid the Indians for the killing 4 bears £i

To premiums paid the English for killing 3 bears at 20s. each

;

«..^ ■t.^.^u,...., ■

■1, ,n

11^

I'llr:..

!l.

i ii

I'll ill nil:

208

To setting up and taking down the Justices benches July

term 1797 5

€ourt House, Benches and Firewood Ibr the Court and G.

Jury Jany. 1708 10

Premium paid Jas Cameron for liilling a bear 1

£9 5
True Bill,

Dat^d McLian,

Foreman, G. J.

" Presented and ordered that Edward Mortimer be allowed out of the Trea-
sury thj sum of 17s. on account of goods delivered a poor sailor, and also the
sum of 3s. and 4d., on account of tread delivered the negroes, while in jail,
amounting in the whole to one pound and fourpenco.

"Also 18s. to John McKay for making three pairs handcuffs and repair-
ing a lock in the jail."

The tendency of municipal expense is to increase, and
hence we find, that the salary of the Clerk of the Peace,
which was .£3 in 1797 was in 1800 raised to £4, and his
successor received £5. But there was p^reat delay in
collecting taxes, and salaries were long in arrears. Thus
we find in 1803, the Court ordering " the i;70 which was
voted by the grand jury in 1801, for defraying public
charges be raised immediately, the late emigrants, who have
been only two years in this settlement to be exempted."
And in the same year in July, i)20 10s. was voted to
Thomas Harris, for his services as clerk since 1799.

Of regulations of a general nature we may insert the
follo\t^ing.

17CJ. " Presented and ordered that cognizance be taken of all persons within
the District, guilty of not clearing away all putrid fish, meat or other nuisance
from about their houses, stores or wharfs, which may bo the means of causing
an olTensivc air, and be prejudicial to the health of the inhabitants of the
District."

1804. " That the law of this Province respecting shipping throwing their
ballast overboard below high water mark, be put in force."

The following however we do not regard as so
commendable. In the year 1801, it was resolved to
** memorialize Government and the Legislature for
authority that there might be three public fairs estab-

li'

209

r. I

■1!.-

iished within this District, viz., on the Harbour of Pictou,
the week following the Court ("Wednesday) ; the second
on the East River, handy to the public road of the Lower
Settlement on the West Side, the last week of September;
the third on the large beach at the east end of Merigomish,
on "Wednesday preceding that of East River." These fairs
continued to a late period, the principal being held at
David Marshalls, now Horns, place. Middle River. But
they were little more than scenes of drinking.

The first notice of a ferry is in 1807, when we find
"John Foster licensed to keep ferry at Fishers Grant,
that he shall not charge moro than 15d. for a single
person, 9d. apiece for four, (Jd. apiece over four, and for
swimming across oxen or horses Is. 6d. per head."

Again we have various orders against parties violating
sound morality, such as the following :

1799 — <( That Mr. M. betaken cognizance of for selling with a half bushel
said to be small, and neither branded or sealed."

1800—" Also presented, that inquiry be made into the conduct of Mrs. G.
for keeping a honso of bad fame, as reported."

1801 — " Also presented and ordered, that the laws of this Province con-
cerning vagrants, be duly put in execution, and that no person of suspicious
character be allowed to come into the District, without producing a proper
certificate, nor any person from places infected with contagious diseases be
allowed to come into this District."

" That A. M. be fined in the sum of two shillings for swearing, the same
being for the use of the poor, and also that J. H. be fined in the sum of two
shillings for most notorious swearing."

1804 — " That G. P. and A. G., young men in this place, who lead immoral
and scandalous lives, such as getting drunk, cursing, blaspheming the name
of God, fighting and insulting sober people, be bound over to keep the peace,
from July term 1804."

" On the presentment ot the grand jury, it is ordered, that A. C. and D. L
be fined the sum of five shillings each for being intoxicated with liquor and
swearing."

Sometimes a jury was empannelled and criminals tried
under a regular indictment. Thus in 1805, wo find an
indictment against S. L. N. for assault on Mr. Mortimer,
^u which the jury found him not guilty.

'fttlfi.i'il

•t !■

i ■^'•^i!! ^ i

210

Tho annual acticii on the laying out of roads snow
something of the progress of the country. Thus at the
July term 1797, wo find an order for "inspecting the
road from "West to East Branch passing James Grants mill ;"
at the January term 1798, we find a committee appointed
to lay out a road from the harbour to Scotch Hill, Angus
Campbell, Wm. Fraser, Hector McQuarrie and Duncan
Cameron being then mentioned as residents at the latter
place, one to lay out road up McLellans Brook to Peter Fra-
sers, and another to lay out a road from Fishers Grant ta
Little Harbour : and the road along the West River was
confirmed 'v.th le following luminous description.
" Beginning at a gate on the publick highway, at the
foot of Anthony ^''^cLc^i^ns intervale, from thence crossing
the river and loading up the river, on the road now
occupied, and continuing its course as far as a pair of bar^
at Robert Stewarts, from thence to go to the Southward,
of the road now occupied, until it strikes the old road on
the bank of the river, at a small piece of Intervale, and
from thence to continue along the old road, until it joins
the road already established." At the same meeting, a
return was made of *' the road on the East River from
Donald Erasers to the Governors Road." In the following
January term, we find the road from the West to the
East River confirmed, but it is not till 1805, that we find
a committee " to lay out a road from Hugh Erasers East
River to Fishers Grant."

For the better protection of the roads we find the
following orders :

" 1799. That all gates on the King's highways be removed, and the high-
ways be cleared of every incumbrance whatever."

" Also that a committee bo appointed to inspect the road leading from
Archibald's Mills to John Blaikies, as there are many obstructions on said
road, by which the public is much injured."

" 1802. Presented by John McEenzie, overseer of road'i for the West River,
ihat there are a number of windfalls on the road between tlie Sawmill Brook
and Ed. McLean's. It is ordered, that the said John McEenzie may clear tho
'Windfalls out of said road, or employ who he may think proper, and the said

. the

high-

River,
Broolt
ear tho
esaid

211

person or persons be exempted so much of their statute labor for the present
year, as they may be employed in performing the same."

The granting of licenses for the sale of intoxicating
liquors occupied the attention of the Court from the first
All the merchants received license to sell liquor by retail.
At the very first meeting, we find license granted to " Ed.
Mortimer to retail spirituous liquors for the term of six
months, he yielding obedience unto the laws of the
Province." And there were always one or more " taverns
or places of public entertainment " in town and several in
the country. Thus in 1799 the list is —

Pictou Harbour Wm. Lyndsay* and Jas. Dun.

West River Georfje McConnell.

Merigomlsh Robert Smith.

Gulph Wm. McGregor.

It is evident that all the travelling of those days would
not require so many places of entertainment, and that
they must have drawn largely for their support on the
inhabitants. Still we find them increasing, for in the
year 1801, it was resolved, " That not exceeding two
tavern licenses be granted to innkeepers on the Harbour
of Pictou, and only two within Merigomish, also that one
be granted to some person residing on each of the three
rivers in Pictou, and also one on the Grulph." The year
previous there had been four licences granted at the
Harbour.

Troubles however would arise from breaches of the
law. Thus in 1798 we find parties summoned to a special
sessions in John Patterson's store, for retailing spirituous
liquors, and in the year previous, the following present-
ment of the Grrand Jury : —

" On the presentment of Yo Grand Jury, it is ordered, that J. D. be sum-
moned, to attend the General Sessions of ♦^^he Peace, to give an account of his
conduct, for tho retailing spirituous liquors, contrary to the intent and

* He was from Scotland and built the house long known as Mrs. O'Neill's
tiiycm, where ho followed the same employment. His house was frequently
tlie place of meeting of the Sebsions.

•* I:t

iiiiiMninn

1^,1,

r ^

1'; ■

ill

•~i:,.

212

meaning of the laws of the Province, aa appears }<y the evidence, on the trial
of three negroes on the 18th Januat)', 1797, for petty larcenv, one of said
negroes having carried a pawn or pawns to the h( use of the said J. ]J. on the
Lord's Day, and in exchange thereof, received spirituous liquors to a small
amount in proportion to the article lodged."

In the year 1800, the first bridge was built across the
Town Gut, by John Patterson. Our readers may have an
idea of the inconvenience of travelling-, if they just reflect
on the fact, that there was not previously a bridge of any
size in the whole county. Arrangements were made for
crossing small streams by felling trees across them. Some-
times a single tree was used, on which a traveller might
cross on foot, but sometimes two or three might bo placed
together, which formed a rude bridge, not only more con-
venient for the foot traveller, but over which a horse
might pass. But commonly the streams were crossed by
fording where shallow, and often this involved a consi-
derable circuit, while the deeper required canoes.

The bridge now constructed was built on wooden
pillars, with stringers from one to another the whole dis-
tance from shore to shore, the present embankment not
having been made till the next bridge was built, about the
years 1818-20, and the channel in the centre having since
that time been cut out by the waters thus confined. It
was a creditable structure for the time. "VYo give the
Deacon's account, from which it appears that it was built
partly by subscription on the part of those in town, and
partly by the Sessions, without any Grovernment aid.

The Magiitrates of Pictou Dr. to John Patterson, Senr.

for Builden a Brigu over the Town Gut, July 15, 1800 X60

1803 — July To 3 years Intrest on Thirty pounds 5 8

1805 — To 2 years Intrest on Twenty pounds 2 8

1808 — To 3 years Intrest on Ten pounds 116

£69 12
Contra credit July 15

1800— by the Treasurer JEl 10

hy Bobert Patterson Esq 2

Dodeii
> dis-
not
tthe
since
It
the
built
and

5 8

2 8

1 IG

9 12

213

by John Patterson Scnr •> o

l>y Thomas Harris Junr 2 10

Vy Edward Mortimer 2

l»y Robert & Thomas Pagans 2

by Donald WcKenzlc 1

liy John Dawsson 2 o

hy David Patterson 1 o o

liy James Patterson 10

l)y John Patterson Junr 2 lo

Ly James McDonald 10

liy Vfm Campbell C 3

1801— April 1 1 by John Clark by Mr Daiisson 5 <)

1801— by Edward McLean 10

May 1802 James Patterson by Mr Dausson 10

1803 — March to one order on the clerk Lichens money lo

Augt to pay by William Murdock 5

1804 — By John McKenzie 1 o

Augt 1805 To one order of Thomas Harris Junr for lo

JEjO 11 3

It will thus be seen that at the time of the Deacon's
death in 1808, eight years after the work wcs done, there
was still a considerable part of the amount remaining
unpaid.

About the same time other bridges were engaging at-
tention. At the July term, 1801, the License money,
amounting to «£17 4s., was ordered " to be expended, XIO
on the bridge over James McKay's Gut, East River,
£S to assist building a bridge over the East IJiver of
Merigomish, and £^ 4 for a bridge over French Iviver."

In the year 1803 the first bridge at New Glasgow was
built, about a hundred yards above the site of the present
one, but it was all carried away the following winter.
The next bridge there was built by Eobert Grant, miller,
on piers, the portions of which below water have formed
the foundations of all the bridges that have since been
built there.

In the same year we find it ordered that " all the statute
labour for this present year, from Anthony Cultons on the
East River of Pictou on both sides, downwards, including

!:IP

- iJl

:'Y.i

l|i

1 1

If'

i! I'

t; :

ih.

4 ;

L' 1 'li '^<'

1 ^ < i-r^

214

Fishers Grant, be laid out in erecting a bridge across
McKays Q-ut, and also the deficient labour on Fishers
Grant for last year be laid out on the same, and to be begun
on the first of July next."

In July term of that year, i)20 of license money was
voted "to assist in erecting a bridge orer the Middle
River, but in case the above bridge will be built by Govern-
ment money, the above to be expended otherwise."

In the year 1804, wo find it voted " that the bridge on
the Saw-mill Brook, on the road leading faom the Har-
bour to the "West Eiver, be railed, the same to be paid out
of the public Treasury." It was also agreed to expend so
much of the public money as may be necessary for re-
pairing the bridge on McCulloch's Brook, Middle River.
These votes show that these had been previously erected.

As showing the progress of expenditure, we give the
amounts voted at February term, 1808 , —

Gut P-idge £ 60

James McKays Gut Bridge 25

Public wharf 10

Saw Mill Bridge 50

Purchasing a lot for court house 30

Extra contingencies 125

Overseers of poor for the use of the poor SO

£350

Altogether, an examination of these records impresses
one very favorably, regarding the business habits and
capacity, of those who first administered our county af-
fairs. One who remembers them, says of those we have
named. " They were all men of education and refine-
ment, and their gentlemanly deportment and dignified
manner induced a high respect for the bench, and gave a
tone of order and refinement to society." "We may add,
that considering all the circumstances, the records were
kept by the clerk, Thomas Harris, in a very creditable
manner. ^

21^

resses
and

ty af-
have
efine-
nified
ave a
add,
were
itable

The Inferior Court, as it was commonly called, or
Court of Common Pleas, though issuing process to any
part of the Province, trying titles to land, and indeed
doing the same work as the Supreme Court, with the
exception of the higher criminal business, was not
presided over by a legal mind. It was not till the year
1824, that the act was passed, by which a lawyer was to
be appointed the presiding judge and also President of
the Court of Sessions, an act which at the time was very
unpopular. Even then he was to be aided by two lay
justices. At this time however all the judges were lay-
men. The first book of Records of the Court now
existing commences with the year 1804. The first
Judges of the Court were Hugh Dunoon, Robert Pagan,
and either then or a little later, John Dawson and Edward
Mortimer. One who remembered them on the bench,
says, " They all commanded respect. The former were
in education superior to the last, but from natural gifts ho
after all exerted the most influence." *

Besides the Inferior Court, there was established in
each county by an act of the Legislature, a court known
as the Commissioners Court, consisting at first of five, and
afterward of three, comniissioneTs, which met monthly
for the trial of cases of debt, up to a certain amount. Of
this court in Pictou, Mortimer was the head and almost
the body. The system did not continue long.

The first meeting of the Supreme Court of which we
find a record, took place on the second Tuesday of June,
1806, George Henry Monk being the presiding judge. It

* The following is a list, so for as we' have been able to make it up, of all
who occupied the office till the abolitiou of the Court :

Hugh Dunoon, John Dawson, Robert Pagan, Edward Mortimer, A. McDonald,
George Smith, Robert Lowden, Andrew McCara, James Skinner, William
Mortimer, Abraham Patterson. Under the act of 1824, Jarcd I. Chipmaa
was appointed tirst justice for the eastern part of the Province. He died on
2nd June, 1832, and was succeeded by William Q. Sawerp, who filled tba
office till the abolition of the Court.

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"was usual at that timo for two judges to attend, but, he
being the only judge of the Supremo Court present, the
judges of the Inferior Court, Hugh Dunoon, John Utuvson,
and Kobert Pagan sat with him as associates. In tho
following years. Judge Monk usually presided, with either
f Brenton Halliburton or Foster Hutchinson as his associate.
Thomas Harris (clerk) was the first Deputy Prothonotary,
and his cousin, Thomas Harris, tho surveyor, was sheriff
at this lime. Tho court sat onco a year, till the year
181G, from which time it met twice a year, in Juno and
September.

There being no court house, the first sittings of the
Sui)reme Court were held in a building on the west side
of George Street, a little below Church Street, now, wo
believe, Dr. Kirkwood's barn, but then a carpenter's shoi).
To the lower end, it was said, was sometimes a pig pen,
which even extended under the building. The late D.
Fraser used to say, that ho was foreman of the first jury.
On his describing tho place of meeting, one asked him,
" "Where was your jury room ? " He replied, " "When
allowed to retire to make up our verdict, we went to a
grove in McGreorgo's jiasture," which was near the site
of the Episcopal church, In this or places not much
better, the Court continued to meet, till the erection of
the court house in the year 1813.

The first movement for the erection of a court house
was at the January Sessions, in 1801, when it was
resolved, " That a proper piece of ground to build a proper
court house on near to the Blacksmiths sho^), on the north
side of Pictou Harbour, be purchased from the owner.
And as AValmsley is a very inconvenient place to hold a
court at, Government ought be immediately memorialized
to confirm the above spot, where the court house is to be
built, and Sir John "Wentworth to give a name to the
township."

At a meeting of Sessions, presided over by judge Monk,

217

at the firot sitting ol" (ho Supremo Court, it was "ordorcd
that cJC200 be assessed lor erecting court house," but this
was not done that year, and accordingly in the following
year, (1807) the Court resolved, that, "the (Irand Jury
not having assessed the amount necessary, the district bo
amerced i;i50, which appears necessary for di'fraying the
District debts and charges, with JC200 formerly for court
house." In the estimates for 1808 appears X'30 for
"purchasing a lot for court house." It was not however
till the year 1813, that the building was erected, being
that now known as the old court house.

The only lawyer resident in town at this time was
John Fraser, a son of Capt. Eraser, already referred to.
He was also the first collector of customs and was hence
usually known as Collector Fraser. A numb< r of eminent
lawyers began to attend, among whom S. G. "W. Archi-
bald was especially noticed, but there were also such men
as Chandler, S. B. Robie and "W". H. O. Halliburton, who
interested the people by their eloquence or amused them
by their flashes of wit.

"We may at this place give the names of the officers
of the Court till the present time. The offices of
clerk of the Peace and Prothonotary have in this county
always been held by the same person. Thomas Harris
died in 1809, but we find George Smith holding these
offices from 1806 till 1809. Walter Patterson succeeded,
and continued to hold both positions till his death in
1821. At his death, his brother Archibald was in office
for a few months, when Dr. James Skinner ')^ was
appointed. He died in 183G, and was succeeded by his
son, James Skinner, Jr., who died in 18G1, and was
succeeded by David Matheson.

• Dr. Skinner was a son of the Rev. Donald Skinner, parish minister of
Ardnamurcban, and grandson of Hugh McLtan of Kingarlock, Argylesbire.
He was for years active not only as a physician, but in the public business of
the county.

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Thomas Harris, Sr., was deputy shorifF till 1811, when
he w^fts succeeded by the lato John "W. Harris, who
continued in oflice till the county was divided in 1886,
when the Government appointed J. J. Sawyer, who had
formerly been High Sheriff of the united county of
Halifax, to bo High Sheriff of the throe counties of Halifax,
Colchester and Pictou, and Mr. Harris was appointed his
Deputy. But when the Legislature met, the House of
Assembly set their faces against this plurality system, and
in the following year, he was appointed High Sheriff,
which ofRco ho continued to hold till 1857, when his son,
"Wm. H. Harris, succeeded him.

In connexion with this, we may here notice the first
trial for murder in this county. The crime was com-
mitted on the 26th May, 1811, by a man named Mcintosh.
Ho had been originally a tradesman, but took up the
idea of going into business. Ho went to Halifax and
obtained a supply of goods, which ho put on board a
schooner to bring around to Pictou, but was detained all
winter in Guysborough. Giving himself out as a person
of some importance, ho succeeded in marrying there a
lady, renowned for her beauty. Arriving in Pictou in
spring, he commenced merchandizing, and flourished
while the goods lasted; but when they were done ho found
himself in debt. His creditors had him arrested, when a
friend, named Dougald McDonald, obtained his release by
becoming security for his appearance at court. "When the
time arrived, however, he failed to appear. The judge
told his bailsman to take him wherever ho could find
him. The latter accordingly went with the sheriff to try
to seize him. Mcintosh shut himself in his house, which
stood on the east side of Yorstons wharf, a little below
where Hamilton's bakery now stands. McDonald took a
crowbar and commenced prying open the door. As soon
as he had it partially open, Mcintosh fired a blunderbuss

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at him, tho contents of which lodged in hiH body, ko that
ho bled to death in an hour or two.

Tho magistrateH met and immediately issued a warrant
for the arrest of Mcintosh. But ho armed himself and
defied any one to arrest him, threatening death to every
person who should touch him. Leaving his house, ho
crept under tho wharf, and perching upon some of the
lugs, it was no easy matter to dislodge him, and almost
every person was afraid to venture near. At length, John
Sylvester, of Middle River, a fearless old man-of-war man,
undertook, with another, to make him prisoner. Taking
a pistol, ho went under tho wharf, and, immediately pre-
senting it, ordered Mcintosh to come down, threatening
to fire if he did not do so at once. Seeing his determina-
tion, tho latter surrendered.

Mcintosh was arraigned for murder at the Supreme
Court, on tho 3rd of August, 1811, and his trial came on
in due course on tho 6th, before Judge Monk. There
being then no proper court house, the trial took place in
the old Presbyterian church. As this was the first case
of the kind in Pictou, great interest was excited, and the
house was crowded. Trials were not conducted in so
tedious a manner as they are now, but this was prolonged
well into the night, so that the closing address was
delivered by candlelight. R. J. Uniackc, the Attorney-
General, conducted the case for the Crown, and tho
prisoner was defended by Halliburton and Chipman, who
set up as a defence that an Englishman's house was his
castle, and that he had a right to defend it against any
person breaking in. The Attorney-General closed the
case in a manner that excited general admiration. Ho
had taken no notes either of the evider ce or the addresses
of the opposing counsel. But with his marvellous mem-
ory, he omitted no fact bearing on the case, and no point
in the-objections of the defense, disposing of all opposition
with consummate ability. Mcintosh was accordingly

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condemned, and on the 7th sentenced to be executed. But
while he lay in prison, the jubilee of George III. was
proclaimed, and he was pardoned. Daring his imprison-
ment, he seemed affected by his situation, and every
Sabbath sent a request for the prayers of the church.
But on obtaining his freedom all his concern vanished.
He afterward went to St. John, where he was drowned.
His widow married in the United States a very wealthy
man, and was living till recently.

"We may add here that in subsequent years, the county
suffered much from litigation, especially regarding
boundary lines, owing in a great measure to the manner
in which the surveys for the early grants were conducted.
Sometimes the surveyors were incompetent, but more
frequently the system was to blame. The one rule
adopted was to give more land than was named. Some
of this was put down, as " allowance for j-oads, &c.,"
while such excuses as slack chainage or hilly land formed
pretexts for farther additions. But besides this, surveyors
exorcised a sort of princely liberality, as it was regarded,
in giving as if the land were their own, a considerable
surplus. This was deemed kindness to the settlers, but
from the disputes which these extra quantities produced,
it would have been a real kindness to the county if each
man's quantity had been exactly measured. Then some-
times the lines were not run round the whole lot, but
merely corners set, and the courses marked, and thus the
settlor was often left to his own conscience how much
he would appropriate. Again grants were given nomin-
ally for a certain amount, but to a certain boundary or
some other gTant, without the distance being measured,
though it might include an additional quantity, as large
as was originally intended. Then the possessor of the
next grant might consider himself equally entitled to the
land between them, and perhaps would get a surveyor
to run his lines, so as to interfere with the other's. Or

221

sometimes a second surveyor coming on the same lot,
instead of endeavouring to trace the line, made by his
predecessor, would make a new one of his own. Such
proceedings led to endless disputes, with the worst results.
Two neighbours have gone to law about a piece of land
till both lost their farms. "We have known a litigious
man ruin himself, and two neighbours in succession,
upon the same adjoining lot. Then family connexions ,
and friends would take sides in the quarrel, and the strife
thus extend through a whole community.

Trials were not then the tedious affairs they are now.
The judge took brief notes of tho evidence, without
delaying the examination, there was little squabbling over
the putting a question, by which so much time is now
spent, and lawyers as well as judges acted as gentlemen.
Hence the trial of a cause, was often considered by many
" as good as a play."

Of all the lawyers who attended the court, Archibald
stood preeminent. At a later date, Johnston was his
equal in knowledge of law, but Archibald was always
unrivalled in his tact and skill in managing a jury.
When all other means failed, he would laugh them out of
a verdict. In private he was celebrated for a constant

flow of genial humour, but sometimes he had the laugh
turned against him. An old Highlander on the "West
River, who had been much at law, but was still in
comfortable circumstances, had frequently invited him to
stay at his house, when travelling that way. Mr. A. at
length accepted the invitation. His horse was fed and
himself welcomed to the house, and soon a savoury dinner
was prepared, the principal part of which was a little pig,
known as a roaster. Hungry from travelling, he relished
it heartily, and when he had eaten, was loud in his
praises of the delicacy, and of his host's hospitality, but
at length made the unfortunate remark, " But you don't
kill all your pigs so young? " *' Ah ! " said the old man,
•'no kill her at all ; she pe drooned i' the brook ! "

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CHAPTER XII.

IMMIGRATION AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS CENTURY —

1801-1805.

The first years of this century brought large accessions
to this country by immigration, principally from the High-
lands of Scotland. Every year at least two or three
vessels arrived with passengers, who gradually filled up
the interior of the county, and spread to the neighbour-
ing districts. It was at this time that the Highland
proprietor.'} were clearing their estates of the small tenants,
with the view of turning their property into large sheep
farms or deer forests, a policy involving suffering and
hardship to many an humble family, but which has given
to these and other colonies, some of their most deserving
population, and ultimately proved to the advantage of the
ejected themselves. The largest accession, which Pictou
received in this way, was in the years from 1801 to 1805,
as many as 1,800 souls landing in a single season, and at
this time several new settlements were formed.

When they arrived in Pictou, they were taken into the
houses of the previous settlers, who were sometimes
relatives or old acquaintances ; but, whether or not, the
new comers found a truly Highland welcome, or, what
was even better, a Christian exemplification of the precept,
" Be not forgetful to entertain strangers," till they could
select their own location. Indeed, the notice of the arrival
of an emigrant vessel brought people from all quarters,
to enquire for relatives on board, whom they took to their
homes, or \> find acquaintances or persons from their
native districts, or even strangers, to whom they would
fireely extend the same hospitalities.

228

The new comers received freely, but made the best
return in their power by their labour, till they could
obtain a lot for themselves. Sometimes, indeed, they hired
for some time, before they settled upon their own land, the
young especially often remaining for years in the houses
of their kind entertainers. As soon as they had obtained
an allotment of a piece of Government land, the old
settlers near combined, in helping them to erect an humble
habitation and to make their first clearing. The house
was generally built of round logs, 15 to 20 feet long,
undressed, the seams between which were closed with
moss or clay. "When their circumstances improved, larger
houses, perhaps iramed, but oftener of squared logs, were
constructed ; but in the meantime they had a home, which
the hand of power had not allowed them in their native
land, and which, though poor enough, was better than
was possessed by the poorer peasantry of many parts of
Britain and Ireland.

The same assistance was readily given in making their
first clearing. An axe and a hoe were considered the
only implements, necessary to commence a farm in the
woods, and even these were often supplied in charity. A
path was blazed or partially cleared from the residence of
the nearest settler, and the goods of the new comer
transported on the backs of men or horses. Neighbours
gathered to cut down a portion of the forest round their
dwelling. The trees were felled, lopped and cut into
lengths, then set fire to, and thus the branches and small
wood was consumed. The logs were then piled in heaps^
•and burnt, or rolled away for fencing, while the stumps
were left to decay. This was very disagreeable and
fatiguing work, but it was performed in the joy of having
a home for themselves and their children, which no lord-
ling could touch, and in the gladsome anticipation of future
independence. Women and children aided in gathering
and burning rubbish, or other work suited to their strength.

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When the ground was sufficiently cleared, wheat was
sown and covered with the hoe. Potatoes were planted
in round hollows four or five inches deep, in which from
three to iive sets were placed. Thus the first season,
which might be the year after their arrival, or perhaps
the second or third, they might have from two to six
acres under crop. The vegetable mould, formed by the
leaves of successive years, and the ashes left from the
burnt wood, rendered the soil very fruitful, and the new
settler never failed to reap a bountiful return for the
amount sown. Potatoes, it was supposed, would never
fail. Such was the commencement made by hundreds at
this time in this and other places in the Maritime Provinces.
They often felt discouragement enough, particularly as in
many cases they had come out under highly colored
representations of the country.* But many of these, who
thus commenced in the woods in destitution, afterward
became independent, and loft their families in comfortable
circumstances, and had reason to bless the selfishness of
Lairds and Dukes, who had tiimed them out of the little
holdings, possessed by their fathers for generations, and
pulled the roof tree from ofi" their humble homes.

We may mention, that in the same manner, the sons
and daughters of the old settlers in many instances com-
menced life. When the youth reached manhood, he
either received a portion of his father's land, or took up
crown land for himself, and erecting his log house, readily
found some rustic maid, not afraid of labor, or of spoiling
her complexion by exposure to the sun, ready to share

* One of the scvtiers on the Four Mile Brook having been engaged one day
hacking at the big trees, which grew on his lot, with all the awkwardness of
a Scotchman, becoming tired, sat down, and losing heart altogether, began to
cry. nis wife coming out, asked what was the matter. He told her his feel-
ings. She immediately returned to the house, put on an old coat of his, and
coming back seized the axe and commenced an attack upon a tree. He burst
oi't laughing, took heart again, was never so discouraged afterwards, and ulti-
mately became independent.

225

17
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his joys and sorrows, his trials and successes. Duly yoked
to bear the burdens of life together, they wont to their
humble log house perhaps on foot, or at best "riding
double." Such was the style in which sixty or seventy
years ago, the majority of brides were brought home.
Commencing life however with stout hearts and in the
fear of God, they enjoyed their full share of domestic bliss,
and reared a race, who for vigor and worth, may shame
their degenerate successors.

We must now, however, give some account of the
commencement of the settlements formed at this time,
either by young men brought up in the country, or by
these immigrants.

The first clearing on Mill Brook was made by Thomas
and John Frascr, sons of Kenneth Fraser, Middle River,
either in the year 1800 or 1801. They went up the bed
of the brook, from where Kerr's mill now stands, carrying
their supplies and implements, and erected a camp on
what is now "Wallace Monroe's farm. They chopped and
cleared on that same place, and having put in some seed,
they left for the summer and returned in the fall to gather
the proceeds. The bears were so numerous, that they did
not venture out of their camp after night, even to the
brook for water. Being in the habit of returning on
Saturday to their father's homestead, on Middle River,
they used on leaving to set a bear trap, baited with the
remains of their week's provisions, and very commonly
found one secured on Monday morning. Hence the place
was long known as Bear Brook. Having got their land
surveyed and divided, Thomas built a small house on his
side of the lot, on the lower part of what is now his son
Richard's farm. He had been married, and while they
were at work his wife used to come up to cook for them,
and perhaps help otherwibe, but remaining most of the
time at Green Hill. But now, probably in the year 1802,
he came with his family to reside here. They came up

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the brook on foot, carrying their eldest child, between ono
and two years of age, and their articles of household gear.
In some parts of the brook there were small patches of
intervale, over which they passed ; but where the banks
were steeji and close together, they were obliged to walk
along the rocky bed of the brook, until they came near
their home. Hero there is a pretty fall, perhaps forty feet
in height, where the water d«ashes over a steep declivity into
a narrow gorge. The banks just below the fall rise some
fifteen or twenty feet higher than the fall, and so steep
that it is impossible to ascend them. They were thus
obliged to climb the face of the fall, which they were able
to do, as the water inclines to one side. Up this they
carried their child and all their utensils.

Soon after a path was blazed to the Middle Eiver, at
what is now "William Munroe's place. There was not
a settler above them, nor for a considerable distance on
either side. They were followed shortly after by Alex-
ander Ross, who came to Pictou in the year 1802, and
settled where his son Kenneth now resides, Alexander
McDonald, who arrived in the following year, and Eobert
Gordon w^ho came about the same time.

Seven or eight years after settling there, Thomas Eraser
put up a mill in the gorge below the fall. He built no
dam, but introduced the water into the mill directly from
the fall, by a short race. He made a sort of road along
the bank on one side, to the mill, but it was still difficult
getting up and down from it, and a few years after a
freshet carried the whole away. After this he built a mill
above the fall, where he had not only stones for grinding
wheat, but had the second oatmill in the county, about
the year 1817 or 1818.

In the year 1801 came out two vessels, full of pas-
sengers, broiight out by Hugh Dunoon, Esq. He made
representations similar to those, by which interested
parties have often deluded people across the Atlantic,.

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such as that the same tree would yield them soap, sugar
and fuel, or that they might get sugar from the tree, and
gather tea at its roots. One vessel, chartered by him,
called the Sarah, brought out 700 souls, though two
children being counted as one, and infants in arms going
free, they were reckoned as 500 passengers. They were
crowded together, and their rations were scanty in quan-
tity, as well as inferior in quality. Small - pox and
whooping-cough broke out among them, so that the ship
might be said to have realized the horrors of the Middle
Passage. They were thirteen weeks on the voyage,
having sailed in June, and not having reached Pictou
till September, and in that time forty-seven died. During
the passage they were boarded by a man-of-war, which
pressed 25 of the able bodied passengers, but on Dunoon
going on board, and representing himself as a Government
agent, they were released. "When the vessel arrived in
Pictou, sickness still prevailed, so that she was kept in
quarantine at the Beaches for some time.

The other vessel, called the Pigeon, sailed later, but
arrived befor her. She was a small vessel, and had only
a small number of passengers.

Of those on board these vessels a number were Roman
Catholics, most of whom removed to Antigonish or places
further East. The others took up land in various places,
forming new settlements or filling up the older ones.
Some of these formed the first settlement on Mount Thom.
Among these were Alexander Stewart (afterward known
as Post), John McLean, Kenneth McLeod, John Urquhart,
"Wm. McDonald, Alex. Chisholm, John Fraser, Hugh
Cameron, Alexander Cameron and James Fraser. The
land had previously been laid out in lots, and each selected
his, but there was no settler further up than Dalgliesh,
at what is now Robertsons place, on the Eight
Mile Brook. Alexander Stewart kindled the first fire
on Mount Thom, on the evening of 31st December

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(New Year's eve) of that year. His house was
on the old Halifax Koad, where he afterward kept a public
house, and where his son Murdoch has since resided. He
had, of course, only a rude hut in the woods. His wife,
as she gazed through the partially open roof at the waving
tree-tops overshadowing them, and within, at her shiver-
ing little ones clinging round her, and thought of the
comforts she had left behind in the old land, declared her
wish to be back in Scotland, if it were even to be in a
jail.

Soon after he became mail-courier to Halifax. Q-eorge
McConner, at the Ten Mile House, owned a horse, and
so did David Archibald, at Salmon River, but between
these two places there was not another, and for years he
made his trips on foot, carrying the mail on his back,
or sometimes in his vest pocket, and, at the proper season,
carrying a gun to shoot any partridges which might cross
his path. His trips were made regularly, though not so
frequently as, in these days of railroads, would be deemed
satisfactory, being in fact only once a month, his remun-
eration being at the rate of ten shillings for each trip.
Some time after he purchased a little black pony, on
which he made his trips fortnightly, and this continued
to be the mode of conveyance for several years.

Of those brought out by Dunoon, another body occupied
McLennans Mountain. This was so named from the
brook, which runs by it, which received its name from
the first settler at its mouth. There were upon the brook
at this time the following settlers : Thomas TurnbuU,
John Fraser (Squire), "William Fraser, Elder, son of Simon
the first Elder. Alexander and Peter Fraser, sons of
Mc Andrew, John Fraser, son of Simon (Basin), vrho was
suffocated by the fumes of charcoal in his own cellar, an^
John and James Cassidy.

On the banks of this stream, the limestone is cavernous
and contains numerous deep interstices. One of these on

229

the farm owned by Peter Fraser, forms an entrance to
what is known as " the cave." It is at the foot of a hill,
and by stooping the visitor may enter this " dark retreat."
There he finds himself in an apartment about one
hundred feet in length, and on an average six feet wide.
A small stream of pure sweet water flows along its floor,
beautiful stalactites hung from the roof, which have now
generally been removed by visitors, and the rude masonry
of the walls is only equalled by the projecting masses,
which seem ready to fall from above. From this chamber
narrow passages lead to other chambers, which have
never been explored. At one time the owner spent hijs
summers here, having laid a floor at the entrance, and
having fitted it up with a door and window. Here the
visitor was welcome to his scanty accommodation, but he
has long since been removed to a still narrower house.

Orders were now issued by Government to William
Fraser to survey the land on the mountain, and to divide
it into lots for the new comers. This being done, a band
of twenty-three of them occupied the whole block, each
selecting his lot. This would probably be the year after
arrival. Most if not all of them were from Lord Lovats
country, near Inverness. A list of them will be found
below.* "With them there settled one person brought up
in the country, viz, Simon Fraser, deacon Thomas' son.

Although the country had improved much since the
first settlers came, and trade was now brisk, yet we may
well suppose that a number of persons from the old
country, who had never handled an axe, settling down in
the midst of an unbroken forest, without roads or other

* List of first settlers on McLennan's Mountain : — Don. McDonald (tailor),

Donald McDonald, James Fraser, Grant, William McLean, Finlay

McDonald (piper), Donald Fraser, Finlay McDonald (carpenter), James
Cameron, Thomas Cameron, John Fraser (Buie), Alexander Cameron, Finlay
Mcintosh, Alexander Fraser (weaver), James Fraser (Bann), Hugh Cameron,
Alexander McDonald, John Fraser, Peter Stewart, James Fraser, John McBae,
Donald McPherson, Angus Fraser (Deacon).

-m

230.

conveniences, had before them a task requiring stout
hearts, and for years involving toil and sacrifice. Somo
of the tales of their ignorance of the country are rather
amusing. The following is too good to bo lost. They
were much afraid of the bear. On one occasion, one of
them being in the woods saw a porcupine on a tree, and
at once concluded that it was the dreaded foe. Ho there-
fore at once gave the alarm to his neighbours. All the men
near and some of the women gathered without delay.
One of them had a gun, which was put in requisition.
Thus armed they advanced boldly, but with duo caution
to meet the monster. Nino shots were fired at him, by
which he was at length laid low. Inspired by curiosity,
and in the proud consciousness of their victory, they pro-
ceeded to examine their vainquished foe, but found matter
of still greater astonishment, in tho manner in which the
quills stuck in their hands,

Tho stories they had been told about getting sugar off
the trees led to some amusing mistakes, with them and
others of tho new comers. On ono occasion, after tho
landing of a company of emigrants, a number of them
were put to sleep in a barn near town. Early in the
morning, when the children awoke, they were heard
saying to each other, " Come, let us go out and see if we'll
get some sugar on the trees." Ono woman asked to be
shown the trees from which it was obtained. "When this
was done , she picked otF some of tho bark with her fingers
and commenced chewing it, expecting to enjoy the
saccharine juice. After they had learned how it wrn
made, one man, as the season for sugar making advai
finding the supply of sap beginning to fail, fasten a
strong withe round a tree, under which he drove a wedy o
tightly, determined to squeeze out of it the last drop of juice.

Yet these men, in this and other places, surmounted the
difficulties of settlement, and became independent in their
circumstances.

231

Others of Iho Dunoon passengifers settled in various parts
of the county. Archibald McKay and Donald Cameron,
from near Inverness, settled on Frasors Mountain. Three
other settlors, however, were there before thorn, Donald
McKay (Squire's son), who was the first, William Fraser
^surveyor) and Charles Brown.

A number of those who came this year, occupied the
upper part of tho East Branch East River. Among these
were Donald Kennedy, Robert Mcintosh, James Chis-
liolm (blacksmith), John McDonald, Duncan McDonald,
Archibald Campbell, John McDonald, John Thomson
Alexander Thomson, and John Grant, the most of them
from Olen Urquhart, and in the years immediately
following, they wore joined by others. Some years after,
Duncan McDonald, then an old man, was lost in the
"woods, with his grandson. The latter followed the county
lino, and, after three days travelling without food, came
out upon tho settlement. The old man took a different
course, and after a search by the inhabitants, was found
dead, after five days' absence.

In the year 1802, came "William Cummings, from near
Inverness in the following year settled on what is called
the Blanchard Road, and commenced the Blanchard settle-
ment. This road was originally cut out by Colonel Blan-
chard of Truro, to reach a large grant of his at Lochabcr,
in the County of Antigonish.

In the year 1801, and in others about the same period,
Captain Lowden also brought out a number of persons
from the south of Scotland. Some of these came to work at
his vessels, but others as settlers. Among these may bo
mentioned Robert Bone, Greorgo Reid, afterward of Green
Hill, James Gordon and Samuel Wilson.

James Gordon was a cartwright, who is worthy of
notice as having made tho first fanners ever in use
in Pictou. They were built in the year 1803 for
Captain Lowden

who had brought out the irons from

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Sootlanil. As \\\o\ wiyvo llio otily scl in Iho plnoo, ihoy
WMMO <MU'vi<Ml »l>()u( oviT n oivottil .»r liMl niiloN, lull llu'v
hivvo ronlinuod lo do thily t»> Ojo inrscnt duy, innl imiy
1)0 N(»on in Iho posNOswion oT iho ('M\)ii(iirn ^:ran(lH(>nH nt Iho
llortchois. AVo Irioil Uio\u in Novoinl>or, 1H7(), imd lomul
thorn likoly lo do g'>od work Tor yoiiVH, il' iiol to Avoiir iml;
nnolhov nouovnlion ol" Ihoir dosi;«'noinlo ruooossoin.

Tho yoar 1S(>i! wilnossod ll»o lurival ol' a lav^•o inuiihoT
of oiuig'vanls. In Iho nionlh oT Aim\if<l, JHO lan<lod,
n.nii cos oT Iho Islnnd of Ibarra, and all J?on»an (\Uh(tlioH.
As tlioy had hvon acctjsloniod lo Iho iiNh«MioN, (lovornor
\\^onl\vovlh looalod (honi lor a linio on Tioloti IhIu:uI, and
tlio shovoN ailjaooni, hut Ihoy all niovoil away oaslward to
Aulijjonish or Capo lirolon. A ninnhor of rroloNlaids
also arvivod, who sotllod in vavions pliioos, Imi woaronot
intbrmod oTany NoUlomont Tormod i»ylhoni,

l>no who avrivod in Ihis yoar Ihus doNorilx^s tho Niato
of tho town at (hat \>ori.od. Novlli of Front stro«>t tnul
east of Oolovaino s(r«'ol, down lo vVlpin U ranis, was
oovorod with good hardwood, and poopio out their tiro-
wood thoro. Tho farthest east honst* in Iho town was
Mr. ra^irtu's, alviUtdy monti«>nod. Thoro was ijowdon'is
salt house on the east side of ColtMaino fslroot. On the
latter Dunn had his tavern, hatk of whore tho IJoyal Oak
stood. Thomas Fraser, carpenter, had a house whore St.
Andrews Church stands, and a ship oarpoutor named
Young had a small log house oi>posite. Following Water
street westwardly, Joseph llcisg had a log house on tho
site of his stone building, lately taken down. Then John
Dawson had his house, store and wharf, in roar of what
is now the Taylor House. On tho site of Messrs. Yorston's
store, Captain Lowden had his dwelling and store in ono
building. On George t^treet was McQeorgo's tavern, on
tlie site of the property lately owmed by John rroudfoot.
On Yorston's "Wharf was John Patterson's store, still
standing, and John McKay "s blacksmith shoi>. On the

2an

»ifo of fbo (Irn^ nforo of .Thum'h I). H. FraNrr h Hon, wnw
ihn jiiil. Williiim LyiMlnny l<«'|»l, ri fnvnru on Mm siln of
wlnil liiiH Ninco ln'cn Min. ('iinHTtniH Inn. In fronh of
lliiN wiiH llin o|M'n nhort', llio liilo r«»niin(r up (,o llio oitponiht
ftido ol' llic roiul, mimI f«oiii«>liiin'H <»v('r il.^^ 'Wt Uu« <'n<l oi'
thiN to Oh* «>aNl, .1. (lonndl hiid a Htnnll \<>^ Iioiinp.
TlunnitN IliM'tiH (Nlirriil) hiul a sniall Iioiihm on tlio Inno
back ol' dm rHlabliHlinirnl, nl' thn htU) I'rirr I'lrown. Th'-n
TTcIior IlonkiiarU had a I(hI l»onno, nnar wIhto thn h>t<»
II. Jtatlon, Kh«|., rcwidod. JIc wns a (liK'tiiscy tnan, vvfio
vv<Mit out, ilHhin^ in Hninni(>r in his «< ho((n«'r, whi<h wji«
thou iho only vchsc! owufd in I'icton. Iln had a wharf
near th'f niU* of whnm tho pout ollicd now iR,' with aHniaU
fifth houHo upon il. Iloro Nfunotinn-H Nnnill vnnwclH wcro
built. WoHtward Oopohind had a barn wlu^ro tho irnirkot
houHo now iH, iu ono ond of which H. L. Ncwcomb wa»
tcachinj^ school. IJcyond waH a lino haylicld. The only
bviilding to tlu5 west was (-oprland's houwo and «ioro on
tho ftamo Nile, and indeed partly tho Ramo buildinjr as
occupied l)y John Cnrar, Krj\. JIo had a wharf, whero
Dr. .TohuNtou'w now Ih, and a wniall on.- about where the
property (if the late . I ainijH Dawson was. Farther back
John ratt^rKou had erected his Iiouko and made a Hinall
clearing on the top of his hill, iiear where his grandson,
A. J. Patterson, resides. Tho hill was thou bo steep, that
on certain ])arts of it, he was obliged to make stf-jjs. On
tho north side of Church Street, then called Queen sir«!et,
at the corner of George Stnict, he, 'ad erected what was
usually known as the Old J {arracks. It consisted of a
range of small dwellings united. It had three doors
with a tenement on each side, making six in all.

In tho year 1808, it was staUid that there were />000
inhabitants in Pictou, and that 1000 more w(!re expected

m
W

* Ab Into as tho jrcar 1820, thero wore Btoncs placed along Water street near
Meagher's Slip, to enable pasaengcru to pass dry shod at high water. Whea
the tide was in, it formed a pond to the north of the ttreet.

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234

that season. On the 6th August, the Lieut. Governor
wrote that 845 had arrived. Of the immigration of this
year the voyage of one vessel was long remembered.
She was called the Favourite, of Kirkcaldy, and was
commanded by a Capt. Ballantync. She sailed from
TJllapoll, without a clearance, and arrived in Pictou on
the 3rd August, having made the passage in five weeks
and three days, being regarded then and for some time
after as the quickest ever made. She had 500 passengers
on board, and landed one more than she took on board,
one birth and no death having taken place on the
voyage. But almost immediately after the passengers'
goods had been landed, she sank in the harbour. Such a
strange occurrence might well excite enquiry as to its cause^
and as we have received, from a most reliable and worthy
old man, who when young was a passenger on board, a
veritable account of the whole particulars, we shall give
them as we have received them. It appears that shortly
before the vessel left, one man who came in her was out
one evening looking after his cows, when he saw a little
creature like a rabbit going round to them, and sucking
the milk from them. He immediately took his gun, and
tried to shoot it, but found it impossible to do so. Sus-
pecting the cause, he put a silver six ponce into the gun,
and again fired, when the creature limped of, leaving
traces of blood in its track. The next day he made
enquiries, if there were any person in the parish hurt, and
sure enough found, that one old woman was confined
to tae house, by some injury she had received. He called
at her residence, but could not see her. On his engaging
his passage in the Favourite, she was heard to declare,
that with him on board the vessel would never reach
America. In consequence of this, the passengers applied
to the authorities to have her confined, until the vessel
fihould arrive. As we have seen, she had a remarkably
quick passage, and when on the banks of Newfoundland,

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235

thoy spoke a vessel homeward-bound. On the arrival of
the latter, the captain said that they might let her go, as
the Favourite was doubtless safe in Pictou by that time.
They did so, but my readers may judge, just soon enough.

But this is a sceptical age. The tendency now is to
attribute all such events to natural causes. Hence on
conversing with an elderly lady m my congregation, who
had been a passenger on board, and asking her how the
vessel happened to sink, she said, " Oh, tliei/ took the
ballast out of her,^ as if that would account for such an
event. We wish that every reader who thinks it would,
had seen the indignation, with which our first informant
reproved the incredulity of one, who doubted the posses-
sion of such supernatural powers. " What, don't you
believe your Bible ?'"*

There was not then a settler on the Four or Six mile
Brook, except James Barrio, a native of Perthshire, who
had settled there only the year before, where the mills are.
The mos of that section of the county was now occupied
by these immigrants. In the following year they com-
menced operations. In that year Alexander McKenzie
made the first clearing on the Four Mile Brook. There
was then no settler above John Rogers' place, low
Alex. McLellan's. He was jo'*ned by Donald McKenzie,
Murdoch Innis and others. 3n the Six Mile Brook,
McBeath, who afterward removed to New Brunswick,
Murdoch Sutherland, William Gunn, Donald Sutherland
and George Sutherland settled about the same time, and
on the Eight Mile Brook, Hugh Sutherland, Murdoch
Munroe and Alexander Graham, besides others whose
names wo have not received. About the same time
arrived William Munroo and Hugh McPherson, who had
served in Lord Reay's Fencibles. f

• Ho was kind enough to 8ny for our comfort, that there were no witches ia
America. This, however, is hy no means admitted by others.

t As this regiment yielded so many settlers to Pictou, wc may mention,

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236

A number of those who arrived this year settled at
Rogers Hill. There was not till that time, a settler
between McCaras place and River John. But we have
failed to obtain any particulars of interest.

Of those who came this year, however, a number were
from the parish of Lairg, in Sutherlandshire, who took
up land farther up the Middle River, and formed a new
settlement which they called New Lairg, after the name
of their native parish. Among these were Angus McLeod
and John McLeod, and perhaps some others, who settled
there soon after arrival. The same year, or about that
time, arrived Donald Murray, Hugh Murray, John Murray,
John McKay and John McKenzie, who had served in
Lord Reay's Fencibles in the suppression of the insurrec-
tion in Ireland, who settled around them. In subsequent
years, others took up land till they got so far on the way
to Stewiacke that the soil became poor, and a number of
them abandoned it.

. On the 4th of July the same year arrived ihe brig
Alexander, of Stornoway, owned by a Mr. Mclvor of that
place, with passengers mostly from the Lewis. The
captain died on the passage, and the owner, who was on
board, took sick, when the vessel was taken charge of bj''

that it was raised in that portion of Sutherlandshire, known as LordBeays coun-
try, and embodied in the year 1795. They were soon after sent to Ireland, where
they saw some hard scenes during the rebellion. Stewart, in his History of
the Highland Begiments, says : " Such was their good conduct, that Lord
Lake had his own guard formed of them, to whom he became so much attached,
that he seldom passed any guard or post, without alighting from his horse,
going among and holding conversation with them. At the defeat of Castle-
bar, he frequently exclaimed, ' If I had my brave and honest Beays here, this
would not have happened.' At Tara Hill on the 26th May, 1 798, three com-
panies of the Beays, under a spirited and judicious veteran. Captain Hector
McLean, supported by two troops of yeomanry, drove back and scattered a
body of rebels, who were in great force on this strong and elevated position.
Bo conciliatory was their conduct, that where they were quartered, tho
inhabitants were quiet and apparently less disaffected thaa elsewhere. Thojr
were disbanded in 1802."

i I

237

Mr. David McGregor, father of John McGregor, after-
ward M. P. for Glasgow, and Secretary to the Board of
Trade, but then a child. The vessel returned the following
year with another cargo of passengers from the same
place. They were encamped for a time in the woods to
the north of Front St., but the majority of them moved to
the Gulf shore of Wallace, where they commenced a
settlement, but a number settled in different parts of
this county.

The first settlement on the back shore was made about
the year 1803, between Toney Eiver and Cape John, by
George Mclvor and Allan Munroe, Highlanders from the
Island of Lewis, the former of whom afterward removed
to Cape Breton. About the same year, Norman McLeod
settled on Toney Biver, where he was the first settler,
who afterward moved further along the shore, and Donald
McLeod, both of them from the same island. About the
same time Roderick McDonald and Alexander McDonald
settled on the shore, the former of whom, however, after-
ward removed to "Wallace. In the year 1810, John
Stromberg, a Swede, settled farther toward the cape, and
a man named Smith, on what is now Skinner's farm, about
the same time.

This section of the country was distinguished by its
splendid pine. One of the first settlers on Carriboo River
loaded three vessels from his own land with white pine
timber. About the year 1810, James Mills, a gentleman from
England, erected largo mills on Toney River, and vessels
loaded at its entrance for Great Britain. But no part of
the county exhibited such an extent of superior pitch
pine. In some places, nothing could be seen but its
peculiar foliage. Trees rose clear of limbs to a consider-
able height, and, though never equalling in size some
other wood, yet were large compared with anything now
to be seen. The writer's father has told of getting into
a grove of this kind, where every tree squared fourteen

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238

inches clear of sap, which, however, in no case exceeded
an inch in thickness.

From Rogers Hill settlement was gradually creeping
westward. James Filzpatrick, a native of the North of
Ireland, settled on the hill, which has since received the
name of Fitzpatricks Mountain, which presents one of
the finest prospects in the Province, embracing the
whole country between it and the shore, and the coast
from Pictou to Eiver John, with the Straits of Northum-
berland and Prince Edward Island. Andrew McCara,
Esq., settled further out on the farm now )ccupied by
Duncan McLeod, as early as the year 1800, He was a
Lowland Scotchman, who had received a collegiate
education, being a fellow student of Dr. McGregor. He
had emigrated to Philadelphia, whence he was driven out
by one of those terrible visitations of yellow fever, which
then sometimes desolated American cities as far north as
New York. Many persons wondered that a man of his
education, should have contented himself with his situa-
tion in the woods at Rogers Hill. On one occasion he
was visited by some old friends from Philadelphia, who
used all their influence to induce him to return. On
their representing the advantages enjoyed there, he
replied, " Yes, but you've got the yellow fever there."
They went on to state this and the other point of superi-
ority of Pennsylvania, and this and the other disadvan-
tage of Nova Scotia, but to each argument of the kind,
the old man had but the one reply, " Yes, but you've got
the yellow fever there."

At length land was taken up on the "West Branch River
John, the first settler being Rod. McKenzie, who made the
first smoke there in the year 1805. His son Murdoch erect-
ed the first mill theve. "When the Philadelphia Company's
grant was escheated. Dr. Harris having died previously,
GoYomment agreed to give each of his children a certain
amount of crown land wherever they might select. One

■I'lv

239

daughter, married to Johu Moore of Truro, received her
portion on the "West Branch River John, and settled there
in the year 1812. A year later they were joined by
Thomas McKay from Eogart in Sutherlandshire, and two
years later by Donald and "William Murray from the same
parish, and Henry Marshall, originally from Germany.
Of this settlement we may say hero, that the first school-
house was erectel in the year 1825, that the first preach-
ing was by the Rev. Hugh McLeod, of Saltsprings, but
the first minister, who supplied them regularly, was the
Rev. "William Sutherland of Earltown. The first church
was built in the year 1 837, being the same occupied at
present.

A number of those who immigrated at this time, settled
in Carriboo, on the Cochrane grant. Previous to this,
John and Thomas Harris, sons of Matthew, had erected a
saw mill on Little Carriboo River, and about this time
James erected another on the Big Branch, but, not having
secured his title to the land, another party came in before
him and obtained a grant of it, so that ho abandoned it,
when he was about ready to commence work. A short
time before, Thomas Patterson, son of the Squire, and
one of the Rogers, made the first settlement on Carriboo
Island, the former on the place afterward purchased by
Donald McKenzie, and now occupied by his son Roderick,
and the latter on the place since occupied by Hector and
John McKenzie. Patterson was drowned in the year
1806, under melancholy circumstances, as thus described
by his son, the Rev. R. S. Patterson.

" I remember yet my father's death. I was then '
between five and six yeary old. "Wc had been to Pictou,
and were returning home to Carriboo Island. My mother
had a frightful dream the night before, and refused to go
with my father in the boat. He and a sailor went in her.
They had a couple of cannons for some vessels, of which
there were a number in Carriboo harbour at that time. It

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• 240

was war time, and merchant vessels took some guns to
defend themselves against privateers. My mother and I,
with a ser\'ant girl, who assisted to carry my youngest
brother, David, who was then an infant, walked through
the woods over the peninsula, and crossed to the island in
a flat. On arriving at home, we saw the boat in which
my father and the sailor were, coming up the harbour.
A few moments after we looked, and no boat was to bo
seen. Search was made, but she was not found for some
time. The body of the sailor was found about nine
days after, and it was ascertained, that the boat had upset
and sunk. Her masts were seen at low water."

The new comers occupied the Cochrane Grant, without
title, and after they had surmounted the first difficulties,
Cochrane made an attempt to dispossess them. He
employed several of the ablest lawyers in the Province.
I'inding the title defective, he, doubtless under legal advice,
went round among the settlers with a lawyer, kindly
offering them leases, which, through the " Oily Gammon "
powers of persuasion of the latter, some were induced to
accept. The causes came on for trial at the Supreme Court,
when the late Judge "Wilkins, who presided, scouted
Governor Patterson's title, ridiculed the horse and saddle
transfer, and denounced the lawyer's conduct, in deceiving
ignorant people into acknowledging Cochrane's title by
taking leases from him. This led to a furious altercation
between the judge and the plaintiff's attorney, the late J. W.
Johnston. So angry did each become, and so violent was
their language, that the audience looked on in amazement,
some almost in terror, and that night it was fully expected,
that the affair would end in a duel between the lawyer
and a friend of the judge on his behalf. The course
of the judge produced somewhat of a sensation, and
excited the indignation of parties in Halifax, who threat-
ened to take measures for his dismissal, but the lawyer
was obliged to apologize. The result of the case, however,

241

was that a number of the settlers compromised by pa3ring
Cochrane a small sum, but others firmly resisted all his
claims, and their heirs or assigns hold the land undisturbed
to this day.

"We may mention here that the usual place of burial
for the people of this settlement is at a point inside the
Beaches, known as Burying Ground Point. Some suppose
it to have been a French cemetery, but others connect the
commencement of it with a solitary man, usually known
as Martin Day, who lived there. No person knew whence
he came or anything about him. He had but little inter-
course with any person, and few desired intercourse with
him. Indeed, he was generally supposed to have been
an old pirate. Finally he was found dead in his house,
and his body was buried near.

In the year 1805, a vessel arrived with passengers from
•G-airloch in Ross-shire. Three of them, Philip McDonald,
Alex. McKenzie and Donald McPherson, took up land on
what they called Gairloch Brook, after their native parish,
and commenced the settlement of Gairloch. About the
same time David Ferguson settled there.

We may mention that among the immigrants of these
years were some then young, who have since occupied a
prominent place in the affairs of the county. Among
these may be named the Hon. John Holmes, who came, a
lad of thirttteu, in 1803, the Hon. James Fraser, who came,
a child, in 1804, and John McKay, Esq., stipendiary magis-
trate of New Glasgow, who came, a boy of twelve, in 1805.

For some years later Pictou continued to be the Point
D'appni for vessels with Scottish emigrants to the shores
of the Gulf, but now the most desirable localities in the
county being occupied, and the rich lands of other
counties, particularly of Cape Breton, attracting attention,
a large proportion of those v/ho landed here lound their
vray thither, or to Prince Edward Island, or even New
Brunswick.

111

I ;.

242

"Wo may here observe that the business of cariying'
emigrants was at this time often conducted in a very-
reprehensible manner. McGrregor thus describes it :

" Men of broken fortune or unprincipled adventurers,
were generally the persons who have been engaged in
the traffic, long known by the emphatic cognomen of
the " "White slave trade," of transporting emigrants to
America. They travelled over the country among the
labouring classes, allured them by flattering, and com-
monly false accounts of the N ew World, to decide on emi-
grating, and to pay half of the passage money in advance.
A ship of the worst elass, ill found with materials, and
most uncomfortably accommodated, was chartered to
proceed to a certain port, where the passengers embarked.
Crowded closely in the hold, the provisions and water
indifferent, and often unwholesome and scanty, inhaling
the foul air generated by filth and dirt, typhus fever was
almost inevitably produced, and as is too well-known
many of the paesengers usually became its victims."=*^

The results was that the British Parliament was obliged
to interfere and passed stringent regulations on the
subject. These, however, were often evaded, and some
years later, one of the worst cases of the kind occurred
in connection with the emigration to Pictou. An indivi-
dual engaged in the business, induced a number of persons
in the Highlands to sell off their cattle and other goods,
and give him the money. But when they reached the
port, whence they were to sail, no vessel was provided.
Their condition was described as heart-rending, and the
heartless deceiver was brought before the Sheriff and
was sent for a time to taste the sweets of prison life. But
a case perhaps even worse than this followed almost
immediately after. A number of passengers were shipped
in a small vessel from the North of Scotland. Soon after

* Hist. B. N. America I. 457.

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243

sailing, she met -with a storm, in consequence of which
she put back to Stromness. By this time they had
I)artially examined their supply of provisions, and now a
complete examination took place, with results to fill all
honest minds with astonishment and indignation. Casks,
labelled bread, were found to haye two layers on top,
while the centre was filled with rotten potatoes, stones,
straw and earth, and casks labelled pork had one layer
on top and rotten fish below. In fact, had the vessel not
put back in time, those on board must have perished.
The result was that the owner of the vessel, who, however,
was innocent in the matter, having only chartered her,
was subjected to a penalty of jGSOO. "When the vessel
arrived in Pictou, some of the passengers revealed these
fagts, when the man had the effrontery to prosecute
them before the Supreme Court for libel. The facts were
clearly proved, and the jury did not take a long time to
give a verdict for the defendants. He also prosecuted
Kobert Patterson, Esq., for taking their deposition, but
the jury without leaving the box, threw out the case.

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244

CHAPTER XIII.

FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE CENTURY TO THE CLOSE

OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

1800—1816.

Tho period which we are now to consider is noted, as
that in which the timber trade from Pictou was at its
height, though it had begun some years previously, and
continued on a diminished scale for some years later.

"When the first settlers arrived, the whole of the county
was covered with timber of the finest quality. O^ this
the white pine was particularly prominent, but oak and
the various kinds of hardwood, were found of large size
and in great abundance, alike down to the very margin
of the sea, and up to the very summits of the highest hills.
From the first settlement, this had proved one of the
most valuable resources of the inhabitants. From the year
1774, when the first cargo of squared timber was shipped
to Britain, the trade in that article had continued to
increase, and after the closing of the Baltic against British
commerce, the price rose to an unprecedented height, and
the trade from Pictou increased proportionaUy. In the
year 1803, about fifty vessels were loaded here with timber
for Britain, and in the period from 1800 to 1820, it was
calculated that the exports from Pictou, of which timber
was the principal, amounted on an average to iJ100,000
sterling per annum. It is to be observed, however, that
this included trade from the outports as well, Pictou
being the only port of entry for the North Shore of this
Province. Still it was the centre of the whole trade, and
the larger portion was from the harbour itself.

245

And now the cutting, hewing, hauling, rafting, and
shipping of ton timber, became for some years almost tho
one business of tho people of Pictou, Thi; farmer not
only spent his time in winter in cutting and preparing it,
but also much of tho spring and summer in rafting and
shipping it. As to his fields he thought only of hastily
committing his seed to the ground in spring, and gathering
at harvest time what crop had chosen to grow, and paid
no attention to manuring, rotation or other improvements
in agriculture, in some instances the dung being allowed
to accumulate round the stables, till the sills rotted, and
it became a question whether it were easier to removo
the mass or the barn, unless where an individual with
more foresight, had erected his building by a running
stream, which served to carry away the filth.

"While however lumbering was the business of Pictou
at this time, yet even the partial attention, whic people
gave to their farms, brought plentiful returns. The soil
was so rich, that in many places people took crop after
crop of wheat, it might be to tho number of a dozen, and
in one case of which I have been told, of seventeen, in
succession. The abundant crops of potatoes enabled the
farmers to feed large numbers of swine, and tho high
prices of all kinds of produce, especially of cattle, in
consequence of ibe war, rendered it a time of unbounded
prosperity to the agricultural jiopulation.

The lumbering business proved most injurious to tho
social habits and moral condition of the community. It
brought a large influx of population of a very loose
character, and it had its usual demoralizing elfects upon
the residents. Most of the farmers had wood on thei?
farms, so near their dwellings that they could make
timber without removing from their homes, but many
adopted tho system of living in the woods in winter, as
still practised in the great lumbering districts of Canada.
In the autumn a number of men uniting would go to tho

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:ti'r

lilli

li.'

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24')

woods with a supply ofi^roTisiGns, orocl a riulo ciimp in
which (hey spout tlio wintor, with Iho ex(Oi>tioii of visits
to the sottlomouts lor ilio sui)ply of noccssarios, ol" which
rum was tloeniod iho most important, jiiid was commonly
iho lirst cxhauviod. Thoy then ])rooce<lod to cut down
ti'.nbor, to squaro and haul it to tho noii^hboring streams.
In tho spriii!>-, when Iho molting' ol' tho snow caused a
largo rising of tho rivors, tho lumber was Iloatod down
to tho tide, wlu ro it was formed into rafts, and transported
to the i)laco of shipment This mode of living, separated
for a time from tho l.umanizing influence of civilized
society, tends to bruta'izo men; while the exposure to
cold and wet, particularly in river driving, forms a strong
temptation to hard drinking, and tends to break down
tho strongest constitution.

Another evil soon appeared. Tho first settlers had had
a hard struggle to obtain the necessaries of life, but ijow
in the life time of those, who made iho first inroads upon
the forests, and endured such hardships as we have
formerly described, money became so plenty, that people
lost all moderation or economy in the use of it, and an era
of extravagance trod closely upon tho heels oi an era of
privation. " The farmer," says Dr. McGregor, *' neglected
his farm and went to square timber. Tho consequence
was, that he had to go to the merchant to buy provisions,
and the merchant persuaded him that he needed many
other things beside provisions. If the farmer scrupled
to buy more superfluities, he would ask him, ' AVhy do
you hesitate ? You know that a stick of timber will pay
it.' Thus a taste for vanity and expensive living was
introduced among us." " "We have suflered from emigrants
settling among us from difTerent parts of tho Highlands,
but more from merchants and traders from England and
the North of Scotland. The ignorance and superstition
of the foiuicr have not done us so much evil, as tho

avarice, the luxiTr5% the bhow, and the glittering toys of
the latter."

ay
as
its
is,
lid
on
ho
of

247

Bnf Iho fTTonf ovil, wo mii^Hit almost say llio f^^rchi
cliitrMchM'ifjfic ol" 1h(* iimos, was llic j.!;r<"»< ''xtcnJ io which
rviiii was cons'iiinrd. The lirsl s(>HI»«rs used v(»ry litllc, in
J'acl Ijad not th«» moans ol" ^cttin*^ it in any f(iiantitio8.
But Iho oxtent to which it was now used sct.'ms absolutely
inorodiblo.

The liabit of drinkini^ was most •]>i'*'Val('nt amonj^ tho
lumborors. AVo have heard for exaitiple, of a man beinj^
omployed tbroui^h the winter at five sliillini^s a day, with
an allowance ol" two «>'lasses ol" liquor, l)ut yet bein;:^ in debt
in si)rijis!', althoujrh the momw had j^one tor litth^ else l>ut
rum. When a lumberini? party went to the woods, it
was customary to initiate their proceed inji^R with a carouse,
which mijjht make such an inroad viimn their supply of
liquor, as to render an early visit to the settlement neces-
Bary to have it replenished. When they did fi;oi to work,
they daily consumed quantities, which, if they had been
using some modern liquors, would have quickly prepared
them for the undertaker, while at intervals their labours
"Were arrested for the enjoyment of a carouse, which might
last two or three days. Thus in spring thoy still found
themselves in debt to the merchants, from whom they had
received their supplies in autumn,andtheonly course that
seemed open, was to go through the name process the next
season, with a fresh supply of articles from the merchant,
which he was very ready to afford, with the view of
obtaining their timber. In this way many farms were
mortgaged and never redeemed.

But though drinking was specially prevalent among
the lumberers, yet all classes were tiffected l^y it. In the
most moral s«?ttiement.s, cA-ery third or fourth family would
have a puncheon of mm, for the supply of themselves
and neighbours. In some iustances, where there were a
number of sons in a family approaching manhood, the
whole might be consumed with very little assistance
from others. In one large settlement, it was calculated

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248

on one occasion, that there had been introdticed in the fall
at the rate of half a pnncheon for each family, and before
eprini^ the supply of some was exhausted. I have heard
of a tradesman at his bench taking his glass regularly
every hour. A person who worked in a shipyard told me^
that the allowance to each workman from the employer
was three glasses a day, while he was confident that on
an average each man drank as many more. A member
of my congregation told me of himself and others working
at a job for ten days or a fo. night in the heat of summer
drinking each thoir quart bottle of rum a day, and not at
the iime feelir '^ the worse of it, though^atthe close of that
period, they felt unfit for work of any kind for the next
week or two. Men, not content with a glass, would
sometimes drink a half pint at a time, or even a pint, and
I knew a man who at one time undertook to drink a whole
quart at onco, and did so, but it nearly cost him his life.
He was in such a state that his friends were summoned to-
lii*n as dying, but he recovered and lived for years,
drinking to the end, though he never attempted such a
feat as that again.

If these be regarded as extreme cases, yet the habitual
use of liquor was common among all classes. The minister
took his dram as regularly as parishioners. The elder sold
liquor. No respectable person thought of sitting down
to dinner without the decanter on one corner of the table.
The poorest would have felt hurt, if a friend called and
ho hac^v no liquor to give him. No workman was employed
wituo^.t his daily allowance, and that commonly not less
than two glasses. As likely it was three, and even that
quantity was often supplemented by an additional allow-
ance on private account. No bargain was consummated
without a dram. On all occasions of public cojicourse,
liquoi flowed freely, and scenes of family interest, births,
burials and biiaiu-a were consecrated in a similar manner, =i^

• A well-to-do farmer haviugf died, bis nepbew wa» •seen going homo from

249

iiom.

while the \ isits to the shore of the sailors from the shijj-
ping in poit made the streets frequently scenes-of drunk-
enness and riot. But how the same habits prevailed
among the genteel, may appear from the fact of a lady
boasting, that the Hquor bill for her house amounted to
iI400 per annuni.

It must bo said that the pure "West India rum then
drunk, did not produce such injurious consequences as
the liquor now in use. It had not the same maddening
eflfect at the moment, nor did it produce such evil results
afterward. Hence men lived to old.a^e, after the con-
sumption of liquors to an amount that now seems
incredible. Stil^ this drinking was a tremendous evil,
and the period we are describing was such, that those
■vho can remember it regard it as the worst morally that
Pictou has seen before or since. "Well might Dr. McG-regor
say, " Once in a day I could not have believed that all
the vices in the world would have done so much damage
in Pictou, as I have seen drunkenness alone do within
these few years." It may be observed that a similar state
of things widely prevailed at the time throughout
America.

It might have been expected, that the prosperity of this
period, would at least have had an important influence
upon the improvement of the country. But it would be
difficult to find in any land, an example of such prosperity,
leaving so few permanent results for good even upon its
material progress. The land was depreciated in value,

hia funeral under the influence of liquor. On being remonstrated with, ho
replied, " Ah, its not every day I have an undo John buried." It having
been the regular practice even among the most sober, that at a funeral every
man Bhould take two glasses, one on his arrival and one on the procession
starting, Dr. McGregor, on one occasion, addressing those assembled, urged
that henceforth they should be content with only one. Scarcely had ho
finished, when an old elder, whose conservative notions had been hurt by tho
proposal, stK'pped up to tho table, filled a glass, and as he raised it to bis
lips said, "Ilere's to the man that svilLtako hi'* two glasses," and then drank
it off.

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260

by having the valuable timber removed from i!:. without
its being cleared or rendered fit for the plough, while a
ruinous system of farming impoverished the land already
under cultivation. Farms, in which the soil was origin-
ally excellent, became thoroughly exhausted, and the
evils of this state of things have to some extent continued
io the present day. Merchants fared no better. Partly
owing to the credit system, and partly to the changes in
the price of timber, most of them were unsuccessful in
the end.

Of the trade carried on in this county at this period,
by far the largest portion was in the hands of Edward
Mortimer, and this is the proper place for a more extended
notice of him. He was a native of Keith, Banflshire,
Scotland. He arrived in this country, as many a Scottish
youth has gone abroad, with only his own energy and
steady habits for his fortune. I have heard of his once
speaking in depreciating terms of this country, in presence
of old John Patterson, who immediately replied, "Ye
needna talk when ye came to it, I dinna ken whether ye
had twa shirts, but I ken ye hadna two jackets." It is of
course all the more creditable, that by liis energy and
skill, he in a short time became the foremost man in Pictou,
or in the eastern i)art of the Province, lie iirst visited
this place about the year 1788, employed by the lirm of
Liddells, in Halifax, in a schooner trading round the
coast. Soon after he commenced business here, at first in
partnership with them, but soon after on his own account.
«.IIo first located himself a little above the i)oint, which
has so long gone by his name, on the front of Squire Pat-
terson's lot, whose daughter ho married. Here he put up
a small building, intended i'or boih houso and store, of
which the cellar car slill be traced, and also built a
wharf, of which portions of the foundation are still visible,
Afterward he removed to the point, near the stone house,
where he had his dwelling house and stores close by the

2S1

shore, and where he built two long wharves out to deep
water, the remains of which can still be seen.^

He is said to have been a man of commanding presence,
tall, broad-shouldered and portly — as one from Britain
described him, with " the appearance of a great man, and
the address of a great man." Indeed, he was manifestly
a born leader of men, and one that would have exercised
a commanding influence, in any society into which he
might enter. But ho must have been a man of first-rate
business capacity, for he now had nearly the whole trade
of the place in his hands, and by his influence the trade
of the Gulf was concentrated at Pictou. Persons still
living can recollect, when the point above the town,
where he did business, presented every season a forest of
masts. He is said to have loaded 80 vessels in one year,
not, however, all in Pictou harbour, but many in sur-
rounding ports, his business extending to Bay Yerte and
Prince Edward Island. His book-keeper stated, that in
one season, in seven successive weeks, he shipped timber
to the value of Xo5,000, or at the rate of c£o,000 per week.

Though the timber trade was his principal business,
yet he did also a large business in the fisheries. The
Arichat and other fishermen came here for their supplies,
and traded their fish. At that time seals were still taken
in considerable numbers in the Gulf, and ' the oil was
manufactured in James Patterson's Cove, so that at the
proper season, when the wind blew upon the town, the
inhabitants were regaled with what fishermen would
regard as a savory odour.

To so large an extent was the business of the place in ^
his hands, that he regarded any person commencing a

** After his removal his old house was regarded as haunted, it w.is said persons
who attempted to stay in it being frightened out of it hy a noise as of the
rolling of barrels, and persons who approached from the water seeing it lighted
up, but when they landed finding all in darkness. The stone house waa
erected only a short time before his death. ^

h 1

III

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252

general trade, as an intruder npon his legitimate domain,
and ho did not hesitate to use measures to crush him,
•which now would not bo considered fair between rnan
and man. For example, after men had a2freed to give
their timber or produce to other pariips, he would have
no hesitation in persuading them, or concussing them into
giving it to him.

By the system of credit whirh prevailed, he had almost
every inhabitant of the county in his books, and thus, in
a measure, under his control, and business was then
conducted, so as if possible to keep them in that position.
Not only were goods pressed upon them, but they wcro
kept in ignorance of tho state of their accounts, as a means
of securirg a continuance of their custom. For a debtor
to demand a settlement, seemed to indicate an intention
of dealing with some other party, and to prevent this, the
policy — not of Mortimer alone, however — was to keep
his name in tho ledger.

His influence, however, especially with tho country
people, was largely owing to his frank manner and real
kindness of heart. He celebrated many of their marriages»
as the dissenting ministers were not allowed to marry by
license, and on such occasions he and Mrs. M. danced
with the common people, and mingled freely with all
ranks, in a manner that gained their good will. Besides,
he was a man ever ready to do a favor. The poor and
the friendless were freely helped, and ever after retained
a grateful recollection of such services. We have con-
versed frequently with country people, who recollected
that period, and their general testimony was, that in any
difficulty, they had only to apply to Mortimer to receive
ready help. Though he wished to have people in his
books, and loved the power that this gave him, yet ho
was never disposed to deal harshly with them. On tho
contrary, his inclination was rather to act the Lord
Bountiful. And it was only after his death, when his.

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253

estate came to be settled up, that the people felt the evils
of the credit system, uuder which they had become so
deeply involved.

From the time of his election in 1799 till his death in
1819, ho continued to represent the County of Halifax.
His natural gifts gave him great weight in the Legisla-
ture, at a time when personal inlluenco was more potent
than it is now. This power he used earnestly for the
interests of Pictou, and the liberal grants which he
obtained for local improvements, caused him to be regarded
as a public benefactor, people looking to him almost as if
the money came from his own i^ocket. In other districts,
parties used to apply to him, when wanting Legislative
assistance, and were accustomed to say, that he was better
for them than their own members.

Though opposed by Wallace, he also gained such
influence over successive Governors, that generally all
local patronage was entirely at his disposal. The Earl of
Dalhousie, after his death, said, " I found in the late Mr.
Mortimer a country gentleman, whose liberal mind and
patriotic principles were an honor and a blessing to his
neighborhood. To him I gave my confidence, with
authority to use the power vested in me to the fullest
extent, except as being subject to my confirmation. With
his zealous assistance and influence, I know that astonish-
ing progress has been made in opening the forest land."
It is not surprising, under all these circumstances, that
he should be entitled King of Pictou.^ It must bo said
of him, that he was a sincere and earnest worker for the
good of the county and of the Province. He was liberal
in giving and hearty in promoting measures for the public
weal. His fault was his love of power, but if ambition

* .\ w ^g once wrote a humourous prodiKtion, entitled, " Chronicles of Pic-
tou," wliich began Bomcwlmt in tlic following terms, "There was a King iu
the East and his name was Edwa»;iu8, and ho was tho chief of the tribe of the
Pattersonians, and he ruleth the Tictonians with a rod of iron." .

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254

be tho last weaknoss of noble minds, we may excuse the
manifestation of it in one naturally so fitted to rule over
men, and who was by circumstances placed in such a
commanding position. And wo may be thankful that
such power was in tho hands of one who, on the whole,
used it so well.

Tho result of his business was that he rapidly accu-
mulated a large fortune. In a few years, he counted
himself worth .£100,000, we doubt not the largest fortune
acquired in the same time in Nova Scotia. But, alas!
scarcely could a case occur more strikingly indicating the
instability of earthly greatness. He was cut down in the
prime of his days in the year 1819, after two or three
days illness, when about 50 years of age, and his estate
actually proved insolvent. Legacies for religious and
charitable purposes were never paid, and a portion reserved
of his real estate as dower, afforded a moderate co-^pctence
to his widow. Wo have never fully ascertained the causes
of this, but know that one was the disastrous failure
of the firm of Liddells, and perhaps another was the want
of his master mind in settling his affairs. He never had
any children. He died 10th October, 1819, and his tomb-
stone has the following inscription :

Sacred to thb Memory •

EDWARD MORTIMER, Esq.,

Who departed this life, 10th October, MDCCCXIX,

In the fifty-second year of his age.

Ho was »*

' A native of Keith, in the shire of Banff,

North Britain.
In early life he removed to this Province,

where

Occupying himself in mercantile pursuits.

He acquired a reputation honourable to himself,

And

Concentrated in the Poi-t of Pictou,

The greater part of the trade of the adjacent coasts.

255

For twenty-years

He represented the County of Halifax

In the General Assembly of the Province,

And during this long period,

His public conduct

Founded upon enlightened and liberal principles.

Gained him the confidence

Kot only

Of his constituents but of the Province at large.

He was also *

A Judge of the Court of Common Pleas,

And for many years

Chief Magistrate of Pictou,

And

In the discharge of the duties of these offices.

As well as in his private capacity,

A strenuous promoter of the good order and peace

of Fociety,

To his public exertions.

The Pictou Academy is deeply indebted.

These and his private munificence

Have rendered him its principal founder.

In Pictou

He is remembered as the poor man's friend.

And

The inhabitants of the Province at large,

Retain a grateful recollection

of his valuable services.

Of those in the same [line of business with Mortimer
at this time, the principal were John Dawson and Thomas
Davison. The former was a native of the parish of
Irongray, in the County of Dumfries. He was a man of
education and mind, and tilled several public situations
creditably. He bought the lot on Water street, to the cast (
of the road leading to Yorstons Wharf. There he erected <
a large two-storey house, nearly on the site of the Taylor
House, with two wings to the north. In front of this
property he built a wharf, which has disappeared. John
Patterson built an extension from the end of his wharf
at right angles to the eastward, leaving a narrow passage
between it and Dawson's wharf. Inside of this, there

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256

•was thus formed what wafi called the dock, in which lioats
and even schooners were safely moored. At that time
all the trade along shore was by boats, the settlers bring-
ing their produce and carrying away goods from the
merchants in the same way. In this way for some years
a larger portion of the country trade was concentrated at
this point. Dawson's health having failed, he sold out
his business to his son-in-law, William Kidston, afterward
of Halifax, and removed to a iarm two miles out of town
on the "West River road, where he died on the 2nd
January, 1815, aged 54.

Thomas Danson was originally from Londonderry,
N. S. He erected the house on the north-west corner of
Oeorge and Water street. He was for a time an active
man in church and state.

At this time William Matheson began business. He at
first started peddling, we have been told, on a loan of i;20.
He afterwards sold his farm at Rogers Hill and removed
to West River, where he did a country trade, exchanging
goods for timber and country produce, but taking care to
risk nothing in ships, shii)-building or shipping timber,
so that he could say that all he had ever lost by sea was
one hat. Cautiously proceeding thus, he accumulated
money, and was the only man of that period who came
out of it with anything like a fortune. In his later years,
he was distinguished by his gifts for religious purposes,
and at his death he devoted the larger portion of his pro-
perty to the British and Foreign Bible Society, and to
the Seminary of the Presbyterian Church.

At this period a number of others were attracted to
Pictou, and did bu^ness for a time. Among these may
be mentioned Hector McLean, who had married a
daughter of Captain Fraser, of the 82nd. He was heir to
the estate of Kiugarloch, in Scotland, which he sold, and,
investing the proceeds in goods, he commenced on the
Deacons Wharf, in company with his brother-in-law,

257

Simon Fraser. IIo failed, howevev, some time after. He
"built the hoiiRO in which John K. Noonan now resides.

As to many others who attempted business, then and
afterward, we cannot do bettor than t^ive the incture,
drawn by the author of the letters of Mephibosheth
Stepsure, of the career of Solomon Gosling.''*'

"About thirty yeara ago, liU father David left him very woU to do ; and
Solomon, who at thst time was a brisk yoimg man, had tbo prospect, by using

little industry, of living ns comfortably an any in the town. Koon after
the death of old David, ho was marritd and a likelier couple were not often
to lie Been. But unluckily for them both, when Solomon went to Halifax in
tho wintrj" Polly went along with him to boII her turkeys and sen the fashions ;
and from thpit day tho Goslings had never a day to do well. Sulomon wa«
never very fond of hard work. At tho samo time ho could not be accused of
idlenep"?. IIo was always a very good neighbour ; and at every burial or barn
raian^, Solomon was sot down as ono who would bo sure to b't there. By these
means ho gradually contracted tho habit of running about ; which left Lis
own premises in on unpromising plight. Polly, too, by seeing tho fashions,
liad learnt to bo genteel ; and for tho sake of a littlo show, both lessened the
thrift of the family, and added to tho oatlay ; so that, between ono thing and
another, Solomon began to be hampered, and bad more calls than comforters.

" Thongh Goose Iliil farm, from want cf industry, had not been productive,
it was still a property of considerable value : and i i occurred to Solomon, thai,
converted into goods, it would yield more prompt and lucmtivo returns, than
by any modo of agriculture. Full of the idea, accordingly, my neighbour
weut to town ; and, by mortgaging his property to Calibogup, tho West India
merchant, he returned with a general assortment, suited to the wants of the
town.

When a merchant lays in his goods, he naturally consults tho taste of his
customers. Bolomou's, accordingly, rousisted chiefly of West India produce,
gin, brandy, tobacco, and a few chests of tea. I'or tho yonugster?, he had
provided an assortment of superfine broadcloths, and fancy muslins, ready
made boots, whips, spurs, and a great variety of gum flowers and other articles
which come under the general denomination of notions.

" ^V'hen all these things wero arranged, (hey had !i very pritty appearance.
For a number of weeks, little was talked of, but Mr Gt^sling's store ; lor Buch
he Lad now become by becoming a mercliaut ; little was to be seen, but my

• These letters were from the pen of Dr. Thomas McCuUoch, and were
originally published in the Acadian Recorder for 1821 and '22. As may Ijo
judged from tho aboro spceimen, they are light satiric sketches of rural lifo
at the time, and in regard to its follies, so held the mirror up to nature, that
■we know no work from which wo can obtain a better idea of the state of
society in Nova Scotia at that period.

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neighboim riding tbithcr to buy, and rctnrning with bargains ; and during th»
course of tho day, long lines of horses, fastened to every accessible post of
the fences, rendered an entrance to his house almost impracticable. By these
means, the general appearance of tho town soon underwent a complete rero-
Intion. Homespun and homely faro were to bo found only with n few hard,
fisted old folks, whoso ideas could never rise above labor and saving. The
rest appeared so r^rit and genteel upon Sundays, that even tho Rev. Mr.
Drone, though I did not seo that his flock had enabled him to exchange bis
own habiliments for Mr. Gosling's supcrilnc, expressed his satis&ction by bis
oomploccnt looks.

" }'r. Oosling, too, had in reality, considerably improved his circumstances.
The greater part of my neighbours being already in debt to old Ledger
and other traders about ; and considering that if they took their money to
these, it would only go to their credit, carried it to Mr. Gosling's store ; so
that by those means he was soon ablo to clear off a number of his old encum-
brances, and to carry to market as much cash as established his credit.

" Among traders pnnctualityof payment begets confidence in tho seller ; and
the credit which this affords to tho purchaccr, is generally followed by an
enlargement of orders. My neighbour returned with n much greater supply \
and here his roverbcs commenced. Credit could not bo refused to good cus-
tomers who liod brought their money to tho store. Those, also, who formerljt
showed tbe^r good will by bringing their cash, proved their present cordiality
by taking large credits. But when the time for returning to tho market for
■applies arrived, Mr. Oosling had nothing to take tfakher but his books.
These, it is true, had an imposing appearance. They contained debts to a
largo amount ; and my neighbour assured his creditors, that, when they were
collected, ho would bo able to pay them all honourably, and have a largo
reversion to himself. But, when his accounts wero made out, many youag
men who owed him largo sums, had gono to Possamaqrioddy ; and of those who
remained, tho greater part had moitgagcd their farms to Mr. Ledger and the
other old traders ; and now canied their ready money to Jerry Oawpus, who
had just commenced trader by selling his form. In short, nothing remained
for Mr. Gosling but the bodies or labours of his debtors ; and these last they
all declared themselves very willing to give.

« About this time it happened that vessels were giving a great price ; and it
naturally occurred to my neighbour, that, by tho labour which ho could com-
mand, ho might build a couple. These, accordingly, were put upon the stocks.
But labour in payment of debt, goes on heavily ; and besides, when vessels
were giving two prices, nobody would work without double wages ; so that
tho vessels, liko the ark, saw many summers and winters. In tho meantime
peace came, and those who owned vessels were glad to get rid of them at any
price. By dint of perseverance, however, Mr. Gosling's wore finished ; but
they had scarcely touched tho water, when they wero attached by Mr. Hemp,
who at tho same time declared, that, when they were sold, he would lose fifty
per cent upon his account for the rigging. Buch was my neighbour's case ;,
when, happening, as I havo already mentioned, to step into Parson Drone's, I

^59

found that Mr. Gosling Lad been telling bis ailments, and was receiving the
reverend old gentleman's ordinary, clerical consolation. * What can't be cured,
must be endured ; let us have patience.'

"Til tell you what it is, parson,' replied my neighbour, 'patience may do
well enough for those who have plenty ; but it won't do for mo. Callibogus
has foreclosed the mortiiago ; my vessels are attached ; and my books are of no
more value than a rottan pumpkin. After struggling hard to supply the coun«
try with goods, and to bring up a family so as to bo a credit to the town, tho
country has brought us to ruin. I won't submit to it. I won't seo my son
Behoboaui, poor fellow, working lib" a slave upon the roads, with his coat
turned into a jacket, nnd tho elbows clouted with the tails. My girls were not
sent to Mrs. M'Cucklc's boarding school to learn to scrub floors. Tho truth
is, parson, the country uoes not dcscrv ~ to bo lived in. There is neither

trade nor money in it, and i)roduco gives nothing It is only fit for Indians'

and emigrants from Scotland, who wcro starving at homo. It is timo for me
to go clKcwhcrc, and carry my family to a placu that presents better prospects
to young folks.'

*' Ii^ reply, the parson was beginning to exhort Mr. Gosling to beware of
tlie miirmurings of tho wicked ; when .Tauk Catchpole, tho constable, stepped
in to say that tho sheriff would bo glad to speak with Mr. Gosling at the
door. 6ur sheriff is a very hospitable gentleman ; and when any of his
neighbours are in hardship, ho will call upon them, and even insist upon
their making his house their homo. Nor did I ever know any shy folks get-
ting off with an excuse. As it occurred to me, therefore, that Mr. Gosling
might not come back for the parson's admonition, I returned home ; and soon
learned that my neighbour had really gone elsewhere, and made a settlement
in tho very place where Sampson turned miller."

The large number of vessels loading every summer at
this port during this period, rendered it a favorite hunting
ground for the press gang. For several years, scarce a
summer passed without a visit of this kind, and many
exciting scenes were the result. No sooner did a man-of-
"war cutter appear in sight, than it proved a signal for the
boats to put off from/ tho ships, carrying their crews to
the land, who hastily betook themselves to the bushes,
which were then close upon tho town. " I have wit-
nessed," says one, '• tho desperate race between the pursuer
and pursued, and observed both parties land, tho former
somewhat behind ; and it was a thrilling moment, when
the press gang, with Iheir cutlasses flashing in the sun,
and firearms discharging, followed close upon the flying

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sailors. The firearms did little harm, and were, perhaps,
not intended to be deadly. The sailors generally escaped
to the woods. On one occasion a large force of seamen
came from their retreat, each armed with a cudgel, and
drove the man-of-war boat from the wharf. The com-
mander threatened to bring the armed cutter up to the
^ town and take revenge. He did not, however, execute
his threat, perhaps considering that discretion was the
better part of valor."

On another occasion, some sailors taking refuge in a
store of Mortimer's, their pursuers fired two shots through
the door after them. Mortimer complained to the Admi-
ral, and such was his influence, that the officer in com-
mand was reprimanded and ordered to apologize to him.
He however only replied, that he could accept no apology
for the act, as it was not an affront to him, but human
life that had been endangered.

Among the visitors, was a Capt. Elm, a regular old
sea dog,'who more than once beat off a press gang, and it
is said on one occasion, knocked a hole in the bottom of a
man-of-war's boat, coming -Jong side his ship.

On one occasion an embargo had been declared, and a
convoy promised to protect the fleet to their destination.
About fifty vessels were assembled, and were delayed a
good part of the summer. One of the Captains died,
and the funeral was a very pretty sight. The boats of
all the ships were formed in line and with colours at half
mast, followed in regular procession the remains to the
shore. They were landed at the Deacons wharf, and the
sailors, all dressed in their best, followed them to the
grave yard, where till recently a painted board marked
the last resting-place of Capt. Sturm of the ship Symmetry.

The event however, connected with the press gang,
which made most noise, was the pressing of two landsmen,
Edward Crae and Matthew Allan, in the year 1808. They
were two stout men, Allan being notorious as a bruiser.

261

Thoy had made themselves obnoxious to persons at
Oarriboo, -who occupied the Cochrane ^ant as squatters,
by cutting timber on it ; and hence their capture was not
objected to by some, and it was even believed, that it had
been instigated by these parties. It took place on the
day of a general muster, when the whole adult population
were in town, and produced great excitement. They
were taken on board ship and carried to the West Indies.
When the House of Assembly met, they voted the
proceeding oppressive and illegal, and requested tho
Governor to interfere in their behalf, which he promised
to do ; but before the order arrived in the West Indies
for their relief, they had effected their escape by swim-
ming ashore at Antigua.

Except, however, in its effects on trade, little was seen
or directly felt in Pictou of the war. Annually the
militia were called out, Urst for company drill in the
different sections of the county, then for general muster
and battahon drill, usually at or near town, and commonly
in Mr. Mortimer's field. Many thus attained considerable
knowledge of military exercises, and they were even
exercised in target firing with muskets. These occasions
were to the youth scenes of amusement, and, alas, too
often of drunkenness. In the year 1807, a portion of
them were drafted to Halifax, and for some time were
employed there, doing garrison duty, cutting fascines and
erecting a palisade around tho town. One who served
with them at this time told me of another purpose, which
their presence in Halifax served. A regiment was
stationed there, composed of men who had been com-
promised in the Irish Rebellion, and who had enlisted to
save their lives. Suoh was the desperate character of
many of them, that until tho militia arrived, their own
officers were afraid to trust them in Iho town.

Besides the ordinary militia, however, there was formed
at this time, in Pictou town, a company of yolunteof

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artillery, which was put through a regular r-ystem of
drill, and attained to a respectable measure of efficiency.
This company continued for years after to turn out and
lire salutes on public occasions, even to a period within
our own recollection.

During the later period of the war, particularly
after the Americans had joined the foes of England,
vessels loading were obliged to wait for a man-of-war, as

convoy, until sometimes there would be as many as

fifty of them in the harbour at one time. So long were
thoy obliged to wait that in some instances an adventurous
captain stole out of the harbor, went to England, dis-
charged cargo and returned before the rest sailed. "Wo
have only heard of one Pictou vessel captured. It was
a schooner or brigantine commanded by Captain David
Fraser, whom we have already mentioned as the first
child born to the Hector passengers, and as an illustration
of war times, we may here give some account of his
adventures.

"When about twenty years of age he went to Halifax,
and thence to sea. Afterward wo find him sailing out of
the United States, and having risen to bo mate of an
ocean-going vessel. "While in this position, he was taken
by the Algerines, and the whole crew kept in close con-
finement. Fever or plague broke out among them, of
which one after another died. The survivors were obliged
to bury iheir companions, only a tort of wooden she vol
being allowed them for the purpose, with which they
scooped out a shallow pit in the sand. At last he was
the only survivor. He was then given or sold as a slave
to an old woman, to whom he was compelled to do all
hffr drudgery. His old clothes became worn to tatters,
and his skin blistered by the sun, but she allowed him
no new supply. In this condition he obtained from a
vessel a piece of an old sail, with which he made a sort
of garment, more expressive of the ingenuity of the

2G3

maker than of fashionable elegance. Suspicions being
allayed, so that he was not -watched very closely, he one
night swam out to a British vessel off the coast. He was
taken on board, supplied with clothing and taken away
in her. Falling in with an American vessel, in which the
mate had died, the captain engaged him to supply his
place. Thus he arrived back in Virginia, when the
captain refused to pay him his wages. Fraser, however,
having been previously in the American service, suc-
<;eeded in compelling him to do so.

He next engaged in the secret trade carried on by the
Americans with Europe, and for a time was successful,
but finally his vessel was captured by one of Bonaparte's
cruisers, when she had on board three barrels of dollars,
one of which belonged to himself. He was deprived of
all and made an appeal to the Emperor, pleading that the
Americans and French were not at war, but rereivyd the
reply, " When I jiay the other bills of thr, Americans,
I will pay that too ! "

From France he made his way to Stockholm, and thence
to England, where he married. Soon after he returned
to Pictou, with his wife and one child, after he had been
just twenty years absent. Here he received the command
of the vessel referred to, which was owned by Mr.
Mortimer. But his ill luck seemed to follow him, for she
was captured by Commodore Rogers, of the American
navy. After a few things were taken out of her, she was
by his orders set on fire. The crew were taken prisoners
to Salem, but he made his escape and travelling by land,
reached British territory, and the crew obtained their
liberty the next spring by the return of peace. The
vessel had originally been an American prize, and fitted
np more handsomely than was usual in colonial vessels
at that time. "When she was about to sail, one of his
friends expressing sympathy for those who had lost her,'
he replied, " Oh, it's just the fortune of war." After hia

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return home, he was describing, in the presence of th»
same friend, her capture by Commodore Uogers, and
expressing his indignation at seeing her burning. '* Oh,"

said his friend, "it's just the fortune of war." "

the fortune of war," was his irreverent reply.

This war brought to the county a number of coloured,
people, who had been originally slaves in Virginia, but
who had escaped to the British fleet in Chesapeake Bay.
John Currie, who only died in 1876, used to tell of swim-
ming out to a man-of-war in a shower of bullets. Several
families settled in the neighbourhood of the Town Gut
stream, but nearly all have since moved to other places-

At this period commenced the making of roads fit for
carriages, the first being that towards Halifax over Mount
Thom. The troubles of travellers previously are thu»
amusingly sketched by a writer in the Acadian Recorder^
in the year 1826 :

" Many a story have I heard from my father, of the disasters which befell
iravcllcrii in his time, when there was only one road in the Province deserv-^
ing the name, viz.: that from Halifax to Windsor and Annapolis. And with
wonder I have heard him tell, that it cost as much as would pave it all over
with dollars. The people of the best settlements found their way to this-
road or to one another by a blaze ; that is a mark made on a trunk of a tree
hero and there, in the proper course, tor the purpose of directing travellers ;
but, in the younger settlements, travellers had to provide pocket compasses,
and guessing their course, find their way through the forest, much in the 6am»
way as sailors do along the sea.

<' In going by the compass, the traveller sometimes, wfduly mistaking his
course, missed entirely the intended settlement) and came in upon another, or
missed all settlements, and travelled on, till he lost all hope of seeing a house,
in which case he often believed the compass itself went wrong, and discredits
I ing it, he would wander he knew not whither. Sometimes the traveller would
be confounded desperately, for the compass needle would obstinately refuse to
traverse, and ho could not know east from west, north from south.

" Travelling by a blaze was little better. Ho told us strange things of
losing the blaze, and tho impossibility of finding it again, of striking out a
straightforward course, independent of the blaze, and yet, by and by, coming
upon their own track again, — of tho snow being so driven against the trees
as to hide the blaze, and causing frequent stops to rub it off, — of its being so
deep as to cover the blaze, and causing frequent stops to dig away tho snow
in order to discoTer it, — of travellers being benighted by such stops, and lo<lg-

266

lug in the fcrcst, where they had to kindle largo firca on the top of tho anow five
or six fbct deep, and there (dismal to bo told t) one aide next tho fire was
roasted and the other frozen. I have heard him tell of experienced travellers,
who in such a case would kindle two fires, at a proper diatance from one
another, and lie down between them, and thua enjoy themselves luxuriously
between two fires. In those days swamps were avoided as intolerable. The
steep mountain sides wore preferable, hence there are still muny hills on our
roads, which might now be easily avoided.

« I hav« heard him tell of great dangers and hair-breadth escapes from
drowning, in crossing brookn and livers swollen with unexpected rains ; for
in those days no juurncy would bo uudurtakcu immediately after «, heavy
rain. He had himself went different times for two or three days nearly fast-
ing, until the subsiding of the water rendered the road passable. lie told of
horses awagging in swamps almost to tho ears, and of tho great difficulty of
their riders. There were few taverus, but every man who had a hut was hos-
pitable."

Any roads hitherto made were merely bridle paths.
But now through Mr. Mortimer's influence in the Legis-
lature, liberal grants were obtained, and by means of
these, and sums voted from the county funds, the road
over Mount Thom was cleared of roots, and somewhat
cast up. It was still rough and soft enough, but carriages
could pass over it. Similar operations had been going
on from the Truro side, and the two parties met at Salmon
River, and celebrated tho completion of the work in the
manner usual in those times. This we suppose would bo
about the year 1810. In the year previous. Sir Q-eorge
Prevost, the Governor, visited Pictou accompanied by
Michael Wallace and L. H. Hood, Esqs., and his A. D. C.
Capt. Prevost. Miller, in his " Record of the first settlers
of Colchester," speaks of this as the first occasion of a four
■wheeled carriage, passing through Truro. But it did not
come to Pictou, for the Governor and his party all arrived
there on horseback. The first wheeled carriage that ever
came to Pictou, is said to have been brought through, a
year or two l^ter, by Judge Monk, when attending the
Supreme Court. Soon after, Mr. Mortimer imported a
two wheeled carriage, which was the ' fijst owned in
Pictou.

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The late Mr. Matheson, however, used to boast, that he
liad taken the first loaded team over the road. It was on
this wise : Mortimer's supply of tobacco had become
exhausted, and the other merchants were supposed to be
in a similar situation. It being winter, no supply could
bo got by water. He thereibro started by land with a
rudo sled, and returned with a puncheon of leaf tobacco,
which was the only kind used then. The runners were
not shod wnth iron, and so rough was the road, that he
"wore out three wooden shoeings.

In making roads at first, the circumstances above
described rendered it absolutely necessary that they
should be made on the high grounds. The lower lands
in the driest seasons were troublesome, and in wet seasons,
impracticable. Hence the first settlers, in choosing a line
of road, simply selected the highest hills they could find,
and made their way from one to another, where they
could find the least low ground to traverse. When
improvements began to be made, it was natural to make
them upon the lines in use, especially as settlors had
located themselves beside them. But now when large
sums were being expended in making roads, it was
certainly sLort-sighted policy, not to have sought some-
thing like level lines. By not doing so, much money was
spent upon roads, which, as far as general travel was
concerned, had to be abandoned, and from the interests
of so many persons involved, it was difficult afterward to
change for a better. Every miller, every blacksmith an 1
every tavern keeper would fight hard against its removal.
Hence for many years the road to Halifax w^ent over the
summit of Mount Thom in this county, and beyond it
others as steep, such as Half-Moon Hill, Black Rock, &c.,
while the other roads were constructed on the same prin-
ciple. Thus the road to the east climbed Green Hill at its
steepest part, and went over the whole length of Frasers
Mountain, besides a number of hills not so lofty.

2G7

Tarning now to the ecclesiastical affairs of the period
under review, wo notice that in the year 1803, Pictou
received an accession of one who had afterward a more
thai* Provincial reputation, and one to whom, in some
respects, Pictou is more indebted than to any other
individual. We allude to the Rev. (afterward Dr.) Thomas
McCulloch. He was a native of the parish of Neilston,
Renfrewshire, Scotland. lie received his philosophical
education at ihe University of Glasgow, studied theology
at "Whitburn, under Professor Bruce, and was ordained
as minister of a congregation in Stewarton, Ayrshire, but
did not long remain there. Ho arrived in Pictou in tho
month of November, 1803, with his wife and family, on
his way to Prince Edward Island. Owing to tho lateness
of tho season, he was unable to obtain a passage thither
that fall, and was engaged for ihe winter to supply the
congregation of tho " Harbour," as it was called. In the
following spring, he was called to bo their pastor, and
inducted on the Gth June, tho very day that parties came
from Prince Edward Island to take him over.

At that time the town, ae, it was beginning to be called,
consisted as we have seen of sixteen or eighteen buildings,
ineluding barns, a blacksmith shop and the jail, closely
environed by tho woods. There w^as no church, but a
place was fitted up in a shed of Captain Lowden's, on
Windmill Hill, where service w^as held in summer, but
in winter time it was in private houses, most frequently
in the "big room" of McGeorge's tavern, which stood
on tho west side of George street, on the site of tho long
building erected by the late John Proudfoot, and which, '
we may hero remark, was long one of the institutions of
the place. That fall (1804) the frame of the church was
erected on part of tho same lot on which Prince Street
Church now stands, but fronting down Margaret Street.
It had a small belfry and in it a small bell, which has had
rather a curious history. It was originally a ship's bell,

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but was stolen Irom Mortimers Point and carried to
Miramichi, where it was reco^ized by a gentleman who
had been in Mr. Mortimer's employment, and restored.
It was presented to the church, and continued to be used
till about the year 1822, when it became cracked, and was
sent to Scotland to bo recast. It was at the same time
enlarged, and afterward presented to the college, where
it is still in use, while the congregation ordered a larger
one, for which, in the year 1824, they put a spire upon
their church.

The sphere of Dr. McGulloch's labours, as far as his
congregation was concerned, was but limited. His was
a mind, however, which in any place must have made its
influence felt beyond the single spot where he might be
located. As early as the year 1805, he projected an insti-
tution for the higher branches of education, especially for
the benefit of dissenters, and particularly with the view
of training a native ministry; but the scheme was not
carried out, though it was not lost sight of. But of this
we shall speak fully in another chapter.

From as early a period as 1807-8, we find him contribut-
ing to the public press ; but circumstances soon brought
him before the public in a discussion, which established
his reputation as having no superior, perhaps no equal, in
the Province, in learning, literary skill and controversial
power. A controversy had arisen between the Church of
England Bishop and the Rev. Edmund Burke, afterward
Roman Catholic Bishop, a man of great learning, as well
as an able writer. "We have not seen the writings of
either party, but it was generally agreed that the former
was not a match for his antagonist, when Dr. McCuUoch
took up the cudgels, and, after some preliminary
skirmishing, joined battle in a large 12mo. volume, pub-
lished in Edinburgh in the year 1808, entitled " Popery
condemned by Scripture and the Fathers ; being a refu-
tation of the principal Popish doctrines and assertions.

269

maintained in the remarks on the Rev. Mr. Stanser's
examination of the Rev. Mr. Burke's • Letter of Instruc-
tions to the Catholic Missionaries of M ova Scotia,' and in
the reply to the Rev. Mr. Cochrane's fifth and last letter
to Mr. Burke."

This produced a rejoinder from Dr. Burko, who was in
every way ** a foeman worthy of his steel," and to this
Dr. McCulloch again replied in a volume even larger*
than the first, entitled "Popery again Condemned hy
Scripture and the Fathers; being a reply tc a part of th.
Popish doctrines and assertions contained in the remarks
on the Refutation, and in the Review of Dr. Coch " ne's
letter by Edmund Burke, V.G., Que." To this, Dr.
Burke attempteu. no reply. These two volumes, far
learning a^d ability, excel anything wo know of pro-
duced in the colonies. A portion of them has only a
temporary interest, as connected with the controversy
with Bishop Burke. But much the larger part is of
permanent value, as a discussion of the great questions at
issue between Protestants and Romanists.

Of his labors in connection with education we must
reserve an account for another chapter.

The year 1808 witnessed another accession to the
ministry of this county, in the Rev. John Mitchell, who
settled in River John, taking the oversight of the people
in that and the neighboring settlement of Tatamagouche.
Mr. M. was a native of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, born in the
year 1765. He was m early life a rope-maker, and had
not received a classical edueation, but animated by an
earnest desire to preach the gospel, he entered Hoxton*
Academy, when about thirty years of age.

In the year 1808 he was sent out to Quebec by the
London Missionary Society. In the autumn of that year
he removed to New Carlisle, on the Bay Chaleur, where
he had his home for s^yeral years. Here he married
Miss Shearer, a member of a Loyalist family, that had

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boon oblitfod (o osonpo IVoni <lvo Dnihnl Slult'H (Itiiinn; ihe
w«r, \vitli ll»o loHN oI'hU (hoir propovly, roarliin^^ JliitiHh
(orritovy, iiiulor \\\o fiiiidaiioo ol' two liulituir*, onoli of
whom ravrioil n ohiM.

lu Iho Hunnnor ol' IHO.M, ho \mthM-look n, lotii)' tnlwHionary
tonv llu'otiii'h N<'\v lJnn»8\viok «iul Novtv H«oHii, in it»n
cotWBo oTwhioh ho visilod Piotou ami inof*t of Jlio soiUo-
monts ttioup,' Iho ooasl. In aiihnnu ho roiuovcil to
Anihorst, whoro ho rontiimod (o hihov lor isomo yoaiH.

In (ho yoav 1S08, h<» rciuovocl (o Iv'ivor .lohii, whoro ho
hihoroil for a yoar w ilhi^ul ooiuioclioii with any ooch'si-
OMtioal body in tho I'rovinoo. Hut in llio IbUowinw; yoar,
ihou«h (»rignially a Coni^rojiationaliMt, lio joinoil Ihn
Pivjibytory of Pictou.

At tho tiuio of Mr. Mitchoirn Hotth.nnont in IMoton,
thero woro hrty lainiHos in Kivor John, only throo
Eng'Iiish, namod AVovst. llinos, and (Jannnon. Horo he
continuod to hibor wilh all »liliu"onoo and faithl'ulnoNS
among" his ilook, pursuing tho usual routino of a PrKHby-
teriau ministor's dutios. Ihit ho also extended his labors
to Trttamagoucho, which booamo ]mrt of his regular
chavgo. Thoro was no road worthy of tho name botw^'on
the two places, and consoquently lh«» travelling beiweou
Ihom involviHl severe labor. So?hi> time after. wh(Mi New
Annan was settled, ho extended his labors to that settle-
ment. In the work of tho ministry over this Held, much
of which was in a wild, unculiivaled state, ho underwent
much bodily latigue, but ho did it with the greatest
cheerfulness.

In the year 182G Tatamagouohe and New Annan were
formed into a distinct congregation, when his labours
became much less severe, lie enjoyed excellent health
till near his end. A violent attack of gravel terminated
in his death on the 8th May, 1841, when he w^as in tho
7t)th year of his ago. ^

'* Mr. Mitchell was above the ordinary size, well formed

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ttinl Bliinwy,ol'n, luircioinplcxion and (!h»M3rl'ul conn ton ancf.
Alihoii^h Ijm nuido iio pnitniiNions to oxtoiit of lonrnin^,
ho wiiH aiMito ninl poHHcsNod ol" a rowpoctal»lo sliaro of
gonornl inrontiatioit. Itowa^agood man, and hm motnory
iw niurli and juHtljr rovoi'od."

Ill llio y(»ar IHIH, wan forniod tho iirni IHblo Rooioty in
I'iclon. Jl WttH llin Ro<!()nd in tlio Provinco or in IWitiHh
Aniori«;a, Ihat in Trnro having boon tho lirHt. Hut lor
Bovorai yoniH ]irovionH, through tho /oal of Dr. MoUrogor
contrilmtions had boon iorwardod to tho Hotiety, This
had boon dono nn oarly an tho yoar 1808, «o that it is
admittod, that i\m lirNt (rontrilnition to it« funds from any
British colony, camo from Pictou. W« find tho Hoorotary
in a lottor of 4th Juno, J 800, acknowledging^ a storling
bill for X80, and referring to one proviouwly H(!nt for .CG4.
Thoso sumH wore ])rot)ably in part for iJibhjH sold, but in
part alwo wore a free contril)ntion. For the better
I>romotion of tho objoctH of tho Institution, it waHdofimed
advisablo to organij!*? an auxiliary society. A mooting
was accordingly hold for tho purpoHo in tho old Wc«t
River church, on tho 10th day of April, of tluH year.
Tho Eov. Dr. McClrogor preached from I. Tim., iii., 1., and
a soci(!ty was formed, embracing tho wholo county, with
Ed. Mortimer, President, and a committee of directors,
conwisting of so many from each congrwgation. In tho
first year, they remitted £lli to th(5 parent society, of
which £50 was a free oontribution, and £25 for tho
purchase of Bibles and Testaments. In the second year,
£50 was sent as a free contribution, and in tho third £15.
In Subsequent years tho amounts diminished, but still
something was done annually, and to this day the Insti-
tution has been supported more liberally in the County
of Pictou, than in any other county in th<j Province.

In the year 1815, Pictou received its fifth minister, the
Rev. "William Patrick. He was a native of tho parish of
Kilsyth, County of Stirling, Scotland. In Jiis younger

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years he "was brought up in the Reformed Presbyterian
Church, but connecting himself with the Secession
Church, he studied theology under the Rev. Archibald
Uruce, of "Whitburn. He was for a number of years
minister of a congregation in Lockerby, Scotland. On
his arrival he was cordially called by the people of Meri-
gomish, and inducted as their pastor on the fifth of
November.

From that time he diligently performed all the duties
of the pastoral office over that district, until increasing
infirmity obliged him first to diminish his labours, and
finally to relinquish them altogether. On the Yth May,
1844, the Rev. A. P. Miller was ordained as his colleague,
after which he performed no public service. His weak-
ness gradually increased, till suddenly, on being seized
with a fit of sickness, which his exhausted constitution
could not sustain, he calmly expired on the evening of
26th November, 1844, in the TSrd year of his age.

"We may here give a few miscellaneous items connected
with this period. The following weather notes from Dr.
McGregor's " Memorabilia," may be of some interest :

" In 1802 the winter was remarkably mild, all along till March 22nd, and
then it grew severer in proportion as it was expected to depart, so that the
beginning of May was more wintry than January. Littlo snow foil and it
continued short, because of frequent thaws till March. March 22nd was moro
stormy than any preceding day. On April, cth, I crossed the river on very
good ice. I could not cross the harbour in a boat April 18 th. On April 27th
and 28th, was the greatest storm of unow that had come through the wholo
winter. There was also a considerable storm on May 4th and 5th, and the
wind almost constantly from the north till May 3l8t. Thcro was much snow
in the woods on May 9th. Ploughing was begun od May Cth, 7th and 8th
No wheat was sown till May 11th. Pi ovondcr was so scarce that some could,
not plough for want of food for the oxcl . It was the sickliest season that I
remember. The principal complaint wat a kind of pleurisy, owing, I sup-
pose to the uncommonly changeable state of the weather.

<' In 1807, on the night of February 10th was a dreadful storm of wind and
rain, which broke open the harbour, so that boats could pass and repass next
morning, but on the next morning again, the harbour was frozen over. Tho
bridge of the Middle Itiver was carried off and the bridge of the East River
injured by the storm. Boats were passing and repassing between MortlmeiB

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and Froscrs Point the last week of February. On Fobraarjr 24th the riTcr
could not bo crossed on the ice."

Ill the year 1807, the district was divided into three
townships, Pictou, Egerton and Maxwelton, the bounda-
lies of which have been already given.

On the 12th November 1813, took place what was long
remembered as the big storm. Many buildings weroi
unroofed, in some instances, the roofs being carried bodily''
to some distance. Forests over a large extent of country
were levelled as completely as they would be in a chop-
ping frolic. Its severity lasted only a little over two hours,
when there was a complete calm. Of its power in Halifax,
Haliburton says, " It commenced in Halifax at 5 o'clock
P. M., from the south east, and blew with extraordinary
violence till seven. Upwards of 70 vessels wore driven on
shore, sunk or materially injured, and many lives lost."

About this time an attempt was made to manufacture
salt from the saline springs, which rise from the Lower
Carboniferous rocks, at the foot of Mount Thom, and
which give the name of Saltsprings to that settlement.
The projectors were in England, and sent out an agent to
superintend operations. He sank a shaft 200 feet deep,
as if searching for the bed of salt. But from the position
of the pit every body was satisfied, that it was in the
wrong place. One man remonstrated with him, but he
replied that ho was getting JGSOO a year to find it, but he
would receive so much, naming a larger sum, if he did
not. A large quantity of iron was sent out to construct
saltpans. It was hauled up at great expense, but the
next spring it was all sold for old iron, the company having
failed or ceased operations. About ten years later, parties
commenced manufacturing salt from the brine of the
spring. It proved of good quality, but they soon aban-
doned the work.

On the 26th of May, 1814, intelligence having arrived
of the entry of the Allies into Paris and the abdication of

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Napoleon, a salute of 21 guns was fired from the Bat-
tery, and in the evening the town was illuminated and
bonfires kindled on the surrounding heights.

The close of this period was signalized by the com-
mencement of New Glasgow. A lot containing 600
acres, extending in front from 11. S. McCurdy's store to
below the new burying ground, had been originally
granted to John McKcnzio (the captain's father), but was
by him sold to Alex. McKay, the squire's son, for ^£20.
He employed Wm. Fraser (surveyor) to lay off the front
in acre and half-aorc lots. He gave a lot at the bank, to-
the south of where the bridge is now, to a man named
Chisholm, usually known as Daddy Chisholm, who built
upon it a small log-house on the bank of the brook. Hero
he and his wife (he had no children) lived and for a time
were the only inhabitants of New Glasgow. About the
year 1809 the late James Carmichael bought from McKay
the lot adjoining, to the east, and erected a log building
on the site at present occupied by his son's stone building,
and commenced business in partnership with a Scotchman
named Argo. This house was burned down in the year
1811, after which Mr. C. built another on the same site
and resumed business, but by himself. He first traded
with the people for ton timber, but afterward took butter,
pork, and other farm produce. In the next period he was
one of the most active merchants of the county, but here
wc may say of him that he was a man distinguished by
his kindness of heart, his public spirit, and his readiness
for every good work

Soon after, Donald McKay bought what is now Bells
corner, and erected a blacksmith shop, where the shop of
James Fraser & Son now stands ; and Hugh Fraser
bought the lot between it and the bridge, on the same
side, and commenced business there. Kenneth McAskill,
a tailor, purchased the corner on the opposite side of
Provost street. The first inn was kept by Angus Ohis-

275

holm, in the corner house now occupied by Henderson,
whore for long one of the old 'i winging signs invited the
traveller to enter and be refreshed. The first two-story
building in New Glasgow was James McGregor's, now
the Sheffield house, but it was not built till several years
later.

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CIIAPTEBXIV.

IMMIQRATION AND NEW SETTLEMENTS AT THE
CLOSE OF THE WAR.

The depression of business in Britain at the close of the
^^ar brought a large immigration to this Province ; and
in the years immediately following a largo number arrived
at Pictou, of whom a large proportion removed to other
places, but a good number settled in various parts of the
county, filling up the settlements already formed and
forming a few^ new ones. The latter we shall here notice.

At this period Dalhousie Mountain was settled. A
largo grant had been taken up there some years previous
by persons in different parts of the country, under the
idea that the soil was of very superior quality. Two of
them gave each fifty acres gratis to Peter Arthur, a native
of the Orkneys, on condition of his settling there. He
accepted the offer, and located himself in the woods five
or six miles from any settler, the nearest being at what
was recently occupied by Mr. Charles Rogers. There,
for months, he would not see the face of a human being.
He built a log barn without the assistance of a single
individual.

At the conclusion of the French war, the prices of farm

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stock in Britain fell to one-half their former rates, which
led to a large emigration from the Lowlands of Scotland.
A nnmber of these (among whom may be mentioned five
brothers Kae — John, George, William, James, and
Eobert — and John Adamson), all from Dumfriesshire,
settled on Dalhousio Mountain aljovit this time (1815-17).
The land was covered with heavy hardwood timber, and
they entertained high hopes, which were strengthened
by the first few crops, which were good owing to the
burning of the hardwood upon it. liut the land proved
rocky, the soil shallow and soon exhausted. The snow,
too, in winter was deeper than in other parts of the
county, and lay longer in spring. Their crops, too,
suffered injury from frost. So that while, from their
thorough Scotch industry, some of them did well, and all
earned a subsistence, yet a number found it prudent to
abandon their farms, so that places on which considerable
labour had been cjcpended, and comfortable buildings
erected, are now unoccupied.

About the same time, a number of persons came from
the Lowlands, particularly Dumfriesshire, and settled in
various places. They were distinguished by steady
industry and rigid economy, and they generally not only
made a living but saved money. As an example of their
sturdy energy, the following may be given. Three
brothers Halliday settled between the Middle River and
the Wust Branch East Eiver. For five or six years all
their cultivation was by the lioo. But at length one of
them having a piece of land sufiiciently cleared, wa:j
desirous of getting it ploughed. For this purpose, he
brought a pair of oxen, plough and necessary gear, from
Kerrs, on the Middle River, through the woods, over three
miles, in the following fashion : He fastened the yoke to
the horns of one ox and the chain on those of the other,
and getting a boy to drive them, he put the plough on his
own shoulders and carried it all that distance. Of their

277

success we may give an example. The late Thomas Kerr,
of Middle River, and James Roddick, having served theii
time together as millwrights, came out in the same vessel.
Mr. Kerr described their position when they landed as
follows ; " I had just half a sovereign and Roddick had
just aughteen pence, and he bought half a pun' o' tobacco
wi' it." Yot they died worth some thoueands of pounds
in property and money.

It is proper hero to give a short notice of the early
settlement of Earltown, which commenced about the same
time, for although it is beyond the bounds of the County,
it is both as to its origin and population closely connected
with this County. We may mention that tho settlement
embraces that portion of the County of Colchester lying
between the east line ot the township of Oiislow and the
Pictou County line. It was first surveyed in the year
1817, by Alex. Miller, who gave it its name, in compliment
to the Earl of Dalhousie, then Governor of the Province.

The first settlers were Donald Mcintosh and Angus
Sutherland, who took up their residence in the unbroken
forest in the year 1813. The next to join them was Alex.
McKay (tailor). Others followed soon after, among whom
may be mentioned George Ross, Robert Murray, John
Sutherland (father of the Rev. Alex. Sutherland), who
afterwards moved to Rogers Hill, Paul McDonald, John
McKay, Peter Murray, John McKay (miller, father of
Rev. Neil McKay), William Murray (father of Revs.
William and Robart Murray), R. Murray (tailor), William
McKay, &c.

Of the early sttlers, nearly all came from Sutherland-
fchire, chiefly from the parishes of Rogart, Lairg and
Clyne. There were families from Inverness, two or
three from Ross, and three or four from Caithness. All
the original sittlers spoke the Gaelic language, and it is
still generally used by their descendants. Indeed, it is
more generally spoken in Earltown than in any part of

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Nova Scotia proper. Still it received some admixture of
others, for while it had old soldiers who, in the Highland
regiments, had gone through the Peninsular "War, and at
least one who had fought at Waterloo, it at the same time
had a foreigner, who had been in the same battle under
Napoleon, and the two, instead of being ready to embrace
as brothers, were rather disposed t(^fight their battles over
again.

Like all who take up their abode in the woods, the first
settlers had many difficulties to encounter. They were
for years without a grist mill. Dnring that time they got
their grain ground partly by tht» liandmill, and partly at
a grist mill at the West Branch River John. As there
were no roads to the West Branch, and they had no horses,
they were compelled to carry their grain on their backs to
and from the mill, over a rough track. John McKay, known
as the miller, put up the first grist mill, at a fall fifty feet
high, resembling the Fall of Foyers in Scotland. The
mill-stones that were used in it were taken from the West
Branch, a distance of fourteen miles, on a drag hauled by
36 sturdy Highlanders. Mr. McKay, we may here
observe, was proverbial for his kindness to the new settlers,
and his hospitality, which was shared b)» many a stranger.

The early settlers were strong, industrious and econo-
mical. They were poor at first, but with great persever-
ance, they made themselves comfortable homes. There
are men in Earltown to-day, who settled forty years ago
in the woods without a guinea in their pocids, who have
fine houses, large barns, excellent farms and considerable
sums at interest. The inhabitants at that time were all
connected with the Church of Scotland, but for several
years they were without a minister. In consequence of
this, persons sometimes carried their children to Pictou, a
distance of twenty-five miles, to be baptized. They were
occasionally visited by a Minister of the Church of Scot-
land, and on such occasions it was not uncommon to see

279

liim baptize twenty or thirty children at once. Rev. "W.
Sutherland was the lirst minister who settled at Earl-
town. He was never called or inducted into the congre-
gation, but remained ministering to a few who adhered
to him till his death. The Rev. Alexander Sutherland,
of the Free Chiirch of Scotland, was the first minister
who was called by the people, and ordained in the place.
He was settled in the year 1845. Though the people
were for years without a minister, they did not forsake
the assembling of themselves together. There were
among them men eminent as Christians, intimately
acquainted with the truths of religion, and able to express
themselves in a manner fitted to edify others. " The
Men," as they w^ere called, held meetings regularly each
Sabbath in the several parts of the settlement, and
were the means of maintaining vital godliness among
the people.

About the same time, the settlement of New Annan
began. It lies about seven miles to the south of Tatama-
gouche, in the County of Colchester, and forms an oblong
square about ten miles long by seven wide. The first
settler there was Mr. John Bell, a native of Annandale,
in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. He emigrated to Nova Scotia
in 1806, but did not settle in New Annan till the year
1815. For some years previous to this, he had worked in
Tatamagouche, but attracted by this seemingly fertile,
and withal somewhat romantic district, with its well
wooded hills, he selected as his future home a place on
the banks of the French River, and about the centre of
the present settlement — quite a pleasant, pretty spot, and ^
occupied by his descendants to this day. Here he cut the
first tree, and erected the first house, of course a log one,
in New Annan, to which he removed his family. For
fiix long and dreary years he dwelt alone i:: !^ie wilderness.
During all that time his nearest neighbor was six miles
distant, but others followed. Speedily William Scott,

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James McGreorge, Thomas Swan, and Mr. Byers, all from
the same district in Scotland, and Mr. James Munro, took
np positions near him.

Mr. Boll was a pious man, and so -were the others, and
they therefore soon felt the want of public worship. The-
nearest place of preaching was Tatamagouche, to which
' the Rev. Mr. Mitchell, of River John, gave part of his
services. Many a day the more vigorous of them trod
their seven miles on a Sabbath morning, over hills, through
marshes, (covered with fallen trees, and across the French
River to hear the Gospel. But all could not travel such
a distance, or surmount such difficulties. Mr. Bell
therefore and a few others formed themselves into a
prayer meeting, and held worship in a school house near
Mr. Bell's, for such as were unable or unwilling to travel .
to Tatamagouche.

After a time Mr. Mitchell extended his labors to New
Annan, giving them occasional supply. But his visits
were valued all the more for their rarity. At that time-
there was not the semblance of a road about New
Annan, or even Tatamagouche. He had to travel by
the seashore or blazed paths through the woods. Several
of the young men were in the habit of going to meet
him on his journeys, and now grey-haired sires, tell of
their exploits, as skating down French River and along^
Tatamagouche Bay, to attend on sacramental occasions
at River John.

From their sturdy Scotch industry and frugality,,
these settlers soon attained to comparative coxafort, and
many of their descendants are in good circumstances.
But though the district has a considerable amount of
good soil, yet portions of the hills, which appeared to
be rich, and which, when first cleared, gave good crops,
were found iii a few years to lose their fertility. The
population is estimated at between twelve and fifteen
hundred. As in many other places, the majority of th&

281

young of both sexes go abroad when thuy reach the
age of eighteen or twenty.

To the same period belongs the settlement of Fictou
Island. It is about five miles long and on an average
about a mile and three quarters wide, and contains an
area of 326{J acres. It lies off Pictou Harbour, a little to
the northward, the east end being distant about ten miles
from its entrance, and the west end live and three quar-
ters miles from Big Carriboo Liland light house. It has
no harbour even for a boat. Toward the east end, the
land rises to the height of about 160 feet, but in other
parts it is occupied by sw^amps. The soil is fertile, being
generally a sandy loam, and yields good crops of hay,
grain and the vegetables of temperate climates, but there
is no fruit raised upon it, partly we have no doubt,
because the exposure to sea air is unfavourable to its
culture, but partly, we believe, from want of attention on
the part of the inhabitants. The only wild animals are
the fox, the rabbit and the musk ^at. There are no
squirrels, rats or toads, and the frogs are but little larger
than grasshoppers. As to serpents it is as free from them
as old Ireland itself.

One or two incidents connected with the island previous
to its settlement may here be given. On one occasion an
Indian and his squaw in proceeding from Prince Edward
Island to Pictou landed at Rogers Beach, and remained
for the night. In the morning the unfaithful husband
sent her into the woods for something to repsiir his canoe.
But after «be left, ho started with it, and landed at Carri-
boo, where he asserted that his wife had died on P. B.
Island, and that he had buried her on the beach. This
was in the beginning of winter. The unfortunate woman
erected for herself a rude hut in the woods, where she
subsisted all winter on shellfish and rabbits, clothing
herself and covering her hut with the skins of the latter.
In the following spring, she was res ued by some Indians^

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who had disbelieved the deserter's story. It is said that
ho was burned by the other Indians.

The island containing originally some good wood, the
late John Brown of Browns Point and another man,
spent a winter on the island making staves. Their supply
of provisions ))ecamo exhausted before the ice broke up,
and they resolved on making the perilous attempt of
crossing on the rotten ice and open water to Carriboo. The
inhabitants of that place seeing their situation camo tu
their assistance, and they wore rescued.

For two successive springs, two men named Campbell,
and Patterson of Pictou were burning lime on the island, for
which they brought coal from a small seam on Carriboo
Island. On one of their trips to Pictou, they were nearly
suffocated, by the sea breaking over their boat and slak-
ing the limo.

The island was originally granted to Admiral Sir
Alexander Cochrane. In the year 1814, he sent
William Cumming as his agent to settle the island.
He was accompanied or soon followed by three families,
named Boyd, Hogan and Morris, all four being from
Ireland.

In 1819 John McDonald, Donald McDonald and Charles
Campbell arrived. In the following year Kenneth
McKenzie, who had served in the 78th Highlanders, pur-
chase "^ the property of Cumming, and acted as agent.
These were all Highlanders, and there soon arose a strife
between them and the Irish, which became so bitter as to
sometimes leave marks of violence on the persons of the
contending parties. Probably in conseqvience of this, the
Irish soon after left the Island. Just before they did so,
a fire broke out, which consumed the greater part of the
forest, the origin of which was attributed to the wife of
one of them.

Shortly after, John McDonald (2nd) and Hugh McCallum
Arrived, and they were soon followed by several of their

288

relatives. The population is now 120, 67 males and 72
females.

Wo now turn to notice the projyress of settlement on
the other side of the county. William McKenzie, a native
of Sutherlandshire, who had emi|i?rated in the year 1808,
and had first settled at Lower Barneys lliver, removed
to the Upper Settlement in the year 1807, where he was
the first settler. Ho was the father of the surveyors, und
located himself at Kenzieville, where his sons still live.
Donald Robertson, who had emigrated from Perthshire
in the year 1801, and at first settlad. at the foot of the
river, removed in '^ ' 9 to the Upper Settlement, and took
up his abode near j. IcKonzie'g, about a mile farther down
the river. About this time (1819-21), Angus McKay,
the elder, a native of the parish of Clyne, Sutherlandshire,
and with him Simon Bannerman, Gordon Bannerman,
old John Sutherland, of the kilt, a man who never wore
trousers in his life, with his family, who were numerous,
and several others, all from Sutherlandshire, settled in
the upper woods of Barneys River. There were also a
few Lowlanders, among whom may be mentioned
"William Irving, from Dumfriesshire, who settled at Barneys
Iviver in the year 1820, who has left a large number of
descendants there.

It may be mentioned that in the years just previous,
(1810-1816), James Haggart,.from the parish of Kenmore,
in Perthshire, with others from Blair Athole, settled in
the valley of Piedmont. This name was given to it
afterward by the Rev. Dugald McKeichan, the first
minister of Barneys River, from its situation at the foot of
a range of hills. James Mappel settled in Marshy Hope,
a valley in the Antigonish Mountains, leading into
Antigonish County, where Angus McDonald now lives.
"When his neighbours were in the habit of advising him
to leave that marshy place, because the frost injured all
his crops, his uniform reply was, ** I hope it will improve."

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Hence his neighbours Liade the remark, that his hope was
a marshy hope, from which circumstance arose the name
of the Valley. John McLean (the poet) settled at East
Branch of Barneys Itivcr, and after a time removed to
Antigonish County. Ho was a native of the Island of
Coll.

Between the years 1830 and 1840, a number of other
families came from the counties of Sutherland and Perth,
and took up land in the same settlement, among whom
were John McDonald, the weaver, and his brother
Duncan, James Forbes William Sutherland, Donald
Bruce, James Leadbettcr, John Bannerman, Donald
McKay, Robert Ferguson, besides others.

"William Urquhart, from Glen Urquhart in Scotland,
settled at Blue JMountains soon after the year 1815, and
was the first settler there. William Ross, the elder, came
out from the same parish and joined him in the year 1818.
He was the first who n-ave the name "Blue Mountain"
to that district of country. Along with him came Rode-
rick McDougald, Sonr., John Austen, and others ; and in
the year 1820, came Donald Campbell, John Munroe, and
others, who settled at Mooso River. About the same
time also other families, McLarens from Argyleshire, Ken-
nedys and McDougalls from the Island of Mull, settled
on the old St. Marys Road.

The i)eoplc of the Blue Mountain are chiefly from Grlen
Urquhart, and the neighborhood of Boauly and Kirkhill,
in Inverness, with a few from Ross-shire and a few from
the Lowlands, among whom may be mentioned the
Mcikle family, descendanis of James Meiklo, Senr., who
came from the South of Scotland near the English border.

Sometime after 1880, William McDonald from Caithness
came to the Grarden of Eden and took up his abode there.
Ho was called the " Adam " of the garden, because he
was tho first settler and the oldest man there. Alonjj
with him came his sons, John, Alexander, and George,

285

also his son-in-law William Miller, and he was followed
by others from Caithness and Ross-shire.

At the beginning of this period, the district of St.
Marys was attracting a good deal of attention, as a
desirable jilace or settlement, and quite a number of per-
sons moved thither from this county. It was specially
noted for its magnificent timber, extensive intervales,
rivers teeming with fish, and the abundance of game in the *
forest. The very first settlers were from Truro, who built
the first house in Grlenelg in 1801, but the great body of
those who followed were from Pictou. In the year 1810,
William Kirk, one of the old 82nd, removed from Green
Hill and settled at Glenelg, and in the same year, John
McLean and his son James came from West River and
settled at Stillwater. In 1813, Alexander Hattio moved
over and settled on the East River of St. Marys, about
two miles beyond the county line, and in the year follow-
ing, McKenzie from Green Hill settled at the head of
Stillwater.

At the same period, Caledonia was settled, almost
entirely by Pictonians. In the year 1810, Angus McDonald
moved over and settled in Lower Caledonia. His posterity
are now numerous along the river. About the same time,
Simon Fraser, located himself near him, but he subse-
quently moved to Glenelg. In 1812, Donald Cameron
came over from Green Hill and settled in Middle Cald^do-
nia, and in the same year, John McDonald from West
Branch, East River, took up land in the same vicinity.
In 1814, Angus, John and Noil McQuarrio, took up land.s
still farther up. They had come from Scotland ia 1810,
but had been living in Church viilo. Others from Pictou
followed, but these may be given as the pioneers.

A part of the East River of St. Marys belongs to Pictou
County, and we must now more particularly notice its
early settlement, which began at this period. The land
had been previously granted by Government to David

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286

Archibald, previously of Truro, then of Sherbrooke, and
others, in blocks of 2000 acres each. The grantees however
did not settle or make any improvements upon their lots,
and the actual settlers had to buy from them.

The first man who crossed the water shed with hi»
family, to settle on the East River of St. Marys, on the
Pictou side of it, was Mr. Alexander McKay. He came
over from Fish Pools in July, 1815, taking with him his
wife and seven children. From "Webster Mills, McLen-
nans Mountain, to St. Marys, a distance of 22 miles, was
an unbroken forest, with a bridle path through it for half
the distance, and only a blaze for the rest. The only
possible modes of travel were on horseback or on foot.
Four horses were secured for the journey. The larger
children were lashed on the backs of the horses, with the
luggage, while the smaller were carried in the arms of
their parents or of the drivers, who trudged along on foot.
One of the horses belonged to Mr. McKay, but soon after
the poor brute, being tired of the lonely life in the forest,
set out to return to the haunts of civilization, but lost
sight of the blaze, or in confidence in its own superior
wisdom, took a straighter course and perished in a swamp.
It was five or six years after before McKay could obtain
another, not altogether however from the objections of
the animal to live in such a solitude.

Later in the same summer (1815), three others followed
in McKay's steps, and settled farther down the river, viz.,
John McBain, John Mathcson and Hugh Fraser, and
later still in the season, Angus Cameron arrived, adding
the fifth family to the little community. McBain and
Cameron settled on the west side of the river, the others
on the east. By the last running of the county line,
McBain's land on one side of the river, and Fraser's on the
other, are thrown into Guysborough County. "We may
add that at this time there were but three sel tiers about
Glenelg Lake, and only one farther up the river.

287

The traveller passing through this section of country
at the present day, admires its broad, fertile, and well-
cultivated intervales, hemmed in by ridges of forest-clad
hills, and dotted by feathery elms. But a grander sight
met the gaze of the early pioneers, from the brow of the
mountain they had to cross in reaching it. On the west
of the river down to the margin of the valley, was a pine
forest, which stretched away without a break to the
Musquodoboit River, while to the north and east a sea of
rolling hills extended in the direction of liameys River
and Lochaber, Much of this forest remains, the glory of
the hills, to this day. Tbo timber of the valley is said to
have been very large. Elms three and four feet through
an up without knot or limb, for 50 or 60 feet, and maples^
oaks, and birches of equal or greater size, with hero and
there a giant pine, covered its surface, and seemed to smilo
defiance upon the puny efforts of the feeble band, now
attempting to dispossess these monarchs of the forest, that
had occupied the ground undisturbed for centuries.

All these pioneers had visited the locality several times
before taking up their abode there, and had done some
chopping and burning, had erected rude huts, and that
spring had planted a few potatoes. That year, however,
as we shall see presently, was the year of the mice, and
thus their only crop became the prey of these creatures.
The larger tubers they scooped out, eating or carrying
away the contents, and the smaller they dragged to
their holes in stumps and logs. The following spring,
the settlers carried their seed from McLennans Mountain,
except a little that they brought from Lochaber, nearly
as far. But this again was Ihe year of the frost, so
that they were doomed to reap no harvest, except a
little fodder for their cattle. We may add that for many
years, until the forests were well cleared away, the frost
continued to be very destructive along the valley. In
consequence, for the first five or six years, they had little

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288

tread of any kind. Even alter their clearings enlarged,
and the frost and mildew became less destructive, they
still had many hardships to endure. For years they had
to dry their oats in pots, and shell them with their feet
in barrels and boxes, and then carry the groats on their
backs, or in winter drag them on handsleds, to Archibald's
mill at Glenelg to be ground.

But otherwise they did not want for food. The river
swarmed with fish, especially trout, salmon and gaspe-
reaux. Eels also were abundant, but they were regarded
rather as an enemy, for unless the nets were watched, they
would eat the salmon in them as soon as they were caught.
They would do this in a way that was always a marvel
to those who were witnesses of the feat. They would eat
the whole fish except the skin and the backbone, turning
the skin inside out without breaking a single joint of the
latter. Moose and Caribou were numerous, and partridges
and rabbits were snared or looped, and often proved an
acceptable addition to their larder. Even the porcupine
sometimes found its wav to their table. Bears were verv
numerous, but having abundance of food in the forest,
very considerately abstained from disturbing the settlers
for a number of years. .

In subsequent years, settlers continued to arrive. In
1817, another Angus Cameron came over from McLennans
Mount, and settled on the East side of the river between
McK,j.y and Fraser. In 1821, he was followed by Alex-
ander Sutherland, who located himself farther up the
river. In 1826, James Cameron removed from McLennans
Mount, and occupied the place vacated by John Matheson,
who had left. The same year John Hattie settled on the
"West ride of the river. In 1831, three families of Gunns
arrived from Scotland and occupied lands, between McKay
and Sutherland.

Among tho hardships to which these people were ex-

289

posed, particular mention must be made of the want of a
road. "When they first settled here, they had above
twenty miles of forest to traverse to reach a neighboring
settlement, and one incident may illustrate the inconven-
ience oi such a situation. Twenty years after their
settlement, a young man, whose head is now white with
the s.:.ows of age, had exchanged his solitary life lor the
social, and had erected his humble log home, but, not
many weeks after his marriage, discovered that house-
keeping was inconvenient without dishes. So he set out
on his snowshoes for New Glasgow, and there purchased
■a set of cooking utensils, consisting of an oven, two x>ots,
a kettle, two teapots, a half dozen cups and saucers, a
half dozen plates of large size, with as many smaller ones,
and a half dozen knives and forks. He succeeded in
getting these conveyed on a sled, as far as there was any
thing of a road, or to within twelve miles of his home.
He then donned his snowshoes, fastened all the above
mentioned articles about his persdjn, and though heavily
laden, he never came home with lighter heaii, to meet
the partner of his life. *

Not until Captain McKenzie became member for Pictou
in 1855, and in the year following obtained a grant for a
road from the Garden of Eden to St. Marys, was it pos-
sible to ride in a wheeled vehicle, between these two
places. Even in winter it was long before a sleigh road
was opened. The fathers still tell of the way in which
they used to fasten two poles to a horse after the fashion
of shafts, with the loW«r ends trailing behind, and kept
together by a cross piece, and with long wooden pins
driven into the upper side, on which they laid their pork,
which they dragged in this manner to the Garden.
Even down the river toward Glenelg, there was no pos-
sible road to market or mill, for fifteen years after they
settled here. In the winter the hand-sleigh, and in the
fiummer the canoe, when the river was sufiiciently

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290

erwDllen, were the only means of conveying burdens^
excepting on shoulder or horseback.

Of the first settlers, Alex. McKay, the pioneer, doservcQ
special mention, as probably possessing the greatest
amount of strength and activity combined, of any man
that was ever in the County. He was a son of Alex.
McKay, whose name appears among the immigrants of
1784, and was born near Beauly, Inverness. IIo came
with his father to this Province, when a boy of about 12
years of age. On liie passage, ho performed a feat which
showed his daring and dexterity. He and auomer boy
having climbed up the mast, two sailors followed with
ropes, intending to tie them. One of them caught the
other boy, but McKay seizing the top-mast stay, swung
himself from it by his hands, and then passed hand over
hand to the other mast, by which he descended to the
deck, while the bystanders looked on in terror.

"When a young man, he chased and caught a caribou
calf The Indians have a saying regarding the young of
the animal, "one day old, Indian catch him, two days
old, dog catch him, three days old Mundous himself no
catch him." However McKay being in the woods with
some others, they started a herd, and this calf became
separated from the rest. He pursued it, endeavouring to
drive it in a direction the opposite from that in which its
companions had gone, at the same time watching lest the
dam should turn upon him. After a short chase it tripped
in crossing a tree, and fell, and in an instant he was upon
it. He took the animal homo where it became quite
tame. He afterwards exchanged it for a heifer with Squire
McKay, v-'ho sent it as a present to the Governor, Sir
Jc' ii *'>^'rrth, receiving in return a present of 2000

- ; 1^ .>^ i in St. Marys. It was afterward sent to the
-ion, where it continued for several yeari^
animal of the kind in that collection.

Many stories are told of his mingled physical power

being t,^.. :

■ff', ■

291

and dexterity in his mature years. We give a specimen.
A bull had become wild, and was shut up in a bam,
where none dared to approach him. McKay was sent for.
On arrival ho gave orders to open the door, while he stood
beside it. As the animal rushed out, he seized him by
the horns, threw him on his back and held him as long as
necessary. He was much engaged in lumbering, but
neither river-driving nor the other concomitants of that
mode of life, ever seemed to affect his constitution. When
between 80 and 90 years old, ho could mow his swathe
with younger men, and he lived to be 97 years of age.

All the settlers were economical, industrious and
religious. About the year 1826, they hired Hugh Cameron,
subsequently of Went worth Grant, as their first teacher,
and about the same time, they started a sabbath school ;
and with slight interruptions, both haye been continued
since with the happiest results.

The first minister who preached to them was the Rev.
Dr. McGregor, who about the year 1817, in one of his
missionary excursions to Glenelg and Sherbrooke passed
up the bed of the river on horseback. But with the
exception of McKay, all the settlers adhered to the Church
of Scotland. At the Disruption, the majority joined the
Free church, and obtained a portion of the services of the
Rev. Alex. Campbell of Lochaber. Two small churches
were built, but now the people have all united with the
Presbyterian church in Canada, and have erected a larger
and more comfortable place of worship;

iV#^

29d

CB AFTER XV.

• ] • : . f'. ■■:■

', .f

FROM THE PEACE TILL THE FINANCIAL CEISIS OF 1826-6

1815 ■ 182a

■ J1

It '

ir.

tFp to this period the history of the county had
been one of continued and for some time rapid progress.
Population and wealth had increased at a rate, which,
compared with what has since been seen in the "Western
States, might even be considered slow, but which at that
time was regarded as quite remarkable. From this time
forward however for some years, its progress was very
slow, and indeed in some respects it seemed for a time to
have been stationary, or even to have retrograded. In
the town of Pictou or its neighbourhood, proi>erty sold as
high in 1816, as it did forty years later, and some farms
brought larger sums at the former period, than they would
now, and from that time there has been more or less
emigration from Pictou, many especially of the young
going abroad.

The first interruption to its continued prosperity was
by the peace of 1816. The change largely affected the
whole Province. The author ,of Agricola's letters thus
describes it : — . ^

" During the war, money here arising from the expenditure of the British
Government, and from the sale of the rich cargoes and ships, which were daily
) brought in by our cruizers, was not only in brisk circulation, but in great
abundance. The ships of war, which lay in the harbours, the various
establishments of dockyard, ordnance and barracks, the strangers who resorted
hither on commercial speculation, contributed to create an uncommon demand
for all sorts of produce ; and as these were before inadequate to the ordinary
wants of the community, they fell now infinilely short of the extraordinary
consumption, to which the exigency of the times gave rise. During the whole
cf this period, the prices obtained by the occupier of lands for whatever he
could bring to market, were prodigiously high and far outran the cost of

298

prodnction. Hoy sold atfrom ten to twelve pounds par ton, and was frequently
at fifteen ; beef and mutton varied from 8d. to lOd. per pound ; potatoes^
tnrnips, and beets were oftencr above than below 58. per bushel, and all
vegetables were exorbitant in like proportion. During this unprecedented
prosperity, no exertion was needed hj tho farming body to cam a subsistence.
The rewards of the most moderate labour wcro so ample, that they begat habits
of indolence and luxury ; but excited not to new energy or a more spirited
cultivation. Our landholdern, satisfied with the enormous prices they obtained
for beef and hay, and trusting that the springs of wealth, which flowed so
copiously, would bo perennial, discerned not the dark cloud at a distance,
which was gathering round to overcast their horizon. Peace came and at once
dried all the sources of this' artificial prosperity. Beal estate fell almost in an
instant, trade declined, land produce was lowered by the effects of this general
depression, and in about two years after the ratification of the treaty of Paris,
an universal gloom had settled over the Province."

As the County of Pictou was less dependant on the -war
expenditure, than some other parts of the Province, and
as the inhabitants had relied more on trade than on
agriculture, the effects of the peace were not so disastrous
or so immediate, r«s have been described, but still the effects
were felt to a considerable extent. The rural population
however were especially discouraged by two calamities
which came upon the county at this period in successive
years (1815-16), which we shall now notice.

The former year was long distinguished in this, as well
as in the neighbouring counties of Colchester and Anti- ^
gonish, as "the year of the mice." This was a most'/i vvt-''
destructive visitation, from which this portion of the ^^^
country suffered from these seemingly insignificant
animals. During the previous season they did not appear
in any unusual numbers. But at the end of "Winter,
they were so numerous as to trouble the sugar makers,
by fouling their troughs for gathering sap, and before
planting was over, tho woods and fields alike swarmed
with them. They were of the large species of field
mouse, still sometimes seen in the country, but which, has
never since been very numerous.

They were very destructive and actually fierce. If
pursued, when hard pressed, they would stand at bay

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294

If <, I

rising upon their hind legs, setting their t;eth and
squealing fiercely. A farmer on whom I could rely told
me, that having after planting, spread out some barley to
dry in the sun before his door, in a little while he saw it
covered with them. lie let the cat out among them, but
they actually turned upon her and fought her.

The late sown grain and the seed potatoes sufiered
from them ;* but it was when the grain began to ripen,
that their destructiveness became especially manifest.
They then attacked it in such numbers, that all means
were unavailing to arrest their ravages. They have been
known to cut down an acre in three days, so that whole
fields were destroyed in a short time. One would nip a
stalk off a little above the ground, and if instead of falling
over, the end sank to the ground, leaving it still upright,
he would bite it oft farther up, until it either fell over, or
the ear came within his reach, when he would devour all
the grain. Over acres on acres, they loft not a stalk
standing, not a grain of wheat, to reward the labours of
the farmer. They burrowed in the ground and consumed
the potatoes. Cats, dogs, and martens gorged themselves
to repletion upon them, but with little seeming diminu-
tion of their numbers. Trenches were dug and filled
with water, but they formed but a slight barrier to their
progress.

They passed away as rapidly as they came. In the
Autumn, as the weather became colder, they became
languid, scarcely able to crawl. One could trample them
under his feet and finally they died in hundreds, so that
they could be gathered in heaps, and their putrefying
carcases might be found in some places in such numbers
as to taint the air. At Cape George they went to the

* A man in Meri,';omi8h had made a clearing oat at Piedmont in the woods.
He carried out four bushels of oats to sow. On commencing, they came in
fiwarms eating the grain as he sowed it. After continuing a while, he threw
the whole to them in disgust, and returned home.

295

water, and there died, forming a ridge like seaweed along
ihe edge of the sea, and codfish were caught off the
coast with carcases in their maws.

Notwithstanding the unprecedented prosperity, which
the country had enjoyed for about twenty years, such
were the Kpendthrift habits engendered during that
period, that the people were not prepared to meet such a
calamity, and it was therefore felt very severely. But it
was followed by what was long known as " the year of
the frost," which left a large portion of the inhabitants
in a suffering condition. The year 1816 was known
throughout the northern parts of this Continent, and also
in Europe, as "the year without a Summer." In tho
Northern States, frost, ice, and snow were common in
June. Snow fell to the depth of ten inches in Vermont,
seven in Maine, and three in Central New York. On the
5th July, ice was formed of the thickness of common
window glass throughout New England, New York, and
some parts of Pennsylvania. In August ice was formed
half an inch thick. Indian corn was so frozen that the
greater part was cut down for fodder. Indeed almost
every green thing was destroyed. A similar state of
things existed in England. During the whole season,
the sun's rays seemed to be destitute of heat. All nature
seemed to be clad in a sable hue. The average whole-
sale price of flour during that year in Philadelphia was
$13 per barrel. The average price of wheat in England
was 97s. per quarter.

Here the frost was hard in the woods in the month of
June, provisions were high and from the destruction of
crops tho previous year by the mice, many were suffering,
and nearly all the farmers were put to some inconve-
nience, for want of food for their families. Alexander
Grant (miller), of the East River, went to Halifax to obtain
a supply. He there bought 70 barrels flour, for which he
had to pay .£3 per barrel. On his way back on the 5th

• ^il9M*»^<^*,v

2tf6

June, he stayed all night at a tayem between Halifax
and TruTO, and in the morning the ground was frozen
so hard, that it carried his horse. The flour came round
by water, and he went down to town to bring it up the
East River, which he did on a coal lighter. On his way
up on the 16th, ho saw a man trying to harrow his
ground, where he had sowed some grain, and wearing a
great coat in consequence of the cold. That night being
Saturday, he put the flour into a barn owned by the lato
James Carmichacl, Esq., who had shortly before begun ta
do business, where New Glasgow now stands. On
Monday morning, before ho reached the spot, there were
as many assembled, as there were barrels of flour, and
no sooner was the door opened, than a rush was made,
and each man seized a barrel, asking no questions as to
price, and it was -with some difficulty that he saved one
for his own family.

In the same year, Mr. Grant and his brother Robert^
erected the first oatmill in Nova Scotia, probably the first
in B. N. America, on the site still occupied in the same
way, and known as Grant's Mills. Very little oatmeal
had been used previously. Small quantities were some-
times brought out in vessels, and sometimes the country
people manufactured a little in a coarse way, by roasting
the grains in a large pot and afterwards separating and
grinding the groats. But now Mr. Grant /constructed a
regular oatmill driven by water, of which tlio gear was-
made by a millwright, named Duff. It was : /.:'il, however,
somewhat rude in structure. Instead of iron over the
kiln, the grain was supported on wooden slats, the edges
of which were bevelled on the lower side, and there were
no fanners. Indeed fanners were not then commonly
used even by the farmers. Hence after the grain had
been dried, they were obliged to carry it to the top of a
hill near, and piously wait till Providence sent a wind
sufficient to separate the shells from the kernels. But

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297

the next year, he constracted fanners driven by the mill.
At this time agriculture seems to have engaged attention,
and accordingly, the first agricultural society in the rural
districts of the Province, w mk formed on the 1st January,
1817, at "West River. This was before the publication of
the letters of John Young, under the signature of Agricola.
A meeting was held some time before, at which the
resolution wad adopted, to " form a society for the improve-
ment of agriculture, to bo called ' The West River
Farming Society.' " Accordingly the Society was regu-
larly organized at that date, 20 persons joining, and the
following being elected office bearers : — Rev. Duncan Ross»
President ; Robert Stewart, Vice-President ; Donald Fraser,
Treasurer ; John Bonnyman, Secretary ; David McCoull,
John Oliver, Anthony Smith, George McDonald, John
McLean, Jonathan Blanchard, Committee. They seem
to have had a poet among them also, for in the front of
their minute book, the following appears as their motto :— >

Let this be held the farmers' creed,
I For stock seek out tho choicest breed,

> \ ■ In peace and plenty let them feed.

Your lands sow with tho best of seed,
Let it not dung nor dretising want,
' .' .' And then provisions won't be scant. •'

By the rules then adopted, each member was to pay 5s.
entry money and Is. 3d. quarterly ; no persons were
to be admitted but farmers and freeholders of good moral
character. And to insure continued good behaviour, it
was enacted, that " if any member shall curse or swear
or use any indecent language, or introduce any subject
inconsistent with the business of the Sodiety, he shall be
fined by tho President and a majority of the members
present, in a sum not exceeding Ss."

The Society was to meet quarterly, and at each meeting
a topic or topics, connected with rural economy, was to
be discussed, " each member to come prepared either with

298

a written essay, or to speak on the subject,*' the question
selected for the first quarterly meeting in April, being,
" "What is the best method of preparing and increasing
manure ? " It served to elicit differences of opinion, for
one man rose and said, that " instead of finding ways of
making more, he wished they would find some way of
getting quit o' it, for it was just a bother about his bam."

The Society continued to hold quarterly meetings, and
to discuss agricultural topics. In the year 1818, they lield
a ploughing match in Mr. Mortimer's field, said to have
been the first ever held in the Province. They imported
seed grain, agricultural implements, and Ayrshire cattle.
They also held some cattle shows, at which prizes were
gi ,-en for the best stock. They also gave prizes for the
best acre of wheat and other crops, the greatest amount
under summer fallow, and " to the person who should
stump and plough fit for crop the greatest quantity of
land never ploughed before, not more than three stumps
per acre left on the land, and all stones that materially
obstruct the operation of ploughing and harrowing to be
removed, the quantity to be not less than two acres." In
April, 1824, they offered ^7 10s., in addition to the Legis-
lative grant, for a flax mill. Anthony Smith, Esq.,
undertook to erect one. It was commenced that year,
and in the following he received a prize for it, being the
first of the kind erected in the Province. It did not
however work long, as it did not receive sufficient
employment to maintain it.

In the year 1819 the name was changed to the Pictou
Agricultural Society, and Ed. Mortimer elected President,
and some time after we find them presenting the Eev.
Duncan Ross with a new plough, •* to be one of "Wllkies
best, as an expression of their sense of hisjservicep to the
cause of agriculture."

In the year 1820, we find a notice of a similar society
on the East "River, of which Dr. McQ-regor was Secretary.

299

Others were formed in ofher parts of the conirtry, and
continued for some time, aided by grants from the Central
Board, and had considerable effect in improving the
habils of our farmers,

In the year 1819, the whole community was shocked
by the most dreadful murder probably ever committed in
the Province, — viz., that by Donald Campbell of his father^
and stepmother. He was a simple ignorant man, but not
previously regarded as violent or cruel. He was an only
son, but his father had taken a second wife, and he was
afraid, that in consequence he would lose his share of the
paternal estate. This led him to form the design of
destroying thom both. Up till the time of committing the
deed, he hawi given no such indications of hostility to
them, as to excite any alarm. He lived at Earltown, but
on the day before the commission of the deed, he was in
town, and on his way back, called at his father's house,
which stood on what is now Dinwoodies farm, and there
obtained refreshments. He then started on his way
homeward, calling at houses on his way as iar as Wost
Branch River John, with the design doubtless of producing
the impression, that he had gone home. But when night
came, he retraced his steps towards his father's house,
which was a small one constructed of logs. Arriving
theie, he fastened the door by moans of withes attached to
the handle of the latch, and then set it on fire, while his
father and stepmother wei e asleep. They were awakened
by the fire, and succeeded in forcing the door open. They
then commenced removing their things from the house,
uttering at the same time loud cries for assistance. Donald '
was on the watch, and as his father was coming out with
a large iron pot, he struck him with a heavy suck, and
pushed him back into the house, where his b^nes were
found next day.

His step mother succeeded in getting out. She was a
stout strocg woman and it was thought, that if she had

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liad fair play, she wt'Tiic!. have mastered him, but he
struck her on the head with his dreadful bludgeon, and
then drew her to the fire to cast her in. She was a heavy
woman and either from her weight, or being alarmed
before he accomplished his purpose, he only succeeded in
putting her partially into the flames ; and in doing so,
was somewhat scorched himself, a fact which afterward
told against him on the trial.

In the meantime, their cries had brought to the scene a
neighbour named Mcintosh, who blew his horn to give
notice of his coming. As he approached, Donald ran
away. Mcintosh saw his retreating figure, but did not
suspect who it was, indeed supposed he had seen a ghost.
He found Mrs. Campbell dead, and her body partly
burned. He dragged it out of the fire, but was too late
to save anything out of the house. He also found a little
dog of Donald's at the spot, a circumstance which after-
ward excited suspicion.

Mrs. Campbell was buried without an inquest, although
her brother, the late Angus Campbell, elder, Scotch Hill,
at her funeral declared his belief that she had been mur-
dered. A number of circumstances excited suspicion,
and Donald was arrested. His stepmother's body was
exhumed, and, on examination by the late Dr. Johnston,
the marks upon it, left no doubt, that her death had been
caused by violence. The stick was found with his
father's blood and grey hairs upon it, and was afterwards
produced in Court. A button was picked up, and on
examination it was found to correspond with those on his
coat, from which there was one missing. A gun flint was
picked up on the spot, and a brother-in-law recognized it
by a private mark, as one he had lent him just before the
murder, and Campbell's gun was found without a flint.
It was supposed that he had intended to blioot his parents,
but that the flint had dropped out, and in the dark he
could not find it, the great avenger having left it to cry

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from the gToand against him. Parties te&tified to seeing
him at yarious points on the road or taking to the woods
before and after the fire. S. Gr. W. Archibald, who con-
ducted the prosecntion, took a large sheet of foolscap
paper, and marking one point as the site of the honse, and
others at proper distances, to indicate the different points at
which he had been seen, held it up before the jury, and
showed how exactly the times of his being seen, coincided
with the view of his going to and from his fathers house,
though he denied haying been near it that night. The
whole circumstances left no doubt of his guilt, and
accordingly at the September term of the Supreme Court,
he was found guilty and sentenced to be executed.

The sentence was carried out at the scene of his crime,
the gallows being erected on the site of his father's
honse. He was taken from the jail in Fictou in a cart, to
Rogers Hill Church, which was as far as a wheeled
carriage could go, guarded by a body of militia drafted from
the several companies, and attended by several clergymen.
There the fetters being removed from liis legs, he walked
the rest of the way under the same escort. Before his
execution, he confessed his crime, but showed little
appearance of contrition, although Dr. McGregor and the
other ministers used all the means in their power, to bring
him to a sense of his conduct and repentance for it. A
large concourse assembled at the execution, and just
before it took place, Dr. McGregor offered a prayer, which,
from its earnestness and tenderness, lingered in the minds
of most who heard it, while memory remained. But he
was obliged to turn away in sadness, with the words " '
Donald, I believe nothing will ever melt your heart."

The execution was superintended by the High Sheiiff
of Halifax, but was clumsily effected. When he gave
the signal, the executioner attempted to draw the bolt,
but it only slowly yielded to his efforts, and when the
trap door fell with the unfortunate man, the knot 6lipi>ed

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rormd to the back of his neck, which remained unbroken,
eo that he slowly choked to death. As the rope untwisted,
he swung round with his face to the bpcctators on one
side, and then as it recoiled, to those on the other, while
his heavy breathing could be heard over the crowd, and,
it was said, the pulsations of his heart, but perhaps rather,
the heaving of his chest, could be seen by those near,
presenting a spectacle, which led many present, never to
see another execution.

We may here mention, that thore have since been two
executions in the county. The first was Neil McFadyan
for the murder of James Kerr. In the fall of 1847, they
had travelled together from Bay Ghaleur to Pictou.
Eerr's friends, not hearing from him, became anxious,
and in spring enquiries were set on foot, when he was
traced in company with McFadyan till near the house of
the latter at Blue Mountain. The attention of parties in
the neighbourhood was attracted by a stench from a
neighboring wood, and on a search, part of a human body
and clothes were found, which were identified as those
of Kerr. Farther examination brought out a mass of
circumstantial evidence, which left no doubt of
McFadyan's guilt. And on trial before Judge Bliss, at the
October term of the Supreme Court, he was condemned
and sentenced to be executed. He was a bold, hardened
villain, with no want of intelligence. The execution
took place near the Beaches on the lot owned by the
public, and used on occasions as a lazaretto. It was
ordered to take place between ten and two o'clock. He
was taken to the ground earlier than the hour intended.
"While they were waiting, it being a raw, cold day, late
in the fall of the year, he said to the Sheriff, sb rugging
his shoulders, *' It's cold here ; you may as well put me
through at once."

The other was the case of John McPhail for the murder
of his wife. He was a poor, simple creature, who kept a

808

low groggery back of the Albion Mines, on the> roaa to
the Middle Eiver. His -wifo and he drank, and while
both were under the influence of liquor, he beat her over
the head and other parts of the body with a pick handle,
even breaking her arm, so that she died. He was
convicted principally on the evidence of his own child.

A criminal, who gave more trouble than either, and
excited more alarm in the county, was a man named Jack
Hines. He was an Englishman, who had come here and
married in this county. He was a strong man and a
great bully, so that he became a terror to the neighbour-
hood. He was at length arrested, tried and found guilty
of burglary. The penalty at that time was death, but the
jury recommended him to mercy. The judge however
was bound to pronounce the sentence. The recommen-
dation to mercy had to be forwarded to London, for the
consideration of the Home Government, and such was the
irregularity of communication, that though forwarded in
February, an answer was not received till October, during
which time he was kept in prison, his elbows kept close
by his side, by means of a chain across the back attached
to each. A pardon having arrived, there was considerable
alarm at the prospect of his release, particularly among
some of the magistrates, residing out of town. They
therefore told him, that the condition of his pardon was,
that he should leave the district. He was accordingly
escorted to Mount I'hom across the line, and left to pursue
his way further as he pleased. Three nights after he
robbed a store near Truro. He was arrested and on trial
was sentenced to the workhouse in Halifax, but not long
after made his escape.

"We must now notice the trade of Piotou during the
period we are reviewing. After the conclusion of the war,
the timber trade still continued, though on a diminished
scale, and we may here notice some of those engaged in
it. Next to Mortimer, must be mentioned George Smith.

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Il0"was a native of Scotland, w^ believe of Banff, and was
taken into partnership by Mr. Mortimer, their business
being conducted under the name of Edward Mortimer &
Co. After the death of the latter the business was oon-
ducted by Mr. Smith and William Mortimer, a nephew of
Edward's, under the name of Smith, Mortimer & Go.
Afterward, however, they dissolved partnership and each
of them did business separately, "^oi some years they
were the most influential business men in Fictou. Mr.
Smith represented the County of Halifax, from Mr.
Mortimer's death in 1819 till the year 1836, when the
County was divided, afie- which he represented the
County of Pictou till tLe y ci k 1838, when he was appointed
to ihe Legislative Council. Mr. Smith was a i^an of fine
presence and a gentleman . ^ th o'A school. He was an
able business man, and succeeded, as far as it was possible
for one man in the advanced state of the country to do, to
the place and influence of Mortimer. I'he misfortunes of
his later years obscured all his former glory, and almost
blotted from memory the services of his early career. It
is therefore due to him to say, that at this period he was
an active merchant, and did much for the business of the
port — that he filled several public offices, judge of Probate,
judge of the Superior Court, and Custos of the County
in a most creditable manner, and that as a member
of the Legislature, he commanded the highest respect,
and was largely influential in promoting the interests of
Pictou.

< We may also notice John and Abraham Patterson, sons
of old John Patterson. They began business in Pictou
about the year 1815. Mortimer said when he heard of
their commencing, that he was more afraid of those two
young men, than of any persons that had ever begun
business in Pictou. Though during the preceding years
of prosperity, others had engaged in merchandizing, he
still regarded any person attemptiQg general trade, as an

305

intruder upon his legitimate domain, and he employed
his power to defeat their enterprise.

But in a short time, by their energy, and the confidence
which they had inspired by their honorable dealings,
they were doing a business, in its extent iDerhaps not.
surpassed by any in the eastern part of the Province.
Their trade consisted principally in shipping timber to
Britain, the fisheries, and the "West India trade. In
timber the article most in demand was squared pine,
which was still obtained in considerable quantities in
Pictou and the outports. They were not engaged largely
in shipbuilding, their operations being confined princi-
pally to the building of small vessels for the fisheries or
the "West India trade. In fishing, the mode of doing
business was to send to the various places to which the
finny tribes chiefly resorted, small vessels, loaded with
barrels, salt, and supplies of goods, such as fishermen
required, in charge either of one of the firm or an agent,
who exchanged these articles for fish. In this way they
prosecuted the fishery the whole season, commencing
with the G-aspereaux in Spring, then following succes-
jsively the spring mackerel and the spring herring, the
codfish and salmon, the fall herring and fall mackerel.
In this way their business extended as far as Richibucto
on the North, Kustico on the North coast of Prince
Edward Island, Margarie and Cheticamp on the North
coast of Cape Breton, and Causo on the South shore of
Nova Scotia. At that time fish were taken in quantities
which now seem almost incredible, five hundred barrels
of mackerel at a single haul being considered a good,
but not an extraordinary catch. Oftentimes they could
not be cured, and heaps containing hundreds of barrels
were left to rot upon the shore. The fishermen were
generally a reckless set, depending on taking by a
single haul enough to keep them for six months, and
were dependant upon traders, for the sujxply of most

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of the necessaries of life. The fish brought back
in these expeditions, was 8hipi)ed, along with various
kinds of lumber to the West Indies, and the vessels
brought back return cargoes of "West India produce. Ini
this trade the brothers continued for a number of years-
Doubtless there are many enterprising men in Pictou at
the present day, but where is all this business now ?
Por the decline of the timber trade, there is a good reason
in the exhaustion of the supply, but why should not the
fisheries be carried on from Pictou, as well as from ports,
more distant from the places frequented by the^e finnjr
tribes.

In their business dealings the two brothers were muck
esteemed. "We have met in distant places in Cape Breton,
and along the south shore of the Province, persons who
looked back with the kindliest recollections to the days»
when they traded to these quarters, and spoke with the
warmest feelings of respect for themselves personally.

They retired from business in the year 1832. The
older, so long known as " the deacon," many in Pictou.
will still remember. A man of but few words, he was
ready for every good work. In the congregation he was
the deacon and the manager, never putting himself for-
ward, but always having work laid upon him, and doing
it as naturally as if taking his meals, — a man of such
entire negation of self, that ne never seemed to feel that
he was doing anything, yet the man to whom everybody
looked when anything was to be done. Such was he in
every society with which he was connected. He filled
also public situations with honor to himself and advan-
tage to others. He was a trustee of the Pictou Academy
from its foundation, and for many years its treasurer.
He was also treasurer to the Synod of the Presbyterian
Church of Nova Scotia, when, however, the keeping of
its accounts, and the disbursement of its funds, was not
a matter of great labor. G-uileless in character, lovable

307

in nature and unasstnning in all that he did, he passed
away not only without an enemy, but amid universal
expressions of profound respect. He died April, 1847.

Abraham, though in his later years living in a great
measure retired from public life, was at this time for years
one of the most prominent men in Pictou. In the year
1815 or '16, he was appointed a justice of the peace,
which at that time involved something, having been
recommended to the position by the unanimous voice of
a public meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Pictou,
and filled the office for more than fifty years. He was
also a judge of the Inferior Court, at the time of the
abolition of that tribunal, in the public movements of
his time, he for many a day bore an honorable part. He
died June, 1867.

The meeting for the election of magistrates referred to,
took place at Taylor's Tavern, on the east side of the
street leading to Yorstons Wharf, his biggest room being
prepared for the purpose, when besides Mr. P., his brother,
Walter, Robert Patterson, and, we believe, Robert McKay,
were chosen, and in due course were appointed by
Government. The meeting was harmonious, and not
less so, when the nominations being over, one gentleman
arose and said, " Mr. Chairman, I have another motion to
propose." Attention being directed to him, he added, " I
move that we now call for liquors all round." There is
no record of the result, but we venture to say that the
motion was carried, nem: con., and, unlike many a better
resolution, was immediately carried into execution.

Robert Patterson here mentioned, was usually known as
Black Bob, to distinguish him from two cousins of the same
name, his title being derived from the colour of his hair,
all being grandsons of Squire Patterson. He lived above
Dr. McCulloch's place on the old road, was now in busi-
ness, and afterward an active magistrate.

Walter Patterson was the third son of John Patterson.

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Few now remember him, but these few are always touched
with tenderness, as they speak of him. By those who
knew him, he is described as the ablest and finest of the
first generation, that grew up in the town. He was a
notary public, and filled such important oflices as Olerk
of the Peace, Prothonotary, and Clerk of the Commis-
sioners' Court, besides more private ones, as Secretary of
the Friendly Society. As has been said, wherever
accuracy and good business habits were wanted, Walter
Patterson was the man. He was specially beloved for
his social habits. Though distinguished by a sobriety
unusual for the times, yet a genial humor that never
wounded, rendered him the joy of any circle he entered.
He died in 1821, at Plymouth, England.

Among the other merchants of this period we may
mention James Dawson. He was a native of Banff, and
at first did business as a saddler, but afterward commenced
trading, fo"" lowing the course we have already described
in ship building, shipping timber, the fisheries and the
"West India trade. Finding trade prospering, he sent for
his brother Robert, in partnership with whom he carried
on business for some time, both saddling and merchan-
dizing. But after a time they separated and each did
business on his own account. The commercial changes
of 1825-26, which we shall more particularly describe
presently, involved him in pecuniary embarrassment.
Being connected by marriage with Mr. Boyd, of the firm
of Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh, he was through them led
to engage in the bookselling business, the first in the
Province out of Halifax who did so. Encumbered with •
the debts of his previous business, which he had under-
taken to pay with interest, he continued to prosecute it
though without any very large profit to himself, main-
taining A bookstore, which for many years surpassed those
in Halifax, dealers there giving their attention mainly to
stationery. In this way he was the means of circulating

809

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much healthful literature, and thus of promoting the
progress of knowledge in the county and beyond. Ho
was actively engaged in the religious societies of the day,
and, though not having the knack of gaining popularity,
he in these and other ways served his generation. Ho
died at the residence of his son, Dr. J. W. Dawson of
Montreal. His brother also was for many years a pro-
minent man, especially in the religious movements of the
day. Vlo might also mention Robert McKay, Esqr., who,
after the death of Mortimer, with whom he had been
clerk, commenced business at River John, where ho was
successful for a time, but succumbed to the commercial
storm just referred to. Ho was afterward shipping agent
at South Pictou for the General Mining Association, and
succeeded Mr. Smith as Gustos of the county.

At this time commenced Henry Hatton. His father,
Robert Hatton, was a lawyer, who emigrated from Ireland
and settled in Pictou about the year 1813. Pis son first
commenced business in one of the wings of John Dawson's
building, but afterward had a large set of buildings, at
what is now South Market St., but which was then not
built up, and was known as Hattons wharf. Ho was
afterward one of the largest shipbuilders in the county,
and for several years represented the township of Pictou
in the Assembly.

"We may here mention a system of trade not uncommon
at this time. Captains of vessels brought out supplies of
goods, or sometimes solid specie, which they exchanged for
timber. Of these the most deserving of notice is Stephen
^Lowrey, of Newcastle, Eng., who, afterward becoming a
shipowner, traded with his vessels to Pictou to a con-
siderably later period, and who, entering into partnership
with the late James Purves, under the name of Stephen
Lowrey & Co.. did a large business in shi]? building at
the head of Purves' wharf.

Trade being now thri\'ing, a number of the merchants

810

combined to build a vessel, to be a regular trader between
Pictou and tho old country. She was a brig called the
Enterprise, and was built by Thomas Lowdtn, who had
a good reputation as a shipbuilder. Sho was launched in
August, 1820, and tho occasion was celebraled by a ball
on board. She was a square box of a thing, carrying a
large cargo for her tonnage, and always proving a safe
and successful vessel, though a diill sailer. 8he continued
to make her regular trips twice a year, bringing out
British goods and taking back timber, till the crash of
1825-6, when she was sold. Thereafter she was employed
in carrying coals from Newcastle to London, and was so
engaged twenty years later, and may be yet.

The timber trade had declined both from the peace,
and the diminution of the supply, but it was still of
importance ; and with the shipbuilding and other business
still carried on, and the improvement in agriculture, still
brought a fair measure of prosperity to the county, when
there came the terrible financial crisis of 1825 and '2G in
the mother country, which resulted in severe losses to all
e<igaged in timber and shipping, whether there or here,
and the utter bankruptcy of many. To show its opera-
tion, we may mention, that vessels which in the early
part of 1825 brought illS IDs. per ton, in the following
year would not bring £Q, and men, who shipped cargoes
of timber to England, were brought in debt for the freight.
In St John, N. B., the day tho intelligence of these changes
arrived, was long known as Black Monday. Strong men
wept, as in one day they found the work of a life-time
swept away. A firm, that in the previous year, had
shipped a hvmdred cargoes, now became bankrupt. In
Pictou all the merchants suffered severely. Some had
large stocks of timber on hand, which they had bought at
high rates, but which were now unsaleable at any
price. It lay in the rivers and outports for some time,
till theouter portion was decayed or worm eaten, when

811

it had to bo hewn over aj^aiii. Yet even al'ter this
expense, and with the quantity thus diminished, it sold
for half the price per ton that it originally cost, tjlomo
became bankrupt, others never recovered from the blow,
and for a time the trade of the jjort was laid prostrate.

This period is marked by the formation of societies of
a religious or benevolent character. The most interesting
of these is the Pictou Sabbath School Society. The first
Sabbath School in the county, on the modern system, was
commenced in town by the late James and Robert Daw-
eon, according to the statement of the former, in the year
1814. They were joined soon after by John Geddie, Sr.
But it was now determined to form a society, for the pro-
motion of Sabbath Schools generally. Accordingly a
meeting w^as held for the purpose, on the " jth March,
1822, in ihe old Court House, and a resolution was
adopted, to form such a society " having for its object the
encouragement, union and increase of Sabbath Schools."
The rules were also agreed to, by which a payment of 2s
and 6d annually, was to constitute membership for a year^
and 20s for life. Meetings of the Society were to be held
on the second Tuesdays of May, August, November and
February, the last being the annual meeting. In town
ihe teachers were to meet monthly, and in the country
Ihey were recommended to meet as often as possible. In
all cases they were to bestow their labor gratis. In the year
following, it was reported that there were 29 schools, with
1,000 pupils, in connection with the Society. The insti-
fitution was for some years in vigorous operation, collect-
ing funds to import books, sending agents through the
country districts to establish new schools and to stimulate
old ones, and in circulating religious literature, suited to
the young. In the year 1827 we find reported as in con-
nection with the Society, 77 schools, with 2,{>35 pupils
and 198 teachers; also, that there had been imported
books to the value of i:i04 Gs lOd. sterling, and that the

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mnnber circulated was 6,950, besides the libraries attached
to many of, the schools. Its last report that we have
seen noticed, was in the year 1833, being the eleventh.

In the year 1823, the Bible Society was re-organized»
From its first formation in 1818, it had scarcely ever met.
The plan upon which it had been formed, of one Society
for the county, with so many directors from each congre-
gation, had not been found convenient in practice. Still
these directors had collected money in their several
quarters, which was yearly remitted to the parent insti-
tution, by Dr. McGregor, who also ordered and circulated
Bibles, and generally did the business of the Society.
But interest having fallen off, after some solicitation from
him, the Society was now re-organized on its present
basis, as the Pictou Auxiliary of the British & Foreign
Bible Society, with Mr. James Dawson as secretary and
depositary.

About the same time, the first subscription library in.
the county was formed in town. A public meeting wa»
held for the purpose, presided over by Dr. McCuUoch,.
who urged the importance of the proposal. The first
importation of books was made in the spring of 1822.
The institution continued for some thirty years, and
during that time its books increased, until they formed a.
very respectable collection, the circulation of which did
much for the promotion of intelligence and literary taste ;
but unfortunately interest in it declined, and it was-
finally dissolved and the books scattered.

Another institution of this period, which however w©
cannot commend, must be noticed. We allude to the
Ballast Pier. From the number of vessels arriving in
ballast, the discharge of which in lighters involved much
labor and expense, a number of persons forrned the idea,
that it would ba a profitable speculation to build a wharf
on the edge of the channel, at which vessels might
directly discharge. They also expected to fill in from it

813

to the Deacons Wharf, and to make money by the lots
to be reclaimed from the water. At the same time, the
magistrates fearing injury to the harbour, by the manner
in which ballast was being discharged, obtained in the
year 1819 an Act of the Legislature, authorizing the Court
of Sessions to make regulations for the good of commerce
and the preservation of the harbour. In this act they
were empowered to •' fix such places in the harbour as
shall be most convenient and proper for ships and vessels
to discharge th^ir ballast, and to make such agreement as
may bo needful and necessary with persons, for erecting
and building wharves and other conveniences, for such
ships and vessels to discharge their ballast upon," &c.
Accordingly they contracted with this company to build
such a wharf as mentioned, giving them the exclusive
right to receive ballast on it for the next ten years, and
empowering them to levy a remuneration of 8d. per ton
register on every vessel so discharging. The wharf was
accordingly constructed, and till the year 1824 vessels
discharged there. But by this time the folly of the
scheme began to appear. The wharf, from the wood of
which it was built decaying, began to spread, and its
contents to be discharged into the channel. The company,,
who had lost money by their speculation, wished to have
their power extended to twenty years, but the magistrates
refused, although they for a time permitted'a practice not
really any wiser, of vessels drawing up opposite the
Battery Point and discharging their ballast there. The
result is, that what was to fill the pockets of the projectors,
net only proved a bad business for them, but remains an
unsightly ruin, and an injury to the harboar. Sir James
Kempt on visiting Pictou, when he came in sight of the
hurbour, seeing the ballast pier, asked what that was.
On being told, he said, " You have spoiled your harbour,'^
and to some extent this h&s been the case.
In an ecclesiastical point of view, the period we are

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now reYiewing, reqtiires special notice, as that of the
commencement of those religious divisions, for which the
county has been since somewhat noted. The first
ministers of the county were from what was then known
as the Antiburgher branch of the Secession, but in teach-
ing their people, they never introduced the peculiarities
which divided Presbyterians in Scotland. The large
majority of their original hearers were from the Established
Church of Scotland, but they were glad to get the gospel,
And, served as they were by inen of superior powers, who
cheerfully endured toil and privation for their spiritual
^ood, raising no question as to Establishment or Secession,
they not only fell in with their ministry, but became devot-
edly attached to them. There was thus entire harmony
throughout the county, except as here and there
opposition might be raised to a minister, by an individual
•of a litigious disposition. Afterward when every settle-
ment was disturbed by strife, those who could remember
this period, often looked back uixjn it with fond regret.

At the same time, there was no union among the
Presbyterians throughout the Province. When Dr.
McQ-regor arrived, like so many Scotchmen since, he
thought that the difference which separated them in the
old country, should be maintained here, and refused to
unite with the Presbytery of Truro. " Taught by
experience," he says, " that the peculiar rules of church
communion observed in Scotland could not apply here,
they offered to me the right hand of fellowship, which I,
destitute of their teaching, did not accept." This want of
union at first did little posilivcharm, as the congregations
were separated, sometimes by wide tracts of wilderness,
and there being little intercourse between them. In no
case were two congregations maintained in the same
place, or a congregation split in two, by any question
which divided Presbyterians in the mother country. But
as intercourse increased, the inconsistency of their posiUon

815

'became apparent. The members of their congregations
passed from one to the other, and were received withont
question and without scruple, and yet the ministers
remained apart; and thus too, although the ministers
were personally friendly, there was lost the benefit of
united action.

They had somatimes met to consult on matters of
-common interest, and to some extent co-operated in
promoting tba Redeemer's Kingdom. But now the state
of matters pressed itself upon their attention, sc that after
mutual intercourse and consultation, it was resolved to
form a union, on the simple basis of the Westminster
Confession of Faith, leaving all the questions, which
•divided Presbyterians in Scotland, as matters of forbear-
ance. One measure, which at this time tended to bring
this about was the Collegiate Institution, at this time
projected in Pictou. The greatness of the undertaking in
their circumstances, and yet the pressing call for such an
institution, in consequence of the deficient supply of
ministers from abroad, rendered combined action
necessary, to its successful establishment and maintenance.

The union was accordingly consummated in July 1817,
the name adopted for the united body being, " the
Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia," and caused great
joy. It embraced all the Presbyterian ministers in the
Province) including two or three originally from the
Church of Scotland, with the exception of liev. A. Gray
of Halifax, the constitution of whose congregation
prevented his joining, but who remained on friendly
terms with its ministers, and co-operated with them in
their work as long as he lived.

This was the first of the Presbyterian unions, and was
on a liberal basis. Its immediate results were happy. It
was a leading cause of the union, which was accomplished
in Scotland, between the two branches of the Secession
in 1820, and at home, the Synod addressed itself energeti-

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cally to its work. But looking upon it with the light,
which time throws upon events, we can now see that the
good men who accomplished it, were simply at least sixty
years before their age, for in this 1877, we cannot enjoy
the general union at which they aimed, and which they
fondly hoped they had achieved. Already a cloud,
seemingly no bigger than a man's hand, appeared on the
horizon, and soon the commencement of strife proved as
the letting out of waters.

We have already mentioned the commencement of party
division in Pictou after the election of 1799. But from an
early period an ecclesiastical element mingled with the
personal and political feelings then excited. Mortimer was
most friendly with the Secession ministers, while "Wallace
and the official party regarded a dissenter as a rebel, or
worse, if such could be. Any man therefore who took
offence at his minister became the friend of "Wallace, and
any one opposed to Mortimer was apt to quarrel with the
church. Thus the two elements became mixed, and a parly
gradually sprang up opposed to the leading men both in
Church and State.

In the years that followed, as wfl have seen, there was
a large inllux of settlers, from the Highlands and Islands
of Scotland, very ignorant, only a minority able to read,
yet like most people coming from j;he old country then
and long after, looking with great contempt on ministers
and every thing else in America, and this in proportion
to their ignorance. Jn the Highlands, the Secession
church was known only by report and that unfavourable ;
and while, with few exceptions, the old settlers, who
knew by experience the labours ol their first ministers,
and had a grateful recollection of the manner in which
they had shared their privations, warmly adhered to
them, the new cclaQts began to decry them, as not
preaching the gospel and to clamour for ministers of the
Church of Scotland. The payment of stipend was to them

317

a grievance previously unknown, and Ihey regarded it as
one of the glories of the Establishment to be free from it,
and they expected by getting ministers of that body to
enjoy the same immunities here. Those immigrants had
now filled up the back settlements, so that the ministers
here were unable properly to supply them with minis-
terial service. J3ut knowing the natural prejudices of
these people and being anxious to obtain for them minis-
ters to their liking, and at the same time having learned
to disregard the distinctions among the Presbyterians in
Scotland, if they could obtain men of the right stamp,
they applied to the leading ministers of the church of
Scotland in the Highlands, such as Dr. Stewart, of
Dingwall and Mcintosh of Tain, to obtain ministers of
that body to supply the wants of the settlers, still desiring
and hoping to keep the Presbyterians here together as one
body. These men fully approved of the union, and were
anxious to meet ihe wishes of Dr. McGregor and his
friends, but alter a good deal of enquiry, they were
obliged to write, that they could not get men to come,
upon whom they could depend.

Just at this time others arrived, who adopted a different
policy. The first minister of the Church of Scotland who
remained in the county was the Rev. Donald A. Fraser,
who arrived here in the year 1817. Ho was a native of
the Island of Mull, of which his father was the parish
minister. Being from the Church of Scotland, he was
eagerly laid hold of by those who had been dissatisfied
with the ministers here. Soon after he settled at
McLennans Mountain, where there were at that time
about forty families. There the next year a frame church,
capable of seating 600 persons, was erected, and alongside
sof it, a log house for himself and his wife. This was the
first church in ihe county, built in connection with the
Church of Scotland, and we may ^ ay in the Province, for
although there have been some others older, they were

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not originally built in that connection. A year later,
another was built on Frasers Mountain, about six miles,
distant from that on McLennans Mountain, and two from
New Glasi^ow, which then could scarcely be said to
exist, and Mr. Eraser preached at these places alternately,
giving also some supply to Blue Mountain, and preaching
occasionally in other places, where parties were forming
in connection with the Church of Scotland. There were
at arst only twenty-five families at Frasers Mountain,
but they became the nucleus of the congregation of ISt.
Andrews, New Glasgow. In lue year 1828, the church
was hauled down there, and placed on the lot on which
their present place of worship stands.

But a person who at this time made more disturbance
and excitement was Norman McLeod, who arrived in
Pictou about the year 1818. Qe was not only not
connected with any religious body, but denounced them
all, even going so far as to say there was not a minister
of Christ in the whole establishment. Those who have
heard him at Ihis time, describe his preaching as consisting
of torrents of abuse against all religious bodies, and even
against individuals, the like of which they had never
heard, and which were perfectly indescribable. He had
never been licensed or ordained, but regarded himself as
under higher influences than the ministers of any church.
•* I am so full of the Holy Ghost, that my coat will not
button on me," he said once in a sermon, as he made the
attempt to bring the two sides together in front.^

But though so wilily fanatical, he was a man of great
pov/er, and gained an influence over a large portion of
the Highlanders, such as no man in the county possessed.
As Dr. McGregor said, " he will get three hearers to Mr.

• Ho did not seem to be always so favored. A gentleman told me that on
one occasion be went to where he was preaching in a barn. As he passed the
open barn door, McLeod stopped and said, "as soon as I saw that man, tb&
Spirit refuficd mo utterance."

319

Fraser's one, and the people will go much fui-ther to heaT
him, than any minister in Pictou." He took up his
residence at Middle River, and the people of the upper
part of the river, Lairg and neighborhood, who had
hitherto been under the ministry of Mr. Ross, generally
followed him, so that the latter relinquished to him
his church at Middle River, which we may remark stood
at McKerr's intervale. But his influence extended to
many in almost every part of the county, and by his
followers he was regarded with unbounded devotion.

After a time, however, a number became dissatisfied,
when they found that he would not give them baptism
for their children. Indeed during his lifetime, he found
very few whom he considered qualified to receive the
ordinance, and we are not certain if he found any to
whom he would administer the Lord's Supper. He
then induced a number of those over whom lie retained
his influence, to emigrate, and for this purpose to build a
vessel at Middle River Point, which he called the A.rk.
In this they left, and afterwards formed the settlement ol
St. Anns, in Cape Breton.* Many in the county still
remained his attached adherents, and were usually known
as Normanites, and almost as long as he remained in the
Province, when he visited Pictou they attended him
wherever he went. It is but just to say, that these were
regarded as among the most moral and religious of our
Highland population.

In the year 1824, the Rev. Kenneth John McKenzie
arrived in Pictou, and commenced his ministry among tho

* At St. Anns he labored for uiany ytiCirs, maintaining an unbounded evray
over his adherents, which was used in favor of temperance and sound morality,
but also wo must say in nurturing a fanatical Pharisaism. He published a
Tulume of some size, styled Normauism, besides minor publications. When
an old man, he induced a number of his people again to emigrate, and for
this purpose to build a vessel. In ibis they proceeded to Australia, and
theuco to New Zealand, where he died.

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adherents of the Kirk in town. He was a native of
Stornoway, and a man of superior talents. He at first
preached in the court-house, but Ihat summer, St. Andrews
church was begun, and as soon as the outside was finish-
ed, service was held in it, the audience being seated on,
rude benches.

Up till this time, Mr. Fraser had been on friendly terms
with Dr. McGregor, and though the spirit of contention
had been rising, it was still hoped that permanent division
would have been avoided. But from this time ho broke
off all association with him, refusing even the hospitalities
of his house, at which he had been a frequent visitor.
Thenceforward he and Mr. McKeuzie devoted their
energies to completing the work of division. As the
people had been hitherto under the pastoral care of
ministers of the Secession, this carried strife into every
part of the county, and often into families. From the
position of parties in the old country at that time, this
division was probably unavoidable, but from the manner
in which it originated here, and other circumstances,
the feelings excited were very violent, and the results
deplorable.

Other ministers of the body followed. The people of
Gairloch andSaltsprings obtained the Rev. Hugh McLeod.
Highlanders can stand a good deal in their minister, if he
be of the true Church of Scotland, but he was more than
they could stand, and after a few years they got rid of
him, at the expense of a lawsuit. He went to Demerara,
where he died, on the 10th May, 1832. In the year 1827,
the Eev. John McEae, became minister of those who
adhered to the Church of Scotland, at the Upper Settle-
ment of the East River, where he continued till the
disruption, when he returned to Scotland. The Rev.
Dugald McKeichan, settled in Barneys River the same
year, but only remained there three years. He returned in
1840, but also wepit to Scotland ot the disruption. Rev

821

Mr. McOaulay was the first minister of Rogers Hill. Ho
is »aid to have been a relation of the historian. He removed
to Prince Edward Island, where he relinquished the
ministry, and was for years one of the ablest members of
the Legislature

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CHAPTER XVI.

DR. McOUIiLtXJH AND THE PICTOU ACADEMY.

We must now turn back, to give an account of the
efforts of Dr. McCulloch on behalf of education, and of
the discussions, political and ecclesiastical, connected
with the subject, which at one time occupied so prominent
a place in the history of the county.

The want of ministers to occupy the numerous destitute
settlements of the Province, had from an early period
engaged the attention of those already in the field, and
they sent urgent appeals to the bodies in Scotland, from
which they had come, for additional laborers. The
supplies thus received, however, were always irregular
and inadequate, and hence was almost forced upon their
attention, the question of the possibility of training young
men for the ministry in this country. Under the influence
of suoh considerations. Dr. McCulloch, as we have men-
tioned, as early as the year 1805, only two years after his
arrival, projected an institution for the purpose of giving
instruction ii. the higher branches of education — which
would thus meet the object of the Presbytery, by giving
young men desirous of entering the Gospel ministry, that
literary and scientific culture, which the Presbyterian

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Ohnrch has sought in its ministers, and at the same time
afford the benefit of liberal studies to all who chose to
avail themselves of them.

In that year, a society was formed for the establish-
ment of 6uch an institution, and subscriptions were taken
throughout the district. The following is a copy of the
' heading of the one on the East River, the others, wo
presume, being in the same terms : —

"We, the subscribers, hereby declare our approbation of the Society
formed in Fictou, for establishing a college of learning in this district. Wo
are persuaded that such an institution would have a powerful influence to
promote the interests of society, both by disseminating general knowledge,
correcting the vices oi youth, and instilling into their minds the principles of
virtue. That this design may therefore bo carried into effect, we bind and
oblige ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, to pay tho
sams respectively subscribed by us, one-third part on the first Tuesday of
May, 1806, another third part on tho first Tuesday of May, 1807, and the
remaining third part on the first Tuesday of May, 1808, to such person or
persons as the society shall appoint for transacting their business."

This was headed by Dr. McGregor, with a subscription
of £20, " provided the Harbour congregation pay me tho
sixteen pounds which they owe me." Others follow
with subscriptions of i)10, the whole amount in that
settlement being £126, ($500). Writing at this time, Dr.
McGregor says " The increasing demand for ministers
seems to intimate the necessity of raising them in this
country. The great expense of everything here renders
this undertaking next to hopeless in our circumstances,
yet Mr. McCuUoch, who started tho idea, has sanguine
nopes. Pictou people have subscribed about iJl^OOO, a
« more liberal subscription than they are well able to pay.
We expect some money from the Province Treasury if we
give our seminary & little name, as not rivalling lb»
University, : which Government has established. We
expect great assistance from Britain and Ireland. We
intend to send Mr. McCulloch home to beg."

The project was not carried into execution at that time.
As far as obtaining Provincial aid, or even the legislation

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828

iWJcessaTy for establishing snch an institntion, with
"Wentworth governor and Wtillace at his back, we suspect
that any expectations were found hopeless. Such a
scheme would only appear to them as favoring a nest of
pestilent disloyalty, which ought to be crushed as the
serpent's brood. The country too was not in a state to
support such a measure.

The idea however was not lost sight of, and with a
view to its ultimate realization, the ministers took charge
of promising young men, to whom they gave instruction,
in the way of preparing them for entering such an
institution, and at the same time raised funds to aid in
supporting them. In the year 1814, we find Mr. Ross
teaching five boys Latin and Greek, with a view to the
ministry. Dr. McGregor also did something in the same
way. In the meantime Dr. McCuUoch, partly to improve
his circumstances, for like most of the ministers of that
period, he was imperfectly supported by his congregation,
and partly with the view of raising the standard of
education in the district, about this time opened a school
of a higher class; and when in 1811, the Government
passed an Act granting jBIOO per annum for a Grammar
School in each county, and in the districts of Colchester,
Pictou and Yarmouth, he obtained the grant for the one
under his charge, and held it for a number of years. The
building in which he taught, stood nearly opposite his
gate on the old road out of town to the west. "We may
observe here that it continued to be used in the same way,
*'ll the winter of 1824, when it was hauled down to the lot,
on which the engine house is i^ow built. The ground
was boggy, and it was placed on a foundation built up of
squared logs, a few feet above the ground. After this it
still continued to be used as a Grammar School, constantly
till the year 1832, and again some years later.

The number and progress of the young men attending
this institution, and studying in other quarters, revived

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the idea ^f a college ; and accordingly under the leader-
ship of Dr. McCulloch, and the cordial approval of the
Governor having been first obtaiued, a Society was formed
for the establishment of such a seminary on a liberal
basis. As Mortimer was then a power in the Legislature,
and Sir John Coapo Sherbrooke, the Governor, the most
independent ruler that was ever at the head of cur affairs,
success was confidently anticipated. Accordingly on the
petition of Dr. McGregor and others, both in Pictou and
elsewhere, an act of incorporation was. granted to the
trustees in the year 1816.

At this time we should observe, that the only institution
in the Province at that time for the higher education was
the college at Windsor. It was established by an Act of
the Legislature of Nova Scotia, about the ^ear 1790,
which at^the same time provided <£400 sterling a year (as
currency then was — i)444, or $1,776,) permanently for its
support. The only restriction in the Act was that the
president should be in holy orders in the Church of
England. Subsequently a royal charter was obtained,
by which the institution was designated " Kin^^'s College,"
and the governors thereof authorized to pass statutes or
by-laws for its govemment, which they did. in reality.
One of them ran thus :

" No member of the University shall frequent the Romish Mass, or the
meeting-houses of Presbyterians, Baptists or Methodists, or the conventicles
or places of worship of any other dissenters from the Church of England, or
whore divine service shall not be performed according to the liturgy of the
Church of England, or shall be present at any seditious or rebellious meetings."

Independent of the bigotry of this, the conjunction

the first and last clauses is expressive. But another rai.

thus:

« No degree shall bo confcn'ed, till the candidate shall have taken the oaths
of allegiance, supremacy and obedience to the statutes of the University ; and
shall have subscribed the thirty-nine articles of the Church of England, and
the three articles contained in the thirty-ninth canon of the Synod of London,
beld in the year of our Lord, 1603."

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Tho institution was modelled on tho plan of the
University of Oxford. The students were obliged, at a
heavy expense, to reside within its walls, and its whole
management was such, as would have excluded tho i^reat
majority of the youth of the Province, even had its
statutes been more liberal.*

It is noto 8aid that these statutes i\erer were approved
of by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who on the contrary
expressed his disapproval of thus limiting to a small
jwrtion of the community, the benefits of an institution
established by Government for the benefit of all, and was
even determined to expunge ihe obnoxious laws ; but
that part of the trustees prevented the alti^ration. But
these were the dominant party of the Institution, and
these statements only present in a stronger light the
bigotry of those, who in spite of representations ftrom such
a quarter, retained such regulations. Nothing was said
at this time by the friends of the Institution about there
being anything wrong about these statutes. For years
after the Pictou Academy began, they were maintained
in full force. Charles K. Fairbanks, one of the most
brilliant public men that ever graced the Legislature of
Nova Scotia, stated, in one of the debates on tho Pictou
Academy, that he had been educated at Kings College,
but because he could not swallow the tests, he had been
refused a degree. We may add here, that while thus
restricted to about a fifth of the population, it had been
receiving, besides the grant of i5444 from the Legislature
of Nova Scotia, illOOO sterling from the British Govern-
ment annually since the year 1802.

"With these arrangements the people were not satisfied,
but scattered as they were, the majority struggling for
the ne ossaries of life, and few of them thinking of

• T. C. Hallibartoo, ia one of his speeches on the Pictou Academy, as re-
ported, said that it cost a young man £120 per annum to live at Windsor
College, and only £20 at Pictou.

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collegiate education for their children, little had been
said, and nothings had been done, to effect a change. But
the proposal to establish an institution ca a liberal basis,
was generally hailed with satisfaction. The bill for the
incorporation of the trustees, was introduced into the
House by Mr. Chipmaii, a Baptist, and seconded by Mr.
"Wells, and passed unanimously. "Wo think it worth
while giving the names of the original trustees. They
were, Edward Mortimer, Revs. Duncan Ross and Thomas
McCull'jch, Thomas Davidson, George Smith, Robert
Lowden, Revs. "William Patrick, James McGregor,
Archibald Gray, and James Robson, S. G. "W. Archibald,
and James Foreman.

The intention was to found an institution specially for
Dissenters, not indeed excluding Churchmen, but as
Kings College was entirely under the control of the
latter, it was expected that only the former would take
advantage of the new institution, or combine in its
support. Still they wished it equally free to all, and the
act of incorporation was introduced into the Assembly
and passed there without any tests whatever.

But the leaders of the Church of England, who were
then dominant in the Council, took alarm at the idea of
such an institution, which they judged would form a
rallying point for Dissenters against the Church. They
were willing, or at least the liberal minded among them
were, to allow Presbyterians to have an institution, in
which they might give their children such education as
they could, but they feared the establishment of a college,
which, combining Dissenters in its support, might
become the successful rival of Kings. In consequence of
this, when the bill was introduced into the Upper House,
they introduced a series Ot" tests of a very offensive and
vexatious character. Evury new trustee was to be either
a member of the Church of England, or cf the Presbyterian
religion (not church, for that title was not conceded to

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327

auch a body), and on his election, a majority of the
trustees present mnst sign a formal certificate to that
effect, and forward it to the Lieutenant Governor. Ho
must also appear before the Supreme Court, and, if not of
the Church of England, make the following declaration :
*' I, A..B., appointed one of the Trustees of the Pictou
Academy, do declare that I do profess the Presbyterian
religion, as the same is declared in the Westminster Con-
fession of Faith." Until he did this, ho could not legally
act as trustee. Moreover, ho was required to do this
every three ^--ears, or his office became vacant. The same
tests were to be applied to every person appointed a
teacher, and he also was required to appear before the
Supreme Court, and make a similar declaration. The
trustees were also prevented from holding any property
outside the District of Pictou.

The House of Assembly were obliged either to submit
to these amendments, or lose the bill, and they reluctantly
agreed to them. This act. to which a suspending clause
had been appended, afterwards received the t*anction of
the Prince Regent, and become law. By this act the
Trustees were empowered to pass by-laws and fill up
vacancies in the board, subject to the approval of the
Governor for the time being. Sometime afterward a
charter of incorporation, in pursuance of the act, and under
the great seal of the Province, passed to the Trustees.

It should have been mentioned, that to avoid exciting
the jealousy of the friends of Kings C ollege, who were
really all powerful in the Government, it was resolved
not to seek the right of conferring degrees or the other
privileges of a college. Hence the name Pictou Academy,
though from the first it was intended to impart the educa-
tion usual in colleges.

To establish such an institution under the circumstan-
ces, was a task simply herculean. A large portion of the
population in the rural districts were still struggling with.

828

the difficulties of a first settlement, and as to education,
few thought of seeking for their children more than the
ordinary training of a common school. Even that in many
places WBS difficult to obtain, and when obtained very
inferior. A large proportion of the inhabitants, did not
feel the necessity of any thing better, and many did not
value education at all. The population was sparse, and
the several portions had but little communication with one
another or with the capital. The tests introduced by the
council threw the institution into the hands of the Pres-
byterians, and as they then consisted only of about twenty
congregations, most of these in thinly settled districts and
the members in humble circumstances, it will be perceived,,
that the Dr. had entered upon an undertaking, requiring
a large amount of that faith, which can remove mountains.
Nevertheless the trustees addressed themselves to their
work with great energy. They immediately proceeded
to raise money by subscription, beginning with about
JB400 among themselves, for the purchase of land and the
erection of a suitable building. In this way they collected
about jei,000 ($4,000) a large sum under the circum-
stances. The following is the heading of the list :

" We, the subscribers, desirous of affording our concurrence and assistance
to the society formed in Pictou, for providing the means of instruction in the
branches of a liberal education, which arc not taught in the Provincial
Oi-ammar Schools, hereby bind and oblige ourselves, our heirs and assigns to
pay to the Treasurer of the society for the time being, the sums annexed to
our respective signatures, the same to be paid when the society shall judge,
that a sum has been subscribed sufficient to enter upon the execution of tho
said plan."

This is commenced by Moirimer, with a subscription
of iJlOO, who is followed by the three ministers, Messrs.
McG-regor, Ross and McCuUoch, for sums of £50 each.
Altogether in the town je628 was subscribed.

Dr. McCuUoch was chosen its first president^ and before
the building was erected, teaching began. The first
classes were opened, as near as we can ascertain, in tha

829

fall of 1817. A room was fitted up in one end of the
house, in which the late Peter Crerar, Esq., resided, the
other being occupied by the Rev. John McKinlay. Here
plain pine desks were erected, so shaky, that on one
occasion a Highland student, intent on taking notes, found
it so difficult under the movements of his fellow-students,
that, his patience being exhausted, he exclaimed, " Please ,.
master, they're shaking the dask on me." In this fashion
was begun the iirst attempt at free liberal education in these
Provinces. "VVe give below a list of the first students.*

Soon after the building was completed, and the classes
were transferred to it. After the practice of some of the
Scottish Universiiies, students were now required to wear
red gowns. These were made of light merino, and for
the next twenty years these bright scarlet insignia of
learning were one of the features of our town, reminding
the Scotchman of the ancient seats of learning of his
native land.

From this time, Dr. McCulloch's life was devoted to the
interests of the institution. The largest part of the
teaching devolved on him,. and that under the most on-
favourable circumstances. The late Jotham Blanchard
thus wrote of his efforts, during the infancy of the
institution :

" Of his daily labours and nightly vigils^ after taking
charge of the Institution, I am surelv a competent witness.
I was one of his first students, and have often seen him,
at 8 o'clock of a winter morning, enter his desk in a state
of exhaustion, which too plainly showed the labours of

• List of first students at Plctou Academy : — R. S. Patterson, John McLean,
John L. Murdoch, Angus McGillivray, Hugh Ross, Hugh Dunbar, James
McGregor, Michael McCuIloch, Charles Fraser, Benjamin Diclcson, William
Dickson, David Fraser, Edward Harris, Jotham Blanchard, Thomas Forman,

Forman, Charles Archibald, David Sawers, John J. Sawyer, Duncan

McDonald, John McDonald, Hugh Fraser, Archibald Patterson.

Perhaps these were not all present tho first term, but they were ia
attendance with the first class, who passed through the Instit-atixui.

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the night. To this those "who are acquainted with the
jsnbject will give credence, when I state that his share of
the course was, besides Greek and Hebrew, Logic, Moral
Philosophy and Natural Philosophy. In each of these
sciences, he drew out a system for himself, which was of
course the results of much reading and much thought.
"When I add to this account of his daily labours, the
repairs and additions which were necessary to a half-
worn apparatus, and which none but himself could make,
I am almost afraid my testimony will be doubted. And
for the first five or six years of the institution, let it be
remembered, he had charge of a congregation, and regu-
larly preached twice a day, save when over-exertion
€nded in sickness."

His first co-laboi*er was the Uev. John McKinlay. He
was a native of Stirlingshire, Scotland, who came to this
country in the-summer of 1817. Dr. McCuUoch having
given up the Grammar School, to take chaise of the
Academy, Mr. McKinlay succeeded him in the former.
Teaching in it part of the day, and aided there by an
assistant, he also became teacher ot classics and mathe-
matics in the Academy, a position for which he was well
qualified, by the accuracy as well as the extent of his
scholarship. He-continued to hold this position till the
year 1824, when Dr. McCulloch having resigned the
charge of the congregation at Pictou, he was ordained as
his successor on the 11th of August, 1824, and was
succeeded in the Academy by Mr. Michael McCulloch,
who had previously been the second teacher in the
Grammar Schoql.

But during the whole existence of the institution. Dr.
McCulloch was its life and soul. As long as he continued
in connection with it, he taught logic, moral and natural
philosophy. Divers as were the branches devolving upon
him, ho taught them all efficiently. I have since had an
opportunity of knowing something- of the professors in

331

Edinburgh University, but never till 1 saw them did I
know the greatness of Dr. McCulloch. Wo doubt not
every professor there would have excelled him in his
own particular field, but I believe there was no man in
that institution, who could have made the same appearance
in all the branches taught that ho did. The same view
was expressed to me by Dr. Dawson. Ho had a multi-
farious learning, so that he might bo regarded as a whole
senatus academicus. He could have taken any branch
included in the faculties of Arts and Theology, and
taught it in a respectable and efficient manner, I may
add, that his intellect was of that peculiar clearness, that
whatever he knew, he knew accurately and distinctly.

The teaching of the branches named however, was
only a small part of the work which devolved upon him.
Besides the charge of a congregation till the year 1824,
he took an active part in the business of the Synod of the
Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia, and most of the
public documents of the body came from his pen. As
fioon as the first class of students was sufficiently advanced,
he was requested by the Synod to take charge of their
studies in theology. To his other labors was added the
instructing of these young men in Hebrew and theology.
We may add here that he was a superior Hebrew scholar,
and as such almost entirely self taught.

But his labours were chiefly increased by the opposition
wJiich the institution met with. This, as forming an
important chapter in the history of Nova Scotia, as well
as of the county, we must now notice. The trustees
finding the amount insufficient to complete the building
and provide other necessaries, in 1818 petitioned Lord
Dalhousie, then Governor, " to recommend a grant of
money from the piiblic funds of the Province to assist
them in erecting a suitable building, or for such other
pa:'])0sc8 as might be necessary in establishing said

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iiii

Academy." His Lordship recommended the object to the
Assembly by the following message : —

" The institution of an academy at Pictou, appears to
me to promise advantages of education, highly favorable
to the whole eastern part of this Province, and I there-
fore recommend the accompanying petition of the trustees
of that academy to your favorable consideration."

Upon this message, the House, with only four dissen-
tients, passed a resolution for J0500 to the trust ^es, to be
drawn for, as soon as they had expended £l,ij )0 from
private subscription ; to this resolution the Counci. efused
concurrence.

In 1819 a similar vote passed the House, and was
sanctioned in Council. The trustees continued to make
an annual application for money, and during the next
four years— 1820, 1821, 1822 and 1823— they received in
all from the public funds i;i,300.

For several reasons, the trustees about this time began
to fear that the death of friends in the Council, and the
increase of an influence in that body, which had always
been opposed to the institution, might at some period
deprive them of public support, and the possibility of
this event they found injuriously to affect their arrange-
ments. They therefore petitioned for a permanent en-
dowment, and the Representative Branch, without a
division, passed one to the extent of .£400 a year. This
bill the Council rejected.

In 1824 the Assembly passed another and similar bill,
which was also lost in the Council. A vote of ^£400 for
that year was then passed in the Lower and agreed to in
the Upper House. *

The Academy had ii)W proved itself by its work.
Several young men had completed their studies, and
were coming forward to take their places in various
professions, with good promise of usefulness. In that
year, seven young men. having completed a course of

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833

study for the ministry in connection with the Presbyterian
Church, were licensed to preach the gospel. As these
were the first native preachers ever sent forth by that
body, in any of these Provinces, and as they were all
brought up in Pictou, we may give their names. They
were John L. Murdoch, John McLean, R. S. Patterson,
Angus McGrillivray, Hugh Eoss, Hugh Dunbar and
Duncan McDonald. Thai autumn, three of these, viz. :
Messrs. McLean, Murdoch and Patterson proceeded to
Scotland, and preached with acceptance in the pulpits of
various Dissenting ministers ; and having undergone an
examination by Professors "Walker, Sandford, Jardine,
Miller, Milne and Meikleham, professors in the University
of Glasgow, as to their scholastic attainments, they
received the degree of A. M. from that institution.

The trustees of the Pictou Academy now felt, that they
were entitled to appeal to the Legislature, on behalf of
the institution, as no longer an experiment, but as having
its character established. They accordingly in 1825,
petitioned the Legislature lor the removal of tests, for an
enlargement of their powers and for a permanent grant.
"We have not a copy of the petition, but presume the
enlargement of powers, meant the right of conferring
degrees. The petition was referred in the Assembly to a
committee, of which Charles R, Fairbanks, Esq., then
Solicitor G-eneral, was chairman, which reported as
follows :

" The Committee are of opinion that the Pictou Academy is a highly useful
Institution, conducted on an excellent system, that of the Scotch Universities,
and pccxiliarly adapted to meet the wants, and accords with the aentimcnts of
the majority of the Province in regard to the higher branches of education.
That its establishment and support has been and will continue to be a favorite
object with the greater part of the Dissenters in the Province, on account of
its total exemption from any disqualifications to students, originating in
religious distinctions, and for the careful attention, which its conductors have
manifested for the morals of those who attend it. That the attainment of a
eonnd classical education, and of a competent kn )wledge of the other branches
of science, commonly taught in the higher Bchools, is brought down to tho

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834

I 111

11 I

ill III;

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means and ability of those, who, if the Academy did not exist, would be wholly
unable to provide these advanta{,-cs for their children. And lastly, that the
Institution possesses decided advantages, in many respects to those students
who are destined to the ministry in the Presbyterian and other Dissenting
Churches, and is for this object, indispensably necessary, if these are to be
supplied by the youth of the Province.

<' Beferring to the exclusive Scotch character of the population of th&
Eastern part of the Province, and to their known, and perhaps laudable,
partiality and attachment to the Institutions of the country, whence they haro
originated, and regarding also the great and rapidly increasing population of
that quarter, the Committee consider, there exists a fair claim on the part of
Pictou, for support to this Academy, for which so decided an interest is there
manifest, out of that General Revenue, to which they so largely contribute ;
and as from the evidence before them and other considerations, the Com-
mittee aro obliged to believe, that this Institution will be attended by a class
of persons, who, on various accounts, are, and will be, incapable of prosecuting
their studies at Kings College, Windsor, or in the institution of doubtful and
tmcerlain stability now forming in Halifax, they have deemed it their duty
under the clearest convictions of the invaluable benefits, which Education con-
fers on a country, to recommend the Pictou Academy to the continued support
and fostering care of the Oeneral Assembly.

" And believing the honorary Collegiate Distinctions to be highly useful,
as incitements to the emulation and diligence of students, and to bo the
means of extending the respectability, and character and influence of the
institution ; while the incapacity to grant them possesses a tendency injurious,
and perhaps discreditable to it, the Committee cannot perceive any substantial
reason, for refusing to allow these privileges to the Academy.

i< The Committee therefore report that in their opinion, it is expedient to
provide, by an act of the General Assembly, for a permanent allowance to tho
Trustees of the Pictou Academy, of the sum of £400 from the Treasury, and
for bestowing upon it, with full exemption from all tests now required of its
Trustees, the name, distinctions and privileges of a college as known in
Scotland. These the Committee believe will remove all impediments to tha
advancement and prosperity of this Seminary, give it stability and considenw
tion, and justify its supporters in bestowing that assistance, which the doubt
of its permanence now renders it prudent to withhold."

^Upon this report the House first passed a vote of j6400,.
which received the assent of the Council. It then
proceeded to pass a permanent bill for a like sum, but,
after two readings, it was delayed until the next session,
on account of the absence of the Governor, and the
supposed want of power in the President to give his.
assent. This supposed want of power was simply

^'^'"mmmmmmmm

885

pretence. "Wallace, the Administrator of the Government,
never had any scruples about want of power, when it
was a question of rewarding one of his creatures. Then
he could exercise the powers of his position, in a way that
the Governor himself would scarcely have done ; but a
measure of those Pictou Dissenters, why it was simply
flaunting the red flag in his face. i

In 1826, the Assembly passed another permanent bill,
to which the Council refused their assent. The Assembly
then appointed a committee to search the Journals of the
Council, who reported, that in favor of the bill there were
four, Mr. Morris, Judges Stewart and Halliburton, and
the Master of the Rolls, and against it, five, the Lord
Bishop, and Messrs. Wallace, Jeffrey, Binney, and Prescott.
The committee also reported, that the minority had entered
a protest against the dismissal of the bill. This document
wo must present entire. But we may mention here, that
during the Session, the Assembly passed the usual vote
of £400, which received the assent of the Council.

REASONS OF PROTEST BY MINORITY OF COUNCIL,

DATED 22nd march, 1826.

* 1. Because we thiDk that the Dissenters in this Province, who compose
more than four-fifths of its population, hare entitled themselves to the favor-
able conbideration of the Legislature, by their orderly, steady and loyal
conduct, and the cheerful support which they have so long given to His
llajesty's Government in Nova Scotia.

"2. Because we think that when j£400 sterling have been annually paid,
for thirty-six years past, out of the revenue of this country, for the support of 4
a college, which confines its academical honors to members of the Established
Church, who pay but one-fifth of the revenue of this country, the Dissenters,
who pay the other four-fifths, are entitled to at least an equal sum to support
an institution in which their children can derive the benefit of a liberal
education.

" 3. Because we do not think that the objection, which has been urged to
the permanent establishment of such an institution in a remote part of the
Province, as Pictou has been termed, ought to have any weight when the

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836

general visheB of the DiHsenters have been expressed, by tfaeir RepresentatiTes
ia three successive Sessionii in the House of Assembly, in favor of that
situation, where the great body of the Dissenters reside, and where, out of a
population of 12,000 persons, not 100 members of the Established Church
could be found.

« 4. Because we think the Bill, which His Majesty's Council have now
determined to reject, is free from the objections to which the other Bills for
endowing the Fictou Academy were liable, as the Institution is by this Bill
placed sufficiently under the control of the Qovcrnment, by empowering the
Governor to nominate so large a portion of the trustees, and thereby securing
the Province against the future introduction of teachers into that seminary,
whose principles might be inimical to our political institutions.

« 6. Because we are convinced that the public feeling, which has been so
strongly expressed in favor of the Fictou Academy, will still continue to
manifest itself, and defeat all the cfTorts of its opponents to destroy the
institution ; it will therefore continue to exist, notwithstanding the rejection
of the present Bill, — but Oovernment will not have that salutary influence
over it which it would acquire if this Bill were passed into a law.

<< 6. Because, as members of the Established Church, we fuel that the best
interests of that Church will be consulted by manifcbting a spirit of liberality
to our fellow christians who dissent from us, — that even policy, independent
of higher motives, dictates to us as a minority, the advantages of conciliating
the Dissenters, and showing to them that we feel that the Church of England
has nothing to fear from the diffusion of knowledge.

" 7. Because we value highly that harmony and good understanding, which,
without the compromise of principle, has so long prevailed among Christians
of all denominations in this Province ; and wo fear, that the rejection of this
Bill, while the annual allowance to the College at Windsor is continued, will
excite a spirit of hostility to the Established Church among the Dissenters,
which will seriously disturb the peace of the country, as upwards of 30 years
experience has convinced all of us, who enter this Protest, that every attempt
to give or retain exclusive ijrivileges to the Church of England, has invariably
operated to its disadvantage. If the clergymen of that church will exert
themselves with tempered zeal, the purity of its precepts, the beauty of ita
liturgy, and the libera'ity of its sentiments, will insure its extension among the
people of this Province, unless their feelings are so roused against it by any
injudicious measures, on the part of the Government or the Legislature, to
give to it advantages, to which so large a portion of the population think that
it is not entitled.

CHARLES MORRIS, *
JAMES STEWART,
BRENTON HALLIBURTON,
, 8. B. ROBIB.

387

"We must now, however, refer to the nature and source
of the opposition, which the institution encountered during
these and subsequent years. This will appear, in part,
from the preceding document; but we must explain,
farther, that the Church of England Bishop — the second
Bishop Inglis — not only had a seat in the Council, but
was one of its most active members, not merely in mat-
ters which might interest him as a churchman, but in
public affairs generally. Having often the car of gover-
nors, he was a power behind the throne. Ho was a man
of ability and an astute politician, but specially an able
and persevering worker for the Church of England.
None would have had any right to object to this, had his
efforts been regulated by a due regard to the rights of
others. But he was trained in the most intolerant school ;
and instead of relying for the progress of his church on
the influence of her principles and practice, and the zeal
and piety of her ministers and members, he devoted a large
share of his energies to maintaining her exclusive pri-
vileges and political supremacy, as an established church.
The maintenance of Windsor College was essential to
his object. Had he sought this without seeking any
exclusive rights, it would never have met with a word of
objection ; but, notwithstanding that four-fifths of the
population were excluded from its benefits, there was
yet no word of removing the tests. As for giving them
any sharo in the management of an institution established
by G-overnment for the benefit of all, why such a thought
could scarcely ever be supposed to enter his mind ! And
now, when they dared to establish such an institution for
Ihemsclros, his jealousy was excited against it, not only
a.s lively to foster the evils of dissent, but as likely to form
a rival to Kings College. His views are at least partially
ivvcalcd, in the following extract of a letter published in
Ihc report of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel,
for the year 1823 :—

ill

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lilt

« At Plctou an Academy, or college a> it is called, haa been built, at which
there are now about twenty students. Much pains have been talccn to make
it attractiro by its Philosophical Apparatus and lectures in tho sciences, and
the residence is agreeable to the students, as they lodge in private houses, at
moderate expense and free from restraints. Tho Institution owes its rise
partly to tho difficulties and embarrassments, which have oppressed Kings
College, Windsor, and partly to tho zeal of tho Presbyterian ministers, who
have tho solo charge of it. It is supported chiefly by an annual grant from
the Provincial Legislature, and is likely to ritt or decay as the College at Windtor
U depreeeed or advanced."

In these days of religious equality, and of good feeling
among religious denominations, it is scarcely possible to
realize the state of matters which existed then, the
inferior position of Dissenters, the prejudices with which
they were regarded even by sensible men, and the diffi-
culties therefore which were thrown in the Doctor's way,
at every stage of his efforts on behalf of the Pictou
Academy. Many believed that a Dissenter must neces-
sarily be disloyal. In the year 1809, on the visit of Sir
Gkorge Prevost, the Governor, to Pictou, some parties
made representations to him regarding the Doctor's
loyalty, in consequence of which he felt it worth while
to send to Government a lengthy defence, with a certificate-
signed by Hugh Dunoon and the other magistrates, that
he regularly prayed for the King. In one of the debates
of the Assembly, R. J. TJniacke, Jr., on some report he
had heard of the principles of the Antiburghers, said that
ihey ought to be looked after. "When Wallace was
administering the Government, representations were
forwarded to him, accusing the trustees of disloyal
principles. When they applied to him for a copy of the
charges, he acknowledged having received such a paper,
but refused to give a copy of it. This state of things as
affecting the Academy, is thus described by T. C. HaJi-
burton in one of his speeches : —

" There is much to regret, sir, in the state of public afiairs in this province,
and there are few colonies which present such a singular spectacle. There
are a few individuals in Halifax, who direct public opinion, and who not only^

839

influence but control all publo measures. Seated in the capital, they govern
the movements of all the dlflfcrent parts ; as they touch the springs the wires
move, and simultaneously ariso the puppets in the different counties and
towns, play the part assigned to them, and re-echo the Rounds which havo
1)Cen breathed into them. The smiles of episcopacy, the frowns of the treasury,
and the patronage of official interest, have a powerful effect, when brought to
bear upon any one object. There is also u wide difference between the success
of any measure, when called for by the people, and when advocated by thia
party. Any project however absurd or extravagant, when required by the
latter, to bo carried into effect, has friends without number, but if the people
solicit, it is viewed with ca'ition ; you hear it whispered on all sides, it will
offend such a person, it will not bo acceptable in u certain quarter, and you are
advised to be silent, as it may affeet your personal interests, or draw down
upon you a displeasure, which may retard your own advancement. Tho war
cry of church and state has been raised against this persecuted institution, and
it is laid on all sides, it will militate against the interests of the Kstablisbed
Church and of Kings College at Windsor.

" I am a member of the Church of England, and admire and revere it ; I
shall continue so, and though I disapprove of tho intemperate zeal of some of
its friends, I shall live and die a member of that church. I ha\ also the
honour of being a graduate of Kings College, and am a warm friend of that
invaluable establishment. As such, sir, if there were any prejudices among
tho members of either, against tho Pictou Academy, because it is tho resort
of children of dissenters, or if it was viewed by those with distrust, as a
sectarian institution, I ought to know something of those prejudices. It is
tho misfortune of the church, and we all deeply lament it, that one or two
unworthy members of it, have sought promotion through the paths of slander,
and political intrigne, and have constantly represented Dissenters as disloyal
and disaffected people. The value of these gentlemen has unfortunately been
estimated on the other side of tho water by their zeal ; and as they have
uniformly reported sectarianism, as they arc pleased to call it, synonymous
with revolt and rebellion, the dependence of the colony has been absurdly
thought, to bo alone supported by these staunch friends ; and honor and
promotion await their laudablo exertions.

"1 will never consent that this seminary of education for Dissenters, shall
be crushed to gratify the bigotry of a few individuals in this town, who have
originated, fostered, and supported, all the opposition to Pictou Academy.
I do not mean to say, that they directly influence those gentlemen in this
house, who oppose the bill, but their influence reaches to people who are not
conscious of it themselves. They arc in a situation to give a tone to public
opinion ; few men take the trouble of forming just conclusions on any subject
but adopt the sentiments of those, whose judgments they respect. In this
manner they hint, « ambitious Scotchmen at Pictou,' ' sour sectarians,' « disloyal
people,' ' opposed to church and state,' their hints circulate from one to
another, men hear it, they know not where, adopt it, they know not how ; and
finally give it as their own opinion ; until you find honest and honourable

■ii

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840

men, as you have heard to-<lay, pronouncing a judgment, evidently tinctured
by tho breath of poison, which they tliemseivcs aro wholly unconscious of
having inhaled.

" In ono of tho reports made to the Society for tho Propagation of tho
Gospel in foreign parts, we find the following culogium ou Dissenters : ' It can
bo clearly substantiated, Uiut in exact proportion to tho influcnco of tho
established religion, will be tho immovable loyalty of tho inhabitants of tho
province.' — It would bo difficult to find in public annals, such another
abominable libel on Dissenters ; it is said tho person who made it, was onco
your chaplain. Had I been a member of tho Assembly at tho time, I would
have moved to have him publicly censured at tho bar of tho house ; he
di'seived to have been placed in the custody of the Sergcant-at-Arms, to have
been deprived of his gown, and shoul'i have been admonished to ' go and sin
no more.' "

At the starting of tho Pictou Academy, tho Bishop and
his friends had succeeded in placing such restrictions
upon it, as were likely to render it a small affair. But now
that in spite of this, it was proving successful, his whole
influence in the Legislature was employed against it.
He was sure of AV^allace's help to do any thing against the
wishes of those Pictou Dissenters, and with two or three
placemen he was able to command a majority in the Upper
House to defeat its claims. It will be seen that in. that
year, (182G) it was only by his casting vote that tho bill
was rejected.^'

In the course which the Bishop and his party adopted,
he was acting against the opinions of the best, the ablest,
and certainly the most liberal minded members of his own
church. This will ax>pear from the foregoing protest, all

• It is curious to not3 the position of these men to the public treasury. The
Bishops salary was jE2000, i^tcrling wu believe, largely through tho liberality
of the British Government, with jCI 50 for travelling expenses, besides other
pfrqui-'jiies, even it was said to a share of the royalty on coal ; Jeffrey had
±'2000 sterling ; Binney was Collector of Excise, and Wallace Treasurer^ ou
what were large salaries for the times. Yet these four men, receiving among
them annually fifteen or twenty times tho whole sum asked for advanced
education for four fifths of the population, could, with the aid of one other
councillor, defeat the almost unanimous wishes of the country and their
representatives in f is regard. An objection was even made that Dr.
McCulloch was receiving two hundred pounds a yearl

• and their

841

the signers to which belonged to that body. The same
spirit was shown in tho Assembly, where Episcopalians,
as T. C. Halliburton, were among tho most earnest advo-
cates of the Pictou Institution. And probably a majority
of that cliurch throughout the country, would have shown
the same spirit. Eut the Bishop and his clique were
unrelenting.

In the meantime tho friends of the Institution had put
forth vigorous efforts for its maintenance. The Synod oi
the Presbyterian Church had tak<n up its support in
earnest, and subscriptions, liberal for the times and
circumstances, wore made in its congregations, though
always the largest amount came from the members of the
body in Pictou. Though anticipating, we may say here
that up to the year 1830, about ^£5,000 was thus raised,
of which about i)3,000 was expended on building, library
and philosophical apparatus. Mach of this was from
Ladies' Penny-a-week Societies, and sometimes from men,
who, not having money, brought their produce to the
stores, to pay their subscriptions. The very opposition
which the Institution encountered, only intensified the
earnestness of its friends.

That year Dr. McCulloch visited Scotland. He
addressed the Synod of tho United Secession Church,
which unanimously recorded it as their opinion " that the
Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia and the Pictou Insti-
tution have strong claims on the sympathy and liberality
of the Presbyterian and other churches in Britain, and of
associations for religious purposes, and especially of the
United Secession Church." They also issued a reconi"
mendation to the congi'ogations under their inspection to
make a collection, without delay, in aid of the funds of
the Pictou Academical Institution, and they appointed a
committee to prepare a short statement of the claims of
the Institution, to bo read from the pulpit of each
congregation, when the collection was intimated, and also

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842

uk ■

to consider wliat further measures might be adopted, for
jjromoting the interests of our sister church in Nova
Scotia.

A society was formed in Crlasgow, entitled •' The
Glasgow Society for promoting the interests of Religion
and Lberal Education in the North American Colonies,"
and including in the committee of management, several
influential laymen and minister- of different denominations.
The students attending the Theological Hall of the United
Secession Church, pledged themselves to raise the sum
of £200, and as lue result of these efforts, considerable
sums were remitted in subsequent years in aid of the
Institution.

By these means a library, deemed respectable at the
time, was coll scted, and a philosophical apparatus, and
latet a chemical apparatus, partly the Doctor's own pro-
perty, the first in these Lower Provinces, were added, and
in spite of adverse influences, the institution was gaining
Strength.

Up to this period, the opposition to the Institution had
come from tho leaders of a dominant church, and was sO
clearly the expression of narrow-minded exclusiveness —
Bo opposed even to the sense of justice of the best
members of that body, that if nothing else had interfered,
it must in the progress of events have been swept away
by the rising tide of public sentiment. But now its
friends were to be taken in flank, and the institution to
encounter an opposition more intense, and ultimately
more fatal, from men of the same religious name.

AVe are far from desirous of reviving old quarrels, but
it is necessary to our history, to give the facts of the con-
troversy in its new phase. The founders of the institution
while desirous of establishing it on a liberal basis, and to
give in it such a training as would fit our youth for
usefulness in any sphere, attached special importance to
it, as a means of educating young men for the Gospel

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843

ministry. Indeed the difficulty of obtaining ministers to
supply the destitute parts of the Province, was one and
perhaps the leading cause, which led them to found such
an institution. Tho Presbyterian Synod had taken up its
support on the same ground, and with this view Dr.
McG-regor and the other ministers had appealed to their
people, and enlisted their sympathies on its behalf

"When the ministers of the Church of Scotland
commenced the movement, forming an organization in
connection with that body, they found the Institution
ready to seiid out its first company of native preachers.
They came with that contempt, which it was customary
then and long after, for old country people to entertain
for fv. nothing colonial. The idea of training some of the
natives 4 the backwoods for ministers, seemed to them
supremely ridiculous, and when they commenced preach-
ing they decried them in the strongest terms. They also
looked upon Seceders with that disdain, with which the
members of the Established Church at that time generally
regarded that body. They could not see that in this
country they hold no more favoured position. But they
were not long in seeing that the Presbyterian Church of
Nova Scotia, composed principally of Seceders, who were
in the Province before them, had a firm footing in the
country, and that such an institution, by providing
ministers in the Province, was giving them a great
advantage, an advantage, it is true, equally open to all,
but of which they had no intention of availing themselves.
Hence they took a position against it, as favouring the
Seceders in opposition to the Kirk of Scotland.

In the year 1826, Messrs. Fraser and McKenzie held an
interview with the Trustees. At this meeting they ob-
jected to the teaching of the higher branches in tho
Institution, and proposed substantially, that it should be
converted into Grammar School. To this of course the
Trustees could not accede, and Messrs, F. and McK. left,

ill

(' ■i'ii:

''•■r

344

intimating that as the Trustees would not adopt their
views, they would henceforth meet with their most deter-
mined opposition.

Accordingly by their exertions, for the next few years
petitions were forwarded to the Legislature, signed by their
adherents asking for a change in the Institution, a change
which amounted to an entire destruction of it, as far as the
objects of its founders were concerned. They alleged
that the teaching of the higher branches was a violation
of its charter, and complained that English grammar^
elocution, bookkeeping, navigation, geography and the
elements of the classics, were not taught in the Institution,
and they asked for their introduction.

To this it was replied, that the Institution had never
been intended to teach these branches. It was shown that
the original petition, on which the charter was granted, was
distinctly for the establishment of an institution for teach-
ing the branches not taught in the Grammar Schools of
the Province — that the charter was given with this view
— that the subscription list was in the same terms, and
the money raised expressly for this purpose — that its by-
laws, which defined the course of instruction, had been
according to law submitted to the Governor, and ap-
proved by him — that the Legislature perfectly understood
this, as for seven years after the establishment of the
Institution, they had made a liberal grant to a Grammar
School along side of it, and that a Committee of the As-
sembly, after a thorough examination, had expressed the
highest approval of the system of education adopted.
Therefore to employ the funds of the Institution in teach-
ing the branches of an ordinary English education, was
destroying the Institution:, as far as its original purpose
was concerned, and was entirely unnecessary as there was
a Grammar School, in which these branches were effici-
ently taught within a few rods of the building.

It was objected farther that the Institution, in terms of

■^•^^•^ -

345

■pt their
st deter-

jw years
by their

I change
'ar as the

alleged
v^iolation
rammar^
and the
ititution^

id never
►wn tliat
ited, was
^r teach-
;hools of
lis view
.ms, and
; its by-
ad been
and ap-
ierstood
of the
rammar
the As-
;scd the
idoptod.

II teach-
on, was
purpose
ere was
cflici-

L'rms

the charter, ought to be under the management of i^ersons
belonging either to the Church of England, or the establish-
ed Church of Scotland, but that instead of this it had with
a few exceptions, fallen into the hands of Seceders from
the latter, who had adopted the present course of ins-
truction, not suited to the circumstances of the Province,
to forward their favourite design of raising ministers for
their own connection, and that a divinity class had been
introduced avowedly for this object, which gave the
Academy a sectarian appearance.

To this it was replied, that according to the charter,
the Trustees must be members of the Church of England
or Presbyterians — that the Trustees had taken the test
once in every three years though it had been forced upon
them,— that the Trustees had always been anxious to
have as full a representation of different religious bodies
at their Board, as in their power — that they had elected
Mr. Eraser a trustee soon after his arrival in this country
— that the Rev. Archibald Gray, minister of the Church
of Scotland, as well as Mr. Foreman, a member of his
congregation, had been a trustee from the commencement
of the Institution, had signed the first petition for its
establishment, and every one jjresented by the trustees
during his lifetime, and that they had also invited me mbers
of the Council to become Trustees — that as to education,
the Institution was conducted on the princii)les of the
Glasgow University, that the education given was
restricted to such branches as were required for all the
learned professions — and as to the Divinity class, that it
was quite disconnected with the Institution. The
Trustees had granted the use of a class room for the
purpose, but agreed to extend the same favor to any other
denomination. Dr. McCuUoch further olTered to rt^moA-e
this class to his own house. But his opponents demanded
that he should relinquish it altogether. This he
positively refused.

iiWiJ

III'-

:!^P

846

The opposition from these sources involved Dr.
McOuUoch in a vast amount of labour. His pen was
constantly employed, in various ways, in representations
to the Legislature, appeals to the Presbyterian congrega-
tions, and carrying on a scarcely interrupted controversy
in the press. Besides these labours, he visited
Halifax and the leading towns in the Lower Provinces,
delivering popular lectures on science, especially
chemistry, with a design of awakening an interest in
education. These lectures were among the first of the
kind in British North America. With tlie assistance of
his family, he collected a Museum of Natural History,
which was the finest in the Province at the time.
Audubon pronounced the collection of native birds to
be the finest, or among the finest he had ever seen. To
the discredit of Nova Scotia, be it said, it was allowed to
be sold abroad. By these controversies the feelings of
parties were excited to a degree, which it is now scarcely
possible to realize. The members of the Presbyterian
Church looked upon the Institution, as that upon which
the progress and prosperity of their church depended,
and all their most sacred feelings were roused in its
support ; while the adherents of the other body, taught to
regard it as an institution against the Church of Scotland,
through the strength of their best feelings toward their
mother church, were roused to the most violent opposition.
And the strife became deeply intensified, by becoming
mixed with the political struggles of the day.

We must now return to the history of the question
in the Legislature. In 1827, the trustees again petitioned
for the abolition of tests, and for a permanent endowment;
but owing to the absence of Mr. Smith, the Pictou member
for the County of Halifax, and the person who took the
lead in the business of the Academy in the House, no
permanent bill was introduced. But now the majority
of Council were emboldened to go farther than ever in

847

their opposition to the Institution. There can be no doubi
that the opposition in Pictou was fomented, perhaps
instigated, by the official party in Halifax, but now they
took advantage of this division, as an excuse for refusing
Li 11 aid to the Academy. They could now turn round
and say, agree among yourselves. Hitherto the opponents
of the Institution, had generally after a fight allowed the
vote to pass each year, though refusing to make it
permanent. This was anything but satisfactory. For
trustees to engage teachers, and teachers to accept
engagements, on the iaith of a grant, for which annually
they were at the mercy of the deadly foes of the
Institution, was a position which none would willingly
occupy, and it was unjust, when Windsor had its grant
secured permanently.

But now, when the House passed the usual vote of
JE400, the Council negatived it, and in a paper sent to the
Assembly, gravely assigned as their reason, that " measures
have been adopted by a majority of the trustees to excite
a spirit of hostility to the Established Church," and to
render "Windsor College unpopular on account of its
restrictions ; and they declared their determination not
to consent to any grant, while the Institution remained
under the management of the present trustees. The
House then voted £B00 for the current year's expenses,
and dClOO for the partial discharge of the pecuniary
engagements of the trustees ; this also the Council
rejected. A resolution was then passed in the Assembly
placing c£400 at the discretionary disposal of the Governor
for the benefit of the Institution ; to this the Council
assented. The Governor issued a commission. Judge
Chipnian chairman, to examine into the state and
proceedings of the Institution, and the result after
deliberate enquiry, was a most favour a})le report, which
caused the Governor instantly to give his warrant for
the money.

T Twr*

J 1 :; i'>'

1 I

; !

■':

liil'i-'illi

848

The history of the legislation of the following yeors we
give in Mr. Blanchard's words : " In 1828, another per-
manent bill passed the Lower House, and was lost in
Council. Next day the House passed another permanent
bill, with some alteration of the provisions. To this, the
Council sent down several amendments, or, more properly
speaking, a very voluminous bill of quite a different
nature. It is sufficient to mention, that Dr. McCuUoch,
the principal, was j)ersonally excluded from the trust.
All the trustees were to be removed, and others appointed
in their place by the Governor, and the Institution was to
be reduced to the level of a Grammar School, or something
lower. The House of course refused to concur in the
amendments, and the bill was lost.

" The House then voted ilSOO to be placed at i-^e dis-
cretionary disposal of the Governor, towards discharging
the debts of the institution. This was sent to the Council
and lost. There were only four nays. Next day the
Assembly resolved, that if His Excellency the Governor
should judge it i)roper to aid the Trustees, to the extent
of jGSOO towards the payments of their debts, the House
would provide for it at its next session. Next morning,
however, the friends of the Institution, thought it was
going too far thus to overlook the Council altogether, and
upon reading their journals, moved the insertion of the
words, " with the advice of His Majesty's Council." After
the rising of the House, the Governor called upon the
Council for their advice, and they advised to withhold the
money, and it was accordingly withheld.

" To ascertain the proceedings of the Council with
regt.rd to the permanent bill, a Committee of the House
searched their journals, and reported that sixteen petitions
from various portions of the Province, had been presented
to the Council, praying their assent to a permanent en-
dowment of the Academy, and it was also reported that
there were four nays in Council to the rejection of the bill.

349

" In 1820, a permanent endowment passed the House,
but was lost in Council. The usual vote of i;400 was
also passed and also lost in Council. In 1830 a similar
bill and a similar vote passed the Assembly, but were both
lost in Council.

" In 1831, a Committee of ten was appointed in the
Assembly, to report a bill respecting the Institution, and
they introduced one which passed the House, and was
sent to the Council. They returned it with several
amendments, but these being connected with money, and
so an infringement of the privileges of the House were
not considered. The House then passed a resolution of
i540O ; while the resolution was under discussion, several
members who were opposed to the bill, expressed their
consent to the vote for that year, and one of them i)roposed
that the word " unanimous " should bo prefixed to the reso-
lution, in order that the Council might know the unanimity
of the House, and be perhaps thereby induced to acquiesce
in its wishes. The word " unanimous " was prefixed by
the consent of a full House, but failed to produce the
expected efiect. The resolution came back disagreed to.

" In concluding this naked history of the Parliamentary
proceedings relative to the Academy, the following facts
are recurred to as particularly worthy of remark. The
House of Assembly passed eight resolutions granting
money to the Institution, which were negatived, or des-
troyed by amendments.

" During the fifteen years since the Academy was found-
ed, there have been four General Assemblies, and in each
of these, there was always a very largo majority in favor
of the Institution. The bills and votes for annual allow-
ances often passed without a division, sometimes against
minorities of four or five, and on the last occasion,
unanimously."

These proceedings led to debates in the House,
conducted with great ability. It was in these discussions.

y ---™

i
1

1 !^

;

j
j

850

and those which arose out of them on the constitutional
powers of the House of Assembly, that S. G. "W. Archibald,
then speaker, established his character as one of the finest
orators of the day, while perhaps not less able, and little
less eloquent, were the addresses of T. C. Ilaliburton and
C. R. Fairbanks on the same side, while Alexander
Stewart on the opposite did what could be done to cover
a bad cause.

But the issue was what those in power little expected.
The Council it is true had manifested their power in
defeating the wishes of the House on a money question^
strongly expressed for a dozen years, and their intolerant
exclusiveness, in refusing an act of the commonest justice
to the whole dissenting population, and the Bishop might
feel as if he could smile defiance upon all foes. Indeed
the Council seemed determined to exercise their power
in very wantonness, for they now negatived a grant
passed in the House for Horton Academy, and even
refused the small sum of £B0 to the Pictou G-rammar
School.

But these things were but the beginning of the end of
the whole system of the irresponsible power of cliques
and compacts. The discussions on the Pictou Academy
raised the whole question of the Council's constitutional
rights, and there were men now to claim for the Assembly
that control of money matters, which, according to the
British Constitution, belongs to the people's represen-
tatives. The temper too of both the House and country
was being roused, by the manner in which the Council
had exercised their powers, and men were now found
boldly to cry out to have the whole concern swept away^
or its Constitution radically changed. We will give one
example of this. On the 19th March, 1829, Mr. Hartshorne^
one of the minority, moved that the House appoint a
committee to confer with the Council, and instruct them
to concur with the Council's bill of the preceding year.

n '

Then Mr. Haliburtoii, after indignantly repudiating the
idea, that after seven bills had been passed by the
Assembly and rejected by the Council, the views of the
latter should now be thrust upon them, proposed that the
resolution should lie on the table, and that instead, the
members should agree to resolve themselves into a
committee on the general state of the Province, and to
prepare an address to His Majesty, humbly soliciting him
to remove from his Council those who filled public offices^
or to give them a Legislative Council, and afterward made
the following remarks : —

" Will any man eay that this is not necessary ? or that it would not be a
desirable amendment of our local government ? Will any man say that wo,
the forty members hero assembled from all parts of Nova Scotia, do not bring
together a greater body of local and topographical knowledge than any
similar number of men residing in Halifax 7 Or will it be denied that twelvo
or fourteen gentlemen appointed by the King, from different counties in Nova
Scotia, to a Legislative Council, could not better subserve the interests of
Nova Hcotia than the same number of people in Halifax ? It has been said
that this country is a peaceable, quiet country, and is well governed. I admit
that it has been a quiet and exemplary Province, but, sir, it is owing to the
temperance, prudence, good sense and forbearance of this House, and the
morality of the people for many years past. But as to our local government,
the structure and frame of it is essentially defective. Is it possible that any man
can assert that where the Legislative Council consists of the same persons as
the Privy Council, and the latter is composed of all our public officers,
whereby the servants of the public become its masters, that such a form of
government is perfect, or that men so situated, unless equal to angels, could
in the nature of things give satisfaction 7 Is it possible to affirm that a
council separate and apart from the Privy Council, but appointed by the King
boxn the country, would not bo infinitely preferable ? "

And then after a scathing rebuke of the Bishop for his
treatment of Dr. McCuUoch, as well as some other of his
friends, he concluded : —

" I turn from them and him to this House and say, consider of this matter,
and petition the King, cither to remove the public officers fed and paid by
the Province, from the Privy Council, or to grant us a Legislative Council.
That there does exist a necessity for this measure, no man can doubt who
understands the state of our affairs."

Though the Assembly was thus coming to learn and
assert its rights, there was still wanting the firmness to

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1.0 jria II

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Hiotographic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4S03

852

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Hit

take a firm stand in the maintenance of them. Had they
done 80 on this question, and simply had this grant or
given no supply at all, the contest would perhaps haye
come sooner, but the victory would have been more easily
won, and with less loss and trouble to the country than
in the contest which was soon after forced upon them.
But the members had always objects, for which they
wanted money votes, and the House resorted to a system
of manoeuvering, to obtain the consent of the Council even
for grants necessary for public improvement, and the
latter could always secure their measures, and in every
collision with the House had hitherto been succebsfnl.
And even the author of the above bold words, under the
influence of a judgeship, quietly subsided into the most
compliant of placemen. But freedom's battle was now
begun, and when the next iight came, the Council found
itself engaged in a vain struggle for life, and passed away,
"unwept, unhonoured and unsung;" and 'in the new
order of things, the people of Nova Scotia took good care
that no Bishop managed our civil affairs.

It was perhaps unfortxmate for the Academy, that it
was mixed up with these political questions, but this
position was forced upon its friends by the course of its
opponents.

During the time that the annual grant was withheld,
the friends of the Institution rallied nobly to its support.
In one year friends in Hahfax subscribed jCoOO towards
it. At one meeting in Pictou a subscription was opened,
which the next day amounted to iJ181.5s. ($725). Had
it been a time of prosperity in the country, the zeal of its
friends was such, that it might have been maintained
without Government aid, and sometimes Dr. McCulloch
proposed, that the Presbyterian Church should take the
matter into their own hands, and leave the Legislature
alone. But it was a time of great depression and scarcity
of money, and subscriptions were insulEcient, so that debt

853

they
int or

have
easily
^than
them.
I they
lystem
il eyen
id the

every
jebsftil.
ier the
e most
as now
I found
i away,

e new

id care

that it
)ut this
se of its

ithheld,
support,
owards
opened,
Had
al of its
■intained
CuUoch
take the
jislature
scarcity
hat debt

was accumulating upon the Trustees. The Council
remaining obstinate, they resolved to lay their grievances
before the Home Government. This had been threatened
before, but the Bishop and the Council had hitherto had
the ear of the authorities at Downing Street, and the^
smiled contempt on such a proposal. But they had to
deal with men, who knew their rights and had the boldness
to assert them, and who had confidence in the justice of
the British Government. Accordingly in the year 1831,
Jotham Blanchard, Esq., was sent to Britain as their
agent. He addressed the United Secession Synod, which,
after hearing his statements, resolved to strengthen his
hands, by presenting an address to the King on behalf oi
his mission, and otherwise to aid in the promotion of his
views. He then presented to Lord Goderich, then Co-
lonial Secretary, a long memorial giving a full history of
the Institution and its claims, which was confirmed by a
variety of documents. Some members of Council were in
London at the time, from whom His Lordship sought
explanations, but they had to make the excuse, that
they had not with them the documents necessary to
reply to it.

The result was a despatch from the Colonial Secretary
to the Lieut. Governor, of which the following are extracts :

" The arrival of Mr. Blanchard in this country, with a memorial upon the
subject of the Fictou Academy, has called my particular attention to that
question, which seems to be almost the only topic calculated to interrupt the
harmony and good understanding, which in general prevails between the
different branches of the Legislature, and throughout the Province at large.

<' Unless, however, some means be found of adjusting the differences, which
have arisen upon this subject, I fear it may swell into an affair of some mag-
nitude, and threaten injurious consequences, which it might not be easy to
avert. His Majesty's Government, therefore, feel most anxious that this
cause of internal dissension should be removed, and that a bill should b«
passed, which might give to the Pictou Academy that permanent pecuniary
assistance from the public revenue, to the grant of which the Assembly
attaches so much importance ; and I have no hesitation in submitting to yoa
my opitiion, that it would be most unfortunate, if the passing of such a bill

tfionld be fruitmted, by attempting to annex to it conditions as to the con>

■titatioB of the Body of Trusteea, to vhich there is but little reason to expect-
that the ABsembly vould be prepared to agree.

« It may, I think, well be donbted whether, considering the nature of the
Institution and the great variety of religious opinions, which may be enter*
tained by those who attend it, any benefit would result from placing the
Qianagement of it, in the hands of a Board of Trustees composed of persons
holding ofBcial situations under Government, who might thereby become, in
, the discharge of their duties, most inconveniently mixed up with questions in
which they could not interfere with advantage. The veto which the Governor
now possesses upon the appointment of new trustees when vacancies occur,,
seems to afford n sufficient guarantee against the introduction into the Board
of improper persons ; and although it can hardly be expected, that any board
of management could at all times give unqualified satisfaction to every one,
j^et BO long as the Asseibbly, representing all classes of persons in the com«:
munity, should not deem any fresh Legislative interference necessary, it
might &irly be inferred that the Institution was not improperly conducted y
at all events, it is obvious at the present moment that the public at large are
not desiroviK of any material change in its management.

<* Whilst, however, I cannot say that I see reason to participate iu the
grounds npon which the Council have rejected a bill for a permanent grant, I
should, of coarse, deem it to bo more satisfactory if the measure were adopted
in such a manner as to meet and conciliate the feelings and wishes of both
parties. Your object will therefore be to endeavor to bring about, by the
•XBrciae of all proper means of persuasion on your part, such a state of feeling
upon the subject as may lead to that result. All will then see that His
Majesty's Government at home, and the individual who represents His Majesty
in the colony, have no other object in view than the good of the Province,
and the harmony and contentment of all classes of His Majesty's subjects."

This was a pretty severe rap on the knuckles of the
old ladies, and most unexpected from such a quarter.
With such instructions to the Governor, and such a plain
expression of sentiment regarding the conduct of the
Council, had the friends of the Institution now stood firm,
we believe they might have gained all they had sought.
' But the House was disposed to conpromise, and thus
threw away the fruits of victory. Mr. Archibald now
introduced a bill, the principal provisions of which were,
that the Institution should be under the management of
a board of twelve trustees, seven of the old trustees, to be
elected by themselves, four to be appointed by the.
Q-overnor, (these it was intended should be appointed;
^om tho party in Fictou opposed to the Institution), and

to expect-

;nre of the
r be entep»
lacing the
of persons
become, in
uestions in
a Governor
cies occur,.
) the Board
; any board
» every one,
in the com-"
ecessary, it
conducted y
at large are

pate iu the
lent grant, I
rere adopted
shea of both
bout, by the
te of feeling
CO that His

His Majesty
le Province,

subjects,"

es of the
quarter,
■h a plain
ct of the
;ood firm,
sought,
and thus
bald now
dch were,
^ement of
tees, to be
d by the
appointed;
Ltion), and

355

the Roman Catholic Bishop. The Institution was to
consist of a higher and lower department, the higher to
teach the branches already taught, and the lower to teach
those usually taught in the Grammar schools. The
trustees however might obtain any suitable house in any
part of Pictou, separate from the Academy for the lower
dirision, which was to be commenced, as soon as funds
had been raised by private subscription, tuition fees or
otherwise to provide a salary of iJlOO a year. There was
to be no Theological class taught in the Academy, but
this was not to prevent any professor teaching any such
class in any other part of the town of Pictou. The sum
of iJ400 a year was granted for ten years, of which je250
was to be paid to Dr. McCulloch, as principal, while he
continued in office, the rest to be for the benefit of the
Academy, as the trustees might direct.

This bill was an attempt fairly to meet the views of all
parties. The proportion of the trustees allowed to the
old funds of the Institution, was what Mr. McKenzie
professed himself willing to agree to. It preserved the
teaching of the higher branches, which its friends had
\teen so long endeavoring to build up, and it at the
ftame time sought to meet the views of its opponents asl
to the lower branches. But Mr. McKenzie was no more
reconciled than ever. It still made provision for main-
taining the higher branches, and thus the Seceders might
stili educate ministers in Nova Scotia, and he accordingly
appealed to the Council against the measure.

" The manifest aim," he complained to them, " and
effect of the Bill, is the appropriation of i;400 a year out
of the public revenue, to gratify the ambitious views of a
particiilar sect, to whom a combination of circumstances^
and the injurious union of the three districts of thi»
county, has given a temporary ascendancy and a degree
of political influence, to which tl^eir relative numbers
and strength in the districts of Halifax and Pictou, by

31,

\'. ;.:IU

856

no means entitles them. It is an ascendancy, which
tramples under foot the just rights, and sets at naught
the moderate demands of the other classes of His Majesty's
loyal subjects and which in seeking to perpetuate itself,
has led to consequences of which none are more fully
aware than the members of your Hon. Board. The
Academy has been declared by the Key. Principal, to Jae
subservient to the propagation of the gospel, that is, as
is apparent from his printed memorial of 1826, containing
this passage, • to the education of preachers for the body
of Presbyterian Seceders.' The political and religious
influence of this sect is thus to be extended and confirmed
at the public cost, and to the injury and depression of the
Kirk of Scotland, and of all other denominations of
Christians." *

Mr. McKenzie therefore demanded, that ^100 or ^150
of the grant, should be appropriated expressly to the
teaching of the lower branches, of which proposal Dr.
McGulloch said :

" He knows what education is. He knows what is taught in the Picton
Academy. If he thinks that the several bnmches are not taught, let him
show it to this Honourable Board. If they are taught, I ask him to specify
any seminary upon earth, where so much instruction is given for £400 Nova
Scotia currency. Yet from this sum he would abstract XlOO or £l 60, leaving
at fiirthest JC300 to keep the building in repair, to pay the interest of debt,
amounting to, perhaps, £1200, and to maintain the teachers. The governors
of Kings' expend, I believe, not less than XI, 000 sterling on education. In
the Pictou Academy the system of instruction is, at least, as extensive, and I

* To this, Dr. McCuUooh's reply was easy, that as the benefits of the
Institution were equally accessible to all, injustice was done to none, and
that its course was restricted to those branches of education, which every
civilised community has accounted necessary alike fo. all the learned profes-
sion. If he supported the Institution as subservient to the Propagation of
the Gospel, because he believed the interests of religion required a native
Oiinistry, he sought to promote its efficiency equally iu subservience to moro
fenural purposes. If Mr. McEenzie preferred teaching his people to depend on
Scotland, he had no right to complain of others who pursued a different
policy. At all events, instruction In Theology Ibrmed no pari of the ooorso
d( initmction at the Aoadomy.

which
naught
iajesty's
vi itself,
re fully
a. The
il, to^e
lat is, as
ntaining
be body
religious
mfirmed
m of the
tions of

I or ^150
f to the
posal Dr.

the Picton
;ht, let him
a to specifj
r £400 NoT»
use, leaving
irest of debt,
le goTemon
ucation. In
nslTe, and I

lefitB of the
none, and
irhich eyery
imed profes-
opagation of
■ed a natlTO
ince to mora
depend on
la different
if the ooone

867

trast, not inferior in qnality ; but when it is proposed to giant to the latter
£360, he eagerly solicits to talio £90 for the lower branches. The result is
certain destruction."

Mr. McKcnzie also persisted in requiring the lower
branches to be in the same building. To this its friends
were strongly opposed. •' There are," said Mr. Archibald
in his speech, •* but four rooms in the present building,
one devoted to the library, one to the philosophical
apparatus, a third is the class room, and the fourth
oontained the museum. To introduce a grammar school
into the College is to destroy it. The higher branches
could not be taught amidst the noise and tumult of a
common school ; and if young boys were allowed to
range through the library, museum, and depositary of
philosophical apparatus, these would shortly be destroyed."

All Mr. McKenzie's views wert conceded. The clause
allowing the lower branches to be taught in a separate
building was struck out of the bill, and iJlOO of the
annual grant was expressly appropriated to their support,
and both departments were to be compressed into one
building with four rooms. Mr. McKenzie pledged
himself that he and his party would raiuC "penny for
peny " with the others, to maintain the Institution ; and
he with Revds. D. A. Fraser, and John McRae, and David
Crichton, Esq., were added to the trust.

From this time, the finger of decay may be said to have
been upon it. It did some good work, and some of its
best students were educated after this. The old friends
still came forth from time to time liberally for its support.
But there was a blight upon it. External war had been
exchanged for internal strife. Hitherto the trustees were
united, but now what the one party wished to build, the
other laboured to destroy. The lower branches r^ere
taught for a time efficiently by G-eorge A. Blanchard, but
afterward were committed to a friend and countryman of
Mr. McKenzie, under whose management the teaching of

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them VfM discontinued, simply from want of pupils. la
the meantime, the trnstees were becoming embarrassed in
bearing the expense of the upper department. In conse-
quence, the second teacher's classes were closed. Friends
became disheartened, and in the uncertainty as to the
future of the Institution, young men were discouraged
from preparing to enter it.

Under these circumstances, in the year 1838, an Act
passed the Legislature, transferring Dr. McGuUoch and
X200 of the grant to Dalhousie College. The ministers
of the Church of Scotland now argued that the founder
of the Institution, in proposing as his model the University
of Edinburgh, meant the institution to be in connection
with the Church of Scotland, and though they could not
exclude Dr. MoCuUoch, they succeeded, through their
influence with Sir Colin Campbell, the Governor, in
getting members of their own body appointed to the
other chairs, to the exclusion of better men. Mr.
Crawley, who was one of the rejected, immediately
commenced the agitation, which resulted in the establish-
ment of Acadia College.

The Pictou Academy was subsequently remodelled as
an Academy or High School, and as such has been doing
good work. And the higher education in Nova Scotia
has ever since been inextricably muddled.

Wo have thus fully noticed the Pictou Academy and
the discussions connected with it, as these involved
important results to the Province :

In the first place, it was the means-of training a goodly
number of men for stations of usefulness, both in Church
and State, which they have filled in a highly creditable
manner, many of whom could not otherwise have had
more than a common school education. Among those
who gave themselves to the gospel ministry, we need
only mention such men as John McLean, J. L. Murdoch^
E. S. Patterson, John Campbell, Drs. Boss, McCuUochk

859

McGregor and G-eddie. To law and politics, it gave amonff
•others, Sir T. D. Archibald, baron of the English Court
•of Exchequer ; Judge Bitchie, now of the Supreme Court
of Canada, lately Chief Justice of New Brunswick ; Sir
Hugh Hoyles, Chief Justice of Newfoundland ; A. G.
Archibald, Gorernor of Nova Scotia ; Judge Young, of
dharlottetown, P. E. I. ; Judge Blanchard, George B.
Young, &c., &c. Among its students who followed the
liealing art, we may mention Dr. W. B. Grant, Professor
of Anatomy in Pennsylvania Medical College, and among
^scientific men. Dr. J. W. Dawson, Principal of McGiU
College, Montreal.

' Secondly. It largely advanced the cause of general
•education and diffused a taste for literature and science.
The* number of men it educated, with their general
influence, the schools that they taught, the numbers ol
others partially taught, the popular scientific lectures of
Dr. McCulloch, the general air which such an institution
•diffuses around it, and even the discussions to which it
gave rise, made it the means of diffusing intelligence ^d
4 desire for knowledge, among all classes of the com-
munity, bebond any institution of its time, and we might
almost say since. The illiberality of those who imposed
tests upon it, in some measure limited its influence to
Presbyterians. But persons of all denominations attended
it, and by the discussions of which it was the subject,
■and in other ways, these bodies were excited to an
interest in the same cause.

Thirdly. It was in the contests, of which it was the
subject, that the equal rights of all classes to public
education were secured. "What sane man in our day
ivould advocate the maintenance of only one institution,
from which only one fifth of the population should derive
any benefit ?

Lastly, As we have seen, it was in the same contests,
that the movement began, in which the government of

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360

the country by irresiJonsible cliques was broken, and the
Province secured the true force of representative insti-
tutions.

If the Institution cost money, it will be difficult to find
one that gave as much in return for as little. But its
^benefits cannijt be reckoned by any money value. One
John McLean was worth more to a Province a hundred
fold, than all that it ever cost. If there was strife about
it, this was only because it was attacked. All was har-
mony when it was founded, and for years after, but it was
assailed and of course defended.

"We may add here, that as Dr. McCuUoch's exertions in
connexion with the Institution, directed young men to
the ministry, the county has ever since given a large| pror
portion of the best of her sons to that sacred employment,
than any population of the same size in the Dominion, a
circumstance probably in part owing to old Scotch train-
ing. We give a list in the Appendix, which contains the
names of about a hundred, of whom seven have received
the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and seven have been
missionaries to the Heathen (Appendix J.) Probably there
are others, whose names we have not ascertained.

"We have already mentioned that Dr. McCuUoch from
an early date after his arrival, contributed to the Acadian
Recorder. In that paper first appeared some ot his
writings, which have since been published separately.
Among these was a tale or sketch of colonial life, called
" William," which, with another of the same kind named
" Melville," was published in Edinburgh in the year
1826, under the title " Colonial Gleanings." In that
journal, several of his writings on local controversies,
ecclesiastical and educational, first appeared. In it also
in the years 1822-23, as we have already mentioned, he
published a series of light and amusing sketches of the
social habits of the people of Nova Scotia at the time„
particularly tn the rural districts. These were thrown off

801

by him hastily as a sort of relaxation from engrossing
labours, but they arc so graphic, that in every part of
the Province, persons were found that were regarded as
the originals of the characters which ho had delineated.
Some others of his writings were published in pamphlet
form, t.mong which may be mentioned the following : —

« The prosperity of the Church in troublous times." A sermon preached
inPictou. Halifax: 1814. pp.24.

"Words of peace; being an address delivered to the congregation of
Halifax, in connection with the Presbyterian Church of Nora Scotia, in con-
sequence of some congregational disputes." Halifax: 1817. pp.16. ISmo.

*<The nature and uses of a liberal education." Illustrated. A lecture.
1818. pp. 34. 8vo.

After his death his theological lectures were published
in the year 1849, at Glasgow, in a volume of 270 pages,
12itLO., under the title, " Calvinism the doctrine of the
Scriptures, or a Scriptural account of the ruin and recovery
of fallen man, and a review of the principal objections,
which have been advanced against the Calvinistic
system."

Dr. McGuUoeh continued to labour in Dalhousie
Oollege, with some measure of success, but was ill
supported in his work. The toils and anxieties of past
years had broken down his constitution, and rendered
him prematurely old, though his energetic spirit still bore
him through bodily infirmities ; yet all his energy was
not sufficient to establish a new institution, against the
weight of incapable colleagues, insufficient appliances,
and half-hearted support. He died at Halifax in 1848, in
the 67th year of his age. His remains rest in the old
Pictou cemetery, where some years later his students
erected a monument to his memory.

The Kev. John McKinlay, his associate in his first
effi:>rts to establish the Pictou Academy, continued from
the. year 1824 till his death, on the 20th October, 1860, to
minister to the congregation in Pictou, now known as
Prince Street Church. He was a man well read, a diligent

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862

student, a faithful pastor, and a man of peaceful disposition,
«nd he passed away amid expressions of universal respect.

The Rev. Donald A. Fraser, in the year 1887, removed to
Lunenburg, from which place, in 1842, he removed to St.
Johns, Newfoundland, where he founded St. Andrew's
Church and congregation there in connection with the
Church of Scotland. There he died much respected, on
the 7th February, 1845. It is but due to him to say, that
removed from the scene of strife in Pictou, he saw matters
in a different light, and acknowledged his mistake, in the
part which he had taken in dividing the Presbyterian
interest. He had not been long in Lunenburg till he
found himself a Dissenter, haughtily treated as such, and
obliged to employ the energies, which he had previously
employed against his fellow Presbyterians and their
Institution, against the arrogant pretensions of Episcopacy.
On one of his first visits to Pictou, after leaving it, he
•aid to a leading member of the Presbyterian Church,
" You used to tell us that in the course we adopted in
Pictou, we were making ourselves the tools of the Bishop
and his party. I never saw it till I left Pictou, but I see
it now." He spoke and wrote in favour of union, and
strongly condemned the virulence, with which his
late colleagues carried on their controversy against the
Fietou Academy. But the waters of strife had been let
out, and he was powerless to arrest them.

The Rev. Ken. J. McKenzie continued to minister to
the Congregation of St. Andrews Church, Pictou, till the
'year 1837. His conduct grieved the hearts of the pious in
his own congregation, and he then relinquished the mi-
nistry altogether. " In the winter following, a vacancy
occurred in the representation of the county, by the
•levation of Mr. Smith to the Legislative Council, and he
became a candidate for the position. He was opposed by
Thomas Dickson, Esq., was defeated, and died a few weeks
later.

868

We have omitted all reference to the personalities, which
narked the deplorable controversies, in which these men
were engaged, but as to the questions of issue, it would
be foolish and wrong, not to employ the light of experi-
ence, to judge of the wisdom of the policy of the respectire
parties. We venture to say, that never did time, which
tests all things, more thoroughly determine any question,
than it has vindicated the wisdom of the course adopted ^
by the Presbyterian ministers, in endeo^-r firing to establish
A collegiate Institution, witL a special vir v to the training
of a native ministry, and the unwisdom of the opposite.
Wo need not enter into particnla ■ '^^ TL« hist'^x/of the
tw<> ehuTches aince tells the tale.,

CHAPTER XVIL

W90U THE FINANCIAL CRISIS OF 1825-26 TO THE
DIVISION OF THE COUNTY, 1826-1836.

The financial crisis of 1825-6, described in our last
<)hapter, left the county in a very depressed condition,
fitill the various branches of business, which had
pveviously occupied our public men, continued, though
«n a diminished scale, — and to those formerly mentioned
■as engaged in them, we may add the names of John
Taylor and David Crichton, first in partnership, and '
afterward separately. Soon however these began to fail.
Owing to the destructive manner in which the fisheries
had been conducted, the fish visited our shores in greatly
diminished numbers, and sometimes did not return to
their old haunts at all, so that the trade fell off. About
the year 1838, the fishing trade from Fictou ceased, and

864

though there have been attempts made since to reviye it,
these have not proved successful. The West India trade
tvas carried on under some disadvantages from Pictou,
from the harbour being closed in winter, and from the
fact of its not being a free port. As the iisheries failed
and the supply of good lumber diminished, this trade
came to an end about the same time.

Public attention was now directed to the obtaining for
Pictou the privileges of a Free Port. Some explanation
may be necessary on this subject for readers of the present
day. In the colonization of America, all the European
powers acted upon the idea, of making the colonies yield
the utmost possible advantage to the mother country, and
that often with little regard to the rights of the colonists.
Great Britain, though distinguished for justice and
magnaminity, as compared with other nations, long
maintained a commercial system, narrow and selfish,
alike unjust to the colonies and injurious to both. Up
till the year 1825, her policy aimed at prevent" ag her
colonial dependencies having any trade, except with the
mother country or with one another. But in that year,
Mr. Huskisson, then President of the Board of Trade,
passed his memorable act, by which the colonies were
allowed to trade with foreign countries, which reciprocated
the favour — an act which may be regarded as the eman*
cipation of the colonies, and from which a new era in theit
history may be dated. Still the privilege was limited to
some ports, known as Free Ports, of which Halifax was
' the only one in this Province. Under this system, if
Pictou wished to export a cargo of any article, except
fish, to a foreign country, it had to be sent to Halifax,
unloaded there, reshipped and then cleared from that port»
So all return cargoes of any description from foreign
countries, had to be landed at Halifax, reloaded there, and
thence cleared for Pictou, involving not only expense,
but sometimes such a loss of time, as might prevent

865

arrival for a whole winter. Thus the merchants here
were rirtually excluded from the trade with the Foreign
West India Islands, South America, or the Mediterranean,
which were the best markets for fish ; and as to the
United States, a cargo of flour could only be iriported by
landing it at Halifax, and a few hundred chaldrons of
coal that were sent thither, had to be trans-shipped in the
same manner. Foreign yessels were also prevented from
coming to Pictou,

"Wemay suppose that the Halifax merchants had enough
of human nature in them, to wish to retain for their port
the monopoly which this afforded, and henoe their
opposition was long given to the extension of the Free
Port system to the outports. The first movement to
obtain this privilege for Pictou was now made, by the
calling of a public meeting, which was held in the Court
House, on the 8th January, 1828, when it was resolved
unanimously, " That it is the opinion of this meeting, that
it will be a great advantage to the trade, commerce,
fisheries and agriculture of the Port and District of Pictou
and the neighbouring harbours and places situate in the
Gulf of St. Lawrence, that the Port of Pictou be placed
on the footing of a Free Port, under the provisions of the
Act of the Imperial Parliament, 6 George IV., chap. 1 14."
It was also resolved to petition the King to that effect
The petition was accordingly forwarded, with another to
the Lieutenant Governor, asking him to recommend its
prayer. Before the petition reached Britain, however,
Pictou and Sydney were declared Free Ports, through
the influence of the General Mining Association. But
the petition of the inhabitants, which prayed that Pictou
should be made a free warehousing port, was refused, on
the ground that it had already been made a Free Port.
Even this, however, excited in the minds of people here
the most glowing visions, as to the future prosperity of
the place. " Stranger things have happened," said one,

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366

" than that the horses of the Governor General of India
should yet travel on Pictou iron, paid for by direct
importation of East India goods into Pictou Harbour,"
and the first arrival under the new system was thus
hailed in the Colonial Patriot, of 21st May, 1828 : —

'< With much pleasnro we record the arriral of the schooner Lovely Hope,
from Boston, with a cargo of flour, corn, &c. This is tho first arrival under
the free port order, and it is creditable to tho enterprise of Messrs. O. L. Do
Blois k Co., the merchants who so quickly arailcd themselves of the new
system. • • We sincerely hope the cargo of this vessel will yield a liberal
return to the consignees. We think the present an important era in the
history of Pictou, and doubt not the Lovely Hope is the harbinger of much
good to come."

The timber trade had now sunk to a low position.
The finer qualities of wood were exhausted. All the pine
fit for shipment was gone, and what little was left, was
to be found only in the more remote parts of the county,
was generally small in size and needed for home con*
sumption. Pitch pine of value was not to be found.
Instead of the splendid oak, which yielded abundant
supplies of hogshead staves or timber for shipment, were
to be found only a few small trees of second growth,
scarcely sufficient to supply our own population with
those articles, for which it was specially desired. There
only remained the spruce and birch. For some years
considerable was done in manufacturing the former into
deals and battens, and in shipping them to Britain, but
since about the year 1840 even that has come to an end,,
owing to the eachaustion of the supply. Birch timber
continued to be drawn from the interior, and still forms
an article of export.

The financial crisis of 1825-6 for a time nearly
destroyed the ship-building business, but it soon began to
revive and in subsequent years was carried on with much
energy. But at that time, most if not all the vessels built
were built to sell. After the close of the West India
trade, there was scarcely a vessel of any size owned in

iiiii'i)iiini

867

the county and kept in regular emplo3rnient. Even thd
building of them was carried on under disadvantages.
The leading merchants had been left in debt by the
events of those years, and others who began had but little
capital. Hence the work was carried on by means of
advances from parties in the old country. This involved
expenses for commission, interest, &c. Then the vessels
were sent to Britain for sale. Even if sold immediately,
and at good prices, such were the charges, that very often
the builder was as deeply in debt as when he began.
But frequently they remained for a time unsold, with
expenses eating up their value, and then they might be
thrown upon the market at a time when prices were low,
in which case they might not realize first cost. This
business proved fatal to nearly all who were concerned
in it, as we shall notice more particularly in our next
chapter. A number of those however, who at this time
began business with little or no capital and on the
smallest scale, have since become the wealthy men of the
county.

Owing to these circumstances, the closing years of the
period we are now reviewing, were about the poorest the
country has experienced since its first settlement. Farmers,
owing to the credit system, and their giving so much of
their attention to timber, were in the merchants books.
Now that resource was gone. Their farms had been
neglected, and from constant cropping did not yield as
formerly. Crops too failed from other causes. The
Hessian fly injured the wheat, and a disease afiected the
potatoes, BO that they did not grow as formerly, sometimes '
the seed not coming up at all. There was little demand
for farm produce, and no cash market. Merchants
received it in exchange for goods at low prices. The
pork, butter, etc., thus received was shipped principally to
Halifax, Miramichi; or Newfoundland, and cattle were
sometimes driven across Mouat Thorn to Halifax, fre*

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868

qnently realizing but a small return. The ship timber,
or other produce of the forest, which they traded with the
merchant, were paid for in goods dear in price and often
trashy in quality, so that the farmers were so destitute of
cash, that it used to be said they could only look for as
much as would pay their taxes and stipends, though too
commonly they sought to pay the latter, either in some
other way or not at all.

"We now turn from business matters to notice some
other matters connected with this period. In the year
1827, the first newspaper published in the Province out of
Halifax, was started in Fictou. It was called the Colonial
Patriot, and was published by "William Milne, in partner-
ship with J. S. Gunnabell of Halifax, but its establishment
was mainly owing to Jotham Blanchard, Esq., who for
several years edited it anonymously. The important part
which the paper played in our Provincial history, as well
as the character and services of its editor, entitle them to
special notice in this work. Mr. Blanchard was bom at
Peterboro, N. H., on the 13th March, 1800. His grand-
father, Jotham, usually known as Gol. Blanchard, had left
the United States at the close of the Revolutionary war,
from loyalty to the British crown, and settled at Truro.
His son, Jonathan, remained behind and married there,
and Jotham was his eldest child. When he was fifteen
months old, his parents removed with him to Truro,
where the old people with their family were still residing.
!Here from accident or sickness he incurred permanent
lameness, and probably from the same cause his constitu-
tion was feeble and ill fitted for the labour, to which he
was impelled by his active mind. After he was able to
go about, his father provided a pony for him to attend
school, or go where called. Some years later, the family
removed to the "West River, where the father purchased
G«orge McGonnell's farm and put up* the large house, so
long known as the Ten Mile House, where he for several

369

years kept an inn. Afterward they removed to Fictou
town, wher • Jotham completed his education at the
Pictou Academy, being one of the first class of students
at that institution. He studied law under Thomas '
Dickson, Esq., and was admitted to the bar on the 18th
October, 1821. In his profession, he soon established his
character as an able lawyer and an eloquent pleader, but
at the same time was noted as always discouraging -
litigation, at a time when there was so much disposition
to it.*

The first number of the Patriot was issued on the 7th
December, 1827, and had for its motto, •• Pro .rege, pro
patria." In exposition of this, the editor said : —

" In politics we shall sido with the most liberal system. Our motto, if
rightly understood, conveys our sentiments. We reverence the British Con-
stitution, and honor the king as its head, hut feel assured that the best way
of showing true regard for the king is by advancing the interests of his
subjects. All governments are designed for the general good of tho psoplo,
and that government deserves most praise, which most effectually succeeds in :
this object ; and we boldly assert, ihat he who pretends to support the dignity
of the government and the honor of the crown, at the expanse of th« general
happiness, alike commits treason against the king and his subjects ; — he betrays
the people and dishonors their sovereign.

" Respecting our Provincial politics, we can only say that wo shall advocate .
what we consider sound and just principles ; and if we find the government
or any branch of it deviating from these, we shall not fail to proclaim it.
This determination, we are well aware, would be ridiculed by the members of
Government, were it to travel so for as to meet their eyes, but neither their
scorn nor our own weakness shall deter us from this course of conduct, being
convinced that it forms no excuse for permitting obnoxious measures to pass

* An instance of this was given by a gentleman then holding a humble
position in the printing office. He was one day waiting upon Mr. B. for
*' copy." While the latter was driving his pen with great vigor, a country-
man came into the office. Scarcely lifting his head, Mr. B. asked his errand.
The man replied that a certain person had sued him for debt. " And do you
owe him?" said Mr. B., while the pen went with undiminished rapidity.
The man mumbled an uncertain reply. " Do you owe him ? " said Mr. B.,
more sternly. " Well, perhaps I do," tho man drawled out. << Then go and
pay him," was the reply, while the pen never stopped in its career. The m«a
slowly retired, glancing back with a mixture of wonder and curiosity, at this
new specimen of legal advice,

msi:

870

In Bilencfl, that obserration upon them is attended vrith no immediate result?.
It is an important point, to keep the eyes of the people open to their own
interests, and thus convince the Qoremmcnt that ihey know when their
rights arc overlooked. This is the safest and surest mode of preventing and
rectifying mal-adniinistration, though we must confess that in the latter cast^
the process is tedious. It has, however, proved successful in Britain, where
ancient prejudices and their abettors have been forced to yield to the increase
of knowledge, and the consequent march of liberal principles.

" With our cotemporary editors, wo shall carefully cultivate the most
friendly feelings, but onr public duty is paramount to private inclination, and
if we find them betraying the people's rights, or inculcating excessive servility,
we must not be backward in exposing their errors, and reminding them of
their duty as sentinels of the public interests.

" The peculiarities of our religious tenets we do not think proper at present
to divulge. . . While men do not cherish religious views subversive of
the order of society, or inimical to the great and leading principles of our
glorious constitution, we think it the very acme of injustice that hero should
be civil distinctions on account of religious opinions. Influenced by these
sentiments, wo shall never hesitate to strike in our feeble lance against any
man — bo he friend or foe, for us or against us — whom we shall find prostrating
the landmarks of his neighbor's rights.*

" Having witnessed the beneficial effects resulting from an unshackled press
in Britain, we shall always advocate the same system here.

« Wo will discuss the interests of Pictou. We shall at all times, however,
when opportunity permits, be happy to raise our voice in behalf of the whole
Province of Nora Scotia, without reference to east or west, north or south ;
and even beyond the limits of our own Province, our humble efforts shall
always be at the command of our sister colonies, when we think their just
rights attacked or disregarded, or in danger of being compromised by the
negligence or inertness of the great body of the people, or the adroitness or
power of the few.

" Our infant establishment is the first of the kind in the country, and we do
hope that the friends of general improvement in all parts of it will, by the
kindness of their smiles, brighten us into a vigorous existence. The town
has advocates in abundance, and papers in abundance, — we shall endeavor to
advocate the peculiar interests of the country."

These sentiments seem innocent enough, and in the
present day would alarm no person, but they covered
principles, which at that time were considered by those
in iwwer as dangerous, if not altogether subversive of

* In explanation of this paragraph, it is only necessary to remind onr
readers, that Catholic emancipation was at that time still one of the great
questions of the day.

871

society. Referring" to this in the second number, the
editor says : —

" Before setting out with so open an aTowal of our principles, vro perfectly
knew tlmt tlio voice of slander would follow our track, and that wo should be
chart^cd with disloyalty and radicalism. This has been the refuge of all the
supporters of existing abuses and new oppressions, since the world began.
I'haraoh, no doubt, considered Moses a great radical. William Tell was a
radical ; the sturdy barons who forced Magna Charta from King John were
rillainons radicals ; so were Luther and John Knox ; and they were a radical
crew, to be sure, who drove the last of the Stuarts from England's throne.
In later times Chathfrn, and Burke, and Fox, and Brougham have all been
charged with disloyalty and radicalism by the advocates of gray-haired abuses.
If we, then, of the Colonial Patriot, suffer from the same species of slander,
we shall suffer in good company, and we prefer suffering in a good cause to
propperity in a bad one."

These were the days when the Council of XII., com-
bining executive and legislative functions, sitting in
secret, all, with scarcely an exception. Churchmen and
residents of Halifax, and nearly all placemen,* most, if
not all of them, decent men in their -waj, but trained in
the narrowest school of political sentiment, full of the
highest notions of arbitrary power, ruled the country
with undisputed authority. Successive Governors had
been but tools in their hands, and the House of Assembly,
in any attempt hitherto made to assert its independence,
had been obliged, whenever it came into collision with
their high mightinesses at the other end of the building, to
succumb by a threat of the latter of refusing to do busi-
ness with that branch of the Legislatuio. The Council
too seemed to feel under no obligation, to adopt ^ny
measures for the improvement of the Province, so that
for anything of that kind the country was indebted
either to the persistent efforts of the Assembly, or to the
independent judgment and energy of such a G-overnor, as
Sir J. C. Sherbrooke or Sir James Kempt, yet were jealous
of anything that seemed in the remotest degree to affect

iil

* In «nb8eqi\ent collisions with the Council, it was stated that ten ont of
the twelve were paid officials of Goyernment.

it!!'

t^J!

872

their own dignity, and. resented it as subversive of the
British Constitution or treason to the Sovereign. Only
the winter previous, they had rejected a measure of the
House for increased aid to common schools, and when
such an uniDatriotic, if not unconstitutional, exercise of
power, provoked the author of the measure, T. C. Hali-
burton, to describe them as twelve old women, one in
lawn sleeves (alluding to the Bishop), the House was
called to account, and from fear of consequences, and
contrary to their own judgment, meekly bowed to
reprimand the author of the speech. Moreover, the
majority of the Council having scarcely been outside the
town of Halifax,* the country was to them of so little
account, that any attempt on the part of the inhabitants
to discuss their proceedings, they would have regarded
almost as we might suppose a farmer, to regard a criticism
on his style of farming, from the sheep in his back
pasture. Indeed, the Attorney-G^eneral described the
members of the House, particularly referring to those
from the country, as the Caribous.

- Such were the circumstances in which the Colonial
Patriot was issued, as the advocate of liberal politics. The
newspapers of Halifax were devoted to the news of the
day, containing only some common-place remarks on
public events, and discreetly silent regarding official
doings. But Mr. B. had entered keenly into the political
discussions of the mother country, on the subject of
popular rights, on which at that time feeling there was
running high. Im^jressed with the much greater subser-
viance of the people in general to the few in power, which
existed here, he threw his whole soul into the work of
securing for the popular will, that control over public
affairs, for which the Eeformers in Britain in another
shape were contending. Those measures of reform in

* It wag asserted afterward in one of the newspapers of the day, that some
of them had never crossed Sackville Bridge, ten miles out of Halifaz.

873

colonial administration, which the popular party in
Canada and Nova Scotia afterward succeeded in carrying,
the " Colonial Patriot " toas the Jirst paper in the Lower
Provinces to advocate.

Mr. B. wielded the pen of a ready writer. He wrote
rapidly, but his writings were marked by great vigour
and independence. He had the assistance, however, of
other pens, lay and clerical, and the paper soon began to
excite public attention. The political questions of the
day were then mixed up with the Pictou Academy
dispute, which was in fact the battle ground of party,
and the Patriot was ever the fearless advocate of the
institution.

The principles of the paper and the frea spirit in which
it assailed G-overnment abuses, soon brought it into
notice. Its radical, or as they were then deemed,
revolutionary views, were received in some places with
horror. "We recollect of hearing of an old Scotch
minister, a Seceder too, who, hearing Mr. B. advocate in
his earnest way his political views, lifted up his hands
in holy amazement, and exclaimed, " daring innovator."
In Halifax particularly, the Patriot created no small stir,
especially in official circles. The style of writing in it
would not appear very violent, as compared with the
political writing to which we are now accustomed, nor
its sentiments very extreme, but at the time they were so
unusual, and such was the general sycophancy to men in
power, that they produced quite a sensation. It was read
nevertheless.

But the paper was to receive attention from higher
quarters. A few weeks after its commencement, an
article, which appeared in it from the pen of a correspon-
dent, was regarded as rank treason by the powers that be.
It is said that the matter was seriously debated in the
Council of XII., and that the feeling was general, if not
unanimous, in favour of bringing the author to condign

iM.M

"wm^mn

874

punishment. Milne received notice of an intended
prosecution for libel, and the Attorney-General's son, R.
J. Uniacke, Jun., entering the House with the paper in
his hand, and, as Blanchard described him, " with all the
greatness of a full-blown bladder," declared those con-
nected with it to bo dangerous persons — that they had
violated parliamentary privileges, and that ho would
never move another resolution in the House, unless it
would avenge the insult by calling them to account. It
was proposed not only to prosecute the proprietor for
libel, but to bring him in custody to the bar of the House.
The writer of the article had submitted it to Mr. B. as a
lawyer, instructing him not to publish it, if it were
libellous, and the latter was satisfied that there was no
danger on that point, but for some time Milne expected
that the House might take the last step proposed. But the
majority of the House stood firm against Uniacke's denun-
ciations, which were no doubt inspired by Government.

There was much anxiety on the part of the authorities,
to find out the authorship of the obnoxious article, which
they were disposed to attribute to Dr. McCulloch. But
as the real author afterward freely acknowledged his
work, and when liberal principles had triumphed, rather
took credit for it, we violate no confidence in saying, that
it was written by the late Rev. Thomas Trotter, of
Antigonish. "We may add, that instead of containing
anything violent, it would now be considered calm and
logical. Its oflfence was, that it questioned the constitu-
tional right of the Council, to act as they were doing
regarding money questions.

But a circumstance, which gave Mr. Blanchard and the
paper special notoriety, was the publication of what was
called " the Canadian letter." There being at that time
much political agitation in the Upper Provinces, their con-
dition and affairs occupied a prominent place in the
Patriot's discussions. The very first number strongly

875

condemned as unconstitutional, the course taken by Lord
Dalhousie, in rejecting Mr. Fapineau as speaker, when
elected by the Assembly, and Mr. B. continued warmly
to support the course taken by that body in adhering to
their choice ; and maintained that if the people were true
to themselves, they must triumph in the end. He was
for a time a warm admirer of Mr. Papineau, though, like
the rest of the Nova Scotia Reformers, he would had ho
]ived, have condemned the course taken by him and his
compatriots in the outbreak of 1837.

Not long after the report of the proceedings of the
Canadian Parliament, in which Mr. P. was a second time
lejected, reached this Province, an extract from a private
letter from a gentleman in Nova Scotia, was published in
the " Canadian Spectator,'' in which the spirit of the popular
party was applauded, assurance was given that whatever
the enslaved press of the Province might say upon the
subject, the great majority of the people, who knew the
merits of the conflict, thought well of the objects they had
in view, and in general of the means thoy took to accom-
plish them. It was stated, that while in the Legislature
of this Province, theio was a growing spirit of indepen-
dence, there was still far too much servility to those
in power, and though the existing state of things in Canada
was much to be deprecated, it was desirable that some of
the same spirit should come our way. "A moderate
quantity of it now might supercede the necessity of more
hereafter. As prevention is preferable to remedy, I am
in hopes a little of it will creep our way, before a greater
share of it will bo required." And what was no doubt
considered more dreadful, in reply to the accusation of
the popular party being the disturbers of the peace, ho
maintained that " Lord Dalhousie, by stretching doubtful
prerogatives to their utmost limits, and unnecessarily
irritating the people, has made himself the public dis-
turber."

I f

(' :

i \

876

The extract was copied into the Halifax papers and the
writer of it was denounced as a political libeller, not fit to
crawl on free soil, and his opinions characterized as dio-
loyal and dangerous. As " the writer of the C.Sinadian
letter, " which had been addressed to Mr, Leslie, member
for Montreal, Mr. Blanchard defended the extract, but
denied the legitimacy of the inferences drawn from it.
Such was the feeling excited in high circles, that Mr. B.
did not trust the office with the knowledge of the author-
ship of what he wrote, but employed a friend as scribe^
in whoso handwriting the manuscript went to the
printer.

Mr. Joseph Howe, at that time editor and publisher of
the Nova Scotian, was prominent among the assailants of
the principles, which "the writer of the Canadian letter "
advocated, and a somewhat fierce controversy was main-
tained for a time, which did more for the elucidation of
the principles of liberal government, and their introduction
into this Province, than any thing that had hitherto trans-
pired. Mr. Howe was then a young man, just beginnings
his career as a journalist. His early writings gave indi-
cations of the talents he possessed, although he had not
reflected deeply on political questions. Ho was naturally
connected with the official party, his father having been
both Queens Printer and Postmaster General, and hi»
elder brother succeeding to both offices ; and indeed was
regarded as the chosen champion of the party. But the
result of his controversy with Mr. B. and the other
writers, who came to the aid of the latter, was that he
become a convert to the views, which at that iime he de-
nounced, but in the advocacy of which he afterward
became so prominent and so celebrated. He has been
known to say, that he received his first impressions of
liberal politics from Jotham Blanchard. He did not
approve of them at first, but the more he thought upon

877

I and the

not fit to
d as dio-
Canadian
member
ract, but
. from it.
at Mr. B.
B author-
is scribe^
\, to the

►lisher of
ailants of
,n letter "
'as main-
dation of
reduction
rto trans-
)eginning'
[avo indi-

had not
naturally
ing been

and hi&
deed was

But the
the other
,s that he
me he de-
afterward
has been
essions of

did not
ight upon.

them, the better he liked them, till he embraced them
fully, and devoted his life to their establishment.*

The maintaining of a country paper at that period was
no easy matter. Even for many years after, it was with
difficulty that a publisher could make cuds meet, but of
course at that time the difficulties were much greater.
The population likely to support it was but small, the
country was not in a very prosperous condition, the habits
of payment were very irregular, the publisher in Pictou
wa vot a practical printer, and patriotism was not then
thu ^^aying business it has since become. At all events a
long time had not elapsed, till the publisher found himself
in jail for debt, In an editorial the situation was thus
humourously described :

« We do not know what our readcrn may think of it, but for our own
part, wo can honestly declare, that it has affected us more than if we had
beard of the incarceration of every other expounder of news in the Province.
For subscribers to be in our debt is bad enough, but for patriots like us, who
have been grumbling for them immeasurably, to bo shut up in the prison
house, because they have not paid us, while they arc Koing at large, is almost
beyond the cnduremcnt of flesh and blood. Anybody but ourselves would
have long ago delivered them to the judge ; and sure are we, that had they
fallen into the hands of such a prompt and righteous dispenser of justice as
ovs old Treasurer, he would have made them down with their dollars on the
«pot, and given them a good pounding to boot.

" If our subscribers cannot pay us, wo give them this notice, that they must
find us an equivalent. Let them only recommend us to His Majesty's Council,
and get us into some moderate ofScc, which will help us out of our scrapes.
We are not ambitious men, we assure them. With such a salary as Mr.
Jeffrey's wo will bo perfectly contented to bo publicans and crave nobody.
Though we may now and then take a race after the smugglers for fun, not one
of our subscribers need lengthen his steps.

"Some of our subscribers seem to think that if, like our old Treasurer, they
say that they have no money in their chest, wo are very well off. But we do
assure them that we are not very well off. Such a thing was never known of
patriots since the world began. Had wo twelve thousand pounds lying past
us to the good, our subscribers would have something like reason upon their

* Entering the Patriot office when on a visit to Pictou at the time of the
election of 1830, he laughingly remarked, " The Pictou scribblers (so he used
to call the writers in the Patriot) have converted me from the error of my
■ways."

i 'f

tf i

878

■Ido; liiit (ipon (ho word of honrot pntrlotR, wo ponltlvcly «lo(!lurn tlint wn
Imvo not linlf (lint mim in our poHBCHRion, mitl to (lio bout of our Knowlcdga
ttixl iM-licf, nro not lllu'ly to Imvo it hcfcro next inontliiK of AnHoinMy.*

" Wlu'ii wo wt'io dragfjcd <o Jiill, wo hnd no dowlit of n upocdy dollvprnnco.
Wo woro pcrfi'itly coii(i(loiit (lint im noon oh ourconflncninnt wiih known, tliero
would bo n rnKliing (o hco uh, wliich woiild far outdo anything of (lio kintl
iliftt lind «'V('r occurred in tho Proviuco. Wo snid to oursclvco, tliat if tho largo
hullofU and Mr, Hurry had cadi a thoumind visitorH, |iatrioti<, Htiih kh wo, tnunt
have (on thouKnnd nt Icunt. Hut (>xi'o|it ii few of our crcdit'irf), who cnllod to
' cn<iuiro wlion wo would i)ay (luni, nut a rn-aturo canio near )ih.

" It in vrry lltUo to (ho credit of our RuhmriltcrH, (hat wo are in (ho hamU of
tho Bheriff. Wo will not thereforo allow (hcn> any lon^i-r to affront
thcmsolvcH. And wo give (hem thii* notice, that (hero nro only twowayg:
cithor (hoy nuiKt Bond uh their money, ur como and livo with uh. In tho lost
coso wo iihall haro them under our own vyo, and if, between tho treadmill
and lirenkinK Rdines for tho Btreetn by woy of relaxation, wo «lo not work it
out of th>m, wo shall havo ourselves to blnnio. Hy (heno mennH wo will
( dlcct an much nn will pay all our conniderato creditors; and when wo And
that (hero in nothing nioro to bu got, wo will send for ^ho individual who for
tiiu pure purpot :< of annoyance, has been persuadsd to |)ut uh in jail, and liko
honest gentlemen that wo are, surrendering to him all thai wo have, that is to
say, all our debln which have becomo bad through his jjlacing us in conflne-
mont, wo will walk out, antl prosecuto tho pa(riot trade with rudouhled vigor.
If bo expects tho favor of councillora and their creatures by crusliing us, ho
is likely (o find that ho haa caught a Tartar. Wo wore not born so far north
for nothing, and wo assure our friends that aftor coming all tho way from
Abeniecn f for their benefit, they will not find us so easily piit down."

But tho darkest cloud wo are told has a silver lining.
Above all, no circumstances can bo so desperate as to bo
beyond woman's sympathy, and tho darkest scenes of lifo
will bo bright with tho light which shines not on sea or
shore, if cheered by her smile. So did tho poor printer
find it. The SherilFhad a fair <''aughter, whose pity was
moved by his hapless condition. Our prosaic history
''cannot adequately tell how pity passed into deeper
feelings, but at all events so well was tho enforced leisure
of tho prison employed, that when he again went forth to

• Tho allusion in this paragraph is to tho accounts of the Treasurer, which
shov.'ed a balance of twelve thousand pounds in favor of the Province, while
applicants sometimes were roughly turned away with tho declaration that
there was ni money.

t Mr. Milne's native place.

879

iiro that wo
■ knowlcdga
Ay*

clollvorttnco.
nown, thcro
of ilio kind
, if tho Iftrgo
RH wo, mnnt
lio cullfld to

tlin hands of
r to iiffiont
r two wftys ;

In tho lost
M treadmill

not work it
ans wo will
hen wo And
[liml who for
ail, and liko
v(<, that iH to
I in conflne-
mhlcd vigor.
Hliing us, ho

80 far north

10 way from
wn."

3r lining.
) as to bo
nos of life
on sea or
)r printer
pity was
c history
o deeper
ed leisure
it forth to

isurcr, which
ovincc, while
laration that

liberty, it wa« nnder bonds whi( h, we su])poso now after
nearly lifty yoars of wedded Julias ho has no dcsiro
to see dissolved.

To relieves him from his embarrassmont, aufl to continue
tho i)ul)lication of tho pap(!r, whirh had now become
popular amoni^ tho friends of lib(<ral i)o!iticH, a number of
gentlemen combined, and subscribing Ihf! requisite funds,
took the concern undcjr their own management. For
four or live years longer, tho paper contijiued the same
IK)litical course, Mr. Bknchard acting as editor the greater
part of the time.

Tho course which Mr. Blanchard pursued excited
against him much personal hostility. In the press he was
accused of assailing all that is respectable, and subverting
tho very foundations of society, and his private character
was attacked in ways that would outdo even our present
political newspapers. To this however was added burn-
ing in cflTigy, a proceeding whi(;h Mr. Blanchard noticed in
the fcllowing manner, duly honouring the more prominent
actors in the scene, by giving their names :

« A number of tho merchants and other rcnpcctablo inhahitanti did ns tho
honour on Thursday night, to bum us in cfHi:y in the middle of tho town.

Mr. , merchant and all his tlrrks, and (naming some otherx,)and about

100 other most respectable gentlemen, all assembled and performed in a most
gontlomanly style tho noble feat of burning our effigy. The blaze was so good,
that many persons thought a liouse was on fire, particularly as these gentle-
men were BO careful of the property of the town, that tluy bawled fire most
yociferously, to warn all, that gentlemen were employing that element for
gentlemanly purposes.

" Wc cannot adequately express our ^Tatitiide to these numerous merchants
and other gentlemen for this signal honour. To be ranked with Pope*, and
Kings, and Dukes and Goveraorg is an honour, which does not como tho way
every day to editors.

" Wo must regret one or two mi.shaps that occurred. Mr. , whosa

clerk had tho honour of carrying the effi^'y (and it wa.s an honour even to Iw)

the jackass or packhorsc of us, the Editors of tlic J'alriol) mistook for

an intruder, and belaboured him very severely, and oceoKioned tho loss of his
hut. However, in so' laudable a work as honouring us, a few wounds and tho

loss of a hat were trivial misfortunes. If will call upon us, we shall

sympathize with his sufferings, and contribute to tho purchase of a bat. Wo
do not wish to bo honoured free of expense."

n:;

380

This was followed by a gentleman publicly spitting in
his face. Mr. Blanchard being feeble, and his assailant
being attended by others, supposed ready to proceed to
personal violence, was unable to resent the result, though
a friend did so the next day.

Considering the hostility, of which Mr. Blanchard was
the object, we are naturally led to enquire, whether there
was any cause for this in his personal character. After
careful enquiry we must say, that, as far as we can learn,
the opposition arose entirely from his political course.
His life was pure, he was a genial companion and a fir.
friend. But the fact is, that at that time the very idea o»
criticising the proceedings of those in power, was not
only so new, but was so contrary to the arbitrary
principles then prevalent, that it was held as sedition and
rebellion. "It has long been a crime,'* he says in one
article, " to stand up in the Assembly and advocate the
rights of the people, or to say that they have rights. It
is a crime to establish a paper under the hated name of
Patriot. It is a crime to subscribe for such a paper. It is
a crime to treat of public men and measures according to
their deserts. It is a crime to call public functionaries to
account, and to hint that tax gatherers and smuggler
seizers may not be immaculate in official duties, and
infallible in legislative conduct." And this was all the
more intolerable, when it came from one " from such a
remote part of the Province as Pictou." In fact, his real
offence was the political position which he assumed.
"When Mr. Howe advocated the same views afterward,
he was assailed with equal bitterness, and with similar
accusations.

In the year 1830, came the great conflict between the
Council and the Assembly. The history of this does not
belong to our present work. But the state of the question
may be given. In the year 182G, the Assembly had passed
a revenue bill, by which the duty on foreign brandy was

881

raised from Is. to Is. aud 4d. This duty was at first col-
lected, but the oflSicials having discovered a flaw in. the
wording of the act, had not collected the extra duty for
seyeral years. So little control had the Assembly over
the financial affairs of the Prov^ince, that this was not
discovered till now. They immediately determined to
have the error rectified, and sent a bill to the Council
imposing the extra 4d. This was sent back rejected, at
four o'clock on the day on which the revenue bills expired ;
and next morning Honourable Councillors, in the midst
of a blinding snow storm, were busy taking out of ware-
house large quantities of spirits, which they had there in
bond. The House of Assembly immediately passed an-
other bill, which was also rejected by the Council, who
now assumed an attitude on the subject, to which the
Assembly felt they could not submit, without sacrificing
the time honoured rights, which belonged to them as the
Representatives of the people. The result was that no
revenue was collected that year. The Assembly was dis-
solved, and a new election took place that fall amid much
excitement. In Halifax city, the Council carried things
their own way, but the county was the subject of a keen
contest. Mr. Blanchard became a candidate along with
Messrs. "William Lawson, S. G. W. Archibald, and G-eorge
Smith, as the friends of the Assembly, while the Govern-
ment candidates were, Messrs. Hugh Hartshorne, J. A.
Barry, J. L. Starr and Henry Blackadar.

There was not the same party discipline as now, when
men, even Christian men, vote for the candidate of their
party, whatever his capacity or even whatever his charac-
ter. Every candidate had to depend largely on his personal
influence and popularity. The Government too were
nearly all powerful in the city of Halifax. For a young
man from the country, like Mr. B., without wealth or
influence in the capital, personally almost unknown there,
to seek election as representative of the Metropolitan

1, f

!>■!(!

w^m

382

county, was a bold undertaking, and almost enough to
give the old ladies fits. But as a candidate, he made a
good imjjression upon independent men. His note booki»
still in existence shew him to have cultivated his mind,
by diligent study of the writings of the best poets and
orators of Britain and Ireland. He had also been interested
in the modern political discussions of the mother coun-
try, and now his speeches attracted attention. But such
was the hostility of the Government party to him, that
in Halifax he was insulted, which however only rendered
his friends in the country more determined in their efforts
on his behalf. Even in Pictou they would not allow him
to be heard on the hustings, while the gentleman wha
proposed him, Adams Archibald, Esq., of Musquodoboit,
one of the greatest natural geniuses the Province ever
produced, was soon after dismissed from the commission
of the peace.

The election for the County of Halifax caused much
excitement throughout the Province. In Pictou the
political question was mixed with the religious division
that had been growing up, and with the feelings that had
been excited regarding the Pictou Academy, so that party
feeling reached an unprecedented height; and this
election, ever since known as the big election, witnessed
deplorable scenes of violence, pitched battles being fought,
sticks freely used and one man killed.

Mr. Blanchard was returned with the other popular
candidates, and for five years proved an energetic member
of the House. It is generally said, that he disappointed
expectation. This may be true in part, but it is easily ac-
counted for. Perhaps the expectations of his friends were
too high. "Wg may add that the House proved rather a
subservient one. True there were only eight returned as
Government supporters ; but when the Council swallowed
the revenue bill, which they had rejected the year before,
members of the House seemed inclined to rest and be

l'\

*lr

l.<»r-j

! U^^

383

thankful. The loss to the Province by the late collision
with the Council, seemed to make them tremble at the
thought of another. And then and more especially his
health failed.

Still while his strength remained, his voice was ever
raised on behalf of any measure, which promised to
advance the public interests. The subject which engaged
his most energetic efforts, was the Pictou Academy. -
The Government still continuing hostile, he was as wo
have seen, in the year 1831 sent by its friends to Britain to
lay its claims before the Home Grovernment.

He also succeeded in carrying some important measures,
among which was an act for the relief of honest insolvent
debtors. Up to this date, any one creditor could retain
a debtor in gaol after the surrender of all his property,,
by supplying eight pounds of bread a week for his main-
tenance ; and persons were found ready to use this power,
in the hope of leading the friends of the unfortunate to
pay the claim, in order to obtain his release. This power
was now taken away, and two magistrates had power to
order the discharge of an insolvent, where without fraud
he gave up all his property. He also advocated the
abolition of imprisonment for debt altogether, but the
country was not prepared for such a measure. He had
studied the works of Brougham and others of the school
of English law reformers, and advocated some of their
measures here, among others the conferring of equity
jurisdiction upon the Supreme Court. But it required
twenty years to prepare for the introduction of this grand
improvement in legal procedure. Out of the House he^
still supported measures for public improvement. Among
these may be mentioned the establishment of circulating
libraries. After his return from Britain, where he had
seen the system in operation, he spent a good deal of
effort in endeavoring to have it introduced into our
rural districts, but not with much permanent result.

384

'1 ■'■III ■

His labours were too great for his bodily strength. In
the session of 1836, the last of that House, he travelled to
Halifax in a covered sleigh, in which a small stove was
fitted up for his accommodation, and was able to attend
to local county business at his rooms, but was unable to
occupy his place in the House. In the year 1838, his
mind also gave way, and he sunk into a state of mental
imbecility, from which he never recoA'ered. He died 13th
July, 1840.

"We may mention here +hat Alexander Lawson was an
apprentice in the Patriot office, and afterward established
and still conducts the Yarmouth Herald, the first
successful venture in newspaper printing, in the Western
part of Nova Scotia, and long the only supporter of the
popular party in that section of the country.

We may here give the subsequent history of the
newspaper press in Pictou. On the 31st August, 1832,
Mr. Milne commenced publishing from the Patriot office,
a small weekly paper for the young, called The Juvenile
Entertainer, at the rate of 5s. per annum. It continued
for a year or two to give selections of interesting reading
for the young, and was a creditable effisrt for the time,
being the first of the kind in the Province.

The Government party in the year 1831 established a
paper in opposition to the Patriot, called the Pictou
Observer, of which the Eev. Kenneth John MoKenzie was
the editor, or in which he was at least the ablest writer.
The Patriot expired about the year 1838, and the Observer
followed it to the same bourne.

In the year 1836, Mr. James Dawson purchased the
press and types of the old Patriot, and commenced a
paper «alled the Bee, and soon after the 'Observer was
resuscitated by Mr. Roderick McDonald, a native of
Stornoway, who had taught the lower branches in the
Pictou Academy. He removed to Ontario, and the paper
became defunct. In the year 1840, the Bee was bought

886

out by Mr. John Stiles who established in its place the
Mechanic and Farmer. In 1842 the Presbyterian Banner
"was established under the editorship of the Rev. James,
aiow Dr. Ross, But in 1843 both these papers were
merged in the Eastern Chronicle^ which has continued to
the present day. In this ofl&co was trained E. M.
McDonald, who became its editor and proprietor, and
afterward Queen's Printer, and with Hon. William
Oaryie, established the Halifax Citizen and became
member of tho Dominion Legislature, and died Collector
of Customs for Halifax. The Observer, ailer a short
suspension, was revived by Mr. A. McCoubray, of St.
Johns, Newfoundland, Martin I. "Wilkins, Esq., being its
editor or chief contributor, but again became defunct.
In its place was established fc,9 Colonial Standard, wl^ch
still continues.

"We have already described the rum drinking of former
times, but have now to notice the commencement of a
movement for the suppression of its evils. The necessity
of some measure of the kind may be inferred from the
following facts : In the year 1825, there were imported
into the Province '753,786 gallons of rum, besides 30,000
gallons of wine, and several thousand gallons of gin and
brandy, to which the quantities smuggled, and what
was made in the Province required to be added. "When
we consider that the population of the Province was
estimated at 120,000, it will be seen, that even allowing
for what was exported, the consumption might well be
regarded as truly alarming. Again, in the year 1830,
there were entered at the Pictou custom house 73,994
gallons of ardent spirits, and it was calculated that what
of this was exported, would be equalled by the product
of domestic distillation. The population of the county,
by the census of 1827, was scarcely 14,000. Allowing for
increase, the consumption would still be about five gallons
for every man, woman, and child, the cost of which could

886

not be less than $60,000, or $20 for every family, and $4
for every individual.

The evils of this had been long felt. But hitherto good
men believed, that the use of ardent spirits in moderation
was beneficial and even necessary, but now was started
the idea of total abstinence from thera as a beverage, and
to the "West River belongs the honor of having formed
the first society on this basis in Nova Scotia, the second
in British America, one in Ontario having been organized
a few months earlier. The Boston Recorder had been
circulated for some time in the settlement, and had
rendered the people there familiar with the subjoct. The
first movement however for the formation of a society^
took place at one of the quarterly meetings of the Agri-
cultural Society. These meetings had lost their interest,
and the attendance at them was small. "When therefore
the members met in October, 1827, there being little
doing, Mr. George McDonald moved that they form a
Temperance Society. The Rev. Duncan Ross immedi-
ately seconded the proposal. The only other supporter
at the meeting was Mr. Donald McLeod, and from these
three the movement originated. The next to join them
was Mr. David McLeod. These four held several private
meetings, and at length arrangements were made for the
public organization of the Society, which took place at
the next meeting of the Agricultural Society, in January,
1828, when 12 persons signed a temperance pledge.* The
following is a copy of it : —

• We have given the above dates, as we received them from the late George
McDonald. The claim of the West River Society to be the first in the
Province was for a time disputed, on behalf of the Beavor Biver Society, in
the County of Yarmouth. The matter was discussed forty years ago, when
the parties were alive and the records in existence, and it was then clearly
proved that the former was the first. Wo regret, that the Society's book has
disappeared within a short period, so that we are indeA)ted to tradition for the
above dates, more particularly as Rev. Mr. Campbell, in his history of Yarmouth
County, in ignorance of these facts, has revived the claim of the Beaver River

887

> <* We whoso names are hereunto annexed, bulicving that the use of ardont
spirits is not only useless but hurtful to the social, civil and religious interests
of men, agree that we will not use them, unless in case of bodily hurt or
sickness, that wo will not, as an article of luxury or living, traffic in them,
nor will wo proride them for the entertainment of our friends, or for persona
in our employment, and in all suitable ways we will discountenance the use
of them throughout the country."

The movement excited great opposition, and the mem-
bers had to encounter no small amount of ridicule, if not
"vrorse. It was then considered impossible to do any work,
particularly any job requiring a number of men, without
rum, and an opportunity came, to test the principles and
power in this respect of the friends of the new moyement.
One of them had the frame of a bam to raise. At that
time it was customary, to make the timber of frames very
heavy, and in raising them, first to lift the whole of one
side, and ihen of the other, by main strength. For this
of course, in the case of a building of any size, there would
be required a large number of men. On this occasion, all
the neighbours as usual assembled, and all the Temper-
ance men for some distance round. The others however
refused all assistance, if there was to be no liquor ; and the
friends of the new movement, having said, that in that
case they would raise it without their aid, were left to try
their strength. But on attempting to raise the side, they
found themselves unable to move it, and after they were
fairly beaten, and endured no end of jibes from the other

Society. There is still however sufficient evidence to show its groundlessness.
Mr. Ebenezer McLeod, who was for some time Secretary of the West River
Society, not only remembers the old discussion, but from his recollection is
able to affirm, that that Society was formed as early as the date given by Mr.
McDonald. The Rev. Dr. Blaikio of Boston testifies, that ho was teaching at
West River in 1828, and in that year joined the society, which was already
organized. Again in the Colonial Patriot of date I7th September, 1828,
the editor, urging the formation of such societies, says, " We are happy to
state that one has been organized at the West River in this district, and would
recommend to the officebearers the propriety of publishing its constitution."
But by Mr. Campbell's own statement, the Beaver River Society was not
formed before April 26th, 1829.

I '

!. ■ V

888

party* ^^^ latter laid bold, pnt the whole np at the double
quick, and ihen had their dram from a supply which they
had privately brought.

On another occasion, at the raising of the frame of a mill
at Six Mile Brook, the two parties quarrelled, and as
neither would yield, and neither was strong enough to
do the work alone, they separated for that day, without
its being accomplished.

This state of things did not continue, for in the CoIoniUl
Patriot of 17th September 1828, we find the following :

" On Friday last, the frame of a large dwelling house, the property of George
McDonald, was erected withont the nso cf rum. In lien of it, ale and beer
were used, so that the work was completed in a superior manner, while neither
abtisive language nor profane swearing was heard, no black eyes nor drunken
men seen, bnt peace and friendship pervading the concourie. That this
change of custom will bo followed in future, (at least to a great degree) may
bo reasonably expected, since it tends not only to promote the harmony,
health and respectability, of those who assemble on such occasions, but tho
interests of the builder. Ten or twclro years ago, he must have used almosk
as many gallons of the mighty rum, in erecting a frame of similar dimensions,
and for this not unfrcquently have his name stationed on the wrong side of
some ledger, whence it may not be so readily erased, as some purchasers of
spirits allow themselves to believe."

19 ot content with the promotion of the cause in his
own congregation, Mr. Eoss advocated it in the public
press, pled in private with his brethren in the ministry
on its behalf, and preached and lectured on the subject
in their congregations, as he had opportunity. It was not,
however, till the year 1830, that the first movement was
made for the formation of a society in the town. It began
with a sermon on the subject preached by him in the
old Presbyterian Church. The discourse gave consider-
able offence, and even as the audience retired, some gave
audible expression to their dissatisfaction, in such sayings
as, " he might have given us something else than the like
of that," &c. This was followed by a private meeting
at the house of Mr. James Dawson, when he, the Rev.
James Eobson, James Hepburn, Francis Beattie and

donble
chthey

fa mill
and as
mgh to
ivithout

Coloniol
ving:

' of George
le and beer
lie neither
yc drunken
That this
!grce) njay
3 liarmonf,
ns, but tho
scd almost
limensions,
)ng side of
rchasers of

3 in his
3 public
ministry
subject
was not,
lent was
It began
1 in the
jonsider-
me gave
L sayings
the like
meeting
the Uev.
ttie and

889

three or four others, associated themselves under a
temperance pledge. They held several private meetings,
and after some time agreed to call a public meeting, for
the purpose of more formally organizing their Society.
This took place on the 15th March following, in the old
court house. It was well attended, but largely by people
opposed to tho movement, among whom were a number
of rowdyish characters, who occupied the back part of
the room, and who had been put forward by tho rum
interest to mako disturbance. They had got a well
known negro, named John Peters, well primed with
liquor, as their chosen instrument to spoil tho meeting.
Accordingly, when Mr. Dawson had spoken in advocacy
of the proposed Society, they set John forward to have his
say. " Fine man, Missa Dawson, go into "West Ingy
trade — bring hun'eds puncheons of rum, mako plenty
money," &c. This rejoiced the rabble, who supported
the speech by a volley of eggs at Mr. Dawson. A mer-
chant of tho place then arose and spoke at considerable
length against the proposal, when tho laugh was rather
turned on him and his friends, by their chosen champion,

Peters, exclaiming, •* I secken Missa 's motion, dem's

my sentiments." The friends of temperance, however,
succeeded in adopting a constitution for their Society and
opening a book for subscribers, and a few days after it
"was announced that it had received forty-four signatures.
"We have no list of names, nor of ths first office-bearers,
but we know that from this time it received the support
of some of the most respectable members of tho com-
munity, among whom Jotham Blanchard deserves special
mention.

The following from the Patriot of June 26, 1830, how-
ever, shows that the cause had been making progress : —

" Wo barely noticed, seyeral weeks ago, a launch of a tcsbcI from the yard
of John Qordon, Jun., another native Nova Scotian. Wo wero well pleasMl
irith tho name (Patriot), of conno, but wo were better pleased to Icarn, that

; ' ■ I

»fm

i I

890

■he waa built and launched without tho uso of ardont spiritfl. Wo have since
learned tiiat she was sailed to Newfoundland and gold, and still no spirits
tueJ."

About a year elapsed before another public meeting
"Was attempted, when a lecture was announced to take
place in the old Grammar School house, by Jotham
"Blanchard. But ho had not above two dozen of hearers,
as he expressed it, not as many as the pages he had
written. No iurther attempt was made at any public
demonstration, till October of the following year (1833),
when the Rev. John McLean delivered a lecture in tho
old court house. The attendance was large, the audience
respectable and orderly, and from tho eloquence of the
speaker and the strength of his facts and arguments, tho
lecture made a profound impression. A vote was passed
requesting its publication, which took place a few months
after. From that time temperance has had a firm hold
in the town, though we can recollect a time after this,
when there was still scarcely a shop in town which had
not over its door the words "spirituous liquors by
license."

"We may add that for the purpose of combined effort
on behalf of the object, a Central Society, composed of
representatives from tho various Temperance Societies in
the County, was formed on the 7th March, 1832, and
called the Pictou Temperance Union.

"Wo must now refar to the mail arrangements and im-
provements in trav cO made at this period. Ezra "Witter,
who had removed from the western part of the Province,
and settled at Biblo Hill, Truro, where he engaged in
carriage building, commenced about the year 1815 carry-
ing the mail from Halifax to Truro ; and in conjunction
with him, Jacob Lynds, carried it from Truro to Pictou.
For some years they used a chaise drawn by a single
horse, but afterward drove a double seated waggon, carry-
ing three or 'our passengers, drawn by two horses, making

891

ive Binoo
o Kpiriti

eeting

tako
fotham
learers,
le had

public

(1833),

in tho
idience

of the
nts, tho

1 passed
months
rm hold
ter this,
ich had
lors by

d effort
)osed of
ieties in
32, and

and im-
Witter,
rovince,
'aged in
5 carry-
nnction
Pictou.
L single
n, carry-
making

one trip each way every week, tho journey being per-
formed in two days or two and a half. They continued
in this way till 1828. The following is their advertisement
in that year :

EASTERN 8TA0E.

To rnn oncu n week between Halifax and Pictoq,
By E. WiTTKR and J. Ltnds.

rpUE public aro retpcctfully informad that nntil the middle of Novembar,
X tho subscribers intcnda to run a weekly Stage, which will accommodato
tout passengers between Halifax and Pictou. It will start from Mr. Boyle*!
in Halifax, every Tuesday morning, at seven o'clock, reach Truro on Wednes*
day at 7 a. u. and arrive in Pictou at 8 in tho evening. It will leave PictoQ
one hour after tho arrival of the packet from Prince Edward Island, and arrive
in town on Saturday afternoon. Tho fare to or from Pictou will be JC2,and
every oxortioa will be used to insure comfort and security to passengers, and
their baggage, of which each will be entitled to carry 20 lbs. — Apply in Pic-
tou to Mr. Robert Dawson— in Haliiax to Mr. A. Boyle, where any other
information will be given.
Juno 18.

lu that year a comxjany was formed of persons in
Pictou and Truro, with one or two in Halifax, called the
Eastern Stage Coach Company, to run a line of coaches
between Halifax and Pictou. In the following year (1829)
they began with a heavy double seated waggon, drawn
by two horses, which made the journey in two days and
then, with the same horses and driver, returned on the
iwo following. They then erected a frame over this,
which was covered with canvas on top and had curtains
at the sides. Tho next year the company Was enlarged,
and their carriages were drawn by three or sometimes
four horses, though often in changing, it was only trans-
ferring them from the pole to the lead. They also put on
double sets of horses, and they now left Halifax and
Pictou, on the same day, making three trips a week each
way. Proper coaches were put on, though not we
believe till a year or two later.

This arrangement continued under various proprietors,
and sometimes with opposition lines, till the year 1842,

< f

■If

Il'l

whon HiVrtm UyHo pttvchrtnod <ho oRlnhUwhiinMif, Ihptt

utaily oonrhos. lotwin^- riclou \\i 4 oNloi'K ortrh \vo»'h tiny

in Unnloi»t\ U\ oijihioon houvn, juTonliHti 1m (hn roiulw mid
otlvi»v civouinRlimros. Tliis nvvnhfi'omvHl ('oitlltmod ilU
iho <»v.il<liMn- '^'"tl^o vnilioml.

Whon \\w «ti\iio l»omt\u <o vun, (ho vtmtl wnnl ovjm* Ihn
luiilvosl hills, Inti nh«ml thi« (init* rominriuMMl lln> pyBl«»m
of va!\Kinjv lovx^l linoB of vimd. Th»» orotUl orjnnn^t»miltt|f
tUo now om or vortil innklnfi", i« »l<<'^ <<> f^i'" .^JunoM Keiiii»l,
iUon Liou<<^nnni-UovvMnov. llo wiib not Iomh* lu Nova
^^oo(il^ till ho hoyini <o nso his inllnonco to rthnnp;o iho
xv^holo RyRlom oV n>rtd oxpondilnto. tlo oniployrMi Mi'.
CtHMjiV Whiinvrto, UR snvvoyov on I ho onHlorn voml, tunl
whon ho ro^vniod ihut ho hrtil Tonnd ii lino with n riwo of
not mow thivn ono {\>\^{ in ihirty, |>ooplo latighud «t hint.
Tho oommonoonvont of h»n»l voiuls \v«r niniio lilonjjf tho
Uvft(\d l.nko in 18'28. rrovionsl/ (ho loml hnd jfouo
nMxuvl tho hnsin, hnt now {\w roml wns (akon (o I)ttrlnioutl\
shovtoninni" tho ilivstanoo somo niilos, yVhont tho sumo
timo tho work ot lovolUng- boj^ivn in Pioion. Hiv ,TnineB
\vawing- ovcv Monnt Thoni, lii» oyo wt onconaw ihi^ viilloy
Wlow, whorv* a lovx^l lino might bo miBily ohtiilnod.
i^"HM\ At\tn* tho work of oUoration hogmi, and about tho
yoar 1S,'V2, tho pivsont lino, by which it wrh said tho
Cil-ovornov " oi\x?umrentod Mount Thorn," was coini)lotod.
It still, ho\vxno\\ croesod tho Six Milo Brook at (.laBs'a
placo on what was oallod tho Kompt llridjjfo, in honour of
him. and oamo out at tho Wovst Kivor at Mrs. Brown'n
plaiv. Tho work of altoratiou oontiuuod, till in tho yotti*
1S40 tho whole lino was completed.

VTo may add hero that it was still somo timo boforo tho
proeees was complotcd, in n^jj^ard to tho road toward thd
east. About tho year 1847, tho road from Now Glasgow
round Frasors Mouutaiu waa made ; in tho year 1860 tiio

rnw\ ni Mio fnok r»f flf»»nfi Hill wn« cfrmpMf'fl.nrifl In (ftfid
tlm roitd In Aiillif«»i(lsli liy Ifm IVffirslry lloim Vfill'-y wnn
OppiHMl. l'f'('vi(Mt«ly llio lrfiVf>llf'M Jti liiftf, <Ilrf«<!Hofi hrwl
only llio I lioioo ola Idiii^ toiukI l»y llin (full' Slif»rn, r,r n
t(»(td fpii luilpfl M)iorl,f»r, Ixif. N(!ftr(M^ly fif. lor r!nrrlnjjr''K, oyer
iho AtliitroiiiHil IVToiiiilnhiH.

Oji llin MnI Mdrdi, IRIIO, dlort ])r. .f. MtiUt^ifirt, nnd wtt
may uny, llml. no trinii Wfi« ever moro warfrily lov"'! whil«
ho IIv»mI, iKir iMoiM <|M(;'|ily rriourrH'l w)i<'n ho <Ik!(I.
lltllnlt'»>«lM of Ikhiioh wcni lill''(| wifli W''<'|Mrit( nl- th^
liil,f«llit(»ii('o ol' lii« «1ojmr(,iir«», nnd r»r l>f»y(»ri<l Iho )kiuiuU
oi" (ho roimly, iiiultitiKh'H uumruod him m n f'niUtr and
friniid. On Iho Haliirduy rollowifiif, (lovont rnon < arriwl
liltn tn hlH iMtriiil ntid irmdo i^ront, lamontftlloTi ovor him.
IUh (uii'TmI wrt^ Iho lftr|[(OHt Ihnl, Imd ovor hoori in Iho corinty,
and Wilh nil Iho inoreaso of population, profmhiy larpror
limn any pinoo, jt Imufi; ewlimatcd Ihal, Ihoro woro 2,000
prosont. A inonnnipni was oroctod lo his moTnory, wilh
tho roliowint? InHcriplion, a ^'fpy ^'f whioh was )(t}yi
rraincd in tnaiiy houflow tiiroti[:;houfc. tho f^mniy. Hut ifc
lias boot! roplttcod by another :

"AH A TUinnTB

Of AmoiUiHkrn M(tAnn ftm thh mkmor? frp Tffs tAva

JAMKR MAOanEQOn, D.h.,

T1m< flmt Prol!^i'te^l(^n mlnlntof of thin dinfrl'f, wh<» fVjxirfwJ £h}ii Pf^, SfwcTir
n, Iflno, in tlio YlNiye«r of hlfiM^n, ftod tho4'!5hof his ministry, thi»tr/mb«ton»
wnii ereoled by n n»ral»flr of thcm<», who oherinh a f(rntcfal ro.m'!mbr%nc<> of hkl
Apoaldlio rorI Rtvl Mmntn of lovo.

When tho onrly nettleni r>f Plctoii rouM ftffwl to a mlnlKt'^r of th's H^fpcl
llttlo cIro IhR'i A pnrtltipatlon of th'ir hftr<1«hip<*, hn tnnt in hi* lot with tho
dontlttito, boramn t<i them a pAttfirn of pstiftnt «ndijrAncf«, an'l f^hf-.^rfA th'^m
with tho tidings of dAlvntion, Lilio Him vhom ho nerred, ho w<5iit «iy>«}t
dolog good. Neither toil nor privation deterred him from hi» Ma«t»;r*« work,
and tho ptcoauro of tho Lord prodpcmd In hl» hand. IIo liv^od to witn^wj th<»
iiicccRN of his labours In tho erection of niimeroni thnrchf*, awl In tb«
flitabllshmotit of* Sciair ary, flrom which tb«so charches conld \m prorided
trltb roUgiouf Inatructon. Though to highly hortoored of th« Lord, tew h*T«

i )i|

894

exceeded him la Christian humility ; save in the cross of our Lord Jesns
Christ, he gloried In nothing ; and as a public teacher, combining instruction
with example, ho approved himself to bo a follower of them who through
£Euth and patience now inherit the promises."

The year 1831 was marked by the commencement of
steam navigation from the port of Picton, and, indeed, on
the coast of British America. The pioneer boat in this
trade was built at Three Rivers, on the Lower St.
Lawrence, for a company formed in Quebec the pre-
vious year and was called the Royal William. She was
of 1,000 tons burden, and had engines of 180 horse
power. This was considered enormous in those days,
and in all the ports she visited she was regarded as a
wonder. She was intended to ply between Quebec and
various ports in the Lower Provinces, in /act to do the
work that the Gulf Ports and other lines of steamers are
now doing, and was aided by the Canadian Q-overnment.
She made her first trip in August, arriving in Halifax on
the Slst, in seven days from Quebec, having been de-
tained in Miramichi two days. Crowds assembled on
the wharves, with almost the feelings that the appearance
of the Great Eastern would now excite. She arrived in
Pictou on the 3rd September, and we still remember
the excitement which her presence created. She made
several trips that season, ending her voyage in Halifax,
as required by the act giving her a subsidy. Her first
summer's work showed the folly of her builders. Not
only was she far larger than was needed, but she was
fitted up in a style of elegance, that would compare with
""the floating palaces of the Hudson or tlw Sound. On
her first arrival, the editor of the Patriot pointed out the
mistake that had been committed, and while advocating
the enterprise, urged that the company should get a boat
one qiiarter of the size, and fitted up in a substantial but
plain style.

The next year it was arranged, that she should run
regularly to Pictou, the Legislature having agreed to give

t III

T-^

lOrd Jesos
astruction
9 through

nent of
Leed, on

in this
wex St.
tho pre-
5he was
horse
36 days,
ed as a
ibec and
) do tho
nets arc
irnment.
ilifax on
been de-
ibled on
jearance
rived in
member
le made

Halifax,
Her first
rs. Not
she was
are with
nd. On

out the
vocating
3t a boat
itial but

raid rnn
to give

395

the subsidy on voyages terminating here. But on her
first trip she left while cholera was raging in Quebec,
and when she arrived in Miramichi, she had the disease
on board, and was sent to quarantine, where the engineer
died. Afterward she only made one or two trips that
seanson.

The next spring she was sold. Her original cost was
^617,000, but now she did not bring one-third of tho
amount. Her new owners sent her one or two trips on
the old route, but finally determined to send her to Britain.
She arrived here on the 13th August, on her way thither
and cleared again on tho 17th for London,^'*' where she
safely arrived, being the first steamship to make the entire
passage across the Atlantic under steam. Previously
several vessels had crossed partially by the aid of steam,
but these made their way principally by sails, steam being
used only when a wind was wanting, and even then only
at a low rate of speed. But now a Canadian built ship,
sailing from Pictou, first proved the practicability of ocean
steam navigation, and introduced a new era in the trade
of the world.

In the year 1832, tho G-eneral Mining Association pur-
chased tho steamer ** Pocahontas," which commenced to
ply between Pictou and Charlotte Town, sometimes going
as far as Miramichi. She was commanded by David
Davidson and made her first trip on the 11th May. In tho
year following, they sent a large steamer called tho " Cape
Breton," which commenced to ply between Pictou and
Miramichi, on which route she was employed for some
years.

Another institution formed near the close of this period
deserves notice here. "Wo refer to the Pictou Literary

hnm

■f

• « Cleared, l7th. Ship Boyal William, McDougall, London, Coal, Natural
curiosities and spars, hj W. Mortimer." — Patriot, Anjust 20th, 1833.

896

and Scientific Society. It originated with the following
paper :

*< We, the andersigned, agree to meet at Mr. Blanchard's class room, ia the
Pictou Academy, on Monday evening, December 8tb, 1834, at seven o'clock, to
mako arrangements respecting the formation of a literary society, such as may
bo considered most beneficial to the interests of all concerned.

" W. J. Anderson, O. A. Blanchard, W. B. Chandler, Daniel Dickson, David
Matheson, Joseph Chipman, James Fogo, Jas. Vf. McCulloch, Wm. Burton,
Edward Boach, Jas. Furves, Gcorgo S. Harris, Wm. Gordon, John B. Davison,
James Primrose, David Crichton, C. Martin, James Johnston, Bobert Corbet,
Michael McCulloch, G. M. Johnston, A. P. Boss, Charles Elliott."

Accordingly a meeting was held at the time appointed,
James Primrose, Esq., in the chair, and George ti. Harris,
Secretary, when it was resolved that " the meeting form
themselves into a society, to bo called the Pictou Literary
and Scientific Society." The object was stated to be
" the mutual improvement of its members in the sciences
and general literature," and it was agreed that this object
may be best attained by the delivery of lectures or essays
on literary and scientific subjects, which afterward may
form topics of discussion.

The first lecture was delivered on the 16th of the same
month, by Dr. "W". J. Anderson, on phrenology. There
were some present who had read the discussions in the
Edinburgh Review on the subject, and the lecture was
followed by an animated debate, which was cctntinued at
the next meeting, when Dr. Martin gave an $t, dress on
the brain. That winter lectures were delivered fort-
nightly, ten in all.

The Society continued in existence for twenty-one
years. During this time, it had every winter a course of
lectures, sometimes fortnightly and sometimes weekly.
From the Pictou Academy there had been difiuseda taste
for literature and science, and many of the lectures were
of a high character. Several clergymen, such as Dr.
McCulloch, Mr. Trotter, Mr. McKinlay, and Mr. Elliott
lectured with more or less frequency. Conspicuous

897

among'the lay lecturers were J. D. B. Fraser and J. W".
Dawson, The former generally lectured on chemistry or
some kindred subjects, and he showed a skill in
experiments, which rendered his lectures highly interest-
ing and popular. Mr. (now Dr.) Dawson delivsred his
first lecture in April, 1836, the subject being geology.
Though then a young man, he already gave evidence of
that attention to natural science, in which he has since
attained so much distinction. Afterward he frequently
lectured on that and other branches of natural science.
The medical men, such as Drs. Anderson, Ghipman, and
Martin, lectured on scientific subjects kindred to their
profession ; members of the legal fraternity, such as
Daniel Dickson, James Fogo, G-eorge A. Blanchard,' John
MoKinlay, and Hiram Blanchard, discoursed on a variety
of general subjects, while mercantile men, such as T. G-.
Taylor and Charles Hobson, and others, contributed their
share to the usefulness of tho Institution. Altogether,
the lectures were in a style superior to anything in the
Province. By those who had an opportunity of judging,
they were pronounced in general of a higher character,
even than those delivered in the Halifax Mechanics'
Institute. They were frequently followed by discussions,
often animated, sometimes even exciting, giving rise to
displays of wit or oratory, or eliciting valuable informa-
tion. The society afibrded many an evening's instructive
entertainment. But from various causes, interest in it
declined, and it finally expired, its last meeting having
been held on the 12th April, 1855.

To this account of a creditable eifort for the diffusion
of the light of knowledge, we may add as a close to this
chapter, that the lighthouse at the Beaches was finished
in the year 1833, that the lantern was raised to its place
in August of that year, and it was first lighted on the Ist
of March. 1834.

«1,

'. f

B98

CHAPTER rnii.

MINES AND MINING INDUSTEIES OP THE COUNTY.

Since the failure of the timber trade, perhaps nothing
has been so important to the progress of the county, as
the Coal Mining, carried on first by the General Mining
Association, and later by other companies, "which have
made Fictou up till this time the greatest coal producer in
British \merica, it having been only during a few years
8 iiput jtd by Cape Breton. We have already mentioned
the discovery of coal in 1798, Dr. McQ-regor's exhibiting a
tire Oi '<• to ^c candidates at the election of 1799, and the
first efforts at coal mining. "We shall now proceed to give
the history and present condition of this industry in the
county.

In the year 1807, John McKay, son of the Squire,
usually known as Collier, obtained a license to dig for
the inhabitants, and at a later date, to export. He and his
father commenced working a sipall three feet seam on the
farm of the latter, but it soon became exhausted. They
then searched further and found what has since been known
as the " Big Seam," though they did not know its value.
John continued to w^ork at this for some time, selling it
at the pit's mouth and sending it down the river in lighters.
A demand sprang up for it during the war, to supply the
garrison, navy and inhabitants of Halifax. In the year
1815, we find 650 chaldrons exported. After the peace,
the price fell to half its former rate. Owing to this and
perhaps other causes, McKay failed, and was imprisoned,,
and his property seized by Hartshome of Halifax, who had
been supplying him. The workmen being unpaid, the
latter tried to compromise with them, but they persisted
in claiming full payment of what was due. Mr. Adam.

899

CaTT, who waff one of them, joined with Mortimer, and by
his influence, the Government were induced to let the
mines to the highest bidder, and in that way they obtained
the lease in the year 1818. They worked together till
Mortimer's death in the following year, when on the 3rd
November, the lease was transferred to George Smith
and William Liddell, on the following terms, the Mine
on the west side the river for a rent of i)260 and 3s. per '*
chaldron for all raised over 400, and that on the East side
the river, for i£110. We may mention, that this last has
never been found productive of good coal. It is the same
that a few years ago was opened by the German Company.
Smith and Garr worked in partnership, but after a time
separated, when the latter got the whole into his possession,
and continued to mine, raising the coal by horse power,
soUing it at the pit mouth, and carting it to the river,
where it was sent away in lighters.

Of these years, we may give a statement of the amount
of coal raised, as reported to Government.

1818 2820 chaldrons.

1820 2609 «

1821 1370 "

1822 - 2004 "

1823 1725 "

1824 - 2261 «♦

1825 2801 ««

1827 2523 "

In the year 1825, the home Government leased all the"
reserved mines of Nova Scotia for sixty years to the Duke
of York, excepting, of course, those which had been *
already leased to other parties. Sir James Kempt, in
laying before the Council correspondence on the subject,
intimated that he was authorized to state, that the reserved
profits of the mines would be applied to the benefit of the
country. This was a transaction which no person in the
present day will defend, and which subsequent British

5 t

ll-

400

ministers ha^'e acknowledged themselves unable to justify.
It had this compensating effect, however, that it introduced
into the country a wealthy company, at a time when the
same capital could not have been easily obtained. The
Duke's lease was transferred to Messrs. Rundell, Bridge
and Rundell, the celebrated London Jewellers, in pay-
ment of his debts, and from them to the General Mining
Association, in whicli, I believe, they were large
shareholders. Tho company had been formed, as the
name imports, for mining purposes generally, and, I have
been informed, did attempt the working of mines in.
South America. But for a length of time, their attention
has been confined to tho coal mines of Sydney and Fictou.

On obtaining their lease, they sent an agent to the
Province to explore for mines, and, on his report, resolved
to commence operations at the East River. They purchased
Mr. Carr's lease, and having about the same time become
X>ossossors of the rights of the lessees of the Sydney Mines,
they thus came into possession of all the mines and
minerals in the Province, with the exception of what
might be found on a few old grants, on which there had
been no reserve. Early in the isummer of 1827, they sent
out Mr. Richard Smith, intending to commence operations
both in ooal and iron mining. In June a vessel arrived
in Pictou, bringing machinery and implements, with
colliers, engineers and mechanics.

On the 11th June, tho Lieutenant-G-overnor issued a
proclamation, calling on the officers of Government,
magistrates and proprietors of land, to give every facility
to Mr. Smith in carrying on his operations. He accord-
ingly made all necessary arrangements for working on a
large scale. He purchased the farms of Dr. McGregor,
"William McKay, and Colin McKay, commenced sinking
new shafts, 212 feet, and erecting the proper machinery
for working on a large scale and in a more scientific
manner than hitherto. On the 6th September, their first

n ™!

justify,
oduced
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itention
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401

coal was raised, and in the month of December, he had a
steam engine in operation, the first ever erected in the
Province. The event was thus noticed in the local paper
of ihe day : —

« Tho same day on trhich our first number appeared (December 7th, 1827)
another event happened which we may with great propriety, hail as the
harbinger of illimitable prosperity to Fictou, of great utility to tho wholo
ProTlnco, and we might fairly add to the British North American colonies.
On Friday last, for the first time in Nova Scotia, tho immense power of stoam
was brought into successful requisition at the Albion Minrs on tha East
Biycr. Let us rejoice that this district is tho favoured scene of its first
operation. The engine is of 20 horse power, and tho perfection of its first
operations evidence the skill of the engineer. The Company's works will now
proceed with redoubled celerity and vigour. Their progress, though retarded
by the selfishness and overreaching disposition of individuals, has surpassed
ihe imagination of individuals."

Before describing the Company's operations farther, we
must give a brief account of the position and structure of
the coal fields of this county. As formerly mentioned,
the southern portion of the county is occupied by rocks of
Silurian or other formations of the older geologic eras.
At their northern base are found Lower Carboniferous
rocks, with limestone and gypsum. Then come the
Newer Carboniferous, or coal measures, occupying the
whole front of the county. These, however, are divided
by a remarkable formation, known as the Great Conglo-
merate, which extends in an east and west direction,
crossing the East River below New Glasgow, the Middle
Eiver at the bridge near Alma, and the West Hiver near
Durham, and forming the eminences of Frasers Mountain
and Green Hill. To the north of this range some small
seams of coal have been found, at Carriboo, Merigomish
and the south side of Pictou Harbour, but none largo
enough for profitable working, and it is yet a question
whether any may be expected. Dr. Dawson regards the
rocks as of the upper coal measures, or Permo-carboni-
ferous, and therefore not productive, though he expresses
a hope that good workable beds may yet be found at
greater depth. 26

I i

!,•■ J

-i:,

■^*r¥m^'^.

402

At present, however, ieillthe valuable coal seams known,
are found on the south side of the Conglomerate, and near
its base in the great coal basin of the East River, and its
extensions eastward and westward. Of these, the most
important is that commonly known as the big seam or
the main seam, the enormous size of which is one of the
most remarkable phenomena of the field, in which
respect we do not know that it is paralleled in the world.
It is from this that most of the coal yet mined has been
taken. The whole thickness of the seam vertically is 40
feet, or a little over, but in a line perpendicular to the
dip 88 or 89. This, however, is not all good coal, there
being several bands of ironstone through it, and some
portions of the coal are inferior. Dr. Dawson, who is
moderate in his calculations, says that at least 24 feet of
good coal may be taken out of it.

A cubic foot of this ooal, according to the same authority,
weighs about 82 lbs., rather less than 28 feet being equal
to a ton of coal. Hence, a square mile of this seam
would yield in round numbers 23,000,000 tons. — This
ooal is a highly bituminous baking coal, and is shown by
Professor Johnston's trials to possess high qualities as a
steam producer, one pound being capable of converting
7.46 to 7.48 pounds of water into steam. — The greatest
objection to it is, that it contains a considerable quantity
of light, bulky ashes. Hence, it is not so much esteemed
for domestic use, as the better qualities of Sydney coal.
But otherwise it possesses very high qualities. It bums
long, gives a large amount of heat, is free from.sulphur,
and remains alight much longer than most other coal.

Next in importance to the main seam, is what is com-
monly called the deep seam, about 150 feet below the
first. It is altogether about 25 feet in vertical thickness,
but it also is divided by ironstone and impure coal into
three layers of good coal, making together, according to
Dr. Dawson, about twelve feet in thickness. The quality

403

of some portions of this seam, is superior even to that of
the main seam, but these layers prevent its being mined
so economically, but only its nearness to so large a seam
prevents its being worked extensively.

Next in value, though not next in order, is -what is
know n as the McQ-regor seam, which lies at a depth of
about 280 feet below the deep seam. It is about twelve ^
feet thick. The two upper veins, amounting together to
nearly six feet, have been worked, and found to be of
good quality, though requiring care in removing the
shaly band which separates them.

About five feet above this, there is a small seam, between
three and four feet thick, of good quality. Between this
and the deep seam are two other small seams, each about
four feet in thickness. These would be valuable else-
where, but in the presence of such large seams, we need
not expect them to be worked for a length of time.

About 240 feet below the McGregor seam, is a peculiar
bed known as the " Stellar " * or oil coal, so called from
its peculiar scintillations in burning, which some time
ago attracted attention for its yield of oil. The following
is its arrangement and composition : —

it. in.
Inferior bitominoQS cool .^. 1 2

6il coal • i 8

Bituminous shale 2

The central portions of this have been found to yield
120 gallons of oil to the ton ; it and the shale top-ether, 75
gallons.

These seams all lie conformably. At the southern
outcrop on which working commenced, they dip to the
northeast at an angle of about 20 degrees, and the strike
is about north-west.

Lately another seam has been discovered overlying the

* Hence the natte Stellarton has been given to the village adjacent.

'ill
t I

.^S!

404

main Befam. It is found on tho northom part of tho coal
field, probably to the base of the Conglomerate. It is
said to be five feet nine inches thick, of pnre coal of good
quality, but so far as we are awaro, the seam hap ' been
explored, nor the coal analysed.

Having thus described the position and characteristics
of the different seams, we return to the operations of the
General Mining Association,

To get their coal to market, they constructed a railroad
from their works to a point a little below New Glasgow,
on which they hauled the coal by horses. Here shoots
were erected, and vessels drawing not moro than six feet
of water were loaded. To load larger vessels, they
constructed lighters, in which the coal was conveyed to
the Loading Ground, as it is called, at the mouth of the
River.

In the Patriot of January 28, 1829, the progrei hese
works is thus noted : —

<< The progress of the Mining Company appears to be daily becoming more
important. The foundry is in successful operation, and railways (rails) are
now casting, and will be ready for laying down in tho spring, for the purpose
of facilitating tho conveyance of the coals to the navigable part of the river.
A considerable addition to the number of lighters to be employed on the river,
will be made in the course of the winter, and a wharf or place of deposit at
this town, which will contain several thousand chaldrons of coal for exporta-
tion, is contracted for. It iaalso gratifying to learn, that orders have been
received by the late packet to build two steamboats (the machinery for which
will arrive in spring), one of thirty horse-power, for the river navigation, and
one of 100 horse-power for the purpose of coasting and carrying the coals to
market."

The foundry was under the charge of a man named
Onions, but did not do inuch till the arrival of W. H.
Davies, Esq., in 1830, to take charge of it, and who may
be regarded as the father of the iron foundry business in
Nova Scotia. The boilers for the foundry and pit engines
were put together, at John McKay's blacksmith shop,
near where Russell's now stands, the plates and rivets
having been brought out from England. They were then

406

pushed over the wharf, to the amazement of most people,
who expected such immense articles to go to the bottom.
But they lioated lightly, and were towed up the East
River, as far as the water would bear them, when they
were landed on the intervale and dragged on rollers to
their place.

A wharf was built at Pictou, long known as the miners
wharf, and for a time coal kept there, bat a depot there
was found unnecessary and unprofitable. As mentioned
above, the hull of a small steamer, intended to be used
for towing lighters and vessels, was launched from the
shipyard of Mr. George Foster, Fishers Grant, on the 19th
August following. She was called the " Richard {Smith."
She was towed up the river, where she remained all
winter receiving her machinery, and did not commence
her work till the following summer. The Patriot of July
17th, 1830, contains the following announcement : " We
stop the press to announce that the Steamboat ' Richard
Smith ' has just appeared in the harbour for the first time."
It being the first time a steamer was seen on these waters,
the whole town turned out to see the marvellous specta-
cle. She was at first commanded by Gapt. McKenzie
and continued for some time to ply on the harbour.

This plan of loading being slow and tedious, they next
resolved on deepening the river. For this purpose they
obtained an .act of the Legislature, giving them full
authority over the river, so that no vessel drawing over
six feet of water was to enter without their permission,
and only by paying toll to them. But, in passing the
act, the Assembly, which had resented the act of the
British Government, in transferring our mines and mi-
nerals, added a clause to the efiect, that the bill was not
to be construed, as admitting the right of the home au-
thorities, to dispose of our mines in the way they had done
In consequence of this, the act was disallowed at Downing
Street, and, at the same time, a feeling of opposition rising

111

406

in the country against such a monopoly, the company did
not renew their application for similar power. They
continued, therefore, to ship their coal in the manner
described for several years, but the demand was greater
than they could supply, and the long delay of vessels in
receiving their cargoes, was a great discouragement to the
trade. In the meantime, the use of locomotives on rail-
roads had been tried successfully in England. According-
ly it was resolved to build a railroad from the East River
to the Loading Ground, for the conveyance of their coal
in that way. The road was laid out and operations com-
menced in the year 1836.

The surveys and plans were made by Peter Crerar, Esq.
"When they were sent to Britain, it was proposed to send
out an engineer to superintend the consti action of it.
But on his plans being submitted to a competent engineer,
the latter said that they needed no better superintendent
than the man who prepared them. In consequence, the
supervision of the work was entrusted to him, although
ho had never seen a railroad, and he accomplished it
satisfactorily. It was opened in the year 1839, when the
first locomotives in British America ran upon it. There
were three of them, built by Timothy Hackworth, who
competed with Stevenson at the first trial of locomotive
engines in England. They were of great power, but
slow. They continued doing their duty regularly till
lately, when one of them was taken down, but the other
two are still at work.

The opening of the railroad was made the occasion of
general rejoicing. The two steamers, Pocahontas and
Albion, with lighters attached, each carried from Pictou
about 1,000 persons to New Glasgow, whence they were
taken by train to the mines. Crowds of people on
horseback and on foot were here assembled from all
parts of the county. Here a procession was formed of
the various trades, the Masonic lodges, the Pictou Volun-

li!:ji

407

teer Artillery Company, and visitors moxinted, with bands
of music and pipers at intervols, and various banners,
marched to New Glasgow and back again, when the
Artillery Company fired a salute. A train of waggons,
fitted up to receive passengers, had beeii attached to
each engine, and, being filled with the crowd, now made
the first trip to New Glasgow and back again, giving a
new sensation to multitudes.

On their return, a feast was given to the employees of
the Company, ior which 1,100 lbs. of beef and mutton,
with corresponding quantities of other articles, were
provided ; a dinner was given to invited guests, and the
night was spent in general festivity.

This railroad, we may mention, was six miles long,
and so nearly straight that the least radius of any of its
curves was 1300 feet. Its width was 18 feet. The
estimated quantity of excavation was 400,000 cubic yards.
At the terminus was a wharf 1600 feet long by 24 feet
broad, commanding a fall of 17 feet above high water
level at the shoots. The rails were of malleable iron, and
the estimated cost $160,000.

The first operations of the General Mining Association
were on the low ground, close by the East River, where
an engine pit was sunk to the depth of 400 feet, and
about 260 yards from the outcrop. Here they mined for
some time 12 feet of the upper part of the main seam, the
lower being regarded as inferior, over a tract of about
800 yards to the west and 250 yards to the east, aiid
covering an area of about 40 acres. In working to the
eastward, however, the coal was found to deteriorate in
quality. On the 29th December, 1832, at an early hour
in the morning, the works wt^3 discovered to be on fire.
On the day preceding, nearly 100 miners and 14 valuable
horses had been at work in their several places in the
I>its. The men retired from their work between 5 and 6
p. m., leaving the horses as usual in the places provided

l^j

408

for their accommodation under ground. On the follo^ving•
morning, when the men assembled for work, to their
consternation they found several of the shafts emitting^
dense volumes of smoke. Immediately the Mines' bailiff,
with iwo other persons, descended one of the ventilating
shafts, when the works were discovered to be on fire in
several places, and all the horses dead from sulfocation.

The intensity of the fire obliged them to ke a hasty
retreat to the surface, and immediately on i. eir reporting
the state of things, the manager instantly set all hands to
work to cover the mouths of the pits, hoping by prevent-
ing the circulation of air, to stifle the flames. The pits
were thus left covered for several weeks. When they
were again opened, it was found that the fire had done
extensive injury, and was still slowly burning. Having
originated in the lower rooms, it was fortunately confined
to that part of the works, and to the prompt closing of
the pits must bo attributed the saving of the upper. But
as this had proved ineffectual for the total suppression of
the fire, the managers were reluctantly compelled,
toward the end of April following, to introduce the waters
of the East River. This proved successful, but it required
the power of their steam machinery for pumping, working
night and day till the 14th December, to clear the pits of
water.

An examination of the works led to the belief that the
fire was the work of malice and design. An investigation
took place under the direction of the Solicitor-G-eneral,
William Hill, Esq., when a mass of testimony was taken,
which left no doubt of the fact. Large rewards were
offered for the discovery of the guilty, but they were
never detected.

Several other fires occurred, but one in October, 1839,
exceeded all the rest in severity. The heat was so intense
that it melted the iron chains which were used for hoisting
the coal out of the pits. These workings were in

409

consequence abandoned, and have since been known as
the Burnt Mines.

Farther to the dip, other shafts were sunk, now known
as the Old Bye Pits, and others 960 yards to the west,
known as the Dalhouse Pits ; and also one nearer the
outcrop, known as the " Cage Pit," was sunk to the Deep
Searn, which it reached at a depth of about 300 feet.

From the first of these, the workings were considerably
extended east and west, the upper part of the main seam
only being mined. In some wordings to the dip of these,
an accident occurred in May, 1861, which rendered it
necessary to let in the water to extinguish the fire. An
attempt was made to get into these workings in 1862.
But such was their condition, and another fire having
occurred in 1868, they were abandoned, and this district
has received the name of the " Crushed Mines."

From the Dalhousie pits the main seam continued to
be worked in its entire thickness, the lower portion being
much improved in quality, and from the Cage Pit the
deep seam still continues to be mined in its entire height.

During the year 1866, a new shaft was sunk to the face
of the west workings. A steam engine for hoisting wae
erected, and a railway between the pit and the main lin'3
constructed. But from some unexplained cause, this pit,
known as the Foster Pit, was found to be on fire in May,
1869. The place in which it was first seen was not
being worked, but was near those in operation. Imme-
diate steps were taken to extinguish the fire, but the
rapid accumulation of smoke so overpowered the work-
men, that they were obliged to resort to the plan of
excluding the air, by closing the top of the shafts, and all
other places by which it could enter the mine. The coal
at this part of the seam had been found to deteriorate, and
from the state of the mine in consequence of the accident,
it has since been abandoned. This so affected the
Dalhousie Pit, that it too was abandoned shortly after.

• il

4 1

410

The last pit sunk by the Association is known as the
Foord pit, which, in the costliness and efficiency of its
equipments, is said to be unequalled in America. "We
may therefore gire a particular description of it. The
hoisting shaft strikes the ^main seam at a depth of 960
feet, but to the bottom of the seam it is 1,000 feet. Its
size is 12 feet by 9 feet 6 inches, inside the lining ; and it
is divided into two compartments, with cross stays and
slides, passing perpendicular to the sides of the shaft, and
bolted to the cross stays, where the cages work in. The
ciiges are double decked, each cage holding four boxes,
and each box containing 12 cwt. coal. The winding
engine is a double horizontal one, with cylinders of 36
inches in diameter and 5 feet stroke, and nominally of 160
horse-power, though capable of working contjiderably
above this. The winding drum is 18 feet diametex, with
two six inch iron wire ropes, which pass from the drum
over two large pulley wheels 14 feet in diameter, which is
elevated on a strong wooden frame, 30 feet above the top
of the shaft. The ropes pass over the pulleys and connect
to the cages. When the engine is put in motion, one of
the cages goes down with empty boxes, and the other
comes up with full ones. On reaching ihe surface, the
boxes are passed to the screens, where the slack is
separated, and the ooal passes into the cars ready for
shipment.

The pumping pit is 40 feet deeper. It is provided
with an engine, known as the Cornish pumping engine,
with a cylinder 52 inches in diameter, and a stroke of
9 feet, and nominally 260 horse-power. There are three
sets of pumps, 18 inches in diameter, two what are called
bucket pumps, the third known as a ram or forcing
pump. At each stroke 100 gallons of water are brought
;> the surface, and the engine works 7 strokes a minute
and 10 hours each day.

The winding and pumping engiaes are supplied with

411

steam from 10 large boilers, each 35 feet long and 5 feet
6 inches in diameter. "When the mine is in full working
order, it will produce 1,000 tons of coal per day.

The ventilation is produced by a G-uibal fan, 30 feet in
diameter and 2 feet wide, an instrument closely resembling
a steamer's paddle wheel. It is placed at the mouth of
what is known as the fan pit, which is 600 feet deep, and
is driven by an engine of 70-horso power. The engine is
supplied with steam from two boilers, each 25 feet long
and 5 feet 6 inches in diameter. The air goes down by
the winding and pumping shafts, circulates through all
the works, making a course, it has been calculated, of 7
miles in length, and is expelled by this fan, which produces
a current of air equal to 60,000 cubic feet in a minute.
This is tested m the pits every day.

The Foord x>it coal is noted for its excellent quality, for
generating steam, for making gas and for making coke.
There are at present 42 coke ovens, each 11 feet in
diameter, making coke night and day from the slack coal,
and a large addition to their number is contemplated.
The coke is of superior quality for smelting iron ore, and
is now used for that purpose at the Londonderry Mines.

From the Foord pit a drift level, 600 yards long, has
been run to the deep seam, and by it and the Cage pit
that seam is now mined.

The system of working pursued from the commence-
ment of the colliery has been continued, with some
modifications in the size of the pillars, which from the
thickness of the seam, and its declination, often proved
inadequate, and led to crushing of the workings. The
bords are driven eighteen wide, and parallel to the levels.
They are turned out of balance ways or headings, which
are put up to the full rise at intervals of 150 yards, the
width of the pillars between being eight or ten yards.
These balance ways are used to bring the coal down to
the horse road, on the principle of a self-acting incline ;

412

the only difference being that the loaded bogie raises the
empty tub to the respective bord ends, and it is in its
turn taken back by a tub of coal, which exceeds it in
weight. The herds are driven in opposite directions
from these inclines, to shorten the putting.

The Company's works gathered around them a large
population. They own about four hundred houses,
which are occupied by their employees. These, with
the residences and places of business of others who have
been attracted hither, form a large village, which now
contains fivo ''lurches : two Presbyterian, one Episcopal,
one Wesleyan Methodist and one Eoman Catholic. The
population around these works necessarily made a demand
for farm produce, and afforded a ready cash market for
it, and this has been a great convenience to the rural
districts around.

In the year 1872, the G&ixcral Mining Association sold
all their rights in the mines at Pictou to a new company,
known as the Halifax Company, of which Sir G-eorge
Elliott is chairman.

In the year 1856, the monopoly of the General Mining
Association was abolished, they retaining in Pictou four
square miles where they might select. The area, as
chosen by themselves, extends from the Albion Mines to
the upper part of New Glasgow, a distance of about two
miles, embracing the ground on both sides of the river,
but extending a greater distance to the west than to the
east of it. Exploration for coal immediately became
active, and in this work the late James D. B, Fraser, Esq.,
of Pictou, deserves special notice. He took out rights
of search in the neighborhood of the General Mining
Association's area, to the west and south. From the
strike of the large seams toward the west, it was to be
expected that they would appear to the westward toward
the Middle River, but for a time even scientific men were
baffled in tracing their course, and some came to the

■'If

413

eoQclusion that they became exhausted in that direction.
Mr. Fraser spent a good deal of time and money in his
explorations, but failed to find the Big Seam.

Finding, however, the Stellar coal, he ran two slopes
into it, one 2 15 feet, the other 204, and commenced shipping
it, along with its accompanying oil shale, to Boston,
where there was manufactured from it oil of good illumi-
nating quality. But the discovery of the oil wells of
Canada and the United States, so lowered the price, that
it was found impossible to compete with them. The work
was therefore abandoned, and until either the supply
from the oil wells diminishes, or other uses are discovered
for oil, this vein is not likely to be again worked. He also
formed a company, of which the principal shareholders are
in New York, called the Acadia Company, which com-
menced working the McGregor seam, at the place origi-
nally worked by the Doctor. They spent a considerable
sum in erecting buildings, and providing the plant neces-
sary for carrying on extensive operations, when a fine
seam of coal, since known as the Acadia Seam, was
discovered about two miles to the south west of the Albion
Seam, where the Nova Scotia, company's works now are,
which geologists regard as the equivalent of the main
seam. We believe the credit is due to Mr. James Fraser,
Mount William, of being the real discoverer, though a
Connecticut yankee, named Trumax French, reaped the
fruits. Mr. John Campbell, by careful exploration, con-
ducted in Ku scientific manner, traced it farther to the
south. It was now found that about a mile and a half to
the westward of the East River, the seams suddenly*
turned to the southward, and the line of outcrop continued
for more than a mile in that direction, forming a sort of
bay, which now forms the area of the Intercolonial Com-
pany. It was then found again to strike to the north-west
towards the Middle River; then turning again toward
New Glasgow, it has been again found with high dips to

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the southward nearly opposite the town. "The East
River coal area," says Dr. Dawson, •• between that river
and the Middle Kiver, wonld thus appear to constitute
an irregular trough, with a deep bay to the southward."

The seams in this direction, though regarded by geolo-
gists as the continuation of the seams on the East Kiver,
are considerably changed. Thus the Acadia seam has a
thickness of about twenty feet, of whic^i from sixteen to
eighteen is good coal.

It will thus be seen, that as compared with the main
seam at the Albion, it is diminished in thickness, but
improved in quality. On the Intercolonial area, the " deep
seam" has also been discovered with a thickness at right
angles to the bed of eleven feet, and other beds, supposed
to be the equivalents of the other beds on the East Eiver.

The discovery of the continuation of the coal seams
towards the Middle Eiver formed a new era in coal
mining in this county. The Acadia Company, abandoning
nearly, if not quite entirely, all operations on the McGregor
seam, on the area south of the General Mining Associa-
tion's, commenced operations on the main seam on thoir
area to the west, and for some years exceeded even the
old company in the amount of coal raised. They built a
railroad connecting their works with the Government
line, and have sent their coal for shipment over it to Fishers
Grant, a distance of about 13 miles.

Their slopes are now 1,675 feet deep, on an incline of 22
degrees. Levels have been driven to the boundary lines
on either side of thoir area, and the seam is found to be
remarkably regular, not a single dislocation or disturb-
ance having been encountered in any direction. At
present, the Acadia colliery employs 180 men and 20 boys,
and produces 400 tons of coal per day, which is greatly
below its actual working capacity.

The quality of their coal is excellent, having been tested
for a gteat variety of purposes, and with the most

416

le of 22

lines

to be

listurb-

|0 boys,

rreatly

tested
most

satisfactory results. The mine is admirably equipped
with all the best and most approved appliances foi
securing the safety of life and property in mines, and the
•works have been remarkably free from accidents.

Mr. John Campbell, who had first traced the coal
seams to the southward, and obtained a lease of an area
in that direction, sold his rights to a company in Montreal, .
of which G. A. Drummond, Esq., was president, called
the Intercolonial Company. They immediately com-
menced developing their property. In the year 18CI8,
two slopes were sunk to the dip of the large seam,
usually known as the Acadia seam, and a pair of winding
engines erected at their mouth. About 14,000 tons were
mined the same year, and a large amount of preparatory
work done. A railway about six miles long was con*
structed to the Middle River, where they had built
wharves, and provided all the conveniences necessary
for shipping coal in quantities. The railway was
opened on the 1st of October. The ballasting, however,
was not then completed, and from the lateness of the
season, only between two and three thousand tons could
be shipped. They have since erected a short lino from
their works to the Government road, by which they are
enabled to send coal to Halifax and places along the line
of the Intercolonial Eailroad.

In the year 1869, the colliery, under the management of
the late James Dunn, Esq., was fully equipped with
everything necessary for the production, transportation
and shipment of coal, and under the improved markets of
the following years, the company's business rapidly
increased, so that in 1872 their sales amounted to 105,645
tons, their shipments ranking second in the Province, the
Acadia Company alone exceeding them.

In 1873, the markets still further improved, and
elaborate preparations were made in the mines for a
heavy production. A large stock of coal was banked on

■I M

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1:1:1

416

the surface and about 7,000 tons stowed in the upper
workings of the mine. In all a greater quantity was on
hand than that possessed by any other company, when
the spring trade opened, with every prospect of a sue*
cessful year's business. But just as the shipping season
opened, the terrible explosion took place, by which many
lives were lost, the pit set on fire, much of their plant
destroyed and their operations suspended. The follow-
ing account of it is taken from the report of the Inspector
of Mines : —

" Early in May the shipping had already become vigor-
ous, when a strike of the colliers for certain privileges
and higher rates of wages closed the workings. After a
week's intermission, an agreement was made with the
men and they resumed work on the 18th. About noon on
that day, a shot fired in one of the low levels on the south
side of the pit ignited the coal. Every exertion was made,
to put out the fire, but the peculiarly broken condition of
the face of the level prevented the men from attacking
the flame, where the burning gas directly issued in great
volume from the solid coal. The fire spread rapidly, and
as it was soon evident that the chances of subduing it
were small, an order was issued that all the hands, who
were disinclined to assist at the fire, should leave the pit.
Many had previously left, having been driven out of their
bords, by the smoke. The boys, all except one, had gone
up, and of the rest, all but about a dozen men who
remained with Eichardson, the overman, at the fire, left
the lowest landing to walk up the slope. Kichardson and
his men, who so heroically remained ta battle with the
fire, so long as there was the slightest hope of success,
must soon have followed to endeavor to check as speedily
as possible the progress of the flames, and save the pit by
closing all openings. No attempt to do this was, however,
made, for before many of the men who were in the slope
had time to escape, an explosion of gast unexampled on

417!

this continent for violence, occurred, dealing on all sides
death and destruction. The force of the explosion was so
great, that the wooden rope rollers were torn from tho
track and hurled out of the slope, as from the month of a
cannon, falling in the woods some two hundred yards back
of the bankhead. Great baulks of timber 14 feet long, by
9 inches through, were cast up out of the Campbell pit to
So great a height that on falling, they struck the ground
with such force as to fracture them, and the rush of air
swept away as would a hurricane the exposed roof of the
bankhead. Many explosions took place during ihe after-
noon, and the second occurring about two hours after tho
first, killed four volunteers, who were nobly endeavoring
to rescue some men then known to be alive at the bottom
of the pumping pit. By the second explosion, the ven-
tilation was thoroughly destroyed, and as hopes could no
longer be entertained that any life still existed in the mine,
all the preparations to explore the workings were then
abandoned, and attention alone directed to saving pro-
perty. The violence and frequency of the explosions,
struck terror into the hearts of all who rushed to the scene,
and paralyzed the efforts of those who sought to close the
openings. All the available water was turned in to cut
off the lower workings, and effectually seal the bottom of
the pumping pit. Still the fire raged, despite of every
exertion, for 36 hours, and the flames shot up with a fierce
roar to the height of from thirty to forty feet from the
many openings along the crop. Two days passed before
the men engaged in filling the openings had effectually
sealed this fiery grave of fifty-five of their comrades.

** The workings remained closed luitil the end of Octo-
ber, when one of the slopes was opened, and air nUowed
to circulate between it and an opening made by a fall near
the rise. At the end of a fortnight, and just when appear-
ances seemed to warrant preparations being made to
re-open the workings in a regular manner, the return air

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418

showed nnqnestionable signs, that the fresh air was find«-
ing its way into places, where the heat was still sufficiently
intense to cause combustion of the coal or the bituminous
shales of the roof. In consequence the pit was again
closed."

The total number of lives lost was sixty, among whom
was Mr. Dunn, the manager, of whom 81 wejre married
men, 28 single men and 1 boy, leaving 29 widows, 80
orphan children, besides parents dependant on the lost
Contributions to the amount of about $23,000 were made
in various parts of the Dominion and the United States
for their relief.

To keep a small business going, a pit some 70 feet deep
was sunk to the south of No. 2 slope. In the fall of 1878,
a new manager, Mr.' Robert Simpson, M. E., arrived from
Glasgow and xuider his supervision a new slope was
driven to the south of the old workings, and winding ma-
chinery there erected. Subsequently he conducted the
re-opening of the two original slopes — an operation in-
volving great skill and expense, but one successfully
consummated, the most of the exploded workings being
recovered in 1875 and safety in restoring the remainder
assured. The most of ihe water has now (1876) been
pumped out, the workings cleared of debris, and recon-
structed thoroughly, so that the colliery now, with its three
working inclines, is in a better position for a large out-put
than ever it was before. A fan 20 feet diametui '^- ^eet

•1^ ^tion of the
^875 and

wide, on the Guibal principle, for the
underground workings, was erected
proved a complete success.

Mr. French, who had obtained the lease of an area of
three-and-half square miles, where the exteiibion of the
seams in this direction was first discovered, worked for
a time spending money uselessly, but his rights were
transferred to a company, composed of persons principally
resident in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1869, the7

419

commenced building a railway from their mine to the
Middle River, a distance of six miles ; and in July, 1871,
they had it completed, with shipping wharf, and com-
menced shipping coal. On this railroad the most
noticeable feature is the high bridge across McCulloch's
Brook. It is a trestle work, built of Southern pine,
imported for the purpose. It is 400 feet long, consisting
of four spans of 100 feet each. The middle span is 78
feet above the bed of the brook.

The works of these three collieries being in immediate
proximity, a village has sprung up named Westville, of
which the growth has been more rapid, than that of any
place known to me in these provinces. The laud here,
owing principally to heavy fires, was so barren that one
man, who owned fifty acres, after clearing some of it,
offered the whole for the cow ; and a lot of 100 acres, on
part of which is now situated the Acadia Company's
works, was willed to the Fictou Academy, in payment of
a subscription of five pounds. In 1866, 1 visited the spot.
Part was covered with wood, but part seemed too barren
oven for that. Having been severely burnt over, it
produced only small bushes. Some men were then
engaged in erecting a hut, of round poles cut almost on
its site. In 1875, a census was taken, when the village
was found to contain a population of 2,500, with three
churches — ^two Presbyterian, of large size, and a small
Methodist ; and a Koman Catholic chapel is now building.
But a great mistake was made at the outset, in the
ground not having been properly laid out. The conse-
quence is that the buildings have been placed in most
admired disorder.

These four companies are all that are in successful
operation on the west side of the East Eiver. Another
company, known as the Montreal Company, established
by Mr. Eobert G. Haliburton, sank a shaft just opposite
New Glasgow, on an area owned by them, which thus

420

lies at the north side of the coal field, and near the base
of the Conglomerate. Here they found the coal of good
quality, but lying at a very steep angle, and abounding
in inflammable gas. But nothing has since been done to
developo the property.

Before the commencement of the General Mining As-
sociation's operations, a seam was opened on the east sido
of the river, and after the abolition of the Mining Com-
panys operations, it was again opened by the Pictcu
Mining Company. The coal was found to be inferior in
quality, and a continuance of the deterioration having
been ascertaiiied by a shaft sunk farther to the east, all
operations were abandoned, though Mr. Rutherford ex-
presses his opinion, that it may not continue far into the
dip.

Considerable labor and means have been expcLded in
endeavors to trace the course of the seams further east.
The result has been the discovery of several beds of coal ;
but the field, on examination, has been found so intricate,
the measures so disturbed and broken, that their extent
and position, as well as their relation to the other seams,
are as yet involved in some uncertainty. "We shall,
however, give a brief summary of the facts ascertained.

Immediately behind New Glasgow two seams have
been opened, the lower known as the Stewart seam, up-
wards of three feet in thickness, and the upper »s the
Richardson, 2 feet 9 inches, both of which are regarded
geologically as overlaying the main seam. The last of
them has been partially mined by a company, known as
the " Crown Brick Coal and Pottery Company," which
was formed for the purpose of working an extensive de-
posit of fire clay found here. Though the seam was small,
the coal was found to bo of excellent quality. The com-
pany, however, has been for some time in a state of
snspenderi animation.

About a mile further east, two seams have been dis-

421

covered about 8 1*2 and 4 1-2 feet thick, and another
larger. But here a large fault is found to cross the field,
and the whole measures are so broken, that very little has
been done in the way of mining upon them.

Farther east, at what was known as the Marsh, four
young men named McBeans, two of them brothers, and
cousins of the other two, also brothers, took out rights of
search. They were at the time possessed of but limited
means, but they spent time and labour and T^hat means
they had, iu exploring their area, and in opening some
veins found on it. Their enterprise in due time met with
its reward. The examination of the field by Sir William
Logan, proved that their lease covered valuable seams of
considerable extent. It was accordingly purchased by a
Company in Montreal, known as the " Yale Coal Iron and
Manufacturing Company," of which Sir Hugh Allan is
president. Since 1872, under the able management of J.
B. Moore, Esq., the vice-president, and J. P. Lawson,
engineer, they have provided and erected everyihing ne-
cessary for mining and shipping coal on an extensive
scale.

This colliery is situate about six miles to the eastward
ot New Glasgow, on a seam formerly known as the
McBean area. It contains three square miles, or 1,920
acres. There are five known workable seams of coal on
it, which are found in descending order, as follows : The
uppermost of the series is the " Captains seam," a good
coal well liked for domest'c purposes. It measures three
feet six inches in verticel thickness. Seventy-five feet
below is the " Mill Bace seam," so named from being
first discovered in the mill race below Jas. McDonald's
saw mill. It is not quite so good coal. It is three feet
thick, with impurities. Over sixty feet below is the
** Geo. McKay seam." This is a good seam of eoal, well
Uked both for steam and domestic purposes. It measured
in three openings, 3 feet 9 inches, 4 feet, and 4 feet 10

' •'•il

422

inches in vertical thickness. A small seam of oil shale of
uncertain size and value, about eight inches in the centre
of the seam, is very rich, but it gets poor as you go from
the centre. Next is " The Six Feet seam." It ia not
quite so good coal, but is purer to the dip.

About 1,450 feet across the measures behind th© above
seam, is the " McBean seam." It is a good coal, both for
steam and domestic purposes. It measures seven feet of
vertical thickness. Two small seams are found, about
200 feet across the measures from the McBean seam.
They are too small to work. The vale colliery is placed
on the McBean seam, into which two slopes, one sixteen
feet wide (the main slope), the other eight feet wide
(a travelling and pumping slope), are driven on the
dip of the seam, from which the levels are driven in
the coal. A pair of winding engines, 12 inch cylinder
and 18 inch stroke, built at the Acadia foundry, New
Grlasgow, have been erected in front of the Main Slope,
and a double acting steam plunger plump, also made at
the Acadia foundry, is placed at the foot of the pumping
slope, which throws the water to the surface and drains
the mine.

A railroad six miles long, leading -from the colliery and

joining the Intercolonial Railroad at New Glasgow, with

all the necessary sidings, has been constructed by the

Company. From New Glasgow the coal is conveyed

dver the Intercolonial Railway to the Pictou Landing,

where it is shipped.

\ . The works of the Yale Colliery were started in the

' woods, in the fall of 1872. A few trains of coal were run

over the railroad to Halifax in the fall and winter of

1873-4 ; and in 1874, the out-put of merchantable coal

was about 89,000 tons, the dull state of the markets

keeping the mine idle one-half of the months of September

And October, two-thiids of November and all December.

Workshops for carpenters and blacksmiths, and an

423

office and store, have been erected at a convenient distance
from tlie works. A number of miners' houses have also
been erected by the Company, in all about ninety build-
ings. To the north of the Company's property, the land
is regularly laid out in building lots. A good many of
these have been sold, and quite a neat village has sprung
up, "with stores, halls and dwellings, and a numbei
are in course of erection. As the situation is picturesque,
the Vale will be one of the prettiest villages in the
eastern part of the Province. During the year 1876, a
Presbyterian church has been built and a pastor ordained.

Messrs. Mitchell .& Barton have an aero or two of the
McBean seam, at the north-east corner cf the McBean
lease. There is only coal enough there to supply the
inhabitants with their winter's fuel for a short time.

Between the Vale Colliery works and New Glasgow,
and extending southwardly for some distance is all good
coal measures, and doubtless containing valuable seams ;
and it is more than probable that should the coal trade
revive, other valuable works will be started upon them.

It will thus be seen that we have now five large
companies in vigorous operation, in mining and shipping
•coal. It only remains to giv^e a few s.'atistics, showing
the amount of their work.

The following is a statement in tons of the sales by
counties for the lasb ur years :

1872. 1873. 1874. 1875.

Cumberland 14,153 26,345 49,599 60,744

Pictou 388,417 334,984 357,920 337,102

Cape Breton 380,273 520,189 337,000 304,702 •

Other counties. .. 31,070 588 4,588 4,047

Total 785,814 881,106 749,127 706,795 . '

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When the General Mining Association commenced
operations, they designed to work the iron as well as the
coal deposits known to exist on the East Bivcr. They
quarried ore from a bed now known as the Bknchard
bed, and collected a quantity of Limonite about the
banks of the river, near Springville. They also erected
a blast furnace at the Albion mines, for the purpose
of smelting these ores. But those in charge, accustomed
to English ores and English fuel, did not understand how
to manage ores of a different character. They declared
that the ore was too rich, and, the company not having
discovered the bed of Limonite, the work was abandoned.

Some iron, however, was produced, which, in combined
hardness and toughness, excelled anything known.
When quartz crushing began at the gold mines, and iron
possessing these qualities was specially required for
stampers, parties gathered up the lumps that had been
thrown away at the old blast furnace at the Albion
mines, and they found it superior for the purpose to any
iron that could be obtained from any other quarter.

During the last few years, attention has again been
directed to the subject, and careful explorations have
been carried on, under the direction of competent
scientific men. The result has been, to show the existence
in this connty ot a variety of iron deposits, of great
extent, and superior quality. Geologically, these lie
among the Upper Silurian and Lower Carboniferous
rocks, which we have formerly mentioned, as traversing
the interior and southern portions of the county. We
shall briefly notice the principal of these. Among the
most important is a great bed of Bed Hematite, v/hioh is
most extensively developed at Blanchard, near the East
Branch of the East Biver of Fictou, and on the upper part
of Sutherlands Biver. The ore bed is an enormous
deposit, varying in width from fifteen to thirty feet, and
where it has been opened up, affords from ten to twenty

III

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426

feet in thickness of good ore. This bed has been traced
for several miles, and rises into some of the higher
elevations of the country. At Sutherlands River, it is
found at an elevation of 400 feet above its bed, and its
position will allow the extraction of millions of tons above
water level, by the simplest operation of the miner.
Though not one of the richest ores in the district, its great
quantity and accessibility render it of great value. The
analyses made of it, show a percentage of metal varying
from 43 to 54 per cent. The foreign matter is principally
Silica and the proportions of Phosphorus and Sulphur
are very small. The principal < 'posures of this bed, are
distant only twelve miles from tht. great collieries of the
East River of Fictou, and less than ten miles from the
Halifax and Pictou Railway, while the extension of the
latter eastward will pass close by its- outcrop at
Sutherlands River.

At Sutherlands River, about three miles from Meri-
gomish Harbour, is a valuable deposit of Spathic Iron ore
or Siderite, occurring in Lower Carboniferous sandstones,
and varying in thickness from six feet six inches to ten
feet six inches. It affords from 42 to 43 per cent of iron,
and contains from 2 to 8 per cent of manganese. This bed
is only four miles distant from the " Vale " colliery.

At the junction of the Lower Carboniferous and Upper
Silurian rocks, in the valley of the East River, near
Springville, is a vein of Limonite of exceeding richness and
value. It varies in width from five to twenty-one feet,
and the ore is of the finest quality, affording from 62 to
66 per cent of metallic iron. A similar vein has been
opened near Glengarry station.

Besides these, a large vein of Specular iron ore, similar
to thai at Londonderry, occurring in similar conditions,
and supposed to be A continuation of it, has been traced
from New Lairg, near' Glengarry, eastward to near the
East Branch of the East River. A bout a, mile to the "West

'i'U.'\

427

of this stream, it has been examined, and thence explored
for two miles, following the course of a high hill, and its
width was found to vary from five to twenty feet.
The ore is a nearly pure peroxide of iron, containing from
64 to 69 per cent of metal, and great quantities could be
€a8ily taken out from the outcrop of the vein.

There are also other veins of less importance. Clay
Ironstones also occur in many parts of the coal field, but
no attention has hitherto been given to them as sources of
iron ore. It may be anticipated that should the richer
ores be worked, they may be rendered available in con-
nection with them.

It will thus be seen, that these explorations have shown
that from Glengarry to Merigomish, a course of over 20
miles, there extends a series of iron ore deposits, of good
quality and mors than usual dimensions. The ferriferous
rocks extend westerly into Colchester, and though these
have not been explored, yet small veins of Specular ore
are found on the upper part of the Middle and West
Rivers. It is probable also, that they will be found in
the opposite direction toward Antigonish county.

As the presence of a cheap flux is important for the
manufacture of iron, we may add that limestone is found
in every part of this section of country. Abundance of fire
clay also of superior quality, is found in various places.
Moulding sand also is plentiful on the East River and
its tributaries. The best known deposit is near the
mouth of McLellans Brook, which has for years supplied
our local foundries.

It will thus be seen, that in its rich iron ore, in the im-
mediate vicinity of coal, Pictou possesses the elements of
national prosperity. The course hitherto pursue^ of
raising coal to export, is simply a waste of our natural
resources. Let it be employed in developing the treasures
of the rocks, and the couniy, we may say, the Province,
will enter upon a boundless career of progress.

428

OHAPTEB XIX.

FROM THE DIVISION OF THE COUNTY TILL THE PEESENT

TIME, 1836—1876.

In the year 1886, the Act erecting Pictou into a separate
county, came into operation. By that Act, it received
two representatives for the county and one fo rthe town-
ship of Pictou. The first election under the now
arrangement took place that season, when by a compromise
between parties, G-eorge Smith and John Holmes, Esquires,
were returned for the former, and, after a contest, Henry
Hatton, Esquire, for the latter. On the remodelling of
the Council in 1838, Mr. Smith was elevated to a scat in
that body, and Thomas Dickson was elected in his place.
At this first county election, Mr. Holmes first came into
public life. From that time till incapacitated by old age^
a few months before his death, in 1476, he occupied a
prominent place in our county and provincial politics,
having been for several years member of the House oi
Assembly, then a member of the Legislative Council, and,
at the adoption of the Confederation Act, one of the first
S'mators from Nova Scotia. His public course was that
cf an honest, thorough-going true blue Tory. At a very
late period of his life, and, we suppose, to the last, he
^declared his admiration of the Government of the old
Council of XII., and his detestation of responsible govern-
ment. His father having taken the lead in forming a
body in connection with the Church of Scotland, ho
succeeded to his influence, and both in the civil and
ecclesiastical movements of the members of that body,
wielded the influence of a Highland Chief in the days of
clanship.

"TT^I

429

We append a list of members of the different branches
of our Legislature to the present time. (Appendix K.)

The present period presents few events calling for
special notice. In the year 1843, the disruption of the
Church of Scotland took place, and was followed the
next year by a similar division in Nova Scotia. Of the
Presbytery of Pictou, in connection with the Church of
Scotland, only one minister, the Rev. John Stewart, then
of St. Andrew's Church, New Glasgow, adhered to the
Free Church. Of the rest, all returned to Scotland to
occupy the vacant parish churches, with the exception
of the Rev. Alex. McGillivray, of McLennan's Mount,
who, it was said, by accident missed a presentation.
Congregations were formed in various parts of the county
in connection with the Free Church. That portion of
St. Andrew's Church, New Glasgow, which adhered to
their minister, formed the congregation of Knox Church,
which has since amalgamated with the congregation ot
Primitive Church in that town. The people of Blue
Mountain and the Garden of Eden generally, and a
majority of the people of Barney's River, joined the Free
Church, and obtained as their first minister the Rev. D. B.
Blair, in the year 1848. Congregations were also formed
at Pictou, Rogers Hill, "West Branch River Jonn, Earl-
town and Saltsprings. The Rev. Alex. Sutherland, who
had been brought up at Rogers Hill, but had completed
his studies in Edinburgh, returned from Scotland, and
became minister of Earltown and West Branch River
John in 1846. Shortly after, the Rev. Murdoch Suther-
land became minister of Pictou and Rogers Hill. He
was greatly esteemed, but his career was short.

The large majority of the adherents of the Church of
"Scotland remained in their old connexion, and for ten
years received very little ministerial service. The folly
of depending on Scotland for ministers, was now apparent,
and, as the body was not iu a position to educate young

-il

480

men in this country, they sent a nural;er of promising
natives to be educated in Scotland, and from their return,
the revival of that body may bo dated. The first of these
were the Revds. Alex. McLean, Alex. McKay, George M.
Grant, "William McMillan, Simon McGregor and John
Cameron, all natives of Pictou.

In the year 1867, just one hundred years after the arrival
of the first settlers, the railroad from Halifax to Fictou was
completed. It had been for some time open to Truro, and
this had somewhat changed the trade, especially of the
rural districts of the county, large quantities of agricultural
produce being sent over land to Halifax, thus making im-
proved markets for our farmers. The effect of the
completion of it, by the increased facilities which it
affords for communication with the rest of the continent,
it is unnecessary to point out.

"We shall now briefly review the various branches of
business in the county during this period.

At the commencement of the period, ship building was
carried on with considerable activity, and so continued for
a time, so that in one year, forty vessels were registered
as built in Pictou, and its outports, including Tatama-
gouohe. But these were, with scarce an exception, built
to sell, and under the ruinous system described in our last
chapter. The result was that about the year 1841, the
leading ship-builders, and a number who were engaged
in it on a smaller scale, became bankrupt

Since that time a new system has been pursued. Per-
sons build vessels to own and sail them, and the business
has proved highly profitable, and, until the prepent
depression, was rapidly progressive. Nearly every trader
in Pictou, New Glasgow and the outports, as well as
many tradesmen, have at least shares in ships, and a large
fleet of vessels of superior character, is now owned in this
county and is found in the carrying trade of the world.

481

The following is a statement of the vessels registered at
Pictou : —

8 Ships measuring 8 .428

24 Barques « 14.337

4 Barqucntines measuring 1 . 040

1 Brig " 236

19 Brigantincs « 4.956

31 Schooners " 1.573

6 Steamers <* 162

Total vessels ... 93 Total tonnage 30 . 732

This however does not represent the whole tonnage of
the Port, several vessels partially or entirely owned here
being registered elsewhere. " The County of Pictou " for
example, one of our largest traders and entirely owned
in the county, being registered at Glasgow.

Another change in the system of shipbuilding must be
noticed. Building vessels for sale was simply building
vessels of inferior quality. So much was this the case,
that our colonial built vessels got a bad reputation, from
which they have scarcely yet recovered, and of all colonial
vessels, those of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
were the lowest in the scale. There were other evils
connected with the system, not the least of which was
the frauds connected with insurance. To hear of one of
these vessels, perhaps, on her first voyage being wrecked,^
often gave its owner pleasure, which he scarcely affected
to conceal.

With ihe building of vessels for the use of the owners,
commenced an era of improvement in the quality of the
vessels built, so that now the character of our vessels will
compare with those either of the other Provinces, or of'
any portion of the world.

In this good work, Captain G-eorge McKenzie, of New
Glasgow, deserves special mention. If Captain Lowden
was the father of the old ship building trade in Pictou,
Captain McKenzie was the father of the modem system,
and though we did not intend particularly to refer to the

482

living, or to those who, though departed, belong to the
present period, yet we think the position he held in
reference to this important part of the business of Pictou,
as well OS the character of the man himself, entitles hin^
to a full notice.

Ho was born in Halifax, in December, 1798. His
father died in 1802, and his mother removed with her
five children to Fishers Grant in the same year. When
he grow up to youthful manhood, he turned his attention
to chipping and ship building, for which he appeared to
have a natural talent In 1821, he and John Eeid, of
Littlo Harbor, built a schooner of 45 tons at Boat Harbor,
in which he shortly afterwards took a trip to the "West
Indies. She was called the " James William." The two
men hewed the timber, took it from the woods, and did
all the work of building themselves. An event
happened when he was about nineteen years of
age, which had the cfieet of bringing him into promi-
nence among ship builders. A vessel built at some point
near the Beaches was being launched, when she stuck.
Those engaged about her spent a great deal of labour,
used all the mechanical appliances at their command, and
exhausted their ingenuity in efforts to get her off", and
finally gave up the work in despair, and from her
position, it was feared that she would break up before
spring, when George McKenzie volunteered to get her off"
and succeeded in doing so at the next tide. From that
time ho was a " marked man." In 1824 ho went with
Robert McKay, of Pictou, to superintend work in his yard
and continued with him about three years. In superin-
tending tho launching of a vessel for Mr. McKay at River
John, he had tho misfortune to get one of his thighs
broken. He then sailed for some time as master, both to
the West Indies and to Britain. In the year 1829, we find
him in command of a brig called the " Two Sisters," owned
by his brother-in-law, James Carmichael, Esq., and his

433

brother John, then doing business in partnership. In her
ho went up to Glasgow, and she was then noticed as tho
largest vessel, that up to that date had gone so far up the
Clyde. On her return, it was noticed in tho Pictou
paper, as something good, that she had made tho round
trip in twelve weeks. Ho then settled down in business
in New Glasgow, where ho first built a schooner of 100
tons, and then a trader for Almon, of Halifax. Tho "Sally,"
a barque of 350 tons, one-half being owned by Henry
Hatton, of Pictou, was his next venture. From this ho
advanced to building vessels of 600 tons, and then to
others of 800, which were thought wonders for a time,
but not content with this, he soon was building uhiH
larger. In 1850 he launched the " Hamilton Campbell
Kidston" of 1,400 tons. In launching her, the launch
ways spread, and her stem took the mud, when half way
down the launchways. The spectators beheld Iho
accident with dismay, women w< ot, but the captain was
as calm as a summer eve. He quietly walked round her
as if nothing had happened, and then told his men to go
home and return at such an hour, as they could do
nothing till the tide changed. At the appointed time he
set them to work, and in a short time had her safely
afloat. Considering the position of the vessel, the
shallowness of the water, and the appliances available,
this was almost as great a feat as the launching of the
•' Great Eastern." When she arrived in Glasgow, her
appearance there created quite a sensation, she being tho
largest vessel that up to that time had sailed up the
Clyde. In 1854 he built the " Sebastopol " and the
" Magna Charta," the latter attracting great attention as
the largest vessel built in the Province. Others of his
vessels were well known, as the " Sesostris," the
"Catherine Glen," the "John McKenzie " and the
« George." The " County of Pictou," built in 1865, was

434

the last vessel built by him. She is still afloat, and ha»
been remarkably successful.

So well was he known in old Glasgow, that a number of
gentlemen, connected with the trade of that port, presented
him with a service of jolatc as a token of their esteem.

Captain McKenzic was one of the first to see the evils
of the old system of building vessels to sell. And, although
from his character as a ship-builder, he obtained contracts
for building at remunerative rates, he gave particular
attention to running his vessels, some of which as the
"Sesostris" a. id the "John McKenzie " were well known,
and thus leu the way in the formation of that large carry-
ing trade, vhich forms such an important part of the
induBtries of the county.

"We believe too that it w^ill be universally conceded,
that Captain Mckenzie took the lead in building vessels
of a superior class, and that largely to him is owing the
vast improvement in the character of our ships, of which
now we have no reason to be ashamed, comparing them
with those either of other Provinces or of any portion of
the world.

1 During a period of forty years, C-apt. McKenzie went
to sea more or less, and in this he soon developed his
character. As a commander, he was daring, clear headed,
calm even under the most difficult circumstances, prompt
in deciding upon hi^: plans, and energetic in having them
executed. When he commenced going to sea it was the
ordinary practice to carry only a moderate amount of
, canvas and to take in sail at night, if the wind was any
wise fresh, so as not to have to rouse the men during the
night to lessen sail, should it blow harder, and if there
was any appearance of a blow, even the upper yards were
lowered, Capt. McKenzie soon pursued a diflferent
course. He availed himself of all the sail his vessel could
carry, and thought not of lowering his yards or taking in
Bail, because night was coming on. Doubtless by this-

435

time, others were adopting the same system, but at first
it appeared so strang-e to safe going old fogies, that some
times they thought him mad. Though commanding
vessels of all sizes from the coasting schooner to IliQ 1400
ton ship, and in all latitudes, and that for the period of
about forty years, he was only wrecked once, and then lost
but one man. What is however perhaps more worthy of
notice was, that in all that time he never lost a man over-
board. Once indeed when in Harbour, (at Savannah
Harbor we believe) a man fell overboard. The Captain,
though he oould not swim himself, Jumped overboard
after him, which induced others to follow his example,
and they were both saved. But at sea, in taking in sail,
or any of the other ways in which this accident occurs,
he never lost a man, and as he heard of such cases, he
could not avoid giving expressions to feelings of mingled
disgust and indignation, as he could only regard them as
resulting from bad management.

Much of his energy he infused into those around him.
Full of patriotism, he was not only anxious to advance the
welfare of the Province, but it was his delight to bring
forward Nova Scotians, and particularly young Pictonians
to command his ships or to fill stations of usefulness. The
sons of the farmer or the widow, in his hands were soon
in command of his big ships, and proved successful com-
manders, ever speaking of him with affection.

His manner in command was slightly brusque and im-
perative, but no man was ever more distinguished by the
spirit of kindness and readiness to help others. In fact he
was too open handed, too free in buying, too ready in
distributing, to have been a thorough going money making
man. In consequence of this, as well as from heavy losses
experienced at different times, while always having a
competence, he did better for others than for himself, and
many a one has reason to remember his seasonable help.
He died in the winter of 187C.

436

"■ 'i

ir?

..-*

<■ 5

At the commencement of this period, there was still an
export of deals and battens, which continued for a few
years, but now not only is pine imported, but there is not
enough of spruce lumber prodaced, for the consumption
of the county, and a considorabio quantity, especially in
the form of flooring, is annually imported. The saw-
mills, of which by the census there are 78, are employed
principally in sawing hemlock into boards and shingles,
with a little spruce and some hardwood plank. The only
article of wooc' now exported is squared birch timber,
and as a great part of the southern portion of the county
if till covered with forest, on a soil of which a large
amount is unfit for cultivation, this trade may continue
for some time, and at all events there is iiere a perennial
source of supply of hardwood, to meet the ordinary
purposes of our own population.

The failure of the timber trado, as well as other
circumstances, has led to greater attention to their farms,
on the part of our rural population. The farming is not
any where yet of a high order, but it is very different
from what it was forty years ago. There is every where
attention to improved modes of culture, and th i introduc-
tion of better stock. Machinery is being generally used.
There was not at the beginning of this period a threshing
machine in the county. My father introduced one about
the year 1840. It was literally a one horse power, on
the tread-mill principle. There was not another at that
time in the county. =**= Now these are universally in use,
as well as mowing machines and other improved imple
ments. At the same time the markets have be n so
favourable for farm produce, that, notwithstanding the
failure of the potato crop, and the very general destruc-
tion of the wheat crop for some years by the wheat

• Mr. Donald McLeod, of West River, erected one some years before on n
nnall stream on bis farm. The power did very well, but the threshing part
did not succeed.

it ,1

ifj

437

ling part

midf^e, in nothing has the county been more distinguished
duri'ig this period than by the progress, which the
farn ing population have made in comfort and independ-
ence. At the beginning of this period, there were few
farmers, who were not in the merchants' books, generally
for considerable amounts. The credit system was still
almost universal. The farmer was thought to do well,
and was reckoned a good customer, who in the fall
brought a sufficient amount of pork and other produce to
reduce his account to a moderate figure. But now
this mode of trading has largely passed away. Farmers
now generally sell their produce for cash, or exchange it
for necessaries at the store, and can generally do so at
prices, at which they would once have thought themselves
set up altogether.

Their improved circumstances appear in their dress,
their dwellings, and the conveniences by which they are
surrounded. At the beginning of this period milled
cloth was but little used, and while the better class of
farmers had at least a Sunday dress of English cloth, the
large majority were clad in homespun, undressed and
dyed at home. Wc need not describe the change produced
by the general use of fulled cloth. The younger genera-
tion will scarcely remember the old blue-dye coats, so
characteristic of many parts of the country, and
occasionally so odoriferous under a summer shower ; and
we can scarcely tell the time when we have seen a
countryman come to town with his feet encased in raw
hide moccasins.

At the beginning of this period, there were a few old-
fashioned chaises, but these only among the better class
of farmers in the older settlements. In the new they
were almost unknown, and the roads were scarcely fit for
them to traverse. Hence we might see a countryman
come to town with a conveyance, which we shall not
attempt to describe, his horse garnished with a straw

438

collar, a straw saddle, all kept in place by hair ropes.
Now it is a poor farmer who cannot drive his pair well
harnessed at farm work, or who does not own a comfort-
able carriage for riding to church on Sabbath, or for trarel
on week days. By the census, it exceeded every other
county in the Province in the number of light carriages
'^and vehicles for transport, the number of the former
being 4,596, of the latter 7,246.

This improvement has been most apparent in the
newer settlements. In these the people then generally
lived in log houses with few conveniences, but now,
largely through their greater economy, and partly through
their being on good soil, they are as independent in their
circumstances as the people of any part of the country.

Farming is still the leading industry of the county, the
number engaged in it according to the census of 1871,
being more than equal to the number employed in all
other lines of business. Thus we find that 5154 are
classed as agricultural, while the rest are classed as
follows :

Commercial 699

Domestic 452

Industrial 2,611

Professional 346

Not classified 693

4,798

Of these 488 were miners, 369 carpenters, 298 mariners,
257 blacksmiths, 202 shipbuilders, 172 teachers, 105
tailors, 37 foundrymen, 34 clergymen and 5 booksellers,
there being 20 in Halifax, and only 11 in all the rest of
the Province, eight counties having none.

Wo may here give a statement of its agrivMxltural
products as compared with other counties. By the census
of 1871 there were produced the previous year as follows :

Bush, wheat. Oats. Other grain. Potatoes. Tons hay.

7G,42G 4G9,8G8 64,937 415,524 32,334

]^^'-}

439

In wheat and oats, it largely exceeded any other county,
Cumberland cominj? next to it in the former, with 47,395,
and Inverness in the latter, with 276,330. In other grain,
it was exceeded by Lunenburg, which while only raising
2,661 bushels of wheat, and 22,447 of oats, produced
67,957 of barley and 13,109 of rye, by Cumberland, which
produced 64,023 of buckwheat, and Colchester, which
produced 43,995 of the same grain and 18,294 of barley.
In potatoes and hay, it was exceeded by Kings, Annapolis,
Cumberland and Colchester. In the production of butter,
it exceeded every other county, the amount being
804,661 lbs., Colche=-ter coming next with 625,026. In
cheese it was exceeded by Kings, Annapolis, Antigonish
and Inverness, though it is i)robable that the proportions
will have since been altered, as four cheese factories have
been erected in the county, one at "West River, one at
Gairloch, one at Eiver John and one at Barney's River.
In cloth, it largely excels every other county, the amount
being 183,008 yards, Inverness coming next with 138,998.

The following is a statement of farm stock owned in
the county : ; . :

Other

Horses.

Milch cows.

homed cattle.

Sheep.

Swine

6,787

14,958

12,560

43,416

4,343

In horses and milch cows it ranks first, Colchester
coming next in the former, and Inverness in the latter.
In other horned cattle and sheep, it was slightly exceeded
by Inverness, and in swine by Kings, Inverness and
Antigonish.

Altogether we may set down Pictou as the first agricul-
tural county in the Province, the only one which can
compete with it being Kings. In fruitgrowing, however,
it is only seventh, being exceeded by Kings, Annapolis,
Lunenburg, Digby, Hants and Cumberland.

In manufactures, the only one in which as a county
we can take credit for great progress, is tanning leather.

|IJI (J;

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J?h. it

440

"We had tanners from an early period, but the business
has been so developed during this period, that now
Pictoa manufactures almost as much leather, as the other
seventeen counties of the Province put together. Wo
give the figures : —

Fictou

Best of the Province.

Valao of Raw
JMatorial.

Value of Articles
i'roilueed.

202,702

34G,974

210,793

423,019

:^4

Fair progress has been made in wooUeii manufactures.
The first application of any but hand power to this, was
by the erection of a carding machine at Middle River by
a Mr. Humphrey, of New Brunswick, in a mill owned by
the late Isaac Archibald, about the year 1822. The year
after it was erected, Mr. Archibald bought it and carried
on the business himself The first fulling mill was
established three or four years after, by James Farnham,
of Truro, and Edward and Stillman Lippencott, under
the name of Lippencott, Farnham & Co., at what is now
Roddicks Mills, below Durham, then owned by the Rev.
Duncan Ross and G-eorge McDonald. They carried on
dyeing in connection with it. But they had only the
privilege of the waste water, and, after a time, finding
that insufficient for their purposes, they, in the year 1829,
removed to the Six Mile Brook, and set up a mill, where
F. Miller & Co.'s establishment is now, at which place
the business of cloth dressing has ever since been
conducted. The first spinning machine and power loom
were set up by Mr. James Grant, near Springville. There
are now, besides carding machines and fulling mills, four
other establishments, where the whole business of manu-
facturing cloth from the wool is carried on, Messrs. G-eorge
Kerr & Sons', Middle River ; Messrs. Frasers', Rocklin,.
Middle River ; Messrs. McDonalds', Hopewell, and Messrs.
F. Miller & Co.'s, Six Mile Brook. These are mainly
driven by water, but some of them have steam as.
auxiliary.

441

Manufactures of wooden ware are yet in their infancy.
John Fraser, of Grreen Hill, has a rake factory, and
Messrs. Nute Bros., and Messrs. Gumming Bros., both of
New Glasgow, have established factories, driven by steam,
for the production of furniture, and Messrs. Samuel
Archibald & Co. have an establishment for the manufac-
ture of rakes and other implements, and also of furniture,
at Watervale, "West River. The first successful application
of steam to mills in the county was at the Clarence Mills,
Pictou, established by James Primrose, Esquire. It was
employed in driving a grist mill, a carding machine, and
in sawing, planing, and other work in wood.

In the manufacture of iron, besides the Albion Mines
Foundry, previously established, three others are now in
successful operation, Messrs. Davies', in Pictou, Messrs.
Erasers' and the Acadia Foundry, in New Glasgow ; and
the Nova Scotia Forge Company by the ai>plication of
steam power, is doing a large business in the i^roduction
of wrought iron for various purposes, and Mr. ConoUy at
Middle River has a small axe factory, which has produced
implements of the finest quality.

Little is done in developing the beautiful free stone so
abundant in the county. There was at the time of the
census only one establishment for the manufacture of
grindstones, Mr. Robert McNeil's, at Quarry Island, Meri-
gomish, the products of which was valued at $4,500.
Some stone is quarried for buildings, and, particularly at
the Eight Mile Brook, some is taken out for monuments
and other work requiring a fine polish.

Though we deem the manufacturing interest in Pictou
small, compared with what it might be, yet it is larger
than that of any county in the Province, except Halifax,
which includes the city. By the census, the value of the
products of all its industrial establishments was $1,273,018,
while that of Hants, which came next, was only $836,503.

The period we have been considering has been marked

r'K

442

by a large emigiation from the county, the majority of the
young of both sexes in the rural districts, going abroad as
they reach maturity. In the year 1848 or '49, a number
were attracted to Australia, who were generally unsuc-
cessful. SincF that time, California has been the great
attraction for young men, and service in the New England
towns for young womeu. But our Pictou boys are to be
found in every part of the world. Some, under the law,
by which not only proj^hets, but other good men, are not
without honour save in their own country, reaching the
upper rungs of the ladder, the majority by industry
attaining a competence, which they might have done at
home, and many, alas, making shipwreck of earthly
prospects, and even of conscience and a good name.

"We add a statement of the Dpuiation at dififereut
periods : —

Census of 1817 6,73?

" 1827 13,949

« 1838 21,449

« 1861 28,785

« 1871 = , 32,114

We think, however, that there was manifestly an

imperfection in the first return , that with the

immigration of previous years, the population must have
been greater, and that with the state of business from
1817 to 1827, there could not have been such an increase
in that period as indicated by the census. Such was the
progress, that at the time of that census, it was only
V exceeded in population by Halifax and Annapolis, which,
however, then included Digby, and e^^er since it has been
the largest in population of the rural counties.

We have had occasion in the course of our history, to
refer particularly to the Presbyterian Chu oh and
Presbyterian ministers. This has not been from any
denominational prejudice, but simply because they have
been so closely connected with the past progress of the

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443

county, that a history of Pictou without reference to
them, would bs like the play of Hamlet, with the part of
Hamlet omitted. It is proper, however, to give some
notice of the early history of the other Churches in the
county.

Among the 82nd men were several Roman Catholics,
who settled in Merigomish, and, as we have seen, in the
years 1791 and 1802, a large number of Scotch Catholics
arrived, who settled along the G-ulf shore, part of them
in this county, and part of them in Antigonish. They
received their first church service from the Rev. Mr.
Jones, of Halifax, who performed a mission among them,
but the first resident priest was the Rev. James McDonald,
who lived at the Gulf, but ministered on both sides of
the county line. We do not know the date of his arrival,
but he was here as early as 1793. He offended his people
by advising them to attend Dr. McGregor's preaching,
and otherwise showing disrespect for his own Church, so
that he was obliged to take refuge from their wrath in
"Walter Murray's house. They then gave out that he was
crazy, and he was sent up to Quebec to a monastery, from
which he never returned.

He was succeeded by the Rev. Alexander McDonald,
who settled at Arisaig about 1800, and officiated among
the same people from that time till his death. Through
the influence oi Mortimer, he was made a magistrate. He
died in Halifax on 15th April, 1816, in the 62nd year of
his age, and his people carried his remains through the
woods all the way to Arisaig. In 1810, the first regular
church was erected at Arisaig, though they had a i^lace
of meeting previously.

He was succeeded by the Rev. Colin Grant. In the
year 1834, the church at Baillies Brook was erected, and
in the year 1869, that settlement was formed into a
separate parish, with the Rev. Simon McGregor, D.D., as
their first priest.

. .it

I i' ?!

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444

The chapel in town was commenced in the year 1823,
when the frame was erected, without, however, any
rafters. It stood on the west side of Chapel Street. The
next year the rafters were juit on, but in a gale soon after
were blown down. The most zealous Catholic in town
at that time was an Irishman, named Thomas Jones, who
kept a grog shop. About forty pounds were now collected,
principally among Protestants, to aid them in finishing
the building. But Jones having got the amount into his
hands, withdrew the light of his countenance from Pictou
altogether, and departed to some more congenial region.
From this, together with the smallness of their numbers,
and their humble circumstances, their church long
remained unfinished.

The first priest stationed in Pictou was the Rev. Mr.
Boland, who arrived in town in the autumn of the year
1828.

The present church at Merigomish was built in the
year 1865, but they had a small one for many years
previous.

The few Episcopalians among the early settlers in
Pictou generally fell in with the Presbyterian ministers.
Their first organization was owing principally to the late
Dr. Johnston and Robert Hatton, Senr. The latter was a
lawyer, a native of Dublin, who came to Pictou with his
family in the year 1813. Through his influence, Col.
Cochrane had presented the Society for the Propagation
of the G-ospel, with the lot on which the church now
stands, then valued at ^6150. He himself put up the
frame in the year 1824. About three years after the
church was finished, mainly through the exertions of his
son, Henry, and consecrated on the 16th April, 1829, by
Bishop Inglis. In the year 1847, it was lengthened by
an addition of seventeen feet and a new spire erected. A
transept was added in 1866. In the year 1832, Pictou
District was erected into a parish under the name of St.

445

James by order of the Governor in Council on the
petition of the clergyman, church wardens and vestry.

Among the first clergymen who visited them, was the
Rev. Dr. Gray, then of Sackville, wo believe. He was
here in 1814, as we learn from a marriage celebrated by
him in that year. Previous to 1830, they were visited by
the Rev. W. B. King, then a teacher in Windsor College
during vacations, and by the Rev. Mr. Burnyeat, who
visited them two or three time a year, holding service in
the old court house.

The Rev. Charles Elliott, who came to this Province in
the year 1829, under the appointment of the Society for
the Propagation of the Gospel, was employed for some
time as a travelling missionary, and Pictou was included
in his district. In the year 1832, however, he finr^Uy
settled here. He was a B. A. of St. Edmunds Hall,
Oxford, was admitted a deacon, in the Chapel Royal of
St. James Palace, on the 14th June, 1829, by the Bishop
of London. Ho was ordained a priest in Nova Scotia in
St. Johns Church, Cornwallis, by Bishop Inglis, on the
27th June, 1830. He was admitted Rector of St. James
Church, Pictou, on the 23rd April, 1834, by the same
Bishop, the first church wardens being Henry Hatton and
Robert Hockin. The whole county was then his parish,
and he preached regularly once a month at the Albion
Mines, and also at River John, and visited "Wallace,
Pugwash and Tatamagouche, and occasionally even Cape
Breton. He was a man of amiable disposition and gentle
manner, and labouring diligently but quietly in his own
calling, he gained the affection of his* own church and
the respect of the community.

On the 12th July, 1849, a meeting was held at the
Albion Mines, at which it was decided to erect a church
for public worship, according to the rites and ceremonies
of the Church of England. For this purpose, i5175 were
subscribed by the inhabitants, and ill 25 given by the

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(716) 872-4503

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446

General Mining Association. T* j building was began
soon after, and completed about J '"'% 1851. That district
was erected into a separate parislv vjider the name of
Christ Church, Albion Mines, by a decree of the Kight
Reverend Hibbert, Lord Bishop of Nova Scotia, bearing
date 24th March, 1852, at or about which time, the Her.
Joseph Forsythe, missionary of the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel, took charge, "W. H. Davies and
Henry Poole, Esquires, being the first churchwardens.
The Church and burial ground wero consecrated in the
latter part of September of that year.

In the year 1865, the Rev. M. Eaulback was appointed
first curate of Eiver John, and in October of that year,
Mr. Elliott went to England, where he died at his
residence, Falkland House, Painswick, Gloucestershire,
on the 27th September, 1871.

The first Baptist Society in the county was organized
on the principles of the Scotch Baptists, or Disciples, as
they caU themselves, who are distinguished from others
t>f the name, by rejecting the office of the ministry, all the
members using their gifts for edification, and by the
observance of the ordinance of the Lords Supper every
Lords day. The society was founded by James Murray,
who came to Pictou in 1811, and afterward moved to
Biver John. Here on the 18th June 1815, the day of the
battle of Waterloo, ho baptized two persons, and on the
same day dispensed the communion. Since that day with
the exception of a few very stormy days, they have not
failed to meet on the first day of the week to break bread.
They now number 40 members, and are the only society
of this order on the north coast of the Province.

The first society of the regular Baptists was formed in
Merigomish, in the year 1838. Two years previous, the
Rev. George Richardson passing through the settlement,
preached at Thomson Carmichaels, Barneys River. Mrs.
Alex: Meldrum was present, andattributed her conversion

447

to the sermon. On his return, a few months later, she
was baptized by him. In the followins^ spring he again
came to Barneys lliver, when her husband, Mr. Peter
McEwan and Mrs. Fogan were also baptized. These
with Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael, Mr. and Mrs. Crandall,
then resident in the settlement, formed the first Baptist
Church, Mr. Peter McEwan being ordained deacon. From
that time to the present, about 40 have been added to the
church, but from deaths and removals, the membership
is now only 14. They have a meeting-house at Barneys
Kiver, commenced in the summer of 1874, but they have
never had a settled minister.

The first Wesleyan Methodist Society in the county
originated with some dissentients in the congregation of
the Rev. Mr. Mitchell, River John. They were organized
into a society by the Rev. Mr. Snowball, then on the
"Wallace Circuit, in the year 1822. Previous to that they
had been visited by local preachers, the first of whom
was Mr. Andrew Hurley. They built their first church
in 1824, and since that time. River John has been one of
the regular Methodist circuits.

About the year 1845, a society and congregation was
formed at the Albion Mines, by the Rev. Richard Weddall,
consisting principally of miners, who had come from
England. "Wesleyan ministers had previously preached
to them. A church and parsonage were subsequently
built, and more recently a small church at "Westville in
connection with the same circuit.

A society has also been formed in Pictou, principally
composed of parties who had previously been connected
with the Evangelical Union, as they call themselves in
Scotland, but usually laiown as Morrisonians. They had
previously been under the pastoral care of the Rev. Alex.
Mc Arthur, who adopted the sentiments of Swedenborg
After several changes, they connected themselves with
the Wesleyans.

-- "^

448

For many years there was in town a small society of
Friends, consisting, however, almost entirely of the
family of Jas. Eitchin, an Englishman, who kept a watch-
maker's shop on Water Street. In the case of each watch
which he repaired, he placed a paper with the following :— -

« Behold, oh, mortal man I

How quick tho moments fly ;
Our life ia ever on the wirg,
Prepare, prepare to die." — Jambs KiTOHnr.

With this solemn warning of this old worthy, we might
appropriately close our work, but we may add a state-
ment of the relative numbers of the different religious
bodies in the county at the date of the last census :

PresbTterian Chnreh of the

Lower Provinces 14,105

Church of Scotland 12,250

Roman CaI! oltcs 2,065

Church of Eagland 1,470

Wesleyan Methodist.

Baptist

All others

797
345
193

32,125

Our work is done. It has taken time and trouble.
But it has been pleasant, and we trust not unprofitable.
Especially do we feel satisfaction, in being the instrument
of rendering an act of justice to the sturdy pioneers, who
first ir^ided oar forests and prepared homes for us in the
wilderness. The present and future generations, in this
county, and beyond it, have great reason to be profoundly
grateful for the sturdy energy and moral worth of the
mass of those, who first peopled our county, as well as
for the intelligence and public spirit of those, who were
the leaders of society at its formation, and particularly for
the high talents and the devoted Christian zeal of James
McGregor, Duncan Soss and Thomas McGnllooh, who
first planted the gospel among us, and who moulded the
moral and religious, and we may add, largely the
intellectual character of our population. It only remains
that Pictonians at home and abroad, while thankful to
Go<l for what they were, and profiting even by their
errors, preserve the noble heritage of steady habits, and
sound religious principles, received from them, and
transmit the same to the race that is to come.

AJ>FE1TIDTX.

LIST OF OBANTKES, BY GRANT OP 26TH AUGUST, 1783»

WITH THE NUMBER OF ACRES RECEIVED, AND

NOTICES OF THE SITUATION OF THEIR LOTS.

David Stewart 300 acres

OM WB8T Rivn.

John McKenzie, 600 ; Hugh Fraser, 400 ;

William McLellan, — > ; James McDonald, 200 ; James McLellan, 100 ;
Charles Blalkie, 300, and in an after dirision 250 a'^res, 550 in all ; Robert
Patterson, 300, and in an after division, 180, 600 in ail ; James McCabe, 300 ;
Alex. Cameron, — . All these lots are still occupied by descendants of the
grantees, with the exception of Charles Blaikie's, which was situated opposite
Durham, and Robert Patterson's, which was forther down the river.

ON IflODLB BIVIR, BAST BIDS.

Alex. Fraser, 100 acres, where Samuel Fraser now resides ; Alex. Ross, jr.,
too acres, just below ; then above following up the stream, John Smith, 330 ;
Robert Marshall, 350 ; James McCuIloch, 240 ; Aler. Ross, 300, an after
division to Alex. Fraser, sr., 400 (on the rear of which Westville is now
situated) ; Alex. Fraser, jr., 100 ; John Crockett, 600 ; Simon Fraser, 600 ;
Donald McDonald, 360 ; David Urquhart, 250 ; Kenneth Fraser, 450 ; James
McLeod, 150.

ON lABT BIVIR, BAST 8IDI.

Walter Murray, 280 acres (adjoining Indian burying-ground)i and 70 acres
in an after division. Then following up stream : James McKay, ?0 ; Donald
McKay, jr., 80 ; John Sutherland, 180, and 70 in an after division ; Rod.
McKay, sr., 300, and an after divinion, 60 ; James Hays, — ; Hugh McKay,
100 ; Alex. McKay, 100 ; Heirs of Donald McLellan, 260, (then a blank, where
New Glasgow is now situated) ; Hugh Fraser, 400, and an after division, 100 ;
Wm. McLeod, 80 ; John McLellan, 200 ; Thomas Tumbull, 220, and in an
after division, 180 ; Wm. McLeod, 210, and in an after division, 60 ; Alex.
McLean, — ; Colin McKensie, 370.

ON BAST RIVBR, WBBT SIDB.

Donald Cameron, 100 acres, at Loading Ground -, Jame8 Grant, 400, at
Basin ; Colin McKay, 400 ; Wm. McKay, 550 ; Donald Cameron, 100 ; Donald
McKay, sr., 450 ; Donald Cameron, a goro lot ; Anthony Culton, S04. These
extended from below the mines to some distance aboTe them.

450
B.

LIST OP THE NUMBER OP FAMILIES IN THE Dl|STIlICT-X)F

PICTOU, VIZ. '

" Jonai Earl, Robt. Watson, Robt. Watson, jr., Daniel Earl, Daniel Earl, Jr.,
Jas. Watson, Isaiah Horton, f atrick Beny, Wm. Aikin, John F'tlton, James
Fulton, John Patterson, George McOonnell, Mat. Harris, Robt. Harris, John
Rogers, Wm. McKenzie, Wm. McCrackea, Abram Slater, Moses Blaisdell,
Wra. Kennedy, Jas. Davidson, John MoCabe, Bar. McOce, John Wall, Colin
McKenzie, Alex. Ross, Donald McDonald, Wm. McLeod, Walter Murraf, Thos.
Fraser, Alox. Frascr, Wm. McKaj, Hagh Fraser, Alex. Faulkner, Colin McKay,
Colin Douglass, James Campbell, Thomas Troop, James Hawthorn, Joseph
Qlen, John McLennan, Ken. McClutcheon, Hugh Fraser, John Ross, George
Morrison, Robt. Jones, Don. Cameron, Rod. McKay, Robt. Sims, Peter
Hawthorn, John McLellan. — November 8,1775. (Signed) John Harris." A
number of these, set down as families, however were unmarried men at this
time. Upon this a petition was presented to the Governor to issu? a writ for
the election of a representative, but the request was not granted.

LIffP Oy PASSENGERS IN SHIP " HECTOR," "WITH NOTICE?
OF THEIR HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT, SO
FAR AS KNOWN.*

SHIPPED AT GLASGOW.

Mb. Scott and Fault. Unknown.

Gboboi Mobrisom and Fault. From Banff, obtained grant on west sido-
of Barneys River, where ho settled. An island there still called Morrisons
Island. Left one daughter, married to David Ballantyne, Cape George.

John Pattbrson. Fully referred to in the history.

Gborgb McConnsll. Settled on West River, at Ten Mile House. His
descendants numerous in this and adjacent counties.

Amdrbw Main and Fault. A native of Dunfermline. Settled at Noel, where
his descendants still reside.

Anobiw Wbblbt. Unknown.

• This list was drawn up about forty years ago by the late Williaa
McKenzie, Loch Broom. ^

451

CaARua Frasir. A Highlander, though shipping at Glasgow. Lived at
ComwuUis; afterward mariiud and settled at Fishers Grant, where ho
bought out a soldier of the 82nd. Hod one son and two daughters, whose
descendants arc on West Hirer and elsewhere.

John Stewart. Unknown.

FROM INTERNBSeinnB.

tViLLiAU McELat and Family. Afterword Squire McKay ; settled on the East
Hirer, where the Mines now are. Died 2nd March, 1828, aged 97, when his
death was thus noticed in the Colonial Patriot : — " For a great many ycara
he was a leading man among his countrymen. His house was always open
and his table welcome to trarellcrs and neighbours. The proverbial hospitality
of Highlanders was never more fully exemplified than by Squire McKay,
and in these early times his liberality must hare prevented or alleviated the
wants of many of his fellow men. He went to bed in his usual health, and
was found dead about half &n hour after." Had in the "Hector" four
children: 1. DotuUd, who was tho first settler on Frasers Mountain. His
son, William McKay, tho surreyor, was the author of a map of Nora Scotia,
published in London, which has supplied intbrmation for all the map
makers since. 2. Alexander y who afterward owned the land where New
Glasgow is now situated. 3. Jamei, who settl'<d opposite the Loading Ground
on the East Rirer. 4. A daughter, Sarah, married to William Fraser,
Burreyor. He had two sons bom in this country, John usually known as
Collier, and William, who iaheiited his father's property, where tho Halifax
Company's works now are, but who afterwards mored to McLennans Brook,
and a daughter married to John McKay.

BoDBRiCK McKat and Fawlt. He and three brothers, all of whom came to
Pictou, were natires of Beauly, in Inremesshire. Ho tooK up land at the
East Rirer, where his grandson, J. C. McKay, now lives, being one of tho first
fire who settled on the East River, the others being William McKay, Colin
McKay, Donald Cameron, and his brother, Donald McKay. Ho was a
blacksmith by trade, and through the influence of some of his wife's friends,
afterward obtained a situation as head of the blacksmiths' work in the dock-
yard at Halifiix. He and his wife travelled thither through tho woods on
foot, each carrying a child. Under his direction was made and placed tho
chain, which, during the war, was stretched across tho north-west arm, to
prerent the entrance of hostile resscls. He was a man of middle height, but
thick-set and strongly built, distinguished for actirity, determination and
fertility in resources. His character may be seen from incidents already gircn,
but one that took place before learing Scotland, was deemed by his country-
men still more worthy of admiration. Tho gaugers had seized some whiskey
which did not belong to them. Indignant at such an invasion of the r'^hts
of property, ho interposed, and, perhaps, using some needful violence to theso
myrmidons of Saxon oppression, rescued it from their unworthy hands.
Bo little, however, was his prowess appreciated by the Sassenach bodies, he
was for this lodged in • Jail in Inremeas. His firee-boni spirit chafed under

462

fooh rettnUiiti, puiicsUurly Id • cause so good, and he was soon contriTing
schemes to secure bis liberation. Having ingratiated himself with the Jailer,
he sent him one day to procure a quantity of ale and also of whiskey, in
Older duly to cement their friendship. The Jailer on his return, advaucing into
the cell with both hands full, Bodericlc stepped behind him and out at the
door. Closing It after him, he locked it and carried off tho key, which
somo say he brought to America with him. The irst of these feats would
have given him an honorable place in the hearts of his countrymen, hut the
latter, added to it, was sufficient to make him their idol for ever. We suppose
that some in this effeminate age will scarcely regard such affairs as creditable.
But similar qualities, exercised for much worse purposes, have rendered Bob
Boy the admiration of all lady readers of Sir Walter Scott, and his grave to be
▼idted with veneration, even by Boyalty.

When In Halifiuc ho gained notoriety by another feat. An officer was
paying some attention to a female inmate of his house, of which ho did not
approve. Boderick meeting them together near the Citadel Hill, upbraided
him for his conduct, when the latter drew his sword, and before the former
was aware, struck him a cruel blow on tho head, cutting him so severely
that he felt some of tho effects as long as ho lived. Telling the officer that
he would meet him in an hour, ho got bis head dressed, and prepared within
the time, stood before him with a good ash stick. The officer drew his
sword, and a combat enraed, but Boderick was not only an adept in all
Highland games, but like many Highlanders of that time, was acquainted
with the sword exercise, and though his stick bore tho marks of the officer's
sword cuts, he soon disarmed him, and repaid him heartily for his former
eowardly attack. He afterwards returned to his fiurm on the East River, where
he died. One daughter, with him in the " Hector," was afterward married
to Dr. McOregor. The rest of his fiuiily were bom in this country. One
daughter, mother of tho late J. D. B. Fraser, Esq., our late custos, Robert
McKay, Esq., his son.

CoLnf MoKat AMD Fault. Served in the Fraser Highlanders at the taking
of Louisburg and Quebec. Settled on the East River below the Mines. Few
of his descendants thero. <* McKay brothers," of Liverpool, O. B., his grandsons.

Hnan Fbasib and Fahilt. The following is a copy of a certificate in the
possession of a grandson : " These do certify that the Bearer Hugh Fraser,
Weaver, a married man was born of honest Parents in this Parish of Kiltarlity,
where he has resided from his Infancy and behaved soberly and honestly free
of any public scandal. So that now when he with his Wife and Family are
to remove from our bounds we are at freedom to declare that wo know no
reason why they may not be received into any Christian Society or Congrega-
tion where Providence may order their Lot. Given at Kiltarlity this 29th day
of June, 1773 yean and attested in name of the Kirk Session by

" Malcom Nicoljoh, Minister."

Settled on MoLellans Brook. Had three children in the '< Hector "—
1, Dowtald, known as Donald Miller ; 3, /mw, married to Cameron, Merigomish,

which

married
try. One
Bobert

453

and 3, Mary, married to John Fraecr, Meiigomish. One aon, John, long
known as John Squire, having been taken sick with small-pox, did not arrive
for some years after. Rev. Wm. Frascr, Bondhead, Ont., a grandson.

Donald Caubsox and Family. The only Romin Catholic among the
passengers, had also scrrcd at the taking of Qiiobcc, settled on the East River
where the Mines now are, on the farm afterward owned by Dr. McGregor. He
was drowned in the river. His family removed to Antigonish county.

Donald McDonald and Family. Settled on the Middle River, where his
descendants ore numerous. Had two children in the " Hector," the eldest,
Marion, aged 10, afterword married to Alex. Fras'.T Elder (Middle River), the
second, Naueij, who died the winter after arrival, and an orphan niece, Mary
Forbes, afterward married to Wm. McLeod, who settled at McLellans Brook.

Colin Douglass and Famuv. Lost two children on the passage. His
eldest daughter survived, afterward married to Peter Frascr, McLellans Moun-
tain. Settled at Middle River, one son long known as Deacon Douglass.

Hiroa Fraser and Family. Settled at West River about twelve miles from
town, afterward an elder. His descendants numerous.

Alkxandeb Fbasbb and Family. Settled at Middle River, where and at
various other places his descendants are numerous. He is said to have been
connected with Lord Lovat, and the family were largely involved in tho
rising of forty-five. Had three brothers fighting for Prince Charlie at
Culloden, of whom two were killed ; was too young to serve himself, but
followed them, and saw at least part of the scenes of that day. Afterward
married Marion Campbell, youngest daughter of the Laird of Skriegh, in
Inverness, who had raised a troop to fight for Prince Charlie, and at Culloden
was wounded. After the battle he was set up against a wall by the English
soldiers to be fired at. Missing him, one of them said, " Tou poor devil,
you're ordained to live for some mischief," and struck him on the face with
his musket, knocking out his eye. His wife found him among the dead and
wounded, and though with the loss, it is said, of a leg, an arm, and an eye, he
survived for some years.

Fraser was in comfortable circumstances, when an instance of saxon
oppression led him to seek for freedom in America. His horses and cart
were seized by gnagers, with some whiskey that they were carrying. What
Highlander's soul will not boil, even at the hearing of such an outrage. The
seizers took their plunder to Inverness, where they had it cared for at an inn,
and then proceeded to enjoy themselves drinking. When they were
comfortably disposed of for the night, the sUble lad, who was a relation of
Fraser's, took the horses and cart out, and driving across tho country, restored
them to the proper owner, who lost no time in taking them to some other
part of tho country, where he disposed of them as well as he could, and,
determined to stay no longer in a country, where he was subjected to such
treatment, was the first to engage a passage in the <■ Hector."

He settled on the Middle Biver, where Samuel Fraser now resides. He had
Ave children in the « Hector." 1. Alexander, who occupied his father's farm,

If! f

464

and WM afterwud an Elder. 2. Simon, partlcularljr referred to in the historj.
8. Catherine, married first to Alexander TLo»», afterward to John Fraaoi
(Squire.) 4. Iiahella, married to David McLean, Esri., West Branch, East
lUrer. B. Ilugh, settled at Middle Birer Point, and the last surriror but one
of the <■ Hector " passengers.

After arrival bo had two sonS; David, the first child bora to the Highlanders
after arrival, and WMiam, the first child Iwm on the Middle River.

Jambs Grant and Fault. Lived for some time In Kings County; first
settled at Grahams Pond, Carril)oo ; afterward moved to Upper Settlement,
East River; father of Alexander Grant, miller, and Robert Grant, Elder;
grandfather of Dr. W. B. Grant, Professor of Anatomy in Pennsylvania
Medical College. One daughter married to John Sutherland, Butherlands
River ; another to McNeil, who removed into Antigonish County, and another
to Fraser. The eldest eon remained in the old country, and it is believed
afterward emigrated to tho United States. The supposition of the family is
that he was the ancestor of President Grant.

Donald Mdnroi, went to Halifax, where ho married, and had one son,
Henry. Afterward settled at West Branch, East River, where ho died, and
was tho first buried there. His descendants numerous in that neighborhood.

Donald Mo . Name illegible, and history unknown.

ntOH look bboom.

John Ross, agent. History unknown.

Alix. Cameron and Family. Was nearly eighteen yean of age at the time
of the rising in 1745. There was some badge, which the Highlanders were
allowed to wear on their bonnets, on arriving at that age, as a sign of man>
hood. His brothers followed tho Prince, but he being only seventeen years of
age, was required to remain at home, where he was employed in herding. But
drawn by the crowd who followed the Highland army to CuUoden, he left his
charge to accompany them. When he returned, his master being very angry,
" went for him" to chastise him. He ran and his master pursued. The latter
finding him too nimble, stooped down to pick up a stone to throw at lum,
and in doing so wounded himself with his dirk in the leg, so that ho was
obliged to remain for some time in hiding, lest he should be taken as Iiaving
been at Culloden, by the soldiers who wore s.,oaring the country, killing any
wounded stragglers from tho field. Cameron settled at Loch Broom, to
I which he gave tho name of his native parish. He died on the 15th August,
1831, when he must have been at least 103 years of age. Ho had two children
in the " Hector"— 1, Alacander, long an elder in the church, and 2, Christiana,
afterward married to Alex. McKay, New Glasgow, and several children bom
after arrival.

Albx. Ross and Fahilt. Ho and his wifis advanced in life at arrival.
Parents of the next.

Albx. Ross and Family. Settled at Middle River, at what has since been
known as Olivers farm. Died when only 35 years of age, the youngest of any

455

•of ih« tend. Believo the following his children : 1, Donald, who occupied hii
father's form, but afterward moved to Ohio ; 2, Alexander, who settled at
Middle Hirer Point ; 3, a daughter maiTicd to Archibald Chiaholm, East
Hirer, and another married to Blair, East Hirer.

Colin McEenzib and Fahilt. Settled on East River, a1)out a mile aboro
New Olosgow on the farm immediately aboro John McLcllans. Said to have
lived to K4. Had ono child on board, Duncan, whodiedin IsVl, in his 100th
.year, the last surriror of the band.

John Munroi and Familt. History unknown.

EiMNiTH McRiTOHiE AND Fauilt. Probally the same whose name appears
.in early lists as Kenneth McCIutcheon, but know not what became of him.

WauAM MoEiMzn, an intelligent man, who had enjoyed a better education
than the rest, and who had been engaged as schoolmaster for the party, ai
they expected to settle together. He settled at Loch Broom, where some of
Jiis descendants still are.

John MoObioob. History unknown.

John MoLkllan. Settled abore New Glasgow, at the month of McLellans
Brook, and gare his name to that stream and MeLellans Mount. Properly
the name howercr was McLennan, the two being quite distinct in Gaelic.

WiLLiAX McLuLAN. Belatirc of the last, settled at West Hirer, where some
■of his descendants still are.

Alxxandir MoLkan. Settled at East Hirer, above Irishtown. One son
^settled on McLennans Mountain, where his descendants still are.

AiiiXANDKB Faloonib. Settled near Hopewell.

Donald MoEat, afterward the Elder, brother of Roderick. Settled at the
East Hirer, just abore the Mines. His house on the same site as that now
•occupied by his grandson, Duncan. Another brother, Hugh, came afterward,
but died without a family.

Abobibald Cbisholx. Bellered to be the same person who settled at East
Hirer, after haring serred in the 84th Regiment.

Cbablis Mathbson. History unknown.

BoBiBT SiK. After residing for some time in Fictou, tetnoved to New
3rnnswick. Nerer married.

Alixandis MoExNzn. History unknown.

Thokas Fbasib. History unknown. i

nee been
stof aof

rnou bdthbrlandsbirb.

EiNNXTH Fbabbb AND Fahilt. First settled at Londonderry, bat afterward
mored to Ficton, whero he settled on Middle Hirer, abore the bridge at
Squire McLeod's. His descendants numerous on Green Hill, Mill Brook,
Hogers Hill, Ac.

WuLiAif Fbasib and Fault. History unknown.

466

Romoved to Londondeny, where hUdoMend-
fettled in Morigomish, wlioro a number of

One daughter.

JaMIS MuBKAY AMD FahILT.

•ntsBtill ore.

Waltir MtntniT and Fakily.
his descendants still are.

Datid Urqitbart and Fahily. Settled at Londonderry,
the late Mrs. Thomas Davidson, afterward resided in Pictou.

Jauis McLbod and Family. Settled at Middle River on the farm which
has descended to his relative, Oeorge McLcod, Esq , he having no chiidren of
his own.

Hugh MoLeod and Family. His wife died as the vessel arrived. Had
three daughters on board, one of whom married in Cornwallis ; another after-
ward Mrs. Donald Ross, and the third afterward Mrs. Shiels. Settlrd on West
Biver. Married the widow of Alexander McLeod, by whom he had one son,
David, long a highly esteemed Elder there.

Alexander McLeod and Family. Was drowned in the Shuljenacadie.
Had three sons on board ; one died in the harbour after the vessel's arrival ;
another died unmarried ; the third, the late Donald McLeod, settled at West
River, on a taxm still occupied by his descendants.

John McKay and Family. History unknown.

Philip McLiod amd Family. Uncertain.

Donald MoEsnzii and Family. I believe settled at Shubenacadie. ,

Alex. MoKixcix and Family. History unknown.

John Sutherland and Family. History unknown.

William Matheson and Family. First settled at Londonderry, but after
Dr. McGregor came to Pictou, removed and settled at Rogers Hill, where John
T. Matheson now resides. The eldest son, John, afterward the elder at
Rogers Hill, was three years of age when they landed. His second, born after
arrival, the lata William Matheson, Esq.

Donald Grant. History unknown.

Donald Graham. History unknown.

John MoEay, piper. History unknown.

William MoEay. Went to work with McCabe, one of the old settlers, and
thence got the name of McCabe, by which his descendants are still dis-
tinguished. Was drowned in the East River by falling from a canoe.

John Buthbrland. Removed to Windsor, where he married. Retuming^
settled at the mouth of Sutherlands river, which derived its name from him.

Anous MoEenzie. Then only sixteen years of age. Removed to Windsor,
where he married. Returning to Pictou some years after, he settled first al
the Beaches on the farm afterward owned by the Lowdens, and afterward oa
Green Hill, when some of his descendants still kk.

467
D.

f 1

LIST OF DUMFRIES SETTLERS, WITH PLiOES OF
SETTLEMENT.

(DM VERT niVBR.

CBAiti.is Blaiku. Settled oa east side of the river, oppoaitD Durham, on
the farm now belonging to David Matheaon.

David Stiwart. Settled farther up on aamo side, where his descendants
Btill reside.

Anthony MoLbllam. Settled on -west ^ido of the < • "-, just at Durham.

William Clark. Settled above Lim on same side ut the river, where his
descendants still reside.

JosiPH Richard. On same side of the rivr jelow klio Tei AAe House,
where Ims descendants still are.

Jo&:f MoLiAi. Settled where his son, the late John .V' Lean, Elder, lived ;
was one of the first Elders ordained by Dr. iiicGi -gor; the Itev. John
McLean, of Rlchibucto, his grandson, and John S. McLean, of Halifax, his
great grandson.

William Smith. Father of late Anthony Smitlj, Esq. ; settled near the Tea
Mile House.

ON MIDDLH BIVEB.

Robert Marshall. Afterward the Elder. His house stood close by the
bridge crossing McCullochs Brook, close by the road leading to Middle
River.

John Crookrtt. Settled where his grandson, W. P. Crockett, now lives.

RoBBRT Brtdonb. Settled farther up the river.

John Smith. Had come out to Prince Edward Island as agent for some of
the proprietors, earlier than the other settlers. Ho settled on the property
since owned by Thomas Horn ; was drowned, it is said, with a daughter, Mrs.
McCuUoch, and her child, which they were taking to PIctou to have baptiied,
and another woman.

OK BAST RIVBR.

Thomas Turnbdll. Settled on McLennans Brook.

Anthony Culton. SeUled above the Mines.

Besides these, we have already mentioned Wellwood Waugh,^ with whom
came a half-brother, William Campbell, then a young man, who settled on
the ftavk above him, a little below the town.

AU-theie have left numerous «teicendants in various places.

468
E.

•" A BOLL OP THE INHABITANTS OP PIOTOTT OR TINMODTH
CAPABLE TO BEAR ARMS.

<* James Omnt, Williaai Campbell, Robert JoDes,* Wm. McCracken, Oeoigo
McConnell, John Patterson, sen., James Patterson, David Patterson, John
Patteiaon, jr., John Rogers, sen., James Rogers, John Borers, jr., David Rogers,
James McCabe, John McCabe, Anthony McLellan, James McLellan, Ed. McLean,
Joseph Ritchie, William Clark, John McLean, Wm. Smith, David Stuart, John
McEenxie, Hugh Fraser, Wm. McLellan, James McDonald, Charles Blaikie,
John Blaikie, James Watson, Alex. Cameron, Colin Douglass, Don. McDonald,
Robt. Breading (Brydcn), John Breading, Alex. Ross, sr., Alex. Ross, jr., James
McCuUoch, Robt. Marshall, John Marshall, John Crockett, John Crockett, jr.,
Alex. Fraser, Alex. Fraser, jr., Simon Fraser, Colin McKay, Rod. McKay, jr.,
James McKay, Donald McKay, Donald McKay, jr., Donald Cameron, Anthony
Culton, John Culton, Colin McKenzie, Alex. McLean, John Sutherland, Thos.
TumbuU, John McLellan, Wm. McLeod, Hugh Eraser, sr., James Fraser,
Esaias Horton, Stoatly Horton, Morton (Walter) Murray; George Morrison,
Barnabas McOee.

" The above is a true list, given -under my hand at Halifax, 12 February,
1783. Robt. Pattibsoh, Captain."

The above begins at Carriboo, and passes up the harbour, and round Uio
three rivers to Medgomish.

LIST OF OBANTEES OF THE 82ND R^GFIMENT.

Col. Alix. RoBiBTSoir. Obtained the big island of Merigomish as his shne,
lience sometimes known as Robertson's Island. Never lived on it himself,
but seme relatives of the name settled upon it. Employed an agent, who
built a large house on it, which he called Struan House. At his death, his
property in this county descended to bis nephew, Oliphant, of Gask.

Capt. John Frabib. Lived at Frasers Point, appointed a magistrate
October 15tb, 1784. His wife and two sons followed him from Scotland, one
of the latter, John, being afterward known as Collector Fraser, the other, Simon,

* This was a Welshman, who had served both at the capture of Fort Beau
Sejour and Quebec, and lived About a mile below the town. He died on-
married.

459

called also Major, and sometimeB Colonel Fiaser, afterward employed in
bringing out passengers.
AiiKZ. McDonald. Unknown.

CouN McDonald. I believe the same that known as Cole McDonald, who
lived on the Big Island, near what is still known as Coles Brook.

DoNNBT Fenccans. His land located to the west of Frasers Point, but his
history unknown.

These three received each 600 acres.

John MoNkil. Beccived 300 acres, bat history unknown.

NON-OOkiaSSIONBD OrnCERS RBOEIVINO EACH 200 ACBE8.

Cbables Abbucklbs. A native of Falkirk, moved afterward to the Ponds.
Married to a daughter of B. McQee. His descendants numerous.

David Ballanttne. Removed to Cape Cteorge, where his descendants are
numerous.

GiOROE Brown. Settled on Frasers Mountain.

John Brownfield. A native of Derry, in Ireland, and a Presbyterian, died near
French Biver, where his desceudants still are.

James CABiacaAXL. A native of Perthshire. His descendants well known.

SoBERT Duinr. A native of Glasgow, settled on the property now owned and
occupied by his sons.

John Fbaber. A Highlander from Inverness. One of 1 8 who survived out of
• detachment of 111 men, employed in the Southern States during the war,
the rest having been cut off by fever. Ho lived at Fishers Grant, where he
was one of the first ciders of Picton congregation. Afterward removed to
French Bivcr, where his descendants still are.

Dbitbt Gilurs. Believe the same as James Gillies, who lived where R. S.
Copeland now resides, afterward removed to Big Island, where his descendants
ctillare.

Jahes Peacock. Lived near Chance Harbour, but do not know what became
<of him.

John Robson. From being able to bleed, and his skill otherwise, he was
QBually known as Dr. Bobson. His descendant^ still there.

Charles Robinson, properly Robertson Was a son of the proprietor of the
estate of Lude, at the foot of the Grampians. Was a student attending .
'College when he enlisted. One daughter, married to Robert Patterson
<Black.)

John Scott. Sold out to John Fraser, 1785.

Robert Smith. His lot where the Merigomish churcn now stands. His
desceadauts still there.

David Simpson. Had been a student at college, but he and some others
facving iadolged in " a spree," some eighteen of them found themselves la

460

the moraing with the Kinit'i shilling in their pockets, llieir professon
endeavored to obtain their discharge, but without success. From his educa-
tion, he obtained some office in the regiment. His lot, on which his
descendants still live, the farthest up in Mcrigomish, in the grant. He was
afterward employed as a schoolmaster in several parts of the county.

RoBiBT Stewart. Usually known as Smashcm, from this being a favorite
expression in describing battle scenes. Ho acted as agent for Col. Robertson,
and lived an the Big Island, at a point which has since received the name of
Smashems Head.

Robert Miller, Oerrard Cullen, heirs of John Eves, John Fowler, John Foot,
Thomas Loggan, Archibald Long, John Morton, Alexander McEinnon, John
McNeil, Jun., George Oswald, James Robertson, Alexander Stewart, James
Struthers, William McYie, William West, Archibald Wilson. Binboxj
unknown.

BKCEIVIMa 150 AORSa lAOB.

John Baulu. A native ofSutherlandshire; afterward took np land at the
mouth of Baiilies Brook, which received its name from him.
AaomBALD Caheron. History unknown.

PRIVATES RECEIVIMO 100 ACRES BACH.

Andrew Anderson. A native of East Lothian, and the first settler on
Andersons Mountain. Died 3rd August, 1845.

John Bradaw (properly Brady). Sold out.

David Booqet. Died at Fishers Grant, leaving no family.

DcNOAN CmsHOLH. Removcd to Baiilies Brook, where his descendants Btill
are.

WiLLiAV Cahpin or Campdbn. Sold out and removed to Truro.
John Collt. Suppose the same who afterward settled on Middle River^
where his descendants still are. A native of Elgin.

Jambs Dansey or Deupsbt. An Irishman ; settled at French River Bridge.
His descendants still there.

British Freedom. Strange as this name is, there is in the Registrar's oiBce
in Pictou a deed from him of his lot, under this inspiring name. Hence I
presume that he moved away.

Hardin Fbrdinand. A very stout, well-made Irishman, who afterward
enlisted in Governor Wentworth's Regiment.

Thomas Flemmino or Flebman. Sold out and removed away.

Robert Ferret, properly Gbrrard. An Irishman; afterward removed to
Rogers HUl.

1 Albxandbr Gordon. " Died at Fishers Grant on the 18tb inst, after an
illness of eight days, which he bore with resignation to the divine will, for
which he has always been exemplary, Mr. Alexander Gordon, ag^ed 80 yea^^

4di

learlng a drele of relatires and friends to moam their loss. He was of the
old 82nd Begiment,audone of the «arlie8t settlers in the district of Picton." —
Bee, Angpst aist, 1836.

Joan Ites. a native of Nottingham, England, but marrisd in the Kort;h of
Ireland. Died in Halifox, and his children, the eldest, the late George Ives,
Elder, then 12 yeara of age, came to take possession of their lot at Fishers
Giant. His descendants well known.

WiLLiAH KiBK. Afterwards removed to St. Marys, where his descendants
are numerous. A grandson in the Dominion Legislature.

Abdbxw Mdirhbad. a Lowland Scotchman ; first settled at the Ponds.
His descendants at Little Harbour and other places.

HvoH MoCartht. a tailor. Sold ont and removed to Truro.

JoHM MoDoDOALL. Blacksmlth in the Begiment. Lived at Fishers Grant.
The ferrymen, Donald and William, his sons.

Axons HcQuBBN. A native of the Isle of Skye ; settled at Little Harbour ;
a number of his descendants still in that neighbourhood. Donald McDonald
(Lochaber), Donald McDonald (Bann), Angus McDonald. These four the
first settlers in Little Harbour.

Charlis MoKinnon. From the Isle of Barra. Moved to Baillies Brook
where his descendants still are.

John MoNul, Donald MoNbil, Muroocb McNeil, Matthbw MoNbil, Johv
McNeil, Jun. Isle of Barra men, most of whom removed to Antigonish
Cotmty.

John and Jahbs MoPhebson. Settled at Fishers Grant ; John dead in 1 785.
James at his death described as a native of Badenoch. Their descendants
■till there.

WiLLiAH Robinson. A Scotchman. His descendants settled there.

WiLUAM Sharp. Died at the Beaches.

William Stkptoh. Married to Ives' widow, lived at lower part of Fishers
Grant.

John Small. Afterward the Elder, belonged to the Grenadier company.
One of the 18 saved from the wreck of the Transport. For some time in
an American prison, but with fifteen others made his escape ; and passing
through the American lines reached a British man-of-war. But afterward
drowned near his own house, at apart of the harbour of which it was said that
he knew every foot as well as his own farm.

Jambs TRtTSSTATB, properly Truesdale. Sold out and removed to Truro.

Jumes Arthur, Wm. Adams, William Bilboa, William Branon, Michael
Branon, George Brown, Charles Brown, John Brown, Archr^^ild Cameron,
Robt Clawson, Finlay Campbell, Donald Campbell, sr., Donald Campbell, jr.,
Alex. Campbell, Matthew Campbell, John Chisholm, Archibald Cochrane,
Thomas Connelly, Bobt. Dewar, John Diokson, Alex. Plckion, Dennis Dirk-

^ 462

ham, lAwrence Donnochie, Charlas Dunce, Francis Qobbiel, Angus McDonald
2nd, Angus McDonald 3rd, Peter McDonald, John McDonald, Roderick
McDonald, William Oowc, Peter Gowe, Richard Griffin, James Gibes, Robert
Gardner, Patricic Hajrno, or Kane, Archibald Henderson, Wm. Hodges, John
Holmes, Patrick Hunt, John Ives, Wm. Jack, Alex. King, Alex. Kennedy, John
Little, John Lunn, Wm. Lamplash, Peter Lamplash, I'honus Matheson, John
Mnnro, Hugh Miller, John Muir, John Morton, Samuel McBawc, Neil
McCallum, John McCladdy, Bryan McDermaid, Archibald McGary, John
McGillirray, Alex. McEenzio, Robert McKenzie, Alexander McLean, Ewan
McLean, Alexander McLean, Samuel McLean, John McLeod, Kenneth
McLeod, John Patterson, William Riddle, Robert Reid, Thomas Ryan, George
Robertson, Alex. Shaw, Charles Stewart, Darid Skervine, John Sovereign,
Patrick Skey, James Struthers, John Scott, John Stevenson, Matthew Talbot,
Thomas Townsend, Robt. Thyne, Wm. Wood, Thomas Wood, John Wright,
Robt. Warren. Unknown.

We find also in the County Records, the names of the following as soldiers
of the 82nd, whose names arj not in the grant, viz. : John Mcllvain, Robert
Irvin, Wm. McKay, John McGarvie, Wm. Hogan, George Osborne, Thomas
Crowe, as selling out their lots. There wcro others also who occupied theirs,
inch as Owen McEwan, or McKowan, a native of the County of Down, whoso
descendants are numerous.

LIST OP GRAN TEES OF 84tH EEGTMENT ON EAST

BRANCH.

ON TBI lAST BIDS OF TBI BIVER.

DovALD CjutERON. 150 acrcs. With his brothers, Finlay and Samuel, after-
wurd mentioned, were natives of the parish of Crquhart. Served 8 years and
4 months. His son, Duncan, long the elder, was a drummer boy in the
regiment, having served two years, and being fifteen years of age at his
disc' juge.

Albx. Caiuron. 100.

Robt. Clark. 100.

FiBLAT Cambron. 400. EuHsted in Canada with the view of joining his
friends in Nova Scotia. Returned thither to bring his family at the peace.
Was drowned shortly after his arrival, along with John Chisholm at tha
Narrows.

Samubl CAHBRoxJr. 100 acres. ^

463

Jmu Frasir (Big). 350 acres. A native of Stratbglass. Settled vheiv
hid grandson Donald, lives, a little below St. Pauls.

PsTKR GtUN-" The first older in this settlement.

Jahbs McDonald. Long the Elder ; said to have been the strongest man
in the Begiment. Bemoved to the London district of Ontario. Hon. Jame»
McDonald his grandson.

Hugh MoDonau). 100.

OH THB WIST BlOa. ^

Jaub Fbasir, 2nd. Usually known as CuUoden; 100 acres; farChest-ap-
settler on that side. His descendants there still. Bev. James W. Fnuicr
descended from him.

DcNCAN McDonald. 100 acres.
John McDonald. 250 acres; brother of James.

Sakdkl Caubon. 303 acres; brother of Donald and Finlay, already
mentioned.

John CmsHOLif, Sen. 300 . A Boman Catholic from Strathglass ; drowned
with F. Cameron, as mentioned ; father of Mrs. John McKenzie, Sen., West
Biver.

John Chisholv, Jun. 200 acres. Son of the last.

John McDonald, 2nd. 250 acres.

LIST OF GRANTEES AT WEST BRANCH AND OTHER PLACES
ON THE EAST RIVER, 18TH DECEMBER, 1797.

"WiLLiAK Fhasib. 350 acres. From Inverness, land situate at Big Brook,
now owned by his grandchildren.

JoBK' McEat. 300. U

John Bobbrtson. 450. At Churchvill^.

Wm. Bobbrtson. 200. Son of the laatj also near Churchville.

John Frasbr. 300. From Inverness, Springville, now occupied by Holmes
and others.

Thos. Frasbb. 200. From Inverness. An elder and noted for piety. Hi«
lot was at the head of the West BnAich.

Thos. McEihui. 100. Settled near Fish Poola.

t'ti

;ll

464

Datid MoLiam. 600. A seigwnt in the tarmy, or as some say m petty
officer in the navy. Was captured by the Spaniards, and afterward exchuiged
as a prisoner. Ho was a better scholar than usually found among the settlers,
was a surveyor, a magistrate, an elder in the church, and a leading man in
that section of the county.

Alkx. Cahiron. 300.

HsoTOR McLiAH. 400. From Inverness. Land still occupied by his
descendants.
John Forbss. 400. From Inverness. Land on East Branch Biver.

Alix. MoLaan. 600. Brother of Hector. Land opposito Steltarton, part
of it still occupied by his descendants.

Thos. Frabbr, jr. 100.

Jab. McLbllan. 600. From Inverness. Land above the Fish Pools, on the
opposite side or the river, occupied by his descendants.

DoHALD CmsHOLM. 350. From Btrathglass, originally a Catholic, but
became a Presbyterian. St. Columbas church built on part of his fi&rm.

BoBT. Ddnbab. 450
Albx. DraBAR. 200
Wh. Dunbar. 300
Jakbs Cambbon. 300.

scendants.
John MoDouoall. 250
John Chisholu. 300.
Donald CmsBOLM, jun.

grandsons.

BoBBRT Clark. 150.
by Mr. Thomas Fraser.
Donald Shaw. 300.
Albxandbb MoIntosh.

Three brothers from Inverness. All we believe
in the 84th. Their land still occupied by their
descendants.

Of the 84th. Land still occupied by his dc-
In the Begistrar's book, " J. M. Douglass."

400. From Inverness. Land occupied by his

Of the 84th, but moved away. Land now occupied

From Inverness. Land occupied by his grandsons.

500. From Inverness. His land now partly
occupied by Hopewell Village.

John MoLbllan. 100. From Inverness. Land occupied by D. H. McLean
and James Fraser.

The most of those marked as from Inverness were from the parish of
Urquhart, in that county, and served in the 84th. In the record of the grant,
dated Ist April, 1793, thsre are the additional names of Colin Bobinson,
William Bobinson, William McEensie, William Bobertson, heirs of John
Forbes, Hugh Dunooii, and ThomaB Fraaer, but Hector AkcLean's is omitted.

465
I.

LIST OP HIGHLAND PMIORANTS BY HALIFAX IN 1784.

Tbomab Fraber. a native of Kirkhill Parish. Settled nenviy opposite
New Glasgow, wliero lie was known as Deacon Tiiomt?, and Lis dcoccndints
are still so distinguished.

ITiLMAU Fraser (Ogg). Settled just above him.
FnAssn. Usually known as " Imsin."

Albxandir McEat. A brother of Roderick and Donald, already mentioned
as passengers in tho Hector. Had served in tho Fraser Highlanders at the
capture of Louisburg and Quebec. Near tho latter place received a ball in
his leg, which he carried till his death. Was a very powerful man. Lived
t") bo 07 ycori of age, and almost to the last, a reference to the campaign at
Quebec would stir up his blood. Settled near Fish Pools, where his son lately
resided.

Thouas MoKbnzie. Settled near Fish Pools, where Thomas Grant now
resides.

Alexanoer Fraser or PIoAndrew. From the parish of Eilmorack. Settled
at McLcllans Drook, but did not live long.

SiHov Fraser. Also an Elder. Settled on McLellans Brook, where his
SOD, William, filled the same ofiBce for fifty'years.

Jons KoBKRTsoN. A brother-in-law of Roderick and Donald McKay.
Tbo first settler at Churcbville. His drst clearing was made where John
Robertson, miller, now resides.

There was also a family of Frasers, who came, we believe, with this band.
The father died, the widow married William Dunbar, and the only son
moved into Antigonish County.

LIST OF MINISTERS FROM PICTOU COTTNTY.

PRISBTTERIAN.

B«yne.E. 8 | Haxborri'^E.I,

Blaikie, Alex., D. D.- Boston.
Cameron, John Elmsdale, N. S.

" John Dacoon. Sootla'd.

" D. W Ontario.

*' J.U Sonris. P. E. I.

PRBSBTTEniAN— (continued.)

Cameron, Alex Riverside, N.S.

Hubert J Scotland.

" Alex. II Ilcckston, Ont.

Campbell, John Sberbrooke, N.S.

" John Scotland.

" D.K United States.

Camming, Thomas Stellarton, N.6U

466

.GlenelK, N.S.
) Now

S London, P.E.I.

Tfmsnnmi AH. —Continued.

Camming, Robert.

Dunbar, Hush

Falconer, Alex Trinidad.

Forreit, John Halifax, N. S.

Fraaer, Wm. Bor.dhoad, Ont.

*' Simon United States.

•' I. W Rogers Hill, N.S.

Oeddie, John, D. D | New^HeWaes.

Gordon, D. M Ottawa.

" John Paisley, Ont.

Grant, George M HalTax, N. S.

" Charles M Glasgow.

•• D-....«k T { Missionary to

Kenneth, J \^^^ Ucbri'^os.

•• Ed Btewiaokc, N. 8.

•• Wm Karltown, N.S.

Gonn, Adam Kennetoook, N.S.

•• S. G St. Peters, P.E,I.

Livingston, John Dundee, Ont.

Matheson.J.W | ^ew UebJfdo" .

HeWille. Peter Kincardine, NB.

Millar, £. D Shelbume, N. S.

„ . ^,^ ) Missionary

Morton, John j ^^ Trinidad.

Murdoch. John L Windsor, N. S.

Murray, Isaac, D. D Cavendish, PlI*

" James A London, Ont.

" James D N. South Wales.

'• John D . . .•.Buotouohe,If.B.

" John Sydney,C.B.

" British Columbia

MoBean, Alex Halifax. N. S.

MoCuUoch, Wm.,D. D. .Truro, N. 8.
MoDonald, F. R Scotland.

" D Nottawasaga, On.

McQiUivray, Angus. .... Springville, N.S .
J.D Newport, N. S.

" Daniel Orockvillo.

McGregor. P. G., D. D- Halifax, N. S.

„ Simon British Columbia

McKentie, Alex Goderich, Ont.

*' Kenneth Baddeck, C. B.

w T nr ( Missionary to

''• ** JNewUebndjs.

McKay, H- B River John, '.3.

" J. McG Economy, N.S.

" Alex Eldon,Ont

" A. W StreeUville, Ont.

" Kenneth Richmond, N. B.

McLean, John Richibuoto, N.B.

" Alex Belfast. P.E.I.

pRiaiTTiRiAN. — Continued.

" James Londonderry, N3

" John D Miss'y to Japan*

McLeod, John M j Ch|irh)ttetown»

McMillan, Wm East River.

" John Truro,

McQuarrie, Hector Wingham, Ont*

" A.N Quebec.

McRae, Donald St. John, N. B.

Patterson, R. S Bodoque, P.E-I.

" George, D.D. Green Hill, N.S.

" Isaac United States.

Richard, James Wostport, N. S.

Robertson, Hugh A iN^eS"iia«.

Roddick, George West River, N.S>

Ron-s, Hugh Tatamagouche.

" James, D . D 11 alifax.

" Ebeneser Londonderry, NS

" Walter Beckwilh, Ont.

" Donald Lnncastcr, Ont.

» William \ Prino^ Williaitt

Simpson, L»ac j Musjiu-doboit,

Sutherland, Alex Longwood, Ont

" Wm Strathburn, Ont.

" George ....N. South Wales.

J.A.P St. Croix, N. 8.

'* John M Pugwash.

COMaRKOATIONALIBTS.

Hallidty,
McLeod, -

BAPTIST,

.United states.
.United States.

Beattio, Francis New Brunswick.

Clark, John United States.

Campbell. "

Gunn, •'

Shaw, P. B. IshuJd.

WESLETAN METHODIST.

Bums, J,

BPISCOPAI,.

Wilkins, L- M

ROHAN OATHOLIO.

McGregor, D. M Morigomish.

McKinnon, Donald Cape Breton.

Some of these were not bom in Picton, tbongh brought up here ; but them
might be added others, as Revs. A. O. Forbes and J. D. Forbes, bom in tlil»
County, though brought up elsewhere.

467

LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATDRE IHOM PICTOU COXINTY.

HIVBKnS or NOVA HCDTIA II0U8E OW AHHEHBLY.

1840 to 1843. County : John IIolmcH and Henry Ulackadur.
Townnhip: llenrjr Hutton.

1843 to 1847. Counhj: John IIolmcH and George R. Young.

Township: Gcorgo Smith, elected in 1843, but nnseated in
1844, when Henry lilackadar elected for remainder of
term.

1847 to IflBi. County : Gcorgo R. Young and Andrew Robertson.
Townthip : Henry Blackodur.

1S51 to 1855. County: John Holmca and Rol)ert Murray.
Towtahip : Martin I. Wilkins.

1855 to 1859. County: George McKcnsio and A. 0. McDonald.
Townihip : Martin I. Wilkins.

1859 to 1863. Pattern Diitnct: George McKenzio and A. C. McDonald.
Weitem do: A. 0. McDonald and R. P. Grant.

1863 to 18G7. Eastern District : James McDonald and James Fraser.
Western do: Alexander McKay and Donald Fraacr.

MBMBSRa or LKOISLATITB COUNCIL.

lions. George Smith, David Cricbton, and John Holmes.
UNDER CONFEDERATION.

iisiiBERS or nocsB or commons

1867 to 1872. James W. Carmicbael.

1872 to 1873. Robert Doull and James McDonald.

1873. James W. Carmicbael and John A. Dawson.

BINATORS.

1767 to 1876. Hon. John Holmes.
1877. Hon. R. P. Grant.

'' HOUSI or ASgEHBlY.

1867 to 1871. Dr. George Murray, R. 8. Copeland, and M. I. WIlkinB.
1871. Simon H. Holmes, Alexander McKay, and Hugh J. CamerOQ.

1867.

LEOISLATITK OOUHCIL.

Hon. James Eraser.

^ ■

I 3Sr IDE X

PAdl.

Ibeoakis , 34

Academy Fictou 322 et teg.

Acadia Coal Company 413 et teq.

Agriculture 43G

Agricultural, first Society 29G

Albion Mines 412

Alline, Rev. H 113

American War, first 08

" Settlers 00

Archibald, 8. O. W 221

Artilloiy Company 261

Baillic, John 4C0

Baillies Drook 4C0

Ballast Pier 312

Baptists 44G

Barneys River 108 283

Beaches. 15

Bears 80

"Bee" 384

Bennct, Rov. James 113

Bible Society, first, 271

" Reorganized 312

Blanchard Settlement 231

DIanchard, Jotham 353 3G8 et teq.

Blue Mountain 284

Boundaries of County 9

Burke, Rev. Ed 268

Cameron, Alexander 454

" Donald 00

Campbell, John 413

« Donald, murder by. .. 209

Gape John 237

Garmichael, James 274

Carriboo 11 230

Carr, Adam 398

Censns, first, C7, later 442

Cheese Factories 439

Churches, first 147

Churchvlllo 123

Clearing Land 223

Coal 108 309 423

Coast 14

Cochrono Grant 153 240

Cock, Rev. Daniel no 112

"Colonial Standard" 385

Copolands 153

Council of XII 332 371

Court, Inferior 2I6

" Buprome 2I6

Court Iloune 2I6

Crerar, Peter. . s. 406

Crichton, David 303

Crown Brick Coal k Pottery Co. . 420

Dalhousio, Earl of 253 331

Dalhousie Mountain 275

Davidson, James 69

" Thomas 256

Dawson, John IGO 256

" James 309

" Robert 309

Dcnyg, M., description by 24

DesBarres, Col. J. F. W 53 128

Dumfries Immigrants 91 IGO

231 276 457
Dunoon, Hugh 159 226

Earltown 277

East Branch East River 121

1G3 231 460

" Eastern Chronicle " 385

Eden, Garden of 284

Eighty-second Regiment... 116 456

•« Grant 116

Eighty-fourth Regiment... 119 460
Eight Mile Brook 123

469

PAOI.

Elders, fiat 133

Elettlon of 1799 193

« 1830 380

Elliott, Rev. C harks 445

EuKland, Church cf 444

Emigration, how conduutcd. . .. 241

« Enterprisf," brig 300

FalrUnks, C. R 333

Foils 17

Fanners, first 231

" Fuvouritc," voyage of the 234

Fisher, John's Omnt CO

FlsheriL'S 305

Fitzpatrkk, Jnmes 238

Flogging 204

Foord i>it 410

Four Mile Brook 235

Frascr, Alexander 183 454

" David 262

" Rev. Donald A.. 317 343 362

•• Jnrocs D. B 412

'« John 460

" » (Collector) M7

•' Simon 178

«« William (surveyor) 136

Free Stone 441

Free Church disruption 429

Free Port, Pictou made 365

French 24 38 42 43

Friends' Society of 449

Frost, year of 295

Gairloch settled 241

General Mining Association .... 400

Geology of county 18

Godoricb. Lord, despatch from . . 353

Grant, Peter 157

Grants, first 49

Halibnrton, T. C 338 351

Harris family 73 75

« Dr. John 73

« Matthew 74 100

Harris Thomas, Sr 74

'« Thomas, Jr 67 216

Hattos, Henry 309

« Hector". 19«tuq.

" passengers 81 etMtq. 400

Hines 303

Holmes, Hon. John 428

«' Hope," brig 66 e( m^.

Houquard, H 233

Howe, Hon. Joseph 376

Indians (See Micmacs)

Ingiis, Bishop 337

Intercolonial Coal Company. .. , 415

Iron ores 425

Iron Foundiies 441

Jail erected , 199

Kennedy, Wm 65

Knoydnrt 169

Lakes 17

Langills 13J

Legislatures, members of 467

Library, subscription 312

Lightliouses 14 397

L. & S. Society 396

Lowdcn, Capt 102 169

Lowrcy, Capt 309

Lulan 190

Lyon, Rev. James 76

McCabe, James 60 75

" John 178

McCara, A 238

McCullocb, Dr. Thomas 266 321 el leq^

" Michael 330

McDonald, Rev. James 443

« « Alex 443

" Dougald murdered... 218

McFadyan, murder by 302

McGee, Bar 65 108

McGregor, Dr. James. .134 et uq. 392

Mcintosh, murder by 213

McKay, Alex., sen 467

« " jun 286 .290

" John (Collier) 398

« Robert 309

'< Roderick 85, 103, 451

« WiUiam 461

4T0

MoKonsio, Cnptain Ocorgo 431

<' Rlv. Kvnneth J..310

343 355 362

McKinlay, R<;v John 330 301

McLean, Hector 25C

UcLuod, Rfv Norman 318

" » Hugh 320

McLcnnanH Ikook 228

" Mount 228

McNutt, Col 48

McPhail, John 302

Mail Carrying 228 307

"Malignant" 106

Manufactures 440

Marshy Hopo 284

Mathcson, William 266

MerigomiHh 12 1C8

Mice, in Prince Edward Ivland . . 04

" year of 293

Micmac8..26e<wjr. 42 58 91 106

183 186 188 102

Mill Brook 225

Millfl, James 237

Milno, William 368

Militia 261

Ministers 467

Mitchell, Rev. John 269

Mohawks 32

Montbiliards 126

Moose Hunting 177

Morrison, Ocorge 100

Mortimc:-, Edward 260 el teq-

« William 303

Mountains 17

Mount Thorn settled 227

Murray, Walter 109

Name of Pictou 21

Natural Hislcry 19

New Annan 279

New Glasgow 274

Now Lairg 236

Nova Scotia Coal Company 418

Oat Mill, first .-.....:... 296

« second 22

" Obscnrer," Pictou 884

Olding, N. P 134

Pagan, John 70

" Robert 160

PatlaKS 180

Patrick, Rev. William 271

Patterson, Abraham 304

<• Governor 163

<* James and David. . .. 73

" John (deacon).. Ill 154

** John (second) 72

« John (third) 306

u Robert (squire) 56 70 00

110

« Robert (black) 307

« Walter 307

P«iace, effects of 292

Petitpas, M 41

Philadelphia Company. ... 62 «< uq.

Pictou Island 13 18 281

Piedmont 283

Point Betty Island 27

Poor, Account for 107

Pounds 201

Picsbytery of Pictou, first 171

Press Gangs 259

Privateers, American 105

Prothoilotarics 217

Railroad, A Mines 406

M Halifax and Pictou.. 430

River John 12 130

Roads 61 202 205 210 264 392

Robertson, Col. Alex 115 460

Rogers, John 75

Roman Catholic Immigration. . . 163

" Church 443

Ross, Rev. Duncan 171

" John 70

« Royal William " 394

Rum Drinking 247

Sabbath School, firbt GO

«• Society for 311

Salmon Regulations 201 206

gSaltsprings 273

471

124

150

180

271

304

153

. .

164

• •

306

110

, ,

307

. .

307

. ,

292

. .

leg.

281

283

167

201

171

259

105

217

4oa

430

130

392

460

163

443

171

304

247

. .

311

208

, ,

273

Savago, Captain 27

fit. Marys 285

fiuwmlll, nrst C5

Scaviow Cemetery 30 241

ScBgionM, Court of 201

Sheriffs 218

iihip Building ico 430

Slilpping 431

Simpson, David 4C1

Six Milo Broolc 235

Slavery io7 148

Smith, lion. Oeorge 303

Stage (?oacli 391

fitellar Coal 413

<' E: psures" Letters 257 300

48i 11 Navigation 394

Stewart, Alex. (Post) 227

Stoclis 200, 207

Sutherland, John 124

Tatamagoache i^g

Tattrie, Georgo 127

Temperance Societies 386

Timber 02 98 244 360 43C

Toncy, Captain 42

Toncy River 43 237

Tongo, W. Cottnam 193

Town, (Irst laid off 61

Town, present, commcnecd 1 4

Town Uut bridge 212

Township boundaries 10

Union of Presbyterians 31ft

Vale Collitiy 422

Wttlloco, Hon. M 195

Walmcsley 116

Wauph, W 94

Wcntwortb, Sir John... tH 124 161

165
West Branch East Iliver. . . 122 461

" River John 238

West India Trade 306

Wcstvillo 419

Williams, Richard 162

Witherspoon, Dr 79

Windsor College 324

POSTSCRIPT.

After the greater part of the foregoing work was printed, we received the
following statement, as made by the late James Patterson : —

"When the "Hector" arrived herein 1773, there were but nine huts in
the whole of the present connty, viz., one at Howlets (a little above Norway
House), just new, occupied by Robert Patterson ; one at John Brown's farm,
oecopicd by Dr. Harris ; one ot James Rae's, occupied by John Rogers ; one
at Saw Mill, occupied by Kennedy and Blaisdell ; one at Eraser's farm (now
Evans' ), by James McCabo ; one at Dunoon's farm, on the hill, by Mr. Earl ;
one at David I^owden's farm, by Mr. Watson ; one at West River, at Davidson's
farm, by Mr. Aitliin; one at West River, nt Beck's farm, by Barney McQee."

We arc Ratislied that this is imperfect, as Matthew Harris was certainly hero
in 1773; alro Hoi ton, and probably some others. Watson lived, and soon
after died, at West River, where Robert Stewart now lives. It would seem
.nlso that the place where wo mentioned John Rogers as having located
himself on Rogers Hill, was not where ho first lived. We may have made a
mistake at page 102, in describing the seizure of Captain Lowden as having
taken place in the house of Mr. Wangh. The gentleman who gave us the
history, the late Robert McKay, Esq., and who received it from Captain
Lowden himself, said that it took place in the house of the man who lived
on Dunoon's farm. Waugh, wo knew, lived there, but Earl, who was a koea
American sympathiser, may Lave been still there, and it may have taken
place in his house.

nv rill': samm aui mor

Win' I llltll*

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