TITLE PAGE -
HISTORICAL
and
GENEALOGICAL RECORD
of the
FIRST SETTLERS OF COLCHESTER COUNTY
DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME
COMPILED FROM THE MOST AUTHENTIC SOURCES
BY
THOMAS MILLER
----------
HALIFAX, N.S. :
A. & W. MACKINLAY,
1873
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++In certain text in the book, errors are made.
The book begins with the Preface on page 3 and an index of the contents of the book are as follows.
[NOTE: All references to time, eg. 'now','is', 'have', etc. are based on the year 1873 and errors are noted in the book]
John TAYLOR, their eldest son, was born in New Hampshire, June 2nd, 1752, and was brought by his parents to Truro, when he was ten years old. His name is among the grantees of the Township, although he was only in his fourteenth year at the time. His front lot was adjoining his father's land, and he inherited his father's farm. About the year 1802 he sold his farm in Truro, and removed to St. Mary's, and settled on an interval farm at the forks, being the same on which the Rev. Mr. PITBLADO and the Messrs. ARCHIBALD now reside. In the year 1812 he sold his farm there to Alexander M. ARCHIBALD, and removed up the East River, and died there. He as married to Nancy, the eldest daughter of Samuel ARCHIBALD, Senr., and Eleanor TAYLOR, his wife. They had three sons and five daughters.
James, the second son of Matthew and Elizabeth TAYLOR, was born
-- p. 109 --
in New Hampshire in the year 1754, and was brought by his parents to Truro
when eight years old. He was married to Rebecca BARTLETT. They removed
to Majorfield, New Brunswick, and carried on farming there very
extensively. He had his barn so constructed that he could unload a ton of
hay from his cart into the mow in a minute and a half.
Matthew, the third son of Matthew and Elizabeth TAYLOR, was born in New Hampshire June 28th, 1755, seven years before they came to Truro. He was married to Rebecca, daughter of James ARCHIBALD, Senr., February 6th, 1783. John Archibald, their eldest son, was born in Truro February 9th, 1784. James, their second son was born February 19th, 1786. Matthew, their third son, was born June 16th, 1787. David, their fourth son, was born October 22nd, 1788. Elizabeth, their daughter, was born March 2nd, 1790. Mr. TAYLOR settled on the farm on which the late John D. CHRISTIE lived and died. He had a Saw Mill about half a mile up the brook. He and his family removed to Ohio, United States, about the year 1792.
David, the fifth son of Matthew and Elizabeth TAYLOR, was born about
the year 1760. He was settled on the farm on which William T. ARCHIBALD
now resides. On January 15th, 1799, when he was chopping in the woods, a
large limb fell from the tree and struck him on the head. He was found
dead. He was married to Eleanor ARCHIBALD in the year, 1783. Janet,
their eldest daughter, was born in Truro, August 19th, 1784. She was
married to Adam McKEEN, of St. Mary's, August 15th, 1805. They had four
sons and four daughters. Thomas, the eldest son of David and Eleanor
TAYLOR, was born April 26th, 1786. He inherited his father's farm, and
was married to Lucy, daughter of Ebenezer and Catherine HOAR, of Onslow,
October 6th, 1807. Their only daughter, Eleanor, was born August 3rd,
1808. She was married to David T. ARCHIBALD, and had one son and six
daughters. On the 3rd of January, 1809, Thomas TAYLOR and his brother
Matthew were in the woods together. In chopping down a tree it fell upon
Thomas and killed him. Matthew ran home with the sad tidings to his wife.
She ran, wither her child, five months old, in her arms, and was the first
on the spot. She removed the had in which was the brains of her husband.
The scene may be more easily imagined than described. His widow was
married again to David, the second son of William and Ann McKEEN, and they
had two sons and one daughter. Elizabeth, the second daughter of David
and Eleanor TAYLOR, was born in Truro, July 31st, 1788. She was married
to William, son of Gavin JOHNSON. William
-- p. 110 --
JOHNSON built the house, and lived in it some time,
which is now owned by John HATTIE, of Salmon River. He removed to Ohio,
United States, about the year 1815. Matthew, the youngest son of David
and Eleanor TAYLOR, was born in Truro, May 29th, 1791. He was married to
Elizabeth, daughter of Ebenezer and Catherine HOAR, of Onslow, April 1st,
1813. Eleanor, their eldest daughter, was born in Truro, April 18th,
1814. She was married to William McLEOD, of Bible Hill, May 21st, 1855.
Susan, their second daughter was born October 27th, 1818. She was married
to Charles BLACKIE, of New Annan, October 22nd, 1844. They had three sons
and one daughter. She died March 27th, 1859. Thomas, the eldest son of
Matthew and Elizabeth TAYLOR, was born June 16th, 1821. He was married to
Susan, daughter of Benjamin LYNDS, of North River, March 27th, 1863.
George, their eldest son, was born in Truro, December 31st, 1863. Thomas
B., their second son, was born March 27th, 1865. Catherine, the third
daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth TAYLOR, was born October 10th, 1824.
James, their second son, was born April 2nd, 1829. He was married to
Elizabeth WATSON, November 16th, 1854. They had one son. Mrs. TAYLOR
died January 19th, 1856, and he was married again to Margaret MILLER, of
New Annan, February 23rd, 1864. Matthew, the youngest son of Matthew and
Elizabeth TAYLOR, was born May 27th, 1831. He was married to Esther,
daughter of David ARCHIBALD 9th, and Rebecca SPENCER, his wife, March
24th, 1868. Bessie, their daughter, was born January 5th, 1869. Eleanor,
the youngest daughter of David and Eleanor TAYLOR, was born in Truro May
2nd, 1796. She was married to Charles HALL of Halifax. They had one son
and one daughter. Mr. HALL died some time ago, and she was married again
to Martin MURPHY of Maitland. Margaret, daughter of Matthew TAYLOR,
Senr., and Elizabeth ARCHIBALD, was born in Truro July 12th, 1763, being
the next summer after they came to Nova Scotia. She died young.
Samuel, the sixth son of Matthew TAYLOR, Senr., and Elizabeth
ARCHIBALD, was born in Truro February 17th, 1765. He was married, and had
a family of children. He was on of the eight who settled first in Upper
Stewiacke in the spring of the year 1784. Shortly after, he removed to
Ohio, United States. Robert, the fourth son of Matthew and Elizabeth
TAYLOR, was born in New Hampshire about the year 1757, and was brought by
his parents to Nova Scotia in December, 1762. He was married to Mehetabel
WILSON of Chiganoise December 6th, 1781; they had two sons and three
daughters. He
-- p. 111 --
bought the mill which stood then between the North
River bridge and James McNUTT's shop, from Simeon HOWARD (who first built
it). He afterwards sold out and remove to Ohio, United States.
Archibald, the seventh son of Matthew and Elizabeth TAYLOR, was born in Truro December 28th, 1766. He was married to Jane, the eldest daughter of William and Mary BLAIR of North River. She died shortly after they were married. He removed to St. Mary's and was married again to Mary McDONALD of Pictou; They had three sons and two daughters. He died suddenly, at St. Mary's, about the year 1837, aged 70 years. Elizabeth, the second daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth TAYLOR, was born in Truro February 28th, 1769. She was married to Gain, son of Richard BARTLETT; they had one son and one daughter. Gain BARTLETT was born in Truro, June 28th, 1764; he was married, and had two children. When driving home a load of wood one day, he fell from the sled in front of the runner. The team stopped, and when he was found the sled was on his body, and he was dead.
William, the eighth and youngest son of Matthew and Elizabeth TAYLOR,
was born in Truro November 7th, 1771. He was married to Margaret,
daughter of Alexander McCURDY of Onslow; they had one son and three
daughters. Mrs. TAYLOR died when her children were all young. Their sons
name was Daniel TAYLOR. He was married to a daughter of William LYNDS of
North River, and had a family of children. They removed to Illinois,
United States, about the year 1835. Elizabeth, the daughter of William
and Margaret TAYLOR, was married to Robert BLAIR of North River. Her
family appears among the BLAIR families. William TAYLOR removed to St.
Mary's, was married again, and had a family of children. About the year
1840 he was chopping in the woods at Sherbrooke, and was killed by the
falling of a tree. Matthew TAYLOR, Senr., was the second son of Matthew
and Janet TAYLOR, who came from Londonderry, Ireland, to Londonderry,
N.H., in the year 1722.
------- END OF CHAPTER --------
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mary, the eldest daughter of Alexander and Dorcas VANCE, was born in the year 1778. She married to John MORRISON, of Debert in the year 1797. They had five sons and three daughters. She died July 14th, 1850, aged 72 years, and her husband died October 11th, 1857, aged 86 years.
John, the eldest son of Alexander and Dorcas VANCE, was born in
--page 191--
the year 1779. He was married to Catherine McGREGOR in the year 1800.
They had four sons and five daughters. Mr VANCE died in May, 1869, aged
89 Years, and his wife died in December, 1869. Thomas, their second son,
was born in the year 1783, and was married to Rebecca CARR, in the year
1806. They had four children before they moved to Michigan, U.S., and had
a number afterwards. He died there in the year 1860, aged 77 years.
Jane, their second daughter, was born in the year 1785. She was married
to Richard UPHAM, of North River, December 31st, 1805. They had three sons
and two daughters. Mr. UPHAM died in the year 1815, before his son Richard
was born. Richard was born October, 1815 and she was married again to
Willaim MILLER, 1819. She died in Truro in the year 1860, aged 75 years.
David, their third son, was born in the year 1786. He left home when about
twenty years old, to follow the sea, and never was heard from. Margaret,
their third daughter, was born in the year 1791. She was married to Andrew
FULMORE, of Five Islands, in the year 1810. They had five sons and four
daughters. She died in May, 1836, aged 45 years; her husband was married
again. He died May 17th, 1872. Isabel, their fourth daughter, was born in
the year 1793. She was married to Robert SIMPSON, of Economy, in the year
1815. They had five sons and three daughters. They removed to Portland,
Me. about the year 1845, and died there. Alexander, the fourth son of
Alexander and Dorcas VANCE, was born February 15th, 1795. He was married
to Elizabeth MILLER, of Debert, March 17th, 1820. He settled, and built
the house that Frederick PEARSON, Esq., recently lived in, where they
resided until about the year 1834, when they removed to Canada. They had
four sons and three daughters. Mr. VANCE died there in the year 1857, aged
62 years. Rebecca, their fifth daughter, was born in the year 1798. She
was married to Hugh McINNIS in the month of November, 1818. They had four
sons and four daughters. They settled on the Wallace Road, near the Folly
Lake, and continued there until about 1834, when they removed to Canada.
She died there in the year 1858, aged 60 years, and her husband died in
the year 1869. James, the fifth and youngest son of Alexander and Dorcas
VANCE, was born December 1st, 1800. He was married to Margaret, daughter
of Edward FAULKNER and Jane SAVAGE, of Hants County, August 19th, 1820.
They had four sons and two daughters. Mrs. VANCE died June 18th, 1845,
aged 45 years,
--page 192--
and he was married again to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry McLAUGHLAN of
Economy and Jane WILSON, widow of the late James CAMPBELL, of the Folly.
Mrs VANCE died, and he is living with his son at the Folly.
------- END OF CHAPTER --------
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
On April 12th, 1719, the first sermon was preached to these settlers of Londonderry, N.H., by the Rev. James McGREGOR, under the wide-spreading branches of a venerable oak, which, for more than a century after, marked the spot. Then, for the first time, did this wilderness and solitary place, over which savage tribes had roamed for centuries, resound with the voice of prayer and praise, and echo the sound of the glorious Gospel. The text was chosen from Isaiah 32nd chapter and 2nd verse--"And a man shall be as a hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place; as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land."
James McKEEN, ancestor of all the McKEENs that came to New England and Nova Scotia, lived in the North of Ireland. He was a staunch Protestant, and took an active part in the defence of Londonderry in the years 1688 and 1689. He and his brother John were partners in business. The resided in Ballymony, and became comparatively wealthy.
James McKEEN, his eldest son with his second wife, Annis
--page 315--
CARGILL, and family, came to America in the year 1718,
and settled in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Here he was an active, leading
man for many years. He was the first Justice of the Peace in Londonderry;
his Commission is dated April 29th, 1720, and was in a state of good
preservation in 1850, in the possession of his grandson, Rev. Silas
McKEEN of Bradford, Vermont. He was born in Ireland in the year 1666, and
died in Londonderry, N.H., November 9th, 1756, in the nintieth year of his
age. His widow, Annis CARGILL, died August 8th, 1782, aged 93 years.
John, the eldest son of James and Annis McKEEN, was born in Ballymony,
Ireland, April 13th, 1714. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church in
Londonderry, N.H. He was a representative in the Legislature, and held
several other civil offices in the town. He married Mary McKEEN, daughter
of his uncle John, and had a large family.
James McKEEN, their eldest son, was married to Miss CUNNINGHAM. Soon after their marriage they removed to Peterborough, where he died in 1790. His son Levi McKEEN removed to the State of New York, 1790, where he went by the name of Judge McKEEN for many years. He filled a number of responsible offices in the State.
Rev. Joseph McKEEN, D.D., was the third son of John McKEEN, and grandson of James McKEEN, Esq., who emigrated to New Hampshire, 1718. He was born in Londonderry, N.H., October 15th, 1757. When quite young he manifested a strong desire to obtain a liberal education. With this end in view, he continued to prosecute his studies until the year 1775, when he joined the army as a private soldier to fight for independence. After the war was over, he again resumed his studies; and, in a short time, was licensed by the Presbytery of Londonderry to preach the everlasting Gospel. After preaching some time in Boston, he was called to take charge of a congregation in Beverly, Mass. He accepted the call, and was ordained in May, 1785. Here he continued to labour as a minister of Christ for seventeen years, when he was called to the office of President of Bowden College. His inauguration took place on the second day of September, 1802. There being no church in the village, the people used to assemble in a grove, not idolatrously, we presume; and then he would conduct the worship of God, under the blue canopy of heaven, shaded from the scorching sun by the beautiful trees, grander than any modern church.
Dr. McKEEN was, in person, above the ordinary stature, and of
--page 315--
noble appearance. He was dignified, yet simple, gentle
and affable in his manners. His walk and conversation, in the church and
in the world, were becoming and consistent. As a public speaker, his
voice was clear and strong. He managed the affairs of the college in such
a way as to give general satisfaction, until September, 1805, when he was
laid aside by illness. He bore his sickness with Christian submission and
fortitude. Towards the close of his life, the fifty-first Psalm was his
favourite subject of meditation and conversation. Deeply sensible of past
sins, he relied on the free and sovereign grace of God in Christ Jesus.
He fell asleep in Jesus, July 15th, 1807, aged 52 years.
John, the brother of James McKEEN, Esq., intended to emigrate with him. He died, however, a short time before the vessel sailed. His widow, Janet, with her four children, came to America with James.
Her son, John McKEEN, Esq., was another of the early settlers of Truro. He was a Grantee of the Township. Two of his sons, William and John, were Grantees also. Their three house lots were adjoining each other, and are now owned by Jas. F. BLANCHARD, Esq., J. L. CROW, Esq., Dr. Charles BENT, Mr. George GUNN, James BERRELL, Esq., Mr. Charles B. ARCHIBALD, and a number of others, extending the same breadth north to the interval. They all resided on these lots for a short time. John McKEEN, Esq., was born in Ireland in the year 1700. His wife, Martha CARGILL, was born in 1707. They were married in 1741, and had three sons and two daughters, who came to Nova Scotia with them in the year 1760. Mr. and Mrs. McKEEN both died in one day, December 30th, 1767.
William, the eldest son of John and Martha McKEEN, was born in
1745. He was married to Ann, the second daughter of David ARCHIBALD,
Esq., and Elizabeth ELLIOTT, October 3rd, 1771. He sold out his property
in the Village about the year 1780, and purchased the Mill site and Mills
which were owned by Alexander MILLER and Capt. John MORRISON. Here he
resided and carried on Milling until the spring of the year 1815. He then
sold out in Truro to Mr. John McDOUGALL, and removed to Musquodoboit,
where he continued a number of years. He died there in 1826. His wife
was deprived of her sight for a number of years before they left Truro.
She died at Mabou, Cape Breton, in the house of her son Samuel in 1836,
aged 84 years. Martha, the eldest daughter of William and Ann McKEEN, was
born in Truro, September 26th, 1772. She died February 5th,
--page
317--
1773. *John McKEEN, the eldest son, was born Dec. 12, 1773.* He
followed the sea when he was a young man. He served some time on board a
ship of war as carpenter. He returned home about the year 1811. He was
married to Isabell THOMSON in 1812. They settled beside the old Halifax
road, about three miles south of Gay's River where they kept an inn, and
spent the remainder of their lives. He died there June, 1857, aged 83
years. His wife died in Halifax, July 16th, 1834. Eliza Ann McKEEN,
their eldest daughter, was born May 28th, 1813. She was married to James
ETTER of Halifax, August 7th, 1834. They had five sons and three
daughters. They settled at Shubencadie, where he died July, 1869.
Margaret McKEEN, their second daughter, was born March 25th, 1815. She
was married to Samuel KERR, April, 1846. They had two sons and three
daughters. William McKEEN, their eldest son, was born February, 1817. He
was married to Jane KEYS. They had three sons and six daughters. James
Alexander, the second son of John and Isabell McKEEN, was born in 1819.
He died a bachelor in 1848. Isabell Thomson McKEEN, their third daughter
was born March 10th, 1821. She was married to William, the eldest son of
David and Martha WHIPPIE, of Onslow, November 7th, 1839. They had three
sons and eight daughters. John McKEEN, their third son, was born May
20th, 1824. He learned the trade of saddler and harness maker with John
McKEEN, of Mabou, C.B. He removed to the United States, was married
there, and had two sons and one daughter. On May 12th, 1859, some man
forced into his shop, dragged him to the door, and stabbed him with a
knife, causing instant death. His wife died about the year 1861. David
McKEEN, their forth son, was born October, 1826. He was married to
Elizabeth IRVIN of Musquodoboit.
They had four sons and two daughters. Mrs. McKEEN died, and he was
married again to Isabell IRVIN. They had three sons and one daughter.
Caroline McKEEN, their fourth daughter, was married to Adam BENVEY, of
Mabou, C.B. August, 1860. Livinia L. McKEEN, their fifth daughter,
removed to the United States, and was married there to Frank TAYLOR. They
had three daughters. Mr. TAYLOR died, and she was married again to
William MULLON. Martha, the eldest daughter of John McKEEN, Esq., was born
in 1742. She was married in the States, and remained there.
David, the second son of William and Ann McKEEN, was born in
Truro, July 31st, 1775. He was married to Diana HUCHINSON, 1801. They
settled at Musquodoboit. He carried on milling at the same place that
James and Matthew ARCHIBALD's mills now stand. His
--page 318--
first wife died there in February, 1811. He was married again to Susan,
daughter of John and Ann LOGAN, of Truro, 1811. She died of consumption,
in 1813. He was married the third time to Lucy, daughter of Ebenezer HOAR
and Catherine DOWNING, of Onslow, widow of the late Thomas TAYLOR, March,
1818. He died in July, 1824. After his death, his widow and children
returned to Truro, and resided on her first husband's farm, until about
the year 1843. She then removed to Pictou town with her sons, Thomas and
Ebenezer McKEEN, where she died October 4th, 1847. John, the eldest son
of David and Diana McKEEN, was born May 7th, 1802. He served with Mr.
Alexander KNIGHT, of Truro, and learned the trade of saddle and harness
making. He removed to Mabou, C.B. He was married there to Grace SMITH,
November 9th, 1826. They had four sons and four daughters. Mrs. McKEEN
died February 13th, 1870. William McKEEN, their second son was born May
27th, 1804. He removed to Mabou also. He was married there to Rebecca
SMITH, about the year 1830. They had two sons and seven daughters. He
died there March 26th, 1867. David McKEEN, their third son, was born
August 6th, 1806. He was married to Susan HIGGINS, of Musquodoboit,
January 5th, 1831. They had seven daughters. Mr. McKEEN, Joseph PARKER,
James HIGGINS and John READ, went together to a lake south of Musquodoboit
to fish. By some means they were thrown from their boat or raft into the
lake, and were all found drowned, June 13th, 1851. Ann, the only daughter
of David and Diana McKEEN, was born June 4th, 1808. She died at Mabou,
C.B., February, 1827, aged 19 years.
Susan, the only daughter of David and Lucy McKEEN, was born June, 1819. She was married to Thomas NELSON, of Musquodoboit, in 1840. They had one son and two daughters. She died about the year 1848. Thomas, the eldest son of David and Lucy McKEEN, was born in 1821. He learned the trade of tanning and shoe making with Major A.L. ARCHIBALD of Truro. He removed to Pictou town, and carried on his business there for a number of years. He then removed to Cape Breton, where he still resides. He was married in Pictou to Mary ROACH, May, 1849. They had four sons and seven daughters. Ebenezer McKEEN, their second and youngest son, was born in 1823. He removed to Pictou with his mother and brother Thomas. He died there in June 1847, aged 24 years.
Margaret, the second daughter of William and Ann McKEEN, was born
in Truro, September 18th, 1777. She died young.
--page 319--
James, their third son, was born April 10th, 1779. He removed to
Cape Breton, and was married to Eliza SCOTT, of Musquodoboit, August,
1824. They had four sons and two daughters. He died at Mabou, C.B., in
1847, aged 68 years. His widow and family removed to the United States.
Mrs. McKEEN died there in 1853. Elizabeth, the third daughter of William
and Ann McKEEN, removed to Musquodoboit with her parents and family. She
died there unmarried, July 1851. Margaret McKEEN, their fourth daughter,
was born in Truro, 1786. She was married to Robert HIGGINS, of
Musquodoboit. They had two sons and two daughters. She died in July,
1860.
William McKEEN, their fourth son, was born in Truro, August 18th, 1789. He left home when a young man and went to Pictou for a while, when the timber trade was brisk there. He returned and went to Musquodoboit, where he was married to Elizabeth McDOUGALL, July, 1811; and, soon after, they removed to Mabou, C.B., where he carried on a large business as a merchant and farmer. They had five sons and six daughters. His first wife died December 18th, 1834. He was married again to Christiann SMITH in April, 1835. They had five sons and seven daughters. He was a member of the Legislative Council of Nova Scotia for a number of years before his death. He died May 17th, 1865, aged 76 years. Martha McKEEN, their fifth daughter, was born in 1792. She was married to Samuel BENVEY, of Musquodoboit, about 1820. They had five sons and five daughters. Mr. BENVEY died in March, 1841, aged 50 years. A few years after the death of her husband, she removed with her family to Cape Breton.
Samuel, the fifth and youngest son of William and Ann McKEEN, was born in Truro, August 25th, 1794. He removed with his parents and the rest of the family to Musquodoboit, in 1815. He was married there to Jane HIGGINS, in 1818. They had four sons and two daughters. He removed to Cape Breton. His wife died there April 10th, 1865. He was married again to Mrs. Mary ROSS, of Margaree, March, 1871.
John, the second son of John and Martha McKEEN, was born before
they came to Nova Scotia, in 1747. In the after part of his life, he went
by the name of Captain McKEEN. He was married to Rachel, daughter of
Lieut. John and Sarah JOHNSON, December 30th, 1769. He resided a large
portion of his life in a house which stood near the place where Mr.
TREMAIN now resides. Mr. William LOGAN,
--page 320--
his neighbour, was passing the house of Mr. McKEEN, who
was busily engaged chopping wood. Mr. LOGAN said to him, you are hard at
work this morning, Mr. McKEEN. Mr. McKEEN replied: "O yes; it has become
a second nature for me to work." Mr. Logan replied: I'm glad of it, for
it was never your first. His first wife, Rachel, died December 3rd, 1781.
He was married again to Rachel DUNCAN, widow of the late Samuel ARCHIBALD,
2nd, February 12th, 1783. In his old days, he removed to St. Mary's, to
live with his youngest son, William, and his wife remained in Truro. Once
he said that he travelled all the way from St. Mary's to Truro to see his
wife, and when he came he could not see her. He had lost his sight a few
years before. He died at St. Mary's. His second wife died in Truro,
January 20th, 1814, aged 71 years.
John, the eldest son of Captain John and Rachel McKEEN, was born
in Truro, December 30th, 1770. He was married to Elizabeth, the third
daughter of Dr. John HARRIS and Elizabeth SCOTT, December, 1798. (They
were the first whom Mr. WADDELL married after he came to Truro.) He
settled and cleared a small part of the farm that Mr. Hugh CLARKE now
resides upon. He sold this farm to Samuel CLARK in 1805. He removed to
St. Mary's, and continued there until 1817. He then removed to
Tatamagouche Mountain, where he and his sons reclaimed their farms from
the forest. He died there October 17th, 1854, aged 84 years. His wife
died there January 6th, 1820, aged 45 years. Rachel McKEEN, their eldest
daughter, was born January 13th, 1800. She was married to Hiram DOWNING,
December 31st, 1829. They had two sons and two daughters. She died March,
1835, aged 35 years. John McKEEN, their eldest son, was born May 31st,
1802. He inherited a part of his father's property on Tatamagouche
Mountain, where he died a bachelor October 20th, 1857, aged 55 years.
Sarah McKEEN, their second daughter, was born January 14th, 1804. She was
married to Peter TEED, Esq., of Wallace, December, 1827. She died March,
1856, aged 52 years. On November 12th, 1848, Mr. TEED was burned to death
in his barn, trying to save a waggon. Martha McKEEN, their third daughter,
was born November 22nd, 1806. She was married to Richard WOODEN (a school
teacher), November 13th, 1824. They had three sons and three daughters.
She died April, 1865, aged 58 years. Her husband died October, 1858.
William McKEEN, their second son, was born October 16th, 1808. He was
married to Amelia, the third daughter of James DRYSDALE and Nancy BROWN,
March, 1833. Mrs. McKEEN
--page 321--
died July 3rd, 1833, aged
16 years. He was married again to Jane, daughter of George and Sarah
CROW, February, 1837. He died October 16th, 1846, aged 38 years. His
widow died in 1848. Eliza McKEEN, their fourth daughter, was born May
25th, 1810. She was married to John, the eldest son of Joseph MAHON and
Margaret CROW, December 24th, 1833. They had three sons and two
daughters. Mr. MAHON died October 10th, 1858. Margaret McKEEN, their
fifth daughter, was born April 25th, 1812. She was married to John, the
eldest son of James and Nancy DRYSDALE, March 20th, 1845. They had three
sons and one daughter. They reside on Tatamagouche Mountain. Maria
McKEEN, their sixth daughter, was born February 28th, 1815. She was
married to Adam ARMSTRONG of Chiganoise, March 20th, 1851. They had one
son. Mr. ARMSTRONG died February 28th, 1864. Susan, their seventh
daughter, was born, April 6th, 1817. James McKEEN, their third and
youngest son, was born May 17th, 1819. He was married to Abigail,
daughter of George and Sarah CROW, March 20th, 1845. They had sons and
daughters. He resides on Tatamagouche Mountain.
Martha CARGILL, the eldest daughter of Captain John and Rachel McKEEN, was born in Truro, October 26th, 1772.
James, the second son of Captain John McKEEN and Rachel McKEEN, was born in Truro, November 28th, 1774. He died April 19th, 1791, aged 16 years. Samuel McKEEN, their third son, was born April 17th, 1777. He was married to Sarah, daughter of John and Ann LOGAN, June 16th, 1803. They had three sons and one daughter. About the year 1845, as he was riding home on horseback, he fell from his horse, and was taken up dead. His widow died in 1866, in St. Mary's, where they had resided from about the time they were married.
Adam McKEEN, their fourth son, was born in Truro, September 17th,
1779. He was married to Janet, the eldest daughter of David and Eleanor
TAYLOR, August 15th, 1805. They had four sons and four daughters. They
removed to St. Mary's, where they settled, and spent the remainder of
their days. He died there, and Mrs. McKEEN died. Rachel, the youngest
daughter of John and Rachel McKEEN, was born December 3rd 1781. She was
married to Thomas JOHNSON, of the Lower Village of Truro, September 20th,
1804. They had two sons. Mr. JOHNSON died in 1809. She was married again
to Andrew YUILL, October 22nd, 1811. They had one son. She died died
April 18th, 1813, aged 31 years. William, the only son of John
--page 322--
McKEEN and Rachel ARCHIBALD, his second wife, was born in Truro, June 4th,
1786. He settled at St. Mary's. He was married there to Miss KIRK, in
1812. They had sons and daughters. He died about 1862.
David the third son of John McKEEN, Esq., and Martha CARGILL, was
born in 1749. He was married to Janet, daughter of Captain Matthew TAYLOR
and Elizabeth ARCHIBALD, October 22nd, 1773. After the death of James
FULTON, and the removal of his sons to Stewiacke and elsewhere, he
purchased their place in the Lower Village of Truro, being the place that
Charles CROW now resides upon, also the lot that Samuel SOLEY now resides
upon. Here he settled, and built a mill up the brook. Shortly after, a
heavy freshet came and carried it away, which discouraged him so much that
he removed to St. Mary's and settled on the farm on which Mr. Samuel
ARCHIBALD now resides, two miles up the West River, above the forks. He
settled there in 1802. In August, 1818, he came to Truro to have a cancer
cut out of his lip. The operation was successfully performed, and he
returned home, apparently quite well; but, about eleven years after, it
broke out again and he died in 1830. His wife died in 1820. John Cargill
McKEEN, their eldest son, was born in Truro, April 15th, 1775. He was
married to Sabrina, daughter of Colonel ATWATER, of Guysborough, November
1st, 1808. They had seven sons and one daughter. He settled at
Stillwater, St. Mary's, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died
there in 1852, aged 77 years. His wife died there about 1860. Matthew,
the second son of David and Janet McKEEN, was born in Truro, March 11th,
1777. He died November 17th, 1790, aged 13 years. William McKEEN, their
third son, was born in Truro, February 2nd, 1781. She was married to
James McLAIN, about 1804. They settled for a time on the south-west side
of the St. Mary's River, at the Forks. Rosannah McKEEN, their second
daughter, was born in Truro, November 30th, 1783. She was married to
James, third son of James ARCHIBALD, Esq., and Rebecca BARNHILL, October,
1808. They had one son and two daughters. She died October 30th, 1814,
aged 31 years. Samuel McKEEN, their fourth son, was born in Truro,
February 11th, 1786. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John and
Nancy TAYLOR, of St. Mary's, June, 1809. They had two sons. Mrs. McKEEN
died in 1814. He was married again to Miss GLENCROSS, in 1815. He
settled up the West
--page 323--
River of St. Mary's. He died there about the year 1826,
aged 40 years. His wife died there too. David McKEEN, their fifth son,
was born in Truro, May 22nd, 1788. He was married to Miss McKENZIE in
1811. They had sons and daughters. He removed to Ohio, U.S., with his
family, about the year 1820. Robert, the sixth son of David and Janet
McKEEN, was born in the Lower Village of Truro, in 1790. He became
somewhat insane. Shorlty after James ARCHIBALD was married to his sister,
Rosannah, and had removed to Stewiacke, his attachment to his sister was
so strong that he started from St. Mary's and found his way through the
woods to Stewiacke. His friends followed him; and, when taking him home
again, he got away from them in the woods, and was never heard of after.
He was 19 years old at the time. James McKEEN, their seventh son, was
born in 1792. He removed to Ohio, U.S., when he was a young man. Matthew
McKEEN, their eight son, was born in 1794. He removed to Ohio, U.S., when
he was a young man. Margaret, daughter of John and Martha McKEEN, was
born in 1751, before they came to Nova Scotia. She was married to James
FISHER, February 12th, 1772. They had two sons and three daughters, born
in Truro. They removed to St. Mary's. She died there in 1817. Her
husband died in the year 1812.
------- END OF CHAPTER --------
John FISHER, their eldest son, was born in New Hampshire, March
-- page 324 --
4th, 1744. He came with his parents to Nova Scotia.
He was a Grantee of Truro. He was married to Elizabeth COWLEY in 1763. he
was one of the seven who removed to Upper Musquodoboit in the spring of
the year 1784. Shortly after they settled in Musquodoboit, there was a
moose crossing the field of this Mr. FISHER; his wife took the gun and
shot and wounded him so badly that the men followed after and got him. He
died at Musquodoboit, March 2nd, 1818, aged 74 years. His widow died
November 6th, 1826, aged 83 years. Josiah FISHER, their eldest son, was
born in Truro, September, 1764. Eleanor FISHER was born February 14th,
1767. Janet FISHER, their second daughter, was born July 5th, 1769.
Margaret FISHER, their third daughter, was born August 22nd, 1771.
Elizabeth Taylor FISHER, their fourth daughter, was born June 2nd, 1773.
William Handcock FISHER, their second son, was born June 29th, 1775. Sarah
Milliken FISHER, their fifth daughter, was born June 25th, 1777. Hannah
FISHER, their sixth daughter, was born August 27th, 1779. Ruth FISHER,
their seventh daughter, was born July 29th, 1781. They had two other
dauhters. George FISHER, their third son, was born, lived, and died in
Musquodoboit. Robert FISHER, their fourth and youngest son, was born April
28th, 1790. He was married to Susan K. DEAN, April 1st, 1829. They had
sons and daughters. They now (January, 1873) reside near the Shubenacadie
River, on the east side.
James, the second son of William and Eleanor FISHER, was born in 1746. He was married to Margaret, daughter of John McKEEN, Esq., and Martha CARGILL, February 12th, 1772. He was a grantee of Truro, although he was but nineteen years old at the date of the grant. He was one of the seven who removed to Upper Musquodoboit in the spring of the year 1784. He removed again to St. Mary's, where he spent the remainder of his days. He died there about the year 1812, aged 66 years. His wife died about the year 1817. William FISHER, their eldest son, was born in Truro, December 30th, 1772. Martha FISHER, their eldest daughter, was born in Truro, January 11th, 1775. Eleanor FISHER, their second daughter, was born in Truro, February 10th, 1777. John McKeen FISHER was born in Truro, May 15th, 1779. Jane FISHER, their third daughter, was born in Truro, May 5th, 1781.
Samuel, the third son of William and Eleanor FISHER, was born in New
Hampshire in 1750. He came with his parents to Nova Scotia. He was a
Grantee of Truro. He was married to Mary
-- page 325 --
LANGELL, december 24th, 1778. He removed to
Musquodoboit with his two brothers in the spring of the year 1784. Sarah
FISHER, their eldest daughter, was born in Truro, June 23rd, 1779. Mary
FISHER, their second daughter, was born in Truro, May 8th, 1781. They had
three sons and they daughters after they left Truro.
David, the fourth son of William and Eleanor FISHER, was born in New Hampshire in 1752. He was brought by his parents to Nova Scotia when he was ten years old. His name is among the Grantees of Truro Township, although he was but thirteen years old at the date of the grant. He was married to Martha, the only daughter of Robert DICKEY, about the year 1776. They had eight sons and three daughters. They removed to Middle Stewiacke in the fall of the year 1782 (when their second son, Robert, was about one and a half years old). They settled on the same farm that their son Alexander now resides upon, on the south side of the River. He died there, March 18th, 1831, aged 82years. His widow died December 22nd, 1843, aged 87 years.
William, the fifth son of William and Eleanor FISHER, was born in New Hampshire in 1756. He was brought by his parents to Nova Scotia when he was six years old. He was married to Esther, daughter of John and Mary LOGAN, February 14th, 1786. He inherited his father's farm, on the interval of Salmon River. He died there in 1811, aged 55 years. His widow was married again to James ARCHIBALD, Esq., in 1820.
John Logan FISHER, their eldest son, was born February 19th, 1787. He inherited a part of his father's farm for a few years. He built his first house on the same place that Mr Daniel COCK's house now stands. He was married to Elizabeth, the second daughter of James and Eleanor YUILL, of Old Barns, in 1812. She died a short time after. He was married again to Esther, the eldest daughter of William and Ann FLEMMING, of Truro, august 29th, 1816. They had four sons. He died Decr. 28th, 1863, in the 77th year of his age.
William, the second son of William and Esther FISHER, was born in Truro,
April 23rd 1789. He learned the blacksmith trade. He removed to
Musquodoboit, and was married there to Kezia HOLDMAN, in 1810. She died in
Truro, June 14th, 1818, aged 28 years. He removed to Pictou Town, where he
carried on his business for a number of years. He died there. Eleanor, the
eldest daughter of William and Esther FISHER, was born in Truro, June
12th, 1791. she was married to George McNAUGHT, of Upper Stewiacke,
December
-- page 326 --
13th, 1839. She died August 27th, 1872, aged 81
years. Mary FISHER, Their second daughter, was born June 17th, 1793. She
married to Alexander ELLIS, of Stewiacke, December, 1815. They had four
sons and four daughters. She died January, 1869, aged 75 years.
Edward Logan FISHER, their third son, was born August 26th, 1795. He inherited his father's farm for a few years.He then removed to Upper Stewiacke. He was married there to Mary WINTON, in 1826. They had seven sons and four daughters. he died august 27th, 1872, aged 77 years. His wife died January 14th, 1849. Nancy FISHER, their third daughter, was born November 26th, 1799. She was married to John McDONALD. They settled in Georgetown, P.E.I. They had two sons and two daughters. They removed to the United States, where he died. She returned to the Island again, where she died in the year 1866, aged 67 years. Sarah FISHER, their fourth daughter, was born March 26th, 1801. She was married to William, son of Charles COX and Nancy THOMSON, January 20th, 1822. She died June 21st, 1823, aged 22 years. Mr. COX was married again to Olivia THOMSON, february 24th, 1824. They had two sons and one daughter. Mr. COX died of smallpox January 20th, 1828. His widow was married again to Eleazar B. DICKEY, December 31st, 1833. They had two sons and four daughters. Janet FISHER, their fifth daughter, was born May 24th, 1803. She died May 10th, 1807. James FISHER, their fourth son, was born July 26th, 1806. He was married to Esther MILLAN. They had one son and two daughters. He now resides in Musquodoboit, where he carries on blacksmith work.
Margaret, the eldest daughter of William and Eleanor FISHER, was born in 1747. She was married to John ARCHIBALD, second, March 4th, 1772. They had five sons and five daughters. She died May 12th, 1809, aged 62 years. Mr.ARCHIBALD died October 15th, 1813, aged 66 years.
Elizabeth, the second daughter of William and Eleanor FISHER, was born
in 1754. She married James HUGHES. They had one son and one daughter. This
daughter was married to James D. NASH, August 15th 1805. They had seven
sons and seven daughters. John D. NASH, Esq., of Halifax, was their eldest
son. Mr. NASH died in Truro, October 16th, 1837. His widow was married
again to Robert FISHER, of Middle Stewiacke. Hannah FISHER, their third
daughter, was born in 1758. She was married to Stewtly HORTON. They
removed to Musquodoboit with her three brothers, in the spring
-- page 327 --
of the year 1784, where they settled and spend the
remainder of their lives. Sarah FISHER, their fourth daughter, was born,
in 1760. She was married to Archibald GAMMELL, November 15th, 1782. They
had one son and six daughters. they removed to Upper Stewiacke, about the
year 1790, where they spent the remainder of their days. Ruth FISHER,
their fifth daughter, was born in Truro, February 7th, 1763, about two
months after they arrived in Truro. She was married to Matthew JOHNSON, of
the Lower Village of Truro, in 1782. They had seven sons and two
daughters. They removed to Stewiacke in the fall of the year 1783.. She
died at Pembroke, August 8th, 1825, aged 62 years. Mr. JOHNSON died there
January 20th, 1825, aged 68 years. Alexander McNutt FISHER, their sixth
son, was born in truro, July 2nd, 1765. He had a part of his father's farm
on he interval. he sold it, and removed to Musquodoboit, where he spent
the remainder of his life. He was married to Janet, daughter of Robert and
Hannah ARCHIBALD, widow of the late William LOGAN, in 1798. They had two
sons and one daughter. Eleanor FISHER, their sixth daughter, was born in
Truro, August 23rd, 1767. She was married to Robert LOGAN, in 1788. They
had one son and one daughter. She died in Stewiacke in 1792. He was
married again to widow JOHNSON in 1801. They had one son and one daughter.
Mr LOGAN died December 31st, 1833, aged 70 years.
------- END OF CHAPTER --------
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
John DICKSON, their eldest son, was born in Onslow, June 7th, 1773. He
was married to Lydia HAMILTON, October 20th, 1796. They had four sons and
five daughters. He followed the sea as Captain a considerable length of
time. He was the Senior Justice of the Peace for the County several years.
He died at Onslow, December, 1858, aged 85 years. His widow died March,
1866. Charles DICKSON, their second son, was born April 6th, 1775. He was
married to Rachel Todd ARCHIBALD, December 31st, 1799. They had five sons
and six daughters. He was a carpenter by trade. He died March, 1821. Mrs.
DICKSON died in 1819. Robert DICKSON, their third son, was born July 8th,
1777. He was married to Lavinia DeWOLFE in 1798. They had seven sons and
three daughters. He was Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Sewers,
representative of Onslow, and Colonel of the Militia. He was an extensive
farmer. He died November, 1836. His widow died July, 1854, aged 78 years.
William DICKSON, their fourth son, was born in 1779. He was married to
Rebecca, second daughter of Colonel Thomas and Martha PEARSON, of Truro,
January 29th, 1801. They had six sons and six daughters. He represented
Truro in the House of Assembly eight years. He died February 15th, 1834.
Mrs. DICKSON died June,
-- page 385 --
1833, aged 49 years. Abigail DICKSON, their eldest
daughter, was born in 1781. She was married to Andrew WALLACE, of
Halifax,February 27th, 1798. They had three sons and one daughter. Mr.
WALLACE died, and she married again to Robert LOWDEN, of Merigomish. They
had four sons and two daughters. She died in 1868. Sarah DICKSON, their
second daughter, was born in 1783. She died when young. Mary and Olivia
DICKSON, their twin daughters, were born in 1785. Mary was married to Dr.
John Murray UPHAM, son of Judge UPHAM, of New Brunswick, in 1803. They had
one son and two daughters. She died at Tatamagouche, December 6th, 1872.
Olivia DICKSON, was married to Colonel David ARCHIBALD, February 5th,
1801. She had five sons and five daughters. She died February 7th, 1872.
Elizabeth DICKSON, their fifth daughter, was born in 1786. She was married
to S.G.W. ARCHIBALD, March 16th, 1802. They had eleven sons and four
daughters. She died May 13th, 1830. Thomas DICKSON, their fifth son, was
born in 1778. He was married to Sarah Ann PATTERSON, of Pictou. They had
one son and eight daughters. He studied law with S.G.W. ARCHIBALD. He died
in Pictou town, about 1857. His wife died about 1850. Their children are
all dead. Lavinia DICKSON, their sixth daughter, was married to Rev. John
BURNYATT, April 27th, 1823. They had two sons and one daughter. She died
October, 1860. Mr. BURNYATT died April 7th, 1843, aged 59 years.
------- END OF CHAPTER --------