The History of Queens County, N.S

Preface

. It being the wish of my friends that I should republish the " Annals of Queens County" in book form, I have consented, and now present to the public the history of my native county, begging the indulgence of my readers. This volume is submitted to the public without claiming for it that it is entirely free from mistakes ; such total exemption can hardly be expected of a work of this kind. But that the present work is as free from any such of date or fact as the utmost care could effect is confidently believed. It might, indeed, in its details, have been more particular ; but the aim of the writer has been to avoid prolixity and offence to persons or families so far as obligation to truth would permit. The constant detriment, and sometimes destruction of public and family records, in the form of letters, and other manuscripts and private papers urges the im portance of preserving, in a more durable form, what may be proper for the public eye, and of most interest. ' It has been well remarked that, in treasuring up the memorials of the past we best manifest our regard for futurity.

It is not to be expected thit the affairs of a single county will be greatly interesting to the public generally, bnt to such, at least, as are connected with Queens County this volume will, we trust, be of some interest. They surely will not regret that a portion of its history is rescued from oblivion. Even in regard to those portions of the history of more recent date, such as shall be on the stage fifty or one hundred years from now, will have feelings similar to our own as regards the long past. The writer would have been much gratified could he have given a fuller view of men of distinguished reputation who acted their several parts well. If omissions occur in delineating the characters of the departed, the unavoidable absence of the requisite information must be the apology. Some of the most meritorious may have been passed by, whilst others less conspicuous or useful in their day have been noticed.

It is much easier to regret necessity than to supply the remedy. If some land marks have been set up to encourage^fll aid future research, then this attempt will not have been in vain^rThe writer has endeavored honestly, unbiased by prejudice, to pursue the one object he had originally in view, with a determined inquiry for the truth in narration of events and the relation of facts. It cannot be regarded as otherwise than fortunate

PREFACE.

. that the earlier settlers of this county were emigrants from a country advanced in civilization, and that they were generally distinguished for intelligence and enterprise. For any defects that may exist in the present work the author begs indulgence ; of its errors, if such there be, he can only say they were undesigned. If there should appear a paucity of material for so full a history of some periods of our progress as might be desired, or of incidents to give zest to the recital, it must be remembered that it is no part of our present duty to create ; the records, scanty as they may be, we are necessitated to take as we find them. The inhabitants of this county are of New England origin which is sufficient to give them a character for ability and enterprise. My information has been obtained from the histories of Nova Scotia by Haliburton and Murdoch ; from Freeman's history of Cape Cod, and " Pilgrim Memorials " by Russel, as well as by records within the province and county, aided by my own personal recollections and those of my friends. HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

Chapter I

De Monts sails from France. — Arrives in this Country. — Names Rossignol and Port Mouton. — Sir William Alexander. — His expeditions. — Nicholas Denys and De Razilly. — N Perrot asks for grant of le Have. — Capture of Portuguese vessel by Pirates. M. Bonaventure. — Sieur Perroscan des Sables d'Olonne. On the 7th day of April, A. D. 1604, De Monts whose name is so well known in connection with the history of Acadia, sailed from Havre de Grace in France on board a vessel commanded by Captain Timothy^ her consorts commanded by Captain Morill, of Honfleur, sailed three days after. Champlain says that they first met in the harbour which they first entered on this side of the ocean. This harbour was first known as " Port Rossignol," subsequently under French occupation^ "Port Senior," and now Liverpool. * In this Port De Monts found a vessel engaged in the fur trade with the Indians, commanded by a Capt. Rossignol, which he, by virtue of the power and authority conferred upon him by his monarchy confiscated, and gave to the port the name of the <£aptain.

Laet, (a French historian) says they first landed at Port Mouton where they remained a month. This port was also named by De Monts, from the circumstance of a sheep jumping overboard, and being nearly drowned before \t Æk.% rescued. They probably landed at S. W. Port Mouton, as the remains of a settlement at some early date are yet to be seen. Leaving this port, he doubled Cape Sable and discovered St. Mary Bay, Annapolis Basin,- and other parts of the Bay of Fundy. After forming a settlement at Annapolis, he returned to France. In 1623, Sir William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, who had received from King James the I. a grant of all Nova Scotia o£ Acadia, (which then included New Brunswick), sent_out^ a ship with a_mvmber of settlers_ to whom he gave in structions to select some suitable place for settlement.

They sailed in 1622, but owing to the lateness of the season they were compelled to winter at St. JohnJ.New foundland. Putting to sea again in the spring or 1623, they sailed for Acadia, and coasting along the southern shore of the peninsula they entered Port Mouton, which they renamed St. Luke's Bay. They then proceeded to the next harbour which was named P-©rt Joli, or the IJack rfort, Port Noir, now known as Port Joli, and from thence returned to England. Champlain in his history thus describes Port Moutonf " Seven leagues from Cape de la Heve is another harbour called le Port au Mouton, where are two small rivers in Lat. 44°. The land is very stony, covered with underwood and bushes. There is a quantity of rabbits and much game on account of the ponds there." The next mention bears date 1635.

Nicholas Denys, a man of enterprise, who was in partnership with Isaac de Razilly, a merchant of Auray, in Bretagne, established a shore fishery at Port Rossignol. The grant of seig neurie extended from the west side of LaHave River to the east side of Rossignol. The fishery was in all pro bability established AHerring Cove, for some years ago in preparing to builds public wharf, timber fastened with copper was found imbedded in the beach. In 1685 Rossignol is again mentioned in connection with M. Perrot. He had been governor of Montreal for some years past, and was in 1684 transferred to Acadia as governor. He then wrote to the minister in France, and asked for himself a grant " of LaHave as a seigteurie, with a frontage of twelve leagues on the coast, eginning at Port Rossignol on the west, and ten leagues in depth inland, with high, middle and low justice, all rights of fishing, trading and hunting under the quit rent of a gold crown on each change of property.

He also asks for fifty soldiers, (including fifteen seamen) with the thirty who were then in garrison, maintained at the king's expense ; a corvette of ten guns (eight and twelve pounders), a coast pilot and a missionary to be also supported. The cannon to be supplied for the fort, with the requisite ammunition and utensils of war ; tools to re build the fort, twelve barrels of tar, and 300 blocks or pulleys of all sizes. He requests permission to collect vagrants, and compel them to settle in the country, and that the soldiers be allowed to marry, giving them as in Canada, fifty livres or an equivalent. On these condi tions he offers to put the fort of LaHave in a state of defence, to build there a dwelling house, storehouses, cazernes and a guard house, to erect a mill, settle a village, and collect inhabitants for the shore fishery by the advances he will make them.

He will also take care that the inhabitants shall build a church.'* As M. Perrot seemed to attach considerable importance to the fisheries within his seigneurie, and as it had previously been in possession of other French adventurers, and especially of de Razilh*who had settled forty families within its bounds, some" least, of these were probably settled on the shores of Port Rossignol, engaged in the occupations then followed by settlers in this country, th*)* of trading with the Indians^and fishing. In 1688 a Portuguese vessel was taken by pirates,(who were numerous upon this coast at that time, no less than ten sail being under the command of one Capt. Easterftwho robbed her of three thousand seven hun dred hides, and threw the men and goods ; overboard. The hides were afterwards saved and carried to Boston.

The pirates then went into Port au Bear harbour, but there is no mention made of their ever having been punished. In 1700 M, Bonaventure made a voyage to Acadie, and after visiting several parts of it, and becoming acquainted with its resources and capabilities, recom mended to the French Government that the eastern coast be granted in seigneuries, and asked that Rossignol and Petite Riviere be granted to himself ; and that a grant extending from the western side of Broad River to the river St. Catherine be granted to his nephew Brouillan, if he should remove to this country. In 1703 Port Mouton was granted to feieur Perroscan des Sables d'Olonne. A.D. 1708, it is recorded that Subercase, Governor of Acadie, remarked that Brouillan never spent a sou on his grant, which was situated on the coast seven or eight leagues from La Have.

Pensens, his heir, asked for ifo but as Subercase wished it for himself, he was refused. Thus closes our scanty history of French dominion in this county. Though in early times the French attached consider able importance to the harbours and fisheries of our county, still the settlements they formed along our coast were not permanent, nor did they increase to any size. Though no battles were fought in our county between the French and English, nor •»© spots rendered famous on the page of Acadian history by sieges such as have overtaken Annapolis and Louisburg, still, in following the peaceful pursuits of trade and commerce, our shores Pre visited and made known to the world by early ench adventurers. Our soil has not been disgraced, as have some other portions of our province, by the expulsion of the Acadians and the burning of their homes and property.

We now leave this most interesting chapter of our f/ounty's history, and take up the first settlement of it by the English. Meagre as are the details at our dis posal, we trust we have given the reader some idea of events that occurred previous to 1760.

Chapter II

Inducements offered to isettlers. — A committee appointed. — Warrant of survey issued — Names of original grantees. — John Doggett, Sylvannus Cobb. — Confirmation Grant. — Population in 1764. — Attack upon the committee-men by Frer/ch and Indians. — First meeting held. — Committee appointed to lay fijit the town. — Queenfs County erected. — First meeting of the proprietors. — First house built — Petition from Peleg Coffin et aljn reference to the appointment of committees. — Town laid out. — Members of House of Assembly. — Declaration of War. — Troublous times. — Fort Morris taken and retaken. — Letters of Marque fitted out — the Dispatch, Dreadnought, and Gigg. Liverpool was occasionally visited by foreign fisher men and voyageurs as a place of refuge, during the interval which elapsed between Nicholas Deny/s occupation of itl and the period when the fishermen from the older colonies prosecuted the shore and river fisheries upon the coast of Nova Scotia. -The New "England fishermen, being largerly engaged in prosecuting the fisheries during the summer months, were, after the expulsion of the Acadians, attracted by the munificent offers of the Government, and readily consented to become permanent settlers.

To further this object, they petitioned by a committee appointed from among themselves, and asked that a township might be granted to them on the southern coast of Nova Scotia to the eastward of Cape Sable, ana around rfort Rossignol. In 1759, a warrant of survey was issued by Governor Lawrence, of which the following is a copy : " Province of Nova Scotia.

" To all to whom these presents shall come, — Greeting: " Whereas John Doggett, Elisha Freeman, Samuel Doggett, and Thomas Foster, on behalf of themselves and the other persons hereinafter mentioned, have made application to mefor a township within this Province, and have undertaken to make a speedy and effectual settlement of said Township, Now Know Ye, that I, Charles Lawrence, Esquire, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of Nova Scotia, by virtue of the power and authority to me given by his present Majesty King George the Second, under the Great Seal of Great Britain, have erected, and do by these presents, by and with the advice and con sent of His Majesty's Council for the said Province, erect into a township a tract situate, lying, and being on the sea coast of Cape Sable shore, and is there to be abutted and bounded : To begin four miles west of the western head of the entrance into Port Senior, and to extend from the sea shore back into the country, on a course north-west by north, fourteen miles, which is to be the western boundary ; and on the easterly side of said tract of land to begin one mile east of the eastern point of the harbour of Port Maltor, commonly called Port Metway, and to extend from the sea shore into the country fourteen miles, course north«west and' by north ; and from the said eastern limit, at the end of the said fourteen miles, to extend westerly till it meets the westerly limit of said tract of land, containing in the whole, by estimation, one hundred thousand acres, more or less, according to a plan and survey of the same to be herewith registered ; which township is to be called hereafter and known by the name of the Township of Liverpool, in the said Province ; and also, that I, by virtue of the Fower and authority, and by and with the advice and consent ajoresaid, do by these presents give, and grant, and confirm unto the several persons hereinafter named, one hundred and sixty-four shares or rights of two hundred shares or rights, whereojjhe said township is to consist, with all and all manner *-of mines unopened, excepting mines of "••gold, silver, precious stones and lapis lazuli in and upon the said shares or rights situate as aforesaid.

The following are some of the names in the above warrant : Jcmn Doggett Israel Tupper Elisha Freeman Arthur Perry Stephen Lamson Nathaniel Perry John Atwood John Kinton John Nelson Benjamin Churchill Thomas Foster Elias Trask Caleb Studstow Benjamin Bartlett Nathaniel Foster Jabez Cobb Thomas Buron Joseph Hatton Joseph Dexter Benjamin Cole Isaac Crosby Obadiah Crosby Eliakim Crosby Lemuel Crosby Nathaniel Balie Samuel Doggett John Torry John Rust Seth Barns Thomas Torey Churchill Samuel Dunn - Curtis Wall Jabez Gorham Jonas Whiteman Ebenezer Soul Thomas Daulrse John Kempton Ward Tupper and a number ot others. Jethro Allen Seal Sanders Experience Helens Joshua Snow Jabez Snow Silvannus Cobb Silvannus Cook Nathan Tupper Theodore Ford Seth Swift Stephen Law Richard Timbel Daniel Lock Moody Nathaniel Logan Thos. Ashly Simon Freeman Barnabas Freeman Elkanah Morton Many of these, especially the youngest, and those without families, returned and did not become settlers in this township.

Among tbe names contained in the grant of the township, which passed in 1764, and under which the township isjiow held, were many whose names were in the first warrant : John Doggett, who came with the first settlers, remained here, and was one of the most prominent men among the first applicants. He, at his own cost, entertained many through the first winters, for which the Government partially remunerated him. Sylvannus Cobb also was one of the first, but a more lengthy notice will be given of him hereafter. Tbe following are the names of the proprietors in the grant which finally passed on the 20th of November, 1764.

This grant was given to one hundred and forty-two propriptors, and one share each reserved for the Church of England and for Jftchools : Smith Freeman John Foster Johnathan Godfrey Daniel Torey Ebenezar Dexter Obediah Albree Robert Harlow John Lewin Johnathan Darling Nathaniel Toby Syrenus Collins George Windslow William Gammon John Waterman Jessey Warner Lemuel Drew Joseph Burnaby John Dolliver Joseph Woods Abener Eldridge Simeon Perkins William Foster Alden Sears Benjamin Godfrey Thomas B Osgood Thomas Bee Osgood Hilton Samuel Crowell Thomas Hayden Nathan Heatley Abener Doaty Ward Tupper Nathaniel Freeman Nathan Tupper Jr Robe it Millard James Nickerson Elisha Nickerson Jr William West Wire Morton John Peach Nathaniel Knowles Joseph Collins Jr Enoch Randell Nathan Sears Ebenezar Simmons William Tripp One share for the first Church of England One share for schools Elisha Freeman John Dogett Nathan Tupper Samuel Doggett Ebenezer Nicholson Joseph Headley Cornelius Knowles Ebenezer Doggett Benjamin Cole Samuel Dolliver Samuel Freeman John Hopkins Joseph Collins Jabish Gorham The heir of Jos Godfrey The heirs of Jno Young The heirs of Joshua Harding The heirs of Elkanah Waterman John Mathews George Fancy Peleg Dexter Prince Snow Nickerson Thomas Brown John Peach Barbara Cuffy Theodosus Ford Benjamin Parker Thomas West Robert Slocomb Henry Young Nathaniel Godfrey William Murry Johnathan Crowell Wm. K. Cahoone Stephen Smith Jabish Cobb Peter Coffin Samuel Hunt Thomas Padderson Elisha Nickerson Elisha Kenny Jeremiah Nickerson The heirs of Sylvannus Cobb ( The heirs of Elkan < Nickerson and unto ( Sylvenus Morton Joseph Feebk Edward Doteh Joseph Dryter Zepheniah Eldridge Benjamin Holmes John West Charles West Paul Doughton John Wall Acus Tripp Howes Stewart Johnathan Brerer Elisha Freeman Prince Knowles Simeon Freeman Barnabas Freeman Robert Plasenay Luther Arnold Joseph Bartlett Edward Foster Johnathan Locke John Giffin Robert Hebest Isaac Tinkham Samuel Battle John Ryder Israel Tupper Gorham Stephen Paine Stephen Gullison Richard Kempton Samuel Hunt Timothy Burbank William Mitchell Thomas Foster Joseph Whitford Abraham Copeland Thomas Gardiner Enoch Aleyter Samuel Eldridge George Briggs Thomas Gordon Ebenezar Thomas William Fitch Jeremiah Nickerson Thomas Brehant Thomas Burnaby Seth Drew Hesekiah Freeman / In 1764 the population of Liverpool was five hundred.

These persons had arrived at this place in 1762-3-4. There were, however, some arrivals as early as 1759. For in that year Capt. Cobb, a gentleman who took an active interest in the settlement of this county, was employed by the government to convey along the western shore a party of committee-men who were desirous of forming settlements at or near Cape Sable. They attempted to land in some part of the county but were fired upon by about one hundred neutral French and Indians. In this same year the first public meeting held for any purpose in the town of Liverpool, then a pathless wilderness, was upon the sijfht of the present stores of John Campbell, Esq. The object of the meet ing was to devise means to protect themselves from a threatened attack by the Indians of Port Medway. In 1760 the government of Nova Scotia were actively engaged in removing settlers to this country from New England, by providing vessels for that purpose and furnishing supplies to them on their arrival here.

May, 1 76 1, Capt. John Doggett, one of the proprietors in the grant, was instructed to hire a vessel for the pur pose of removing to our township twenty families and sixty head of cattle/ Th& last for the use of the settlers. The expense incurred in this undertaking was to be defrayed by the Government. In this same year a com mittee was appointed to lay out the lands under the first warrant. This committee consisted of John Dogget, Elisha Freeman, Samuel Doggett, Nathan Tory and Nathan Tupper. Augt. 2 1st, the Council at Halifax advised that the townships of Barrington, Liverpool and Yarmouth be erected into a county to be known by the name of > Queens. The first representatives elected to the Assembly were Benjamin Gerrish and Nathan Tupper. It will be perceived that previous statements conflict regarding the granting of this township.

The same difficulty occurs here as with all the other townships granted at this period. The land was originally granted to a large number of proprietors, many of whom never visited this country, and others who did, returned to New England after the first or second years. This left a large portion of the land without occupants, which the government of the day to remedy, re-granted, under what wh known as "confirmation grants," to the resident settlers. The first meeting of the proprietors was held on the 1st of July, 1760, when Capt. Cobb made application for a piece of land to build a store and wharf upon. The petitioner asked the committee to locate the land that he might proceed at once to build. The house that was built upon this land, the materials of which were brought from New England, was owned by Sylvanus Cobb, and was situated on Front street at the foot of Wolfe street.

This same building is now owned and occupied by Jesse Mulhall. In this same year, the Government sent Mr. Morris, surveyor, in one of the provincial vessels^ along the coast to the westward, to lay out the township to the settlers that had arrived. In his report to Govern ment he states^ that he found that at Liverpool fifty families and six fishing schooners had arrived early in June. Though this last is an official statement, I have seen it stated that there were at this period seventy families, thirteen fishing vessels, and a considerable number of live stock. On the 24th of July, a petition was presented to the Government from Peleg Coffin, Joseph Collins, Joseph Headly, Prianas Snow, Daniel Eldridge, Cyrenus Collins, Luther Arnold and John Chatfield.proprietors in the township, against the appointment of their committee and officers by the Governor and Council, which right, they contended, should be vested in themselves.

Their petition was afterwards granted by the Government. 1763. At this time petitions began to be presented asking for grants of land outside of the township. Among these was one from John Dogget, Esq., for Port Mouton island, which he had previously held under license, and improved. The grant was issued to him, and a portion of the island is still in the possession of the family. During the pasX two years about one hun dred acres of land had been improved, leaving ninety-nine thousand nine hundred still in a wilderness condition. 1764. As previously stated, the confirmation grant was issued in this year, and the town plot also laid out. It is an oblong square containing sixteen blocks, each block being five hundred and sixty feet by one hundred feet in width or, seven lots in the length and two lots in depth.

On three sides of the town plot it is bounded by fifteen rods of common-land reserved for public use. On the front of the square was Front street, and between that and the water wateundivided lands, since located. King street running east and west, and Queen street north and south across the old parade, divided the town into four parts. The north section is divided in the centre by Wolfe street, running south 52°is' west to the rear of the plot, at the foot, or rather opposite the foot of the street, and on the south-east of which stands the former residence of Sylvannus Cobb, who accompanied General Wolfe to Louisburg, and named the street in honor of his leader. The south division is divided in the centre by Amherst street, named in honor of Gene ral, afterwardsj* LorcLAmherst. The front half of the town plot is divided into two parts by Lawrence street, named in honor of Governor Lawrence, who was inde fatigable in endeavouring to promote the prosperity of the settlement.

The rear half is divided into two parts by Morris street, named after surveyor-general Morris, by whom the town plot was laid out. These two last named streets run at right-angles to King street. 1765. During the following year the House of Assembly was dissolved, and a new election resulted in the return of William Smith and Simeon Perkins as members for the county, and Elisha Freeman for the township of Liverpool. 1770. William Smith and Simeon Perkins were our County Representatives, and John DoggeJ*\the Member I for Liverpool. 1773. Seth Harding took the place of John Doggett, deceased, as Jjttember in the Assembly. 1221: This year witnessed the commencement of the American Revolution. Many of the settlers of Liver pool sided with the rebels, and what with the conflicting opinions, the impressment of seamen, and the want of the necessaries of life, it was a season that tried men's souls.

William Smith, the G-ounty Member, who was a merchant in Halifax, and held several high offices under the government, was, for his sympathy for the rebels, deprived of these, and he returned to the States^ He -i held one meeting in the town of Liverpool at the house of Robert Slocomb, at which a goodly number attended. This same state of affairs prevailed all over the province.*}, and Mr. Legge says in writing to Lord Dartmouth, that there were no provisions to be purchased in the province. "The trade with the colonies is entirely put an end to," " and the inhabitants of this town—' Halifax ' — as well " " as all other towns on the the sea coast are almost " " entirely destitute of provisions, and in the utmost " •'distress on that account, nor can any provisions of" "bread kind be expected from Canada till June next if" "that province should remain then in possession of" " the Crown."

In this same year martial law was pro claimed, and every precaution taken by the government to prevent spies from the States, and traitors within, from seducing the people from their allegiance. 1776. Murdoch says — "This year opened under" " circumstances unfavorable in a high degree for the " "British interests in America, and the prospects of" " Nova Scotia were just then especially gloomy." The American privateers now infested our coasts and did much damage to our shipping. They entered the harbour of Liverpool and took Fort Morris through the treachery of the sentry. It was, however, immediately re-taken by the militia there, under the command of Colonel Perkins. To assist the militia in the defence of the town the Government decided to send thirty additional soldiers to Liverpool. 1777.

By an Act of Imperial Parliament passed in this year, any persons applying to the Admiralty could obtain a commission for anj[_ve§s£l_Jiaving on board merchandise, (not contraband) to arm and man them selves to be able to resist the enemy, and with certain restrictions to capture prizes by complying with certain rules as set forth in their commissions. The prizes when taken, were ordered, by the Court of Admiralty, to be sold for the benefit of the captors, or otherwise disposed of. Under this Act, certain persons in Liverpool (1779) applied for Letters of Marque, and memorialized the Government at the time, and stated, that as they had been great sufferers by the loss of their trading vessels they had resolved to fit out an armed vessel, but as they were unable to obtain supplies, they asked to be provided with the arms and ammunition, which the Government agreed to do. 1779.

The government voted £$0 oa: od. for a block house at Liverpool, and also 16s. 2d. for the barracks. 1780. Joseph Barss was in command of the privateer schooner " Despatch," to whom Letters of Marque had been issued. He brought into Liverpool a brigantine, name unknown, but which soon proved to be the " Diana," a re-captured prize, laden with a valuable cargo. The Collector at Liverpool, Wm. Johnson, Esq., gave permit to land that portion of the cargo that was perishable, consisting of flour, cheese and hams. She was originally bound to Quebec, and had been captured by a rebel privateer. It was finally ordered by the Court of Admiralty, that upon the original owners (McGill & Co. of Halifax) paying a salvage of one eighth on the full value of the cargo and vessel, she should be handed over to them.

H. M. Ship of war " Delaware " was ordered to Liverpool to convey her to Halifax. The " Diana " was, however, plundered of a portion of her cargo while in LiverpDol harbcur, which resulted in the forfeiture of Capt. Barss's Letter of Marque. 29th Ortober 1782. The government offered a reward of .£20 to discover, if possible, the persons who had cut off John Mullins' ears. He had turned informer upon a party of smugglers and they took revenge upon him in this way. A number of prizes were brought into Liverpool, having been captured by the Letter of Marque schooner " Dreadnought," Capt. Ephraim Dean commander. Among them was a sloop, John Humphrey master ; the cargo was retained and the vessel released. This vessel caused a suit in the Admiralty Court which was attended with much difficulty and scandal.