Author: Hantsport & Area Historical Society

Nellie Althea Greene, age 32, school teacher and resident of Summerville, Hants County married1 Charles Ernest Fox on the 1st of September, 1948 at the Falmouth Baptist Church parsonage. A short biography accompanies an article that she wrote; "Loyalist Brothers: John and James Mann" in the Nova Scotia Historical Review Vol. 4, No. 2 (1984)2 "Nellie A. Fox was born in Brickton, Annapolis County, but was educated in Hants County, where she is now a retired teacher in Hantsport. Mrs. Fox has been writing since 1931, and her many articles on history, genealogy, nature study, cooking and other household matters have been carried in such publications as the 'Maritime Farmer', 'The Family Herald and Weekly Star', 'The Chronicle-Herald', 'The Teacher's Bulletin' and 'The Hants Journal'. She is a member of the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society and its Genealogical Association, and is actively involved in research and heritage preservation." The Hantsport & Area Historical Society reproduced an article, "Early History of Education in...

Kenneth Tingley Oct 12, 1932 – Jan 28, 2017 Kenneth Elliot Tigney was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley, the eldest of four children of Elliott and Greta Tingley. He attended Acadia University (Class of 1955) and Nova Scotia Technical College where he graduated with his degree in Electrical Engineering. He later attended Harvard Business School, graduating with an MBA in 1962. Photo and Bio from 1949 Yearbook1 Ken was also a graduate of Hantsport School and Editor of the 1949 Class Yearbook. Kenneth Tingley was a grandson of Rev. Llewellyn J. Tingley, Baptist minister, who served in various locations but was largely based in Windsor, Hants County. Rev. Tingley held education in high regard as evidenced by the direction in his will3 that Ken's father, his young son L. Elliott Tingley, be supported "until he shall have completed the ordinary high school course, together with a course at some Business College (or) .. desire to take a University Course". Rev. L. J. Tingley...

Arthur Edward Cornwell (spelling later changed to Cornwall) was born 11 February 1868 at Griffin Brook near Sandy Cove, Digby County, Nova Scotia to Edmund Cornwell and Matilda Burns.1 The Cornwell family were Loyalists from Connecticut who came to New Edinburgh, Digby County in 1783.2 Arthur, age 3, is recorded with his parents and sister Elizabeth (Libby) age 7 in the 1871 Census for the Sandy Cove sub-district of Digby County.3 Another sister, Sarah age 6, appears in the Mortality Schedule having died in March of that year. In the 1881 census4 the family is found in the Clementsport, Annapolis County district where they had established a farm near Deep Brook. After the death of his father Edmund on 21 July 1890, Arthur, with some assistance from his mother Matilda and sister Libby, maintained the farm. However, it appears that Arthur had interests other than farming. Legal documents dated 1901 and 1902 regarding the estate of his father refer to Arthur's photography dark room. "15....

Did you ever wonder what happens to the collection taken at the Hantsport Remembrance Day Service on November 11th? It is given to the Hantsport Veterans Memorial Scholarship Foundation. On April 30th, 1962, fifteen people met with the Mayor; Dave Freeman acting as Chairman.  Others attending included: John Harvie, Doug Cuvilier, John Morse, Rev. Pyke, Merrill Hyson, Al Harlow, Evangeline Phillips, Carl Peach, John Folker Jr., Donald Davison, John Allard, Eugene Dukeshire, Harold Burden and Rev. Blanchard. This was the beginning of the Foundation and, with the assistance of the Town Solicitor, a committee was formed to draw up By-Laws. The first Officers were elected at this meeting: Chairman – John Harvie, Secretary – Merrill Hyson and Treasurer – Al Harlow. The Foundation is named to honour those who served from Hantsport and Area in the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War. The Royal Canadian Legion, Lucknow Branch No. 109 of Hantsport and the Ladies Auxiliary, always had a representative on...

Hantsport Riverbank Cemetery Thomas Nelson Patten, the patriarch of the Hantsport area family by that name, was born 26 August 1838 at River Phillip, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia. He was the son of Isaac Patten and Harriet Parker. They are both buried in Upper Cunard Cemetery, Kings County, Nova Scotia. On 20 May 1863 Thomas N. Patten enlisted in the United States Army at Bangor, Maine. He was described as age 22, Occupation - seaman, Height - 5ft. 9in., Hair - light, Eyes - blue. He was a substitute, meaning he was paid to take the place of another man who was drafted into the U.S. Army. Thomas Patten served as a Private in the 3rd Maine Infantry - I Company. Winter 1863-1864 Thoms Patten's pension affidavit indicates that he became ill (pneumonia) after sleeping on the cold ground, having crossed the Rappahannock River during a skirmish between troops from the North and South at Kelly's Ford (about 20 miles from Fredericksburg, Virginia)...

This document is a transcription by Bob Langdon of a handwritten school paper by Harriett (Faulkner) Woodman. The main report was written in 1906 with a small addition dated 1913.  Hantsport Museum file # is 981.2. History is the study of human nature and we must study human nature to know ourselves and others.  We ought to know how we came to be what we are, so that each generation need not start again from the point and toil over the same ground but profitting (sic) by these experiences of those that came before, may advance towards higher points and nobler aims.  We should try to find out about our past in order to know how to form our future.  Tradition tells us of many legends and stories of our ancestors, how they suffered and endured hardships for us, in order to give us the homes we have.  In this little book, by beginning at the past, I wish to the...

by Susan Tracey, 1978 Hantsport High School Graduate for a Grade XII history project at Windsor. The structure now situated at 45 William Street, Hantsport was built in the 1850’s. The building underwent many changes through the years to keep in time with the changing characteristics of the town. This structure alone reveals the degree of activity in the town, through a period of over one hundred years. The following is a copy of the Deed conveying the land to the people responsible for erecting the building. Conveyance...Between Handley C. Davison (Master Mariner) and Anna his wife; John Davison (Shipwright) and Louisa his wife; Joseph Davison (Master Mariner) and Olivia his wife; and Rhoda Davison, widow of the late Asa Davison all of Hantsport, of the one part and George Woolaver (Blacksmith); Daniel Faulkner (Blockmaker); George W. Churchill (Farmer); and Robert Coalfleet (Joiner) … made 28 June 1856… sum of £90 … bounded by the Road leading from Edward Davison's to the Shore...

(Special staff correspondence of The Halifax Herald.)HANTSPORT-ON-AVON. August 25.—While a burnished brass sun burned the pitch pine from her new decks, and caused her white sides to glisten with reflected rays like searchlights thrown upon an ice-berg, the 1,000 ton four-masted schooner Margaret F. Dick slipped smoothly down her tallow coated ways, at the North Shipyards here yesterday afternoon, and nestled into the turbid tidal waters of the Avon silently, smoothly, and naturally as a swooping swallow takes the air. Three thousand people viewed the spectacle lined along the natural amphitheatre which backs the North yards in a sloping hillside which rises to the sky-line, scattered at various points of vantage inside the yards themselves, and watching the launching from the crowded decks of smaller sail and power craft which had gathered from every public and private landing stage on the Avon within a twenty mile radius. And the unanimous opinion was that Saturday's ceremonial was “the finest launchin'...

Twenty years after the dedication of the William Hall VC Cairn, the Memorial received another plaque - Sunday July 9th, 1967. The final day of the Canadian Centennial Programme in Hantsport was designated William Hall V.C. Memorial Day. The new plaque was fastened to the front of the top base, the inscription reads: THIS CAIRN MARKS THE LAST RESTING PLACE OF WILLIAM HALL, V.C. Led by the Guard of Honour and band from CFB Cornwallis, members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Lucknow Branch 109 Hantsport and the William Hall V.C. Branch 57 Halifax marched from William Street to the Hantsport Baptist Church. At the reviewing stand at the Legion Hall, the Salute was taken by Lieutenant Governor H.P. MacKeen and His Worship the Mayor L.G. Bishop. The church service was conducted by the Rev. Gordon Gower, assisted by the Rev. Dr. W.P. Oliver of Halifax. The address was given by the Rev. George R. Bell, Protestant Chaplain of CFB Cornwallis. This service...

Mayor Claims Lack of Co-operation, Resigns HANTSPORT, March 6/52 – Stemming from vandalism last Hallowe’en, Mayor Burpee T. Smith, resigned at a meeting of Town Council when he claimed that members of the Council were not giving him co-operation as evidenced by refusal to accept his ruling. On Hallowe’en night, two blue spruce trees on the lawn of Town Clerk D. M. Frittenburg were chopped down and a fence on the mayor’s property was also wrecked. Just prior to this incident, town officials, it is said, had been pressing for payment of poll tax arrears. Requests Prosecution Subsequently, Council empowered the mayor to take measures dealing with the apprehension of those responsible and later, with Town Police and R.C.M.P. on the job, His Worship secured circumstantial evidence on which he requested the Council to take action toward prosecution. At the Council meeting Tuesday night, Bruce McDade, Hantsport lawyer, was given permission to address Council on behalf of a client. He demanded that the mayor resign. After...