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Roderick (Rod, Roy, Rory) MacDonald, a retired salesman and merchant, died in 1918 at Hantsport. In his Will he bequeathed his piano, gold watch and a little money to his beloved daughter Clare.²

In the 1921 Census of Canada, Rachael MacDonald now a widow age 62, and Clare age 29, appear to be living on their own in the house on Main Street.³

Clare studied at Acadia University and the Toronto Conservatory of Music and was organist in the Hantsport Baptist Church according to the Evening Mail newspaper of July 19^th, 1928. Her mother Rachael died in December of that year and is buried together her father Roderick in Riverbank Cemetery.⁴

Clare Ledyth MacDonald married Charles Albert Dorman on November 6^th, 1929 in the Hantsport Baptist Church. Clare gave her occupation as Music Teacher and Charles (Charlie) Dorman gave his occupation as Mechanic on the marriage registration.⁵

Charlie Dorman was born in Hants Border on April 2^nd, 1900, the eldest son of Albert Dorman and Jennie Hutchinson. In partnership with Clarence J. Amirault he operated a garage on the west side of Main Street from 1918 to 1931 when that property was sold to Imperial Oil Co. Ltd.⁶

In 1923 Charlie Dorman held a Chauffeur’s License and was self employed. He was later known for having a collection of fine cars.

In September 1947 Charlie Dorman in partnership with Arthur Weatherby opened a business on William Street⁷ in the building where the Valley Credit Union is now located after purchasing the property which at that time extended along William Street to the Post Office,

A 50 foot wide slice of the property adjacent to the Post Office was sold to the Town of Hantsport⁸ in December1950 to create a new street. The property was further subdivided to allow construction of four new homes. Many will remember when the street had a row of cherry trees growing on the median, one side called Cherry Avenue, the other, Cherry Lane.

Arthur Weatherby sold his share of the business in 1958 and it continued as Dorman’s Store until the building was sold to Avon Credit Union in December 1974.⁹

Clare Dorman became the organist at St. James United Church where she was photographed at Easter 1954.¹⁰

She taught piano lessons in the front room of her home to several generations of students, many of whom performed with distinction at the annual Hants County Music Festival.

She was matron of The Order of the Eastern Star, Hantsport branch.

Clare died in November 1972 and is buried in Riverbank Cemetery together with her husband.

Charlie Dorman died at Fisherman’s Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg on February 12^th, 1982. In his Will¹¹ he made bequests to his surviving brother Everett R. Dorman of Wolfville and to his wife Clare’s nieces and nephews, in particular “my friend” Gwendolyn MacDonald, wife of Donald MacDonald of Lunenburg, “including any automobile owned by me at the time of my death”.

Sources:

1. Hants County Registry of Deeds, Book 112, Page 205
2. Hants County Court of Probate, 1918 No. 3089 A
3. 1921 Census of Canada, Nova Scotia, Hants County, sub-district 28 Hantsport Town, Family #54
4. HHS 1995 Riverbank Cemetery Survey, Section 4, No. 200
5. Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics, Registration: Year: 1929 number: 57626
6. Hants County Registry of Deeds, Book 149, Page 785
7. The Hants Journal, newspaper published at Windsor, NS, 17 September 1947
8. Hants County Registry of Deeds, Book 187, Page 690
9. Ibid. Book 328, Page 874
10. HHS Collection, donation of Sharon Scott, 2025
11. Hants County Court of Probate, 1982 No. 4281

At some time in 1914 Oliver Gregg moved his family including a younger son George Phillip b. 1896 and daughter Dorothy Edna b. 1905 to a new large semi-detached house at 10 Hoscote Park, West Kirby, Cheshire.³

Bernard Gregg was educated at King Edward VII School, Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire where he was in the Cadet Corps.

He joined the 12th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment as a Private very early on as he was already serving by November 1914. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 4 December 1914 and immediately posted to the 5th Battalion of the regiment. Arriving at the Western Front on 3 April 1915, he served throughout the war in that sphere, ending as a full Lieutenant. He took part in the battle of the Somme and the 2nd battle of Ypres. The wartime diary of his batman, Thomas Jones, offers a harrowing glimpse of life and death in the trenches. In the British military, a “batman” is a soldier assigned to an officer often handling tasks like managing the officer’s kit and equipment, especially before the advent of motorized transport. The term is derived from the obsolete “bat” meaning pack saddle.

Bernard Gregg’s younger brother George joined the Cheshire Regiment after 1915 serving in the 7th Battalion with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. On 26 March, 1917 the First Battle of Gaza was fought. This was an attempt to capture Gaza from the Ottoman forces in order to clear the way to Jerusalem. George was reported missing-in-action and presumed dead.⁴

George Phillip Gregg 1896-1917

Telegraph from Buckingham Palace OHMS

During the fighting, Second Lieutenant George Philip Gregg was killed, leading his men in the attack. He was one of over 4000 Allied casualties. He was not quite 21 years old. His body was not recovered. He is commemorated on Grange Hill War Memorial, the Rolls of Honour in St Bridget and St Andrew churches in West Kirby and on the Jerusalem Memorial. George Gregg is also listed on the Remembrance Day Honour Roll each year in Hantsport.

After the war Bernard Gregg was on the staff of Harper Adams Agricultural College in Shropshire, where he appears as an instructor in the 1921 Census of England⁵. In a 1975 taped interview⁶, speaking mainly about the North family, he expressed his own interest in animal husbandry.

Following the death of his father Oliver in 1922, Bernard visited various provinces in Canada as a tourist, staying for a time between 1924 and 1925 in Hamilton, Ontario. He immigrated on the 8th of May, 1926 arriving in Halifax from Southampton on board the S.S. Ohio⁷ with his mother Ellen and sister Dorothy, and settled on the Bluff Road in Hants Border, Nova Scotia where he had purchased a farm. In fact, Bernard Gregg purchased several properties in the area.

“ ‘I am but a stranger here, Heaven is my home.’ This was a hymn sung during our first service in St. Andrew’s Church. It was Evensong. My mother, sister, and I had arrived from England by sea the previous afternoon.” – quote from Some notes on time past by B. H. Gregg – September 1978

On 18 June, 1940 at Hantsport, Bernard H. Gregg married Elizabeth Esther Eaton of Montclair, New Jersey⁸. She was the only daughter of Frederick Rupert Eaton and Mary Anna North and also a granddaughter of J. B. North shipbuilder.

He was a faithful member of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Hantsport and served for several years as church warden and vestry clerk. He was a member of Lucknow Branch 109, Royal Canadian Legion and was a founding member of the ACA Co-operative. He served several years as Scoutmaster in Hantsport and as a trustee of Hants Border School.¹⁰

Bernard Gregg’s sister Dorothy (1905-1994) displayed an appreciation for the arts, music and drama as evidenced by her collection of quotes and newspaper clippings.¹¹

Elizabeth Esther (Eaton) Gregg was born in Montclair, New Jersey and graduated from the Kimberley School. She attended Miss Beard’s School in Orange, N.J. and was a member of the Junior League.¹² In her 1984 Will she left bequests to St. Andrews Anglican Church, Payzant Memorial Hospital, her brother and sister-in-law, Frederick N. and Helen Eaton of Pasadena, California together with their three daughters; Patricia, Marjorie, and Shirley; her cousins, Virginia Wright of Halifax and John Lawrence of Truro; Mrs. Guinevere Campbell and Miss Ethel Taylor of Hantsport (daughters of Rev. Morris Taylor), Mrs. Elizabeth (Eaton) Catellier of St. Bruno, Quebec, Robert Eaton of Halifax, her sister-in-law Dorothy Gregg of Halifax, Acadia University, Kings College University, and Mount Allison University.

Following the death of his wife Elizabeth, Bernard Gregg moved from his home in Hants Border and lived with his neighbours, Robert and Hillary Sircom, until his own death on 7 February, 1997 at the age of 102.

Bernard and Elizabeth (Eaton) Gregg are buried¹⁴ in Hantsport Riverbank Cemetery.

Sources:

1. England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915; September Quarter 1894, Salford, Lancashire, England Vol. 8d Page 50
2. Nottinghamshire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1937
3. An Imperishable Record The People of North-West Wirral and the Great War: George Phillip Gregg, biography by Victoria Doran
4. George Phillip Gregg, Photos and Documents: Collection of Bernard Gregg loaned to HHS for scanning by Katherine Sircom
5. 1921 Census of England. Edgmond, Shropshire, Enumeration District 5, Schedule 141, p.1
6. Audio Visual Historical Insight; HHS Collection, Cassette Tapes and Transcripts
7. Canada, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1865-1935
8. Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics, Marriage Registration: Year: 1940 number: 102168
9. HHS Collection, Photographic Slides by Bernard H. Gregg
10. Chronicle Herald obituary, Morley Sypher Collection HHS
11. Dorrie E. Gregg, Clippings: Collection of Bernard Gregg loaned to HHS for scanning by Katherine Sircom
12. The Montclair Times 1940-06-28 p.15
13. HHS Collection, Photo from Carolyn Folker
14. Find A Grave Memorials: 285661131 and 118878534

According to a 1904 clipping¹ from the Amherst “Daily Press” he was proprietor and editor of the “Hantsport Advance” newspaper before taking up his medical studies and residency at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax.

Dr Oscar C Dorman of Hantsport, NS, formerly an employee of the Daily Press, published here, and later on proprieter and editor of the Hantsport Advance, passed through Amherst today on his way to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he will engage in practice. Since leaving the printer’s desk some eleven years ago, Dr Dorman has been pretty thoroughly over the world, having been engaged as surgeon on board the Anglo American Cable Co’s ship “Minia” during four years of this time, Resigning this position in 1901 he has pursued past-graduate studies in London during the past two years, where early last year he received diplomas as member of the Royal College of Surgeons, England and Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians, London. His old friends in Amherst will be pleased to hear of his success in the new field.

There is a connection to Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick however Oscar Dorman was not enrolled there as a student.

A volume of “Original Poems” by Mount Allison student William Mortimer Lockhart (1868-1889), also of Lockhartville, was printed by Oscar C. Dorman after Lockhart’s death from a lung hemorrhage in the fall of his freshman year. The item² includes a poem by Arthur John Lockhart (also known as Pastor Felix).

List of poems:

1. Mors et vita
2. Poetry
3. Lines on the death of Rev. J.A. McLean
4. Lines written on a number of graves found in a pasture now owned by M. Solomon Lawrence at Horton Bluff
5. Blomidon
6. Lines on life
7. Monody – on the death of Wm. Mortimer Lockhart who died at Mt. Allison, N.B., Dec. 7th, 1889 by Arthur J. Lockhart.

Dr. Dorman first appears in the “Medical Register, Province of Nova Scotia 1897-8” as follows:
Dorman Oscar Chipman, M D, C M, Dal Univ, 1897. Vict Gen Hosp, Hfx

Dalhousie University Archives has further clarified that Dr. Oscar Chipman Dorman graduated in 1897 with a M.D. C.M. (Doctor of Medicine and master in surgery). He was assigned to the Victoria General Hospital while a student at the Halifax Medical College. The Halifax Medical College³ was the teaching body while the faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie was the examining body.

Dr. Oscar Chipman Dorman was married⁵ at Winnipeg, Manitoba on the 10^th of November, 1910 to Harriet Troop Day. She was the daughter of Rev. Dr. George Frederick Day and Keziah Mabel Hardwick of Granville Ferry, Annapolis County, NS. Following the death of Rev. Day in 1911, his mother-in-law Keziah Day lived with them in Winnipeg until her death in 1934.

Doctor and Mrs. Dorman had three daughters; Margaret b. 1912, Dorothy b. 1915, and Shirley b. 1920. Dorothy and Shirley later worked as assistants in his Winnipeg practice.

In December 1917, Dr. Dorman became an officer in the Canadian Army Medical Corps⁶. There is no evidence that he served overseas.

According to the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, the Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC) played an essential role in keeping soldiers alive. Founded in 1904, the Corps underwent massive expansion from 1914 to 1918. Casualties among Canadian troops in France and Belgium were so heavy that more than half of all Canadian physicians served overseas to treat them.

The 1931 Census of Canada⁷ shows the family living at 83 Ruby St. in Winnipeg.

Dr. Oscar C. Dorman died at his home in Winnipeg⁸ on August 12^th, 1946. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Winnipeg with his wife Harriet who died in 1949 at the home of their daughter Margaret Blanchart in Montreal. He was a well known Physician in Winnipeg for 45 years.

Notes:

1. HHS Collection
2. The University of Alberta Library, Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions (Filmed from a copy of the original publication held by the Ralph Pickard Bell Library, Mount Allison University)
3. Dalhousie University Library, History of Medicine
4. History of the Atlantic Cable & Undersea Communications, Cable Ship “Minia”. With CS Mackay Bennett, Minia was one of the ships which recovered bodies after the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.
5. Manitoba Vital Statistics Branch; Registration Number: 1910,002975
6. Library and Archives Canada, Department of Militia and Defence. Certificates of Military Instruction
7. 1931 Census of Canada, Manitoba, Winnipeg South Centre, Sub District 0055 – Winnipeg (City), Family No. 141
8. The Winnipeg Tribune, Tuesday, 13 August 1946, p.5

Charles Samuel Chesley and his wife Nancy also offered accommodation at his “Home Comfort Hotel” for customers while they were fitted and regained mobility. The Hantsport & Area Historical Society’s website includes an article under Business and Industry where more information can be found about the enterprise.

The 1921 Census of Canada shows four “lodgers” residing with Chesley, his wife and their daughter. Two are employees; Robert Paoli Veino age 28, and Bernice Grace Bennett age 26.

The 11 year old boy, Henry Murphy, is the subject this monograph.

Henry Murphy was introduced to readers of The Evening Mail in 1919. Along with The Halifax Herald, the newspapers were published in Halifax, N.S. by President and Editor-in Chief, Senator William Dennis.

Henry became something of a “poster boy” for the Christmas Goodfellows and Rainbow charities sponsored by Mr. Dennis.

Photos: The Evening Mail (Halifax, Nova Scotia) · Sat, Jul 29, 1922

Henry Murphy’s pal and fellow newsboy Tommy Sulkis first came to the attention of Mr. Dennis while walking home from the office. He observed some boys coasting, and one little lad wound up with a broken sled with no rope. “Then Tommy, one-legged little Tommy, who hopped along with the aid of a crutch, came to the rescue, “Here, take mine,” he offered, generously.”

“The second time Tommy came to my attention was when the Goodfellow’s Club was organized shortly before Christmas. Ten-year old Tommy limped into the office of The Evening Mail early one cold morning and, with his small chin just reaching the edge of the counter he laid down a quarter. “This is to get something fer a little kid fer Christmas,” announced Tommy.”

“Tommy was then and there elected president of the Goodfellow’s Club and The Evening Mail further stated that the Goodfellow’s Club would always take an interest in Tommy Sulkis because he had proven that he had “the right stuff” in him. Tommy, you must understand, is not a little boy who has lots of money to spend. For four years, ever since he was six years old, he has been a newsboy. He lives with his mother and grandmother at No. 4 Grafton street and every cent that he earns is very much needed at home. The members of the Goodfellows’ Club meant what they said. Shortly after Christmas they sent Tommy to Hantsport to be fitted with an artificial limb. Tommy went to Hantsport with a whole new outfit – brand new suit, overcoat, cap, gloves, boots, everything he needed. Now he looks very much like other little boys, because unless you knew that only one of those legs was real, you would never guess it. So much for Tommy, now to tell you about Henry.”

“Probably some of the Rainbows who live in Halifax have often seen a little crippled boy on Sackville street, near the office of the Evening Mail. This little lad has two thin, crooked little legs that are of little use to him, because the only way he can get along is by using two crutches – Tommy used only one. That little boy is Henry Murphy. His father, who was a Cape Breton miner, died when Henry was a baby. There was a big family of children and the mother had a hard struggle to get along. There was neither time nor money to spare in the care of a little cripple. Thus Henry was left to battle through life as best he could.”³

GOODFELLOW HENRY MURPHY SWELLS THE EMPTY STOCKING FUND⁴

Of the $2,000 so far contributed to the Goodfellows Empty Stocking Fund, the secretary believes that the readers of this paper will agree that THE MOST GENEROUS GIFT TO DATE is that received this morning from Hantsport. Who do you suppose it is from? Well, it’s going to be a surprise. It is from no less a person than little Henry Murphy. The example he sets is worth hundreds, for less than a year ago Henry was a sickly, poorly clad and what was thought a hopelessly crippled child living under pathetic circumstances on Grafton Street. Nursing Sister Nora Larkin told the Goodfellow’s Club of the tragedy of this little boy’s life and asked up to co-operate in having him placed in an institution, as under existing conditions the light of his little life would soon burn out. The story appealed to the club and Sister Larkin was requested to bring Henry to Goodfellows’ Headquarters, so one bitterly cold morning, Henry hobbled in on his crutches — an object of pity and a member of the Club in the Mail office at the time was so impressed with the little fellow that he secured permission to take him to his own home, where Henry was fitted out with new clothes, spent several weeks and was then taken to the Children’s Hospital for medical attention. Modern supports were secured for the twisted little limbs and the boy soon showed signs of improvement. In the summer he was sent to East Dover where he had a delightful time and when he came back to town this fall, the Goodfellow who was interested in him arranged to have him taken care of in the home of C. S. Chesley, Hantsport, manufacturer of limb supports and artificial limbs, where Henry is receiving massages twice a day and where the once useless little limbs are daily showing improvement. His improvement is nothing short of phenomenal. He has gained at least 25 pounds in weight, goes to school every day, is a bright little scholar and is now – in less than a year, able to write a most interesting letter in a very creditable hand. The Goodfellow who was interested in him wanted him to come to Halifax for Christmas, but Henry is having too good a time in Hantsport as will be observed from the following letter:

There is the story and the secretary of the Goodfellows’ Club is the most delighted person in Halifax, at the thoughtfulness of Henry Murphy. Just think – a little child in his circumstances saving up his odd pennies, that most children with lots of money would spend on themselves, sending his contribution to bring happiness to the little boys and girls he knows are in need of Christmas cheer. Henry Murphy has set a splendid example. He realizes the experience of having been FORGOTTEN BY SANTA CLAUS and the fact that he saved up his pennies until he had a dollar should set an example to every reader of this paper.

Hantsport school registers confirm that Henry Joseph Murphy was a student in 1919/20 (age 7, grade 1) and again in 1922/23 (age 12, grade 5) with Mr. Charles Chesley listed as guardian. George Chornier, the other “lodger” from the 1921 census, appears in the school registers for 1922/23 and 1923/34 also with Mr. Chesley listed as guardian.⁵

Newspaper clipping: The Evening Mail (Halifax, Nova Scotia) · Sat, May 7, 1921

The history of the Chesley Artificial Limb Company says “Splints or metal supports were made for a number of Polio victims. One of these, a little boy from Halifax, Henry Murphy, boarded with the Chesleys for several years. His expenses were paid by Mr. Wm. Dennis owner of the Halifax Herald after he found Henry selling papers on the street.”

Henry Joseph Murphy was married at Halifax in 1942 to Ivy Alice Rout⁶. His occupation is recorded as accountant with the Dept. of Works/Buildings – Naval Station. His wife Ivy also had an interesting background. She arrived in Halifax from England as an infant in March 1913 with her widowed mother Alice Rout and two older siblings, Fred and Edith, on board the ship “Victorian”.⁷

Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Murphy appear in the 1957 Federal Voters List living at 54 Connaught Ave. in Halifax, his occupation is given as accountant.⁸

Henry Joseph Murphy died at Halifax on 26 January, 1968⁹ and is buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville¹⁰.

Ivy A. Murphy died in 2004¹¹ and is buried in Pine Hill Cemetery, Hubbards with her mother, Alice Rout.

Sources:

1. 1917 McAlpine Gazetteer of Nova Scotia
2. Library and Archives Canada, 1921 Census of Canada, Nova Scotia, Hants County, Sub-District No. 28 Hantsport Town, p. 2
3. The Evening Mail (Halifax, Nova Scotia) · Sat, Apr 12, 1919
4. Ibid. · Fri, Dec 19, 1919
5. Hantsport School Registers 1886-1953, Hantsport & Area Historical Society, 2020
6. Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics, Registration: Year: 1942 number: 115164
7. “Canada Passenger Lists, 1881-1922” , T-4746, Library and Archives Canada
8. “Voters Lists, Federal Elections, 1935–1980”, R1003-6-3-E (RG113-B), Library and Archives Canada
9. Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics, Death Registration: Year: 1968 number: 1406
10. Catholic Cemeteries of Halifax, Gate of Heaven, Interment Date: January 29, 1968, Section 1. Plot L, Grave 19A
11. The Chronicle-Herald, Halifax N.S., 27 January 2004

Captain Nicholas Beckwith married Samantha Phelps of Lubec, Maine in 1832. They had a son, Nicholas Warren, who also became a Master Mariner. They are all buried in Riverbank Cemetery, Hantsport.

We don’t know when Nicholas Sr. started his career at sea. His name first appears in the Shipping Register at Halifax in 1848.² On the 16^th of February, Ezra Churchill sold him 16 shares in the brig “BILLOW”, a 132 ton brig built by John Mosher at Newport in 1841. In October of the same year Churchill had a new vessel launched at Scotts Bay he named “AMERICA”. Nicholas held 16 shares and was Master of the vessel. This was the start of a long association with the Churchill Fleet.

Captain Beckwith left with the “AMERICA” the last day of October, 1848 on the vessel’s maiden voyage with his wife on board. The voyage ended back in Hantsport nine months later.

[A quote from the Dickie Diary]

July 19^th, 1849. After supper we went to Joe Davison’s a while as the “WANDERER” had come in at noon, and also
the “AMERICA”. Mrs Beckwith came home and it looks good to see her with windows and doors open again. As they
have been away so long. I had a peace of pineapple at Olivia’s for the first time. We had a pleasant walk home.

Nicholas Beckwith moved from Horton Twp. to Hantsport about 1843. His property was on Main Street. The barn behind Home Hardware is all that remains. The small house next to the barn, where his son Nicholas Warren Beckwith lived, is still standing, now owned by John Janes (2005).

Captain Hibbert Mitchner lived at civic number 36 Main Street, now owned by Lorne Brothers (2005). A girl named Margaret Dickie was his housekeeper. She started to keep a diary in 1847 and describes a little bit of life that went on at that time in Hantsport.

October 18^th, 1849. This is a windy, squally day. I took my letter this morning over to Mr. Faulkner to send to Windsor by him, so coming back I met Mrs. Kendall with some strawberry plants Mr. Michener had got out of Mr. Hacer’s garden. Rob, John, Ann, and David Huntly have been here this evening. Many were made glad today by the return of Husbands and friends. The “AMERICA”, Captain Beckwith, and “WANDERER”, Captain Joe Davison, came in. Mrs. Beckwith sent ma a cluster of grapes Captain Beckwith having brought some home. Ann got some that Joe brought, I hailed Sam Marsters, as I saw him passing, he just returned from Boston, having been out in the “CLARENCE”’ to Glasgow.

October 30^th, 1849. The “America” is leaving Hantsport on her third voyage, Sam Marsters is joining the vessel with Captain Beckwith as mate.

December 27^th, 1849. The “AMERICA” returned today after a three months trip to the West Indies and back.

The third vessel Ezra Churchill had built at Hantsport was the “BURMAH”, an 851 ton ship by Daniel Huntly in 1853. Her first captain was Guerdon Davison, a brother-in-law of Ezra, who sailed her for two years until Captain Nicholas Beckwith was given command. His son Nicholas Warren had made up his mind he would make the sea his career. He signed on the “BURMAH” with his father as an apprentice seaman. Five years later he was also a captain.

A shipping notice published in 1856³ reported that the “BURMAH” had arrived at the Port of Quebec on June 2^nd with Capt. Beckwith from Cardiff, G.B. with a consignment of railway iron.

The “BURMAH” was lost at sea, off the coast of Ireland in 1867.

A letter from Nicholas Beckwith to his employer at Hantsport describes some trouble he encountered on one of his voyages aboard the ship “GLORIE”, 1138 tons, built at Hantsport in 1862.

James Scott & Company.                              Queenstown (Ireland) 
                                                      6th. January 1866

Ezra Churchill, Esq; 
Hantsport N.S.

Dear Sir;

       The news of this letter will not be very agreeable to you. I suppose I have now done you almost as much harm as ever I done you good. Well, I shall make a truthful statement of all our trouble. To begin we left St. John on 5 Dec’r. Strong N.W. wind. The crew, which came on board sober, fetched enough to get drunk on. We managed to get some sail on the ship, and enough sober to steer her through the night. Next day mustered and sounded pumps. Had three feet water in the ship and we found after that whenever her covering board was under water she leaked good deal. The ship was much by the head and steered bad and sailed poorly.
       We got on without any trouble until the 19th. The wind came into eastward. Had appearances of bad weather. Took in all sail at 4 afternoon. Hove too under lower main topsail and fore top mast staysail. The gale increasing until 8. The men constantly at pumps, at which time she had 4 feet water in hold. We thought best at that time to throw over the deck load. At 12 shipped a sea which floated or lifted up the deals on her weather side and threw them down to leeward on the men to work. Broke one man’s leg and bruised another so bad that he has done nothing since. Bruised two men slightly. It moderated then. We man ship to get the strained side out of water. At 5 morning of the 20th, came on as hard as ever from N.W. at 7 main topsail went to pieces. 5 feet 6 inches water. At noon began to moderate. At 3 deck load all off. The skylight stove in, staterooms, pantry and store room windows broke in; water running across the cabin floor as she rolled the same as on the deck outside, and from that until we made the land if I went, into the fore cabin I would have to wear boots to keep dry feet. After throwing off deck load, men being pretty tired did not stick very tight to the pumps. Next morning at 9 o’clock she had 9 and half feet in the hold. Commenced then with a good will at the pumps. At 4 P.M. had only 4 feet, but we didn’t get her sucked out until 23.
       There was nothing but gales one after another, so it was almost impossible to stand to the pumps. Those gales when we threw over deck load I thought the heaviest I ever saw. On the 24 the wind blowed very hard from S.S.W. Hove too under a reefed upper main topsail. Between 12 and one was struck with tremendous squall from west. Threw the ship on her beam ends. She lay down, her lee upper dead eyes in the water. The water all up round the main mast. No standing at the pumps, even on the weather side. One of the men hurt. Had to get out lower berth in forward house to keep out of the water. She lay that way for an hour and a half. No signs of moderating. Night is coming on - something must be done. The main topsail had broke, and the sail was going to pieces - no use to think of setting any sail to get her before the wind. Would have to cut the mizzen mast and then I did not believe she could be steered before such a furious gale, and if she could, the men could not work the pumps. I then decided to cut away the fore mast, which was done. It broke the main top gallant mast and fetched the yards attached down afoul of main topsail yards, and there it hung by the wire rigging, and there was no getting rid of it but by cutting away main top mast, and when that went it took main mast head. That came down on the end of main yard and took that with it. There we was - nothing but mizzen mast and top mast and two topsail yards. Cross jack being carried away day before. Just as we got clear of it I was sorry I had it done. It began to moderate. The men then went at the pumps, and [it] freed next day at noon. We drifted and sailed a little - got here yesterday. Paid steam tug 25 pounds, to tow us in. Pilot and boats 20 pounds, would try to get to Liverpool but no sails to depend on. I expect a tug here tomorrow. I have read of two other ships which cut away masts in same gale. The bark White Hall, dragged afoul of another ship - knocked his own bowsprit and fore mast out, and paid 150 pounds for a tug to tow him out of the way. I never saw so many dismasted and damaged ships in my life, and such a fortnight of weather I hope I may never see again. Will refit much cheaper at Liverpool than here.
                                        Yours Truly,
                                         N. Beckwith

An Irish newspaper account of the storm in the North Atlantic was published on the 2^nd of January 1866. The barque “EUPHENIA” reported similar conditions and the sighting a brig in distress.⁴

Captain N. W. Beckwith of Hantsport N.S. was the author of a lengthy article, “Concerning Canadian Ship-Building: Its Record and Resources” published in the June 1873 edition of “The Canadian Monthly and National Review”. ⁵

A much more entertaining article, “Unexpected Prizes” by Capt. N. W. Beckwith was published in “Hearth and Home”. He describes an excursion by row boat ashore to an island in the Makassar Strait near Borneo, Indonesia where various provisions availed themselves. The story was reprinted in an August, 1875 American newspaper. ⁶

Sources:

1. Commissioner of Public Records Nova Scotia Archives RG 1 vol. 449 no. 161
2. HHS Collection, typewritten manuscript by St. Clair Patterson, “Beckwith Family” 2005
3. “The Gazette” (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) · Fri, Jun 5, 1857 · Page 2
4. “Freeman’s Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser” (Dublin, Ireland) · Tue, Jan 2, 1866 · Page 2
5. “The Canadian Monthly and National Review”, Vol. 3, No. 6, June 1873 · Page 457
6. “Jackson County Banner” (Brownstown, Indiana) · Thu, Aug 5, 1875 · Page 6

The restaurant property on the west side of Main Street, now civic number 37, was purchased in 1946¹. Don’s Restaurant was a popular hangout for high school students in the 1950s and 60s. The counter and ice cream floats gave Hantsport its own version of an “American Graffiti” ethos.

The motel property on the east side of Main Street, civic number 38, was purchased in 1958².

The restaurant dining room could accommodate a fairly large gathering. Here are two photos³ of Steadmans Variety Store employees and guests enjoying a festive dinner.

The gentleman seated at the head of the table is Lawrence C. Giffin, manager of Steadmans. His wife Dorothy and son Olliver are seated to his left. A jukebox can be seen in the corner behind them.

This view from the opposite end of the table shows a spacious coat rack and rest room across from the kitchen entrance. Along the wall in the foreground one can see the price of Fish and Chips, 35¢ or Chips, 15¢

More prices are displayed in this photo of Josephine standing at the counter. Note the list of Ice Cream flavours and the pass-through to the kitchen.

Don and Josephine Beckwith retired from the restaurant and motel business, selling both properties in 1972⁴, and moved to Martin’s River. Don was an avid boater, camper and card player⁵. He learned to play pi­ano at 70, sang solos at church at 85, and took up painting again at 97. Josephine was a devoted wife for 52 years⁶. Family and friends were always wel­come.

Sources:

1. Hants County Registry of Deeds, Book 171, Page 311
2. Hants County Registry of Deeds, Book 216, Page 589
3. HHS Collection, 2015
4. Hants County Registry of Deeds, Book 301, Page 482
5. The Chronicle Herald, 6 January 2015
6. The Chronicle Herald, 21 December 2021

The main driving force behind sport in Hantsport in the period before World War I was the Tri-Mu, a boys’ and young men’s club organized by Rev. F. E. Barrett, Methodist minister, before 1910. When he moved on to another charge, the club was led by Rev. Waldo C. Machum³, the Baptist minister.

We have not found a satisfactory explanation of the name Tri-Mu, though the constitution does state the object of the club to be threefold: “To promote the moral, mental and muscular well-being of the boys and young men of the town.” This was open to boys and young men between the age of twelve and twenty-five who were elected by a two-third majority of the members. It is startling to note from the minutes that the club regularly rejected applicants. It is also indicative of the lure of the club, at least in the early years, that some of these who were rejected applied a second and even third time.

The club’s pledge was itself a noble document: “I will honestly try by God’s help to keep the promises I have now made; that I will attend regularly some Sabbath School and, whenever possible, one other church service on the Lord’s Day; that I will be present as often as possible at the regular business meetings of the club; I promise further to do my best to develop my body by making as much use as possible of the opportunities the Club affords by way of sports and gymnastic exercise. I further promise that I speak no foul, impure, nor wicked words, and that I will endeavour to make the most of myself mentally, morally, and muscularly, that the Club may have reason to pride itself on my membership.”

Their motto was 2 Timothy 2:15.

Note 2: Tri Mu appears elsewhere in North America around that time although the focus on young men’s sport and ecumenical nature is unique to Hantsport. Mr. Curtiss, a U.S. Senator, presented a memorial of the Young Men’s Tri Mu Class of the First Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas in July 1919 .. remonstrating against the repeal .. of wartime prohibition.⁴ The First Baptist Church of Glendale, California reported in September 1921 that the Tri Mu Class was trying for 100 members as part of Rally Week.⁵

1913 Officers

• President – Carl Comstock
• Vice-President – Hugh Rolph 
• Secretary – Ian McLellan        
• Treasurer – Will Murray   
• Director – Waldo C. Machum

Tri-Mu Club Room, Tuesday Evening, Jany 7th, 1913

Special Meeting.  Opened with a prayer by Mr. Machum.

Moved, seconded and carried that the Anniversary of the Club be held, Thursday Jany 23rd.          Moved, seconded and carried that a Committee be appointed to make arrangements.   Mr Machum named the Executive as the Committee, namely Carl Comstock, Hugh Rolph, Ian McLellan, Will Murray.  Moved and seconded that the price of Season tickets for the Rink be fifty cents to members. Carried.  Moved and seconded that the price of Ladies Season tickets be $1.00 and Gents $1.25. Carried.      Moved, seconded and carried that a levy of 10 cts. be made on each member of the Club to purchase a ham for the Anniversary Banquet.  Moved, seconded and carried that henceforth the Club dues be paid quarterly instead of monthly.                                                                                                            Ian B. McLellan, Sec.

Around the turn of the century, there seems to have been a round rink down near the tracks called Parker’s Rink. We have been unable to confirm the when or where of this one.

Around this time also, the Mumford Foundry owned by J. A. Mumford and from which Foundry Road gets its name, was sold out and the machinery moved to Amherst. The building itself apparently continued to be owned by Mumford who allowed some changes to be made in the empty building so it could be converted into Hantsport’s first and only indoor rink. It was rather primitive, the water being pumped from a well on one side of the building and the fine ice making was done by carrying around a garden sprinkling can. This building was long, running parallel to Cottage Street. Later, around 1911, it was sold to Mr. Nichols who shifted a part of the building to house a saw mill and fruit basket industry. This was later Murray’s mill, or more properly, the Hantsport Fruit Basket Company.

This change marked the end of the indoor rink and an outdoor rink was then constructed on what is now the spur line of the Gypsum Company. This rink was behind the L. B. Harvie property and ran parallel to William Street. It continued to operate until the Gypsum Company moved in, and around 1945, a rink was constructed on the site of the present school.

The Tri-Mu club arranged all athletic activities including track, baseball, basketball and hockey. For a number of years they operated the rink. They were also the main force behind arranging the festivities for special days like May 24^th and July 1^st. Some cultural activities were arranged, mainly as money makers, and included minstrel shows, plays, and bean suppers.

The club apparently flourished until around 1914. An amendment to the constitution, Section 4, “The use of tobacco or strong drink in any form by any member shall debar him from membership in the club”, took a heavy toll. Several members were debarred and it would be suspected there would be some who dropped out in face of the threat. By 1915 many of the older members were in the services and the club apparently disintegrated after a long and worthwhile life. A list of members who signed the constitution is appended. This was by no means all the members.

The club meeting room and gymnasium, were upstairs above the present McKinnon’s Hardware, which previously had been a Lodge Hall. Their reading room was on the ground floor. Older readers will remember this section as Simpson’s Jewellery Store, MacBurnie’s barbershop, a hot dog dispensary, and Hart’s Clothing Store. The building at that time was owned by Andrew W. Pattison who ran a tinsmith’s shop downstairs. Later the club moved to a barrel shed, now long since gone, which stood near the site of Ray Johnston’s home on School Street. It was owned by John Woolaver.

Tri-Mu Club Rooms    Thursday Eve, May 28st 1914

Meeting opened with prayer by Mr. Machum.  M,S & C we proceed with the initiation of Jim Barkhouse, and Leslie Benjamin.  Mr. Machum brought in his report of May 25th and announced we would have between fifty five to sixty dollars clear.  M,S & C we pay the bills at the Hants Journal and Tribune offices. 

M, S & C send a card of thanks to all the outsiders who assisted us in the concert and also to those who gave prizes for the sports.

M, S & C we give a present to Miss MacDonald for helping us with the music for the concert. 

Mr. Machum spoke of the good work of Clyde Davison for selling tickets to the value of twelve dollars.  He also said that he would form a baseball league and a game to take place every Thursday night on the school grounds.   Mr. Machum wrote for information concerning the Y.M.C.A. camp and anyone who wanted to go to send in their names and the club would vote on them.  The names of Percy Frizzle, Harold Stab, Milford McCharles and Harold Cohoon and the first three were elected but Harold Cohoon was rejected.  M, S & C we adjourn.

Cecil H. Riley                                                                                                         Secretary                                                                                                    

One of the high points of the year for the Tri-Mu Club was their camping trip. Usually a two-week stay at Cheverie, groups of as many as thirty-six would go over with Mr. Machum who always used the first half of his vacation for this purpose. Later, camping again received a shot in the arm with the setting up of Boy Scouts under the leadership of George Holmes. They camped at Lakelands and continued also to use the Cheverie campgrounds.

                                                                                       Tri-Mu Club Rooms      Sept 17th 1914

Meeting opened with prayer by Mr. Machum.  M, S & C that Mr. Machum’s camp report be received and adopted.  It was announced that election of officers would take place next Thursday evening.  M, S & C that we vote on Harry Craig’s name next meeting.  Announcement was made that the club member who made the best development during the next eight months, muscularly, mentally and morally should receive some form of recognition.

Some reference was made to the basketball series. M, S & C we adjourn.

                                                                                                              Cecil  Riley      Secretary 

Rev. Barrett, founder of the Hantsport Tri-Mu Club, delivered the eulogy for Arthur Pentz who was wounded and died in France while serving in the First World War. “(Mr. Barrett) read extracts from a letter he recently received from the young hero, in which he gave expression to his comfort in 2nd Timothy 2:15, the motto of the Tri-Mu Club, and also of pride that he was among the first to respond to the call of his country and served so faithfully and courageously.”⁶ A letter from Rev. Mr. Machum was also read.

Sources:

1. Hantsport High School Yearbook 1969/70
2. HHS Collection, “Summary of the Minute Book. Tri-Mu Club 1913-1916” transcribed and indexed by Bob Langdon
3. Bishop, Brian. “BarberShop BaseBall” 2015, pp. 10-14
4. US Senate, Congressional Record, Tuesday July 15, 1919
5. Glendale Daily Press, 23 September 1921
6. The Evening Mail, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Wednesday, August 16, 1916

Nellie Althea Greene, age 32, school teacher and resident of Summerville, Hants County married¹ Charles Ernest Fox on the 1^st 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 Hantsport” written by Nellie Fox and published in The Chronicle Herald on 4 April 1961.

She collaborated with Edith Mosher on a booklet about Captain John Grant and Loyal Hill, Summerville³.

A full bibliography would be difficult to compile.

The Society recently acquired photocopies of letters⁴ written by Nellie Fox to Mrs. Florence (Ted) Sanford of Summerville in the early 1980s. One of those letters is reproduced here to illustrate her wealth of knowledge and diligence in helping all those who sought advice. It is interesting that she mentions on the final page a reminiscence of ‘the first year I taught on the Shore’.

LOCAL AUTHORS HONORED BY HISTORICAL SOCIETY⁵
The June meeting of the West Hants Historical Society held Monday June 19 was attended by a large number of members and guests for its “Honor your Authors Program”.
During the evening 14 authors from West Hants were recognized for their contributions to heritage preservation in the area and presented with certificates by the Society’s President, Veronica Connelly.
The following authors received certificates: Katherine Anslow, Marion Davison, John Duncanson, Norman Creighton, Nellie Fox, Leland Harvie, Cloyda Loomer, Leslie Loomer, Audrey Marsh, Ken Miller, Edith Mosher, Carole Peterson, William Pope and Maribelle Smiley.
Guest speaker for the occasion was Rev. William Pope speaking on the author’s contribution to the history of the local area.

Nellie Fox died in 1990 and is buried with her husband Charlie in Hantsport Riverbank Cemetery⁶.

Sources:

1. Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics: Marriage Registration: Year: 1938 number: 90992
2. Public Archives of Nova Scotia, ISSN 02274752
3. “Land of a Loyalist”, by Edith Mosher with Nellie Fox, Lancelot Press, Hantsport, NS, 1988
4. HHS Collection: Gift of Juanita Wilcox, 2024
5. The Hants Journal, 26 June 1985
6. HHS, Morley Sypher obituary collection

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.

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 purchased property in Hantsport from Capt.Clarence Coalfleet in 1910³ and his son Elliott Tingley, Ken’s father, purchased property in Hants Border in 1955⁴ so the family has a long association with the area.

It is interesting that Ken Tingley’s obituary mentions he was an avid pianist. Here is a memory shared by Stephen Hart⁵.

When we were at Jennifer’s place (Thanksgiving 2017) we each thought of a few stories to share from our earlier lives.
A few days later I thought of this one from my life when I was about 12 yrs old I think.
We had neighbours at the corner of Willow and School streets for a short period of time and
for about a month mother hosted their son Kenneth Tingley for dinner each school day.
He would rush in and sit down at the piano and rattle the keys for perhaps 15 min waiting for
dinner. He would play a jazz tune every day from memory at high speed with no mistakes
and I would be thrilled every day because I did not know such music could be played on the
piano and had never heard our piano used like that before. The Johnston Rag I think.

Ken was not the only musician in the family. His sister Helen (a 1950 Hantsport School graduate) won the Hants County Music Festival piano solo competition for age 16 and under with a mark of 88.

Kenneth Tingley OBITUARY⁷

Kenneth Tingley Oct 12, 1932 – Jan 28, 2017 La Selva Beach

Kenneth Tingley, whose accomplished life took him from a one-room schoolhouse in rural Nova Scotia to Harvard Business School and a notable career as a technology executive, passed away at home on January 28, 2017 after a lengthy illness.

Ken was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada, the eldest of four children of Elliott and Greta Tingley. He attended Acadia University and Nova Scotia Technical College where he graduated with his degree in Electrical Engineering. As an officer cadet in the University Naval Training Division, he was one of a select group of cadets chosen to be part of the prestigious Royal Canadian Navy cruise to the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Upon graduating from “Tech” he married Donna Shaw of Halifax, Nova Scotia. They went to Montreal where Ken joined the Canadian General Electric Test Program before moving to New Jersey with Union Carbide in 1958.

Ken soon realized that management was where he belonged and the couple moved to Massachusetts where Ken attended Harvard Business School, graduating with an MBA in 1962. Ken’s business career began in marketing with Hewlett Packard in Palo Alto, California. One of his signature accomplishments while there was the creation of the innovative flying demo program in which he equipped a PAN AM DC 6B with Hewlett Packard equipment, visiting over 100 international locations, including South Africa, Taiwan, Lebanon, and New Zealand. After this successful stint at HP, he moved the family to France to work at Schlumberger Instruments as General Manager of their European Marketing Division. In 1974 he returned to the US with Northern Telecom in New Hampshire and later General Signal in Massachusetts.

Ken and Donna built a second home in Chester, Nova Scotia in 1991 and spent many happy summers there visiting with family and old school friends. They moved back to California and have lived in La Selva Beach since 1996.

Ken was an avid reader, pianist, tennis player, skier, and skater. Passionate about language, literature, politics, vintage cars, bridge, music, the New York Times crossword puzzle, and wine, he was a lively conversationalist with a sharp wit. Ken was proud of and fascinated by his ancestor, Joshua Slocum, the first person to single-handedly circumnavigate the world, and author of “Sailing Alone Around the World.” Ken is predeceased by his parents.

The family is grateful for the support of dear friends as well as the caring doctors, nurses, and caregivers at Dominican Hospital and the Infusion Center, Santa Cruz Hospice, and Care From the Heart, during Ken’s illness.

Sources:

1. Hantsport School 1949 Yearbook, HHS Collection
2. Hants County, Nova Scotia Court of Probate, Estate No. 135 B
3. Hants County Registry of Deeds, Book 107 p.11
4. Kings County Registry of Deeds, Book 182 p.28
5. Email dated 19 October 2017 from Stephen Hart to Leland Harvie
6. ‘The Halifax Chronicle-Herald’, 13 May 1950
7. Obituary printed in the ‘Santa Cruz Sentinel’, January 2017