Hantsport Stories

Richard Paul (Dick) Beazley was born on June 19th, 1911 in Hantsport, Nova Scotia, the son of Gabriel Beazley and Blanche Wambolt. His older brother Fred was an aspiring runner who had competed in the Halifax Herald and Evening Mail Modified Marathon. On October 23rd, 1926 Fred invited Dick to train with him so that he could judge his pace during practice. When Fred returned home at the end of his run, Dick was waiting for him. Dick had outpaced his brother for the entire run! This made Fred decide to give up on running and encourage his younger brother to train and pursue running instead.  In 1927, at the age of 16, Dick Beazley won his first road race. The race was 8 miles, from Hantsport to Windsor. That same year, he was included in the list of runners in a news article promoting the upcoming Halifax Herald and Evening Mail Modified Marathon. This would be the first time...

In 1960 the women of Bishopville met together and formed the Daisy Club. At the first meeting in February the following officers were elected: President, Georgia Sheffield; Treasurer, Ida Frizzle, and Secretary, Sadie Payzant. Over the years they made quilts, did knitting, had card parties, dances, and pie sales to raise money. (1) 1976 Walk-a-Thon (2) They bought the school for a Community hall. Over the years they have been there to help those who were ill or in need. Little Red Schoolhouse - Bishopville Community Hall 2021 2008 (3) 2015 (4) The Club received a legacy from the Estate of the Late Hedley Bishop. This was used for church renovations, cemetery fence, etc. Bishopville Cemetery 2021 Present members include: Joan Starratt, Barb Rowlings, Ida Frizzel, Tina Sheffield, Betty Smith, Mary Harvey, Eileen Strickland, Jessie Burgess, Kathleen Miner, Pearl Myles, Sadie Payzant, Georgia Sheffield. (1) A group of families stand in front of the old church all dressed up for a picnic - ca 1930Bishopville Baptist Church...

This week we were saddened to learn of the passing of Graham Campbell. His mother Jean Murray was born in Hantsport, the daughter of D.W. and Emma Murray. Graham’s true work and labour of love was found in his 55 year affiliation with the many organizations of the Masonic Order. Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, Masonic Lodge Truro 43, Philae Shriners Halifax Clown Unit, Royal Arch Chapter in Truro and Central Shrine Club. As a young boy, during his summer months in Hantsport, he participated in his first parade as a clown and later in life further enhanced his skills as “Beeper” the Clown at the Northeast Clown Institute in Plymouth, MA. His work with the Shriners Clown Unit was his true passion. He was very well known throughout Nova Scotia and would never miss a parade. Graham loved to make people happy, especially the little ones, whose smiles fueled his joy for life. Whether it was through Beeper in parades and...

Chief Petty Officer Frank Edward Newcomb of Hantsport served in the R.C.N. in World War II. He was born in Hantsport on April 21, 1904, son of Jedidiah Henry and Margaret (Davison) Newcomb. His grandfather was Jedidiah Ells Newcomb who came to Hantsport in 1860 from Cornwallis. On March 20, 1862, he married Rhoda Churchill, daughter of Ezra and Ann (Davison) Churchill. Ezra Churchill owned the Churchill Ship Yard. Frank grew up in Hantsport; the Newcomb home was on the riverbank just above the wharf with a good view of the Avon River. The house is still there, used as an office for Minas Basin Pulp and Power Company, only now facing on Prince Street. When Frank was in High School in 1919 the FAVONIAN, the last sailing vessel to be built at Hantsport, was under construction and Frank tended the steam box used for bending the planks around the curves of the hull. He kept the fire going in the...

On the evening of Thursday, March 20th, a most brilliant assembly met on the ice and enjoyed themselves greatly. As will be seen by the list, the masqueraders were of unusual number. The costumes were very fine, with much variety of character. LADIES Mrs. Arthur Graham-Brigand's Daughter. Mrs. Walter Davison-Spanish Girl. Mrs. R_ Michnar-Brigand's WifeMrs. Fred Brown-Mother Goose.Mrs. Harry Lawrence-Witch of Endor.Mrs. A Porter-Turkish Lady.Mrs _ Coalfleet-Old Mother Hubbard.Mrs. J_ Lawrence-Spanish Signora.Miss Anna Andrews-Fisherman's Wife.Miss Anna Manning-Toy Girl.Miss _ Porter-Giantess.Miss _ Porter-Girl of the Period.Miss Vara Lawrence-True Blue.Miss Lizzie Graham-Swiss Girl.Miss E_ Porter-"K.O.A." Miss Laura Eaton, Miss Bessie Carmichael-Twins. Miss Agnes Anderson-Fisherman's Daughter.Miss Minnie Anderson-Daisy Dean. Miss Belle Coffin-Fraud. Miss Bessie Salter-2 A.M.Miss Ethel Newcomb-Lady of the present day. Miss Rebecca Davison-Erin go bragh.Miss Netta Churchill-Indian Girl.Miss May Smith-Nurse Maid. Miss Kathleen Davison-Morning. Miss Ella A. Smith-Lady Washington.Miss _ F_-Summer.Miss Laura Pierce-Dolly Varden.Miss Laura Folker-Mrs. Doosenberg.Miss A_ Martin-Grace Darling.Miss Susie P. Elder-AEsthette Craze.Miss Amy Jones-Woodland Nymph.Miss A_ Folker-Diamond Dyes.Miss _ Smith. Windsor-Squaw.Miss...

THE HANTS JOURNAL WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25, 1889. Hantsport. ------ We are having all kinds of weather. On Saturday last a heavy blow, which broke the new Barque Ensenada from her moorings and drove her half way across the river, when the towboat Scotia picked her up, and after a hard pull against wind and tide, succeeded in towing her into deeper water, where she remained afloat at low water, and on Sunday at noon was towed out through the Basin and passed Blomidon en route to Boston. The new three-mast American schr. towed out same time. Brigt. C. C. Vanhorn and schr. Cygnet arrived Sunday, and the schr Avon on Monday. Our coasters are all home safe, and laying up for the winter. A concert was held in Churchill's Hall last Thursday evening under the auspices of the Anglican Church. It was enjoyable and remunerative, and the Church folks wish to thank publicly the friends who assisted in getting it up, especially Miss Georgie Davison, who...

2020-11-02 This is the Hantsport School Gr. 7 Remembrance Day project. Both the Gr. 7 classes at hantsport school have created videos, infographics, google docs, slides and more to display the information that they have gathered and created QR codes for people to scan. The QR codes should bring you to a site that they have their information on for you to view. Our goal is to raise awareness for people or groups in the war that were not well noticed or looked over. Please enjoy. 7 Hines: Cole and Dylan Sienna Clara Black Battalion Olivia Ashton Jaxon Cameron and Colby Zoey and Serena Lily-Beth Matthew Jackson and Isaac Shaely Hope and Teesha 7 Squires: Will and Colten Kam Not recognized enough Bella Riley and Presley Amelia and Brynn Jake ML and Seth Koben and Gabe Sullivan and Noah Hannah Teairra and Ellie Jessica...

Alexander Ramsay was born in Hong Kong on January 12th 1909. His mother was sent there from Peking where her husband was the Editor of the only English language newspaper in China; his parents felt that it was important for his birth to occur in a British colony; he was the eldest of four boys. He attended Nautical College on board the HMS Worcester, a ship anchored in the mouth of the Thames River; he started his training in 1926 where he obtained his Foreign Going Masters Certificate. Captain Ramsay was appointed Master of the very prestigious company line “Jardine Matheson”, there being two very well known and respected lines, the other being “Blue Funnel” Line. Captain Ramsay’s wife, Marina Ramsay was the daughter of a former Russian Consul to Harbin when the Communists took power; he stayed in China and practiced law, he knew ten (10) languages! Captain Ramsay’s wife was sent to an English language school and thus knew Russian, Chinese and English. Alexander Ramsay and family ca. 1948 During the...

Percy Corkum Killed by Trueman Trefry at Hantsport, N.S. The Ottawa Citizen (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) · 3 Nov 1903, Tue · Page 8 HANTSPORT-1903 Editor Hants Journal: A terrible shooting incident occurred here in town Saturday evening in which young Percy Corkum, of Lockhartville lost his life. Two boys, Hardwood Zwicker and Harry Riley, had gone up towards Mr. North's with some other fellows. They left these and went into a neighbouring field and procured some turnips. They went down the street again and were sitting on the side of the road, opposite Mr. Trueman Trefry's waiting for the return of those fellows whom they had left up the street. Percy Corkum, who had been working on Mr. Balcom's farm came down past and stopped and spoke to these boys who were sitting on the side of the road, cutting the tops from their turnips. The Zwicker boy warned Percy against throwing anything at Mr. Trefry's house. Notwithstanding Percy threw a turnip, which was about the size of a closed hand, which struck the board fence,...

The McDade Heritage Centre holds many school records for Hantsport; copies and transcripts of General Registers from the 1880s through to the 1980s (although some years are missing and a search is on for the originals), attendance record sheets from the the early 1900s, minutes of School Board meetings and HHS Yearbooks from 1939 up until the closing of the high school in 1989. Here for example is the General Register for 1928/29. It includes the name of each pupil, age on the 30th of June 1929 (end of term), grade, standing, number of days attendance, and the name of the parent or guardian. The number of children in each class, often comprising two or more grades with a single teacher is quite remarkable. 1928/29 Grades Primary, One and Two Dorothy Helen Frittenburg age 8 grade IIMuriel Isabel McPherson age 7 grade IIOsee Geraldine Phillips age 7 grade IIEvelyn Muriel Collins age 8 grade IIRonald Star MacInnis age 9 grade IICecil Robt Scott age...