From Our Collection: “G. Minchin” Fire Bucket

“G. Minchin” Leather Fire Bucket 1969.1008.1

I was looking at this artefact and the name written on the side, “G. Minchin”, piqued my curiosity.  In the Fredericton, and in most early communities, the leather buckets, probably made by local cobblers, transported water to the fire sites.  They were passed from hand to hand by lines of male volunteers and when emptied they were returned by another line of boys and women, to be refilled.  A bucket usually bore the homeowner’s name in paint because after a fire, buckets would lay heaped in piles waiting to be reclaimed by their owners.  To distinguish one from another, people began to paint their names, initials, emblems and designs on them.  Some were very ornate. 

The one in the York Sunbury Museum collection use to belong to the Minchin family.  I don’t know much about the Minchin’s in Fredericton, however, Daniel F. Johnson’s New Brunswick Newspaper Vital Statistic transcripts has several references to the family.  Here is some of what I found.  This great database is posted by the Province of New Brunswick Archives, thanks PANB!

Transcriptions by Daniel F. Johnson.

Volume 8 Number 638
Date October 19 1839
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper New Brunswick Courier

d. Fredericton, Wednesday 9th, Rebecca MINCHIN w/o George MINCHIN, Esq.

Volume 7 Number 897
Date March 17 1838
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper New Brunswick Courier

d.Fredericton, York Co., Tuesday morn., Charlotte M. MINCHIN third d/o George MINCHIN, Esq.

Volume 95 Number 767
Date October 1 1894
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper The Daily Sun

Fredericton, Sept. 20 – The will of the late Rebecca Caloline GORDON has been admitted to probate. The estate is estimated at $20,000 and with the exception of a few small bequests of personal articles, goes in bulk to Christ Church Cathedral,Fredericton. Bishop Kingdon and Wesley Vanwart are the executors, each of whom gets $50, and the latter a diamond ring. Mrs. Gordon was the only surviving sister of the late Judge MINCHIN of this city and under his will had the entire income from her brother’s estate during her life. She is the last of the MINCHIN family and by the terms of Judge MINCHIN’s will, the whole of his entire estate remaining is bequeathed to the Lord Bishop of Dublin, Ireland. The value of this estate is variouslyb estimated at from $75,000 to $90,000.

Volume 13 Number 1852
Date May 12 1851
County Northumberland
Place Chatham
Newspaper The Gleaner and Northumberland Schediasma

m. 6th inst., Christ Church, Fredericton, by Ven. Archdeacon, Rebecca Caroline MINCHIN third d/o Lt. Col. George MINCHIN / Dr. Robert GORDON, M.P.P. for Gloucester Co.

Volume 13 Number 1136
Date May 10 1851
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper New Brunswick Courier

m. Christ Church, Fredericton (York Co.) Tuesday 6th inst., by Ven. Archdeacon Coster, Dr. Robert GORDON, M.P.P. for (Glouc. Co.) / Rebecca Caroline MINCHIN third d/o Lt. Col. Hon. George MINCHIN of Fredericton, only surviving daughter.

Volume 93 Number 2171
Date July 7 1894
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper The Daily Telegraph

Bathurst (Glouc. Co.) July 6 – Mrs. MINCHIN GORDON w/o Hon. Dr. GORDON of Bathurst, died at Youghal of pneumonia at 6 o’clock this morn. She was a d/o Col. MINCHIN, well and favorably known at Fredericton, where he resided for some years after retiring from the British army. Mrs. Gordon was a staunch member of the Church of England and had attained the ripe age of 84 years.

Volume 64 Number 121
Date April 4 1885
County Carleton
Place Woodstock
Newspaper Carleton Sentinel

G.F.H. MINCHIN died suddenly at his residence, Fredericton, last week.

Volume 56 Number 3865
Date February 15 1881
County York
Place Fredericton
Newspaper The Fredericton Evening Capital

Illness of Geo. F.H. MINCHIN, Judge of Probates (see original)

Volume 3 Number 1534
Date March 29 1828
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper New Brunswick Courier

d. Fredericton (York Co.) Saturday morn., 22nd inst., Henrietta WETMORE w/o Coes P. WETMORE, Esq. and eldest d/o George MINCHIN, Esq., age 28.7 d. Afternoon, same day, Kingswood (York Co.) Thomas WETMORE, Esq., Attorney General, age 61.

Volume 64 Number 534
Date April 1 1885
County York
Place Fredericton
Newspaper New Brunswick Reporter and Fredericton Advertiser

The remains of the late G.F.H. MINCHIN, Esq. were interred in the old cemetery Monday morn. The chief mourners were E.L. WETMORE, Q.C., Henry WETMORE, Val. WETMORE and F.A.H. STRATTON

Volume 37 Number 1730
Date December 24 1875
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper The Daily Telegraph

d. Fredericton, Sunday, 19th inst., Hon. George MINCHIN, native of County Tipperary, Ireland.

Volume 62 Number 3088
Date March 30 1885
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper The Daily Telegraph

d. Fredericton, 26th March, George F.H. MINCHIN, barrister-at-law and Judge of Probates for York Co., 76th year.

Volume 3 Number 499
Date April 16 1825
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper New Brunswick Courier

d. Fredericton (York Co.) Wednesday 6th inst., age 24, William Henry MINCHIN, Half Pay late N.B. Fencibles Barrister at Law, Clerk of Crown in Supreme Court.

Volume 32 Number 1878
Date May 6 1872
County York
Place Fredericton
Newspaper Colonial Farmer

George PRIESTLY, formerly of this Fredericton city, but lately living at St. John, fell down dead this morn, while walking along the street opposite the residence of Hon. George F. MINCHIN.

Volume 38 Number 987
Date December 24 1875
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper Daily News

Hon. Col. MINCHIN expired at his residence Sunday 19th Dec., age 100 years, if not older. The deceased was an Irishman by birth, but for the greater part of his life resided in Fredericton city. He occupied a seat in the Legislative Council of this Province for many years. He was also Colonel of the Militia. – Fredericton ‘Reporter’ (see eulogy)

Volume 93 Number 2331
Date July 20 1894
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper The Daily Telegraph

A friend has shown us the first muster roll of the 1st Batt., Yprk Co. Militia, held at Fredericton 25th day of Sept. 1826 which was inspected by Lt. Col. Allen and Major MINCHIN. The total strength of the Battalion was 609 men and there were 532 officers and men on parade. The officers commanding the companies at that time were C.P. WETMORE, George K. LUGRIN, Mark NEEDHAM, Jas. TAYLOR, Wm CURRIE, John P. PAYNE, Allen McLEAN, Jas. MILES, Matthew BRANNEN and Lt. FISHER. The uniform was green with black facings. (see original)

Volume 35 Number 668
Date June 11 1874
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper The Daily Telegraph

Fredericton’s old Inhabitants and their ages: Miss BAILEY, 104; Mrs. Phoebe CASEY, 103; Colonel MINCHIN, 100; William AKERLEY, 91; Major J.F. ROBINSON, 90; Mrs. Mary MURRAY, 89; Mrs. William LEMONT, 88; Mrs. William BARKER, 86.

Volume 91 Number 1366
Date July 6 1894
County York
Place Fredericton
Newspaper The Gleaner

The friends in this city of Mrs. Rebecca C. GORDON will learn with sorrow of her death at Bathurst (Glouc. Co.) this morn. She was taken ill with pneumonia a week ago today, but up to yesterday it was expected she would recover. She sank rapidly during yesterday and passed away at 6 o’clock this morn. Mrs. Gordon was a sister of the late Judge MINCHIN. The remains will be brought to Fredericton and interred in the old burying ground.

Volume 53 Number 2273
Date November 24 1880
County York
Place Fredericton
Newspaper New Brunswick Reporter and Fredericton Advertiser

Remembrances by an older Inhabitant: .. The house at present occupied by Mrs. TIPPETT and for some time by the late Col. MINCHIN was originally occupied for many years from a very early period, and he thinks built by Peter FRASER, who had his store in the house. He was a Scotchman who carried on a large mercantile business, having extensive dealings all over the country. The Indians brought here large quantities of furs in exchange for other goods, as also the French from Madawaska, who also brought down flour. Mr. Fraser amassed quite a large fortune, died without children, having devised his property to his own and his wife’s relations with some gifts to charitable objects. For manyyears his principal clerk was the late James STREET who subsequently carried on business at St. Andrews. Mr. Street was well remembered for the erection he held in the long walk he took every day. He was succeeded by Robert LAMB who remained with him till he died. Mr. Lamb went to Scotland himself to inherit a large estate that one Bailey LAMB left him there. He was afterwards accidentally shot going over a fence hunting, by Isaac COX who had married one of his sisters. Peter Fraser represented York Co. in the House of Assembly.

Volume 66 Number 529
Date June 12 1886
County York
Place Fredericton
Newspaper The Fredericton Evening Capital

On the piece of ground called Governor’s Field in the year 1835 the 1st Battalion York Co. militia, under the command of Lt. Col. MINCHIN was presented by a pair of colors by Lady Campbell wife of Major General Sir Archibald Campbell, then Lt. Gov. of New Brunswick. Very few men remain alive who were present on that eventful day. Among the few who is the present Chief Justice ALLEN who was on the ground as a member of the militia artillery, commanded by Capt. John SHORE. Capt. Shore afterwards received a commission in the 24th Regt. of the regular army and left the Province never to return. At the battle of Chillianwallah, in the Punjaub, fought 13th Jan. 1849 against a force of 60,000 Sikhs, by a British force of 22,000 under the command of the brave, but headstrong and rash Lord Gough, the 24th Regt. was nearly cut to pieces, and Capt. Shore fell among those who sacrificed their lives on that ill-fated day to preserve British supremecy in India.

Glasiers

Hon. John Glazier, Senator (Image via Wikipedia)

Home of Capt. Benjamin Glasier, Lincoln. Built about 1800, by Capt. Benjamin, the father of John Glasier. (P4-2-29 YORK SUNBURY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PHOTOGRAPHS)

Entries found in Daniel F. Johnson’s New Brunswick Newspaper Vital Statistics pertaining to the Glasiers.  There is a lot more where these came from!

Transcriptions by Daniel F. Johnson.

Volume 91 Number 1373
Date July 7 1894
County York
Place Fredericton
Newspaper The Gleaner

Ottawa, July 7 – Senator John GLASIER died this morn. after a week’s illness. Senator GLASIER sat in the Senate for Sunbury Co. He has been in the lumber business ever since he grew to manhood and his name is known all over the country as one of New Brunswick’s greatest lumbermen. He was in partnership for many years with the late Duncan GLASIER. He was elected to represent Sunbury Co. in the local legislature in 1859 and served in the position until March 11th, 1868. On that date he was elevated to the Dominion Senate. Senator GLASIER leaves one son and one daughter, Arthur GLASIER of Lincoln (Sunbury Co.) and Miss Blanche GLASIER. He leaves a large circle of relatives. Among them are the following nephews and nieces: Parker GLASIER, John GLASIER, Lincoln; Mrs. C.W. BECKWITH, Mrs. W.K. ALLEN, Fredericton; Mrs. COOMBS, Halifax; Mrs. FARQUHARSON, England; Mrs. Geo. H. MILES, Indiantown and Mrs. Robt. A. HAYES, St. John.

Volume 94 Number 1310
Date July 16 1894
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper Saint John Globe

Fredericton ‘Herald’ – The late John GLASIER was born at Lincoln (Sunbury Co.) in the house from which his remains were interred Tuesday, Sept. 3rd, 1809, and thus was past his 84th year. His grandfather, Benjamin GLASIER, arrived in New Brunswick from Massachusetts in 1779 and after remaining in St. John six months came up the river and took up a large tract of land in Lincoln, still owned by the GLASIERs. Benjamin GLASIER held a lieutenant’s commission in a Massachusetts Infantry Corps and the document appointing him to that position is still preserved as a family heirloom. It bears the signature of Thomas Hutchinson, the last English Governor and Captain General of Massachusetts. Lt. GLASIER saw active service in the French and Indian wars and was taken prisoner at the seige of Fort William Henry and held at Montreal Island for two years. His brother, Colonel Beamsley GLASIER, commended the 60th Regiment of Foot and his last station was at Halifax, N.S. For a time he was military governor of Pensicola, Florida. He died on his way to England. Col. GLASIER was granted large tracts of land in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for distinguished military service to the British Crown, the grants including the GLASIER manor at Nerepis and a large block of land in York, including the present day town site of Marysville. Benjamin GLASIER, father of Senator GLASIER, was born in 1773, six years before his father settled at Lincoln and lived until 1849. His sons were John, the subject of this sketch; Stephen GLASIER, still living at the age of 82; Duncan GLASIER who died ten years ago and Benjamin who died March 13, 1862. The last named was father of Duncan GLASIER of this city. There were also four sisters, only one of whom, Mrs. GARRATY of Woodstock, is now living. John GLASIER was married Sept. 24, 1842 at Lincoln to Miss Garraty, who survives him. They had seven children, but only two, Arthur GLASIER and Miss Blanche GLASIER are living. They occupy the old homestead which was erected by their grandfather 85 years ago. John GLASIER went into the lumbering and farming business when 21 years old and carried both on successfully for many years. He was born to the business, his father and Uncle Stephen having shipped large quantities of pine timber to England during their lives. They also engaged extensively in shipbuilding, constructing no less than 18 ships at a point just above the old family residence. The last one , the “Sultan”, launched in 1825, sailed for the East Indies and was never heard of again. John GLASIER’s first lumbering operations were carried on at Shogomoc in this county and he afterwards, in company with his brother, Stephen, extended it to the Upper St. John. He was the first white man to explore the Squattock Lakes and the first lumberman to bring a drive over the Grand Falls. The firm of GLASIER Brothers forty years ago were the largest operators in New Brunswick, employing at one time 600 men. Their product was most pine timber which was shipped to Robert Rankin & Co., Liverpool, G.B. The firm accumulated wealth rapidly and it is said they were at one time offered 80,000 for their business. John GLASIER retired from lumbering in 1873 in consequence of the bad times and low prices and from that time spent his life quietly on his farm at Lincoln, except while at Ottawa in attendance in Parliament. His first attempt to enter political life was in 1861, when with Hon. W.E. Perley he was elected to represent Sunbury in the House of Assembly. He ran on a ticket with the late Mr. Lunt and against Messrs. Perley and David Tapley, afterwards Police Magistrate of Portland. Mr. GLASIER’s majority was only ywo, but he was elected in 1865 and again in 1866. He was called to the Senate of Canada in 1866 and attended every seesion of that body since, dying at the capital while in the discharge of his Parliamentary duties.

Volume 96 Number 2552
Date December 3 1895
County York
Place Fredericton
Newspaper The Gleaner

The death occurred at Lincoln (Sunbury Co.) this morn. of Stephen GLASIER after an illness of about a week. He was one of the most influential lumbermen in the province. He was one of three brothers, the other two having passed away quite recently in the person of Senator John GLASIER and Duncan GLASIER. The former and his brother, Stephen, entered into the lumber business when young men and were the promoters of the first booms ever hung in Fredericton for lumbering purposes. The scene of their first lumber operations was on the Shogomoc. Then they bought large berths at the headwaters and carried on extensive operations for years. They were at one time among the wealthiest lumbermen in the province, their home in Lincoln being a scene of beauty and hospitality, but heavy losses sustained by booms breaking drew heavily on their resourced and reducing their wealth very considerably. In early times the booms were anchored by means of common anchors and buoys, so that while Messrs. GLASIER ammassed much wealth, the were liable to lose the accummulation of years in a single day by the breaking away of the booms, they being responsible for logs caught in them. The booms owned by Messrs. GLASIER were, in the course of time, sold out to the Fredericton Boom Company, Stephen GLASIER being appointed to the position of agent. This position he retained until some 10 years ago when advancing years forced him to resign, his place being taken by the present agent, W.H. HANNEBERY. For the last three years of his life, Mr. GLASIER has been in failing health, but not until Wednesday last was he at any time in a critical condition. On that day he was taken ill and gradually grew weaker until this morn. when he died. It is rather significant that the disease which caused his death, also carried off his father and brother, the late Senator GLASIER. The deceased was 84 years old and was twice married, the second wife surviving him. By the first wife he leaves two daughters, Mrs. COOMBES, Halifaxc, N.S. and Mrs. R.A. PAYNE, St. John. By his second wife he leaves three daughters and one son. The daughters are Mrs. C.W. BECKWITH and Mrs. W.K. ALLEN of this city and Mrs. FARQUHARSON, now living in England. The son, John GLASIER, lives on the homestead in Lincoln.

Volume 95 Number 786
Date October 6 1894
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper The Daily Sun

On 7th July last, Senator GLASIER of Sunbury Co. died at Ottawa where he was attending the session of parliament. Thursday eve., Mrs. GLASIER, who for over half a century had been the partner of his joys and sorrows, joined her husband in the spirit land. Her death, which took place at the homestead in Lincoln, was not unexpected as her health had been failing for some time, rapidly so since Senator GLASIER’s decease. Deceased was a d/o George GARRATY of Sunbury Co. and was married Sept. 24th, 1842. She was the mother of seven children, only two of whom, Arthur GLASIER and Miss Blanche GLASIER, are now living.

Volume 58 Number 473
Date November 22 1882
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper Daily News

The ‘Sun’ says: Thos. GLASIER and family of Grand Falls (Victoria Co.) leave for Melbourne, Australia on 4th prox. to take possession of a valuable inheritance left Mrs. GLASIER, formerly Miss Emma HAWKINS of Saint John, by the death of her father, Henry HAWKINS in Australia. The will divides several thousand pounds between Mrs. G. and her sister- Mrs. GLASIER in addition being left two houses in Melbourne, mining stock, etc. The other members of Mr. Hawkins family now living are Mrs. Dr. CALHOUN, Augustus HAWKINS and W.F. HAWKINS, New York, Mrs. Frank W. MASTERS and Mrs. Chamberlain widow of Albert CHAMBERLAIN, Saint John and Miss HAWKINS, Oregon, U.S. Thomas GLASIER. age 40, is a nephew of Stephen GLASIER, Esq., Lincoln (Sunbury Co.) N.B.

Volume 62 Number 320
Date March 11 1884
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper The Daily Sun

It is with regret we announce the death of D.D. GLASIER, Esq. which occurred at his home in Lincoln (Sunbury Co.) early yesterday morn. in his 64th year. Mr. Galsier’s grandfather arrived in New Brunswick several years in advance of the Loyalists and was granted a large tract of land at the mouth of the Nerepis which is still known as GLASIER’s Manor. Mr. GLASIER, for most his life, was extensively engaged in lumber operations. He for some years past, in connection with his son, had given his chief attention to the towing of lumber. He leaves two children a son and daughter.

Volume 17 Number 2411
Date May 2 1859
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper Morning News

We regret to record the untimely death of Murray Bliss GLASIER, age 13, eldest s/o Duncan GLASIER, Esq. of Lincoln (Sunbury Co.) On Monday he was sent from home to carry dinner to one of his father’s men working at a brow of logs a short distance below Estey’s Mills. After accomplishing his errand, he remained talking with the man, until the latter having loaded his team, drove towards the river. After proceeding a short distance he heard a rumbling noise and looking back the boy was not visible. Fearing some accident, he returned and found him, head downwards, crushed between two logs, his left temple resting on a broken bottle. It is supposed he attempted to pry off one of the logs when it, with one upon which he was standing, gave way. – Fredericton Reporter

Volume 57 Number 4362
Date November 22 1882
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper The Daily Telegraph

Grand Falls (Victoria Co.) Nov. 17 – The many friends of Mrs. Thos. GLASIER will be pleased to learn that a large fortune has been left her by her father who died a short time ago in Australia. She will go to Australia to reside inside a month.

For more information about the Glasier family in Lincoln (New Brunswick), you might want to refer to MC300-MS8 York-Sunbury Historical Society Collection Description (page 123).

Charles Fleming

I stumbled on this little treasure tonight.
Daniel F. Johnson: Volume 84 Number 3093

Date: January 4 1892
County: Saint John
Place: Saint John
Newspaper: The Daily Sun

Transcribed by Daniel F. Johnson.

… About four miles from the mouth of the of the stream is the outlet of Charlie Lake. The lake itself is about one quarter of a mile wide and three quarters long. On the left of this lake a short distance from it, is the site of an old lumber camp operated over sixty years ago by John GLASIER now Senator, who first commenced operations here getting out large pine. Your correspondent is indebted to a gentleman of this city for the following tale of Charles FLEMING, a singularly individual who lived alone in the solitary fastness of the Shogomoc forest and from whom it is said the lake takes its name. He is said to have been a pirate and freebooter on the high seas, and many a dash and bloody fray to have taken part in. It is not known whether he voluntarily engaged engaged in this terrible work, but it is quite certain that for many years he followed this dash and bloody calling, until eventually along with the rest of the crew he had been run down and the most of the crew being either killed or taken prisoner, he alone managed to escape, and a fugitive from juctice and the stain of blood upon him, he sought to hide from justice and the face of his fellow men. He wandered on until he found a refuge in the rocky fastness of the Shogomoc woods, supplying his wants with fish and game from the lakes and forest, and by such products as he could raise from such portions of the land as he had by degree cleared; and as year by year he added to it, he raised potatoes, grain and hay and as the lumberman gradually intruded into his locality and fear of capture gradually began to wear off, he was enabled to exchange for such articles as he might stand in need of. He was very superstitious and was always doing something to drive away the ghosts that were nightly appearing to him, his only companion in his exile being his little dog. Here he continued to live for a number of years, gradually clearing up quite a large farm, faint outlines of which can still be seen, but a second growth has come up over it and good merchantable logs have been cut off the fields where he once cut his hay. I have talked with several aged men living in the vicnity of Fredericton who, when still youths, were engaged in the woods at Shogomoc and used to spend many an evening in Charlie FLEMING’s cabin. By degrees, as his mind became unburdened of the fear of capture, he told how, on the coast of Spain, the crew being broken up, had buried a vast amount of gold and treasure, and this knowledge coming to the ears of some enterprising citizens of the city of St. John, they came to Charlie’s residence at the lake and induced Charlie to go to St. John with them. They then procured a vessel and had her loaded with lumber of some description, with compartments fitted up in the centre of the lumber to conceal Charlie, and it was done so skilfully that to anyone not in the secret, it would appear as a solid pile. Thus equipped, they set sail for the Spanish coast. But there a disappointment awaited them. The site where the treasure was hidden was covered by a town which had grown up after Charlie had been driven off the sea. The appearance of a strange vessel with a cargo foreign to what was an article of commerce there, hovering around their coast, aroused the suspicion of the Spanish authorities, who had the vessel detained and the crew put into prison and it was only through the intervention of the British consul that they were eventually allowed their liberty and proceeded back to St. John with their vessel. Charlie Fleming remained all the time in his quarters in the centre of the cargo unobserved. After returning to St. John nothing more was heard of Charlie Fleming by the settlers in the vicinity of Charlie Lake, but he is supposed to have died there, and the lake and clearing in the Shogomoc woods still bear his name.

2010 Martha J. Harvey Award Nomination

Martha J. Harvey was a founder of the York Sunbury Historical Society, which was established in 1932.  She was a president of Fredericton Women’s Institute, an involved member of the Social Service Council, and was deeply committed to the welfare of the greater Fredericton community.

The Martha J. Harvey Award of Distinction is presented to individuals, or groups, who have shown a dedicated commitment to the goals of the York Sunbury Historical Society.  Past awards have honoured those who have made significant contributions in writing the history of central New Brunswick, in preserving its artefacts and heritage buildings, or in offering exemplary service to the Society in its efforts to discover and preserve the history and heritage of York and Sunbury counties.

The York Sunbury Historical Society was pleased to recognize Mr. Paul O’Connell as the 2009 recipient for the Martha J. Harvey Award of Distinction.

Past Recipients:

1981 – Lt. Gen E.W. Sansom
1984 – Senator Muriel Fergusson
1984 – Lucy McNeil
1985 – Dr. Alfred Baily
1985 – Dr. D.J. McLeod
1986 – Louise Hill
1987 – Fred H. Phillips
1988 – Dr. Elizabeth McGahan
1988 – Dr. Stuart Smith
1989 – Dr. James Chapman
1990 – Alden J. Clark
1991 – Dr. Ivan H. Crowell
1992 – Velma Kelly
1993 – Ted Jones
1993 – Dr. Murray Young
1994 – Donna Wallace
1995 – Richard Bird
1996 – Fred White
1998 – Ruth Scott
2000 – Government of New Brunswick Heritage Branch
2004 – Frederick Wilmot Hubbard
2005 – Mr. & Mrs. T.W. Acheson
2009 – Paul O’Connell

Officers’ Quarter’s articles pertaining to the award:

Volume 10, Number 3 (Summer 1994) – The Royal Tour of 1939, “The Martha J. Harvey Award of Distinction” by Ted Jones (page 8). Available for download on this page.

Volume 15, Number 1 & 2 (Spring and Summer 1999) – A Publication of the York-Sunbury Historical Society, Inc. “Congratulations Ruth Scott! …” by Ted Jones (page 15). Available for download on this page.

Content of articles may not be reproduced, retransmitted, disseminated, sold, distributed, published, broadcast or circulated without permission.

The York Sunbury Historical Society is announcing a call for nominations for the annual Award of Distinction for outstanding individual contribution to the field of history of Central New Brunswick. Any member(s) in good standing of the York Sunbury Historical Society may nominate a candidate for the award. The committee believes the award should be considered in two select categories: For outstanding contribution in the field of New Brunswick history, with particular interest and applicability to central New Brunswick. – OR – For long and meritorious service or contribution to the Society.

2010 Martha J Harvey Award Nomination Form

Fall 2010 Membership Drive

The York Sunbury Historical Society and Museum in Fredericton is starting it’s annual Fall membership drive!!  I would like to give our current membership a big thank you for the past year!

Thanks to our members, in 2010 the York Sunbury Historical Society and Museum had several successful children’s programs, published the Officers’ Quarters (another is currently being designed).  The York Sunbury Museum had over 7,100 visitors (by the end of August) and hosted a community open house, collections mini-conference, colouring contest and hosted the Fredericton Arts Alliance and New Brunswick Craft Council during the summer months!  We have worked on 3 new exhibits and continued to make improvements to our artefact storage areas!  It was another big year and it’s not even done yet!  We have an Acadian exhibit opening in another week and then we are going to launch two more exhibits this fall!

The Objective of the Museum is to collect, preserve and interpret historical data, records and objects relating to the history of the Province of New Brunswick, and in particular that of York and Sunbury Counties.  It is the place to go to learn about the history of Fredericton and the capital region!

We hope that in 2011 we will continue to what we started and maybe start a few new projects!  So if you are a current York Sunbury Historical Society member, please renew and if you are not a member then please print a membership form and join!  

Your membership in The York Sunbury Historical Society assures you fantastic opportunities to programs, free admission to the Museum, a subscription to the Officers’ Quarters, discounted facility rentals and an open invitation to exhibit openings, museum functions and special events.  I invite you to renew your membership in for $35 year for single, $45 for family, $15 for students or $250 for a life membership (or $20 for a subscription to the Officers’ Quarters with no membership benefits).      

Cheers! ~ Ruth

York Sunbury Museum to Launch New Acadian Exhibit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The York Sunbury Museum Launches New Acadian Exhibit

York Sunbury Museum (571 Queen Street, Fredericton, NB E3B 5C8)

Fredericton, New Brunswick (September 23, 2010) – The York Sunbury Museum, through a partnership with the New Brunswick Capital Commission, has given their Acadian exhibit a new look this year and is ready for a re-launch. 

Curated by Dr. Sheila Andrew, Acadians of Fredericton is one of the York Sunbury Museum’s seven permanent exhibits and presents some of the interesting history of the Acadians in the Fredericton region of New Brunswick. 

The Acadians are the main French-speaking community of the Canadian Maritimes and many are the descendants of the seventeenth century settlers.  The French Governor, Villebon, built Fort Nashwaak on the site of modern day Fredericton in 1692, and New England forces besieged it unsuccessfully in 1696.  The fort served as the capital of the Acadian colony during its short existence.  Acadian traders and farmers had already settled on the shores and a village was established on St. Anne’s Point until it was destroyed in 1759 during the Seven Year’s War.  This exhibit includes the history of the Acadian flag, the Acadians who remained in the Fredericton area and those who returned to it,  Acadians in Education and the Cyr family as well as an overview of Acadian history of the province and  the growth of a vibrant Acadian culture in the town.

A graduate of the University of Oxford and of the University of New Brunswick, the curator Dr. Andrew is the author of The Development of Elites in Acadian New Brunswick, 1861-1881.  She recently retired from the History Department at St. Thomas University though returns frequently to teach on a part-time basis.  Dr. Andrew has published papers on several aspects of nineteenth-century Acadia including the use of jokes, the role of women teachers, and the contribution of convent schools to the development of French in New Brunswick.

The exhibit features artefacts from the Village Historique Acadien, Kings Landing, The Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick and the Cormier family as well as a trunk of replica Acadian costumes for visitors to try on.  The York Sunbury Museum is grateful to our partners and volunteers who assisted with the creation and installation of the exhibit, our volunteer translators (Uta Doerr, Clarence Robichaud and Donald Albert)  who have been working for months on the project, Louise Melancon for the costume of Evangeline, Joanne Venart for the replica Acadian clothes and Charlotte for the interpretive panel design.

The opening reception will take place at the York Sunbury Museum on September 30th at 5:30pm. 

The York Sunbury Historical Society founded the York Sunbury Museum in 1934 and the Museum found permanent headquarters in the Officers’ Quarters (571 Queen Street) in 1959.  The Society and Museum remain a non-profit enterprise with a small paid staff and numerous volunteers who work tirelessly to create informative exhibits, organize free public programs and publish a local history periodical The Officers’ Quarters.  The York Sunbury Museum is open to the public Tuesdays to Saturdays from 1pm until 4pm and is the place to visit to learn about the history of the Fredericton region.

“… a list of gentlemen and firms who were doing business in Fredericton in 1840”

Another treasure from Daniel F. Johnson’s New Brunswick Newspaper Vital Statistics transcriptions.  Thanks, again, to the Province of New Brunswick Archives for making this database available on-line. 

Volume 96 Number 2380
Date November 1 1895
County York
Place Fredericton
Newspaper The Gleaner

W.H. QUINN has favored the ‘Gleaner’ with a list of gentlemen and firms who were doing business in Fredericton in 1840 and of those who have done business here since then and passed away or made changes. Some of the gentlemen in this list are still living. Mr. Quinn’s name also appears in the list of the veterans, he having been continuously in business in this city since 1850. The names which do not appear under the heading of some street are chiefly those of men who did business on Queen Street, although a few of them may have done business in some other locality. George WHITTAKER, shoe store; MYSHRALL & RITCHIE, groceries and liquors; ROBINSON & WHEELER, groceries and liquors; George FROUGHTON, groceries and liquors; John MOORE, groceries and liquors; William MOORE, groceries; Henry RUTTER, harness; Thomas HATHEWAY, grocer; Julius INCHES, clothing store; ROBINSON & ORMSBY, hotel; Miss HANCOCK, milliner; Miss HATHEWAY, milliner; Holly COY, druggist; ALLEN & BURNSIDE, grocers; William INCHES, grocer; John RUSSELL, tinsmith; Thomas MORRIS, clothier; Wesley ROSS, shoemaker; John WARD, grocer; Miss BISLEY, milliner; Miss DOAK, milliner; Jerry PORTER, baker; Robert ANDERSON, baker; Michael TAYLOR, tavern; Abraham McKEEN, groceries an liquors; Harry HAMMOND, grocer; Thomas PEPPERS, grocer; G.F. ATHERTON, grocer; ATHERTON & SMITH, grocers; Jacob MILLER, grocer; PICKARD and COBURN, general store; Benjmain CREIGHTON, tavern; N.S. HOOPER, groceries and liquors; J.S. BEEK, general store; KIERSTON, tinsmith; John McPHERSON, grocer and liquor; P. McMANUS, grocer; Mrs. BREEN, tavern; James BRYSON, grocer and liquors; John CARR, tavern; John McKINTOSH, grocer and liquor; HACKETT, tavern; DONALD, general store; Peter LEE, tavern; John McDALE, tavern; James MARA, grocer; Felix MULHERIN, grocer and liquor; GOULD, hotel; JACKSON, hotel; S.A. ACKERLEY, hardware; ADAMS, hardware; BUTCHER, cabinet maker; Thomas NESBITT, cabinet maker; Thomas AITKEN, cabinet maker; Thomas RUTTER, cabinet maker; Andrew CONNOR, mason; John WELLS, mason; Hugh BLOCK, mason; Thomas GIVAN, mason; Thomas LINDSAY, mason; Thomas BOWLAN, blacksmith; Thomas PARSONS, blacksmith; PARENT, blacksmith; Anthony SMITH, blacksmith; Enoch O. BRADLEY, blacksmith; John BROWN, blacksmith; Ned ELLIOTT, blacksmith; George ELLIOTT, blacksmith; John HANLON, blacksmith; Philip SCHLEYER, gunsmith; CARTER, gumsmith; KINCAID, gunsmith; John SIMPSON, printer; James WARD, printer; James HOGG, printer; Thomas HOGG, printer; James PHILLIPS, printer; John GRAHAM, printer; DOAK & HILL, printers; LARIMORE, printer; Chas. LUGRIN, printer; BANE, tinsmith; Wm MOORE, tinsmith; Wm CUNNINGHAM, tinsmith; John RUSSELL, tinsmith; Dan ELLIOTT, tinsmith; LEFOREST & Son, tinsmith; MITCHELL, grocer; James RANDOLPH, grocer; Wm SMITHSON, druggist; James McCAUSLAND, jeweller; Thos. BARKER, tanner; McCAUSLAND, leather store; Thos. SIMMONS, tanner; Henry CLARK, tanner; Pat DONNELLY, tanner; Stephen WHITTAKER, tanner; Jarvis KING, tanner; Zebedee GABEL, tanner; George HARTT, tanner; Samuel MILLER, stationer; Henry VAVASOUR, stationer; Samuel ACKERLEY, hardware; ADAMS, hardware; Polly VANHORN, tavern and grocery; Thomas LEE, tavern; Oliver SMITH, general store; Joseph GAYNOR, general store; Thomas STEWART, hardware; James WILLOX, harness maker; Richard STAPLES, tavern; John and James TAYLOR, general store; W.A. MELVIN, merchant; Francis BEVERLEY, bookbinder; Robert SUTHERLAND, shoemaker; Thomas ESSINGTON, tailor; Wm CAMERON, butcher; James COOK, merchant; James GALE, druggist; Henry S. BEEK, stationer; Peter SLAIN, baker; Joseph WOOLHOPTER, watchmaker; John F. and Sabastin SMITH, merchants; Thomas WILLIAMS, liquor and grocery; John S. COY, merchant; David MUNROE; Albert LORDLY, auctioneer; Patrick BRANNEN, grocer; Mr. MATHEWS, grocer; John MATHEWS, liquor; Dr. WILSON, barber; Timothy McCARTY, grocer; James BARKER, tavern; F.W. HATHEWAY, merchant; Andrew PAYNE, shoemaker; James KNOWLES, Express Co.; Con. LOWERY, grocer; Charles GREGOR, grocer; MacKINTOSH, general store; William GROSVENOR, dry goods and liquors; Spafford BARKER, general store; W.H. STREET, liquors and groceries; James LUCAS, general store; William PAISLEY, grocer; JOHNSON, grocer; Justin SPAHNN, watchmaker; Gilbert LEMONT, general store; James HAMILTON, dry goods; James MARTIN, tavern; Needham AKERLEY, grocer; Hector SUTHERLAND, general store; GORDON, druggist; Joseph FRENCH, groceries and liquors; Patrick KIRLIN, dry goods and clothing; Bernard KIRLIN, tailor; Nicholas MURRAY, tavern; George ANDERSON, tavern; William GRIEVES, tavern; Walter GRIEVES, tavern; O.T. SHARKEY, dry goods and groceries; Mrs. HAMILTON, milliner; McCONAGNY, groceries and liquors; John H. REID, groceries and liquors; Joseph LETT, tavern; George WOODS, general store; Mark NEEDHAM, auctioneer; Michael MORAN, grocer; Peter BOGAN, variety store; Jonathan P. TAYLOR & NORTH, watches and tinware; McGILVERY, shoe factory; McPHERSON & Co., general store; William FISHER, general store; Henry FISHER, general store; John McBEATH, clothing; James DRAKE, provision; Thomas PICKARD, general store; Alfred SMITH, druggist; Robt. CHESTNUT, hardware; Thomas STEWART, hardware; STEWART & NEILL, hardware; Treadwell SMITH, general store; WRIGHT, baker; W.F. BARKER, shoe store; W.H. ROBINSON, liquor store; William STEVENSON, grocer; James FRIEL, shoemaker; KENNELL & BISHOP, general store; Yerxa WHITE, grocer; CURRIER & TREADWELL, provisions; James CAMERON, grocer; George WINTER, general store; THORNE, general store; Joseph ARMOUR, grocer; John SHOALS, grocer; John MULLIN, shoe store; James HALE, general store; John B. GUNTER, grocer; John McGEEHAN, grocer; DAVIS, liquor store; CURREY & SMITH, grocers; Thomas BRADLEY, harness; Robert WELSH, Albion Hotel; BALLOCH’s hotel on the site of Randolph block; Charles YERXA, hotel; FRADSHAM hotel; Wm SEGEE, hotel; Duncan McPHERSON, harness maker; ESTEY hotel; SMITH hotel.

New Jersey Loyalists

Another treasure from Daniel F. Johnson’s New Brunswick Newspaper Vital Statistics.  Thanks to the Province of New Brunswick Archives for making this database available on-line. 

Volume 62 Number 306
Date: February 23 1884
County: Saint John
Place: Saint John
Newspaper: The Daily Sun

Transcribed by Daniel F. Johnson.

The following list contains the names of prominent Loyalists of New Jersey against whom proceedings were instituted in the counties named during the Revolutionary war for the purpose of confiscating their property for joining the New Jersey Royal Volunteers or for giving aid and comfort to the adherents of the Crown. Lawrence A. ACKERMAN, Derrick ACKERMAN, David D. ACKERMAN, John J. ACKERMAN, all of Bergen; Vincent Pearse ASHFIELD, Essex; Benjamin ALLWOOD, David ALLSTON, Louis ALLSTON, Jonathan ALLSTON, John AUTEN, all of Middlesex; Thomas BRUEN, Benj. BOOTH, Josiah BANKS, Peter BROWNE, Rev. Isaac BROWNE, Ichabod Best BARNET, Thomas BURROWES, James BLUNDELL, Wm BROWNINGTON, Luther BALDWIN, all of Essex; Charles BAKEMAN, Bergen; James BOGGS, Isreal BRITON, Gerardus BEEKMAN, John BROWNE, Thomas BILLS, Joseph BAILEY, all of Monmouth; Wm BURTON, Somerset; Ezekiel BEACH, Richard BOWLESBY, John BOWLESBY, Edward BOWLESBY, Lawrence BUSKIRK, all of Morris; Wm BLANE, Ellis BARRON, Isaac BUNNELL, Jacob BOICE, all of Middlesex; Peter CLOPPER, Duncan CAMPBELL, John J. CRANE, John COLONY, all of Essex; Richard COCHRAN, Somerset; Daniel COXE, Hunterdon; Joseph CONLIFFE, Morris; Jonathan CLAWSON, Dennis COMBS, jr., Isaac CODDINGTON, all of Middlesex; John COUGLE, Sussex; Joseph CLAYTON, John COTTRELL, Samuel COOK, Jas. CURLIS, Alexander CLARK, Thomas CROWELL, Richard COLE, Asael CHANDLER, all of Monmouth; Moses DUNHAM, Isaac DUNHAM, Benjamin DRAKE, Henry DUGAN, Edward V. DUNGAN, John DOVE, all of Middlesex; Robert DRUMMOND, Essex; Asher DUNHAM, Jacob DEMEREST, Wm DUMAYNE, all of Morris; Daniel S. DEMEREST, John DERYEA, Orey DEMEREST, Thomas DUNGAN, Peter DURYEA, John DEMITT, Hendrick DOREMUS, all of Bergen; John EDDY, Sussex; Barent EURSE, Bergen; Jacob EMMONS, Monmouth; Hendrick FOX, Jacobus FOX, Hendrick FREDERICKS, Conrad FREDERICKS, all of Bergen; John FALKER, Stephen FARRAND, James FRAZIER, Joseph FRENCH, all of Essex; Ebenezer FOSTER, John FORD, Oswald FORD, all of Middlesex; Thos. GALBRAITH, Lewis GREENFIELD, Garrabrant GARRABRAMTS, all of Essex; Philip GACH, Wm GOUBERS, all of Middlesex; Wm GREEN, Sussex; Benamin GIBERSON, Gilbert GIBERSON, Benjamin GROVER, Joseph GROVER, Barzilla GROVER, Thomas GROVER, Wm GROVER, Wm GIBERSON, jr., Mallakeath GIBERSON, all of Monmouth; Joseph HALLETT, John Smith HETFIELD, James HETFIELD, Sheffield HOWARD, all of Essex; John C. HERRING, Peter J. HERRING, Henry J. HARRISON, Jacob HIMSON, Hendrick HIMSON, Adam HIMSON, all of Bergen; John HONEYMAN, John HARRIS, Somerset; William HOWARD, Isaac HORNBECK, Morris; Nathaniel HARNED, John HARNED, Peter HILTON, John HEARD, Jeremiah HEMSTED, all of Middlesex; Conrad HENDRICKS, John HANKINSON, John HORNER, Berzeor HINKSON, John HAMPTON, Fuller HORNER, all of Monmouth; John IRONS, Monmouth; David JAQUITH, Heathcot JOHNSON, Hendrick JOHNSON, all of Middlesex; Griffin JENKINS, James JAUNCEY, Cavalier JEWETT, all of Essex; Edward JONES, Bergen; Mathias KENSET, Bergen; David KENT, Wm KENT, all of Middlesex; Joseph KINGSLAND, John Tabor KEMP, all of Essex; Thomas KICKER, Monmouth; William LUCE, Isaac LONGWORTH, Thomas LONGWORTH, all of Essex; Thomas LYON, Abram LENT, Peter LENT, Timothy LEWIS, all of Bergen; William LURTON, Richard LENNOX, David LENNOX, Stacey LISK, all of Middlesex; John Leonard, John LEONARD, jr., Joseph LEONARD, Thomas LEONARD, Samuel LEONARD, Daniel LAFTRE, William LAWRENCE, John LONGSTREET, jr., Richard LIPPENCOTT, all of Monmouth; Jacob MERCELIS, Lewis MILLENBERG, David MASTERSON, Alex. McCOY, all of Bergen; Thomas MILLEDGE, Morris; William MAXWELL, Peter MOURISON, Richard MILLER, James MOORE, Daniel MOORE, John MORSE, all of Essex; Joseph MUNDAY, Hopewell MUNDAY, John MUNDAY, jr., Jonathan MUNDAY, jr., Benjamin MARSH, Mathias MAN, Nicholas MURRAY, jr., Samuel MORSE, all of Middlesex; John MORRIS, John MOUNT, Robert MORRIS, James MOUNT, all of Monmouth; Peter NIX, Isaac NOBLE, all of Bergen; Thomas OLDWATER, Bergen; John OKESON, Samuel OAKERSON, all of Monmouth; David OGDEN, David OGDEN, jr., Isaac OGDEN, Nicholas OGDEN, Jonathan OLIVER, David OLIVER, all of Essex; John PREY, Middlesex; Philip PEAKES, Wm PEAKER, Jacobus PEAK, Christian PULISALT, all of Bergen; James PRICE, William PRICE, Michael PRICE, John PINTARD, jr., John PERRINE, Nathaniel PARKER, James PEW, John POLHEMUS, jr., all of Monmouth; Abm. A. QUACKENBUSH, Bergen; Robert F. RANDOLPH, David F. RANDOLPH, all of Middlesex; Charles ROBERTS, Somerset; Samuel RYERSON, Morris; Nathaniel RICHARDS, Broughtin REYNOLDS, all of Essex; Abel RIDNER, Martin RUTH, John RIDNER, John ROBERTSON, Hendrick RIDNER, John F. RYERSON, Richard RUCKMAN, Martin ROELOFFE, all of Bergen; Wm STYLES, Stephen SKINNER, Jonathan SAYRES, Richard STANTON, Caleb SAYRES, Derrick SCHUYLER, Samuel SMITH, Isaac STANBURY, Cornelius STAGER, Miles SHERBROOK, all of Essex; John STEWART, Stephen SKINNER, all of Morris; Michael STOR, Bergen; Jacob STOCKTON, Somerset; Joseph STEVENS, Wm SMITH, Stephen SKINNER, Cortlandt SKINNER, Thomas SMITH, James SHOTWELL, Cecil SARGEANT, all of Middlesex; James STILLWEL, Samuel STILLELL, William SMITH, David SMITH, Richard STOUT, Timothy SCOBEY, all of Monmouth; Jacob TOOKER, Essex; Peter Tice, John TISE, all of Bergen; John TROOP, Joseph THORNBURN, all of Morris; William TERRILL, Joseph THORNE, John THOMPSON, all of Middlesex; John TAYLOR, George TAYLOR, jr., Joseph TAYLOR, Morford TAYLOR, Thomas THORNE, Ezekiel TILTON, Christopher TALLMAN, Clayton TILTON, Oliver TALLMAN, John THROCKMORTON, all of Monmouth; Peter VROOM, John VROOM, all of Middlesex; John VANWAGGMER, Abram VANGLESON, Henry VANDEHOFF, all of Essex; John H. VANHOUTEN, Hendrick VANBLARCOM, Harrison VANBLARCOM, Peter J. VANBLARCOM, Jacob VANWICKLE, James VANBUREN, John L. VANBUSKIRK, Gabriel VANORDEN, David VANBUSKIRK, all of Bergen; John VANDYKE, Somerset; Philip VANCORTLANDT, Laurence VANBUSKIRK, all of Morris; Hendrick VANMATER, Daniel VANMATER, Peter VANNOTE, all of Monmouth; Uzal WARD, Ebenezer WARD, John WHEELER, Nathl. WILLIAMS, Garret WOUTERS, Peter WOODS, George WELLES, Thomas WHITE, Hugh WALLACE, James WILSON, George WARNER all od Essex; Peter D. WIEN, Bergen; Benjamin WORTH, Somerset; Alexander WATSON, Thomas WALKER, John WILSON, all of Middlesex; John WILLIAMS, jr., Peter WARDELL, Josiah WHITE, Benjamin WOOLLEY, John WILLIAMS, John WARDELL, Ebenezer WARDELL, Britton WHITE, all of Monmouth; Richard YATES, Essex.

No Limits Courses on Genealogy and New Brunswick History

Wanted: Telephone Committee Members and Chairperson

Start Date:  As soon as possible
Responsible To:  The Program Committee Chair and The York Sunbury Historical Society Board
Location:  Museum and Home
Hours of Work:  Variable
Commitment Length:  Long term

Position Description:  We are looking for a volunteer, ideally someone who is already a member of the Society, who can assist the York Sunbury Historical Society communicate with its members by calling members and informing them about upcoming events, activities and programs.  The Chairperson organizes, updates and distributes the telephone list to the committee members.  The volunteer should have good telephone skills, be bondable, have excellent computer skills and excellent communication skills.

About the York Sunbury Historical Society:  The idea of the York Sunbury Historical Society was sparked in January 1932, at the height of the Great Depression, when a letter was sent out to the people of Fredericton suggesting a historical society be organized.  The response was overwhelmingly positive.  Within two weeks, a society was formed, and by the end of 1932, there were 132 members.  The first meetings of the York Sunbury Historical Society were held on the second floor of the Post Office on Queen Street, and shortly after the society received the first of many donations of its historical artefacts.  The Society was incorporated in 1934.  Its structure and purpose are set out in the by-laws accompanying that incorporation.  Its purpose was to discover and preserve the history and heritage of York and Sunbury counties.  Its structure provided for a Board of Directors elected by the members at the annual meeting and for committees to deal with different aspects of the Society’s mission.  Today, seventy five years later, the society has some 140 members, each one committed to the original mission of the York Sunbury Historical Society.

Volunteer Benefits:  Free Admission to the York Sunbury Museum; Newsletter; Member Discount on Facilities Rentals; Invitation to Special Events; Opportunity to Make a Difference; Collect Volunteer Hours for Your University Application; Work Experience for Your Resume

Please contact the Executive Director for more information about this volunteer opportunity.  Thank you.