York Sunbury Historical Society March Program

Join us at Government House, Thursday March 20 @ 7:30pm for our monthly program.  Our speaker is Koral LaVorgna, who will be reading love letters of New Brunswick from times past and telling their stories.  These have been gleaned from the New Brunswick Provincial Archives and the York Sunbury Historical Society’s collection, and their stories reflect a completely different and interesting attitude than presently seems to exist.

This is from the week-long series she did for CBC radio in Saint John and Fredericton; and for a Daily Gleaner feature during the Valentine celebration period this year.

Ms. LaVorgna is a PHD candidate in history, lecturer at St. Thomas University, Executive Director of the Scottish Portal Project, past Fredericton Region Museum Manager, Curator, Researcher and Writer for the City of Fredericton Built Heritage History Projects, a Step-On Tour Bus History Travel Guide, with a broad and thorough knowledge of New Brunswick and Fredericton’s history.

A reception will follow the presentation.  Non-members are cordially invited.

Please note, there is a snow storm forecast with freezing rain for March 20th.  If Fredericton schools are closed on this date, then the program will be cancelled.

Aberdeen Mill

Aberdeen Mill, Fredericton west end, burned August 1905 (P4-2-13 YORK SUNBURY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PHOTOGRAPHS)

Transcribed by Daniel F. Johnson.

Volume 102 Number 832
Date August 4 1896
County York
Place Fredericton
Newspaper The Gleaner

A telegram was received here this morn. from River de Chute (Victoria Co.) announcing the death there last night of Mrs. Donald FRASER wife of Donald FRASER of the Aberdeen Mills above town. Mrs. Fraser was born in Aberdeen, Scotland about 54 years ago and came to this country with her husband about 20 years ago, settling in River de Chute where Mr. Fraser soon became prominent as a lumber manufacturer. When the Aberdeen Mill was established here a few years ago, Mrs. Fraser came to this city with her husband, living here and at River de Chute as she felt inclined. She leaves two sons, Archie FRASER and Donald FRASER., both of whom ably manage the Aberdeen Mill. Her husband and Archie were at her bedside when life was fleeting away and Donald went up this morn. upon receipt of the telegram. The Mill was ordered to be shut down this morn. until after the funeral. The remains will be brought here tomorrow. Consumption was the cause of death. The disease had been preying upon the deceased for some time and from last spring she was confined to the house.

Volume 102 Number 750
Date June 15 1896
County York
Place Fredericton
Newspaper The Gleaner

James D. DAVIDSON, who was fatally injured at the Aberdeen Mill Saturday morn., died at the Victoria Hospital Sunday morn. He was conscious until the last, but suffered considerably. Mrs. WALLACE, who keeps the mill hotel, was at his bedside a few minutes before he died and asked if he had any friends with whom he wished to be communicated with. He said that he realized he was dying and had three sisters living in Boston, but did not wish to shock them with the news of his death, he preferred to withold their names and address. He said he belonged to Marsh Bridge, St. John, but communciation with that place yesterday failed to elicit any information concerning him. He was unknown there. Then his trunk was opened with the hope that it might contain some letters which would give some clues to the whereabouts of his relatives. Two letters were found from lady friends, but the christian name only was given in each case, so that the remains will have to be buried here on the stranger’s lot. The deceased was 28 years old. Death apparently was caused by internal heamorrhage. The remains were interred in the Rural Cemetery this afternoon. Undertakers Adams & Price had charge of the arrangements.

Elizabeth Hopkins

Image via Wikipedia

After locating New Brunswick Fencibles Officer’s Coatee in the York Sunbury Historical Society collection I have been just a little bit curious about the New Brunswick Regiment.  I found this newspaper article while looking for information about the 104^th and their winter march in Daniel Johnson’s vital statistics.  It would be fun to learn more about Elizabeth Hopkins, she sounds like she was an incredible person.

Transcribed by Daniel F. Johnson.

Volume 25 Number 1457
Date April 17 1867
County York
Place Fredericton
Newspaper The Head Quarters

The following curious memorial and note, taken from the Quebec ‘Gazette’ of 1817 will interest many of our readers. To the Right Honorable Secretary of War – The memorial of Elizabeth HOPKINS wife of Jeremiah HOPKINS, Sgt. of the 104th New Brunswick Regt. of Foot – Most Humbly Sheweth – That she was born of British parents at Philadelphia in the year 1741; has her husband, six sons and a son-in-law, viz.: Jeremiah HOPKINS (husband), Samuel WOODWARD, Timothy WOODWARD Robt. WOODWARD, Nathaniel WOODWARD, Archibald WOODWARD, Nicholas HOPKINS (son); James McDONOUGH (son-in-law) serving his Majesty in the 104th and during the course of her life, for her attachment for her king and country, he has endured more hardships than commonly fell to the lot of her sex. In the year 1776, being with her first husband, John JASPER, a Sgt. of Marines on board the brig “Stanley”, tender to the “Roebuck” she was wounded in her left leg in an engagement with three French vessels, when she was actually working at the guns. The Marines having landed at Cape May in America, her husband was taken prisoner by Capt. PLUNKETT of the army near Mud Fort Head? and sentenced to suffer death; and by her means he was enabled to escape with 22 American deserters, to whom she served arms and ammunition, and on their way to join the army, the party was attacked by the enemy’s light cavalry. She was fired at and wounded in her left arm, but undismayed, took a loaded firelock, shot the Rebel and brought his horse to Philadelphia (the headquarters of the army) which she was permitted to sell to one of General Sir William HOWE’s aides de camp. That after many fatigues and campaigns, her husband died and she married Samuel WOODWARD, a soldier in Col. CHAMBERS’s corps; was with the troops under General CAMPBELL at the taking of Pensacola, having however during the seige served at the guns and tore off her clothes and used them for wadding. Having been exchanged at the Peace of 1783 from attachment to the royal cause, she embarked on board a transport with a party of Delancey’s and Chamber’s corps, but was shipwrecked on Seal Island in the Bay of Fundy whenn nearly 300 men and numbers of women and children were lost; that she suffered unparalleled distress being pregnant with a child in her arms; remained three days on the wreck; was taken up with her husband and child by a fisherman off Marblehead, and after being landed was of delivered of three sons, two of whom are now in the 104th Regt., the other dead; lastly, she had the honor of being the mother of 22 children, viz. 18 sons and 4 daughters, seven of the former being alive and three of the latter. That your memorialist humbly prays that you may consider her a fit object for some allowance from the commissariat fund towards her maintenance in her old age; and having lost all her property, and as a reward for her long and faithful service to her King and as in duty bound will ever pray. – Fredericton (York Co.) 12th April 1816. The subject of this memorial is a womderful old woman of much above 70 and as well and hearty at Quebec in January 1817. In consequence of her memorial, she obtained a pension of 100 pounds a year. The following is another instance of her strength and mind. At Fort Erir, the pride of her heart, her twins fell; also McDONOUGH, her son-in-law. On hearing the news she called her children round her, made them an animated speech, charged them to be revenged on the Yankees for that loss; and the next time they went into action, they were cheered and encouraged by ‘Mammy Hopkins’ – the name she goes by in the Regt. – ‘Hamilton Spectator’

Volume 30 Number 1823
Date April 8 1871
County Carleton
Place Woodstock
Newspaper Carleton Sentinel

d. Kent (Carleton Co.) Richard R. HOPKINS, age 69 years 9 mos. 6 days, last one remaining of 22 children. He likewise served in H.M. 104th Regt. in Canada and was the youngest s/o late Jeremiah HOPKINS and Elizabeth HOPKINS, left wife, 6 children, 16 grandchildren. Funeral sermon preached by Rev. Charles McMullin. (see poem)

Volume 20 Number 763
Date December 3 1858
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper Religious Intelligencer

d. 22nd Sept., Kent (Carleton Co.) Nathaniel WOODARD, age 67 native of this Province and 20th child of late Elizabeth HOPKINS who was the mother of 22 children, 3 sons at one birth. He was a member of the Baptist Church.

Volume 30 Number 1083
Date April 12 1871
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper The Daily Telegraph

d. Kent (Carleton Co.) Richard R. HOPKINS, age 69 years 9 mos. 6 days. Deceased was the last one remaining of 22 children. He likewise served in H.M. 104th Regt. in Canada and was the youngest s/o the late Jeremiah HOPKINS and Elizabeth HOPKINS. He leaves a wife, 6 children, 16 grandchildren. Funeral sermon preached by Rev. Charles McMullin.

Article:  Elizabeth Woodward: Loyalist Castaway — © Stephen Davidson

From Our Collection: New Brunswick Fencibles Officer’s Coatee

Officer's coat of the New Brunswick Fencisbles (1969.2547.1) circa 1808-10. Probably the New Brunswick Fencibles unit in existence 1803-10.

Recently, I received a telephone call from that National War Museum enquiring about a War of 1812 military tunic.  I have been told that the York Sunbury Museum owned one but I had never seen it.  With the anniversary of the War of 1812 fast approaching, museums are starting to plan exhibits and are taking stock of what artefacts are available.  The Museum has a few objects reportedly from the 104th Regiment who fought during the War of 1812.

Fredericton is where the 104^th regiment started its historic winter march to Kingston in 1813.  Started in 1803 and based in New Brunswick, the regiment was established as Fencibles, it then became in 1810 the 104^th Regiment of Foot in the British Army; however, they only served in North America.  In March of 1813, during the War of 1812, the regiment marched on foot from Fredericton to Kingston.  The march took 34 days and lasted almost two months; it was necessary in order to protect Upper Canada, now Ontario, from the invasion of the United States.  

Scarlet wool cloth with white collar, cuffs (round) and turnbacks. White braid lines to buttonholes on collar, lapels and cuffs. Stylized trefoil or fleur de lys decoration in silver embroidery on turnback.

When the United States attacked, the British forces were outnumbered and needed the 104^th Regiment to come to their aid.  This action united the separate provinces of British North America against a common enemy; it also showed the military importance of the St. John River Valley to the rest of what would become Canada.  The 104^th Regiment of Foot was ordered to disband in 1817; Britain wanted to reduce the strength of her army because of peace that had been established in Europe with the imprisonment of Napoleon.  

Silver domed buttons with crown surrounded by "New Brunswick Regiment".

After a very enjoyable morning to searching through the textile collection with a volunteer, I managed to find the coatee (a short close-fitting coat).  The York Sunbury Museum is planning to host its own War of 1812 exhibit and the scarlet officer’s coat in the York Sunbury Historical Society Collection will definitely be a part of it.

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.

Research References for the Barker House in Fredericton

P132-128 The Barker House, Queen Street, Fredericton

A list a few York Sunbury Historical Society and Museum resources that might assist you if you’re researching the history of the Barker House in Fredericton.  Of course, this will include references to the Coleman Frog since this is where he resided for several years.

Officers’ Quarters Article:

Volume 11, Number 4 (Fall 1995) – Fifty Years Ago They Came “Flashback Article … The Barker House: Fredericton’s Phoenix” by Roger Farr (page eight)

On-line Photo Gallery

Fredericton Heritage Trust

Artefact Canada

Geocache:

Quest for the Coleman Frog (I just found this one … and it sounds like FUN!!)

Some of the publications that include the Coleman Frog:
Mysterious Creatures – A Guide to Cryptozoology
Lake Monster Mysteries By Benjamin Radford and Joe Nickell
Real-life X-files By Joe Nickell
The Coleman Frog By Stacy Howroyd
Canada By Andrea Schulte-Peevers
Moon Atlantic Canada By Mark Morris, Andrew Hempstead
Megan Mackenzie By Charles Frederick Allen
Canadian Geographical Journal By Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Canadian Geographical Society
Coleman’s Pride by Koral LaVorgna and Melanie Cormier

Google Books:

The First Snow of Winter By Fred Allen 

Archival Material:

Contact the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick for copies of the MC 300 – York Sunbury Historical Society Archival Collection material and P132 York Sunbury Historical Society II Collection.

 P132 York Sunbury Historical Society II Collection:  140  The lobby of the Barker House with Coleman Frog displayed in glass case (P132-140)

P132 York Sunbury Historical Society II Collection:  128 The Barker House, Queen Street, Fredericton

Alexander Gibson & Marysville

Alexander Gibson in his sawmill, Marysville; P4/2/6

I have had several requests for information about Alexander “Boss” Gibson and Marysville so I thought that I would list a few York Sunbury Historical Society and Museum resources.

The Officers’ Quarters is the official publication of the York-Sunbury Historical Society, Inc.. Publication dates are biannual: Fall & Winter, Spring & Summer.  An annual subcription is one of the benefits of being a member of the York Sunbury Historical Society. 

If you enjoy researching and writing about the history of central New Brunswick then article submissions for The Officers’ Quarters can be addressed to the Publicaiton Committee and received at the Society Office (see contact) or can be submitted on-line.

If you are interested in acquiring copies or articles from previous editions, please check out what we have posted on our website.  We have posted information about our Past Issues or you can download the PDF of our article index.

Officers’ Quarters Articles:

Volume 25, Number 2 (Fall & Winter 2008) – Marysville Edition (This issue was a Cooperative Publication of the Marysville Heritage Committee and the York Sunbury Historical Society)

Volume 12, Number 3 (Summer 1996) – Another Time, Another Prince: The Royal Visit August 1860, “‘Boss’ Gibson Update” (page 10).

Volume 12, Number 1 (Winter 1996) – Marysville’s Alexander Gibson, Sr. (1819-1913), “Passing Through … Memories of Marysville” by Rev. G. Howard Christie (page 6).

Volume 12, Number 1 (Winter 1996) – Marysville’s Alexander Gibson, Sr. (1819-1913), “Feature Article … Alexander Gibson & Marysille: The Paternal Development of a York County Town” by Michael Flinn (page 10).

Volume 12, Number 1 (Winter 1996) – Marysville’s Alexander Gibson, Sr. (1819-1913), “Books from the Barracks … Fascinating Research on the Gibsons of New Brunswick: A First-Person Narrative” by Arvin S. Gibson (page 20).  Book Review.

Volume 12, Number 1 (Winter 1996) – Marysville’s Alexander Gibson, Sr. (1819-1913), “Gibson Genealogy Descendant Chart” (page 24).

Volume 6, Numbers 1 & 2 (Spring & Summer 1991) – A Publication of the York-Sunbury Historical Society, Inc. “Our Industrial Heritage: The Marysville Cotton Mill” by Dr. Murray Young (page 7).

Volume 4, Number 1 (Spring 1988) – Slabtown, “Slabtown: What’s in a name?” by D. Murry Young (page 3)

Abstract:
This article describes the community endearingly known as ‘slabtown’ in Marysville because of the slabs of wood milled there. It describes the mills and businesses as well as the favorite gathering places of the children.

If you are interested in acquiring copies or articles from previous editions, please contact the office for details or fill out this form.

Museum and Satellite Exhibits:

The Boss’s World (installed in 2009 and located in the York Sunbury Museum at 571 Queen Street, Fredericton)

Walking Trail History Exhibit (installed in 2009 and located in the Trail Visitors Centre on Station Road in South Devon)

Marysville (created in 2009 and is kept with the Marysville Heritage Committee for special and community events) – Facebook Photo Album

Archival Material:

P4-2 York Sunbury Historical Society Photographs:  6  Alexander Gibson in his sawmill in Marysville (P4-2-06) 

MC300-MS49 York-Sunbury Historical Society Collection Description Printed Matter:  230  City of Fredericton (f  Marysville Honors its founder Alexander “Boss” Gibson)

MC300-MS44 York-Sunbury Historical Society Collection Description Photographs and Pictures:  

6  Alexander Gibson in his sawmill, Marysville; P4/2/6.

11  Methodist Church built by Alexander Gibson, Marysville; P4/2/11 and P5/58.

MC300-MS19 York-Sunbury Historical Society Collection Description Clippings (MS19 – 20 to 103):  64  Issue of The Semi-Weekly Mail, August 15, 1913, which records the death of Alexander Gibson.

MC300-MS5 York-Sunbury Historical Society Collection
Description Burpee Family Papers:

61 Letter from E.R. Burpee to his uncle, Charles Burpee, concerning political activities at home mentioning Gibson, Pickard, Perley, Wark, Turnbull, Tupper, Fraser and others; Fredericton, April 4, 1878.

78 Letter from Isaac Burpee to his uncle, Charles Burpee, discussing the Central Railway mentioning Whitehead, Inches, Gibson, and others; Saint John, July 23, 1884.

Blog Posts:

Alexander Gibson (aka Boss Gibson)

The Alexander Boss Gibson Railway

Walking Trail History Exhibit

Marysville Heritage Journal (September 2009, Volume One)

Major-General Hardy Nelson Ganong

MC300-MS89 York-Sunbury Historical Society Collection Description  (page 297)

If you are interested in any of these files then please contact the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick.

“Major-General H. N. Ganong was born on 18 April, 1890 in St. Stephen, New Brunswick.  He was the son of Edward Morrison Ganong and Margaret Lunn Ganong.  He was educated in St. Stephen, New Brunswick 

 On January 17, 1920 he married Mildred Thomas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Thomas, Calais Maine.  They had three children, Russell Edward, Constance Margaret and William (Billie) Atherton.  In civilian life he was an executive of the candy factory, Ganong Bros., Ltd.  He was a member of the Canadian Legion, active among the Boy Scouts and chairman of the trustees of the Union Street Baptist Church.  Being a sportsman, he enjoyed baseball, hockey, curling and horse racing.  His military career dates from 1908 when he enlisted in the ranks of the York Regiment in which he served for three years. 

His appointment to a commission came in 1915 when he enlisted in the 104^th Battalion, went to France and joined the 5^th Canadian Mounted Rifles.  In September, 1916 he was wounded at Vimy Ridge.  Afterwards he joined the York Regiment as Captain until the outbreak of the war.  He then became the lieutenant-colonel and the officer commanding the Carleton & York Regiment.

This regiment was picked as part of the first contingent to go overeas.  Lt.-Col. Ganong took it to England and had the distinction of heading the first Canadian  battalion to set foot on English soil.  Subsequently, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier and at the age of 52, he became a Major-General.

He died on February 24, 1963 following injuries received in a highway mishap which claimed the life of his wife.”

1  The Ganong Collection is a scrapbook which dates from 1941 to 1963.  It is comprised mostly of newspaper clippings in regards to Ganong’s military career, his achievements and World War II.  Also in the collection are items, which reflect aspects of Ganong’s personal life:  correspondence, poetry, greeting cards, invitations, menus, programmes, photographs, awards and clippings.  The series measures 6 centimeters.

a  Invitation – The Canadian Who’s Who

Newspapers, Magazines, Catalogues & Periodicals Inventory

Image via Wikipedia

MC300-MS88 York-Sunbury Historical Society Collection Description  (page 297)

If you are interested in any of these files then please contact the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick.

1  Chestnut Canoe Co. Ltd., Fredericton, New Brunswick

a  Chestnut Canoe Catalogue [1930], Catalogue A

b  Chestnut Canoe Catalogue [1930], Catalogue B

c  Chestnut Snow Shoes & Toboggans, Catalogue N^o. 10, Operated by Canadian Watercraft, Ltd.; n.d.

Francois LaRoche Correspondence

MC300-MS87 York-Sunbury Historical Society Collection Description  (page 296)

If you are interested in any of these files then please contact the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick.

Re:  G.L. Cunningham, B.A.; Dominion Field Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Fredericton, New Brunswick; Plant Disease Investigator; May, 1920.