Fort Cumberland (Beausejour)
Fort Beausejour-Fort Cumberland today. Flickr CC photo by Jen Calder
From Halifax, the Ripley family likely traveled by schooner to Fort Cumberland at the head of the Bay of Fundy. Many families spent time in the barracks at the fort before purchasing or leasing land. The excavated barracks are visible on the left in the picture above. The Fort, originally known as Fort Beausejour, was built by the French around 1751 in response to the British having constructed Fort Lawrence nearby in 1750. After the English captured the fort in 1755, the name was changed to Fort Cumberland. Scroll down the page to see more photos of the fort taken on my 2013 visit to Fort Cumberland (now known as Fort Beausejour-Fort Cumberland).
The Eddy Rebellion
Just two years after the Ripleys arrived, Fort Cumberland was attacked by a small militia led by Jonathan Eddy at the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. With the aide of the Royal American Fencible Regiment and settlers, the British were able to hold off the attack from November 4 to 24, 1776 until reinforcements from the Royal Marines and Royal Highland Emigrants arrived. If the fort had fallen, Nova Scotia might have become part of the United States. The monument and plaque below commemorate the Yorkshire Immigration and contributions of the settlers from Yorkshire in defending Fort Cumberland during the Eddy Rebellion. I am not aware of any record of direct Ripley involvement in the Eddy Rebellion, but they certainly would have been aware of the event and most likely remained loyal to the British. Robert and Isabella's daughter Elizabeth later married David Pugsley, a United Empire Loyalist from New York.
Just two years after the Ripleys arrived, Fort Cumberland was attacked by a small militia led by Jonathan Eddy at the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. With the aide of the Royal American Fencible Regiment and settlers, the British were able to hold off the attack from November 4 to 24, 1776 until reinforcements from the Royal Marines and Royal Highland Emigrants arrived. If the fort had fallen, Nova Scotia might have become part of the United States. The monument and plaque below commemorate the Yorkshire Immigration and contributions of the settlers from Yorkshire in defending Fort Cumberland during the Eddy Rebellion. I am not aware of any record of direct Ripley involvement in the Eddy Rebellion, but they certainly would have been aware of the event and most likely remained loyal to the British. Robert and Isabella's daughter Elizabeth later married David Pugsley, a United Empire Loyalist from New York.
A Visit to Fort Beausejour (Fort Cumberland)
Fort Beausejour-Fort Cumberland), located at Aulac, New Brunswick about 12 km from Amherst, is now a National Historic Site of Canada. The photos below were taken during a July visit in 2013.
For sources and more information see:
Campey, Lucille H. Planters, Paupers, and Pioneers, Toronto, Dundurn Press, 2010. (Portions of this excellent book describing the settlement of eastern Canada are available for online viewing at Google Books. The Eddy Rebellion is described on pages 61 and 62.)
History of Charles Dixon (Primary source paper written by Charles Dixon describes his recruitment in Yorkshire, voyage to Nova Scotia, and early experiences in the province.
Photos of commemorative plaques at Fort Beausejour.
Settlement Revolution and War (Nova Scotia History online)
Robinson, John and Rispin, Thomas. A Journey through Nova Scotia available online. Fascinating first-hand account of a voyage and trip to Nova Scotia circa 1774 describing the various townships, houses, clothing, farms, prices, etc.
Trueman, Howard, The Chignecto Isthmus and its Settlers, 1902. (Project Gutenberg online; Chapter IV is devoted to the Eddy Rebellion.)
Campey, Lucille H. Planters, Paupers, and Pioneers, Toronto, Dundurn Press, 2010. (Portions of this excellent book describing the settlement of eastern Canada are available for online viewing at Google Books. The Eddy Rebellion is described on pages 61 and 62.)
History of Charles Dixon (Primary source paper written by Charles Dixon describes his recruitment in Yorkshire, voyage to Nova Scotia, and early experiences in the province.
Photos of commemorative plaques at Fort Beausejour.
Settlement Revolution and War (Nova Scotia History online)
Robinson, John and Rispin, Thomas. A Journey through Nova Scotia available online. Fascinating first-hand account of a voyage and trip to Nova Scotia circa 1774 describing the various townships, houses, clothing, farms, prices, etc.
Trueman, Howard, The Chignecto Isthmus and its Settlers, 1902. (Project Gutenberg online; Chapter IV is devoted to the Eddy Rebellion.)