DesBarres Homesteads east of the Maccan River
Thomas Coates
The northernmost homestead on the east side of the Maccan River also bordered on the Nappan River. This 625-acre homestead was leased by my 4th great grandfather Thomas Coates. Thomas Coates (1741-1813), his wife Martha Ann Hood (1749-1780) and daughter Mary, just two years old, left Sutton-under-Whitestonecliff near Hovingham in Yorkshire and arrived in Nova Scotia on the Duke of York in the spring of 1772. Thomas's first wife Martha Ann Hood, with whom he had 6 children, died about 1780. Two years later, he married Elizabeth Henry (1760-1820) with whom he had an additional 9 children.
In the spring of 1773, Thomas had collaborated with Stephen Read and James Metcalf on the west side of the Maccan River. In 1777 his family moved to the property he later leased on the east side of the Maccan River. About 6 acres between the house and marsh and another 5 acres behind the house had previously been cleared by the French. (DesBarres Fonds online, Series 5 M.G. 23, vols. 19-20, Doc #4073 Reel C-1459, image 444). Thomas Coates signed an official lease with Mary Canon in 1780.
The Coates family was living on the leased property when Captain John MacDonald visited in 1795. MacDonald reported that Coates was " upon a promising farm and does well." MacDonald also provided a very complimentary description of A Bridge Over the River Nappan build by Coates and William Pipes, who had leased the neighbouring property to the east.
On 1 February 1804, Thomas Coates sublet to Samuel McCully the 625 acres which he had formerly leased from J.F.W. DesBarres (Deed Book E, P. 78, Document #503707649). In the same year, Thomas Coates relocated to a property on Smiths Creek in New Brunswick that he had purchased from Samuel McCully.
In 1817, McCully purchased the property of about 620 acres in Nappan from DesBarres for 1450 pounds. (DesBarres Papers, Series 5 (M.G. 23, F1-5, Vols 22-23). Land correspondence, 1813-1824, Document 5313-5314. Reel C-1460, image 361-362. McCully ran into financial difficulties after a Brig that he had built for tobacco-running was seized following a chase on the high seas. In 1818, McCully sold the 625-acre property to Thomas Roach. Much of the Coates homestead eventually became the Nappan Experimental Farm.
The northernmost homestead on the east side of the Maccan River also bordered on the Nappan River. This 625-acre homestead was leased by my 4th great grandfather Thomas Coates. Thomas Coates (1741-1813), his wife Martha Ann Hood (1749-1780) and daughter Mary, just two years old, left Sutton-under-Whitestonecliff near Hovingham in Yorkshire and arrived in Nova Scotia on the Duke of York in the spring of 1772. Thomas's first wife Martha Ann Hood, with whom he had 6 children, died about 1780. Two years later, he married Elizabeth Henry (1760-1820) with whom he had an additional 9 children.
In the spring of 1773, Thomas had collaborated with Stephen Read and James Metcalf on the west side of the Maccan River. In 1777 his family moved to the property he later leased on the east side of the Maccan River. About 6 acres between the house and marsh and another 5 acres behind the house had previously been cleared by the French. (DesBarres Fonds online, Series 5 M.G. 23, vols. 19-20, Doc #4073 Reel C-1459, image 444). Thomas Coates signed an official lease with Mary Canon in 1780.
The Coates family was living on the leased property when Captain John MacDonald visited in 1795. MacDonald reported that Coates was " upon a promising farm and does well." MacDonald also provided a very complimentary description of A Bridge Over the River Nappan build by Coates and William Pipes, who had leased the neighbouring property to the east.
On 1 February 1804, Thomas Coates sublet to Samuel McCully the 625 acres which he had formerly leased from J.F.W. DesBarres (Deed Book E, P. 78, Document #503707649). In the same year, Thomas Coates relocated to a property on Smiths Creek in New Brunswick that he had purchased from Samuel McCully.
In 1817, McCully purchased the property of about 620 acres in Nappan from DesBarres for 1450 pounds. (DesBarres Papers, Series 5 (M.G. 23, F1-5, Vols 22-23). Land correspondence, 1813-1824, Document 5313-5314. Reel C-1460, image 361-362. McCully ran into financial difficulties after a Brig that he had built for tobacco-running was seized following a chase on the high seas. In 1818, McCully sold the 625-acre property to Thomas Roach. Much of the Coates homestead eventually became the Nappan Experimental Farm.
Richard Norrison and William Blenkhorn
The property immediately south of Thomas Coates was occupied by William Blenkhorn's family. William Blenkhorn (1739-1813) and his wife Ann Dresser (1745-1843) came to Nova Scotia aboard the Two Friends in 1774 with 4 of their children, citing rent increases as their reason for leaving Yorkshire. The Blenkhorns came from the village of Hovingham, not far from the Harrison's village of Rillington and the Coates's village.
William had moved onto the property in 1777. In 1780, William Blenkhorn leased 325 acres on the River Maccan, then in the possession of Richard Norrison and William Blenkhorn, from DesBarres for 990 years at a yearly rent of 7 pounds, 18 shillings, 8 pence. (Deed Book C, p. 257, Document #503706193). When Captain John MacDonald visited in 1795, he reported that "Blinkin has a promising farm and thrives." He also reported that a nearby farm was occupied by Norrison, “a very old man—the farm goes to Blinkin after his decease”.
In 1790, William and John Blenkhorn leased a second property of 400 acres that was east of but not bordering the Maccan River. The boundary began at the east corner of George Mainard's land (that later became the homestead of William Ripley) and was bordered on the south by the boundary DesBarres shared with Michael Francklin's 12,000 acres. (DesBarres Fonds online, DesBarres Papers Series 5 M.G. F 1-5, Vol. 18, Document 3479, Reel C-1458, Image 977.) In 1834 Matthew Sharp paid William Blenckhorn 100 pounds to quit any claims on the 400-acre property. (Deed Book M, p. 413). However, I did not find any record of Matthew Sharp purchasing the property.
When William Blenkhorn died in 1813, he left his farm to his sons David and Robert. However, William was so concerned that DesBarres would not honour his lease that he added a codicil to his will to pay his sons a cash bequest in case they were deprived of their inheritance by their landlord. (Nova Scotia Probate Records 1760- 1993, Estate Files 1764-1938, no. 118-165 (B), #123, starting on image 273.). William's fears were not unfounded. DesBarres had returned to the area in 1812 short of funds and, for the first time in decades, had begun to take an active interest in the management of his properties. DesBarres accused his former mistress Mary Cannon of mismanagement and declared all the leases she had made with tenants invalid. In 1815, DesBarres sued "the forger" Henry Ripley over the sub-lease he had obtained from Jean Gallant. After Henry Ripley prevailed in court, DesBarres began to allow former tenants to purchase their leased properties. (See the DesBarres Papers, Series 5 (M.G. 23, F1-5, Vols 22-23) Land Correspondence 1813-1824. Reel C1460, image 294-307, pp. 5245-5259.)
On 18 April 1817, David and Robert Blinkhorn purchased 394 acres of their father's homestead in Maccan from DesBarres for 950 pounds. (Deed Book G, p. 191). The property boundaries are described as follows: “beginning at the mouth of a small Creak which empties into the Macan River thence up the course of said Creak , til it comes to the edge of the uplands thence bounded on the line of Samuel McCully’s land in running South forty three degrees East forty chains thence South twenty nine degrees West Sixty seven chains and fifty links, thence North forty three degrees West forty five chains down the line on lands Occupied by William Ripley until it meets Macan River thence down the course of said River Macan until it comes the first mentioned boundary." If you draw this property out, you will see that it is almost diamond-shaped. This may help explain the angle at which Trider Road, possibly its southern border, extends from Hwy 302.
The Blenkhorns later sold the property and moved to Advocate Harbour but eventually returned and bought property in the same area again. Many of the Blenkhorns are buried in the Michael Fortune Cemetery in Maccan. The cemetery is located on the west side of Hwy 302 just north of Trider Road. The oldest graves in the cemetery were Blenkhorns, probably indicating the cemetery was on their property. Many descendants of William Ripley, Blenckhorn's neighbour to the south, are also buried in this cemetery.
The property immediately south of Thomas Coates was occupied by William Blenkhorn's family. William Blenkhorn (1739-1813) and his wife Ann Dresser (1745-1843) came to Nova Scotia aboard the Two Friends in 1774 with 4 of their children, citing rent increases as their reason for leaving Yorkshire. The Blenkhorns came from the village of Hovingham, not far from the Harrison's village of Rillington and the Coates's village.
William had moved onto the property in 1777. In 1780, William Blenkhorn leased 325 acres on the River Maccan, then in the possession of Richard Norrison and William Blenkhorn, from DesBarres for 990 years at a yearly rent of 7 pounds, 18 shillings, 8 pence. (Deed Book C, p. 257, Document #503706193). When Captain John MacDonald visited in 1795, he reported that "Blinkin has a promising farm and thrives." He also reported that a nearby farm was occupied by Norrison, “a very old man—the farm goes to Blinkin after his decease”.
In 1790, William and John Blenkhorn leased a second property of 400 acres that was east of but not bordering the Maccan River. The boundary began at the east corner of George Mainard's land (that later became the homestead of William Ripley) and was bordered on the south by the boundary DesBarres shared with Michael Francklin's 12,000 acres. (DesBarres Fonds online, DesBarres Papers Series 5 M.G. F 1-5, Vol. 18, Document 3479, Reel C-1458, Image 977.) In 1834 Matthew Sharp paid William Blenckhorn 100 pounds to quit any claims on the 400-acre property. (Deed Book M, p. 413). However, I did not find any record of Matthew Sharp purchasing the property.
When William Blenkhorn died in 1813, he left his farm to his sons David and Robert. However, William was so concerned that DesBarres would not honour his lease that he added a codicil to his will to pay his sons a cash bequest in case they were deprived of their inheritance by their landlord. (Nova Scotia Probate Records 1760- 1993, Estate Files 1764-1938, no. 118-165 (B), #123, starting on image 273.). William's fears were not unfounded. DesBarres had returned to the area in 1812 short of funds and, for the first time in decades, had begun to take an active interest in the management of his properties. DesBarres accused his former mistress Mary Cannon of mismanagement and declared all the leases she had made with tenants invalid. In 1815, DesBarres sued "the forger" Henry Ripley over the sub-lease he had obtained from Jean Gallant. After Henry Ripley prevailed in court, DesBarres began to allow former tenants to purchase their leased properties. (See the DesBarres Papers, Series 5 (M.G. 23, F1-5, Vols 22-23) Land Correspondence 1813-1824. Reel C1460, image 294-307, pp. 5245-5259.)
On 18 April 1817, David and Robert Blinkhorn purchased 394 acres of their father's homestead in Maccan from DesBarres for 950 pounds. (Deed Book G, p. 191). The property boundaries are described as follows: “beginning at the mouth of a small Creak which empties into the Macan River thence up the course of said Creak , til it comes to the edge of the uplands thence bounded on the line of Samuel McCully’s land in running South forty three degrees East forty chains thence South twenty nine degrees West Sixty seven chains and fifty links, thence North forty three degrees West forty five chains down the line on lands Occupied by William Ripley until it meets Macan River thence down the course of said River Macan until it comes the first mentioned boundary." If you draw this property out, you will see that it is almost diamond-shaped. This may help explain the angle at which Trider Road, possibly its southern border, extends from Hwy 302.
The Blenkhorns later sold the property and moved to Advocate Harbour but eventually returned and bought property in the same area again. Many of the Blenkhorns are buried in the Michael Fortune Cemetery in Maccan. The cemetery is located on the west side of Hwy 302 just north of Trider Road. The oldest graves in the cemetery were Blenkhorns, probably indicating the cemetery was on their property. Many descendants of William Ripley, Blenckhorn's neighbour to the south, are also buried in this cemetery.
James Welch, John Sharp
In 1829 Augustus DesBarres sold James Welch a 126-acre lot on the east side of the Maccan River (but not bordering right on the river). (Deed Book K, p. 458. I don't know whether this James Welch is the same person as the James Welsh who bought property west of the Maccan River. The deeds registry has this person listed as James E. Welsh. James Welch and his wife Miriam sold 65 acres of this property to John Sharp in 1839. (Book P p. 211). The boundary description of this property began at the border line between the former homestead of Thomas Coates, then in possession of John Roach, and the Blenckhorn property to the south. The boundary of Welch's lot lay east of these lots.
In 1829 Augustus DesBarres sold James Welch a 126-acre lot on the east side of the Maccan River (but not bordering right on the river). (Deed Book K, p. 458. I don't know whether this James Welch is the same person as the James Welsh who bought property west of the Maccan River. The deeds registry has this person listed as James E. Welsh. James Welch and his wife Miriam sold 65 acres of this property to John Sharp in 1839. (Book P p. 211). The boundary description of this property began at the border line between the former homestead of Thomas Coates, then in possession of John Roach, and the Blenckhorn property to the south. The boundary of Welch's lot lay east of these lots.
George Mainard, Nathaniel Niles, and William Ripley
When Captain John MacDonald visited the DesBarres estates in 1795, the homestead immediately south of the Blenkhorns was occupied by a British loyalist Nathaniel Noiles “an American Refugee—in the place of George Mainard on your list. I am told his farm is not improved and is even worse than it was twenty years ago—that if it were worked, one might rear his family upon it with hard labor.”
Apparently my 3rd great grandfather William Ripley (1769-1845) was up to the challenge. William's parents, Robert Ripley and Isabella Bean, and several of their children arrived in Nova Scotia from Battersby, Yorkshire aboard the Providence in 1774. William Ripley, was not listed among the passengers of the Providence and it is unknown whether he was simply left off the passenger list, arrived on a later ship or was born in Nova Scotia. William Ripley married Hannah Coates, daughter of Thomas Coates, the DesBarres tenant who occupied the northernmost property on the east side of the Maccan River.
On 11 January 1796 British Loyalist Nathaniel Niles turned over to William Ripley 420 acres of land in Maccan that had previously been leased to George Minard for 990 years but "set over" to Nathaniel. Nathaniel Niles in turn leased the land to William for the 981 years remaining in the lease. (Deed Book D, p. 315. Document number 503707032 Registered 1798.)
William's homestead stretched from about today's Trider Road to the Cenotaph on Hwy 302, just south of the Hwy 242 turnoff to River Hebert and included what is now the Tidal Bore Wetlands Park. The southern boundary of William's homestead bordered on the 12,000 acres of the Gmelin grant that Michael Francklin had acquired.
See Homestead of William Ripley and Hannah Coates for an overview of the original homestead.
See also Robert Ripley and Rebecca Vickery: The Old Place and Robert Salter Ripley and Hannah Elizabeth Ripley: The Blenkhorn Place.
When Captain John MacDonald visited the DesBarres estates in 1795, the homestead immediately south of the Blenkhorns was occupied by a British loyalist Nathaniel Noiles “an American Refugee—in the place of George Mainard on your list. I am told his farm is not improved and is even worse than it was twenty years ago—that if it were worked, one might rear his family upon it with hard labor.”
Apparently my 3rd great grandfather William Ripley (1769-1845) was up to the challenge. William's parents, Robert Ripley and Isabella Bean, and several of their children arrived in Nova Scotia from Battersby, Yorkshire aboard the Providence in 1774. William Ripley, was not listed among the passengers of the Providence and it is unknown whether he was simply left off the passenger list, arrived on a later ship or was born in Nova Scotia. William Ripley married Hannah Coates, daughter of Thomas Coates, the DesBarres tenant who occupied the northernmost property on the east side of the Maccan River.
On 11 January 1796 British Loyalist Nathaniel Niles turned over to William Ripley 420 acres of land in Maccan that had previously been leased to George Minard for 990 years but "set over" to Nathaniel. Nathaniel Niles in turn leased the land to William for the 981 years remaining in the lease. (Deed Book D, p. 315. Document number 503707032 Registered 1798.)
William's homestead stretched from about today's Trider Road to the Cenotaph on Hwy 302, just south of the Hwy 242 turnoff to River Hebert and included what is now the Tidal Bore Wetlands Park. The southern boundary of William's homestead bordered on the 12,000 acres of the Gmelin grant that Michael Francklin had acquired.
See Homestead of William Ripley and Hannah Coates for an overview of the original homestead.
See also Robert Ripley and Rebecca Vickery: The Old Place and Robert Salter Ripley and Hannah Elizabeth Ripley: The Blenkhorn Place.
Matthew Sharp, Joseph Stuart, and James, Thomas and Robert Ripley
In 1828, Matthew Sharp purchased a lot of unknown size from Augustus DesBarres that was located on the Maccan River. The lot boundaries commenced "on a small island situated on the northern side of a small marsh on that river adjoining marsh owned by William Ripley". (Deed Book L, p. 371). The remainder of the boundaries referred to William Ripley and to other lands in possession of Matthew Sharp. The lot was sold to Joseph Stuart in 1840 (Deed Book Q, p. 72) who sold it to James, Thomas and Robert Ripley in 1842. (Deed Book R, p. 84) James, Thomas and Robert were all sons of William Ripley, and this property was purchased before the death of William Ripley in 1845. This property may have been given to Thomas Ripley after William's death when the property was divided. Art Ripley once told me that Thomas had a wharf of some kind on the Maccan River near Trider Road. Art and his wife Rachel were the last two descendants of William Ripley to live on the original homestead. They have both passed on now.
In 1828, Matthew Sharp purchased a lot of unknown size from Augustus DesBarres that was located on the Maccan River. The lot boundaries commenced "on a small island situated on the northern side of a small marsh on that river adjoining marsh owned by William Ripley". (Deed Book L, p. 371). The remainder of the boundaries referred to William Ripley and to other lands in possession of Matthew Sharp. The lot was sold to Joseph Stuart in 1840 (Deed Book Q, p. 72) who sold it to James, Thomas and Robert Ripley in 1842. (Deed Book R, p. 84) James, Thomas and Robert were all sons of William Ripley, and this property was purchased before the death of William Ripley in 1845. This property may have been given to Thomas Ripley after William's death when the property was divided. Art Ripley once told me that Thomas had a wharf of some kind on the Maccan River near Trider Road. Art and his wife Rachel were the last two descendants of William Ripley to live on the original homestead. They have both passed on now.
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