DesBarres Leases West of the Maccan River
1773 The French Village
After acquiring 8,000 acres of Gmelin's grant in 1772, J. F. W. DesBarres wasted no time in recruiting settlers for the property. In May of 1773, DesBarres attempted to settle 7 Acadian families near the confluence of the Maccan and Nappan Rivers at a place he called the French Village. A boundary dispute then arose with Lt. Gov. Michael Francklin, his neighbour to the west. DesBarres requested that the Acadian tenants move to his grant at the Elysian Fields even though they had already made improvements to their leased lands. The French Village later became the Metcalf/Atkinson and Harrison homesteads.
After acquiring 8,000 acres of Gmelin's grant in 1772, J. F. W. DesBarres wasted no time in recruiting settlers for the property. In May of 1773, DesBarres attempted to settle 7 Acadian families near the confluence of the Maccan and Nappan Rivers at a place he called the French Village. A boundary dispute then arose with Lt. Gov. Michael Francklin, his neighbour to the west. DesBarres requested that the Acadian tenants move to his grant at the Elysian Fields even though they had already made improvements to their leased lands. The French Village later became the Metcalf/Atkinson and Harrison homesteads.
1773 James Metcalf, Thomas Coates, Stephen Read, and Thomas Shipley
According to a note in the DesBarres papers, "in the spring of 1773, Thomas Coates, Stephen Reed, and James Metcalf were on the property that James Metcalf occupies today." This property was bounded by the Maccan River on the north and east. Thomas Shipley bought out Stephen Read and stayed two years on the property. Stephen Read bought several properties on the north side of the Nappan River and, by 1793, had also acquired a lease south of the Nappan River on DesBarres lands. By 1777 Thomas Coates had moved to his own homestead on the east bank of the Maccan River. By the time Shipley departed, 40-50 acres of upland had been cleared and 12 acres of marsh ploughed. (DesBarres Fonds online, Series 5 M.G. 23, vols. 19-20, Doc #4072 Reel C-1459, image 443). Only James Metcalf remained.
Bachelor James Metcalf had arrived in Nova Scotia from Hawnby, Yorkshire in 1772 on the Duke of York. James is rather famous for writing an enthusiastic letter to his fiancee Ann Gill, asking her to join him in Nova Scotia. In his letter, James reported that he and his partners had acquired 207 acres and the land was easily cleared as it had been formerly cut by the French. He told Ann that apples grew very well, the mosquitoes were troublesome, and that spinning wheels, linen and woollen cloth were expensive. James asked Ann to bring a bushel of wheat containing 4 different varieties of seed and to keep it on her berth during the voyage to protect it from sea water. Ann arrived in 1774, and they were married the same day at Fort Cumberland.
James Metcalf (1745-1820) and his wife Ann Gill (1853-) occupied the northernmost lease on the west bank of the Maccan River. A list of rents collected on 20 October 1780 shows that James Metcalf paid 7 pounds 7 pence for the lease of a 321 1/4 acre property.(DesBarres Papers, Series 5, M.G. 23, F 1-5 Vol. 18 Document 3495, Reel C-1458, Image 993.) In 1784, Metcalf obtained a 990 year lease of 520 acres. (Deed Book C, p. 259). When DesBarres agent Captain John MacDonald visited the property in 1795, he described Metcalf as a "man who also does well; he appears to be a modest man and an intelligent farmer.”
In his will of 1817, James Metcalf left the west side of his house and a yearly allowance to his wife Ann. He left his 520-acre homestead to grandsons Amos Atkinson and James Metcalf Atkinson. James also left a half interest in a 27-acre marsh in Amherst, originally purchased from Robert Read, to his daughter Ann, who had married William Sharp. (Nova Scotia Probate Records 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938 no. 2269-2329, #2301 image 398). In 1820, Ann and William Sharp paid 4 shillings to James Metcalf and Amos Atkinson, relinquishing any interest in the Metcalf farm, while Amos and James relinquished their interest in the 27-acre marsh lot. (Deed Book G 354 and 355). The Sharp family did occupy an adjoining farm to the west of Metcalf's, most likely the 400-acre property previously owned by James Welsh.
Before their deaths, James Metcalf and J. F. W. DesBarres had engaged in a long-running dispute over the size and purchase price of Metcalf's property, which Metcalf claimed should include another 200 wilderness acres. The dispute was finally resolved 16 years after the death of James Metcalf. In 1836, James Metcalf Atkinson paid 1000 pounds to purchase 320 acres from Augustus DesBarres. (Deed Book N, p. 361). In 1837, James Metcalf Atkinson paid an additional 128 pounds and 6 shillings for the 200 wilderness acres. (Deed Book O, p. 74). These two purchases, totalling 520 acres, match the size of the property James Metcalf left in his will and the size of his 1784 lease.
Amos Atkinson died in 1837 at the young age of 26, leaving 1/3 of his property to his wife Priscilla, and the remainder to his two young daughters, Elizabeth Ann and Mary Amelia and any unborn children with whom his wife Priscilla might be pregnant. (Nova Scotia Probate Papers 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938, no 6-39, #23 starting on image 574.) After Amos's death, Priscilla gave birth to a third daughter, Jane. A few years later, Priscilla married Isaac Bliss. In 1842, Elizabeth Ann Atkinson married William Dobson Carter, and in 1853 James Metcalf Atkinson sold William Dobson Carter a 1/2 interest of 165 acres in the Metcalf farm for 500 pounds (Deed Book Y, p.71). On the 1873 A.F. Church Map, W. Carter is William Carter and A. Carter is William and Elizabeth's son Amos.
James Atkinson died in 1867. His bequests included the homestead farm and interests in several small ships. (Nova Scotia Probate Papers 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938, no 6-39 (A), #22, starting on image 561). James left his daughters very generous cash bequests, and sons Amos and Charles Edwin Atkinson received "the farm on which I now reside with the back wilderness land containing four hundred and thirty eight acres more or less as will more plainly appear from the Deed from the Agents of the late Governor DesBarres." On the 1873 A. F. Church map, A. Atkinson is James's son Amos Atkinson and C. E. Atkinson is Charles Edwin Atkinson.
For information about a second Atkinson homestead, see Nappan River on this website.
According to a note in the DesBarres papers, "in the spring of 1773, Thomas Coates, Stephen Reed, and James Metcalf were on the property that James Metcalf occupies today." This property was bounded by the Maccan River on the north and east. Thomas Shipley bought out Stephen Read and stayed two years on the property. Stephen Read bought several properties on the north side of the Nappan River and, by 1793, had also acquired a lease south of the Nappan River on DesBarres lands. By 1777 Thomas Coates had moved to his own homestead on the east bank of the Maccan River. By the time Shipley departed, 40-50 acres of upland had been cleared and 12 acres of marsh ploughed. (DesBarres Fonds online, Series 5 M.G. 23, vols. 19-20, Doc #4072 Reel C-1459, image 443). Only James Metcalf remained.
Bachelor James Metcalf had arrived in Nova Scotia from Hawnby, Yorkshire in 1772 on the Duke of York. James is rather famous for writing an enthusiastic letter to his fiancee Ann Gill, asking her to join him in Nova Scotia. In his letter, James reported that he and his partners had acquired 207 acres and the land was easily cleared as it had been formerly cut by the French. He told Ann that apples grew very well, the mosquitoes were troublesome, and that spinning wheels, linen and woollen cloth were expensive. James asked Ann to bring a bushel of wheat containing 4 different varieties of seed and to keep it on her berth during the voyage to protect it from sea water. Ann arrived in 1774, and they were married the same day at Fort Cumberland.
James Metcalf (1745-1820) and his wife Ann Gill (1853-) occupied the northernmost lease on the west bank of the Maccan River. A list of rents collected on 20 October 1780 shows that James Metcalf paid 7 pounds 7 pence for the lease of a 321 1/4 acre property.(DesBarres Papers, Series 5, M.G. 23, F 1-5 Vol. 18 Document 3495, Reel C-1458, Image 993.) In 1784, Metcalf obtained a 990 year lease of 520 acres. (Deed Book C, p. 259). When DesBarres agent Captain John MacDonald visited the property in 1795, he described Metcalf as a "man who also does well; he appears to be a modest man and an intelligent farmer.”
In his will of 1817, James Metcalf left the west side of his house and a yearly allowance to his wife Ann. He left his 520-acre homestead to grandsons Amos Atkinson and James Metcalf Atkinson. James also left a half interest in a 27-acre marsh in Amherst, originally purchased from Robert Read, to his daughter Ann, who had married William Sharp. (Nova Scotia Probate Records 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938 no. 2269-2329, #2301 image 398). In 1820, Ann and William Sharp paid 4 shillings to James Metcalf and Amos Atkinson, relinquishing any interest in the Metcalf farm, while Amos and James relinquished their interest in the 27-acre marsh lot. (Deed Book G 354 and 355). The Sharp family did occupy an adjoining farm to the west of Metcalf's, most likely the 400-acre property previously owned by James Welsh.
Before their deaths, James Metcalf and J. F. W. DesBarres had engaged in a long-running dispute over the size and purchase price of Metcalf's property, which Metcalf claimed should include another 200 wilderness acres. The dispute was finally resolved 16 years after the death of James Metcalf. In 1836, James Metcalf Atkinson paid 1000 pounds to purchase 320 acres from Augustus DesBarres. (Deed Book N, p. 361). In 1837, James Metcalf Atkinson paid an additional 128 pounds and 6 shillings for the 200 wilderness acres. (Deed Book O, p. 74). These two purchases, totalling 520 acres, match the size of the property James Metcalf left in his will and the size of his 1784 lease.
Amos Atkinson died in 1837 at the young age of 26, leaving 1/3 of his property to his wife Priscilla, and the remainder to his two young daughters, Elizabeth Ann and Mary Amelia and any unborn children with whom his wife Priscilla might be pregnant. (Nova Scotia Probate Papers 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938, no 6-39, #23 starting on image 574.) After Amos's death, Priscilla gave birth to a third daughter, Jane. A few years later, Priscilla married Isaac Bliss. In 1842, Elizabeth Ann Atkinson married William Dobson Carter, and in 1853 James Metcalf Atkinson sold William Dobson Carter a 1/2 interest of 165 acres in the Metcalf farm for 500 pounds (Deed Book Y, p.71). On the 1873 A.F. Church Map, W. Carter is William Carter and A. Carter is William and Elizabeth's son Amos.
James Atkinson died in 1867. His bequests included the homestead farm and interests in several small ships. (Nova Scotia Probate Papers 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938, no 6-39 (A), #22, starting on image 561). James left his daughters very generous cash bequests, and sons Amos and Charles Edwin Atkinson received "the farm on which I now reside with the back wilderness land containing four hundred and thirty eight acres more or less as will more plainly appear from the Deed from the Agents of the late Governor DesBarres." On the 1873 A. F. Church map, A. Atkinson is James's son Amos Atkinson and C. E. Atkinson is Charles Edwin Atkinson.
For information about a second Atkinson homestead, see Nappan River on this website.
1846 William and James Halfkenny
William and James Halfkenny, settlers of African descent, were born in a flourishing black community at Dorchester, New Brunswick. The Halfkenny family were skilled stone masons by trade.
In 1846, J. F. W. DesBarres's son Augustus DesBarres sold 149 acres to William and James Halfkenny for 29 pounds. This property was bordered on the north by the lands of James M. Atkinson, south by Lot 4 in the plan of the estate of the late J.F.W. DesBarres, and on the west by DesBarres's border with Michael Francklin's grant. (Deed Book T, p. 128). So this property lay between the River Hebert and the Maccan River right on the border with Francklin's grant to the west. On 8 December 1851, William and James sold (or mortgaged) their 150-acre DesBarres property to Robert W. Dickey for 35 pounds (Deed Book X, p. 82).
On 9 September 1851, Isaac Carter and his wife Mary (Atkinson) sold their claim to any inheritance from the estate of Charles Atkinson plus a 1/2 interest in a 613-acre lot on the Francklin Manor for 60 pounds. (Deed Book W, p. 505). In 1853, James Halfkenny gave up his interest in the 4 lots acquired from the estate of Charles Atkinson to William Halfkenny for 30 pounds. In the same year, William Halfkenny mortgaged all 4 of the Atkinson lots to Robert B. Dickey for 31 pounds and 5 shillings. (Deed Book X, 630).
I am unsure whether William paid back all or a part of this mortgage, but the family remained in the area. In 1893, William Halfkenny, for one dollar, sold Laura Semmons, wife of David Semmons, a small lot that began "at a stake on the Main Road leading through Lower Maccan on the Homestead farm of the said William Halfkenny".
There are two James Halfkennys listed in the River Hebert area census for 1871. There is a James Halfgenney, Baptist stone cutter, born about 1829, with wife Nancy and son Samuel. They lived next to William Halfgenney, Baptist farmer, born about 1824, with wife Mary J. and children Simily, Annie, Isaac, and A. On the 1881 census, widow Nancy Halfkenny was listed as a servant in the household of Medley Townshend in Amherst, so presumably her husband James had died. I was not able to discover what became of James and Nancy's son Samuel. On the 1871 census, there is also a James Halfkenny, Baptist stone maker, born about 1843, living in the household of George Millugum in River Hebert. This James later married a woman named Sarah and moved to Oxford, NS.
The W. Halfkenny shown on the 1873 A.F. Church map in this area is most likely William Halfkenny. According to the 1891 census, his family included wife Mary J. and children Isaac, Thomas, Edward, Lavenia, and Nettie.
For more information on the flourishing black community at Dorchester NB and the remarkable Lalia Halfkenny. See:
https://libraryguides.mta.ca/tracing_the_black_presence
https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/acadiensis/article/view/20067/23081
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/lalia-halfkenny-first-black-woman-higher-learning-1.5926008
William and James Halfkenny, settlers of African descent, were born in a flourishing black community at Dorchester, New Brunswick. The Halfkenny family were skilled stone masons by trade.
In 1846, J. F. W. DesBarres's son Augustus DesBarres sold 149 acres to William and James Halfkenny for 29 pounds. This property was bordered on the north by the lands of James M. Atkinson, south by Lot 4 in the plan of the estate of the late J.F.W. DesBarres, and on the west by DesBarres's border with Michael Francklin's grant. (Deed Book T, p. 128). So this property lay between the River Hebert and the Maccan River right on the border with Francklin's grant to the west. On 8 December 1851, William and James sold (or mortgaged) their 150-acre DesBarres property to Robert W. Dickey for 35 pounds (Deed Book X, p. 82).
On 9 September 1851, Isaac Carter and his wife Mary (Atkinson) sold their claim to any inheritance from the estate of Charles Atkinson plus a 1/2 interest in a 613-acre lot on the Francklin Manor for 60 pounds. (Deed Book W, p. 505). In 1853, James Halfkenny gave up his interest in the 4 lots acquired from the estate of Charles Atkinson to William Halfkenny for 30 pounds. In the same year, William Halfkenny mortgaged all 4 of the Atkinson lots to Robert B. Dickey for 31 pounds and 5 shillings. (Deed Book X, 630).
I am unsure whether William paid back all or a part of this mortgage, but the family remained in the area. In 1893, William Halfkenny, for one dollar, sold Laura Semmons, wife of David Semmons, a small lot that began "at a stake on the Main Road leading through Lower Maccan on the Homestead farm of the said William Halfkenny".
There are two James Halfkennys listed in the River Hebert area census for 1871. There is a James Halfgenney, Baptist stone cutter, born about 1829, with wife Nancy and son Samuel. They lived next to William Halfgenney, Baptist farmer, born about 1824, with wife Mary J. and children Simily, Annie, Isaac, and A. On the 1881 census, widow Nancy Halfkenny was listed as a servant in the household of Medley Townshend in Amherst, so presumably her husband James had died. I was not able to discover what became of James and Nancy's son Samuel. On the 1871 census, there is also a James Halfkenny, Baptist stone maker, born about 1843, living in the household of George Millugum in River Hebert. This James later married a woman named Sarah and moved to Oxford, NS.
The W. Halfkenny shown on the 1873 A.F. Church map in this area is most likely William Halfkenny. According to the 1891 census, his family included wife Mary J. and children Isaac, Thomas, Edward, Lavenia, and Nettie.
For more information on the flourishing black community at Dorchester NB and the remarkable Lalia Halfkenny. See:
https://libraryguides.mta.ca/tracing_the_black_presence
https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/acadiensis/article/view/20067/23081
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/lalia-halfkenny-first-black-woman-higher-learning-1.5926008
1784 Matthew Fenwick and Thomas Harrison
In 1784, Matthew Fenwick and Thomas Harrison leased 200 acres of woodland west of the Metcalf homestead. (DesBarres Papers, Series 5, M.G. 23, F 1-5 Vol. 18 Document 3476, Reel C-1458, Image 974). Thomas Harrison was the son of John Harrison and Sarah Lovell, who homesteaded south of Metcalf. This farm was absorbed into Henry Furlong's.
In 1784, Matthew Fenwick and Thomas Harrison leased 200 acres of woodland west of the Metcalf homestead. (DesBarres Papers, Series 5, M.G. 23, F 1-5 Vol. 18 Document 3476, Reel C-1458, Image 974). Thomas Harrison was the son of John Harrison and Sarah Lovell, who homesteaded south of Metcalf. This farm was absorbed into Henry Furlong's.
1793 John Lampart, Henry Sinnet, Henry Furlong, and James Welsh
In 1793, John Lampart, Henry Sinnet, and Henry Furlong signed a lease with Mary Cannon for a 400-acre property west of Metcalf and bordering the Francklin Manor Grant to the west. (DesBarres Papers, Series 5, M.G. 23, F 1-5 Vol. 18, Document 3487 Reel C-1458 Image 985). Henry Furlong's name later appeared on the list of rents collected but no property or rent is recorded for him.
According to Captain John MacDonald in 1795, Furlong was "an Irishman on the lands for which Thomas Harrison stands in your list. Harrison has left the Lands. That farm is on that Coast or point between Macan River and the River upon the opposite side of which Mr. Baron lives being the part nearest to the latter. It appears to have no marsh. The farm itself looks new, as if it has only been begun upon within these five years—there being no stumps rotten as yet; but it appears likely the man will go on. Furlong has also Fennick’s farm in the same place."
Henry Furlong married Elizabeth Harrison, the daughter of John Harrison, another of DesBarres's tenants. Thomas Harrison was her brother. A note on Furlong's lease says that he bought out Lampert and Sinnet and lived on the property for 8 years before selling to James Welsh. In 1803, Henry Furlong sold his interest in the 400-acre lease, known as the Lime Kiln, to James Welsh for 55 pounds (Deed Book F, p. 25).
James Welsh was still paying rents in 1805. In 1818, James Welsh purchased the 400-acre property from J. F. W. DesBarres for 250 pounds (Deed Book G, p.230). By 1824 Welsh's mortgage on the property had been discharged (Deed Book H, p. 574). The property was described as follows: "beginning at Willow Trees on the Bay of Maccan [sic] and running south eighteen degrees west fifty one chains until it meets a Spruce Tree blazed, thence running south sixty six degrees east eighty one chains until it meets the line of lands occupied by James Metcalf and a fir tree on the bank of a creek thence down the line of James Metcalf a northeast course until it arrives at a fir tree blazed on the Macan Bay thence down the several courses of Macan Bay until it meets the first-mentioned boundary." The west boundary of this property was the dividing line between the property of DesBarres, the original Gmelin grant, and the 20,000-acre grant of Lt. Gov. Michael Francklin. The stand of willows was such an important landmark in a boundary dispute between DesBarres and Amherst Township that Charles Baker included it on his survey plan 520.
When Augustus DesBarres sold James Metcalf his leased property in 1836, the northwest boundary of Metcalf's land was "the lands in possession of William Sharp formerly sold by the said Joseph Frederick Wallet DesBarres to James Welsh." (Deed Book N, p. 361). However, I could find no sale of Welsh's property, so perhaps Sharp was a tenant. The lands William Sharp later conveyed to Samuel and William Sharp lay west of the Francklin boundary. The name Welsh does not appear on the 1873 A.F. Church Map on the west bank of the Maccan. It's possible that he is the James Welch who later purchased a homestead on the east bank of the Maccan River.
In 1793, John Lampart, Henry Sinnet, and Henry Furlong signed a lease with Mary Cannon for a 400-acre property west of Metcalf and bordering the Francklin Manor Grant to the west. (DesBarres Papers, Series 5, M.G. 23, F 1-5 Vol. 18, Document 3487 Reel C-1458 Image 985). Henry Furlong's name later appeared on the list of rents collected but no property or rent is recorded for him.
According to Captain John MacDonald in 1795, Furlong was "an Irishman on the lands for which Thomas Harrison stands in your list. Harrison has left the Lands. That farm is on that Coast or point between Macan River and the River upon the opposite side of which Mr. Baron lives being the part nearest to the latter. It appears to have no marsh. The farm itself looks new, as if it has only been begun upon within these five years—there being no stumps rotten as yet; but it appears likely the man will go on. Furlong has also Fennick’s farm in the same place."
Henry Furlong married Elizabeth Harrison, the daughter of John Harrison, another of DesBarres's tenants. Thomas Harrison was her brother. A note on Furlong's lease says that he bought out Lampert and Sinnet and lived on the property for 8 years before selling to James Welsh. In 1803, Henry Furlong sold his interest in the 400-acre lease, known as the Lime Kiln, to James Welsh for 55 pounds (Deed Book F, p. 25).
James Welsh was still paying rents in 1805. In 1818, James Welsh purchased the 400-acre property from J. F. W. DesBarres for 250 pounds (Deed Book G, p.230). By 1824 Welsh's mortgage on the property had been discharged (Deed Book H, p. 574). The property was described as follows: "beginning at Willow Trees on the Bay of Maccan [sic] and running south eighteen degrees west fifty one chains until it meets a Spruce Tree blazed, thence running south sixty six degrees east eighty one chains until it meets the line of lands occupied by James Metcalf and a fir tree on the bank of a creek thence down the line of James Metcalf a northeast course until it arrives at a fir tree blazed on the Macan Bay thence down the several courses of Macan Bay until it meets the first-mentioned boundary." The west boundary of this property was the dividing line between the property of DesBarres, the original Gmelin grant, and the 20,000-acre grant of Lt. Gov. Michael Francklin. The stand of willows was such an important landmark in a boundary dispute between DesBarres and Amherst Township that Charles Baker included it on his survey plan 520.
When Augustus DesBarres sold James Metcalf his leased property in 1836, the northwest boundary of Metcalf's land was "the lands in possession of William Sharp formerly sold by the said Joseph Frederick Wallet DesBarres to James Welsh." (Deed Book N, p. 361). However, I could find no sale of Welsh's property, so perhaps Sharp was a tenant. The lands William Sharp later conveyed to Samuel and William Sharp lay west of the Francklin boundary. The name Welsh does not appear on the 1873 A.F. Church Map on the west bank of the Maccan. It's possible that he is the James Welch who later purchased a homestead on the east bank of the Maccan River.
1781 Matthew Lodge and John Harrison
John Harrison (1718-1807) and his wife Sarah Lovell (1731-1814) occupied the lease south of James Metcalf. John, Sarah, and 9 of their children arrived in 1774 aboard the William and Mary. They had emigrated from the village of Rillington in Yorkshire, where Lt. Michael Francklin had installed an agent to recruit settlers for his properties in Nova Scotia. For the first several years in Nova Scotia, the Harrisons leased a farm on the River Hebert from Lt. Michael Francklin. John and Sarah's son Luke wrote letters to his country back home complaining bitterly of the place, especially the mosquitoes. Years later, Luke completely changed his view, declaring he'd much rather stay in Nova Scotia than return to England.
According to a note in the DesBarres papers, "About the year 1781, Harrison went on the farm he now occupies." At the time the property contained about "30 acres of old French clearing" and 8-10 acres of stumped land in addition to 3 small dwellings that DesBarres had built for the French. The orchard was producing 300-400 bushels of apples. (DesBarres Fonds online, Series 5 M.G. 23, vols. 19-20, Doc #4072 Reel C-1459, image 443).
On 1 July 1784, John Harrison leased the 750-acre property, then in the possession of John Harrison and his son-in-law Matthew Lodge. (DesBarres Papers, Series 5, M.G. 23, F 1-5 Vol. 18 Document #3474, Reel C-1458 Image 972). Ten years later, when agent Captain John MacDonald visited DesBarres's properties in Maccan, he reported that Harrison “is thriving—the father in law of Matthew Lodge in your list, who having bought a farm elsewhere for himself has left this one, for which he stands in your list, to his father in law.”
John Harrison left the homestead on the lower Maccan to his wife Sarah for her lifetime and then to son William following her death. John's estate inventory included more livestock than the family would have needed for subsistence, 18 tons of English hay and 18 tons of marsh hay, crops of grain, turnips, potatoes, apples, and cheese and butter. (Nova Scotia Probate Records 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938, no. 919-965 (H), #924, image 154) . Harrison descendants later acquired several 100-acre properties adjoining the original homestead, some of which extended all the way west to the boundary with Francklin.
Atkinsons, Harrisons, Woods, and Ripleys are among the people buried in Harrison Orchard Cemetery (Maccan) on the west bank of the Lower Maccan. The Harrison family still owns the original homestead, large farm and orchard.
John Harrison (1718-1807) and his wife Sarah Lovell (1731-1814) occupied the lease south of James Metcalf. John, Sarah, and 9 of their children arrived in 1774 aboard the William and Mary. They had emigrated from the village of Rillington in Yorkshire, where Lt. Michael Francklin had installed an agent to recruit settlers for his properties in Nova Scotia. For the first several years in Nova Scotia, the Harrisons leased a farm on the River Hebert from Lt. Michael Francklin. John and Sarah's son Luke wrote letters to his country back home complaining bitterly of the place, especially the mosquitoes. Years later, Luke completely changed his view, declaring he'd much rather stay in Nova Scotia than return to England.
According to a note in the DesBarres papers, "About the year 1781, Harrison went on the farm he now occupies." At the time the property contained about "30 acres of old French clearing" and 8-10 acres of stumped land in addition to 3 small dwellings that DesBarres had built for the French. The orchard was producing 300-400 bushels of apples. (DesBarres Fonds online, Series 5 M.G. 23, vols. 19-20, Doc #4072 Reel C-1459, image 443).
On 1 July 1784, John Harrison leased the 750-acre property, then in the possession of John Harrison and his son-in-law Matthew Lodge. (DesBarres Papers, Series 5, M.G. 23, F 1-5 Vol. 18 Document #3474, Reel C-1458 Image 972). Ten years later, when agent Captain John MacDonald visited DesBarres's properties in Maccan, he reported that Harrison “is thriving—the father in law of Matthew Lodge in your list, who having bought a farm elsewhere for himself has left this one, for which he stands in your list, to his father in law.”
John Harrison left the homestead on the lower Maccan to his wife Sarah for her lifetime and then to son William following her death. John's estate inventory included more livestock than the family would have needed for subsistence, 18 tons of English hay and 18 tons of marsh hay, crops of grain, turnips, potatoes, apples, and cheese and butter. (Nova Scotia Probate Records 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938, no. 919-965 (H), #924, image 154) . Harrison descendants later acquired several 100-acre properties adjoining the original homestead, some of which extended all the way west to the boundary with Francklin.
Atkinsons, Harrisons, Woods, and Ripleys are among the people buried in Harrison Orchard Cemetery (Maccan) on the west bank of the Lower Maccan. The Harrison family still owns the original homestead, large farm and orchard.
1784 Peter Gould, John Gould, Joseph Gould, Charles Leger, Samuel Wood, and Peter Wood
In a memoir concerning the original settlement of his properties at Maccan and Nappan, DesBarres wrote that "Peter Wood bought the possession of Peter Guld, John Guld, Jos Guld, and Charles Leger for 25 [pounds] -there was at that time about 9 acres of ploughable land and about 8 acres of newly stumped land, the marsh had an old dyke round it, which Peter Wood repaired & made an abiteaux." (DesBarres Fonds online, Series 5 M.G. 23, vols. 19-20, Doc #4072 Reel C-1459, image 443).
In 1784 Peter Gould (Pierre Doiron) had leased 185 acres south of the Harrison Homestead. The Goulds were originally the Acadian Doiron family. The father of this family was Pierre Doiron (1710-1794) and his wife was Ann Forrest (1715-1790). Pierre's sons Louis, Francois, and Jedore, who were also DesBarres tenants, settled on the Nappan River. Pierre's daughter Madeleine married George Noiles, another DesBarres tenant at Nappan. The Goulds had originally escaped the Acadian deportation and hidden in the forest. They were eventually captured and imprisoned at Fort Cumberland. After release, they first settled at Minudie and later at Maccan and Nappan.
In 1789, Peter Gould sold his lease to British loyalist Samuel Wood. (DesBarres Papers, Series 5, M.G. 23, F 1-5 Vol. 18 Documents 3457-9 Image 955.). By the time Captain John MacDonald visited in 1795, the property was occupied by Samuel Wood's son Peter, "an American Refugee—has the character of being a good labouring, managing man—is in the place of Peter Gould of your list, an Acadian who is gone to Pettycodiack." Peter Wood (1755-1832) married Mary Coates (1769-1840), daughter of DesBarres tenant Thomas Coates.
Peter died around 1832; he and Mary are buried in the Harrison Orchard. Peter left his property to be divided by his six sons, with Amos and John to remain on the farm. (Nova Scotia Probate Papers 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938, no. 2128-2174 (T-W), #2169, Image 921.) A survey of John Wood's (1796-1845) lands, showing the division of his homestead among his heirs, is included in his probate papers. (Nova Scotia Probate Records 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938, no. 2174-2222 (W), Image 377 and 378.). This should be helpful in identifying who is listed on the A. F. Church Map.
A map of Peter Wood's 212-acre homestead, made in 1817, was included in the DesBarres papers. It's fairly easy to see how this map fits on the Google Earth view of the area. (DesBarres Papers, Series 5 M.G. 23, vols. 22-23 Document 5301, Reel C-1460 Image 349.) The Woods homestead was located south of the Harrison Homestead and north of today's Maccan United Baptist Cemetery on Lower Maccan Road. The Maccan United Methodist Cemetery was likely on the homestead. John Wood and his wife Elizabeth Ripley are buried there. Atkinsons, Blenkhorns, Harrisons, Ripleys, and Woods are buried in both cemeteries.
In a memoir concerning the original settlement of his properties at Maccan and Nappan, DesBarres wrote that "Peter Wood bought the possession of Peter Guld, John Guld, Jos Guld, and Charles Leger for 25 [pounds] -there was at that time about 9 acres of ploughable land and about 8 acres of newly stumped land, the marsh had an old dyke round it, which Peter Wood repaired & made an abiteaux." (DesBarres Fonds online, Series 5 M.G. 23, vols. 19-20, Doc #4072 Reel C-1459, image 443).
In 1784 Peter Gould (Pierre Doiron) had leased 185 acres south of the Harrison Homestead. The Goulds were originally the Acadian Doiron family. The father of this family was Pierre Doiron (1710-1794) and his wife was Ann Forrest (1715-1790). Pierre's sons Louis, Francois, and Jedore, who were also DesBarres tenants, settled on the Nappan River. Pierre's daughter Madeleine married George Noiles, another DesBarres tenant at Nappan. The Goulds had originally escaped the Acadian deportation and hidden in the forest. They were eventually captured and imprisoned at Fort Cumberland. After release, they first settled at Minudie and later at Maccan and Nappan.
In 1789, Peter Gould sold his lease to British loyalist Samuel Wood. (DesBarres Papers, Series 5, M.G. 23, F 1-5 Vol. 18 Documents 3457-9 Image 955.). By the time Captain John MacDonald visited in 1795, the property was occupied by Samuel Wood's son Peter, "an American Refugee—has the character of being a good labouring, managing man—is in the place of Peter Gould of your list, an Acadian who is gone to Pettycodiack." Peter Wood (1755-1832) married Mary Coates (1769-1840), daughter of DesBarres tenant Thomas Coates.
Peter died around 1832; he and Mary are buried in the Harrison Orchard. Peter left his property to be divided by his six sons, with Amos and John to remain on the farm. (Nova Scotia Probate Papers 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938, no. 2128-2174 (T-W), #2169, Image 921.) A survey of John Wood's (1796-1845) lands, showing the division of his homestead among his heirs, is included in his probate papers. (Nova Scotia Probate Records 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938, no. 2174-2222 (W), Image 377 and 378.). This should be helpful in identifying who is listed on the A. F. Church Map.
A map of Peter Wood's 212-acre homestead, made in 1817, was included in the DesBarres papers. It's fairly easy to see how this map fits on the Google Earth view of the area. (DesBarres Papers, Series 5 M.G. 23, vols. 22-23 Document 5301, Reel C-1460 Image 349.) The Woods homestead was located south of the Harrison Homestead and north of today's Maccan United Baptist Cemetery on Lower Maccan Road. The Maccan United Methodist Cemetery was likely on the homestead. John Wood and his wife Elizabeth Ripley are buried there. Atkinsons, Blenkhorns, Harrisons, Ripleys, and Woods are buried in both cemeteries.
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