Homestead of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane:
The Fletcher Lease
Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane homesteaded on 1000 acres originally granted to Henry Denny Denson.
Henry Denny Denson
On 5 August 1767, Denson was granted 1000 acres within Amherst Township by Lord William Campbell on advice of His Majesty's Council. The tract included 5 lots of upland numbered 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75 lying on both sides of the Napan[sic] River and five lots of marshland numbered the same plus an additional 150-acre piece of land known as the Lime Stone Marsh. (Deed Book 6, p. 685 and Deed Book 7, p. 230).
A map of the Amherst Township Lots was among papers donated to the Cumberland County Genealogical Society by the late Susan Hill. The 1761 survey map by Chas. Morris shows lots 70-75 and a Limestone Marsh that straddle the Nappan River. If you stand at the intersection of today's Hwy 2 and Lower Porter Road and look north and east, you are likely viewing some of the upland lots of this 1000-acre property which extended along the Nappan River to the Cobequid Road (Hwy 204). If you look to the west of Hwy 2 north of the Nappan River, you are looking at the marsh lots 70-75 that were also part of this grant.
On 5 August 1767, Denson was granted 1000 acres within Amherst Township by Lord William Campbell on advice of His Majesty's Council. The tract included 5 lots of upland numbered 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75 lying on both sides of the Napan[sic] River and five lots of marshland numbered the same plus an additional 150-acre piece of land known as the Lime Stone Marsh. (Deed Book 6, p. 685 and Deed Book 7, p. 230).
A map of the Amherst Township Lots was among papers donated to the Cumberland County Genealogical Society by the late Susan Hill. The 1761 survey map by Chas. Morris shows lots 70-75 and a Limestone Marsh that straddle the Nappan River. If you stand at the intersection of today's Hwy 2 and Lower Porter Road and look north and east, you are likely viewing some of the upland lots of this 1000-acre property which extended along the Nappan River to the Cobequid Road (Hwy 204). If you look to the west of Hwy 2 north of the Nappan River, you are looking at the marsh lots 70-75 that were also part of this grant.
Lucy Denson and Robert Fletcher
Robert Fletcher acquired the property through marriage to Lucy Denson, daughter of the original grantee, Henry Denny Denson. In 1782 Robert Ripley leased 1000 acres in Amherst Township from Robert Fletcher for a term of 21 years. According to the lease, Robert Ripley was already living on the land and agreed to pay 100 pounds for every 5 years of the lease. The property leased to Robert Ripley was "all that Farm and premises whereon he now lives situate in the Township of Amherst and County aforesaid and granted by Government to Henery Denson Esq...containing 1000 acres more or less." (Deed Book C, p. 206, registered 1784, Cumberland County, Document #503706141).
The large number of livestock listed in Robert Ripley's estate inventory indicates that the family made their living through animal husbandry. The large property would have provided land for grazing and for growing hay and feed for the livestock.
Robert Fletcher acquired the property through marriage to Lucy Denson, daughter of the original grantee, Henry Denny Denson. In 1782 Robert Ripley leased 1000 acres in Amherst Township from Robert Fletcher for a term of 21 years. According to the lease, Robert Ripley was already living on the land and agreed to pay 100 pounds for every 5 years of the lease. The property leased to Robert Ripley was "all that Farm and premises whereon he now lives situate in the Township of Amherst and County aforesaid and granted by Government to Henery Denson Esq...containing 1000 acres more or less." (Deed Book C, p. 206, registered 1784, Cumberland County, Document #503706141).
The large number of livestock listed in Robert Ripley's estate inventory indicates that the family made their living through animal husbandry. The large property would have provided land for grazing and for growing hay and feed for the livestock.
Thomas Cochran
In 1784, Robert Fletcher sold the 1000 acres to Thomas Cochran. (Deed Book D, p. 169, Document #503706911, Registered 1784, Cumberland County). Presumably the lease to Robert Ripley continued, because a map made for Cochran shows a Mr. Ripley north of the Nappan River. (DesBarres Papers, Series 5 M.G. 23, F1-5, Vol. 15 Land acquisitions, 1764-1776; Plans, 1765-1916. Document 2911, Reel C-1458 Image 432.) Ripley's homestead was south of the Amherst Township common marsh lots on an "Island", a local term for a parcel of land or a hill that was higher than the surrounding marsh. Francis Caleb Smith later purchased this island from Cochran's heirs.
The term of the Ripley's 1000-acre lease would have expired in 1803, 6 years after Robert's death in 1797. By that time, sons Henry Ripley, William Ripley, and Robert Ripley were all settled on different properties. It is possible that son John and widow Isabella continued to live on the leased property for several years after Robert's death since they had inherited the remainder of Robert's estate according to the terms of Robert's Will. John purchased 875 acres near Oxford in 1803 and Isabella may have lived with John's family in Oxford for a time. Henrietta Ripley told Clair Ripley that her grandfather Joseph Black Ripley told her about visiting Isabella at River Philip and Wyndham Hill. Isabella named Amherst as her place of residence in her 1830 will. Isabella may have also lived with her daughter Jane and husband Robert Coates after 1803 or after Robert's early death in 1817. She was particularly generous with her Coates grandchildren in her will.
In 1784, Robert Fletcher sold the 1000 acres to Thomas Cochran. (Deed Book D, p. 169, Document #503706911, Registered 1784, Cumberland County). Presumably the lease to Robert Ripley continued, because a map made for Cochran shows a Mr. Ripley north of the Nappan River. (DesBarres Papers, Series 5 M.G. 23, F1-5, Vol. 15 Land acquisitions, 1764-1776; Plans, 1765-1916. Document 2911, Reel C-1458 Image 432.) Ripley's homestead was south of the Amherst Township common marsh lots on an "Island", a local term for a parcel of land or a hill that was higher than the surrounding marsh. Francis Caleb Smith later purchased this island from Cochran's heirs.
The term of the Ripley's 1000-acre lease would have expired in 1803, 6 years after Robert's death in 1797. By that time, sons Henry Ripley, William Ripley, and Robert Ripley were all settled on different properties. It is possible that son John and widow Isabella continued to live on the leased property for several years after Robert's death since they had inherited the remainder of Robert's estate according to the terms of Robert's Will. John purchased 875 acres near Oxford in 1803 and Isabella may have lived with John's family in Oxford for a time. Henrietta Ripley told Clair Ripley that her grandfather Joseph Black Ripley told her about visiting Isabella at River Philip and Wyndham Hill. Isabella named Amherst as her place of residence in her 1830 will. Isabella may have also lived with her daughter Jane and husband Robert Coates after 1803 or after Robert's early death in 1817. She was particularly generous with her Coates grandchildren in her will.
1785 Yorkshire Grant
In 1785, Robert received a grant of 500 acres in River Philip as part of the Yorkshire Grant. He kept that property for 7 years and sold it in 1793. According to Census and Poll Tax records from 1791 and 1793, Robert Ripley Sr. lived in Amherst. In 1796, a year before his death, Robert Ripley of Amherst purchased Luke Harrison's 500-acre farm in Southampton. Robert named Amherst as his place of residence in his will of 1797. Although he probably visited his other properties to improve them, there is no evidence that Robert lived in River Philip or Southampton.
In 1785, Robert received a grant of 500 acres in River Philip as part of the Yorkshire Grant. He kept that property for 7 years and sold it in 1793. According to Census and Poll Tax records from 1791 and 1793, Robert Ripley Sr. lived in Amherst. In 1796, a year before his death, Robert Ripley of Amherst purchased Luke Harrison's 500-acre farm in Southampton. Robert named Amherst as his place of residence in his will of 1797. Although he probably visited his other properties to improve them, there is no evidence that Robert lived in River Philip or Southampton.
Sources and other information:
Both Denson and Robert Fletcher are mentioned in the dictionary of Canadian Biography but neither entry mentions Lucy.
Ernest Coates had transcribed Denson as Damon in his transcription of the Fletcher lease so he may not have been able to trace the original ownership back to Denson.
For a deep dive into the history of this property, see The Denson Years, and The Cochran Years on this website.
Both Denson and Robert Fletcher are mentioned in the dictionary of Canadian Biography but neither entry mentions Lucy.
Ernest Coates had transcribed Denson as Damon in his transcription of the Fletcher lease so he may not have been able to trace the original ownership back to Denson.
For a deep dive into the history of this property, see The Denson Years, and The Cochran Years on this website.