Robert Ripley and Jane Rushton: Luke Harrison's Farm
1796 Luke Harrison's Farm
On Dec 3, 1796, the elder Robert Ripley of Amherst purchased a 500 acre farm known as Lot 7 from Luke Harrison of South-hampton and his wife Triphena for 130 pounds. (Deed Book E, p. 54, registered 1799, and Deed Book E, p. 103, registered 1800, Cumberland County) Luke Harrison had received Lot 7 in 1785 as part of the Southampton Grant in which 20 Englishmen were allocated grants of 500 acres each on the River Maccan. The petition is searchable on Ancestry.com and also viewable online at the Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800 website under the name William Pipes Jr. and others. Click the links to see originals of the Memorial, Warrant to Survey, Survey Report, Surveyor's Certificate, and Draft Grant.
On Dec 3, 1796, the elder Robert Ripley of Amherst purchased a 500 acre farm known as Lot 7 from Luke Harrison of South-hampton and his wife Triphena for 130 pounds. (Deed Book E, p. 54, registered 1799, and Deed Book E, p. 103, registered 1800, Cumberland County) Luke Harrison had received Lot 7 in 1785 as part of the Southampton Grant in which 20 Englishmen were allocated grants of 500 acres each on the River Maccan. The petition is searchable on Ancestry.com and also viewable online at the Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800 website under the name William Pipes Jr. and others. Click the links to see originals of the Memorial, Warrant to Survey, Survey Report, Surveyor's Certificate, and Draft Grant.
The location of this lot is visible on map 60 online at the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources website. It's located on the left hand side of the map about midway between Athol and Southampton. Luke's family had originally settled in River Hebert. Perhaps his new location helped change Luke's mind about Nova Scotia.
"We do not like this country, nor never shall..."
-Luke Harrison, 1774 |
"I had rather ten to one to stay where I am."
-Luke Harrison, 1803 |
In his September 11, 1797 Will, the elder Robert Ripley left the farm he purchased from Luke Harrison to his son Robert. The inventory of Robert Senior's estate included a debt of 15 pounds owed by Luke Harrison. In the account of dispersals made on Robert's estate, son Robert was paid the sum of 130 pounds, a sizeable sum which was not one of the original bequests. However, 130 pounds is the amount that Robert had agreed to pay Luke Harrison for the farm.
The original deed (Deed Book E, p. 54, Document number 503707630) was dated 3 Dec 1796 and registered in 1799. In this deed, Luke Harrison's wife Triphena appeared before Justice of the Peace Charles Baker to waive her dower rights on 3 Dec 1796. A second deed, also dated December 3, 1796 but registered in 1800 between Robert Ripley and Luke Harrison gives a shorter version of the first deed. However, Triphena appeared before Charles Baker to again waive her dower rights on 15 Jun 1798 which is after Robert's death in 1797. So this is most likely a deed completing the transaction between the younger Robert Ripley and Luke Harrison as the elder Robert had died in 1797. (Deed Book E, p. 103, registered 1800, Document number 503707533.)
The original deed (Deed Book E, p. 54, Document number 503707630) was dated 3 Dec 1796 and registered in 1799. In this deed, Luke Harrison's wife Triphena appeared before Justice of the Peace Charles Baker to waive her dower rights on 3 Dec 1796. A second deed, also dated December 3, 1796 but registered in 1800 between Robert Ripley and Luke Harrison gives a shorter version of the first deed. However, Triphena appeared before Charles Baker to again waive her dower rights on 15 Jun 1798 which is after Robert's death in 1797. So this is most likely a deed completing the transaction between the younger Robert Ripley and Luke Harrison as the elder Robert had died in 1797. (Deed Book E, p. 103, registered 1800, Document number 503707533.)
Robert Ripley and Jane Rushton
According to the Township Records of Southampton online, Robert Ripley Jr. and Jane Rushton's children Henry (1805-), William (1809-1844), and Thomas (1811-) were all born in Southampton, presumably while their parents were living on the inherited farm. On 24 October, 1799 the younger Robert Ripley sold to John Lumley for 40 pounds "a grist mill and the stream of water that turns the said mill being bounded on the south by the said John Lumley's land, on the West by the King's highway, and on the East by the bank of the mill pond." (Deed Book E, p. 60) John Lumley's father Thomas Lumley had been the recipient of the adjacent Lot 8 in the Southampton Grant. John was married to Nancy Harrison, Luke Harrison's sister, and had inherited the farm the previous year. The Lumleys were very interesting neighbours as described in this online article by Will Bird.
Robert Ripley was in possession of Lot 7 when he applied for a land grant in 1818. According to an Ernest Coates paper (05-050-04-R04#1314) "In 1818 ROBERT RIPLEY petitioned for land in Cumberland, he stated that he owned 500 acres of land, he was a native of Yorkshire, England and has a wife and four children, the eldest of whom is thirteen years old, in 1827 he got a grant of 200 acres at River Philip, N.S." I believe the last part of this sentence is incorrect.
Another Ernest Coates paper (05-050-04-R04#1320) is a transcription of that petition for land made jointly by Robert Read, Thomas Read, Robert Ripley, and Henry Bird January 7, 1818. Robert Ripley declared that he "has five hundred acres by purchase". The response to the petition says "I consider a man holding 500 acres as abundantly provided for, having no claim to ask for more." and "if they have no land I were to Grant to these 200 acres each." This is signed by Morse, Surveyor General and sounds like a refusal.
A Robert Ripley did receive a grant of 200 acres at River Philip in 1827. However, based on subsequent sales of land in this area by Robert Ripley and his wife Elizabeth, I believe this grant was made to John Ripley's son Robert who married Elizabeth O'Brien. See Grant of Robert Ripley (Mt. Pleasant).
According to the Township Records of Southampton online, Robert Ripley Jr. and Jane Rushton's children Henry (1805-), William (1809-1844), and Thomas (1811-) were all born in Southampton, presumably while their parents were living on the inherited farm. On 24 October, 1799 the younger Robert Ripley sold to John Lumley for 40 pounds "a grist mill and the stream of water that turns the said mill being bounded on the south by the said John Lumley's land, on the West by the King's highway, and on the East by the bank of the mill pond." (Deed Book E, p. 60) John Lumley's father Thomas Lumley had been the recipient of the adjacent Lot 8 in the Southampton Grant. John was married to Nancy Harrison, Luke Harrison's sister, and had inherited the farm the previous year. The Lumleys were very interesting neighbours as described in this online article by Will Bird.
Robert Ripley was in possession of Lot 7 when he applied for a land grant in 1818. According to an Ernest Coates paper (05-050-04-R04#1314) "In 1818 ROBERT RIPLEY petitioned for land in Cumberland, he stated that he owned 500 acres of land, he was a native of Yorkshire, England and has a wife and four children, the eldest of whom is thirteen years old, in 1827 he got a grant of 200 acres at River Philip, N.S." I believe the last part of this sentence is incorrect.
Another Ernest Coates paper (05-050-04-R04#1320) is a transcription of that petition for land made jointly by Robert Read, Thomas Read, Robert Ripley, and Henry Bird January 7, 1818. Robert Ripley declared that he "has five hundred acres by purchase". The response to the petition says "I consider a man holding 500 acres as abundantly provided for, having no claim to ask for more." and "if they have no land I were to Grant to these 200 acres each." This is signed by Morse, Surveyor General and sounds like a refusal.
A Robert Ripley did receive a grant of 200 acres at River Philip in 1827. However, based on subsequent sales of land in this area by Robert Ripley and his wife Elizabeth, I believe this grant was made to John Ripley's son Robert who married Elizabeth O'Brien. See Grant of Robert Ripley (Mt. Pleasant).
1840 Robert Ripley's Will
Robert Ripley died sometime between 13 Jun 1840 when he made his will and the granting of probate 30 Aug 1843. Wife Jane Rushton and son Henry are not named in the will and had presumably died by that time. Robert left 50 pounds and two steers to his son William and his farm to be divided between his son Thomas Ripley and a Charles Storey. The boundaries and location of the farm are not described in the will, but the farm is divided in half "parallel to the lot line". Robert also made provision for 3 granddaughters, Margaret Ann Ripley, Jane Ripley, and Sarah Storey, previously unknown to me. See Robert Jr.'s Will on this website for details of the will and preliminary research on these children. Sarah Storey married Jamison Brown sometime between 1847 and 1849 and Jane Ripley married Elkanah Phinney.
On the 30th of June 1844, Thomas Ripley (and his wife Hannah) sold to Jamison Brown the south 250 acres "willed to me by my father, the late Robert Ripley, known to be half of lot number seven in the Maccan Grant". (Deed Book S, p. 533 Registered 1845, Doc. # 503719590). On the 19th of February 1847, Charles Story sold to Thomas Brown the north 250 acres "willed to me by the late Robert Ripley, known as lot number seven in the Maccan Grant." (Deed Book Y, p. 592, registered 1847, Doc. # 503725960). On the 17 of February 1849, Jamison Brown and his wife Sarah sold 125 acres of lot number seven to Charles Story. (Deed Book W, p. 288, registered 1849, Doc. # 503723629). On the 10th of February 1852, Jamison Brown and his wife Sarah sold to Thomas Ripley the 125 acres Jamison had previously purchased from him. (Book Y, p. 207, registered 1852, Doc. # 503725563). So, at this point, Thomas Ripley and Charles Storey each owned 125 acres of the south half of Lot 7. On the 4th of May, Charles Storey and his wife Elizabeth sold their 125 acres to Joseph Hoeg. (Deed Book X, p. 244. Registered 1852, Doc. # 503724529) On the 12th of November 1853, Thomas and Hannah Ripley sold their 125 acres to Joseph Hoeg. (Deed Book Y, p. 208, registered 1853. Doc. # 503725564).
Joseph Hoeg was most likely the son of Nathan Hoeg (1749-1820) and Abigail Mills. When Nathan died in 1820, he left Lot 8 of the Southampton Grant to his son Joseph in his will (viewable online). So, in buying the south 250 acres of Lot 7, Joseph would have been purchasing land adjacent to the 500 acres he had inherited from his father. On the 1873 A.F. Church map , there is a J. Hoeg about midway between Athol and Southampton. When Joseph died, his will (viewable online) specified that his property to be sold and the proceeds divided among his children, so the property likely passed out of the Hoeg family. Until fairly recently, a Hoeg family operated a lumber mill in South Athol. However, their property was originally Lot 5, purchased by Martin Alfred Hoeg (1866-1949).
Charles Storey moved to the Springhill area and died in 1867. Thomas Ripley died sometime between 1859 and 1871, leaving a widow Hannah and 10 children. Thomas and Hannah were not listed on the 1861 census. On the 1871 census, the widow Hannah was living in Maccan with 9 children. On the 1871 census Thomas and Hannah's married daughter Mary Easter Ripley and her husband George Budd were living next to Charles Storey and Elizabeth Herrit's widowed son-in-law Lemuel McNutt and his two children.
Robert Ripley died sometime between 13 Jun 1840 when he made his will and the granting of probate 30 Aug 1843. Wife Jane Rushton and son Henry are not named in the will and had presumably died by that time. Robert left 50 pounds and two steers to his son William and his farm to be divided between his son Thomas Ripley and a Charles Storey. The boundaries and location of the farm are not described in the will, but the farm is divided in half "parallel to the lot line". Robert also made provision for 3 granddaughters, Margaret Ann Ripley, Jane Ripley, and Sarah Storey, previously unknown to me. See Robert Jr.'s Will on this website for details of the will and preliminary research on these children. Sarah Storey married Jamison Brown sometime between 1847 and 1849 and Jane Ripley married Elkanah Phinney.
On the 30th of June 1844, Thomas Ripley (and his wife Hannah) sold to Jamison Brown the south 250 acres "willed to me by my father, the late Robert Ripley, known to be half of lot number seven in the Maccan Grant". (Deed Book S, p. 533 Registered 1845, Doc. # 503719590). On the 19th of February 1847, Charles Story sold to Thomas Brown the north 250 acres "willed to me by the late Robert Ripley, known as lot number seven in the Maccan Grant." (Deed Book Y, p. 592, registered 1847, Doc. # 503725960). On the 17 of February 1849, Jamison Brown and his wife Sarah sold 125 acres of lot number seven to Charles Story. (Deed Book W, p. 288, registered 1849, Doc. # 503723629). On the 10th of February 1852, Jamison Brown and his wife Sarah sold to Thomas Ripley the 125 acres Jamison had previously purchased from him. (Book Y, p. 207, registered 1852, Doc. # 503725563). So, at this point, Thomas Ripley and Charles Storey each owned 125 acres of the south half of Lot 7. On the 4th of May, Charles Storey and his wife Elizabeth sold their 125 acres to Joseph Hoeg. (Deed Book X, p. 244. Registered 1852, Doc. # 503724529) On the 12th of November 1853, Thomas and Hannah Ripley sold their 125 acres to Joseph Hoeg. (Deed Book Y, p. 208, registered 1853. Doc. # 503725564).
Joseph Hoeg was most likely the son of Nathan Hoeg (1749-1820) and Abigail Mills. When Nathan died in 1820, he left Lot 8 of the Southampton Grant to his son Joseph in his will (viewable online). So, in buying the south 250 acres of Lot 7, Joseph would have been purchasing land adjacent to the 500 acres he had inherited from his father. On the 1873 A.F. Church map , there is a J. Hoeg about midway between Athol and Southampton. When Joseph died, his will (viewable online) specified that his property to be sold and the proceeds divided among his children, so the property likely passed out of the Hoeg family. Until fairly recently, a Hoeg family operated a lumber mill in South Athol. However, their property was originally Lot 5, purchased by Martin Alfred Hoeg (1866-1949).
Charles Storey moved to the Springhill area and died in 1867. Thomas Ripley died sometime between 1859 and 1871, leaving a widow Hannah and 10 children. Thomas and Hannah were not listed on the 1861 census. On the 1871 census, the widow Hannah was living in Maccan with 9 children. On the 1871 census Thomas and Hannah's married daughter Mary Easter Ripley and her husband George Budd were living next to Charles Storey and Elizabeth Herrit's widowed son-in-law Lemuel McNutt and his two children.
Sources and other information:
There is an interesting article about the Southampton Grant on the Cumberland County Genealogical Society webpage. From The Citizen, Saturday July 25, 1992, p. 3. The article mentions a Harrison house and a Blenkhorn house in the Southampton Grant that were built within 20 years of the grant date.
Exerpts from Luke's letters are also available for viewing in the online version of Planters, Paupers, and Pioneers by Lucille H. Campey, pp. 53-54.
Settlement Revolution and War contains passages from letters or diaries of several settlers.
Bailyn, Bernard, Voyagers to the West: A Passage in the Peopling of America on the Eve of the American Revolution, Toronto, Random House 1986. Winner of the Pulitzer prize in history 1987. Portions of this book are available for online viewing. An entire section is devoted to the Harrisons and another to the Blinkhorns.
There is an interesting article about the Southampton Grant on the Cumberland County Genealogical Society webpage. From The Citizen, Saturday July 25, 1992, p. 3. The article mentions a Harrison house and a Blenkhorn house in the Southampton Grant that were built within 20 years of the grant date.
Exerpts from Luke's letters are also available for viewing in the online version of Planters, Paupers, and Pioneers by Lucille H. Campey, pp. 53-54.
Settlement Revolution and War contains passages from letters or diaries of several settlers.
Bailyn, Bernard, Voyagers to the West: A Passage in the Peopling of America on the Eve of the American Revolution, Toronto, Random House 1986. Winner of the Pulitzer prize in history 1987. Portions of this book are available for online viewing. An entire section is devoted to the Harrisons and another to the Blinkhorns.