The Ripley Sugar Woods
According to Myrtle Chappell, Fenwick 1778-1978, p. 158, Andrew C. Ripley owned a sugar woods in Fenwick. "Vernon Ripley and his brother Willie had also bought out the Andrew Ripley lot, owned by his sons Joseph E., "Will Hen", and Amos, Andrew being one of the pioneer sugar makers in Fenwick. This land is now owned by Harvey Smith of Athol."
On my second trip to Fenwick, in July 2014, I visited Neil R. Ripley's sugar camp. As soon as I began to read Myrtle Chappell's description to Neil, he knew exactly where Andrew's sugar woods was located just up the next hill from his own sugar camp. Harvey Smith no longer runs the camp but the Smith family still own the property. Apparently Andrew's sugar woods was located on his Land Grant 2937.
Neil and his wife Linda gave me a lovely lunch (which they called dinner like my grandmother used to) of homemade bread and maple butter. Then they provided a wonderful tour of the facility. Neil showed me some of his sophisticated equipment including several of his own inventions, and he even started up the water wheel. If you live near Halifax, you're in luck because Neil and Linda travel there on weekends to sell their maple products at the Seaport farmer's market. They also maintain a Facebook Page where you can see photos of the operation and order maple products to be shipped. Here are some photos of my visit. Fortunately all of my maple products survived the flight home and trips to their new families.
On my second trip to Fenwick, in July 2014, I visited Neil R. Ripley's sugar camp. As soon as I began to read Myrtle Chappell's description to Neil, he knew exactly where Andrew's sugar woods was located just up the next hill from his own sugar camp. Harvey Smith no longer runs the camp but the Smith family still own the property. Apparently Andrew's sugar woods was located on his Land Grant 2937.
Neil and his wife Linda gave me a lovely lunch (which they called dinner like my grandmother used to) of homemade bread and maple butter. Then they provided a wonderful tour of the facility. Neil showed me some of his sophisticated equipment including several of his own inventions, and he even started up the water wheel. If you live near Halifax, you're in luck because Neil and Linda travel there on weekends to sell their maple products at the Seaport farmer's market. They also maintain a Facebook Page where you can see photos of the operation and order maple products to be shipped. Here are some photos of my visit. Fortunately all of my maple products survived the flight home and trips to their new families.
Location of Neil R. Ripley's Sugar Camp and Andrew's Grant and Sugar Woods
Starting from the intersection of Hwy 2 and Fenwick Road, head south on the road to Springhill. A little less than three km at the bottom of the hill, the road curves to the right. You will see a guard rail and then three No Parking signs in a row. Maple Lane, the turn-off to Neil R. Ripley's sugar camp is on the right. There are three camps on the road and Neil's is the last camp.
Starting from the intersection of Hwy 2 and Fenwick Road, head south on the road to Springhill. A little less than three km at the bottom of the hill, the road curves to the right. You will see a guard rail and then three No Parking signs in a row. Maple Lane, the turn-off to Neil R. Ripley's sugar camp is on the right. There are three camps on the road and Neil's is the last camp.