The "Six" Ripley Brothers
The following passage from The Chignecto Isthmus and its Settlers, by Howard Trueman, 1902, has been the source of much confusion; it states: "Six brothers came to America from Yorkshire. Henry, John and William Ripley came in 1774; Joseph, Robert, and Thomas, later." As far as we know, Robert and Isabella did not have a son named Joseph and Robert did come in 1774 with Henry and John aboard the Providence. William was not a passenger on the Providence, or at least was not included on the passenger list. Robert's will refers to a son Thomas "now in England" but perhaps Thomas did come later. In any case, Trueman's statement that "six brothers"came to America from Yorkshire may have been a paraphrase of a slightly earlier work.
The Historical Record of the Posterity of William Black, published in 1885 by Cyrus Black, contains a very similar passage. Page 176, devoted to the Ripleys, is very helpful in identifying the impressive land purchase, spouse, and children of Henry Ripley but adds additional puzzling information about the Ripley brothers. According to Cyrus, "Several brothers emigrated from Yorkshire, among whom were Henry, John, and William, who came to America together, and Joseph, Robert, and Thomas, who came afterwards. John was of a roving nature: William settled at Maccan; Joseph at River Philip; Robert at the eastern end of the county; one settled in the State of Massachusetts. Thomas was a school teacher."
Let's check Cyrus's information phrase by phrase. |
"Henry, John and William came to America together"
Henry and John were passengers on the Providence in 1774. There is no William on the Providence passenger list but no record of his death in Ingleby-Greenhow either. This statement could be true if the first William died and a second son William was born on or shortly after the voyage. This would also fit with the (reported) inscription on William's gravestone which indicates he died 19 June 1845 aged 71 years, giving him a birth year of 1774. In Some Cumberland County Nova Scotia Cemeteries, Susan Hill indicates that this information was recorded by the H. G. Wells Foundation on June 29, 1888. However, other people who have visited the Orchard report that the headstones are merely fieldstones. I haven't visited there myself. Or William's name could simply have been left off the passenger list. This was not an official list taken by government authorities. It was an informal report sent to Governor Legge by Lord Dartmouth. But Cyrus's account still leaves out Robert who did arrive on the Providence.
Henry and John were passengers on the Providence in 1774. There is no William on the Providence passenger list but no record of his death in Ingleby-Greenhow either. This statement could be true if the first William died and a second son William was born on or shortly after the voyage. This would also fit with the (reported) inscription on William's gravestone which indicates he died 19 June 1845 aged 71 years, giving him a birth year of 1774. In Some Cumberland County Nova Scotia Cemeteries, Susan Hill indicates that this information was recorded by the H. G. Wells Foundation on June 29, 1888. However, other people who have visited the Orchard report that the headstones are merely fieldstones. I haven't visited there myself. Or William's name could simply have been left off the passenger list. This was not an official list taken by government authorities. It was an informal report sent to Governor Legge by Lord Dartmouth. But Cyrus's account still leaves out Robert who did arrive on the Providence.
"Joseph, Robert, and Thomas came afterwards"
There is no indication of any Joseph in the first generation. In fact, Joseph doesn't even seem to be a traditional Ripley first name as there are no Joseph Ripleys listed in the Index to the Register Book of Ingleby-Greenhow on page 148, viewable online. Robert arrived on the Providence. It is possible that Thomas came afterwards, but Thomas was still in England at the time of his father's death in 1797. A Thomas late of Yorkshire with a wife and no children did apply for a land grant in 1817. By that date Robert and Isabella's son Thomas would have been 53 years old. There is no record of a burial for a Thomas Ripley who could have been Robert and Isabella's son in Nova Scotia but there is a burial of a Thomas at Ingleby Greenhough in 1836 age 72 which is the correct age for our Thomas. (Source: Gord Ripley).
In the second generation of Ripleys, there are 2 Joseph Ripleys, 3 Robert Ripleys, and 4 Thomas Ripleys. It's possible that "came afterwards" refers to the next generation.
There is no indication of any Joseph in the first generation. In fact, Joseph doesn't even seem to be a traditional Ripley first name as there are no Joseph Ripleys listed in the Index to the Register Book of Ingleby-Greenhow on page 148, viewable online. Robert arrived on the Providence. It is possible that Thomas came afterwards, but Thomas was still in England at the time of his father's death in 1797. A Thomas late of Yorkshire with a wife and no children did apply for a land grant in 1817. By that date Robert and Isabella's son Thomas would have been 53 years old. There is no record of a burial for a Thomas Ripley who could have been Robert and Isabella's son in Nova Scotia but there is a burial of a Thomas at Ingleby Greenhough in 1836 age 72 which is the correct age for our Thomas. (Source: Gord Ripley).
In the second generation of Ripleys, there are 2 Joseph Ripleys, 3 Robert Ripleys, and 4 Thomas Ripleys. It's possible that "came afterwards" refers to the next generation.
"John was of a roving nature"
When Robert Ripley died in 1797, he made John, then 27 and the youngest of his sons, the co-executor of his
will and the recipient of half his estate. This seems to indicate that John had a reliable rather than a roving nature. Robert also gave John his newest watch and instructed John to pass on the watch Robert had already given him to his oldest son Henry.
In 1802, John purchased 875 acres near Oxford in the River Philip district. His sons Robert, Joseph, and Thomas settled nearby. According to Ernest Coates, quoted in information posted online, John received a land grant of 300 acres in River Philip in 1814. As of 1809 when he made the land petition, John had a wife and 4 children in River Philip and had been living there 5 years. John also died in River Philip.
There does appear to be something odd about John's name. Although he sometimes signs his name John Sr., he never signs his name John Thomas. However, his name was recorded as John Thomas on his daughter Isabel Embree's death certificate. This possibly indicates another John. There is also a second marriage to a Mary Baker in 1821 when John was 51. It's possible that John lost his homestead to creditors. We have found no will for John and no official gravesite, although locals believe he is buried in River Philip.
When Robert Ripley died in 1797, he made John, then 27 and the youngest of his sons, the co-executor of his
will and the recipient of half his estate. This seems to indicate that John had a reliable rather than a roving nature. Robert also gave John his newest watch and instructed John to pass on the watch Robert had already given him to his oldest son Henry.
In 1802, John purchased 875 acres near Oxford in the River Philip district. His sons Robert, Joseph, and Thomas settled nearby. According to Ernest Coates, quoted in information posted online, John received a land grant of 300 acres in River Philip in 1814. As of 1809 when he made the land petition, John had a wife and 4 children in River Philip and had been living there 5 years. John also died in River Philip.
There does appear to be something odd about John's name. Although he sometimes signs his name John Sr., he never signs his name John Thomas. However, his name was recorded as John Thomas on his daughter Isabel Embree's death certificate. This possibly indicates another John. There is also a second marriage to a Mary Baker in 1821 when John was 51. It's possible that John lost his homestead to creditors. We have found no will for John and no official gravesite, although locals believe he is buried in River Philip.
"William settled at Maccan"
Nailed it. According to the Township Records of Southampton Register of Marriages, viewable online, William Ripley, son of Robert and Isabella Ripley of Amherst married Hannah Coates daughter of Thomas and Ann Coates on 14 Sep 1795. According to the Register of Births, all of their children were born in Maccan. William and Hannah are buried in the Harrison Orchard Cemetery, Maccan. William leased and then purchased 420 acres at Maccan from the DesBarres estate.
Nailed it. According to the Township Records of Southampton Register of Marriages, viewable online, William Ripley, son of Robert and Isabella Ripley of Amherst married Hannah Coates daughter of Thomas and Ann Coates on 14 Sep 1795. According to the Register of Births, all of their children were born in Maccan. William and Hannah are buried in the Harrison Orchard Cemetery, Maccan. William leased and then purchased 420 acres at Maccan from the DesBarres estate.
"Joseph at River Philip"
There is no Joseph in the first generation or, it would seem, in previous generations of Ripleys at Ingleby-Greenhow. However, there are two Joseph Ripleys in the second generation. Henry's son Joseph was born in Nappan and died in Fenwick . There is also a Joseph Black Ripley at River Philip in the second generation. Because Joseph and his brother Thomas petitioned in 1825 for land laid off by their father John, I have assigned Joseph Black Ripley as the son of John Ripley and his wife Margaret Donkin of River Philip. William Black's eldest son John Black married Margaret's sister Barbara Donkin and also settled in River Philip. In other words, John Black, the brother of author Cyrus's ancestor William Black was related by marriage to John Ripley through his wife Margaret Donkin. This is particularly significant as John and Margaret are the only couple to have a set of 3 sons named Joseph, Robert, and Thomas, and they settled in River Philip where the Blacks also lived and were related by marriage.
There is no Joseph in the first generation or, it would seem, in previous generations of Ripleys at Ingleby-Greenhow. However, there are two Joseph Ripleys in the second generation. Henry's son Joseph was born in Nappan and died in Fenwick . There is also a Joseph Black Ripley at River Philip in the second generation. Because Joseph and his brother Thomas petitioned in 1825 for land laid off by their father John, I have assigned Joseph Black Ripley as the son of John Ripley and his wife Margaret Donkin of River Philip. William Black's eldest son John Black married Margaret's sister Barbara Donkin and also settled in River Philip. In other words, John Black, the brother of author Cyrus's ancestor William Black was related by marriage to John Ripley through his wife Margaret Donkin. This is particularly significant as John and Margaret are the only couple to have a set of 3 sons named Joseph, Robert, and Thomas, and they settled in River Philip where the Blacks also lived and were related by marriage.
"Robert at the eastern end of the county"
Son Robert inherited the farm Robert Ripley purchased from Luke Harrison. The farm was located in Southampton and his three sons were born afterwards in Southampton. 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." This grant application was turned down. According to Robert's will of 1840, he was still living on the property. Southampton is in the southwestern part of the county.
There are also 3 Robert Ripleys in the second generation. Henry Ripley and Mary Fawcett's son Robert was born and died in Nappan. William Ripley and Hannah Coates' son Robert was born and died in Maccan. John Ripley and Margaret Donkin's son Robert remarried in 1844 to an Isabella Tait (Isabalah Tate) also of River Philip. The record is viewable online. This Robert is buried in the Trinity United Church Cemetery at Oxford. Isabella is buried at Mt. Pleasant. Crown Index Map 69 viewable online shows 4 Ripley land grants, including a Robert, adjacent to 3 Tate land grants in Mt. Pleasant. Mt. Pleasant is northeast of River Philip but not at the eastern end of Cumberland County.
Son Robert inherited the farm Robert Ripley purchased from Luke Harrison. The farm was located in Southampton and his three sons were born afterwards in Southampton. 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." This grant application was turned down. According to Robert's will of 1840, he was still living on the property. Southampton is in the southwestern part of the county.
There are also 3 Robert Ripleys in the second generation. Henry Ripley and Mary Fawcett's son Robert was born and died in Nappan. William Ripley and Hannah Coates' son Robert was born and died in Maccan. John Ripley and Margaret Donkin's son Robert remarried in 1844 to an Isabella Tait (Isabalah Tate) also of River Philip. The record is viewable online. This Robert is buried in the Trinity United Church Cemetery at Oxford. Isabella is buried at Mt. Pleasant. Crown Index Map 69 viewable online shows 4 Ripley land grants, including a Robert, adjacent to 3 Tate land grants in Mt. Pleasant. Mt. Pleasant is northeast of River Philip but not at the eastern end of Cumberland County.
"One settled in the state of Massachusetts"
Henry, William, Robert, and John lived in Nova Scotia. Henry, William, Robert and Thomas died in England.
There is no official record of John's place of death. In the second generation, the 2 Josephs and the 3 Roberts did not settle in Massachusetts. There are 4 Thomases in the second generation. Henry Ripley and Mary Fawcett's son Thomas lived only a few years. Robert Ripley and Jane Rushton's son Thomas married Hannah Rushton. I have very little confirmed information about their many children, but on the 1881 census, widow Hannah was still living in Maccan. William Ripley and Hannah Coates's son Thomas was born and buried in Maccan but lived at Nappan. John Ripley and Margaret Donkin's son Thomas married Priscilla Embree and their children were born in Cumberland County on Grey's Road in West Hansford near Oxford. I have no death date or place for Thomas, but on the 1871 census, his wife Priscilla was still living near Oxford.
Henry, William, Robert, and John lived in Nova Scotia. Henry, William, Robert and Thomas died in England.
There is no official record of John's place of death. In the second generation, the 2 Josephs and the 3 Roberts did not settle in Massachusetts. There are 4 Thomases in the second generation. Henry Ripley and Mary Fawcett's son Thomas lived only a few years. Robert Ripley and Jane Rushton's son Thomas married Hannah Rushton. I have very little confirmed information about their many children, but on the 1881 census, widow Hannah was still living in Maccan. William Ripley and Hannah Coates's son Thomas was born and buried in Maccan but lived at Nappan. John Ripley and Margaret Donkin's son Thomas married Priscilla Embree and their children were born in Cumberland County on Grey's Road in West Hansford near Oxford. I have no death date or place for Thomas, but on the 1871 census, his wife Priscilla was still living near Oxford.
"Thomas was a schoolteacher"
This actually sounds plausible because if Thomas were a promising student, he might have remained in Yorkshire to finish his schooling when the other family members came to Nova Scotia.
In her prize-winning 1932 speech on the early history of River Philip, Miss Gwendolyn Ripley stated that Henry Ripley (rather than Thomas) was the first schoolmaster in River Philip, but no reference was given. Henry did own Lot 16 in River Philip from 1785-1795. However, in 1788 he took over the lease on the northern section of what became Henry Ripley's homestead. It is not known whether he ever lived on the River Philip lot. The inventory of Henry's estate included books and a desk; no books were listed in the inventories of Robert Sr., Isabella, William, or Robert Jr.
In Fenwick 1778-1978, p. 106, Myrtle Chappell states that "the history of the school in Fenwick goes back, as far as we can learn to 1857." She also mentions a cane that "belonged to the first School Master in Fenwick, Thomas Ripley. The date on the cane is 1760 which does not agree completely with the date of birth of the Thomas, son of Robert Ripley, whose year of birth has been given as 1763, but as he was supposed to have studied to be a teacher, no doubt it is the same man." This is a charming story, but in 1857 when the Fenwick school was founded, our Thomas son of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane would have been 94, so something is amiss here. According to Myrtle, Henry Ripley Lowther, born 1821 was the first English baby born in Fenwick, so even if the school was established prior to 1857, it was probably not established too much earlier. And, there's a Thomas Ripley with wife Mary buried at Ingleby-Greenhough died 1836 age 72 which is the correct age for our Thomas.
It is possible that 1 of the 3 surviving Thomases in the second generation was a schoolmaster. The most likely candidate is Thomas Ripley (1806-1886), son of William Ripley and Hannah Coates, who was born in Maccan and buried in Maccan but settled in Nappan. This will require further investigation.
This actually sounds plausible because if Thomas were a promising student, he might have remained in Yorkshire to finish his schooling when the other family members came to Nova Scotia.
In her prize-winning 1932 speech on the early history of River Philip, Miss Gwendolyn Ripley stated that Henry Ripley (rather than Thomas) was the first schoolmaster in River Philip, but no reference was given. Henry did own Lot 16 in River Philip from 1785-1795. However, in 1788 he took over the lease on the northern section of what became Henry Ripley's homestead. It is not known whether he ever lived on the River Philip lot. The inventory of Henry's estate included books and a desk; no books were listed in the inventories of Robert Sr., Isabella, William, or Robert Jr.
In Fenwick 1778-1978, p. 106, Myrtle Chappell states that "the history of the school in Fenwick goes back, as far as we can learn to 1857." She also mentions a cane that "belonged to the first School Master in Fenwick, Thomas Ripley. The date on the cane is 1760 which does not agree completely with the date of birth of the Thomas, son of Robert Ripley, whose year of birth has been given as 1763, but as he was supposed to have studied to be a teacher, no doubt it is the same man." This is a charming story, but in 1857 when the Fenwick school was founded, our Thomas son of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane would have been 94, so something is amiss here. According to Myrtle, Henry Ripley Lowther, born 1821 was the first English baby born in Fenwick, so even if the school was established prior to 1857, it was probably not established too much earlier. And, there's a Thomas Ripley with wife Mary buried at Ingleby-Greenhough died 1836 age 72 which is the correct age for our Thomas.
It is possible that 1 of the 3 surviving Thomases in the second generation was a schoolmaster. The most likely candidate is Thomas Ripley (1806-1886), son of William Ripley and Hannah Coates, who was born in Maccan and buried in Maccan but settled in Nappan. This will require further investigation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it appears that much of the information related by Cyrus Black is incorrect insofar as it refers to the first generation of Ripley brothers. My own belief is that the "Joseph, Robert, and Thomas who came afterwards" are second-generation descendants of Robert and Isabella, the sons of John Ripley and Margaret Donkin who lived in River Philip and would have been known to author Cyrus's ancestors John and William Black. Only John Ripley and Margaret Donkin, who were related by marriage to John Black, the brother of Cyrus's ancestor William Black, had a set of sons named Joseph, Robert, and Thomas. I will continue to update this section as I conduct further research. Last update July 2016.
In conclusion, it appears that much of the information related by Cyrus Black is incorrect insofar as it refers to the first generation of Ripley brothers. My own belief is that the "Joseph, Robert, and Thomas who came afterwards" are second-generation descendants of Robert and Isabella, the sons of John Ripley and Margaret Donkin who lived in River Philip and would have been known to author Cyrus's ancestors John and William Black. Only John Ripley and Margaret Donkin, who were related by marriage to John Black, the brother of Cyrus's ancestor William Black, had a set of sons named Joseph, Robert, and Thomas. I will continue to update this section as I conduct further research. Last update July 2016.