After 3 decades away, J. F. W. DesBarres returned to Nova Scotia, practically penniless, and settled in Amherst. Although he had largely ignored his leases on the Maccan and Nappan Rivers, he suddenly took an interest in their potential to generate more revenue. He was especially upset with the favourable terms given to the tenants by his mistress Mary Cannon, who had managed the properties in his absence. And, where tenants like Henry Ripley had sublet from the original lease holders, he considered those sublets to be abominable forgeries! So, in 1815, DesBarres sued Henry Ripley in order to break the lease. Henry Ripley successfully defended his lease in court but decided to purchase his homestead the following year.
DesBarres's account of the settlement of his properties and the treachery of his mistress and tenants, especially those from Yorkshire, makes a great read! Click here or see the DesBarres Papers, Series 5 (M.G. 23, F1-5, Vols 22-23) Land Correspondence 1813-1824. Reel C1460, image 294-307, pp. 5245-5259.