Henry STYLES

HENRY STYLES

Henry STYLES ( born at St. Andrews, 4 August 1802 ) came to Rollingdam about 1826 or '27 and was very prominent herein throughout his life. Henry and Martha Ann ( McCURDY ), after their marriage, moved first to St. David's Parish, where their first child, William, was born; thence to "St. Patrick's". Thirteen more children were added to this family, and most certainly, born at Rollingdam. They acquired land on the west side of the Digdeguash River, building their home near their mill and opposite from where the Orange Hall now stands. Their old cellar remained in evidence for several years. Two, possibly, three generations of children derived from this family. Henry's children, born between March 14,1825 and September 2, 1851, were: William, Josiah, Sarah, Desire?, Samuel, Henry, Amos, James Edward, Jacob L., Daniel, Martha A.,Lavina L., Deborah L., and John A., ( Lavina and John died in infancy ). Henry was an enterprising millman and business leader. He is reputed to have been Rollingdam's first magistrate, ( per. Mr. Elveritt STYLES, late grandson of Henry ). Henry's "mill" was raised April 2, 1836, and the millstone was hauled "22 July 1836" ( per his meticulous records shown me by his great-grandson, Mr. Henry STYLES of St. Stephen ). The names of some of the men who worked on or in the mill were E. SHERMON ( mill-wright ); David JOHNSON ( carpenter ); James HEWITT worked on the dam, Moses and Robert McCOUBREY, William CHASE, James CARR, Chandler McCURDY, Theodore WOODS, William KEEZER, Sam McFARLANE Sr., Nathan and Luther LAWRENCE, James REGAN, and Edward TOWERS. William MONTGOMERY Sr. did a great deal of "filing" in the early days for Henry. The mill remained active at least until Henry's death, 20 July, 1865. His wife, Martha, was born in the United States, 24 December, 1806: she died 1 December, 1854, aged 48. The epitaph on her stone echoes the strong Christian faith of this great family: " A loving wife, a mother dear, A faithful friend lies buried here. She parted with a world of pain, And only sleeps to rise again." Henry, with Rev. A. D. THOMSON, was most prominent in the building of the Baptist Church at Rollingdam in 1846. Jacob STYLES, Henry's son, remained and raised his family on the old homestead--amongst whom is remembered the late Mr. Elveritt STYLES, who related to this author many valued tales of early life in this area. Elveritt was born at Rollingdam, joined the Baptist Church at 16 years of age, after which the family moved to Sorrel Ridge. Jacob STYLES'S family finally, in the 1890's, moved to St. Stephen where many of their descendants still reside.

Written by Rev. Charles M. Smith, Rollingdam, NB
Found in October 5, 1972 edition of the Saint Croix Courier.
By permission of the Saint Croix Courier Page Loaded July 12 2002
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