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*Newsletters Archive*
| March , 2004 | |
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South Shore Genealogical Society PO Box 901 68 Bluenose Drive Lunenburg NS B0J 2C0 Phone : 1-902-634-4794 Ext. 26 ssgsoc@hotmail.com www.rootsweb.com/~nslssgs Winter Office Hours: Wednesday & Thursday 1:00 to 4:30 PM Zellers - Club Z#: 840345301 |
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Message from the President of GANS Dear GANS member:
I attended the Board meeting of PANS last Tuesday afternoon and was informed by the Archivist, Brian Speirs, that the Government of Nova Scotia is transferring additional Vital Statistics Records to PANS during 2004. The decision has been made to have a moratorium on deaths for 50 years, marriages for 75 years and births for 100 years. This means that no births will be transferred until after 2008, however marriages prior to 1929 will be transferred in 2004 as will deaths for the period prior to 1954. Needless to say this is very good news for GANS members.
Dr. Allan E. Marble
President-GANS
Mahone Bay Has Historic Name The past seventy-five years has brought many changes at Mahone Bay, also many improvements.
The shipyards are famed for her dexterious hands; have build [sic] hundreds of good ships.
The first man to build ships in Mahone Bay was Elcony Zwicker and later the work was taken over by John H. Zwicker, a brother. He was a designer and builder and has to his credit the buildiing of over six hundred vessels. At one time he had as many as eight on the stocks.
The town at that time, seventy-five years ago or more, had very few houses on the main street. One of the oldest is the house now owned by William Tanner. This was built by Matsey Veinotte in 1861.
Mahone Bay is not surpassed in beauty by any bay on the Atlantic coast. It lies between Blandford Peninsula and Eastern Points. The Tancooks and other islands act as a breakwater from the rude old Atlantic where it is sheltered by hundreds of lovely islands.
Historic Name
The town treasures the old historic name it borrows from the bay, derived from the French "Mahonne", the word for a low lying craft such as the pirates used. That arose in the buccaneering days when pirate ships arrived here in the shelter that these islands afforded as they fled from justice or to lay in wait for booty.
When English rule brought settlers to Lunenburg in 1756 [sic], many of those were given lands along the shores of Mahone Bay. On one of these islands you may see the print of an Indian's bloody hand, according to tradition for there the Red men murdered the Huguenot immigrant Payzant, and taking his wife and children, sped away in their canoes to Quebec, where they landed just before Wolfe won his victory.
Scarface Island; Murderer's Pt. (now Martin's Pt.) and Indian Pt. remind us of the days of the Indians and the romance of Capt. Kidd and his buried treasure.
Famous Hotels
In the year 1860 there were three hotels at Mahone Bay; The Royal, operated at that time by a Mr. McDonald as proprietor; Zwicker's Hotel, owned and managed by Charles A. Zwicker; and the old American House, managed by Mr. Ebenezer Frail, then to Mr. Frank Willett and to James Langille, thence to Fred Ramey when it was called the "Aberdeen Hotel", but today is the Town Hall, being transferred from A.C. Zwicker to the Town in 1933. These hotels were second to none among provincial hotels. The proprietors were renowned for their geniality. They would make you comfortable and supply you with good horses.
The oldest church in the Town is the Anglican Church, built in 1887. Rev. W.H. Snyder was the rector at that time with Rev. E.A. Harris as a curate. The church is now called St. James, with a parish ahll, both very near the shore.
The town was incorporated in 1919 with a population of 1050.
Early Church History
The first church erected in Mahone Bay was a union building, commenced July 17th, 1833. The trustees were Valentine Zwicker, sen. for the Presbyterians; Peter Strum, sen. for the Lutherans; John Andrews for the Baptists; and Frederick Mader on behalf of the Methodists. The utmost harmony prevailed among these bodies. This building became too small for the increasing number of worshippers, and separate churches were built. The old church has been changed into a dwelling-house.
Church of England
The next church (St. James') was erected on the hill above the graveyard, in 1835. On the 14th of July, Rev. J.C. Cochran, Rector of Lunenburg, preached the first sermon from Genesis xxviii, 17. This church was taken down in 1888. The new church (also St. James') was opened September 27th, 1887; architect W.C. Harris, Esq., A.C.R.A., brother of the present rector; cost $8,000; length, 103 feet; nave 42 feet wide; chancel, 26 feet wide.
Rev. J.C. Cochran was the first visiting clergyman. Rev. P.J. Filleul (now Dr.) was first resident missionary, 1845. The second was Rev. Wm. H. Snyder, B.A., 1852. he left the parish in 1874, and returned in 1875. between these dates he was curate in charge at Weymouth, he and Rev. Mr. Filleul having made an exchange. After his return, his rectorship continued until his death, October 15th, 1889.
Baptist
The Baptist church was erected in 1874, previous to which services were held in Ham's Hall and the Union House. This mission was originally a branch of the old Church, founded at the North-West in 1812. The visiting ministers were: Revs. R.S. Morton, R. Davis, P. Shields, Walker, Shaw, Archelus, Barrs, DeLong and other from North-West.
Presbyterian
The church was built in 1861, on the Clearland Road, on a hill above the bay, and near the old Episcopal church. It was removed to its present site in October 1885. By means of heavy jack-screws it was lifted two feet from the foundation. Heavy timbers were placed crosswise under the building, and two runners its whole length. Timbers made into rollers and other appliances were used, and also a heavy chain with large double block and tackle, connected with a capstan, to which a horse - sometimes two - was attached. The rollers were replaced by others as fast as they dropped out. The removal was effected by J.B. Chute & Son of Bear River, County of Annapolis, and the distance was about one-quarter of a mile. The time occupied was ten days. The church with spire and everything just as it stood before was moved and placed on the new site without any injury. The cost of removal was $800 and for the groundwork and new foundation, $250 additional. The church is now close to the manse, and for pastor and people conveniently situated.
Methodist
The Methodist Church was completed and opened for regular services in 1873, prior to which date the mission was a part of the Lunenburg Circuit; and so continued until the Conference of 1884.
The first clergyman was the Rev. C. Lockhart, succeeded by Rev. A.C. Borden,B.D., Rev. J.L. Batty was the first pastor after the separation from Lunenburg. He was followed by Rev. R. Williams and Rev. R. McArthur.
Taken from the Bridgewater Bulletin June 19, 1963. [newsletter note: This copy included many errors, both logistic and typographical.]
"40 Years Ago" - 1905 Local Happenings Taken from the Bridgewater Bulletin and South Shore Record October 17, 1945
October 17, 1905
It is reported that the MicMac and JackPot mines at Leipsigate have been sold for $150,000 to James R. Keene and others of New York.
On Monday the train to Middleton jumped the track just north of the Nictaux gravel pit and all the five cars and the rear truck of the engine and tender left the rails. The accident occurred on a level piece of track. The train was running at its usual speed. Baggage-master Allen received a bad scalp wound from falling trunks and had to have a doctor's attention. Another trainman was slightly hurt. The front of a passenger car and a box car were damaged. The passengers, mail and express were conveyed to Middleton by teams and caught the D.A.R. train. On the return teams performed the same service to the scene of the wreck and transfer was made to a train sent out of Bridgewater which arrived here about 10:30 last night. A wrecking train was sent out and a track laid around the derailed cars. What caused the accident is not known to the railmen. A construction train had just passed over it. There were a large number of passengers.
An accident occurred at Blockhouse on Sunday morning when a locomotive ran into a wagon containing three persons all of whom were killed. At about 10:30 a.m. an engine on the way from Bridgewater to Mahone, driven by Roy MacLeod and carrying T.R. MacLeod, mechanical superintendent, hit a team containing Henry Ernst, a farmer of Blockhouse, aged about 60 years, his wife, aged 45 years and stepson of about 14 years. The engine was rushed to Mahone Bay where doctors were brought back to the scene of the accident. However, Ernst was dead and Mrs. Ernst died at 5:30 p.m. and the lad, Arthur Eisenhauer, passed away during the night. The wagon was totally demolished and the horse had to be shot. The western approach to Bruhm's crossing is walled up by huge piles of cordwood on either side of the road. These piles extend for about 40 feet up the hill and diectly to the railway track. In the opinion of the reporter the accident was due to the presence of the wood pile, and a reckless approach to a railway crossing caused, maybe, by not expecting a train or engine to be running on Sunday.
Taken from the Bridgewater Bulletin and South Shore Record November 7, 1945
November 7, 1905
Arthur Eisenhauer, the lad who was badly injured in the railway accident, Blockhouse, is recovering and has been moved to his house.
The public meeting to vote sums of money for the improvement of the electric light system and water services took place at the court house on Saturday evening. The vote stood 37 to 1 in favor of the project. The wet weather prevented many from attending. (Well, does it seem possible that there should have been one to vote against improvement?).
The Holy Trinity Dramatic Company gave a fine presentation of the comedy, "Mr. Bob" to a crowded house in Armory Hall on Friday evening. Every reserved seat was sold and many applicants for seats had to be refused. The company consists of Mrs. Norwood, Miss Millett, Miss Olve Owen, Miss Connors, Mssrs. Roberts, Montgomery and Millett. Music was supplied by a local orchestra, who played very nicely considering the short time it has been organized. Some of the parts were played as well as professionals and all did remarkably well. Mr. Millett's song, "The Good young man who died," brought down the house. The stage settings were all that could be desired. For a fit of the "blues" this performance is a sure cure.
A decision was filed last week in the case of Albert J. Zwicker vs. John H. Zwicker, tried before Judge Forbes last July. Both parties belong to Mahone Bay. The plaintiff sued for $35.00 wages and the defendant counter-claimed for $75.00 for the use of a blacksmith shop for three years. The counter-claim was dismissed and judgement allowed for plaintiff for $28.00 plus costs. Arthur Roberts for plaintiff and McLean & Freeman for defendant.
A steam pipe in the sawmill of the Davidson Lumber Co., Springfield, burst on Monday and filled the boiler house with steam, creating for the time some excitement. No one was injured. The mill will resume operations on Thursday.
First snow storm of the season today. The first snow last year came on November 8th.
Acquisitions at SSGS -Index - History of Lunenburg County, DesBrisay, by Pat Smith
-Western Shore Community Cemetery Inscriptions, by Janet Heisler/Lana Veinotte
-St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church by Peter C. Oickle, Ivan & Helen Wamboldt
-Christ Church (Anglican), Dartmouth NS 1817-1959 by C. Walter Ryder, purchased
-250 Years Young - Our Diocesan Story 1710-1960, purchased
-Charles Ingles, Missionary, Loyalist, Bishop 1734-1816 by Reg Harris, purchased
-Knox Church (United), Brookfield by Uretur(?) Lindsay, purchased
-Fort Massey Church, Halifax 1871-1971 by D. M. Sinclair, purchased
-Morristown United Baptist Church 1974, purchased
-The Roman Catholic Church in Cobequid 1695-1755, Acadie & Colchester NS 1828-1978, purchased
-The Captain, The Colonial & Me - Bedford NS, purchased
-The Pattersons of Kings County by Donald Patterson, purchased
-Rogers Photographic Advertising Album, Hfx 1871 Heritage Trust, purchased
-The Brothers Huls/Hiltz from Ortenberg to Lunenburg - Vernon S. Keddy, purchased
-BARKHOUSE Descendants of Nikolaus & Gertrude by Ron Barkhouse & Vernon Keddy, purchased
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