Newsletter - March 2005

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S. S. G. S. NEWS

March, 2005
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 Hours:Wednesday & Thursday 1:00 to 4:30 PM Zellers - Club Z#: 840345301

President's Report

We have been fortunate to have IT student Eric Mason do a report titled "An Information System for the South Shore Genealogical Society." Now that we have his recommendations, we are looking forward toward the future with some innovative thought and ideas. We still would like to hear from you. What do you want to see/have from and for your Society? WE need to know what your ideas are. Is there something you really would like to see us have or do?
New Projects under development are:
-upgrading of computer programs
-making a database of Lunenburg County
-In Canada, this is the "Year of the Veteran", we are compiling names, stories and pictures of our Lunenburg County WWI & II veterans, as well as those who fought in any other of Canada's wars (1812, Fenian, Boer, Korean etc) and were living in Lunenburg Co. and those who were born in Lunenburg Co. but may have been elsewhere when they joined the Army. Navy or Merchant Marine. As well, we want information on the Norwegian seamen who were diverted to Lunenburg when WW II was declared. They had a great impact on Lunenburg County. Our goal is to produce a book(s) once this information has been collected. More information about the project will be in our next newsletter. You can help us with this project by sending us any information you may have regarding who these veterans were/are. Please send email and/or letters to the attention of"Veterans Project Manager."
Sheila Chambers, President

A New History of the Fenians
From Bridgewater Bulletin June 8, 1910
An authoritative and interesting history of the Fenian raids on Canada has been written by Capt. John A. MacDonald, and under the well chosen title, "Troublous Times in Canada," is on sale at $2 a copy. It is a book that can be recommended for the library of any of the author's countrymen, most of whom have forgotten, if indeed they ever realized the magnificent patriotism of the Canadians who turned out in 1866 and 1870 to repel the invaders under "General" O'Neill and of those other Canadians who combatted with voice and pen the annexationist propaganda that preceded and accompanied, and was not wholly irresponsible for, the attempts of United States citizens to join this country to the Union. Those were times indeed of foes within and without, the latter more easily comabtted than the former.
The Fenian Movement
Capt. MacDonald gives a satisfactory history of the Fenian movement, and shows that invasion of Canada was only adopted after the more daring plan of invasion of Ireland had failed. For some year previous to 1865 the Fenian Brotherhood, under the leadership of James Stephens, had made wonderful progress both in Ireland and United States, which was then as now, the chief source of campaign funds for Irish agitators. Some $200,000 in hard cash was raised by Irish-Americans and turned over to Stephens. With this money he fitted out an expedition, manned a small vessel and sailed for the Emerald Isle. Elaborate preparations had been made for a sudden rebellion, but nothing could have been a flatter failure. Without a shot being fired the Irish vessel and her crew were captured. The fiasco caused a split in the ranks of the Fenians, one wing wishing to make another attempt on Ireland and the other faction advocating an invasion of Canada. The latter crowd was more numerous, and finally carried the day.
Comic Opera Methods
Dangerous though the O'Neill raids proved, one can hardly read about their preparation without smiling. Anything more absurd than invasion of which the details were published months in advance can hardly be imagined. The very points at which the invaders were to cross the border were determined on and announced in the United States papers. It may have been because the preparations were too openly carried on that the Canadian authorities failed to realize the danger. It is certain, at any rate, the most inadequate provision was made for supplying the volunteers with food and ammunition, and when at length the blow fell there was confusion that appears absolutely inexcusable in view of the long warning. Miscalculations, however, were not all on the Canadian side. The Fenians, in estimating the resisting power of this country, figured on one-sixth of the fighting force of Canada, being of Irish birth, refusing to fight for Canada, and adding to the strength of the invaders.
Back By The United States
That the United States Government was virtually an accomplice of the Fenians is now so well recognized that it is hardly necessary to emphasize the fact. President Johnson refrained from publishing the proclamation for bidding a breach of the neutrality laws for five days after the raid had been made. Secretary Seward sold the Fenians United States Government arms and ammunition. He also, after the invaders had been repulsed, and some of them captured, wrote to the British Government urging clemency, and even went so far as to hint that if the prisoners were hanged, as they should have been, the United States Government would probably take retaliatory action. One does not like to think that it was as a result of this note that the severest punishment any captive Fenian received for his share in the invasion was four years imprisonment. The Irish vote was more of a terror to United States politicians in those days than it is now, and British popularity was a very low ebb on account of the feeling provoked by the Alabama's depredations.
The Gallant Volunteers
That feature which the mind loves best to dwell upon was the spirit and gallantry of the Canadians themselves. After the battle of Ridgeway, Gen. O'Neill refused for a while to believe that it was with Canadian volunteers he had been engaged. He thought the troops were British regulars. His Adjutant said that during his experience in the Civil War he had never seen troops extending in such order and steadiness as the Canadian volunteers that June morning. He, too, was convinced that he was looking at veteran British troops. Though the Fenians made such a poor showing, it must not be thought that the invading army was composed of men without previous military training. Almost every office from O'Neill down was a veteran of the Civil War, and many of them had brilliant records. O'Neill was a most dashing cavalryman, and had distinguished himself as the captor of the famous guerilla Morgan.
Specimens of Canadianism
It is good to read of the Canadians in New York going in the thousands to the office of the British Consul to place themselves at the disposal of the Canadian Government in case their services were required. From Chicago came a special trainload of Canadians ready to fight for their homeland. The author himself and his brother were employed in a Pennsylvania town when they got wind of the invasion in 1870. Packing grips, they hurried to the depot, and on their way met another Canadian. They told him where they were bound. "Boys," he said, "I'm going home, too. And as I haven't time to go to my boarding-house for my clothes, I'll just go as I am. We'll be in uniform in Canada tomorrow." This is what we call Canadianism, not the higher Canadianism nor the broader Canadianism, just plain Canadianism, of the vintage of 1870. It's a mighty good spirit to keep alive in this country, and Capt. MacDonald is to be congratulated for his part in perpetuating it.

Railway Station Burned
Lunenburg is Visited by Another Fire - Loss Estimated $10,000
Bridgewater Bulletin February 14, 1922
Lunenburg, Feb 7 - Fire totally destroyed the railway station of this town and all its contents tonight. The building, a large wooden one, of not unpleasant architecture, was discovered on fire about 9:35, and within an hour nothing was left but a pile of burning debris. It was valued at $10,000, but to replace it today will mean considerably more than that.
The station was closed about eight thirty o'clock. The origin of the fire is a mystery to Mr. G.O. Baker, the Station Master, unless it was due to the defective heating apparatus. The destroyed building was the old railway station built when Lunenburg was the eastern terminals of the Nova Scotia Central Railway, and was situated on a wide open plot between what are now known as the Old Town and the New Town. It was considerably out of date, far from adequate to the needs of the modern Lunenburg, and as the terminals of the branch of the Halifax South Western serving this prosperous and rich community had long ago rendered its full service. Undoubtedly its destruction tonight will now enable railway authorities to erect a station here comparable with the importance of the town and to be situated so as to meet the convenience of the people.
There was some wind, but the building was isolated from other structures, and there was at no time any danger of spread of the fire.

Our Merchants of 1887
Bridgewater Bulletin January 31, 1922
The following is a list of merchants doing business in Bridgewater 35 years ago. Of these, there are only three in business here at the present time.

Bailly, Henry - Dry Goods &c
Baker, Solomon - Blacksmith
Barnaby H.C. - General Store
Boehner, Geo. W. - Planing Mill
Bolivar, J. Freeman - Cabinet Maker
Burkett, George H. & Co. - Flour & Provisions
Calder, William R. - Lumber
Card, W.H. - Butcher
Conrod, Alfred - Restaurant
Cook, Zacharias - Grocer
Cragg, Charles J. - Printer
Davison, E.D. & Sons - Lumber & Saw Mill
Dawson, Robert & Sons - Lumber & General Store
Dolliver, Elisha - Trader
Doyle, John L. - General Store
Durland, Isaac-Carriage Mkr. & Furniture
Durling, Reuben C. -Carriage Maker
Ernst, Enos - Saw Mill
Ernst, Simeon - Jeweler
Feindel, Ariel - Livery
Forshay, Sylvester - Hotel
Green, Thomas - Saddler
Hall, J.H. - Printer
Hebb, Miss Caroline - General Store
Hebb, Mrs. Ellen - Millinery
Hills, J.E. - Grover
Hunter, Robert - Foundry
Keefler, Thomas T. - General Store
Lamb, R.H. - Furniture
Logan, R.A. & Co. - General Store

McKay, David - Flour
Mahoney, Thomas J. - Confec. & Bakery
Meisner, Stephen - General Store
Merchants Bank of Halifax
Morgan, john S. - Tinsmith
Morris, John B. - General Store
Mullock, Joseph - Carding mill
Munroe, Howard A. - Grocer & Confec.
Murray, Charles E. - General Store
Oxner, J.L. - General Store
Porter, B.H. - Drugs, Stst'y, etc
Powers, James T. - Tinsmith
Ramey, James - Lumber & General Store
Rhodenhizer, Edw. & Sons - Shipping
Simonson, Thomas B. - General Store
Smith, Fravel - General Store
Spidle, Amasiah - Tinsmith
Taylor, C.G.T. - Drugs
Veinot, Stephen - Shoemaker
Veinot Bros. - Carriage Makers
Waterman, J.E. & Co. - Tanners
Weagle, Isaac - Butcher
Wentzel, H. - Blacksmith
Wentzel, Jacob - Carriage Maker
West, Robert - General Store & Lumber
Wile, Dean - Grist & Carding Mill
Wilson, Thomas A. - Shipping & --?
Wilson & Wade - General Store
Winters, Robert - Confectioner
Wyman, J.R. - Livery

Excavation at St. Andrew's
Remains of First Minister Unearthed
Progress Enterprise September 25, 1968
During excavation work at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church [Lunenburg], workmen have unearthed the remains of the first minister of the Church, the Rev. Bruin Romkes Comingoe. At a Session meeting on Monday evening of last week, Mr. Duncan Blair and Rev. John Cameron were appointed to arrange for reburial at a suitable location on the Church property and an appropriate plaque.
Mr. Comingoe is of historical significance not only in that he was the first minister of St. Andrew's, the oldest Presbyterian Church in Canada, but also because he was the first reformed clergyman ordained in this country.
The German Calvinists of Lunenburg wished to continue the Christian tradition which they had followed in Europe but were unable to the services of a German-speaking clergyman either in Germany or Pennsylvania.[sic] For seventeen years, from 1753 until 1770, they met and carried on their own worship services. Then on July 3, 1770, Mr. Comingoe was ordained by an "ad hoc" presbytery in St. Matthew's Church, Halifax, then known as the Protestant Dissenters Meeting House. The presbytery that met for the ordination consisted of two Presbyterian Ministers and two Congregationalist Ministers and never met again.
Mr. Comingoe had not received formal theological training but was chosen for ordination because of several characteristics of his life and because of the special circumstances that prevailed in Lunenburg. He was 46 years of age at the time of his ordination and died 50 years later, still the active leader of St. Andrew's.
It is not known for certain whether Mr. Comingoe was originally buried under the Church building or in the Church yard. The original building, dedicated in 1770, stood on the same site as the present St. Andrew's, but was smaller. It is possible the present, larger building was built over his grave when erected in 1825.
In 1909 during repair work to the Church, Mr. Comingoe's remains were discovered and re-buried under the building. One of the workmen on the job at that time was Mr. Duncan Blair who remembered the details very clearly and this summer was able to guide the workmen to their location.
The excavation work is in connection with repairs to the foundation of the Church and the removal of ground for a bigger basement.

The Infants Home
Bridgewater Bulletin February 7, 1922
The Women's Institute is preparing a box to be sent to the Infants Home, the early part of March. If there be any others, who would like to put something in this box, they can leave their donation at Kinley's Drug Store before that date. Anything new or second-hand clothing for infants or children up to 4 years of age will be acceptable - or bedding, towels or money. The Infants Home is in Halifax, but is Provincial, therefore belongs to us all. If the mother is able a small board is asked for the baby, but any child whose parents cannot or will not provide for it, will be taken care of free. Bridgewater has made use of it in the past, and probably will again. The Home is simply a helping hand stretched out to the young mother or the child to give it a square deal or a fresh start. 113 babies passed through their capable hands during the past year. When they become 3 or 4 years of age, suitable home are found for them provided their parents do not claim them. Any one familiar with the working of the home, can tell many touching tales of baby lives saved and giddy young girl mothers changed for the better by the devoted care of the competent staff.

Acquisitions at SSGS - all donated
-Guidry dit LaBine Family in North America by Mark LaBine
-The Johnson's of Petite Riviere, NS by Richard Morris
-History of Brooklyn by Lucius D. Dexter
-St. Barnabas' Windows by Rev. Dr. Gregory Pritchard
-Historic Nova Scotia by Province of Nova Scotia

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