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ONSLOW, NOVA SCOTIiL BY ISRAEL LONGWORTH, Q. C, TRURO. TN the early history of Nova Scotia it was customary to call new settlements after men of note, in the civil and military service of Great Britsiin. In accordance with this practice it is believed that the government of the day named the Township of Onslow in honor of Arthur Onslow, an English statesman, who was born in 1691 ; speaker of the Commons from January 1727 to 1754 ; pensioned in 1761 ; died 17th February, 1768; and after whom a count}', and shire-town^ known as Onslow Court House, in North Carolina, had been called. The erection of the township was ordered by Governor Lawrence in Council, 24th July, 1759, though the grant did not pass the great seal of the province till the time of Lord William Campbell. The formation took place upon the application of Joseph Scott and Daniel Knowlton for themselves and fifty others, of the Massachusetts Bay, for a tract of land at Cobequid. Several were of the P'ort Cumberland expedition of the previous year, and were attracted to the province from what they had seen of it, and in consequence of Governor Lawrence's proclamations* for settling the townships. The fifty-two proposed grantees, with their families, were represented to number three hundred and nine souls. A grant of fifty-two shares or rights in the townshij) to these persons passed the Governor-in-Council, 26th July, 1759. The township was stated as being at the head of Cobequid Basin, to extend upon the north side of said Basin, and to run westerly six miles ; from thence northerly about twelve miles ; thence easterly about twelve miles ; and thence southerly twelve miles ; and thence to Cobequid Basin six miles. All to be laid out on the north side of Cobequid River. * Governor Lawrence issued two proclamations for settling tlie Townships. The first in October, 1758 ; the second in January. 1759. (See Mumoch's History of Nova Scotia. Vol. II., page 359.) '4 V A CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF TOWNSHIP OF ONSLbW. Scott and Knowlton and their associates were to have 26,000 acres Half were to settle in October, 1760, and the remainder in Mtiy, 1761. That the grant might not be forfeited, Scott aner, 1759,) Joseph Twitchell and Jonathan Church obtained a grant of fifty shares in the township, for that number of persons including themselves, all of the same place, except Joseph Ffl! "banks of Halifax, gentleman. It also appears by minute-of-ccuncil, dated 26th October, 1 759, that I'u;iiel Knowlton that day applied for one hundred and fifty more shares in the township ; but there being only forty-one left, in order to accom- modate him and his associates, it was resolved that another township should be erected by the name of Wolfe, adjoining Onslow, and on the Eiver Shubenacadie, in which the shares desired should be laid out. Besides Scott and Knowlton, the only individuals comprising the fifty-two first intending settlers who came to the township and became grantees thereof, were Jacob and Thomas Stevens, Jacob Lynds, William Tackles, Hugh Tackles, David Cutten, Abijah Scott, and William Whippie. It is also worthy of remark thit out of the lnrge number of persons who would have been the grantees of Onslow and Wolfe, had all .settled in the Province, no more came than were necessary to till the require- ments of the Onslow grant. This resulted in the proposed township of Wolfe going to others, about the same time, under — not the more euphonious, and certainly not the more illustrious name of Truro. The names of the first settlers, in the order they appear in the township grant, are as follows : — Kichard Upham, William Hamilton, Anthony Elliot, Thomas Stephens, James Lyon, John Steel, James Wilson, Frances Blair, Mat, ^'LJ.:^f^dvi^^^^^^UmmtiSmsBm . hj^s^ft' A CHAPTER IN THE HISTOBY OF TOWNSHIP OK ONSLOW. 9 Jonathan Higgins, Joseph Scott, John Carter, Wiillam Tackles, Hugh Tackles, Jacob Stephens, William McNutt, the heirs of Jacob Lines, Nathaniel Gallop, Edward Brooks, David Hoar, Martin Brooks, William Blair, Kpbraim Howard, Joshua Lamb, David Gay, David Blackniore, Abner Brooks, Carpenter Bradford, George Howard, Ejjhraim Scott, John Polly, Samuel Nichols, Peter Richardson, Ephraim Howard, jr., Robert Crowell, Abijah Scott, David Cutting, Isanc Ferrell, Daniel Knowlton, and Miiry Knowlton, Elizabeth Blackniore, Abiyail Upham, Caleb Putnam, Nathan Upham, Richard Upham, jr., Nicholas Blanchard, James Tackles, John Cutting, Soloman Hoar, William Blair, jr., William Whippy, Peter Wilson, James Brown, the heirs of Jabez Rude, Josepl> Pierpont, John Howard, Daniel Calf, the heirs of Samuel Whippy, the heirs of Joel Camp, the heirs of I5enjamin Brooks, Asa Scott, Francis Harris, John Barnhill, Simuiel Bencraft, J"hn Hewett, John Polly, jr., Reuben Richardson, William Crowell, Jonathan Higgins, jr., Mercy Brooks, Hugh Acton Tackles, Christopher Stevens, Jacob Stevens, jr., Abner McNutt, Jacob Lines, jr,, Silvanus llrooks, PMward Brookr, jr., Ebenezer Hoar, John Blair, and Deborah Wright. For some unaccountable reason the grant whs withheld for about eight years, during which period a number of the first settlers died, and their rights went to their heirs, widows, or daughters, whose names are included in the list of grantees. " It a[)pears (I'om manuscript letters of the late Colonel Alexander McNutt, which are still extant, that the settlers encountered gi'eat diffi- culty in procuring their grant, and that it was not only different from what they had been led to expect, but also much more restrictive in its terms than that of the Township of Truro. The Onslow patent reserves to the Crown 'all mines of gold, silver*, lead, coppe", and coal,' and also ' 1000 acres for the use of a cliurch, a school, and glebe.' It also differed from the Truro grant, in the manner in which the quit nnt was reserved, 'being one farthing per acre4n three ycar.«,' and in default of payment, the grant was declared to be null and void. It was also sub- ject to forfeiture, if not registered and docketed at the Register's office within six months. It was signed by Lord William Campbell, on the 21st inst., audited on the 22nd, and registeru,". on the 23rd of February, 1769. It would be interesting to ascertain the causes which occasioned this marked difference in the two grants, though perhaps it is now impossible."* The first settlement took place about June, 1760; though if Haliburton, and the earliest recorded dates in the " Township Book," * Haliburton'a History, Vol. I., page 44. A CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF TOWN HH IF OP ONSLOW. and in the *' Book of Rucords for Deaths, Births, and Marringos for the Town of Onslow " are to he tnken for authority on this point, it did not commence till the following year. It is matter uf record, however, that the people of hoth Truro and Onslow applied to the Government for aid in opening up communication with Halifax, on the fifth of August, 1760. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that the statement of Mr. Haliburton that '* the first British settlers, who came from the Province of Massachusetts, and were of various origin, landed in Onslow in the summer of 1761, to tlie numl)er of thirty families, and brought with them twenty head of horned cattle, eight horses, and seventy sheep," relates to the second instalment of the signers under Scott and Knowlton, who were to settle in May of that year. By July, 1761, the inhabitants numbered some fifty-two families. They were located at the expense of the province about the end of May of that and the previous year. They immediately set to work to raise corn and roots for their subsistence, but the second year, it is said, a eevere drought, followed by an early frost, destroyed the former. They succeeded, however, in raising some corn, but scarce roots sufficient ; and cut hay for their stock. The first two or three years the privations they experienced were great, and it is matter of tradition that Joel Uamp died from starvation, after eating the end of a tallow candle. The days of many were shortened from the hardshii)s they encountered at this early period, and their sufferings would have been far greater had not Government supplied them with corn for food and for planting. On the 17th of April, 1762, Governor Belcher sent this message to the House of Assembly : — '* From representations to me of the present distressing indigent circumstances of the inhabitants in several new townships, particularly those of Tfuro, Onslow, and Yarmouth, for want of supplies for pro- visions, and seed corn in the present season for improving thoir lauds, I must earnestly recommend to your immediate examination the state of their necessities, that such relief may be speedily administered as the nature of their compassionate case may in all humanity deserve from the benevolent interposition of the Legislature, to whom alone their applica- tion must 1)6 directed, as there is no other method for their public assistance." The members of the House having taken the communication into consideration, " Resolved that a message be sent to His Honor in answer thereto, to acquaint him that they find it impossible, by reason of the great load of debt due by the public, more than the present funds will A OHAll'BR IN E H'HTOKY OF TOWNSHIP OF ONSLOW. the 11 not jever, lent [h of fnent tlio [slow (with in any degroe nnHwer, to allbrd the.Hti poor people any presen supplies. But as there may ptill remain in the Treasury some part of the old duty money, the Assembly would hunihly retjuest, that so much thereof as His Honor should think neeesssary, may be applied towards this charitable^purpose." The determination of the T,ower Branch having,' been sent to the' Council for concurrence, that Body replied that they could not concur with the Assembly's request to the Governor, as he had expressly J, declared in his message to both Houses that " there was no other method of relieving the distres-ies and indigent circumstances of the inhabitants of the several new townships but from the interposition of the legislature." The House, not disconcerted by the strange action of the Council, resolved to send their reply di refit to the Governor, and appointed Jonathan Binney, member for the town of Halifax, and William Neville Wolsely, member for Onslow, a coin mil tee for that j)urpose. Those gentlemen shortly afterwards reporteham, Esquire, of tJie l^ovmship of Onsloio : You are to acquaint the inhabitants of Truro and Onslow that the corn to be delivered them is to be paid for at the rate of 3/8 per bushel, being the cost of the said corn, whenever ihe Government shall demand the same. To deliver corn to those only in real want, and where he suspects those demand who have stock to swear them. To be as frugal as possible in the distribution, not to deliver more than for one month at a time, allowing not more than one bushel per *t \ 9 A CHAPTEK I.V THE HISTORY OP TOWNSHIP OP ONSLOW. month to one peMoii ovar ten years, one huahol for two children r.nder ten yenra. Those who have Ht'»ck of their own by no means to he sup- plied. To keep !i hook of the supplies, taking receipts from the head of family, to wliom suppl} i-' given, of (|uaniity, which is to bo delivered to the Secretary of the Province that it may be accounted for. To consult with the cnnimittee of both towns that you m»y be tho better infornnMl of those truly necessitous, as a (juantity of seet'i wheat and Iwirley will he shi|)pe(l for the use of the towns. To deliver it to tho). • .inly who have lundo fit fur iti reccpt-lon. 2S April, 1762, J. Bei.cheu." The order for the corn, given to Mr. Uphani, was on Isaac Doschamps. It reads as follows : — "By the Hon. Jon. Belcher, Esq., Lieut. -Governor, &c., »^c.: You are directed to deliver to Richard Upham, Esq., 1000 bushels of corn to be distrib\ited among tho indigent settlers of Onslow and Truro according to the instructions delivered him for that purpose, taking his receipt for the same, or the quantity that may be delivered him at different times till he shall receive the who!e." 29 Apiil, 1762. J. Belcher. To Isaac Deschamps, Esq. That this timely aid to the Cobequid settlers was urgently required, and did no more than keep them alive, without materially improving their condition, may be inferred from an extract from Governor Montagu Wilmot's report of 27th October, 1763, to the Lords of Trade on the state and condition of Nova Scotia : — ** Within the Basin of Minas, on that branch of it called Cobequid Basin, are the two townships of Truro and Onslow. Onslow has about fifty fan)ilies. These are the most indigent, as well as the most indolent people in the colony. Several families suffered very severely last winter, and some were famished. If they are not relieved this winter there will be great danger (»f their starving or quitting the colony. They have but a small proportion of stock to the other inhabitants of the province. Very few people of any substance among them. Five hundred bushels of corn will be scarce sufficient to keep them from starving. If one hundred bushels of wheat for seed were sent them early in the spring, it wouhl in a great measure alter their circumstances," By this report Onslow was stated to have fifty-two families ; one thousand four hundred acres of dyked marsh land ; one hundred cleared upland ; 98,500 woodland, or a total area of 100.000 acres. A later report (a) from the first Governor to visit the townships, gives a more hopeful account of the settlers. Lieutenant-Governor (at Murdoch's History, Vol. II., page 581. under J)e sup- jjeiid of llivorud vo tho wheat t to A CHAPTER IN THK HI8TOUY OP TOWNSHIP OF ON8l/)W. 7 Mnrion Arhnthnot, in his letter of 15th August, 1776, to Lord r»eorge Gerninine about his visit to the Townships of Witidsor, Horton, and Cornwallis, to review the volunteer militia in each, under the command of Colonel Francklin, goes on to state : — '* After which I proceeded up Cobequid Bay and landed at London- derry, ( )n8low, and Truro, three townships inhabited by the otfspring of those Iri.sh emigrants who first settled Londonderry, in the Massachusetts, Scotchmen and Irish people, who have been brought hither soon after the place began to be settled, — a strong, robust, industrious people — bigotteil dissenters, and of course great levellers. Hut, my lord, how can it be otherwise, for, to my astonishment, no governor had ever visit(,'d these poor people, or sent any person among them, so as to form a judgment of the necessary steps to make those men useful subjects ; but, on the contrary, they have been left to be the parent of their own works. I found full 500 men capable of bearing arms, the finest men in the province, settled on the best land, and tlie most flourishing, because they are the most industrious." In striking contrast with the friction that prevails in England on tho question of home rule for Ireland, a very significant passage appears in Governor VVilmot's report, which speaks volumes for the great wisdom of the soldier statesman into whose hands were committed the destinies of Nova Scotia in a crucial period in its history r — " Upon application by the settlers from New England for townships to General I^awrence, among other things to induce them to come, this was not the least [)revalent, that they should be entitled to the same privileges they enjoyed in the other colonies, and in particular that of being constituted into townships and having officers chosen by the respective towns to legislate their own affairs. This would be essential to establish peace and good order among them, and promote their welfare." As tho- early proceedings of a newly organized branch of the body politic iire interesting to tlie descendants of the actors, the reconls of the first t\vo Town-Meetings are here given entire : — " Atta meeting of the Propriators of the Township of Onslow Holden at sd. Onslow The 28th day of July, Anno-Dom. 1761, The following Vots ware passed — Capn. Ephraim Hayward chosen Moderator. 1. Granted unto Capn. Ephraim Hayward, David Hoar, and J earns Wilson, the Privilege of a Mill-place on a Stream Lying west of sd. Wilson's first Devision Lott Next Ajoying t(» the sd. Lott : Joyntly and Eaquily to have the above mentioned Mill Place with the pondage and privialages iSelonging Thereunto — fnr the above mentioned Hayward to Build a Grist-mill, And for said Wilson and Hoar to Build a Saw Mill. 8 A CHAPTEtt IN THE HISTOHY OF TOWNSHIP OP ONSLOW. Eoth Paid Mills to be Built on One Dam against or near above sd. Wilson's House." "Voted 2nd. " That the above mentioned Hayward have his Second Devi?ion Lott Laid out Ajoy'ng East on sd. Mill River Bounded South on the Mash. The same Wedth of the other proprietors. Voted Sly, That the above said Hayward have fifty acres of his Third Division Lott north of his Secoml Devision Ajoyning to To tho same." " The above mentioned ])rivileges Granted to the above sd. Capn. Pvphmim HaywHrd on Conditions that he Build a Grist Mill in the Place above mentioned With in one year from the Date hero of and keep the Same in good Repair for the Term of Severn years." Voted 41y, That Jeams Wilson's Second Devition Lott be layed out on the East Side of sd. Mill River Bounding on the Same the »Same Wedth of the Other Proprietors." Voted Sly. That David Hoar have his said Second Devision Lott Laid at the East End of the Improvements on theNoith Side Beginning 20 Rods north of a Little old house, Running West 30 Rods, Running North So far the same Wedth as to make the same quantity of Land With the other prop- ietors in the Second Division. Voted 61y. That Jeams Wilson and David Hoar have Three Hun- dred Acres of Land Laid out to Them as part of There Fourth Devi.sion on the Biver East of said Hoar's Second Devision Lott, not Including any (Improvements or) Improvt^d Land, Said Land to he Laid out in a Squar lorm Leaveing highwayes Sufficient Through the same." The above mentioned Priviiidges Granted to the above sd. Wilson and Hoar on Condition that they Buih^ a Saw Mill in the Place before mentioned or Granted In three months from the Date, and kee]) the same in Good Repair for the Term of Seven yeiirs, on neglect or failer there said Last Grant is to Forfeit and of none Etfect." OnsJotv, July 2S, 1761. Transcribed by me, ICphm. Hayward, P. Clerk. Ephuaim Hayward, Moddratcr. Joshua Lamb, I\ Clerk. " Onslow, September the 7, 176L We the Subscribers Petition to Charles Morris, Esq, in Onslow to have a meeting Caled of the proprie- tors of sd. Onslow to Chose a Moddrator. 21y. To Chose a proprietor's Clerk. 3Iy. To Chose a Committee to tnke Cair of and Deall out the St'>ars to the Inhabitants, and Like Wise l.o Chuse a (."rmmittee to Devide the Ma.«hes and the Improved Lands, and the first Devision of the unimproved Lands, Likewise to Chuse Commissioners to Take Cair about mending the Dykes, aiid a Comittee to Lay out High Ways and Surveirs to take Cair they are niended or any other necessary business to be doi.e the day ajioynted for said meeting; and to meet at David P -■_^l'S'>l'Sl(>.:»i w. ibove sd. IS Second fd South 'es of his To thb (1. Capn. ill tho ind keep Je layed le Same on Lott 'riinning Running >f Land Hun- >e vision eluding 'Ut in a Wilson ! before eep the r failer itC}'. ion to I'oprie- ietoi-'s ut the iee to ion of 2 Cair s and sin ess >avid A CHAPTER IN THB HISTORY OP TOWNSHIP OF ONSLOW. 9 Cuttins, jr., in sd. Onslow, at nine of the Clock on the 15th day of this Instant, September, att nine of the Clock, 1761. Petter Kichardson, Ephm. Havward, IsAEC Warner, Wm. Blair, ICHABOD MbCHOM, ElIJAH FiTCH, John Pulley, J bams Wilson, Thos. Stephens. The Warrant for calling the Meeting : — " To Mr. Ephraim Hayward, one of the proprietors of Onslow : Aplycation being made to me that propriators may be Called then and there to act to act on the folowing perticlers : First. To Chose a Modrator. 21y. To Chose a Propriator's Clerk. Sly. To Chose a Comittee for Calling Meetings for the future. 41y. To Chuse a Comittee for Distrt bating the Corn. 51y. To Chuse a Committee to Devide the Mash and the Improved Land, and the first De vision of the un Improved Land. 61y. To Pcquest of the Commander-in-Cheff to apoynt Commis- sioners for mending and Repaiiing tii-» Dykes. 71y. To Lay out High Ways or Eoads, and to Chuse a Committee dnd Surveirs to Clean the Roads. Sly. To Consider of Things that will be needful! and profitable for the propriety. These are Therefore to Desiar and Impower you to call a meeting of the said Propriators to meet at the house of Mr. David Cutten, in holder, in Onslow, on Monday, the 14th day of September instant, at Nine of the Clock in the fore noon. Charles Morriss, Onsloto Sept. 7, 1761. Justis of ye Peace. Onslow, Sept. 14, 1761. At a meeting of the propriators of Onslow, pursuant to a warrant granted by Charles Morriss, Esq., for calling of said meeting, meatt aCording to said Warning and Voted : First. 21y. 31y. 41y. 51y. 61y. 7iy. Sly. 91y. lOly. Illy. i21y. 131y. David Cutting, Maddrator. Ephraim Hayward, Propriators' Clerk. Petter Richardson, "1 t, ^ -ll , -rj ' J3e a Committee John HuEiT, V Ephm. Hayward, Pkti'er Richardson, Elijah Fitch, for Calling of Meetings for the future. Ephm. Hayward, David Cutten, Elijah Fitch, Wm. Blair, 4I0SHUA Lamb, Thos. Stephens, Be a Committee for Receiving and Distrebuting the Corn. Be a Committee to Devide and Lay out the Mashes and Plow land and the first Devision of the un Improved Lands. pnw^*^^ 1 I 10 A CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OP TOWNSHIP OF ONSLOW. h Ephm. Hayward, IsACC Warner, Pbttbr Richardson, Be a Committee to Request the Commander-in-Chetf for Commis- sionar for R«pairing the Dikes. 141y. 151y. 161y. 171y. Voted that the Comittee chosen to lay out the Mash and Improved Land and the First Devision of the unimproved Lands be a Committee for Laying out the Highways. 181y. Geokge Hayward, 19ly. Jacob Linds, '-Re Suerveirs of High Ways. 201y. Nathl. Gallop, J 21 ly. Voted That Each Propriator owning one Right have one Hundred acres and a half High or Shair Fifty Acres in the First Devi- sion of un Improved Land. 221y. Voted that the Consideration of the Method of Laying out the Lands be ajorned to Tusday, the 22 Day of this Instant with the otlier Business Necessary. Meet According to the Ajorument. 231y. Voted that the 21 Vote Conserning Laying out 100 acres to a Right and 50 acres to a half Right be Reconsidered. 241y. Voted That Each Single Right have Sixty Acres Laid out in the first Devision of the unimproved Lauds, and a half Right Thirty acres. 251y. Voted that the Propriators of Each Village Draw There Lotts in the first Devision Granted to be Laid out in the foregoing Vote by Them Selves. 261y. Voted that The Meeting be Desolved. David Cutting, Moddrator. Ephm. Hayward, Propr. Clerk. Transcribed from the original papers by me, Eph. Hayward, P. C, being a true copy In this account both the arrangement and the orthography have been retained, and the record, which is in the hand writing of Captain Ephraim Hayward, would do credit to the o^ce of a modern attorney. The settlement was originally held in common by the grantees, who set^tled diff"erent parts under their township rights, and occupied the same for a number of years, without having their lands set off in severalty. On the 8th day of February, 1780, George Thompson applied to the Supreme Court at Halifax for a Writ of Partition of the township on the petition of Samuel Lyons and others. The writ was granted and issued by D. Wood, junior, l)y. Clerk, July 28th, 1780. It was directed to the Provost Marshall of Nova Scotia or his deputy, and inj have f| peace all of were consisi ^H! w. luest the Commis' )ikes. ^lash and nds be a ys. mve one st Devi- ling out kvith the acres to 1 out in ; Thirt^ii re Lotts i^ote by erk. P.O., 'e been 'aptain ney. 8, who jd the off 'in Tipson of the t was 1780. iputy, A CHAPTBR IN THE HISTOUY OP TOWNSHIP OP ONSLOW. 11 and included the names of the grantees, and settlers, directing that each have forty days notice of division to be made before two justices of the peace on the oaths of twelve men of the county of Halifax, after hearing all of tlie evidence of ownership of proprietors. The justices who acted were Eliakim Tupper and Doctor John Harris of Truro j and the jury, consistin" of : — Joseph Scott, Dy. Sheriff, James Fulton, Alexander Miller, James Duulap, James Archibald, Adam Boyd, Thomas Gourley, Samuel Wilson, John Oughterson, John Logan, John McKeen, Robert Johnson, with one or two exceptions were also residents of Truro. They returned the writ, July 28th, 1783, dividing 51,750 acres into 98| shares among 82 claimants, one being ** the Church," and another " the School." In Trinity Term, July 20th, 1785, the Supreme Court at Halifax having heard counsel on the Writ of Partition, gave judgment to confirm the proceedings thereunder, pursuant to the sheriff's return, saving only to Alexander McCurdy the possession of that piece of ground called the poundage, claimed under the return of said writ by John Barnhill, and in case it should appear that Alexander McCurdy had a greater proportion of land than he was entitled to, he should assign unto John Barnhill as much unimproved land as in the opinion of three indifferent persons appointed by the court was equivalent to the piece called the poundage reserved to Alexander McCurdy. To make the assignment under this order, the court appointed Lawrence Peppard and Peter McLellan of Londonderry, and Samuel Densmore of Noel. To the Return a plan of the township, with the divisions made by the jury, was annexed. Copies of the plan and other proceedings were placed in the custody of the late Daniel McCurdy, with whose widow they remained for a number of years. The plan was nifide in two parts, one containing the marsh lands, the other the upland, which was divided into three large blocks, known as the First, Second, and Third Divisions. The plan of the marsh is still in a fair state of preservation, but a portion of the south-western corner of the upland plan is much mutilated and worn, there being no remnant of that part sufficient to delineate the lands of and surrounding Fort Belcher. The original grant, neatly engrossed on two skins of parchment ; the upland plan, and tib*- field notes of the Jtirp^ ott^ tii» ^artitimi of the '! 12 A CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF" TOWNSHIP OP ONSLOW. township, are among the papers in the office of Nathaniel Marsters King, Town Clerk. On the 31st day of March, 1856, an act passed the legislature entitled ** An Act to make certain Records of the Township of Onslow receivable in evidence." There are two sections to this act. The first receives in evidence in any court of law the old copies of the Plans of Partition of the Township then in the possession of the town clerk of Onslow, or so much thereof as is not defaced or obliterated by use. And the second constitutes the old copy of the return of the jury execT'.ting the Writ of Partition, then also in possession of the town clerk, a part of the plan, and to be received in evidence as such. The surveyor who assisted the jury to divide the lands, and survey and make plans of the township under the Writ of Partition, was Robert, second son of Major David Archibald, of Truro. He was a justice of the peace, and afterwards became a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Ho was also a colonel in the militia. In 1787 he removed from Truro to Mu.squo(loboit. "The Book of Records for Deaths, Births, and Marriages for the Town of Onslow, in the Province of Nova Scotia, Began in the year of our Lord, 1761." This volume is well bound, though much worn from constant use. It remains in the custody of George F. Crowe, Esq., Central Onslow, a former town clerk, and a gentleman who has held the position of Municipal Councillor for the d'/.trict. Among the first births ibay be cited thosa of Jess, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Stevens, born July 22nd, 1761 ; Richard, son of Peter and Sarah Richardson, November 26th, 1761 ; and Cloe, daughter of Carpenter and Mary Bradford, January 4th, 1762. The persons first to enter the bonds of holy matrimony were Captain Ephraim Howard and Sarah Blair, on the 8th of December, 1763 j Joshua Lamb and Mercy Brooks, September 11th, 1766 ; Samuel Whipple and Jemmima Polly, February 17th, 1767 ; liobert Archibald, and Hannah Blair, April 2n(l, 1767 ; and William Whipple and Ruth Hoar, 5th of December, 1771. At a Town Meeting helil on the 13th of September^ 1763, of which Richard Upham was Moderator, and EphriUm Hayward, Proprietors' Clerk, it was voted, *' 141,y. That the East side of the Island in the TJper Mash be aloued and sequestred for a buring place." Though the inscriptions on the principal monuments erected in this hallowed resting place of the first English settlers, are not so quaint as ipi mXi^ ' h King, fislature I Onslow The first ■^lans of I clerk of 36. And cecvting [, a part survey ion, was was a Court of 1787 he for the B year of orn from we, Esq., ; held the f Thomas of Peter jghter of i Captain ir, 1763; ; Samuel rchibald, nd Ruth of which oprietors' d in the id in this ][uaint as A CHAPTER IN THE HISTORf OF TOWNSHIP OF ONSLOW. 13 one to be found on an Irish limestone, under *• a death's head and hour glass and a codfish just taking the hook," in the ^(ethodist graveyard at Cai'bonear, Newfoundland : — " Expired in 86. The prudent Mary, Dear and only wife of Jemmy Geary, Late of Carboneree. Who awfully the la-wa of God did fear. For whose good works Let each who passes— pray Hor soul to rest full blest for aye." Yet a few may be given to keep green the memory of the pioneers of civilization in a once wilderness section of Nova Scotia, which, under their labours, and the enterprise of their descendants, has become one of the finest agricultural districts in the Maritime Provinces. " Here lies interred the body of William Blair who departed this life (m the 4th day of August, 1791, aged 75 years." " Jane Blair ' Consort of William Blair, Senior, who died on the 8th day of January 1814, in the 91st year of her age." " Sacred to Memory of David Archibald 7th late Lieutenant Colonel of the 7th Battalion of the Nova Scotia Militia. ^ He departed this life 2o Nov. 1814 Aged 42 years." " In Memory Captain James Clark, a native of New England District of Maine, who was un- fortunately drowned in the Bay of Fundy the 22nd June 1815 in the 55th year of his age, being a freeholder in this Township for 30 years." " Aaron Crowe, Senior, who departed this life October 30, 1818, Aged 75 years." w^ II 14 a chapter in the history op township of onslow. "Joseph McLanb Native Londonderry, Ireland died 16 March, 1829 aged 76." *' Thomas Robertson died Jnn 26, 1842 aged 69." " In iTieniory of Jambs Kino of On?lo\v wlio died July the 18th 1848 aged 80 years. He was a native of Dur. tries hi re Scotland." " William Henry King a senior stuilent of Acadia College, drowned June 7th 1852, in company with Professor Chipinan an posed, when James Monk, junior, was allowed to perform his Crown duties till his return. On the 24th of April, 1764, however, Mr. Monk was appointed to the office, on account of Mr. Wolsely's continued absence from the Province, to which, so far as I can discover, he never returned. It appears by the Journals of the House under date of April 3rd, 1764, "That no attendance had ever been given by Mr. Cutten, and that Mr. Wolsely had left Nova Scotia." This statement of fact regarding Mr. Cutten's legislative career is doubtless correct, though it does not accord with the belief entertained by his descendants, who consider him the first member from Cobequid, and speak of his having '^Wm A CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OP TOWNSHIP OF ONSLOW. 17 walked to the winter sessions of the House upon snow shoes, with a musket on his shoulder. If Mr. Cutten did not act, it was because he considered tluit his colleague, Mr. Wolsely, who resided at Halifax, was well qualified to look after the interests of the special constituents of both : — the people of Onslow ; and ho rlid not deem it necessary that the town should bo at the expense of sending him to the As.^enibly. Members pay of 10/ a day did not begin till 1787. The Hrst representa- tives had to fight the battles of the country at their own costs and charges, or look to the people who sent Hutm. to parliament for remun- eration. A Town Meeting held " Pursuant to a ''Varrant Dated Octoler, 1762, meat and Voted as foloeth : — Daniel Knolton, Moderator. Voted That Liett. David Cutten have four shillings a Day so long as ho waits on The General Court at Halifax as our Representative, and The same to be Raised on the Rights of the proprietors proportionable as soon as he bring his acoumpt attested." Daniel Knolton, Moddrator. Ephm. Hayward, Proprs. Clerk. The right of the Cobequid, and other townsiiips, to two representa- tives apiece, under the order-in-council 20th May, 1758, was only exercised by Onslow in the case of Cutten and Wolsley. Townships soon became too numerous to be allowed such a privilege, and in 1765 an Act passed giving one member to each. In the election of 176.") James Brenton of Halifax, barrister-at-law, was returned member for (Jnslovv. He was a young lawyer from Rhode Island, who came to the province at a very early period. He had a brother — the Honorable Jahiel Brenton — who remained in Rhode Island, and was the head of the family in the middle of the last century. He was father of Admiral Sir Jahiel Brenton, Baronet, and of Captain Edward Pelham Brenton, Royal Navy, also of Susannah Hrenton, who married Dr. John Halliburton, R. N., father of the late Sir Brenton Halliburton, Chief Justice of Nova Scotia. Sir Jahiel married a lady of Halifax — Miss Stewart — daughter of Anthony Stewart, father of the old Judge James Stewart who died about 1830. — James Brenton was admitted an attorney of the Supreme Court on the 9th of December, 1760. By the records of the court it appears that on the seventh of April, 1762, James Brenton, attorney for Caleb Lincoln, having charged the court with partiality by saying that, " they woidd not receive a verdict 18 A CHAPTEU IN THE HISTORY OP TOWNSHIl' OF ONSLOW. « ll I I in the cftuso The Kin(/ ei al. v. Caleb Lincoln unless it was ngiiinst the defendant, and that there miglit be verdicta ar ^nifttin, and that he was not alloweil the liberty of other attorneys in court," whereupon " it was ordered by the court, tliiit ^^r. lircuiton do luaKe good his charg<; in a proper place, and that in the nieanlinie he be not sullered to speak at the bar of this court." On the eighth of the same month, Mr. Jirenton appear- ing in court and "making an acknowledgment (of his indiscreti(»n), asked pardon of the court, ami i»rayed that the suspension might be taken otf.** The court " ordered that it bo taken ofl' accordingly." On tlie Slstof October, 1778, Mr. Urenton was apjminted Solicitor- General, and on the 1 2th day of same month in the following year, he was sworn in Attorney-General. He held this office until the 8th of December, 1781, when he was raised to tlio Supreme Court Hench, vice assistant Judge Morris, dec(;ased. His conduct as a judge was brought in ([uestion in the House of Assembly, tlie 28th of Xoveinber, 1787, by Major ^lillege, member for Digby, who made a motion which led to his impeadiment along with Chief Justice Deschamp, on cliarges preferred by three attornies named Sterns, Taylor, and Wood. For having written in the newspa})ers about the charges Sterns and Taylor were disrobed by order of the Chief Justice on the first of April, 1788. The impeachment on thirteen articles took place in 1790. Murdoch says that : — " Some persons deemed tlie attack on the judges as an unfriendly, if not a cruel act, to deprive men of their bread in the decline of life — men Avho could not live many years longer — men who had large families to struggle for, and "vt^ho had served the public in difficult offices for many years, on charges of, at most, errors of judgment on one or two trifling occasions." He refers to them as " two old gent'emen, both highly respected and eminently loyal — and Deschamp having long been identi- fied with tlie colony, and Brenton, formerly secretary to the Royal Commission at Rhode Island to iiu^uire int(5 the destruction of the vessels of war by the disaffected." A contemporaneous writer treats the charges as futile. The judges remained under the odium of this affair till 1792, when they were acquitted by an order of the Privy Council. In 1770 Joshua Lamb was returned member for Onslow. Mr. Lamb was among the first settlers, and a grantee of the township. He resided on the farm now occupied by Augustus McCurdy. He was the first Registrar of Deeds for the county, and kept the office in Onslow from March 2nd, 1770, to 1777. On the 17th of May, 1771, he wa< I m -r*--' A CIUrTKll IN TUK HWTOUY OF TOWNSHIl' Of ONShOW. ID comtnissioiH'd ii justice of the p»mce for tho towrialii))^ of Onslow, Tniro, imd LoiulondeiTy. He imirri(Ml Mercy iJrook.s, (not Mary, a.s stilted hy Thomas Miller in his invaluahlo Geiieulugical lieconl) Septeiubor 11th, 1766, by whom ho had three sons and two daughters in Onslow : — P , , / Morn, 29th April, 1767. ^"'•^^ • ) Died, 7th.Iune, 1775. Ihddah Horn, '2rnh July, 1769. .loshua " 1.3th June, 1771. Sarah " 27th Nov., 1773. John " 7th June, 1776. On the 10th of December, 1774, Mr. Lamb's seat was declared vacant for non-attendance for several session.s, and ottering no ajtology to the House for his absence. In 1777 he sold his prf»perty and removed to New England. A year or two before taking his tiiial departure ho visited Machias, Maine, and had the honor of Iniving his name men- tioned as *' Esq. Lamb, who last evening arrived hero in a boat from Cobequid in Nova Scotia," in a letter from that extremely enthusiastic and erratic individual, the K(!V. James Lyon, to the Honorable Council of the State of Massachusetts I5ay. This letter was written in Mr. Lyon's usually extravagant and nnti-lJritish style. Among other things it sug- gested the propriety of allowing all who camo from Nova Scotia to enlist in the companies' ot the State, to .show their loyalty to the Amercan cause, and strongly recommended the council to iai.se and commission a corps to take Nova Scotia, and reap the benefit for the State that would attach to such an undertaking. Mr. Lyon's letter also stated : " Enclosed I send your Honors a copy of a Summons from the High Sheriff of Nova Scotia to Mr. Adams Johnson of Cobequid, reipiiring him to take the oath of allegiance to the Hriti.sh Tyrant, by which nifiy be seen the manner in which they use those who are friendly to the American cause in that Province." As one of our earliest public men, and tlie first resident member who sat for Onslow, it would be interesting to know what became of Joshua Lamb in the United States, and how his descendants have fared in that great country. I have, however, been unable to ascertain anything further than that he lived to a ripe old age. On tlio 9th of May, 1800, his name along with those of David Gay and Martin Brooks, all grantees of the township who had lett the province, and that of the notorious Adams Johnson, were reported to the ^lassacliusetts House of Re])resen- tatives, among 70 refugees from Canada and Nova Scotia, who liad presented claims as entitled to relief under the provisions of the Act of 20 A CHAPTBR IN TIIR HISTORY OF TOWNSHIP OP ONRLOW. A[)ril, 179H. To Liuiil>, IJrouUH unil Gay were iillottnd 960 acres ; and the BacriKces of .loliti.soti in nitu|)in^ from ColM>(|ui(t to ovadu the coijspciuences of tli« Sh(5rill".s writ, uh well as for his ^iivnt tUiVotioii to thu cuiiso of tlio R(il»ellioii, woro r(?coui|>oiise(l with .120. In 1777 ChailoH Dickson wan n'tiirncd nuMnhur for Onslow. IIavinj( pro-sontt'd himself to tiko his seat tlu^ 11th of .lune of that year, tho House, hy resolution, excliid(!d him, deelariii}^ that hy the refusal of tho poopk) to take the oith of allegianiM- they had forfeited their right to representation in tho Asseml)ly. Thirty-nino iic^rsons, heing all who were asked in Onslow, had refusal to take the oath hefore John Cunningham and (leorge I'yke, Ks(juires, two Halifax .Justices sent hy Government to administer it to the peoph; of the townships in Cohecpiid. In conseqiUMice of this r,;fusal the townships were disfranchised for a short period. At (!very election from 1777 to 17D"{ Charles Dickson was rc^turniid for Onslow. lie was horn in New England, and was son of that Charles Dickson of Horton, for whom William Nishett memorialised Governor Wilniot in 1765 for a free grant on the north side of the Masin of Minas. The memorial states that Dickson had charge o£.a company under General Moncton at the taking of Beau Sejour, and wa.s at consid- eraljlc ex[)ense in raising meii for that and other services during the war, as appears from his commissions ; and shows by alhilavit made hy hini before William Smith, a Halifax .J. P., December 23rd, 1767, that he had received no grant.* After the war Charles Dickson, Senior, gave up his business in Xew England and settled in Horton, from which place his son removed to Onslow about the year 1771. "n' '" * As the (losceiulantH of Lieutenant Thomas Dickson of Cuniberhuul, and some others, have started a contention tiiat he is entitled to the honor of beinn the Ditrltsoii who was an actor at IJeau Se.jour, a letter from late Governor Sir Adams Archibald, whose widow is a Krand- -McCURDEY. To Alexander & Peggy McCi'RDY America. 24 A CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF TOWNSHIP OF ONSLOW. married Eunice Wright, 4th of August, 1792. They had four sons and seven daughters. He died on the 18th July, 1815. In 1806 Nathaniel Marsters was elected to represent the township, and he was returned for a second term in 1811. He was born in Massachusetts, June 6th, 1758. His father, Jonathan Marsters, and his nncle, Abraham, with tl)eir families, removed to Falmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1760 He shared largely in the trials and vicissitudes of a new country. He lived with his father, who was a farmer, until he was about 26 years old, when he came to Onslow, where he married Sarah^ daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Upham, 5th of July, 1787, by whom he had two sons. One of these — Richard Upham Marsters — became a skillful watchmaker. He invented an improvement on the chronometer, with which he went to England and presented it to the British Government. In about two years and a half after marriage Mr. Marsters wife died. He remained a widower for nine years, and on 5th of November, 1798, married Lydia, daughter of Thomas Lynds, by whom he had two sons and a daughter. One of the sons died young. The other — Jonathan Marsters — studied law, and was afterwards Judge of the Court of Probate for Colchester. His '?econd wife died in 1830. Mr. Marsters was an active magistrate for upwards of thirty years. On. the fourteenth of February, 1820, he was api)ointed Coroner for the District of Colchester, in place of Matthew Archibald, deceased, had a seat in the legislature for twelve years, and was for some time Registrar of Deeds. Though he was not what is termed an educated man, yet, possessing a vigorous mind, he rose with the improvements of the day, and perhaps for penetration of thought, ripeness of judgment, and whole- some counsel, he far exceeded many of superior advantages in literature. In 1790 he first became acquainted with the late Reverend Joseph Dimock. Mr. Marsters, then a widower, had been on a visit to Falmouth to see his parents and friends. In passing through Newport on his return, he made a statement in presence of Mr. Dimock, of the situation of Onslow, as it regarded the ministration of the Gospel, and dwelt on the effect produced by the preaching of Reverends Messieurs John Payzant, Harris Harding and Edward Manning. He urged the want of experimental preaching, and invited Mr. Dimock very strongly to accompany him home, which he did. Mr. Dimock had then been preaching some six or eight weeks. They made their way through newly cultivated farms and lonely deserts on foot, and in two days arrived at Onslow. The Reverend Henry Alline of New Light fame, pr( an M Al fei an W( CO D an h( oc pe w at A CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF TOWNSHIP OF ONSLOW. 26 preached at this time in several parts of the province. Many opposed and ridiculed the cause of God, especially in the village where Mr. Marsters lived, and any one who appeared serious and attended Mr. .A nine's preaching was branded as u New Light. What between the fear of losing his name or losing his soul, the conflict was very sharp, and Mr. Marsters often went to meeting by a back road through the ■woods to escape observation. In 1794 he was a member of the mixed communion body then called New Light, and clerk of the church. Mr. Dimock saw him again in the autumn before his death, and thus renewed an acquaintance of over fifty-two years standing, and was present twelve hours before he died. He preached his funeral sermon, on which occasion the Revd. John I. Baxter made the closing prayer. This period, and doubtless many circumstances in the life of the deceased, will recur to the old inhabitants on hearing the inscription on the stone at his grave in the Onslow Cemetery : In Memory of Nathaniel Marsters, Esq., who died July 19, 1843, Ae 85 years. He was for fifteen years a member of the House of As- sembly, and for up- wards of thirty years a Magistratq and Coroner for the County. . " Faith led him on the pilgrim's road And thus he made his way to God From death's strong bands his spirit fled To dwell with Christ his loving head." This monument, was erected by his only daughter, Sarah Ann King. In 1818 Robeit Dickson, son of Charles, was the member returned. He was not in the next General Assembly, The seat was taken by John Crowe, who sat for four years from 1826, but was not returned again till 1843, of whom reference is omitted for the present, to give some account of tl e men who held the position during the interval, and whom Mr. Crowe succeeded as the last township representative. ^i'^M^'^^'^^mmim^^^^^^*^ 26 A CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF TOWNSHIP OF ONSLOW. In 1830 when the Brandy Election, so called, took place, the Archibald and Dickson influence proved too strong for Mr. Crowe, and liobert Dickson was again elected. Besides being representative, he was a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Sewers, Colonel of the Militia, and last, though not least, an extensive farmer. He married Lavinia DeWolf of Horton in 1798, who bore him seven sons and three daughters. He was born in the lownahip July 8th, 1777, and died there Novr.» 1836. He is the same person referred to in "Sabine's Loyalists" as " having .settled in Nova Scotia, where he became a member of the House of Assembly and a Magistrate for the District of Colchester, whose death occurred in 1S3.5." This notice, no doubt, was intended for his father, Charles Dickson, who died in 179G. In 1836 Alexander McCurdy Upham, son of Luke 2nd, son of Nathaniel, who was the son of Richard Upham, Esq., the first person named in the township grant, was returned member for Onslow. He was a farmer, merchant and ship-builder. His residence and place of business was at Lower North River, on the property subsequently owned and occupied by the Rev. John I. Baxter. On the 2oth June, 1826, Mr. Upham married Mary Cutten, by whom he had nine children. His eldest son, Henry M., born 11th of July, 1827, now a resident of Drayton, Walsh County, Dakota, U. S. A., is remembered as the first Inspector of Schools for the County of Colchester, under the Free School System of Education in Nova Scotia. The session of 1839 opened on the 10th of January. On the 30th of March, the House was notified that Alexander L. Archibald and Alexander McC. Upham, two of the members, were absent without leave, and had returned to their resjiective homes at Truro and Onslow. The Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms was ordered to go to their lodgings and ascertain the facts. On his report the Speaker informed the House that Mr Archibald had returned home on the 26th instant, and Mr. Upham on the 29th, and had since been absent. Whereupon Honorable Mr. Uniacke " moved, that the twentieth standing Order, by which the members had subjected themselves to the censure of the House and had forfeited their pay for the session, be acted upon ; and I^esolved, that the Speaker sign no pay ticket for either, and tliat both remain under the censure of the House," which being seconded, Honorable Mr. De Wolf "moved an amendment not to interfere with the pay of the member.s, but to leave them subject toithe eensure of the House until they made a suitable apology before taking their seats next session." The amendment' was lost and the original motion carried 19 to 10. 'p A CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OP TOWNSHIP OF ONSLOW. 27 t Besides filling the positions stated, with a fair amount of success, Mr. Uphani was a deacon in the Onslow Baptist church for several years, and towards the close of his life he engaged in ship-building. Though a i)erson of few words, and not given to debating, he ' 'is possessed of suiierior judgment for the advantages he enjoyed, and was looked up to as one of the best members of society. His unexpectey a note to Blackstone's Commentary, Vol. III., page 135, it appears that "Bishop Burnet relates a circumstance respecting the • Habeas Corpus Act,' which is more curious than credible ; but though we cannot be induced to suppose that this important statute was obtained by a jest and a fraud, yet the story proves that a very formid- able opposition was made to it at that time." It was carried (says he) by an odd artifice in the House of Lords. Lord Grey and Lord Norris were named to be tellers. Lord Norris leing a man of vapours was not at all times attentive to what he was doing, po a very fat lord coming in. Lord Grey counted him ten as a jest at first, but seeing Lord Norris had not observed it, he went on with this niisreckoning of ten, so it was reported to the House, and declared that they who were for the bill were the majority, though it indeed went on the other side ; and by this means the bill passed." (1 Bs. His. Ch. 11.— 485). " In the Oxford edition of Burnet's History, there is the following note by Speaker Onslow " : " See minute book of the House of Lord s with regard to this bill, a d compare there the number of lords that day in the house with the number reported to be in the division, which agrees with the story." ~ .■•liilUMI.W Jt' %4 inf"p^^»pw«r ■"WU"! ' -/."^ I 32 A CHAPTER IN THB HISTORY OP TOWNSHIP OP ONSLOW. AlthouKh John Crowe wns a staunch Presbyterian he took the side of denominational colleges, and standing on a hummock when counted with the majority, he wtis the most noticeable man in the crowd. This circumstance, it is said, led to his being elected a second time in 1843, and in 1847, the last time the people of the township were privileged to have a representative, iota, third term. The strong friends Mr. Crowo made by the stand he took on the educational question claimed that they would have returned him to parliament for Onslow as long as he was able to stand up and put a hat on his head, had not the township deen disfranchised : while Mr. Crowe himself asserted that his opponents could not ui;seat hiin and resorted to the expedient of turning him out of the HouHo by an Act of Parliament. He sat till 1851 when township representation was done away with. Mr. Crowe was always a conspicuous figure in any public gathering, while his quiet ilispo.sition, and the easy minners he acquired in follow- ing the sea, coupled with the large fund of information he possessed concerning the early .settlers, and the great common sense he manifested in the affairs of every day life, made liim an agreeable companion to all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. The closing sentence of the inscription on a chaste freestone mimument recently erected in the Onslow cemetery gives a truthful account of the life and character of this worthy member of a former generation, who was the last sucsessor of Vfolsley in the representation of the township. " Our Father, John Cuowe died Aug, 30, 1878 Aged 96 years. For many years a member of the Legislature for the Township of Onslow. He died as he lived — a prudent upright man." And now Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, the lateness of the hour and the already too great length of this paper, to which I must thank you for having given such a patient hearing, precludes the possi- bility, even if it was thought desirable to do so, of giving further details necessary to coni|)lete the history of the first to be laid out and settled, and originally, for a considerable period, occuiiying the unique position of the shire township of the District of Cobequid, the present County of Colchester. These must be left for another chapter, and a more conven- ient season, or better still, for some one else to furnish who can do greater justice to the view propounded by Matthew Arnold, so far as it Relates to everything of importance in the history of Onslow. 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