IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // / (./, /a 1.0 f^^ II I.I 1.25 *u Mm tit ■;£ 2.5 12.0 111= U 111 1.6 V] <^ /2 v: '/ s CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 1980 Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D D D D D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur □ Covers damaged/ ^ouverture endommagde [—1 Cov I I Co'. D Covers restored and/or laminated/ Co'jverture restaurde et/ou pelliculde Cover title missing/ I I Le titre de couverture manque I j Coloured maps/ Cartes gdographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents r~7| Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque ceia dtait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 fiim^es. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl6mentaires; L'Institut a microfilmd le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6X6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-§tre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mdthode normale de filmage sont indiqu6s oi-dessous. I I Coloured pages/ D Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommag6es □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur6es et/ou pelliculdes □ Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages d6color6es, tachetdes ou piqudes □Pages detached/ Pages d6tach6es 0Showthrough/ Transparence I "1 Quality of print varies/ I Y I Quality indgale de I'impression □ Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du matdriel supplementaire □ Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6t6 filmdes d nouveau de fa^on d obtenir la meilleure image possible. \^ This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X 7 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X ils lu iifier lie age The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Harold Campbell Vaughan Memorial Library Acadia University The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. L'exemplaire filmd fut reproduit grSce d la gdndrositd de: Harold Campbell Vaughan Memorial Library Acadia University Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de l'exemplaire fiimd, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimde sont filmds en commengant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmds en commengant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol —^ (meaning "CON- TINUED "), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un des symboles suivart;^ apparaitra sur la dernidre image de chaque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole -^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds i des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est fiimd d partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants iilustrent la mdthode. rata elure, 3 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 'ih ti l»W^f»aW*»a^i. ■»??*»■' i •<^ 5fcj CSIcJS: « -O*' •"TTT>. 9th iriniversary, -OP THE- ^"m ^^. m -OP- te^riacke ! -HELD ON- October 6th, 1880. TEUEO, N. S. i THE OUAEDIAM Newspaper & Joi PrinUng Office. . 1880. 'V, r ■>^''i +ii .,i'n*f»wt A ■'i\'^''jfi. -'_■.: ■■^'■. ■T--^'-' .%"• -i^-j /^ ISrOTIOE I MHTS PAMPHLET is published at the request of those \ who took a prominent part in carrying out the cele- bration of the 100th Anniversary of the settlement of Middle and Upper Stewiacke. It was expected to have issued it shortly after the celebration, but delay, for which the printer is not responsible, occurred in getting the speeches delivered on the occasion, revised. It is hoped the publication will prove acceptable to the public and serve as an authentic record of important events in the history of the Eastern part of Nova Scotia, and of Colchester County in particular. ROBERT McCONNELL, Truro, December, 1880. Publisher. / ir~ii '^ 7 C ri|^>-WH.:- JiH II Ill^Vf :i ^■i* t 1 m iiiwiiiii iiitiiiii i3srTK.oiDXJ"oa:oi?.Tr SKiEToia:, |E PROPOSE to give in this paper, first a brief description of the Stowiacke Valley and then a short account of the late Centenary ' Celebration : — The Valley of Stewiacke, the scene of the Grand Centenary Cele- bration held on October 6th, 1880, derives its name from the river which flows through it and which empties into (he Shubenacadie about ten miles from its mouth. The name " Stewiacke " is of Mio Mao origin and signifies according to Dr. Silas Rand, " whimpering and whining as it goes out." In Mic Mao the word is spelt " Sesik-ta-weak," and is pro- nounced Sik-ta-weak. In some of the old grants the word was spelt *' Souwack," and also " Sewaok." This valley is situated at the south- ern extremity of the County of Colchester, in the Province of Nova Sco- tia, and lies nearly midway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Straits of Northumberland. It is crossed by the Intercolonial Railway about five miles from the mouth of the River and fourteen from Truro. The Stewiacke River, though not ran) >.d among the largest rivers in the Pro- vince, is nevertheless a stream of considerable size and importanos. It is over 40 miles in length and for a distance of 30 miles from its mouth is of a uniform breadth of about 100 feet. The Stewiacke River takes its rise in the County of Pictou at no great distance from the source of the Middle River. Its volume is increased, however, by several smaller tributaries which are worthy of a passing notice. Coming down the r^yer on the north side, the first stream of any consequence we reach is Creel- man's Brook, which takes its rise near Riversdale and flows down through the fertile and pleasant valley of Pembroke, driving in its course 3 sa^ mills and 1 grist mill. The next stream we reach on the same side of the river is Otter Brook, which rises in a lake in the neighborhood of Burnside. Towards the mouth of this stream and for some distance up there is a fine expanse of intervale equal to, if not surpassing, any along the river for productiveness and beauty. Following down the river and crossing a small strea called Halfway Brook, we come to Rutherford's Brook and Mill Brook in Middle Stewiacke, both of which take their ris« in the neighborhood of Greenfield and Harmony. The former wends its 3^7 ^'3^- I i I 4 THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. way through the small but boautif'ul ami f"rtilo valley of Sinlthfield and the latter does excellent service in euaolin^ Kuthertbrd's Mills to convert the wheat into flour, the oats iatu meal and tlie lo^a into boards. The next and last stream of any size on r'lis side of the river is Little River — a stream which takes its rise near Hariuotiy, flows down through Brookfield and Forest Glen, and tiujitiis into the maiu river at the low- er extremity of Middle Stuwiacko, Cro-ssitig the lower bridge in Middle Stewiacke and coming up the soutii side of the river, leaving Johnson's ~ " ' " -the largest tributary of ^ rise Mi'ar the head of the St. An- CioskiU, North-West, Davis and ly through quite a long and fertile iIk' iiiiiin riviT near what is common- Near tho iieadof this i : drew's and receives the waters (,i . Brinton Lakes, It flows very kisur valley and discharges its waters into ly known as the " Branch Bridge. " Davis' Saw Mill and a short distance the branch are found Dsyarmoua's c-iaw iMiil and Pollock's Quartz Crush- er. The South Branch receives likewise the waters of the Goshen Brook which runs down through what is now called South Vale. On this small stream stands Higgins' Grist Mill, W;n. Praser's saw and shingle mills, Holeman's Work Shop, and D. Fras^r'- Shingle and Dyeing Mills. Fol- lowing up the river on the South side viv cross Miile^'^' Brook, on which McKenzie's Grist Mill stands ; Mill Brook on wiiich Muigrave's Woolicn Factory, and Lay's saw mill stand Fulton's Brook wl .en leads us up to Dickson's slate quarry, and Cox's Brook on which iiuidap's saw mill stands. At the head of the river there are also three nr tour large mill- ling establishments which turn out a large quantity of lumber every year. The Stewiacke with all its tributaries, accordingly , is no insignificant or unimportant stream, and it can be crossed and re-croused on no fewer than 13 bridges, including the Railway Bridge — outs of the bridges how- ever is in Pictou County, as also one of the saw mills already mentioned. The valley through which the Stewiacke flows is one of the most exten- sive, fertile and beautiful valleys in the Province ; indeed we imagine there are few places of the same extent in any land which will surpass the Stewiacke valley for richness, fertility and hi^auty. The intervale in many placet is not less than one mile in width, and it stretches from the north oS-ihe river to within nine miles of its source — a distance of 36 miles. The greater part of the upland on either side of the river is also of supe- rior quality, and is being cultivated to great advantage. Particularly is this the case with the high ridge which separates the Stewiacke and Mus- quodoboit valleys. The farms along this valley are large, and for the most part under good cultivation. The homes arc comfortable and the farmers as a class are in good circumstances — some few have accumulated considerable wealth. The people of Stewiacke are chiefly devoted to agri- cultural pursuits, and as a class they are an industrious, frugal, intelli- gent, moral-living, sabbath-observing, church-going. God-fearing people. They are particularly characterized lor their strict and conscieutious ob- kervaDOc of the Lord's day, and for their regular and punctual attend- I ^f W'thfield and 'Is to convert h)ards. The Aiifctle River 'wn throui,'h at the low- t'e in MiddJo ife' Johnson 'h tributary of |the St. An- Davis and ?nd fertile is coinmon- ■'■eutn stands tributary of art/ Crush - )shen Brook thissnialJ ingle mills, tfilis. Fol- OD which 's Woo],cn « us up to s saw luiij large miij. iber every 'Significant no fewer dges how- nentioned. >st exten- ' iuiagine irpass the - in Uiany 'le north '6 miles, of supe- ilarly is id Mus- for the ^nd the Qulated to agri- intelJi- peopJc. us ob- ittcnd- THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. 5 ance upon the outward ordinances and moans ot' f^raco. Tlio people of Stewlacke are likewise trnly loyal to thciir bolovij sovuroiuti and devo- tedly attached to the c(in,-t.tution and laws by which their country is govjrned. The Stewiacke valK-y is divided into three parts or sections, and these are known as Ujip r, iNIiddle and Lower St(;\viacke. Ad the last named section lies adjiict-nt to Shubonacadie and has always Li'un identi- fied with that place in its civil, social, and more especially in its ecclesi- astical relations, and, m >roover, as Lower Stewiacko was Hr.st settled un- der somewhat d iff. rent circumstances from tho ntlior portions of the val- ley, It does not prop'Tiy cosue within tlu! iiiuiU of this celebration sketch. Tins Centenary C;'lebratii)n is confined exclusively to Mid 'i and Upper Stewiacke. These two Mttlements have always been ci()>«(ly identified in all their interests and relations. For many y(.:ars thoy i'uniiLd but one cungie/ation, and enjoyed the miuiatrations of tho same ])aytor ; and al- though tia-re are now three large and strong coiiurc^atiuns, exclusive of the Baptist congiej^at on, where 25 years aji;o there was only one, still the people of" these sectons live and associate on tho same iVieiidly and fami- li ir terms as ever. And now a few words about our first Centenary. It is now just one hundred years since the primeval forests of this valley wore fir.^l encoun- tered by the white man and a permanent settlement elfjcti;.!. A man named William Kennedy entv;red the unbroken forest aiiJ estabi.siied a home for himself and his family in 1780. In tiie next aud low i'l lowing years, other families followed and thus began tlie oleariuj^, cna vatiug and peopling (tf this pe.iceful, pleasant and fruitful valli y. Now it was to commemorate this important event in c)ur locai aistory and to do honor to the memory of the early pioneer settlers of th-f, valley that the people of Middle and Upper Stewiacke united to hoid i licir first Grand Centenary Celebration. The desirability of commemorating in some way the first settlement of this valKy was mooted early in the spring but no steps were taken to- wards accomplishing this object until the latter part of AugULt. About this time a requisition was signed by a number of leading members of the community, asking tiie Councillors of their respectivi districts, to call a united pubhc meeting; to consider the project. The councillors kindly acquiesced and a public meetmg was held at their call in the Town Hall, Upper Stewiacke, on the 30th day ot Augus-t. This meeting, at which all sections of the community were represented, was large, harmonious, and even enthusiastic, and with one heart and one voice a resolution was adopted respectfully requesting the inhabitants of Upper and Middle Stewiacke to unite in celebrating, within a reasonable time, and in a be- coming manner, the Oiie Ilndredth Anniversary of the tttthnicnt of this valley. This resolution passed, a large Representative Committee was appointed, consisting of 30 person? (with power to add to their num- ber it necessary) to devise and arrange plans for the purpose of carrying out the object contemplated. The general committee was composed as follows : — E. Tupper, jr., Esq., Chairman ; R; Cox, M. D., Secretary j 6 THE STEvVIACKE CENTENARY. > Alex. Ellis, Eflq., Treasurer; D. McG. Johnson, Esq., William Deyar- uioud, Robert Logan, Kev. J. C. Meek, F. G. Oreeliuan, Jm. Creelman, Robtrt Gauiiuell, Wui. Fulton, Esq., H. G. Gaihiu.ll, Geo. Fulton, E>q., Alfred Dickie, Wui. F. Cox, Cliarles Graham, R. B. Smith, M. D., Fred. Tapper, David Frasir, William Dunlap, 2iid, H. Dunlap. Esq.. Rev. E. Grunt, S. F. Creelman, Geo. Campbell, William Bmtley, Rtv. E, Smith, R. E. Rutherford, Esq., J. M. Teas, ani Rupert Fulton. This commit- tee was afti.rward-» sub-divided into a number of smaller committees ; e.g. a committee, Ist, on Grounds ; 2ud, on Provisions ; 3rd, on Intelluotual Entertainment; 4th, on Amusements and Games; 5th, on Finance. To these were afterwards added a committee on decorations, a committee on accommodation of strauf^ers, and several other committees on matters of minor importance. And now th« real work of preparation be- gan ; meeting afttr meeting of the general and sub-committees was held for weeks in succession ; plans and mea^ures down to the minutest de- tails were submitted, discuRsed, adjusted and accepted ; and so the work of preparation went on with the utmost harmony. As the day fixed for the celebration drew near the interest in the movement deepened, the enthusiasm increased, and obstacles, both real imaginary, gradually dis- appeared. As the season favorable for outdoor gatherings was now con- siderably advanced, it was deemed advisable to make the large Presby- terian Church of Upper Stewiacke Village the centre of operations. A field of about 5 acres, including the Church grounds, was enclosed by a spruce hedge and decorated with bunting. A handsome arch was erected over the gateway leading to the grounds on which was the inscription : " In honor of the first settlers — Kennedy and Johnson." The interior of the Church was tastefully decorated with festoons and wreaths of ever- green and Autumn leaves, and with appropriate mottoes. Over the pul- pit, iu letters of spruce were the words, "Lord thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations." Below this was a large star in the centre of which in gold letters on a red ground were the words : — "One Hundrkd Yeaes, 1780-1880." Below this again in white letters, ornamfuted with gold stars on a led ground were the words, *' Glory to God in the Highest," across the front of the gallery in the same device, "Peace on earth, good will to men." On the East side ot the gallery in spruce let- ters were the words,"'The lines have fallen unto us in pleasant places; yea we have a goodly heritage." "God bless our valley." On the West side were the words, "One generation shall praise thy works to another." "We cherish the memory of our forefathers." Behind the gallery facing the pulpit two flags were displayed and between them the Royal monogram V. R.surmouBted by acrown. )n the wall beneath the gallery facing the pul- pit were the suggestive yiOTda,ShouId Auld Acquaintance be Forgot. The platform and pulpit are ornamented and beautified with a handsome col- lection of plants and flowers — the whole presenting when lighted up a charming and brilliant appearance. Tables were provided on the grounds to accouimoda,te from 1,000 to 1,200 people at one sitting ; the ladies of the valley agreeing to entertain the multitude to a free luncheon. Five gentlemen were invited to address the audience on specified Eubjeots. I 1, ■% illiam Dejar- •x- Creelman, FuJton, K-q ' .,M.D.,Pred; ^8f|- Rov. K ^v. K. Smith,' mitteos ; e. «. Intellectual nance. To >mtnittee on matters of 18 rat I on be- 'S was held uinutcHt do- f the work iy fixed for «penid, the idually dis- *•'' now con- 'ge Presby- ations. A loBed by a was erected "Hcription : lie interior ths of ever- t'i" the pul- ir dwelling centre of HCNDRBD rnampiited od in the Peace on pruce let- >laoe8; yea West side ;er." "We acing the )graiu V. ? the pul fgot. The "onje col- ed up a grounds ladies of ». Fire subjecta. THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. 7 The Truro Brass Band was engaged and n large Choir was formed to enliven the day's procecdinyrs witli niu^-ic. Out door pports Fuch as foot and base boll, foot and sack races, croquet, &c., were provided for the young. An "emigrant train" was got up nprcseuting the oostumea and modes of travelling employed by the early settlers. Every preparation was made and every precaution was tak< n to secure at once the success of t')e undertaking and the comfort and pleasure of the visitors. The time fixed for the celebration was the 6th day of October, which lU! ued out to be the most stormy and disagreeable day of the season. Notwithstiinding the unfavorable weather the people came from all the surrounding communities iu large numbers. Many came quite a distance — from Halifax, Maitland, Shubenacadie, Milt'ord, Oay's River, Clifton, Londonderry, Onslow, Truro, Glenjiarry, Musquodoboit, &c. From 8 o'clock till 12 one continuous procession of carnages from all directions poured into the village, until by one o'clock, over 2,000 people were on the grounds. The grounds were opened, and the procoeaings of the day were to have commenced at 10 a. m., but the for. noon being so wet and unfavorable, ajvcry large |.art of the programme of out-do )r shorts and exercises had to bo abandoned. For the same reason tlu; committee on Provisions were necessitated to make some alteration in their plans. In- stead of attempting to feed the whole multitude on the grounds, as had been previously arranged, tluy requested tht; families in the vicinity of the Church to open their houses and entertain as many as possible under shelter. Their request was willingly granted and in this way hundreds Were protected from the rain whil>t partaking of the bountiful repast pro- vided for the occasion. Bui notwithstanding the active measures adopt- ed by the Committee to find shelter, more than one half of the multitude enjoyed the luxury of dining under the beautiful canopy spread over their heads by our Great Creator ; and they seemed to relish not only the good tilings provided for them, but the very circumstances in which they were [thiced. Never were a people more re-i.all wipe away all tearis." V. George Patterson, D. D. of Auld Lanjr Syn^." 8— A.:.:r.;; . u Ti; 10--A.iar.-.,v },y IL 11 — M II MO- -''Soil;- 12— Aic — "Angel Guardians." 14 — Volunteer Addresses. 15— Closing— 'God Save the Queen." This programme was carried out fully and successfully. Eliakim Tapper, jr., Esq., Warden of the County, presid. d, and he performed the duties (if tlie chair in a very graceful and dignified manner. His opening address, together with the other addresses delivered on the occasion, ap- pear here in liiil. The addresses were well delivered and were listened to with the deepest interest and attention. The Choir likewise rendered the several pieces of music with excellent effiect. The first part of the prdgrauniie being exhausted, the audience adjourned — some to their iionies, not to return in the evening — but the greater part to the houses in the immediate neighborhood of the Church, there to enjoy a tea pro- vided by the ladies of the South Branch. It may be as well to explain here (hat the ladies of the South Branch had previously arranged with the committee to furnish tea for the occasion at the rate of 25 cents a ticket, the proceeds to be devoted to the interests of their new church ; and the evening being wet the families around the Church extended to these ladies the privilege of spreading their tables in their houses. Tea over and an b^ur spent in friendly iutercour8e,the audience with the speakers and chairman re-assembled in the church. After singing a hymn to the grand old tune '"Exhortation," Hi.? Honor the Lieut.-Gov- ernor was introduced and he spoke in his usual easy and happy man- ner. He was followed by Rev. Dr. Patterson and Rev. Mr. Dimock, both of whom held the audience spell-bound to the close of their ad- dresses. All the speakers on the programme having now been beard, and yet the patience of the audience by no means exhausted, the chairman called first upon Principal Ross of Dalhousie College aod then upon Dr. Allison, Superintendent of Education, to off r a few remarks, both of whom responded to the invitation to the edification and gratification of all present. A hearty vote of thanks was given to the speakers — the whole audience rose and sang "God Save the Queen" and then quietly dispers- ed. And thus was brought to a close the first Centenary Celebration of Upper and Middle Stewiacke. J'^MilSif^UNMiif^ m^ n k. rial. Fully. Eliakim B performed the r. His opening e occasion, ap- 1 were listened cewise rendered 'St part of the -some to their to the houses 3Joy a tea pro- ve\\ to explain arranged with of 25 cents a r new church ; h extended to houses. le audience with ^fter singing a he Lieut.-Gov- d happy man- Mr. Dimock, ie of their ad- been heard, and the chairman then upon Dr. narks, both of atification of all era — the whole quietly dispers- CelebratioD of THE ADDRESSES. The Speeches delivered on the oocasioa of the Stewiaoke Centenary CulebrationMimbody a large fund of information and interesting historica facts which ought to be known by the people of the present day and carefully preserved in order that they may find a place in the archives o^ future generations. First in order is WABDEN TUPPEH'S ASDIt^SS. Ho presided with dignity and introduced the various speakers in a rery happy manner. In opening the meeting in the Church, he said : — ■ Ladies and Gentlemen, — There are days in the life time of al- most every individual, that may well be callt d memorable days. Such is ^ the day of one's birth — the day of one's marriage. And there are years in the history of communities and of nations that well deserve to be com- memorated. Wc are met together to-day to celebrate and commemorate — not our natal day, but our natal year. One hundred years ago the vir- gin forest in this valley of Stewiacke, heretofore resonant only with the howl of the wild animal or the shiifek of itie red man, resounded to the blow of the white, man's axe. Wh:) to-day, on viewing this beautiful valley, now a fruitful field, and dotted with comfortable farm houses and spacious baiiis, can imagine the toils and privations which our fore- fathers underwent in bringing civilization into this, then distant, val- ley. It is much easier for us to catch a little of the inspiration of the sacred poet, and exclaim in the words portrayed on the left of the gal- lery — " Unto us, happily, .j • The lines in pleasant places fell ; "'• Yea, the inheritance we got, , ^ '- • * In beauty doth excel." It is difficult for us to decide whether we are more indebted to our forefathers for the valuable patrimony they have bequeathed to us, in lands and in houses, or for those Christian graces and maaly virtues which they possessed, and which, I trust, are still inherited, to some ex- tent, at least, by us — their descendants, Those graces and virtues the possession of which tend to make a people '' Lov'd at home ; revered abroad." It is to commemorate and to perpetuate the memory of those nobl« men and women that in a great measure has brought us here to-day. I do not wish to antidipate the remarks of any of the gelitlemen who are to ••- -^*■"■-^, .. .. 4 '- T3"Kww:- 10 TIIK STEWIACKP: CEXTENARY. I II addnss you this afternoon. Tlu-rvfore, I sluill only say that we woulil liavo wislioil to have ^rcU'd this niornin'^^'s !>un with a round of twenty one guns from the hill biliiirl this building. But as this was not possible in our circumstances, we have done the n.\xt best thing- that we could — we have secured some ijjreat intellectual guns for the occasion — artillery civil and ecclesiastical, of the larii;est calibre that our country affords And. althou'iih the sound of their voices may not r.'ach beyond the walls of this buildins^ to-day, yet we believe that through the agency of the Press, the echo of their voices will roll along, through the succeedinL? years, and re-echo at Stewiaeke's next Centennial. Occasions such as this cannot but be joyful to those permitted to participate in them, never- theless they are calculated to awaken in the mind, serious thought. We cannot but ask ourselves the question to-day, " Our fathers, where are they ?" We can only find a suitable answer in the words of the poet Laureate — " Our paths are through the fields we know, . But their's in undiscovered lauds." I intended to have given you a brief history of this celebration up to the present time, for the purpose of giving you an idea of the amount of labor connected with it,but as the day has proved unfavorable and a vast amount of vvork has been rendered useless. I shall only say that no pains have been spared to make the ocea4o!i an enjoyable one for ourselves and our friends, and although the day is so unpropitious we are pleased to see ^0 many strangers present. We ask our friends to judge charitably of us and if anything has been left undone that might have added to their com- fort and enjoyment, to attribute the error to our heads and not to our hearts; and if any lady or gentlemen happens to notice anything wrong, we ask them just to give us a gentle hint and we will give you a guaran- tee that it will be all right at the next Centennial. (Cheers.) HON. SAMUEL CHEELMAN'S ADSHESS. At the close of his remarks the Chairman called upon Hon. Samuel Creelman to deliver an address. Warden Tupper referred to the Hon. gentleman in complimentary language, remarking that he was too well known to those present to need an introduction. Mr. Crcela'an said: — Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen .•— I have boon requested to address you " upon the subject of the early settlements of Upper and JNIiddle Stewi- acke, keeping in view the social as part of tne subject." In undertaking the taiik, J may premise that I will have no very wonderful things to relate. This valley of ours is not classical ground. The sound of the war trumfjet has never been heard on the fertile banks of our placid stream. No ram- parts have ever been required for a place of safety from the weapons of strife or w^ar. We have no records of the commission of any horrible crime with- in our borders, during the period now under consideration. I have, there- fore, only commonplace events to relate, which owe their interest more to their remoteness in respect to time than to anything else. •■* ir. i. I* .tjiti ^^i^^-ilE.**— «* ■!■ iwp. fWu lii y that wo would round of twenty •s was not possible that wc could — •ccasion — artillery ■ country affords beyond the walls hti agency of tlie h the succoodiiij,' )ccasion3 such as te in them, nevor- us thought. We itiiors, where are ord:j of the poet ow, 1 celebration up to of the amount oi' orable and a vast say that no pains for ourselves and are pleased to see .! charitably of us dded to their com- and not to our anything wrong, ve you a guaran- heers.) sss. >on Hon. Samuel red to the Hon. lie was too well reelff an said : — nested to address id Middle Stewi- I undertaking; the things to relate, the war trum{K>t tream. No ram- weapons of strife riblo crime with- I have, there- interest more to THE STEvVIACKE CENTENARY. II THE FIRST QUBSTIOX TO BE ANSWERED - - " Who were the men and women tliat tirst made a break in tlio wiWer- iess here?" A few years after tiie expulsion of tlie Acadians from Nova Scotia, a number of those wlio had assisted in thi't work, witli some others, irrlved in Truro from New England, for the purpo.se of making a settlement ithere. These were followed by otlier.s from the same country and els«wliore, intil in the year 1780, or about twenty years after the first arrivals from \e\; England, ore of trem, William Kennedy l)y name, removed to ^liddlo ijtawlacke with his family, and commenetd elcuring a farm in the unbroken k'ilderness. He was one year without a neighbor. JJuring the next your, jBamue' Teas, followed him, and settled on the south side of the river." In ;|l782, David Fislier and Simoon Wliidden foPowed. In March, 178C,agrant I of land was made to William Kennedy, James Konneuy, llobort Kennedy, ;|Timothy Putnam, and Simeon Wh?dden, and the hyirs of James Archibald .'v containing in all 2,500 acres. Tliis grant was bounded on the west by the Indian grant. In the same year David Fi tier, and John Parr Fisher, re- ceived a grant of 600 acres on the south side of the river. Some years later James Rutherford settled there, and I am not sure that previous to 1790 any further addition to the settlers tlioro took place. Tliese men, I believe, were all of Irish descent, excepting Mr. Putnam who wasof Enjilish descent and jMv. Rutherford. William Kennedy wasoue of the first- settlers of Truro, land removed to Pictou in 17G8. Ho built a saw mill there wliieh was the ■&rst frame building ejected in that county. Ho returned to Truro in 177(>, i^and removed, as I have stated, to Middle Stewlacke in 1780. He liad four iBons, two of whom, James and Robert, removed to Upper Stewiacke, and lone, William, was drowned in 1792. Jolm, the youngest, died on the home- rstead, in 1817, aged 47, one year after the death of liis father, who muvst I have been over 80 years of age. The first marriage, which took place* iu S Middle Stewiacke, was tliat of Robert Gam mell to Margaret Kennedy, on [February 16, 1792. The first death which took place of the early i^ettlers, who was the head of a family, was that of Simeon Whidden, in 1800, who died from the eflFects of a broken leg. Tlie other six of the first settlers ot Middle'Stewiacke lived to a ripe old age. Timothy Putnam reached the- age of 84, David Fisher and James Kennedy the age of 82, William Ken- nedy o ,'er 80, Robert Kenne'dy 68, and James Rutherford 79. Mr Ruther- ford was a Scotchman, and had three wives and about twenty children. He was very fond of religious conversation, and was ready witted. On one oc- casion, when arguing the question as to the propriety of putting grain in tlio barn on the Sabbath to save it from the rain, he said to liis oijponent, " Can you not tiust Him who sends the rain to wet it, to send the wind to dry it." When the late S. G. W. Archibald was a boy, on one occasion he undertook to give a little pig a ride on the water wheel of a mill, and in so doing he got on the wheel himself, and got a ducking in the water as well as the pig. In after|life he used, to say that he " had gone through the mill." And on ono occasion, when he was running an election, and Mr. Rutherford voted a gainst him, Mr. Archibald said : " Mr. Rutlierford you should liave vot«d- for me. Don't you know that I have gone through the mill." Mr. Ruther- ford replied, "Ah! Sammy, ye hae Bran in ye yet." In about three years after the first settlement of Middle Stewiacke, some of the settlers un- dertook an expedition up the river in a canoe for the purpose of exploring the unknown territory in that direction. Much to their surprise they dis- covered, what appeared to them to be, an interval of surprising fertility and boundless extent. This led to an application for a grant by a large number of the Truro people. A grant was made to John Harris and 50 others, dated the 20th May, 1783, containiuij; 20,250 acres. Tlfi-oe of the grantees received 750 acres each, 24 received 500 aeros, and 24 of them received 250 .icros each. Of those 60 grantees, not more than 20 of them ever settled on their l',>ts. F *nitr««» -.'♦nv^ f "v **'■■»• *• ••-% "■■^ 12 THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. :i \\ I In the latter part of 1783, Matthew Johnson commenced a settlement on liis own lot and erected the first house in Upper St«wiacke, on the interval on the south side of the river, nearly oppositserted that the Aborigines of this val- ley never shewed any disposition to be troublesome or vicious. Many of them would take the advantage in a bargain, and their promises could not be relied on ; but others were strictly honest and punctual in the fulfilment of their engagements and among them were to be round men of great shrewd- ness and sagacity. Nustrus Paul was a man of this description. On one oc- casion he came to a farmer from whom he had formerly obtained a supply of pork, and said, "Sammy I want some more pork from you. I wan (a piece from the same pig that! got the last from. No more hdly pork in that pig." In the spring of 1784 William Fulton, Samuel Fisher, Charles Cox, Thomas Crocker, and Samuel Taylor came to Upper Stewiacke and settled on their respective lots. These, with Mr. Johnson, were the first six settlers here, In the course of the two following years they were joined by John Archibald. Samuel Creelman, and Richard Upham— making ten in all in 1786. Samuel Fulton and Samuel Taylor, removed from Stewiacke *and the eight died there at the following dates and ages : William Fulton, Dec. 11, 1811, age 56; Samuel Fisher, May 10, 1812, over 60; Charles Cox, July 17, 1816, over 56; Matthew Johnson, January 20, 1825, over 68; Richard Upham, March 7,1825 over 68; Thomas Crocker, January 14, 1829, over 78; John Archibald, 1832, oyer 74; Samuel Creelman, October, 1835, over 84. Samuel Fisher and his wife were the first pair who were laid in the grave in Upper Stewiacke. She died in April, 1812, and he died just 17 days afterwards. William Fulton and his wife were the second pair, and their head stones were the only ones to be seen in the cemetery for many years. He died in 1811 and she died in 1815. Samuel Creelman and his wife outlived, as husband and wife, all the others of the first ten settlers in Upper Stewiacke. She died 1831 aged 75, and he died in 1835, aged 84. Mrs. John Archibald outlived all of the first ten pair who settled there. She died in 1847, aged 86. Timothy Putnam and his wife outlived, as husband and wife, all of the first sixteen pair who settled in Upper and Middle Btewiacke. He died October 9th, 1840, aged 84, and she died February 26, 1841, aged 78. Mrs James Dickey was the firs* who was left a widow in Upper Stewiacke. Mr. Dickey and a son, of about seven yo^of age, were drowned in one of the ponds in the South Meadow m 1793. They were at work in the meadow and were found drowned. It never was ascertained how the distressing bereavement happened. Mrs. Dickey was twice married afterwards— first to Adam Dunlap, of Truro, and again to George McConnell, of West River, Pictou. Mrs. Simeon Whidden was the first who was left a widow in Middle Stewiacke. Dorothy, one of her daughters, married James Downing. He inherited a portion of the old homestead, and when he asked the consent of the mother to the marriage of her daughter, she objected, on account of "his being rather wild." '^0," said he, dont you know that a wild colt always makes a fine horse?" "Ah yes, , she rephed,__ but I think it looks rather dark now." " Ynn fnnret." hf rather dark now." " You forget,' he replied, that a foggy morning always turns out a fine day." " Take her, wL ««'i3 ^" ™*''® "^^^va.^ of ve," she replied. David Whidden, her son, ^i^rA^^ ??7i!,V"a^ in Stewiacke who is a child of any one of the w^-»JZi^?H^'1i^^^}?'^'t^^«''^'^*l William Creelmaix, John Smith, Esq., ;f)en©zer Pulton, Mrs. Goudage, Mrs. Munro, and Mra Masteri still settlement on liis » the interval on >8 Cox, TCsq., now Un one occasion •uro, and left Mrs. :wpt the Indians, his circumstance disposition of tlio I as intruders on gmes of this val- 'icious. Many of omises could not in the fulfilment n of great slirewd- tion. On one oc- tal ned a s'jppJv of 1- I want a piece pork in chat pig." les Cox, Thomas settled on their six settlers here, r John Archibald, in 1786. Samuel « the eight died c. 11, 1811, age 56; 7, 1816, over 56; m, March 7, 1825 t Archibald, 1832, Fisher and his rStewiacke. She William Fulton >re the only ones I and she died in and wife, all the i 1831 aged 75, Ki all of the first ijnothy Putnam iixteen pair who th, 1840, aged 84, •y was the firsfc a son, of about South Meadow id drowned. It happened. Mrs. p, of Truro, and imeon Whidden >orothy, one of )rtion of the old the marriage of >r wild." '^0," ahorse?" "Ah, You forget," he ." "Tale her, udden, her son, any one of the Xt John Smith, \ Maateri still THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. 13 irvive of the children of the original grantees of Upi>er Stewiaoke. Four F the children of John Kennedy, who was 10 years of asre when he came with ^is parents to Mid. Stewiacke, in 1780, are still living. Five of the children of Sam'l Tupper, who settled in Up. Stewiacke previous \o 1790, are now alive. Ms. Tupper, his eldest son, is the eldest person now living who is a native of [Jpper Stewiacke. David Fulton, and Mrs. Geo. Steel, are the only otiier per- Bons now living whose parents settled in Up. Stewiacke previous to 171KK Be- tween the years 1786 and 1790, Robt. Gammel, Arch. Gammel, David Fulton, Wm. Johnson, John Johnson, Robt. Logan, Hu^h Logan, VVm. Smith, Wil- liam i'utman, John Ellis, Eliakim Tupper, Samuel Tupper, and perliaps some others settled in Upper Stewiacke — thus making the nunilx^r of families 22 in all. Previous to 1790, two deaths had taken place, that of a pair of twins in 1786, children of John Archibald. The first l%irth was that ot .lames Fult«n, in the same year. The first sermon was preached in 1785, by the Rev. Daniel Cock, at the house of Samuel Fisher, where, at the same time, he baptized the late Joseph Fulton, which was the first bap<^ism in the settle- ment. And it may here be noticed that some years later the first marriajre in Upper Stewiacke (that of Samuel Fulton and Alice Tupper), was celebrated in the same house, so that this makes the farm on which Mr. Patterson now resides ^uite a classical spot. A large proportion of the first settlers in this valley lived to«n age above the average of human life. Of the 29 whose names I have given, two removed out of the country, and of the 27 who died here, 5 lived to over 86 ; and of the others, 5 lived to over 80, 7 over 70, 5 over 60, 4 over 50, and 1 over 40. Having noticed the principal personal items in connection with the settlers previous to 1790, I will direct your at- tention to the hardships, inconveuienies, comforts, and sympathies, which these hardy pioneers in common endured and enjoyed. Their hardships and inconveniencies arose, in the first place, from the want of roads. The land yielded abundantly wheat and potatoes. Pastures were excellent. Wheat was often fed out to the pigs, so that there was no scarcity of wheat, milk, butter, potatoes, pork and teans for foo(l, nor of wool and flax for clothing. Br /"though the chamber was filled with wheat, a great disad- vantage arose i the want of mills to convert it into flour. There were none nearer thau '.ruro, nor were there any roads to convey it on. The wheat had, therefore, either to be conveyed by boat, or canoe, down the river to the mouth of the Shubenacadie, and iip the Bay to Truro, atid the flour* brought back again by the same route, or carried on the back through the woods to Truro. Miller in his historical and genealogical record relates an incident in reference to William Smith which may be noticed in this connection. He states that " Mr. Smith after having built a boat loaded it with wheat and in company with another man started for Truro. They met the flood tide ofi" Salter's Head when the boat was upset the wheat lost and the man drowned. Mr. Smith clung to the boat and was drifted up the Bay still crying for help. William Cutten, Esq., who happened to be within hearing of his voice pulled for him and succeeded in getting him into his boat very- much exhausted having drifted from Salter's Head to Sftvage's Island." Mil- ler also states that on another time as "i^wtly Horton of Musquodoboit was returning home from Truro with a load of flour on his back and having arrived at the north side of the Stewiacke River in sight of Mr. Matt Johns- son's window light, he leaned himself back against the large root of a fallen tree to take a little rest before crossing the river, where he sank into a sound sleep and did not awake until the sun was shining clear the next morning." Only think of this my young friends, I see manv of yoQ here to-day who I know would endure hardships willingly and valiantly if necessary. But sup- pose a bag with a bushel of wheat in it was lashed to your back and your task was totarry it to Trwo even the present roads, on or to one of K - 14 THK STKWIACKE CENTENARY. the mills in your own noiiihljonrliood ; tliis may euabld you to cnlcuUnti tlio labour it cost our forefathers to prooure a pood loaf of bread for their tables. The settlers were principally of Aorth of Ireland descent, and all Presbyter- ians, and proud of the name. I may mention an incident which illustnit(>.s that. On one occasion at a militia drill, the Colonel was tollind !oii by thn boars, rntiring to bod lin soiiirlititont, ht" claiiuod tho dot»m it jmidtiiit. iw,s oi' tho bear ) commeiK'od a nality ho loft it sinco. ilo was three gal Ion pot it an odd ap- icle made under irtificer was ap- ?nerations. IIo 1 he picked up a unity of shew- !ietlier he could th who was a milar question :ted in 1790 by benefactor for ly a period in lind that owing I in manv in- 3 still ob'lijed air ba(!ks. On the mill with )ig gully over strintror only It half the dis- standing on aid, " see the 16 purpose of fand plunged 10 -was one of nth settler in rried in suc- >ry expert in odsfrom one aplies rhyme ghter of th.e ■s of his life Stewiacke to "eiid his cattle and as he was travelling through the woods he was accosted Ibv an owl that was perched ujion a tree as Ibllows: — OKU), Ouh, (hih! . .. , U'ho aro you ? ' ;• ''[ To which ho replied — ' ' • • . Par.^on Cock's Son-in-law. • • . What is that to you. Again, houf-es and barns could not be built without lumber, and as there wero no saw-rnillh tbr. lumber had all to be made by whipsaws. Then the dinicully of getting the agricultui'al produ(;e to market was very great. It bad to be taken by b at down the Stewiacke, up the Shubenacadie and the lakes to Fk'tclier'.s, and thence t(^ems had to be ni red to convey it a dis- tance of LS miles to [lalilax. I have heard my grandfather say that when lie was boating his pork and butter up these lakes to market, that if any one had told him a road would ever be constructed along- their banks, he would not ha\o believed him. But he drove many a load of produce over the roals after they Mere conslruited, and if he had lived 20 years longer tiian he did, be might have pass(>d over tho same ground in the railway cars. Before tho roads to Halifax were pas>abie for teams, butter was conveyed on horses backs to market, 200 ll)s. of butter in tnlxs would be slung over a horse's back, and driven to Halifax, and the necessaries, as they were called, con- veyeance of it would bring them out of their holes in dozens. The cats increased in the land, and owing to the abundance of food so easily obtained in the fields, they forsook the domestic hearth and ran wild about the barns and elsewhere, 80 that when the mice disappeared the cats were a nuisance by returning to the houses in the night for the purpose of effecting an entrance if pos- sible. They had to be trapped and killed, and some of them were mon- ster cats. Dr. Patterson says in his History of Pictou that the mice left that part of the coHntrv nearly as suddenly as they came. But that was not so here. They were quite plentiful here for some years, and by somewhat rapid degrees became beautifully less. This year was followed by the year of the frost, or the year without a sumiper. In this year (1816) the sun seemed to have lost its influence upon the earth. The winter yal al" 'Gazette" ot "On Fri- THE STEWIAGKE CENTENARY. 17 xperienced hore d ceased its vio- W, and sunk iii- >\y, awful sight but just closed dark, the tide rs. Many ves- broku from tho to secure theni, ired guns of dis- 8 ships as wero )f the night and i^ere often heard i afford them re- not until the n on this side of ch injured and of the narrows )rc amounted to ion is correct the was 64, and in , consisted of a !wiaeke families ixty-three fami- ne families have its to represent iars, '15 and 'U of other parts crops of every instances what the barns. Even the mow with le ground, and jce of it would sed in the land, the fields, they and elsewhere, oe by returning entrance if pos- lem were mon- t the mice left But that was years, and by was followed by ^iB year (1816) The winter lingered long, not only in the lap of spring but in the lap of summer. In the middle of June, the irround was frozen suflSciently hard to carry horses in watery places. On the 12th of September, a frost occurred which destroyed tho grain completely. The price of flour went up to five pounds a barrel in Halifax. These two disastrous years in succes- sion caused si'ch a drain upon the financial resources of the Province that property of all descriptions fell in value to a most ruinous extent. O'^ving to the wars between England and France during the sway of Na- poleon Bonaparte and the American war, from 1812-15 large fleets of ships of war frequented Halifax, and offing to other large e.rpenditureg in connection with these conflicts, the value of all commodities went up to war prices, and consequently money became quite abundant. But when the proclamation of peace was followed 1 y the years of the mice and the frost, financial ruin was the result. One transaction in the sale ot land which took place at the time, will illustrate this fac^/. ^ Archibald Cox late of Maitland, sold at auction the pioperty granted to his father; and now owned by William Creelman, and Hugh Logan bid it in at £1,497. He divided the intervale into three acre lots, and sold them at auction, an4 some of them were bid in at £75. Four years afterwards I think I am safe in saying this same land would not have realized five 4)ounds an acre in the market. In 1780, Robert Archibald and Eliakim Tupper, then residents of Truro, were appointed Justices of the Peace for the districts of Colches- ter and Pictou. Mr. Tupper removed to Upper Stewiacke some years afterwards and was thus the first Justice of tho Peace in this place. David Archibald was the only Justice of the Peace in Truro prior to the ap- pointment of these two and when their appointments took place a wag (A) remarked that there were ontj hundred Magistrates in Truro now to which another party (B) replied that cannot be so, as there are not over that many people in it. A said, I will bet a bottle of brandy that I can prove it and will give you the names if you will put down the figures. The bet was taken. Then said A., there is David Archibald put down the figure 1. Then there is Robert Archibald he is a mere cipher. Put down a cipher. And Eliakim Tupper, but he is nothing, put down a naught. Now the figure 1, a cipher, and a naught will read 100, and so he won the bottle of brandy. Whether Eliakim Tiippcr should have boon accounted as nothing at that time or not need not no'v be di^cussed. One of his souf, however, was appointed a J. P. Two of his grandsons were appointed to the same office, one of whom is still living amongat us, and four of his great grandsons, one of whom is our worthy chairman, are here to-day, who are at present in the commission of the peace. And of Robert Arcliibald it may be said that one of his grandsons, and one of his great grandsons, are also in this meeting who hold the same position. Samuel Tupper and Alexa ider Stewart were appointed Justices of the Peace in 1794. Tho latter left the place ?ouiu years aft-Twards. The former held tlie office until the time of his death in 18.31, and was the only magistrate in Upper Stewiacke from the time of his father's death in 1810 until 1828, when ♦f •I i I 16 THE STEWIACKE CENTENARr. Joseph FultoD wa8 appointed a Justice of the Peace vrhich office he held until the time of his dttath in 1842. The Rev. Hugh Graham was ap- pointed a J. P. in ISllbut never acted as such. William Rutherford wau the first who was appointed a J* P. in Middle Stewiackc, in the year 1824. Tu J appointment of a ma^tistrate was considered an event of some im- portance in a neighborhood in those days. Accordingly on Mr. Ruther- ford's iippoiotment James Miller of Lower Stewiacke presented him with an addruHs in verse. The first stanza of which was — My worthy friend, I have heard of late, / ' That you are appointed by the State To the office of a magistrate. To guide your neighbors. May yon be famed William the Great. For worthy labours. About the commencement of the third decade of the present oenturv, several improvements "vere introduced into the country, which the people of Stewiacke, in common with others, took advantage of. Previous to 1820 the carding of wool for the manufacture of yarn was universally :^performed by hand cards, but by the erection of a carding machine in Onslow about this time, much to the relief of the mothers and maideiisof the times, the cards were speedily laid aside and the neat machine roll fubstituted for the hand wrought one. The roads had now become so far improved that wheeled carriages could with careful driving be used with some degree of comfort, and coo 8( quently some halt dozen of the farmers and the minister provided them- 4telvfs each with a chaise. James Fulton (the first born in Upper Stew- iacke) Was the first who owned a riding carriage of this description. A few years later James Crocket became the possessor of the first waggon owni'd in the settlement, which he purchased (and paid for in cows) from a party who, while he was confined in jail in Truro for debt, had construct- ed the Wfioden portion of it from wood freely obtained from the Sheriff's woodpile. The first oat mill was erected in Stewiacke by John Gouriey about 4be year 1822. This led to the introduction of oatmeal as an article of food which brought about quite a revolution in the regime in the settle- ment. Owning to the abundant crops which the virgin soil of Ihe inter- vales yielded the farmers had concluded that their fertility was inexhaus- tible. But forty years of cropping and cultivation upon the exhaustvie process told upon its productive powers very palpably. It no longer yield- ed the bountiful crops of wheat and potatoes as when first cultivated. Bread, potatoes and pork had heretofore been the principle articles of food for breakfast, dinner, and supper. But as the yield of wheat and potatoes became lighter the pork decreased in quantity likewise. Providentially the oatmeal supplied the want. Its wholesome porridge was at once a- ijopted and for some time continued to be used for the evening meal and /gradually it was universally substituted at breakfast for potatoes and ani- '■ --iftTTlFiiiaii 4 nl»^<*-«S*«<«r'-i» ■• mS^ THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY 19 J- P. in Middle the breakfast ^eiituel hospi- sal feol, aad although for a time after its introduction to Itable took Diaoe, it was considered hardly conHistent with [tality to offer it to strangers. It is now without the least compunction laid on the breakfast uible to be partaken of by the most respectable and [distinguished gutsts. Near the year 1823 a weekly mail was established for the benefit of Musqaodoboit and Stewiacke. The route was from Gay's River up through the former settlement and over to the latter and dowo the river to Lower Stewiacke. Previous to this newspapers and letters from the Capital were conveyed by parties who happened to be there on their ordin> ary business. The late £fdward Joyce was the first courier on this route after its establishment. The temperance movement is of too much importance in tracint; thi> ''social progress" of this community to be overlooked. In 1828 the first Temperance Society in Nova Scotia was formed at the West Rivjar, Pic- tou Co., in the congregation of the late Rev. Duncan Ross. I spent the first three months of 1830 in attending a school in that loonlity and from what I learned of this Society while there, I became convinced that the Temperance Retbrmation was one of the most paramount importance and necessity to the best interests of Society, and returned home with a full determination to promote the cause by all means in my power. In No- vember of this year, nearly fifty years ago, a meeting was held in the vil- lage school house for the purpose of discussing the subject of tempemnco. The house was well filled with advocates and opponents, and when the question was put — whether a society should be formed or not, it was car- ried by a fair majority in the affirmative. A copy of the rules of the West River society was then submitted for the adoption of those who had voted for the formation of a society. These rules which eontained a pledge of total abstinence from all spirit- uous liquors as a beverage were thought too strict for many of thefrieoda of the cause, and the result was that hut nine could be pursuaded to sub- floribe them. The names of two of these cannot now be ascertained. The •even others were Abraham Newcombe, Eliakim Tapper, John Kelley, Noah Bentley, Jonathan R. Campbell, Charles Cox, and the party who now furnishes this information. 1 was appointed to go up the river for the purpose of calling upon parties to afford them an opportunity of sub- scribing the rules. I spent a day in fulfilling this appointment and suc- ceeded in obtaining four additionable names, thus making thirteen in all. The name of one of the four I cannot now give. The three others were Robert Logan, (}eorge Fulton and John Fulton. Thus oommene^ a reformation in this place the beneficial eflfeots of which cannot now bo estimated, nor a proper conception formed of, by the present generation. I do not mean to say that the viee of Intomperanee prevailea to a greater or even to so great an extent in this vale of ours as in. some other portions of the Province. But when I inform you that my memory cannot go so far back as to the time when there was not a licen- sed tavern both in Upper and Middle Stewiacke, and that I can remem- ber when in one year no less than eight puncheons of rum were sold by .^ H "»^. ■■'ii 11 ' I i;i 20 THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. retail in Upper Stewiacke alone, and contrast those facts with the present stftte of affairs in this respect, some faint idea may be formed of tlieincal culablo benefit which the Temperance lloforuiation has been to tlio«i.' two settlements. It is now nearly fifty years since a license has beon e^raiitcd to sell intoxicating liquors within their bounds, and by a vigorous execu- tion of the law, backed up by a sound and firm public opinion on the sub- ject, the illicit traffic is completely exterminated. As 1 think it may be safely stated that no such traffic exists in this Vale within fifteen miles east or west of this spot where we are assembled this day, this is surely cause for great congratulation. 1-^ ':i ■ ADDENDA A. it. List of heads of families residing in Upper Stewiacke in the year 1814. On the South side of the River. — Robert Kennedy, Eddy Tupper, EHakim Tupper, John Gourley, James Andrews, James Nelson, John Dunlap, William Dickey, John Pratt, Moses Wright, Frank Reed, Thos. Gourley, William Putman Sr., William Putman Jr., John Jeflfcrs, John Oroker, Samuel Tupper, Esq., Daniel S. Cox, Thomas Croker, Charles Cox, Robert Hamilton, John Archibald, Adam Johnson, Charles B. Blackie,. William Johnson, Robert Sample, Robert Rutherford, George Fulton, Samuel Creelman, Charles Cox, Archibald Cox. On the North side of the River. — James Crocket, John Ellis, Sr. William Ellis, James Creelman, Hans Hamilton, Robert Logan, Hugh Logan, Gilbert Rutherford, Robert Gammcl, Archibald Gammel, Samuel Creelman, Sr., William Creelman, David Fulton, Joseph Fulton, James Brown, James Fulton, William Cox, Rev. Hugh Graham, James Ken- nedy, John Blackie, Abraham Newcomb, David Bentley, Dan Bentley, Francis Creelman, Hugh Dunlap, James Rutherford, Jr., Samuel Ci^eel- man, J. C. Creelman, Richard Upham, Robert Deyarmond, and Matthew Johnson. In Hiddk Stemackein 1814.— James Rutherford, Sr., James Archi- bald, George S. Rutherford,- William Rutherford, Robert Whidden, Mrs. Simeon Whidden, Timothy Putnam, Robert Putnam, John Kennedy, John Bonnel, Samuel Smith, John Corbet, Joseph Marshal, James John- son, John Brenton, William Fisher, John Teas, John Parr Fisher, David Fisher, Sr., David Fisher, Jr., Robert Fisher, James Fisher, and Moses Clark. , •! L_ rr -:o:- ADDENDA B. An account of the deaths which took place in Upper Stewiacke, from the dat« of Its first settlement 1783 up to the year 1831 compiled for the period from the former date up to the year 1823, from information ob- tained by a personal inquiry of the respective famili^ in the place, made ..v". with tlio present med ofthfincal •f'ti to tht'KL' two las boon e^iantod vigorous fxocu- iiiiouon tliu Nub- liiiik It may bo in tiftet'ii luiloH this is surt'ly ;JM'i n the year 1814. Eddy Tupper, 8 Nelson, John mk Reed, Thos. n Jeffcrs, John '^roker, Charles on, Charles B, lierford, George John Ellis, Sr. ' Logan, Hugh Jammel, Samuel Fulton, James Q, James Ken- , Dan Bentley, Samuel Cfeel- d, and Matthew '., James Archi- Whidden, Mrs. ^ohn Kennedy, 1, James John- • Fisher, David er, and Moses ewiacke, from 'inpiled for the iformation ob- e place, made THE STEWIACKK CENTENARY. n ^H 1829, and for the years from 1824 to 1831, inclusive, by a diar\ kept pRi them as they occurred by the subscriber. Samuel Creei.man. 1786 March, 8 — Twins, children of John Archibald age I w«i.'k, 1790 Jan. — Mrs. Samuel Tupper, age 20 yrs. April, — Mrs. Robert Logan, and infant, age 22 yrs, April, — Mrs. Samuel Fulton, age 22 yrs. Sept. — Walter Christie, ace 23 yrs, 1792 — Charles Cox's ohiW, age 1 yr. Feb. 14 — Mary Putman, of fever age 19 yrs March, 4 — Sarah Putman, age 13 yrs. May,— -Joho Duncan Archibald, ago 23 yrs. 1793 Jan. — William Kennedy, (drowned) age 34 yrs. June, 9 — John Archibald's child, age 6 yrs. Aug. 22 — James Dickey, (drowned) age 39 yrs. Aug. 22 — James Dickey, (drowned) age 7 yrs. 1794 May, 19 — Robert Gammel's child, age 1 yr. 5 mo. Sept. — William Johnson's child, age 2 yrs. Sept. — William Johnson's child, age 4 yrs. ^ ^jwH-^tt— fui iU ,1 9. ^. V 7. - . ■ / «i •■j(kt/. l« ul. *> •J"^ V. !i 1 St THE 8TEWIACKE CENTENARY. 1808 Sept.— Mra Hugh Logan, age 38 yn. — Thomas Skeed, Jr. child. «-Johii Archibald's daughter. March, 22 — Thomas Archibald, J's son, age 12 yrs. 1809 March, — Mrs. Eliakim Tupper, ago 21 yrs. Oct. IS — Thomas Skeed, age 86 yrs. Oct. — James DunUp, age 42 yrs Oct.— John Gourley'f* child, age 1 yr. 10 mo. Not. 8 — John Jeffer's child, 1810 May, 11 — Esther Rutherford, James daughter, age 19 yr?. June^Oeorge Fulton's child, age 3 yrs. Sept. — William Johnson's child, nge 3 mo. 1811 May 20 — Robert Rutherford's child age 1 yr. 5 mo. May, 21 — Robert Ghimmel's child, age 1 yr. 8 mo. June 29— John Qammel's child, age C mo. Aug. 22— Eliakiui Tupper, Esq. (over) 80 yrt«. < Oct. 21 — Mrs. Robert Oammel, age 42 yrs. 6 mo. Nov. — Eliaa Graham, Rev. Hugh's daughter, age X^ yr?. Deo. 11 — ^William Fulton, age 55 yrs. 1812 Jan. — Robert Winton. Jan. 26 — Mrs. James Creelman, age 28 yrs. March, Fulton's child, age 6 mo. April, 23 — Mrs. Samuel Fisher, age 46 yrs. May, 10 — Samuel Fisher, age 56 yrs. Sept. 3 — Eddy Tupper's child, i^ 4 mo. 1813 Jan. — ^William Diokev's child, age 6 mo. Feb. 14 — Eliiabeih Oammel, Rdl>ert8 daughter, age 15 yrs. 5mo. May, 15— Daniel S. Cox's child, age 4 yrs. Dec. 20 — Hannah Creelman, Francis' daughter, age 11 yrs. 1814 Feb. 6— Joseph Fnlton's child, Me 1 yr. 2 mo. Jan. 27— Robert Hamilton, age 80 yrs. Feb.^ 11 — Robert Deyarmond, age 63 yrs. April, — ^Alexander Murray's child, Sept. 14— Margaret Fulton, Davids daughter, age 7 yrs. — James Brown's child, age 9 mo. — MrsWUiUm Kennedy. 1815 Jan. 6— Mrs. Gilbert Rutherford, age 25 yrs. March 11— Andrew Gammel age 21 yrs. Aug. 11— David Crocker, age 14. Sept. 20— Mra. WilUam Fulton, age 63 yrs. 1 THE STEWIAGKB CENTENARY. r. rs. :e 19 0. yw. ,4 yw. * 16 yn. 5uio. » 11 yn. ytB. Nov. 25— Robert Hamilton, age 50 yra. Nov. — Mrs. John Blacki«. —William CYocket, a^ 12 yre. — Archibald Cox's child, age 8 yrs. 1816 March, 17— Kddy Tupper, age 37 yn. March, 21— Robert Archibald, age 25 yrs. June, 12— Mrs. Rev. Hugh Graham, age 42 yrs. June,— John Jeffer's child, age 1 yr.6 mo. July, 4— .Tohn Ellis, age 86 yrs. Mart!h, 17— Samuel Creelman's child, age 3 weeks. Oct— William Kennedy, over 80 yrs, Dec. 27 — Mrs. Samuel Creelman, age 25 yrs. 1817 Xlarcl I.— Samuel Creelman's child, age 5 yrs. June 6— Hans Hamilton's child, age 4 yrs. Oct, 11— Samuel Creelman, age 30 yrs. 1818 Feb.— Gilbert Rutherford, age 29 yrs. July 17— Charles Cox, age 66 yrs. Aug. 16— Martha Fulton, died of fever, age 15 yrs. 10 mo. Aug. 29— David Fulton, " " "age 60 yrs. Aug. 31— Sarah Fulton, " " " age 29 yrs. 11 mo. Sept. 13 — Alexander Johnson, age 26 yrs. Sept. 14— James F. Johnson, age 28 yrs. Dec. 6 — Daniel C Tupper's child, age 2 mo. Dec. 7— William Creelman's cliild, age 2 mo. 1818 Jan. 30 — William Johnwn, age 31 yrs. March,— James Creelman's child, age 3 weeks. Oct. — James Fulton's child, age 2 days. 1824 fan. 5 — Mary Ann McKay, age 11 yrr. Jan. 15— ThomHS Ryan's child, age 2 wks. Feb. 2— Robert. Tupper's child, age 2 mo. Feb. 10— Mrs. Eliakim Tupper, age 81 yn, Feb. 10— Mrs. John Rutherrord, age 31 yrs. March, 2— James Pratt's child, aged 4 wks. March, 16— Mrs. John Kelly, age 28 yn*. March, 27— Alexander Deyarmond's child, age 1 wk. May, 21— Edward Hughes' child, age 4 yrs. July, 8— James Fulton, age 24 ynt. July, 29— John Cox's child, age 1 vr. 3 mo. Oct 23— William Ellis's child, age 2 wks. Dec. 24— Mrs. Thomas Skeed, age 75 yrs. Dec. 14— Hannah J«ihnson, age 63 yrs. 1825 Jan. 20— Matthew Johnson, age 68 yrs. — David Archibald's child, age 1 yr. Feb. 20— James Pratt's child, age 4 wks. Feb. 22— Gilbert McCallah, (psrished) age 46 yra. March, 7 — William Fulton's child, ase 1 week. March, 8— Joseph Deyarmond's child, age 1 week. April 21— Hush Lo^an, (drowned) age 62 yrs. Aug. 6— David Whidden's child, age 2 yrs. Aug. 8— Mrs. Matthew Johnson, age 64 yrs. Oct 17— Adam Rutlierford'schild, ageS wks. r —— ^. — -> ■» •.*>.>i •ki."r^«-~i»-'«« '*■ 24 THE STEWIACKE CENTENARi'. Oct. 31— AiohibaW G. Jobnaon, age 19 yrs. Nov. 1— 5Irs. Jamos Mncklow, age 61 yrs. Nov. 7— liichard TJpham, age (58 yrs. 1826 —Barnabas Mathias, age 80 yrs.* May, 29— George Hamilton's child, age 3 days. July, 5— Mrs. James Kennedy, age 60 yre. Oct, 29— Enhraim Howard, age 14 yrs, 1827 Feb. 8 — William Kirkard's child, age 2 weeks. Feb. 17— JameB Muckluw, age 80 yrs. May, 6— Joseph Ewing, ago 46 yrs. June, 4— Mrs. John Ellis, age 85 yrs, Sept. 22— Joseph Fulton's child, age 2 yrs. 6 mo. Oct. 30— Daniel Topper's child, age 8 yrs. 1828 Jan. 20 — William Cox, (c dmall pox) age 31 yre. Jan. 21 — Thomas Gourley's child, age 2 mo. Feb. 2— Mrs. Charles Cox, (of small pox) age 66 yrp. Feb 3— William Cox's child " " " age 1 yr. 6 mo. Feb. 20 — Mrs. Robert Logan, age 60 yrs. April, 1 — Lowry EHis, age 38 yrs. April, 25— Benjamin Tiipper's chiM, age 2 yrs. May, 25— James Rutherford, Sr. age 80 yrs. June 9— Mary Hamilton, George''s daughter, age 13 yrs. July, 3 — Mrs. James Johnson, age 36 yrs- Nov. 8 — Hugh Graham Tupjier, age 8 yrs. 1829 Jan. 14 — Thomas Croker, age 78 yrs. Jan. 19 — John Watklell Fisher, age 31 yrs. March, 18— James Fulton, (died in H^.ifax,)ag» 43 yrs- April, 7— Rev. Hugh Graham, age 75 yrs. May, 29 — ,Tohn W. Fisher's child age 3 yrs. Dec. 19 — Mrs. John Logan, age 36 vrs. 1830 Feb. 11— Agnes JohuFon, Ad'sdanghter, age 1 3 yrs. 10 nao. Feb. 24— James Crocket, age 64 yrs, ' May, 11 — Mary Potman, age 16'yr8. —William Potman's child, age 3 mn. June, 3 — Mrs. John Crcelman, age 33 yre. Nov, 30 — Hugh Brown's child, asre 5 mo. Dec. 16— William Johnson, ago 70 vrs. 1831 April, 22— Solomon Nelson's child, age 1 yr. 6 June, 24— Ephraim Wrif ht's child, age 7 June, 31— Solomon Nelson, age 27 yrs. July, 9— William Putni&.n,age 86 yrs. July, 17— Philip Hooker, age 50 yre. July, 31— John Johnson's child, age 3 yrs. 6 mo. Aug. 20— Mrs. Samuel Creelman, age 75 yrs. Aug. 29— Samuel Tupper, Esq. age 67 yrs. Sept. 11 William Gammol's child, hge 2 yrs. Sept. 12 Eliakim Tupoer's child, asre 2 ! .■, j •■*hli • iV; mo. Topper's child, age 2 yre. **. child in the same placr, THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. 25 ¥1. Tg. to. [The following paragraphs of Addenda B were accidentlj omitted fVom their connection on page 23.] 1820. Feb. 16.— -Matthew Johnson, age 18 yrs. March.— Greorge Fulton's child, age 10 mo. July 20.— Ebenezer Smith's child. July 25.— Mrs. Ebenezer Smith, age 22 yrs. Aug. — Francis Creelman's child, age 10 mo. Nov. 22. — Mrs. James Creelman, age 30 yrs. Nov. 16— William Rutherford, Robert's son, age 8 yrs. 1821. March 4 — Mrs. William Johnson, age 54 yrs. April 14— Mrs. James Dunlap, age 26 yrs. April 28— John W. Fisher's child, age 7 mo. June 4 — Mrs. George Ftilton, age 43 yrs. Dec. 9— Elizabeth Winton, age 21 yrs. 1822. May — Matthew D. Fisher, age 20 yrs. April 9— John JeflFer's child, age 1 day. April 8— Valentine Law's child, age 5 yrs. * 1823. i June, 21— Mrs William Cox, age 17 yrs. July 19— Robert Rutherford's child, — Lavina Bentley, age 2 yrs. Aug. 8 — Adam Johnson, age 44 yrs. Sept. — Alexander Deyarmond's child, age 4 yrs. Nov. 12 — Hans Hamilton's child, age 5 yrs. Dec. 9— Eliza Creelman, James' daughter, age 8 yrs. :o: ADDENDA C. Assessment of Province tax for Sowack and that part of Musqilodo- boit within the district of Colchester, for Upper Sewack for the year 1792 and 1793, and for Muiquois congrega- 'M of grace 'iginal oocu- Dmen did not 'li*e. They ^ethyteriariB faol; — «speo- i Bible and ly on their children, so , which are aUe to make wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. And what shall I say of family worship and secret prayer which were as common as the family meals or family rest I I have no dates on which to rest these statements, but the dates common to all the people of God when placed in similar circumstances and especially the data of the char- acteristics of those portions of the church to which they belonged and from which they came to this far Western — this great North Westers land and this lovely Vale. yes, it was these and such peculiarities a» these, which made Stewiacko an Eden — a valley of Baca And which sweet- ened their solitude, and intensified their song, and converted many a fire- side, and many a hill-top and many a leafy dell by your river bank, ineo a little Sanctuary — into the house of God and gate of Heaven. '^ God my soul's cast down in me. Thee therefore mind I will, " From Jordan's land the Hermonites and even from Mizar hill. " His loving kindness yet the Lord command will in the day, '] " His songs with me by night; to God, by whom I live I'll pray. " Who passing thorough Baca's Vale, therein do dig up wills, " Also the rain that falleth down the pools with water fills. v . ' " So thev from stiength unwearied go still forward unto strength. ^' Until in Sion they appear before the Lord at length." And so it was by these means that the desire for a regular adminia- tratioa of the public ordinances of religion was kept alive in their heart* l^nd frompted them to secure for themselves and their children the pos- session of this blessing as early as possible in their circumstances. In the course of these twenty years, the Presbyterians of the variodi townships of the province both east and west, petitioned the synod of th» secession church at home tu send them such supply of ministers of the word as would meet their destitute condition, and take the over-sight of their souls. These petitions were heard and answered, though not to tho extent that the synod and the nature of the case demanded, and so, to us*^ the language of Mr. Robertson the first historian of the Presbyter- ian church of Nova Scotia, " the Secession chu^oli let slip the opportunity of taking possession of the entire country while yet in its infancy, and gradually leavening the whole population as it increased, with the glorivum gospel of the blessed God." For thirteen years Mr. Cock of Truro and Mr. Smith of Londonder- ry were the only Presbyterian ministers to the west of Mount Thom j while to the east of the mountain Mr. McGregor laboured alone for al- most an equal length of time. It might have been thought, and with some reason, that the people of Stewiacke would have lost heart, but instead of that they eneouraged themselves in the Lord their God. These two breth- ren with one or two others, and among the rest Dr. McGregor of Piotou, risited at intervals o{ years these valleys and settlements. Such visits as these were as if the heavens were opened and there came down upon the hungry, longing, parched souls, the plenteous rain whereby they were re- freshed. It may be truly said that the word of the Lord was precious in these early days. At this time there were no churo^- >. which the people could- meet regularly for wonhip, the houses of the ^ op i then were the Bethelif ; IT — 1 29 THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. f- — the houses of God, and so in the year 1787 Mr. Cock preached for the first time io Samuel Fishers house; and in 1790 during haying in Robert Hamilton'^, a little lo<; house, and in the winter of the same year in the house of Mr, William Fulton, very near where we are here assembled this day in such vastly different circumstances. In this way they continued to meet until the year 1793 when on account of their increased numbers and improved worldly circumstances, they determined to erect a house in which th«y could meet more comfortably and conveniently for the wor- ship of GK)d. In that year a small log church was built on the north side of the river very near the spot where the Presbyterian church now stands. This church although exceedingly primitive both as to material and ar- chitectural style, was well adapted to the wants and circumstances of the people in these early days ; and we have no doubt that it was as truly a " House of God " as are the more costly and pretentious buildings of the present day. I must mention very particularly, that the first minister whosupplied the congregation regularly, was the Rev. James Munroe, who came to the province in 1792. He was employed for two years by arrangement of the Presbytery of Truro, dividing his time between On- slow, Musquodoboit, Upper and Middle Stewiacke ; giving one fourth ot his time to each. He had some ecclesiastical connections with the Pres- bytery of Truro ; his name was on their roll and he seems to have been regarded by them as a minister at large, inasmuch as he discharged the duties oi the pastor as well as of the preacher, and held meetings for pub He worship and private instruction in the houses of Samuel Tupper, Wil- liam Fulton and Samuel Creelman. He also ordained three brethren to the eldership for Stewiacke, viz., Eliakim Tupper, Samuel Tupper and Alexander Stewart, and Matthew Johnson and Colonel Archibald for Musquodobojt, who in conjunction with Mr. John Johnson who was al- ready in office formed the first session of the congregation. It may be interesting to the present generation to know how Dr. McGregor oame to visit Stewiacke, and how Mr. Ross came to give one third of his time to this community. Most of the settlers who had come from Ireland had joined the Secession church, which at an early period after the formation of the Associate Synod had been introduced into that country. But the division which took place in the Secession in conse- quence of the Burghers oath, and which led to the formation of two Synods usually known as the Burgher and Antiburgher, also extended to that country ; and many of the emigrants who originally settled in Col- oheeter County had entered very keenly into the controversy between them. Whilst a considerable number of the early settlers of Stewiacke suoh as the Tupper's, Ellis's, Kennedy's, Samuel Fisher, William Put- man, James Dunlap, John Archibald, William Cox and Simeon Whiddon claimed oonnection with the Burgher party, and nought sup ^ly ot preach- ing from the Burgher Presbytery of Truro, several of the first families of Stewiacke — the Gammels, Creelmans, Johnsons, Fultons, Deyarmonds Charles Co^ Samuel Smith, David Fisher, John Teas and Timothy Put^ nam adhered to the Autiburgher party, and as soon as Mr. McGregor who belonged to that branch of the Secession ohuroh settled at Piotou, they lached for the \ing in Robert > year in the aseinbled this [ey continued ised numbers set a house in for the wor- ths north side |h now stands, rial and ar- itances of the iS as truly a ildings of the first minister nes Munroe, wo years by between On- >ne fourth ot ith the Pres- ) have been icharged the Stings for pub Tupper, Wil- 3 brethren to Tupper and Archibald for »ho was al- ow how Dr. to give one 10 had come sarly period 5ed into that 1 iu oonse- ion of two 9 extended tied in Col- >y between Stewiacke liam Put- i Whiddcn ot preach- Pamilies of yarmonds, othy Put- regor who tou, they THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. 99 invited him to comii over and give them what service he could. He oama over on two occasions and preached. His fir^t visit was in 1794, and his second in 1795. The Rev. Duncan Rojis, also an Antiburgher minister; arrived in Pictou in the year 1795, and as soon as he was settled at West RiviT the Antibur>^her families of Stewiacke applied and appealed to him for supply of preaching. Their appeal was not in vain — a mutual ar- rangement was effected between Mr. Ross and these families which re- mained in force till 180'», by which they secured one third of Mr. Ross' labours. No sooner however was Mr. Graham called by the Burgher party, together with the people of Musquodoboit, and settled in Stewi- ackr, than Mr. Ross discontinu ;d his visits to Stcviacke, and insisted up- on his friends uniting with Mr. Graham. At firtst they were very unwi - I'ng to entertain such a proposal, and they petitioned the Presbytery of Pictou for a continuance of Mr. Ross's services. But the Presbytery re- fused to <>rant the prayer of their petition, believing that the interests of religion in Stowiacke would be greatly promoted by their friends falling in with Mr. Graham, and making one united charge. During the period of Mr. Ross's connection with Stewiacke he ordained three Elders, viz.; Robert. Gammel, Samuel Fulton, and James Johnson. Samuel Fulton died in the United States, the other two uniting with Mr. Graham be- came members of his session, but after a short time they both resigned. It is said that the reason why Mr. Gammell resigned, was because the congregation petitioned tliat dissenters should have the privilege of marry- ing by license. For the most part however the Antiburgher party fell in very cordially with Mr. Graham, and he reckoned them afterwards among bis warmest supporters, and from that' day till this present time, the Pres- byterians of Stewiacke had been "■ following the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." And 80 have I described the planting of Presbyterian order and wor- ship in these valleys; and has it not been a goodly seed a seed altogether sound and whole? It is a scriptural phrase " wholly a right seed" — and then has not the soil been congenial ^o the seed ? Is it not evident by what we see of the produce that the one is adapted to the other ? And so the seed took root downward and grew upward till it has become a tree whose branches have spread, whose beauty is as the olive tree, and whose fragrance is as sweet to the smell as is the scent of the wine of Lebanon, and under wnose shadow we are this day sitting with great delight, while we find as perhaps some of us never found before, that its fruit is sweet to our taste. I have said that at this period of the history of the settlement the people instead of losing heart in reference to getting a stated ministry of the word, took heart and resolved that they would obtain this privilege if possible, and yet it was not without labour and perseverance that their ob> ject was gained. It is not necessary to give a detailed account of the sev- eral disappointments these people met with in their first effiarts to obtain the services of a settled minister. In 1798 they presented a call to Mr. Waddell of Truro who declined. Within a year afterward they called Mr. Dripps wh9 on account of the length and breadth of the congregation, Sa THE STEWIACKE CENTINARY. the large number of families included in it, and his own delicate constita tion, also declined . They then called Mr. Waddell a eecond time who haviuK at the same time received a call from Truro, the Presbytery de- cided in fayor of the latter congregation, and so they were defeated a third time. But still thay were not disheartened, they thanked Ood and took courage and continued their efforts until at last they were successful. After twenty years solitude in the wilderness, they were able to fix their eyes on their own teacher. They were priyileged to claim the Rev. Hugh Graham as their first i^iinister. He was licensed to preach the gos- pel by the Presbytery of Edinburgh in the year 1781. Before long he receiyed a call to South Shields in the north of England; but by that time petition on petition haying come from Nova Scotia requesting a minister, he was led to turn his thoughts to the ezoeeedingly destitute condition of the people in that quarter. The result was that at the meeting of the Synod in May 1785, in consequence of a reference from the Presbytery of Glasgow of a call from Cornwallis, Noya Scotia, to Mr. Graham, Corn- wallis was brought into coii^etition with South Shields and preferred, and the Synod ordered the Presbytery of Glasgow to ordain him with all oonyenient speed, and send him to the people oyer whom he had been appointed. Mr. Graham sailed from Greenock on the 22nd of June, 1785, and arrived at Halifax about two months after. In a few days he pro- ceeded to Cornwallis, and preached his first sermon to a large audience on Sabbath the 29th of August. I cannot take time to advert to Mr. Graham's ministry in Cornwallis; on the whole it was happy and successful, and continued from 1785 to 1799 a period of fourteen years— a period sufficiently long to test the tact, the talent, the head, the heart and the tongue of any ordinary min- ister of the gospel. During this year, however, 1799, this congregation called him to be theif minister, and this proved to be the last trial of their patience of hope m this regard they were called to pass through the long neriod of 71 years. The call was duly sustained by the Presbytery of Truro, and he accepted it, and was inducted on the 27th of August 1800, so that there was only from January to August of that year between his preaching his tost sennon and his induction, having preached his first sermon in Mid- dle Stewiacke, according to m. MiUer, on the first day of the week, the tost day of the month, the first day of the year, and the first day of the present century. And was not that a white day in the history of this congregation ; and could they help adopting the language of that «raitant "When Zion'8 bondage God turned back, as men that dreamed were m^ S™ J?? l'"S'" "S,"!" ?"™*. <»" tongue with melody. ^ Th^ moDg the h«ithen atid the Lord gre.t U>i4> for them (hath ohriBt Hi. o.t«.i gifl. ^Az^'X:s:f^tri!z'i THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. ai by no mean measure of culture to deal in a masterly style with die great things of the christian ministry. From information had as well as from reading portions of his correspondence and from his previous ministry in Cornwallis, I am sure that he was a vorkman not neecUng to be ashiamed^ because he skillfully dirided the wOrd of truth. He fed the lambs with the sincere milk of the word, and he gave strone: meat to those who were of full age and whose spiritual senses were exercised to discern spirit- ual things. As the result of these labours hia congregation mdltiplied greatly, so that in 1815 he had people in his bounds enough to make two respectable congregations, and more able to support two ministers thati when he went among them fifteen years before to support one. In conse- quence of this the Presbytery disjoined the Musquodoboit part of hit charge and erected it into a separate congregation in the year 1815. From having no opportunity of consulting the minutes of session, I can- not tell the number of members on the communion roll at the time of Mr. Graham's settlement, nor the additions that were made to it during his long and prosperous pastorate, but they must at any rate have borne an average proportion to the increase of the congregation. The second meeting house in Stewiacke was a frame building — large but ugly in the last degree, but after the plan of the great majority ef meeting houses in the Province and in New England States belonging to all Protestant churches, but which happily has been discarded during the last half century, as alike inconvenient and unseemly for the worship of God. But ugly though it was, and inconvenient, there God dwelt, and there the promise was fulfilled, " in all places where I record my name [ will come unto thee and will bless thee." It saw many a great day of the Son of Man, and ministers and people went thither Sabath by Sabbath, and on the Sacrament Sabbath day, as did their spiritual progenitors to the temple at Jerusalem, with their gladsome words in their hearts and on their lipR. " We'll go into his tabernacle and at his footstool bow. Arise, Lord, into thy rest, the ark of thy strength and thou. let thy Priests be clothed Lord, with truth and righteousness ; And let all those that are thy saints, shout loud for joyfuloess." And so the work pf the church went on among young anr old, a- mong sinners and saints, till the time drew near when the minisio. must die. Mr. Graham lived to a good old age, and came to his grave like a shock of corn ripe in his season, in the sevAity fifth year of his age, and the forty fourth of his ministry. The minutes of Presbytery bear, that on his death being mentioned it was agreed after some consideration of the afflicting dispensation, to make the following entry: " The long, la- borious and successful life of our deceased brother furnishes matter of pleasing reflection to us all, and it is our unanimous wish and prayer that we may be enabled to follow his exemplary conduct to the end. Mark the perfect, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." The congregation was only a year and two months vacant after the death of Mr. Graham, Dr. Smith being ordained in June, 1830. It is not necessary that I give any lengthened account of the previous life of Dr. 32 THE STEWIACKE CENTExVARlT. Smith. His life of activity began from the day of his ai rival in Stewi' acke. He was indeed distinguished before at home both as a christian, and as a christiaa student who had given himself away to God, to serve him in the gospel of His Son. He was a native of MethVen, a village in Perthshire Scotland. His parents were Antiburgher Seceders, and his father was an Elder in United Secession Congregation in that village. I take th-^ liberty of saying that that congregation and its minister, the Kev. John Jamieaon (a man who take him all in all " I ne'er hud seen his like before and ne'er shall sec his like again'') are deeply and revor' ently connected with my fondest and holiest remembrance of fifty years ago. I was then a home missionary in the city of Perth, having succeed- ed the son of Mr. Jamieson in that situation, and thus Kcame acquainted with the Mcthven minister and his family. With Mr. Smith's family and himself I had no acquaintance then, but I believe that the fact I have mentioned, was one of the bands which knit ua so closely together in christian brotherhood and which his death only snapped asunder if indeed it did so. He was b student ot Glasgow college, and went through the regular arts course, though I do not Hud that he took a degree, and in addition he attended one or other of the courses of lectures for one ses- sion in medicine. He entered the Divinity Hall probably in the session of 1821 and was licensed to preach the gospel in the year 1824. Id 1829 he was sent out as a missionary to Nova Scotia, and arrived in Stewiacke on the 4th December. He preached for the first time oo the Sabbath fol- lowing, and in the space of six months from tha*; date he was called and or- dained as your minister on the 23rd day of the month of June, 1830, When Mr. Smith took charge of this congregatioo he found a session of 8evcn members and a communion roll with 138 names attached to it. The members of his first session were Samuel Tupper, James Johnson, John Teas, David Bentley, Robert Logan, George Fulton, and Stephen John- son. On Dec. 8th, 1830, a few months after Dr. Smith's induction, three new members were added to the session, viz., Charles Blaikie, Hugh Dun- lap and William Gammell, and on Nov. 26th, 1836, three more were added viz., John Logan, Eliakim Tupper, and Adam Johnson. Of these thir- teen worthy elders who served in office during the early years of Dr. Smith's ministry, only one survives, via., Eliakim Tupper, who, if he lives till the 26th day of next moj^th, will have served 45 years in the office oi' the eldership. It will not be questioned that Dr. Smith was an aequisitiou to the Presbyterian church in Nova Scotia of very great importance. He was an ornament to her pulpit, a leader in her ehureh courts, an able and suc- cessful teacher in h..r divinity hall, and above all the devoted and pains- taking servant of ibis congregation for 41 years. Under his ministry the congregation enjoyed almo(»t uninterrupted prosperity. As a general fact they had " rest and were edified, and walking in the fear of God and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost were multiplied," He set in order the things that Were wanting, and the things that were wrong when he enter- ed on his work : and what minister has not this to do more or less at the beginning of his labours. But by this wisdom and perseveranee on the r. • rival in Stv.iri' an a christian, to God, to serve iVen, a villa^'e in eceders, and his J that village, and its minister, I ne'er hud seen ;eply and revor- re of fit'tj years , having succeed- came acquainted lith 'a family and le fact I have fily topfether in isunder if indeed nt throogb the degree, and in •es for one ses- y in the session 1824. Id 1829 red in Stewiacke the Sabbath fol- 'as called and or- of June, 1830, id a session of ichedtoit. The Johnson, John Stephen John- induction, three kie, Hugh Dun- nore were added Of these thir years of Dr. who, if he lives in tbe ofice oi' lisitioD to the nee. He was n able and sac- ted and pains- ' his ministry As a general ear of God and it in order tbe when he enter- or )es8 at tb« iranee on tbe THE STEWIACKE CENTINART. 33 one part, and by bis firmnesi and fortitude on the other, aided by the pravers and pains of bis coosoientious eldership, tbe word of tbe Lord bad free course and was glorified. As years rolled on. and as the congregation inorease4 in wealth and willingness, it was felt that a new ofaurob was required to be bttilt. At length a resolution was adopted and carried out to its tall completion in tbe building of this church in the Tear 1854 at a cost of some 1200 pounds. In tbe summer of 1853 the frame of a church, tbe same dimen- sions as this one, was erected, but was blown down and con^pletely de- stroyed during a fall of Irind, when only partially covered in. This church was opened by Dr. Smith himself, who preached from the mpst appropriate text, "My House shall bo called tbe House of Prayer for all people." Two other most important events in the history of the oohgregation, were the organizing of the congregations of Middle Stewiacke and Spring- side. The first meeting bouse in Middle Stewiacke, was built some years after Mr. Graham's settlement. Tb<) exact date cannot be ascertained, but it was probably about the year 1812. It was a frame sthictui'e and was large enough to accommodate the settlement for many yeiln..Bat the people were not perniiitted to worship within its wallis for any length of time ; for shortly after the inside of the building was finished, oh a Sabbath morniog before the people had gathered ror public worship, it unfortuna^ly caught fit^ and was burned to the ground. The Riv. Mr. Douglas, then of Onslow, who expected to preach in the church that "Sab- bath morning, collected the people in a convenient place neat by and c'o' livered a discourse, f^om the words, ''Foi the tiqie is come that, judgm^ttt must begin a^ (he House ofQod ; and if it first begin at vis, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of Gvd 7" la a short tiiae, however, this building was replaced by another of about the same dimen- sions. Both of these churches, Mr. Graham, describes as "very mat- reckoned el^ant in this part ;refrs' tion at Brookfield, OD the 3rd day of October, 1871, and he now niitistcrs to obe of the largest, weahhi«at and bent country congregations within the bounds of our church. i The fo^wing are th J. Brenton, Robert Fisher, Ghorge Gamp* bell, and Rupert Fulton. Number of Families in Middle Stewiacke Section. 73. ^ ,,•,, Number of Oommuoicants .; "i i. > " 130. Amount contributed for ial) religions purposes in 1879, 1750.00. . Springside wai> erected into a sieparate congregation Homewhere a* bout 1865 or '66, and the church was built somewhat earlier. It was opened for worsbw on the Sabbath before the 14tii of February, 1859. Th^Rev. James Sinclair was ordained and inducted into the pastoral orersight of thii congregation, on th^ 10th day of September, 1867, and continued to labor within its bounids up to ithe date of his translation to Upper Londondetry, which took place S«pti' 25th, 1877. He was sue- coeded by the Kev; John C. Meek, who was calhi4 from theeongregat'do of Jebogne and Carleton and inducted into Spring!) ide, January 14th, 1879. Mr. Meek is now supported by a session consisting of six mem- bers besides the moderator, via *, David Fulton, William liOgan, Samuel Johnson, William Deyarmond. Samubl J. Logan, and James J. Creelman, The Hon. Samuel Creelman was a member of this session previous to his i'emoval to Haliiaxi There arc 128 families within the bounds of this congregation and 259 names on the codimuoion roll. During the year 1879 the oongregation contributed the sum of $1005.00 for all religions and benerdent purposes. There ia scarcely a congregation within the bounds of our synod more desirable than Springside. ' It is compact and lirrited in its area. The ohjcirch and manse are contignocus! and beautifully situated, and what is of far more importance, there ia no ecclesiastical rivalry among the people, some saying w*e are of Spargeon, and some saying we are of Wesley, and others saying we are of Christ, and thus shewing that they are carnal and walking as meni They are of one mind and of one month, ' and are as I they have ever been; endeavoring to "keep the unity of the «pirk in the bond of peace.'* • I may be permitted to explain at this point the relation which the fionth Branch saotion has sustained to these congregations in past years. At the tine Middle Stewiacke and Brookfield were organised into a sep- >iiratecoD^r!^tion, the north side of the South Branch was annexed to MiddleStewiak), and received «n 3 fourth of the supply given to the Brookfield section, whilst the south side of the Branch remained in con- nection with Upper Stewiacke, and received about the same supply ftwm Dr. Smith. This arrangement eoutinucd till the year 1872, when short Jy before tl e Rev. Mr. Grant's settlemvut in Upper Stewiacke, the THE STEWIACKE CENTENART » north side of th6 Braooh was disjoined from Middle Stewiaokeand united *>o the south side, the whole settlement now forminfr a section of Upper 8tewiacke ooogregation. For maoj years the people of this section wor> Nhipped in the school hou^ ; but in the course of tinio as the comniunitj increased, this building was found entin ly too («mall to acvomniodate th« worshippers. And so in the spring of 1874 the spirited people of thii South Braneh resolved to provide themselves with a more ooiiif rtablt; place of worship. Plans were immediately devised, building operations were commenced, and in the following spring (April, 1876) a most ele- gant and commodious ehureh, completed bt a cost of 93000 dollars, was formally dedicated to the worship of the Ood of Zioni In this church the people of the South Branch now meet regularly for public worship, at least two Sabbaths out of three, and they contribute for the support of Qospel ordinances in their midst about 200 dollars annually. In the mean time, and notwithstanding the changes which had taken place, the congregation of Upper Stewiacke held its own, and it held on Its way prospering and to prosper. Though its numbers were so much reduced and its sources of men and means cut off so extensively, it con- tinaed to be, as it is yet one of the foremost congregations of the churdh. Th« influence of Dr, Smith increased with his increase of years, and the power and influence of the congregation increased accordingly. His re- putation for learning and piety and aptitude to teach, procured for htm the chair of Biblical Literature and of Oriental Languages in the Divinity Hall of this ohu.oh before the union of 1860, and he was continued as Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis after the union in the Divin- ity Hall in Halifax. The highest honor which any Presbyterian mini»- ter can wear, was conferred on him when the Univernity of Princeton be- stowed on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, an honor alike worthy^of that great corporation to confer, and of the erudite and venerable diviua to receive. The highest mark of confidence and esteem which the Su- preme Coiirt of any Presbyterian (;hureh can give to any of its members 18 to put him into the moderators chair, and this Was another honor con- ferred upon Dr. Smith, and one which he wore worthily during his term of office. There is not much remaining to be told of the life and work of Dr. Smith. He may be said to have been an invalid during the greatei' part of his life, and as age increased his ailment increased in severity. But he wrought oh and never thought (as I suppose at any rate) of re* tiring from' his work, or of seeking the aid of a colleague and successor. Perhaps he acted the wiser and better part in remaining at his (wst ^U the close Ot fife — seeing that the congregation continued to rally around him with anabaied attachment and fidelity, and seeing that they continu- ed to appreoiate his labours and to prosper under his ministry. His laHfe dayi were peaceful and happy. It was his to enjoy in a very emint^nk degree, that "peace which passeth all understanding, and to live and dhall he neld in cTerlasting remembrance.*' In NbTember, 1871, the congregation addreaaed a oal ^o the Ret. Peter. Gdodfellow, but he declined the call preferring Antigoniih to Htewiaoke. In the following June (1872) they called the Rev. John M. . AUbD| ■ iieentiate of our ohureh, hut were again dinappointed. During the nonth of October they presented a call to the Rev. Edward Grant which WM presently accepted by him, and he was inducted into the tas- torate of this congregation on the 16th day of December, 1872, and Mir. Grant u with yon until this day. AaMciated with him in the eldership are Meaars. Bliakim Tupper, Senr., John Smith, tSoar., Robert Frame, Robert D^yarmond, Rooert Gammell, Jas. £. Dickie, A. N. Tupper, Andrew Logan and Samuel Smith. "Remember those who have spoken unto you the Word of God : whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation — Josui Christ the same Yesterday, Unlay and forever." "Remember those who are . over' you In the Lord, and admonish you, and esteem them very highly for their work's sake." ^ The nHimber of families in this congregation at the preaent time is .^ 160, the communion roll numbers 290 and the congregation contributed during the year 1879 for all religioua and benevolent purpoiMs the sum of ♦1281;00 LXSUT.-QOTSBNOB ABOBIBALD'S ASSBISS' Mr. Chairman, Ladiis and Gkntlrmrn, — ' * ' '" « '* - 1 thank you very much for the opportunity you have given mie to be present on this interesting occasion. It is a source of groat pleAsure to me, dnce' more to visit a people with whom I have had life long relations of the happieat kind — a people who for nearly a quarter of a century sus- jtained mo oy their eonfldenee and support. But I eonfess I felt some- what embirrasaed when on reading the note of invitation received from the Secretary,' I learned that I was expected to address yon on the political ehangea whteh bad taken place in Nova Scotia dui-ing th6 last 100 years. Thai is b Bubiect of wide dimensions ; it would r^uire much time and re- aeareb to do justice to it. The memory of a public man, even of an old on^; tunnot M aupposed to extend back much beyond a quarter of the period in quttatiott. Unfortunately too, at the time the invrtation reaoh- .ed me, I was under a variety of engagements, which gavei me no leisure to male the neeessary enquiries. I had long projected, and had at last dctftrteSued, onajoiftneylo Louishurgh, in C»pe Breton. This wonld take «p ten days of my time. A visit to KentvUle to open the Exhibi- THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. 37 Word of God: orsttioD— Joflui er (hose who are Bm rerj highly present time ii on oontributed o»e" the ■an of tsss. gtren me to be »t |>leA6ure to WDg reUtioDB B ceotury gts. * felt some- »ived from the MhepoJiticiI 9t 100 years, time and re- 'Dof an old •rter of the »tlon i-each- JiKf leisare 2*d at )aH 1^<>» WOQld '•e Exhibi. lion there on the 29th of September, and other official eogagementfl were to follow my return, so that it was impossible for me, with so little time at my disposal, to do justice to the subject in the shape suggested. < Still I felt that, if 1 could not enter upon it in the form in which your invita- tion was couched, I could at least try to give a general idea of some great <)hange« which our Province had undergone during the period intervening between the time of arrival of the first settlers on the banks of the Stew- iaoke and the nresent moment. A picture of the Province, first, as it ap- peared in 1780, then as it was in 1830, contrasted with the picture of 1880, which you have in your minds, even though not fulfilline the ezi^ot terms of the invitation, would not be without interest to those who are engaged in the celebration of the day. The growth of a Province ia like that of a man. In both, a series of changes goes on, imperceptible, if counted by days or weeks, or mouths, but very marked when tested by longer intervals. It has occurred to me that if I could let you see what our people were doing, and what they were thinking of, and talking about, at these various periods of our history, I might amuse or interest you for an hour. But to understand what was going on in Nova Scotia one hUv dred years ago, we must have a glimpse of the state of things in England at that date. In 1780, Lord North was at the head of the British Administration. Lord Mansfield was Chief Justice of the King's Benc^. Thurlow was Lord Chancellor, and presided over the deliberations of the tipper House. The Minister to whom, at the time, was entrusted the charge of the Col- onies, and who was known as the Minister for America, was Lprd George Oermaioe. Seven years before this period the strufKle with the British Colonies in America had commenced. A party of Boston men bad. board- ed three English ships in Boston harbour, and thrown their oar^ if tea overboard to show their determined hostility to " taxation witho repre- sentation." The Iwttle of Lexington, ;f hich followed shortly afterwards, was the beginning of a warlike struggle, which lasted from that period till the date of which we are speaking, and two years beyclni^. Disaster after disaster had befallen the British Army. AnypooasiopaUiiocesses which attended efTorte to subdue the rebellion, as it was called^ were soon wiped out by serious reverses. The great Earl of Chatham, wlib had sym- pathised with the Colonists, so long as they confined themselves to' le^al opposition, contemplated with horror the dismemberment oft^f Ebipire, and Imd lately done all in his power to sustain the spirit of his oonnti>y- men. In a speech, remarkable for vigor and brilljutnoy, and ' stilt inpre remaricable for its being the dying effortof the greatest of English oriitbrs, Lord Chatham, had d^noinoed the withdrawal of the trbopslTroili J^^mcri- oa. This speech, pow^fo) »« any made in his best days, was attended by eircumstanoes well fitted u deepen th« 'impreMioq it made. At 'the cbs^ of ie, tho dying patriot exhausted by.his^ eifbrts^ had fallen into the arms of friends by his side, and had been carried froiii th^' House of Lords insensible. In tess than a month afterwards be was borne tb West- minister Abbey to repose among th« heroes and jcreat men of the la^d he loved 80 well. Chatham was now no more. The impresition produced * n 88 THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. bj his speech and by its tragic sequel had faded away. North was still •t the helm. He had been, when the war commenced, the most popular of men. He was a favorite alike of his sovereign and of the House of Commons. Genial and courtly in manner, with good capacity and great knowledge of the world, he had many qualifications for his position. The Chief Justice of the King's Bench, the greatest and most learned of Eng- lish judges, Brought to the support of the (Government an eloquence and a culture hitherto unknown on the English Bench. While Thurlow, gruff, coarse and turbulent, but with a gigantic intellect, trained and developed by long usage in the Courts, where he had won his way, unaided, except by his own powers of mind, to the first position, domineered in the House of Lords as if he had been the offspring of a Duke, instead of being, as he was, the son of a country person, tenant of the paltry living of Little Ash • field. These were men of great mark and supported the Ministers, as the Ministers supported the Soverign, with all their heart and soul and strength, but it was all in vain. England was becoming disgusted with the struggle. Lord North saw that the end was at hand. He begged ^bis Sovereign to accept his resignation, but the King, obstinate as ever, re- *" fused to yield and for two long years dragged his unwilling Minister along with him. At last the tide of discontent carried everything before it North ceased to be Minister. America became a nation. Now let us see what Nova Scotia was about while this great struggle waa going on in Englan':. Our people had remained loyal to the Throne. Halifax towards the last was the headquarters of the British fleets and armies, and from that port wont forth many of the expeditions against the Americans. The Lieatenant-Gk>vemor of the day was Mr., afterwards. Sir Rich- ard Hughes. He had been Commissioner of the Navy Yard. The Gov- emor-in Chief, was iTrancis Legge, who had been appointed to the office seven veara before, and retained it for some time after this period. He had administered the Gh)vemment in person, but had got into trouble in Uie Colony by his propensi^ to meddle. He had insisted upon investi- gating accounts of public officials which had been settled for 30 years, fie had quarelled with hu Council because they would not support him. and then charged them with disloyalty. He ended by making the same oomplaint against the whole people of the Province. At last he became 80 obnoxious that he was called back to England, Mr. Hughes filling the post of Lieutenant Governor, for which he drew $900 a year, while Mr. Legge, a scion of the House of Dartmouth, was living in England, draw- iig a salanr of $5000 for doing nothing. This nice arrangement appears to nave subsisted till 1782, when a change of administration swept away both Mr. Legge, in England, and his Lieut. Governor, Sir Richard here. The Chief Justiceof the day was the Hon. Bryan Finucane ; the Speak- er of the AaaemblT, Mr. Nesbitt. In these good old days, a seat in the Assembly was equivalent, in many aases, to a tenure for life. The House of 178U had been elected 10 years before, and sat for over 5 years after this period. It had, in all an exiftente of more thaa 16 years. There seems to have been a good I'S!"*— '« I •••th Wt8 Btill n>08t popular the House of •tjand great >08ition. The rned of £og. quence aoda yioyr, gruff, a deveJoped »'ded, except !« the House .h«iDp, as he ■I'UtJeAsh sters, 88 the d souJ and "■ted with He begged as ever, re- •ister Along before it. ■T I -. '.-r- Sir Rich, rhe Gor- the office iod. He '■ouble in inyesti- ^ jeara, ^rt him. '>e fldine beoame iog the 'ie Mr. draw- ^Ppeara away here. nt, in eoted inaJl good THE STBWIACKE CENTENARY. ' deal of discussion on the subjeot of the duration of the Assembly in the House itself, and in this year both Houses concurred in a Bill for limil- ing it to seven years, but the assent of the Crown was refused, and it was not till 12 years afterwards that the Policy of this Bill was adopted. Another piece of legislation of that day is significant of the spirit of the times. In the early periods of the Assembly the members received no compensation for their expenses. Ten years before the time of which We are treating, an Act was passed to enable the Counties to pay their representatives. This Act had, for somt reason, been repealed; and now, in the sespipn of 1780, an attempt was made to revive it, but the Connoil rejected the Bill. One would have expected that when Lieut-Gh)vernor Hughes eallei bis Assembly together in 1780, at a period when England was convulsed with the great struggle between herself and her rebellious Colonies, when Fr.'^nce had just taken a hand in the game, when the public discontents of lingland were at their height, he would have made some allusion io If 8 opening speech to the war which was rending the Empire in pieces. But ne does nothing of the kind. He refers to a loyal address which the Hpase had passed in the preceding session, he announces that His Majes> ty had received it graciously and winds up his discourse by recommend^ ing unanimity and despatch. The absence of any allusion to the war if the more remarkable that the Lieut.-Glovernor had not long before this received a letter from Lord George Gormaine, informing him th«t » French fleet and army were collecting at Brest, and that a descent would b(! made on some part of the British Colonies, and warning him to pnft his Province in a state of defence. Not only so, but a Minute of Council had been passed during the summer at which Lord George's letter was submitted and it was decided that the Halifax Militia should occupy such points as should be assigned them, and by a subsequent Minute, the Coua~ try Militia, to the number of one-sixth or the whole, were, on the appli oation of the General in command of the Forces, ordered to Halifax to as sist in completing the works of defence. There is something in connection with this despatch of Lord George's which, from our point of view, seem^ almost ludicrous. The document itself bears date the 15th day of February. We may assume from itf contents that it was submitted to Council as soon as received. The Coun- cil met on the 25th of May. bo that this despatch, though sent by a ves- sel which Lord George designates as a "stout ship of Brook Watson's,!' tailing directly for Halifax and, therefore, likely to reach its destination with more than ordinary speed, appears to have been over three months on Its passage. This circumstance does not seem to have been anything unusual in those days. On the 4th January, it appears bv the Halifax Craxeefesf that date, that a ship had just arrived from England, whioh brought news to the 9th October preceding. The editor refers to the oc- currence, not as a thing unusual in itself, but he takes the opportunity naively to remark that though she brought papors containing late naei, *' the printer could get none of th for publication" In our time, when the most trifling incident is flashed Across the Atlantic, when a voyage 40 THE 8TEWIACKE CENTENARY. from England is made in 9 days ; imagine what would be nur feelings if . for 9 weeks we were without news of any kind from the old world. , Imagine too, what would be the result if, when important intelligenoe did come, it was bottled up and revised to the printer. Eridently this was before the era of newspaperdom. But we must go back to our ^^OTemor and his sp<(eeh. We hare said he recommended despatch and unanimity. He seems to have had no reason to be displeased with the reception given to his adyioe. As for the despatch, the session opeped on the 9th of October and ended on the 3rd of I^oTember. The businesi was done iu a little over 3 weeks. But then it must be recollected that the members received no pay, and the merit of ihe despatch may not be entirely due to the wish to gratify the (Governor. Whether the same circumstances account for their " unani- mity," not one division appearing on the journals of that session, Is a question on which we pronounce no opinion. The journals of tais year present some curious features. It would seem tihat in many of the districts the collection of the Impost and Exbise was farmed out. Two gentlemen of the names of Hasen and Simopdf , (ancestors no doubt of two well known New^ Brunswick fiimiUes) had un- aertaken to collect the duties at St. John River then within the limits of Nova Scntia* but had not succeeded in obtaining the money, owing, as they say in their petition, "to the enemy's threats against the mhabitants." How threats of the kind referred to could operate to prevent the payment of duties, does not clearly appear, but the Assembly must have been satisfied of the fact, for they voted the sum of £40 to indemnify the far- mers for their loss. The House was equallv liberal with Mr. George Smith, of Piotou, who farmed the duties for the District of Canso. His claim was founded on a differ ut ground. It would appear by his state- ment that this was a harc^ year for the merchants engaged in the fishery, and that in consequence tliey were unable to pay. Accordingly, Mr. Smith received £8S to console him for not being able to sqneese as much as he had expected out of the suffering fish dealers. At this time the Council QOBfiistM of ten members — die Assembly of twenty-six — two from each County, two from ihe town of Halifax, and one from each of the other townships. In the Assembly appear the well-known names of Dickson, Fairbanks, Archibald, Chipman, Cochrane, and Lovett. At the dose of die session, the Royal assent was given to 14 bills, and to all the money resolutions. There was then, and for six years afterwards, no appropria- tion Act. The Council bein^ thus called upon to pass on eaoh moiiey vote, aaseited in this way, the claim afterwards nude the subjeet of many a bitter contest, and, finally, wrested from them, thai in effect, of amending money bills. TheatmorohereoflTSO may be gnaged in some measure by the taewipapera of the day. The Chuette, which was Uie only journal then published in the Province, was a weekly paper of four pages, which had lieen in exiitenee since 1752. Two of the four pages are fiUed wiih ex- tracts fifom English>aga«be8 and periodicals. The other two are de- voted to advertiaementB. Many of these are connected with tke exwution THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. 41 ir feelings if e old world. iDtelligenoe ently this wm !»• We hare to have had ▼ioe. Aifor oded 00 the ireeks. But ^J, and the gratifj the wr "unani- ««»ion, la a , It woold 'Md Excise d Simopdf, ^) had iiQ> le limita of owing, as habitants." he payment hare been p, the far- fr. Oeorge ' »nso. flia his state- ihe fiaherj, Mr. Smith >oh as he e Council rom each the other I>iokson, > close of e inonej Ppropria- •iej vote, many a sffeot, of bj the lal then ioh had rith ez- in de- •ealion of legal process. Others are of a miscellaneous chatacter. The latter hold the mirror up to Nature sometimes rather absurdly. There is no editorial, no dealing with questions which occupy the attention of the community. Imaj^ine such a paper now-a-days, when every Little Pcd- dlington has its local organ, devoted to the propogation of sound political doctrine, full of thunder, a censor of morals, a terror to evil doers. The intensely loyal feeling of the Province may be gathered not only from the terms of the address wh ich His Majesty had so graciously re- ceived, but from a poem, apparently of Provincial origin, called "the Con- gratulation" — printed in the Gazette. Its spirit may be gathered from a passage, the first two lines of which so delight the author that he repeats thorn s^eral times in the course of the piece : — " Joy to great Congress ; joy a hundred fold, The grand cajolers are themselves cajoled. The farce of Empire will be finishtsd soon — And each mock monarch dwindle to a loon, Mock money and Mock states shall melt away, And the Mock troops disband for want of pay." This was printed only three years before the peace of 1783 came a- bout, and gave an air of Reality to " the Mock Monarchs, Mock States," and " Mock Money" "of the grand Cajolers." The poet was evidently no prophet. The varied character of the business of a printer of that day may be gathered from an advertisement inserted in the first number of the Gazette lor 1780. The public are informed by it that thee had been left with the printer for sale the fbllowiHg odd assortment ; A thermometer ; some elastic trusses, and a few bottles of Maredant's drop.*. We know what a thermometer is, and have some idea of a truss, but it is not so easy to di- vine what was the special function of Maredant's drops, or what were the links of connection between the difiFcrent articles. Otiier advertisements would seem toindicat«thatour military friends of 100 years ago were not quite so exemplary as their successors of the present day. A single number of the Gazette contains no less than three advertisements of lostses sustained by these worthy gentlemen. One officer had lost his sash — another his uniform hanger — a third his great coat and each offers a reward for the restoration of the missing articles. A, little later we find a fourth advertisement for a -'oteel halbtrt hanger" loFt by anothertofficer. What could have occasioned such a series of disas- ters to ourbrave defenders ? The losses take place between certain de- fined poius. The Pontac sometimes figures as one of tlie termini. ^Can there have been any connexion between the Hotel and the events ? In one of the numbers of the G'azeWc there * is a cu'-'ous advertise- ment signed by a Mr. Turner, D. P. M. With these initials subjoined to this name,we may suppose tlie advertiser to have been one of the dignified servants of the Crown, who had condescended to do the work of a Deputy Post Master General . A man of that rank could not be supposed to per- petrate a joke. By his advertisement, it would seem that he had lent a iot of books to friends, who had forgotten to return them. He now begs 42 THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. them to send the books back, but if any tVienl had odd volumes of liis books, and should prefer to retain them, he wislies to be informed of the fact* 80 that he might "send the other volumes to complete the set." There is a naive benevolence in this oflFer which smacks strongrlj of the times, when the Pontac was the head quarters of Her Majesty's civil as well as military servacts. Another advertisement is suggestive of the changes which trade un- dergoes. " Mr. Henry Newton informs the public that he has on hand superfine flour, imported by the last ship from England." We should be somewhat surprised to find an advertisement of the kind in a Halifax paper of the present day, but if we follow up the pages of the Gazette we discover that on the 16th March the selling price of flour was declared by the Court of Sessions to be 36s. a cwt., that is about $12.50 a barrel, or allowing for the difference in the value of money about $20 in our day. This enables us to see how the merchant could afford to import, but the difficulty remains how the consumer could afford to pay. If our people had now to give $20 a barrel for flour, there would be a larger consump- tion than we have at present of oatmeal porridge and buckwheat pan- cakes. But we have been long enough hovering around the immediate sub- ject of the day. Let us now enquire what was the condition of the east- ern part of Nova Scotia 100 years ago. The borders of this stream were an unbroken wilderness. The nearest inhabitants were at Trnro, which bad been settled for twenty years or thereabouts. Truro was the head- quarters of the eastern section of the Province. When the first adven- turers came there, they found 1500 acres of dyked marsh and one hun- dred acres of cleared upland, from which the Acadian French had been driven a few years before. The fifty-three proprietors who settled Truro in 1761, brought with them 119 head of cattle, and a good supply of farm- ing implements, and were themselves, with their stock of stuff removed to Truro at Oovernment expense. Not only so, but they received, as a loan, to be returned in kind at a future day, 600 bushels of seed wheat. With these advantages the settlers began. The first year was somewhat unfortunate. The settlers did not arrive till the end of May. It took some time to get the seed in the ground. The season proved dry, and an early frost injured the late sown grain. The potatoes were abundant and the supply of hay for cattle unlimited. Next year the seed was got in early, the season was favourable, and every crop abundant. Soon the people of Truro, rich in land, in flocks and herds, presented a spectacle of comfort, and even of affluence, which is seldom found so early in the his- tory of a new settlement. When the axe first resounded in the forests of this valley, Truro was the home of the Stewiacke settler ; while clearing his fields on the River he was merely on an excursion. Far otherwise was it with the settlers at Pictou. They ha^ come from the Isles and Highlands of Scotland. They knew nothing of the forest. The mystery of chopping, and rolling, and burning, and grubbing, and planting was to them all unknown : yet there they were, shovelled out on an unknown shore, without experience, or meani, or skill, to deal with difficulties •ues of Ill's lued of the the set." isrij of the ''s civil as trade un- ou hand should he a Halifax azette we eolared by barrel, or our daj. . but the ur people consump- 'heat pan- iiate sub- ' the east- 'eam were ro, which the head- pt adven- orie hun- had been ed Truro y of farm- moved to as a loan, t. With Jmewhat It took 7, and an tant and ' got in )oon the spectacle the hia- arests of clearing iherwise lies and Mystery ng was 1 known Soulties * , THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. 43 which might have daunted them if they bad had all these advantages. Is it any wonder that they suffered terrible hardships ? Think of the poor boy of 16, of whom the Rev. Dr. Patterson speaks in his History of Pio- tou, who went all the way to Truro through the woods, in search of food, carrying his little sister on his back, with nothing for either to eat on the journey but the tail of an eel 1 This young fellow, whose name was Fraser, lived to become an elder in the Presbyterian Church at 4*ictou. Verily, the path of future Elders in those days was not strewed with roses. When the Pictou people wanted seed potatoes they had to go to Truro tor them, and many a weary settler travelled by the aid of blaized trecH, over swamp and morass ; over mountain and glen, fording rivers and brooks, to find his way to Truro, and then had to tread the same path home again, carrying his potatoes in a bag on his back. Happy was he when he arrived home and had committed the seed to the ground if he had not to dig it up again to save himself from starving. There were many • to whom such good fortune was not vouchsafed. Verily the descendants of these people liviu>^ in ease and oomtbrt on their fiae farm) scattered all over the County of Pictou, and enjoying every privilege of an advanced civilization, may well drop a tear when lecalling of the trials and tribula- tions which their ancestors underwent for the first few years after they made their homes on the shores of Pictou harbour. Beyond Pictou there were no white inhabitants save a few French Acadians at Pomquct, Tracadie and Harbour Bouche. The whole east as far as Cape North, was part of the County of Halifax. The Island of St. John (now P. E. I.) and Cape Breton, and the now 'Province of New Brunswick wi-re all included within what was then Nova Scotia. Yet the whole population of the country including as it did what was afterwards cut off to make three Provinces, did not much exceed 13,000. Cobcquid had about 400 people, and Cobequid then meant, not only the present County of Colchester, but also Pictou and certain settlements at Pictou Harbour, whose names have disappeared from the map. In the Cobequid so understood the keeping of the peace was entrust- ed to three of the Patriarchs of Truro, Charles Dickson, Eliakim Tup- per, and Robert Archibald. In the Assembly, the Townships of Truro, Onslow and Londonderry were represented. In this year the members were respectively Samuel Archibald, Charles Dickijon and J. Morrison. Of some of the occupations of the people in these good old times we get a partial glimpse in the correspondence of the early Governors, with their official heads in England. ^ Some time before the date of the settlement of Stewiacke, Mr. Frankly", then Lieut. Governor, describes the employment of the people of Truro,Onslow and Londonderry; and we may safely conclude that when Stewiacke was settled by men of these townships, their habits and pur- suits would be similar. Mr. Frauklyn says "the people of the 3 townships made all their own linen, and even some little to spare for the neighbour- insr towns. I'l that year they had raised 7524 lbs. of flax, which would probably be worked up iu their several families during the winter." These poopii! having for the most part came from Londonderry in Ireland where i^jmfther, and aoh other, ^Jogs were fcered over use. The generaljj led into a the hall md closet rip across [ne part of •je young ated from > a height box bed- d out at io it be- nen slept »e slabs, th ciay. I sticks, ip OD a se days of the •ouods, woven smade inoon- ng it lother T our » for apot, and >ther [for potatoes, were all the dishes required for the table. Animal food I was used ut almost every meal. Indeed the three meals were very much alike. The meat was either pork or beef. Before cooking it was cut into Hmall morsels called bites, about the size of the first joint of the tore finger, and then put into a pan with fat and fried over the fire — when cooked, it was poured into one of the plates alrt'ady mentioned, which, with the potatoes in the other plate, were placed in the middle of the bare deal table. The family drew around, each one helped himself to a potato, peeled it, cut it into morsels, and then with his fork selected a bite out of thereat plate, according to his fancy. Sometimes he dipped a slice of his potato into the melted fat in the dish and withdrew it saturated witli the luscious fluid. When there were young children, two or three of them could be accommodated round the trying pan on the heartn. Tht; mother, in this case, has taken care to leave some of the fat and a few "bites" of meat in the pan, and has sliced some potatoes into it. stirring the whole together, and the children arranging themselves around the pan, help themselves with spoons. Contrast with all this, the present state of things. With frame houses, carpeted floors, polished furniture, china tea service, ivory handld knives, pianos, taking the place of spinning wheels, and Bombazines and Poplins and Silks superseding the woolen, the flax and the tow. Really the life of the present day differs from that of the past, as much as the railroad differs from a highway, or as the highway itself differs from tie forest blaze by which our ancestors threaded their way from place to place. But in these old times it was impossible not to get rich. There might not be much money, but there was abundance ^of everything else, and the life of the day was one which produced habits of steady industry. There was for women the daily care of the dairy — the churning and making of butter, the baking of bread, the spinning and weaving of wool, and flax and tow. The accumulation of piles of blankets and sheets and towels against the day when the young women were to branch out into housekeeping for themselves. There was for men not only the chopping and burning and rolling and grubbing on the new cleared farms, but they had to take their part in preparing the materials for the industry of the women. They spread the flax in the fields watered and turned it to rnt the fibre. They broke it and skutched it and then handed it over to the women to be batchelled, spun and woven, then to be bleached, till it rival- led the snow in whiteness, and last of all to be made up into articles of use and apparel. An industrious, a thriving, an honest and a God fear- ing people, they were, these ancestors of ours, and we may well be proud, if, with all our advantages, we can challenge comparison with them in the solid virtues, and sound principles for which they were conspicuous. We have dealt, I fear, at too great length with the first part of our subject. But if I have been at all successful in my object, I have placed before you the materials for forming some conception of what Nova Sco- tia was one hundred years ago. Now let us march forward fifty years. In the meantime great events had occurred which I caimot stay to detail. But in passing let me say t^at during this period England has lost an 46 THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY Empire in the West, and won another in the Ea^t. Throe millions of »*ubji:ct8 on this continent had wandered away from their allegiance. But then, in the East, the victories ( f Clive and HaHtings had supplied their places by over one hundred inillions of new subjects. The mother coun- try still marched on in Imperial stylo. It had lost the materials of a na- tion, second to none in the world. Yet it had not parted with its presti^'o. It still retained its ascendancy in the world. A time of trouble and turmoil was this fifty years. When the period besun, there wns a little Corsican Boy, then only eleven y 'ars old, at a school in a small country town in France, in the old Province of Champaj;ne. To nil appearance there was rtothing extraordinary in him. He had a taste for mathematics but nothing else distinguished him from [he other School Boys at Brienne. His father was poor, and had enough to do to pay his son's school bills. The Boy might well have been content to cherit^h as the highest obj"Ct of ambition, the ciiair of a Protessor or the command of a regiment. But there was a different fate in store for him. He was to rise step by step till he became Captain, General, Consul, Emperor. He was to make Europe a battle- field. He was to strew the Continent with corpses from Cadiz to Most cow. He was to distribute the thrones of Spain and Naples, of Holland and Wirtemt)Uig among his brothers and brothers-in-law. He was to dominate in Europe, this Corsican soldier, as no de.'jcendaut of a line of sovereigns had ever done before. All this had happ'?ncd. but the glor- ious pageant had faded away. Brothers and Brothers-in-law were in ex- ile, and the great author of all the disturbance had been caured in a rooky i.>-let in the Atlantic, where he had pined away 'ind died. A long peace followed. England, now no longer en centuries had been excluded from the Legit'lature, were now kooekingat the door and demandmg admittance. The King on the Throne was the 4th George, now sinking with disease. If there was anything, which, with him, was a matter of conscience. It was to exclude the Catholics — on that point he had always been sustained by the Duke. But the tid-^ was now too strong. Not only was the Minister compelled himself to yield but, Vhat was hard- er still, he was obliged to make his Sovereign do the only thinir he could not do without a qualm. Minister and Sovereign h*d both to bow to the inevitable. Citholic Peers again satin the Lords, Catholic Representa- tives in the Commons. But this was only the beginning. It was the awakeninu: of the nation from a Ion? sl(;ep. The Corporation and Test Acts were soon to be repealed. The H(»u«e of Commons to be reformed. Rotten B(»ronghs that had no population to be swept away. Plourishins; cities, counting their inhabitant's by hundred^ of tliousand*. to be enfran- chised. In the midst of all this < turmo'l, Goorg(> the 4th goes to his grave, and his brf)ther the sailor Prince ascends the Throne. The old Duke still holds on, but one unhappy sp.eoh made ou a qucibtiun of reform, SP oil aq sq fH it ir THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY 47 •'<^ niillions oj' llogianoe. But 'supplied their mother coun- ^rialsofa na- th its prosti^'c. I« and turmoil Cornican Boy, Wfi in Prance,' e was nothing nothing else H'8 father '• The Boy t of ambition, t there was a till he became P« a battle- diz to Most . "f Holland He was to 'f' a line of It the glor- wero in ex- d in a rooky 'f'ns peace ^ars, had f^ad of the attcrs, bet- af«;, his ad- ^iberalism I'uriep had '. door and 'h George, him, was t point he too strong, was hard- he could >"w to the i^presentii- ■ was the and Test reformed, ourishing B enfran- '» to hit. The old 'f reform, sealed his doom. Tlio Ministry was swept away and the agitAtion went on till the Reform Bill of 1833 re-constructed the Britilih Constitution, and placed power in the hands of the middle classes. About this time a ne\j powi-r came into existence, a power that Ims Imd more to do with revolutionizing the habits and thoughts of the world tlmn any ten Napoleons could have done. We refer to the introduction of rail- ways. In 1830, the line between Liverpool and Manchesti t was opened. The Duke ol Wellington went down to see the ceremony. Mr. Hai-kiH- son, an eminent English statesman, was thtre too. He had doM;ended from the railway carriage, and was standing on the line talking to the Duke, when he was struck by an engine passing on the other traek, and instantly killed. This baptismal inauguration gave a sad interest ro the introduction of a 8yst<'ni pregnant with such mighty consequences. Now, let us see what we were about at this time. We had no Cath- olic Emancipation Bill to pass. We had already got rid of that question setting England an example which she should have set to us. A Roman Catholic had been a member of the Nova Scotia Assembly since 1827. The clause of the oath which rendered it impossible for men of his creed to sit in the Assembly, had been swept away. But if we had not tho Catholic question to disturb us, we had others, which were occasioning no little excitement. Mr. Barry, member for Shelburno. had incurred tho censure of the Assembly for refusing to make an apology to a brother member, in terras indicated by a coo^mittee of the House. He had ag- gravated the offence by publishing in a newspaper a letter charging the committee with falsehood. The House were indignant, and ordered him to prison. But the crowd sympathized with the culprit, and rescued him from the officers. The members were hooted and pelted by the incensed mob. There was a dinner party the same evening at Government House, to which a number of members were invited. They set out to go in full dress, but were recognized by the mob, assailed with brick-bats, and driven to take refuge in private houses. At several tables that even- ing there were unbidden guests in full dinner costume, at meagre repasts, which seemed all the more meagre when they thought of the grand din- ner at Sir Peregrine's table, which they were unable to reach. The Gov- ernor was obliged to dine with half his party, and to listen to the shouts of excited patriots outside, blended with the strains of a military band within. But this was a tempest in a teapot compared with another which was soon to rage. In the first session ot 1830, the House of Assembly had sent up to the CouDoil a Bill, imposing duties on spirituous liquors, among other things, a duty of Is. 4d. a gallon upon brandy. A similar Bill had been sent up every year since 1826, but by some curious construction of the officials of the day, only Is. a gallon was collected. The other 4d., though exacted at first, had been afterwards returned to the parties that paid it. This fact came to light only in this Session, and the House, determined that the Act should no longer be open to doubt, now made the law plain. But the Council were opposed to the policy. They thought Is. 4d. a gallon "a burthen imposed on the commerce of the country greater than I 48 THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. it conld bear." It would Heom that in point of uoney the difference was insignificant. The whole yield of the extra 4d. would not exceod £700, and with fNUch a revenue as the Province then had, the addition to the duty would be loss than if a 10 per cent rate were raiHud to 10 and l-8th. Evidently then, the question, if of importance, wac not so from the money involved. The burthen on commerce was tho pretence, but not the ruu- »-m, for the difference that existed. It must not be forgotten that at thiH time the Legislative and Executive Council were one and the same body, and that the CuUeotov of Customs and the Collector of Ejcise sat in both. The House of Assembly had no defined power. They represented th« people. They could say what the people wished, but that was all. The difference between Representative and Responsible Institutions is well • illustrated by the Journals of 1830, which deserve, and will repay a care- i'ul perusal. In that Session the House had submitted to a variety of re- buffs. They had appropriated money to the great and cross roads, and sent their resolution to the Council. That body had culled for a Confer- ence, at ^hich they had insisted that the money was wrongly dibtributed. Tbe House adhered to their scale, but met the objection of the Council by providing for roads, which that body thought should receive aid. At another time the Council agreed to two out of twelve additional road votes and rejected the other ten. Clearly such a state of things could not last. The House becomes restive, and when the Revenue Bill comes on they take their stand. They see that representation I ecomes a farce, if disassociated with power. Now for the first time they begin to spenk and act OD principles, which in our day are accepted as the very A I C of politics. At first their resolutions have a tentative air: the language iu hesitating and uncurtain, and it is not till the dispute rages hot, that they assert their rights in language that has the true ring of freedom. One of the resolutions declares that the Assembly, when framing a Revenue Bill, "hold it as their undeniable right, of which nothing has deprived nor can divest them, to fix the matter and measure, the time, the terms, limitations, conditions and qualifications, with- out augmentation, diminution, or alteration, by His Majesty's Cuuncii." But it was long before they reached this point, and perhaps it never would have been reached if theCouneil had not played the game of theAssembly, by a series of gross and palpable blunders. The Bill had been sent up to the Council on the 29th March. The Act then in force expired on the 31st. There were only two days to spare. On the afternoon of the second day, about 4 o'clock, eight hoars before the expiration of the old Act, the Council sent down the new Bill disagreed to. What was to be done? After a few hours not a shilling of duty could be collected on spirituous liquors. There vcre great quantities on hand. The market would be flooded with spirits, on which no duty would be paid, and £40,000 would be lost to the revenue. For the moment, the Houi^e were paralyzed, but next day they introduced a new Bill, imposing the same duty. In the mean- time th«y find out by searching the journals ol the Council, that when the old Bill was before that body, it was referred to a committee consist- ing of the two revenue officers, and a third muiubcr who was a large im- .-i.#»i^,-*,V. T THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. 49 porter of brandy. When the new bill came to bo discusHed, Mr. Arohi- Dald the speaker referred to this as a fact, ho ruft-rred to it in language particularly guarded and mild. But the Council were incensed, and on the 7th April passed a resolution denouncing the speeches in the other House as 'gross, scandaloua and libellous, and a breach of the privileges of the Council.' These resolutions they stent down by their clerk. The As- sembly took no notice of the message for three days, when with a dignity which does them credit, they say they are precluded by the UDCOurteoui terms of the Council's resolution from taking the subject into considera- tion. In the whole Assembly there were only three members who were willing to evade this declaration by a side wind. One of these was Mr. Richard J. Uniacke, junior, son of the Attorney General, Richard J. Uniacke, senior, who had a seat in the Council. Another wasMr. Barr;^ the former idol of the mob, who had sank into insignificance when let a- lone, and was now shewing how much he cared for popular rights. Tht third was Mr. Hartshorne, a representative of the County of Halifax. But though the House declared it would not discuss the resolutions of the Council, they passed on the same day one of their own, not noticing those of the Council, but declaring "the highest rt'spect for their Speaker, their great estimate of his talents, integrity and ability, and setting forth that his public conduct had secured him the confidencu of the House and country. This resolution went to a division, and again t'^ree only of the members are found in opposition to the rest of the House. When the new bill passed and was sent to Council, they refused to consider it. They took the ground that it was the same bill as the one previously re- jected and that it was against the rule to send up a bill a second time in the same Session. In fact the bill was not the Hame. The title was dif- ferent. It covered a diffc rent period of time. But the tempor of the Council was up, and to such a petty technicality as this, the true interests of the Province were to be saerificiid. The members of Council seemed to have lost their heads. Towards the close of the session the Assembly sent up a message on some matter of business. The Attorney General who was in the chair at the time, infotmed the messenger that the House had behaved so outrageously that the Council would receive no message from them. The Cierk returned to the Assembly. Shortly after he Was sent back with another message. The House had passed an appropria- tion bill, and the; cibji:ct of the new missage, was to send up the bill for the action of the Council. The messenger found the doors closed, bathe was informally told by a Deputy Clerk that the Council would have none of his message. So the country was not only without a revenue but with- out an appropriation bill. Such was the embroglio out of which the death of George the IV. opened a way of escape. In these days the demise of a sovereign dis-olved the House. George the Pourrfj's death prerented the necessity of an exercise of the prerogative. The writs for a new As- sembly were soon issued, and then came on the great election of 1830 — so well known as the one fought on the "brandy question.'* Of course there could be but one response. Of the thn e membera who had comprised the minority not one was returned. Mr. R. J. Uniacke had gone to the i I, . t 1 i' 4 J - 1 1 y 11 1 1' IM i 60 THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. 'Bench ; Mr. Barry wai no Ioniser to preveDt McmberB of Parliament I'roiij dining with Sir Peregrine. Mr. Hartshornu's plaoo wan Rignificant- \y tilled by Mr. Jotham Blanchard. the editor of the I'ictou Patriot, who then first entered the AHHeiiibly. The new nou!«e lut t on the 8th Novcni- bt;r. Sir Pengrine had returned from B rniuda and whh now at his po^t. Again we have the old injunction about harmony and dt^npatch. Sr R.cliaid IlnirheH had usvd it uffeeluaily half a century before. Mr. Wallace had triid it thiH uauie year, with the reaults we have detailed, and now S.r P*rinrine repeats the recommendation. The reply of the. \ AxHeiiibly was sign.ficant. They Hay by an overwhulniuing majority, that ',.,«hey will cultivate itarniony, 'Vo far aH it In not inconsir>tent with the juf^t "Y rights of tue pioph'." Thm gives the key-not*- to the new House. One of itH tirst acts wa- to send up the bill of last session in the same words. The Council mvi that the battle was lobt, -and for fear that a worse thing •hould befall iheni. passed the Bill witliout a word. And so ended the great Brandy <|u iition, and the claim of the Upper House to interfere witL Bevciuic III Money Bill.**. Aa I have already Htated the population of the Province in 1780 was about 13,(1(10. It had now swollen to over 150.000. The Council in 1830 conti.-'ted of 12 members. The House of 41, 15 having been added wince 1780. The then County of Halifax (now divided into three) sent four niembi:rs to the A.s.sembly, the town of Halifax two. The nine other Counties went two each, and the seventeen other Towns one member each. In the Assembly of 1830 as in that of 1780, apptar the familiar names of Archibald and Fairbanks, Dickson and Chipuian, Cochrane and Lovett. The political constitution of the Province at the time was very unsatisfactory. It might have been suitable to the Government of an infaot colony, but Nova Scotia had outgrown it. We had been enjoying Representative Institutions for over thr'-e score and ten years. We had elected AssemWies ever since 1758, and yet, when the incidents occurred which we have b^en narrating, the A>^^e^nbly had no recognised power of any kind. The Council sat in one capacity as a branch of the Legisla- ture, in another as advisers of the Lieutenan^Governor. No member of the Lower House could be ot the Cabinet. These men, therefore, who especially enjoyed the confidence of the people, aud so became members of the Assembly, were "ipso facto" disqualitied from being members of the Executive. The Council as a Legislative body held the power — a negative one, of rejecting every bill. The Council, as an executive body had anothir power — a positive one, that of filling every office. Before the Assembly could pass a law they required the concurrence ot the Council. But when an office was to be filled, the Council requited no concurrence on the part of the Assembly. On the contrary, the more a man enjoyed the confi- dence of the popular branch, the less likely was he to receive the favor of the Crown. In this very year ther^ was a vacancy on the bench. It had occurred on the opening of the first session. Judge Stuart had died in February. In the House there were a number ef able lawyers. BeBidee THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY 5t the Speaker there were FairbanlcH and Murdoch, Stewart ond Dicknon and Morse ; but these men were in the Plmlanx of 38, who etcod up for popular rii^htA. On the other hand there was Mr. Uniackf, the leader of the gallant throe, who fou^^ht for the intercste of the Legislative Counril. Mr. Uuiacke oould not have been appointed during; the session without reducing his party in the H(mse to two, so that the vacsnojr war. kept open till the House rose. OnThat very day, the 13th of April, was paHsed the Minute of Council, whieh put Mr. Tin iaoke on the Bench and with- drew him from the judgment of his constituentH. With such a sj»teni it required some courage in a member of the Lower House to oppose any measure favored by the Council. Our institutions were supposed at this time to be framed somewhat on the model of the Enjrlish constitution ; and yet ever since 1688, nearly 150 years, the Government of England had been controlled by the majority of the Commons. Stater-men in England were trained in that doctrine, and we can fancy the amusement of Sir George Murray, the then Minister of the Colonies, when aftt r re- ceiving Mr. Wallace's despatch in reference to the Assembly, he read the journals which reached him shortly after. While these shewed division after division of 38 to 3 on points on which no question could be raised in England, Mr. Wallace oooly informs the Minister that from what had passed during the Session, "there could be no business Tconducted satisfactorily with the Assembly." He had therefore prorogued the House and supposed Sir Peregrine on his return would disolve it. It never seems to have entered into Mr. Wallace's head that the voice of the 38 representitires of the people, who were on the other side, should count for anything. Promotion for the friends of the Council, dissolution for its enemies — such was the doctrine underlying Mr. Wallace's despatch. Well dissolutioB came, and where were the three champions ? Mr. Uniacke was cared for and did not need to go to the polls, but Mr. Barry, formerly the idol of the popuUce was quietly snuffed out; so also wai Mr. Hartshorne. The place that knew them formerly, knew them now no more. A curious institution was the Council of 18.30. It comprised a Bishop and four Judges, an Attorney General, and a Surveyor General and two Collectors of the Revenue. Of the twelve members, there was only one who by the greatest stretch of courtesy could be called an agri- culturist, only one who had ever been concerned in trade — of the 12 seats, one was given to the Church, nine to officialism, two only could be s{)arcd for agriculture and commerce. How long this precio^|rrangement would have lasted, but for the fight about the 4d, it i^nwsible to say. England owe4 its liberties largely to the refusal ofan ind^idual to pay a tax of 20s. improperly imposed. We owe ours largely to an attempt to prereut a tax of fourpence from being properly imposed. The right of the people, through their representatives, ti say what tax they will, and what they will not pay, lies at the root of the question jn both cases. ^■m^ A ■«• -.k' 52 THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. When the spirit of freedom and independence was once roused, it continued to spread. In a short time the Executive Council was made a distinct body, and composed of members ot both branches. The confi- dence of the people, indicated by election to the Assembly, was no longer » bar to the office of Cabinet Minister, and, bjAand bye, came the com- pletion of the revolution. What was formerly a disqualification, became now a title. Power passed to the popular branch, wliich. as in England, became the supreme authority. Thenceforth the Government had to be con- ducted according to the well understood wishes of the, people as expressed through their elected representatives. While these disputes were creating such excitement in the Assembly and in the country, there were some people looking on who considered the whole thing an amusing squabble. A writer in the Nova Scotian of the 8th of April gives rather a graphic account of the fight, which he heads with the well known lines ot Butler:— "Strange all this difference should be, 'Twixt tweedle dum and tweedle dee." He goes on to give bis description of the different views held by the Council and the Assembly on the subject in dispute. Of the A.ssembly he says : — " The CommoDS,by their Speaker, swore the devil might distress them If ever they renounced their rights while able to possess them ; And fully to express their mind, declared it was their will, sir. That Council should hare nought to do with tax or Money Bill, sir." Of the Upper House he writes : — ^' The Council, on the other hand, with might and main opposing, And all their rights of ancient date, in black and white disclosing, Besolved an atom of these rights they would not relax, sir. And if they pleased, would meddle both with Money Bills and Tax, sir." To make our picture of the two eras complete, I ought to notice the progress made in journalism during the hair century, and illustrate it by extracts from the Nova Scotian, now under the charge of Mr. Howe, and from other papers. I ought not to overlook the fact that just now appeared an excellent history of Nova Scotia — a work written with much ease and grace of dic- tion, and which first drew the attention of our people, and of our brethren in the other Colonies, and in the New EnglaodStates, to many curious and interesting events connected with our eawHiyatory. But my paper has already far out-frown iM^proportions originallv designed for it, and I must postpone, t6 some future occasion, a work which would afford me much gratification, and which would be, I think, not without interest to an audience like this. a of rk Eaxly Religious History of Eastern Uova Scotia. ADDRESS BY REV. GEORGE PATTERSON, D. D. In proceeding to the part assigned me of giving some account of tlife «arly history of the Church in the Eastern part of the Province, I must carry you back, not a century only, but nearly three centuries', to iheorigin of that race usually known as the Scots in Ulster, or in America as the Scotcii-Irish, as to them must be given the honour of laying the foundations of religious s<>- cietj' in this part of our land. They were originally emigrants from Si^otland *o Ireland in the reign of James I. in the early part of tln« 17th i«ntury. In the Civil War, of which that country was the seat, partly arifsing froin the desire of the old Celtic race for independence of Englan(i,' and partly from tlie contest for religious supremacy between popery and protestantii-ni," the Irish and Spanish, or in other words, the Popish cause was entirely defeated, sev- eral of the large proprietors or petty princes of the North of Ireland had fled^ leaving their large estates to be resumed by the crown, and other estate?" having been confiscated, nearly the whole of the Northern Province of Ire- land came into possesaion of the king. To occupy these lands proflumationi< went forth through England and Scotland, inviting colonists to settle in Uls- ter. This was responded to by many in Scotland, who about the year 1610 began to pour across the Channel to occupy the lands allotted to them. In the year 1641, in consequence of the rebellion, some Scotch regitnouts having been sent over, with them were sent some Presbyterian clergymen, as regi- mental chaplains, who, with otlicers as ruling elders, formed the tirst Presby- tery in Ireland at Carrickfergus in 1642. In the subsequent reigns their number was increased by those who tied from persecution in Scotland. Of their subsequent history, I cannot speak at length, but I must say a word of their character and their work. They were a hardy race. They were Pro- testant as has been said to the marrow of their bones. They had tasted the sweets of liberty and were prepared to stand forth the friends of civil and re- ligious freedom, even at the cost of life. If the original settlers were not a mce of saints, God so blessed the ministry of the word among them that perhaps no mote God-fearing race can be found anywhere. Of the services which they have rendered to the world, history has taken charge, and the noble record she will not willingly' let die. Occupying the poorest part of Ireland, they have made both the natural and mora,! wilder- ness to olossom as the rose. They have made it the home of order, peace and quiet In a country the most noted in Christendom for disorder, riot and bloodshed. They filled it with a people noted for industry, enterprise and comfort, alongside of a race noteo for thriftlessness and poverty. They have made it a land of intelligence and virtue, where around them ignorance and superstition are the densest. And then on the broader field of the world's progress, the historian i)articularly of the British Empire, would have a different story to tell, but or those okl Scots of Ulster. Who is not familiar with the part which they had in the last great struggle, which secured the triumph of civil and religious liberty, on the ramparts, Enniskillen and the never-to-be-forgotten walls of Londonderry, and I may say that in this valley I have Received traditions of that celebrated siege from the descendants of those who suffered in it. It is not too much to say- that but for them the Stewarts might have continued to oc- cupy the throne of the British Isles ; the free constitution of which En;.- lisnmen boast, which has carried the principles of freedom and constitution- al order through the r^ons colonised by her, and has presented the model 54 THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. I might to #x, oil MhtKT niitions mieht have baen still a speculation ; and Popery hIvf4ifnrJSrroft their populat. '"^ K ?f L'rthl'rTe^^SrtSah^^ Eastern par^ of the Province is inde?S for what it' is, socmTy and religiously. C^«"-Sa"of"th^H raS half of the last century led to a large emigration to America of this rac», where they have act«d a prominent part in the ad;«neement of a 1 the great Interests of that country. Among others one band founded a tow n in NeM HShire which they called Londonderry, aiter their original home. Dur- SSTwrS continent between the English and French, which ended K overthrow of French power by the capture, of Louisburg and Quetec, of them had been embodied for active service, and served at Fort Beau- some ^W Some ofthese having passed through Tri.r>, were attracted by the rich marshes which had been left vacant by the expulsion of the Iren-h Acadians, and on their discharge a numter of them returned w^ith some o^ their countrymen to settle permanently. In the years 1760 and 1761, the townships of Truro and Onslow were settled fronr, New England. Of those who settled the latter a number were from Maisachusetts and in reugion were of the old Puritan stock, but most of those who settled Truro were ot the Scotch-Irish from Londonderry, N. H., and it may be observed that while fiwn finding some of the old French barns standing, they gave the name OldBarnstothelower part of the township, they called the Upper, norv forming the Town of Truro, Derry after their original home. Col. McNutt, one of their countrymen, under whose management these two townships had been settl6d,al8o brought out a band direct from Londonderry in Ireland. They arrived in Halifax, October, 1761, in the ship Hopewell, a name of gootl omen, and which ought to be as dear to the people of this district as the May- flower in N. England or the Hector in Pictou. A number of those brought out by him, settled in Londonderry, and a few others went to the County of Cumberland, where about the same time a colony from New England settled. It will thus be seen that this County was at first mainly occupied by this race, and as there was then no English settlement East of Truro, they were mainly concerned in the laying the foundation of society in this part of the Province. And when I mention the names of the Archibalds, Fultons, Johnsons, McKeens, Millers, Logans, Blairs, Creelmans, McCurdys, Barn- hills, Deyarmonds, Bairds, Crows, Hamiltons, Fishers, &c., you will at once see that the Scotch-Irish form the very back-bone of the population. There were a few original Scotch {{<. >• some infusion of that element is neces- sary to the preservation of any society,) such as the Christies, Smiths, Dick- sons, Yuills, Gammells, and a slight spice of English Puritanism in such men as the Putnams, whose ancestors came to New England in the reign of Charles II. if not in the Mayflower, in as good a ship. But the names I have given are sufficient to show how society in these and adjoining counties has been moulded by the Ulstermen. But we have referred to these things, particularly with the view of show- ing how upon them depended its moral and religious character. They were a God-fearing race, carefully and religiously trained. They were strict, some would say stem, in morals, and exact in the observance of religious duties, particularly ot family religion in the forms of fiamily worship and family catechising and I need not say that these habits were impressed uf^pn the generation trained by them and to a large extent remain to the present day. And I may say that their influence has extended not to the Presbyterian Church alone. Dr. Allison on the platform is of the same stock. The late Mr. Morrow was a grandson of one of their ministers. And I believe that Mr. Dimock will admit that there are not better men and women in the Baptist Church than those who sprang from this stock. (Mr. D. cordially as- sented.) L THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. 65 \yith ttieir habiUi and character, we may suppose that one of their great- est privations in this new country was the want of public ordinances. They sought indeed to keep the fires of devotion burninR at the domestic hearth b>- tlie regular performance of family worship ; and I ftnd in a letter from the Presbytery of New Brunswick, N. J., they were commended for meeting t«jgether for prayer and reading, from which it appears that they were in the habit of holding assemblies of their own. But we may suppose that they should still long for regular ministerial services, that they might en- joy religious ordinances as in the land of thttir fathers. Accordmgly it is mentioned by Hali burton, that the settlers of Truro in 1762, wrote to Col. McNutt to Glasgow, to obtain for them a Seceder minister. This corres- pondence is now not known to be in existence, and I have been inclined to believe, that there might be a mistake of a year iu the date. At all events in the year following, (1703^ a formal petition was prepared to the Associate Presbytery of (Glasgow for a minister. But this never reached its destina- tion. In the following yeai- it was renewed in more earnest terms. And' here our attention is called to a point that has an important bear- ing upon the subsequent progress of religion in the Eastern part of the Pro- vince, and that is, that their application was to the Secession Church. How did this hapiien, and here we must notice the siuguhir connexion of events in Providence. In the year 1733, the Secession was formed in Scotland on the ground of patronage and false doctrine in the established Church. The state of the North of Ireland was somewhat ditfereat from that of Scotland. There was no patronage there, but regulations had been adopted by the Synod, giving greater power to the rich in the selection of ministers, which gave of- jen(!e to the poorer classes. But besides, men had been admitted to the min- istry holding Arian sentiments, without subscribing the Confession of Faith, and in many pulpits tiroHsly Pelagian sentiments were taught by men who had Kubscribeil an Orthmlox Creed ; and there had been shown in the Synod great want of faithfulnets in dealing with this state of things. Hence many nious smils were grieved. When the intelligence reached the North of Ire- land of the struggle in Scotland which led to the formation of the Secession Church and of the proceedings of the Presbytery, they were deeply interested and only three years after the formation of the Presbytery an application was forwarded to them from Ireland for supply of preaching. And from the year 1742, Secession missionaries visited the North of Ireland, where they were gladly rec«ive«e faithful men who amid toil and privation first planted the pt«}x)l throngi. out onr EaKtern Counties. And we cannot but re- Siard it as of the gofid huiul of the- Lord, that they were so directed. Thai hodj' was the only one in iScfjtland at the timte and almost the only one in iSritain, that wa.s sending; niinsionaries abroad. And thus were obtained those faithitil men, through whose kbors our niofal wilderness was made to blos>«om as the rose. The first minister however in the Eastern part of the l*rovince did not come from this source. There was a minister in Cumberland of tlie name f)f Mr. Sutton, a New Enirland Pnritan, at a very early period, bnt I cannot be certain how early or that he was the first; but the first Presbyterian min- jjler in this Province was the Rev. James Lyon, who was ordained by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, N. J., in December, 17G4, as a missionary to Nova Scotia, and by their minutes, it appears, that his ordination wa» hur- ried, as there was an opportunity then ollering of liis proceeding to Nova Scotia. And immediately after his ordination the minntes say that "where- as appli<'*ation has been made by the people of Halifax and other parts of Nova Scotia for ministers of the gospel, and particularly by Col.Alex.McNntt, the Presbytery appoint Mr. J. Lyon to go and otficiate in said colony at dis- cretion fcr the sf»a(» of ten months or longer ,if the state of affairs require it." lie must then have arrived in Dec. 17tt4, or Jany. 17(55. In the latter year he was in Halifax. He was one of a company called the Philadelphia com- pany, who i-ecoived a large grant, extending from the Eastern bounds of the Township of Truro to Picton, embracing most of the Western and Northern farts of the latter county, and who commenced the first settlement there. t api)oars that in sending their settlers, the Company had arranged that he should be minister to them. Actrordingly we find him in 1769 residing in Picton, but afterward for several years he resided in Onslow. I never heard much about him. But to return to the petition from Trnro. It came before the Associate or Burgher Synod in May, 1765. Nothing was done at that meeting but in November following, the Synod appointed the Rev. Danie) Telfer and Mr. Bamnel Kinloch, probationer as missionaries to America. Mr. K. came to Truro by Philadelphia, arriving in the summer of 1760, and was received tvith the utmost cordiality, and his labors gave general satisfaction to the people. He also preached in the neighboring settlements so that a desire was awakened in them for a permament dispensation of gospel ordinances. Accordingly a petition was sentfor his continuance in Truro,and at the same time oni'from Londonderry for another minister. Mr. K. was called to Philadelphiaand Truro, but the people of the former place agreed to sarren- der their claim in consequence of the more urgent necessities of the latter. But he declined both calls and returned to Scotland in 1769. The next Presbyterian minister who arrived on the smne, and the first who remained in Nova Scotia, was the Rev. Janiee Murdoch, a native of the Noith of Ireland where the family had been settled apparently from the first migration of the Scots. He was missioned to this Province by the General A^8ociate or Antiburgher Synod in the year 1765. But he did not go that year owing to a call from a congregation in Ireland. But in September 1766, he was ordained by the Presbytery of Newtonlimavady and arrived in this Province in the following spring, being intended for Cnmberland ; but though he did preach there, yet he soon after arrival settled in Horton, so that he had little to do with the work in Eastern N. S. He died aX Meag- her's Grant where he had spent his last years in 1799. In consequence of the urgent petitions that continued to be sent to Scot- land, the Associate Synod, atiheir meeting in 1767, appointed the Rev. DanielCock, then settled near Greenock, to proceed to N. S. For reasons k ■wai^nH^nan tmn THE STEWIACKE CENTENARY. 57 It n It »o V. IS which are now unknown, this appointment was not then fulfilled. But it was renewed at a meeting in August, 1769, when it was also agreed that the Rev. David Hmith ofSt. Andrews should accompany him. Mr. (^ock proctieded to his destination and arrived in Truro in the sum- mer of 1770, and was called by the people in Truro to be their ministt r in September of that year. I may not« the terms of the call. The subscribers bound " themselves, their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to pay tlie full sum of sixty pounds for the first two years, seventy for the next two years, and o^htv for the time to couie,one half in cash,and the other half in neat stock or produce at cash price." But even on such a salary it would seem that lie could indulge in luxuries denied to most of his people, for it is recordeecialiy from the fact that he gathered the children together for religious instruction on the Sabbath day, having thus established the first Sabbath School in Nova Scotia, probably the first in the Dominion, and some years before Raikes began his work. Several other ministers having arrived, a Presbyte y was formed on the 2nd August, 1786, by the name of the Associate Presbytery of Truro, being the first in the Dominion. The Rev. James McGregor arrived just at that time, but did not join the Presbytery. Time would tuM me to tell of his labors, and this will form a convenient point at which to stop in sketching the early religious history of the Eastern part of the Province. And now permit me a few reflections in conclusion, and, as some of you sometimes hear in our sermons, by way of practical improvement from wliat has been said. And first, let »i« be thankful to God for such an ancestry. " The glory of Mldren is their fatliers," and the people of these regions have reason to bit .-. God for the class of men who, in his Providence, were sent to people these Western wilds. We see the wretched state of society in many parts of theWesternStates.which are Iteing first occupied by the loose characters that have floated away beyond the bounds of civilization. liuUtiiijiiiislui(l from other days. What a hloKsin^ it has l)een tliat Got! «a (inlcnMl inonts that so 771 iich of til' older portions of Amorira were ori^'i- miily «ittlo(l by a pooplo so einiiu . ly moral and God-fearinj;:, oven if in (.ni"T to tliirt iio employed tlio ixM-sorution raised by Satan against tliern. Ami in this res|»tu-t no place that I know of has more reason to h<» grateful fH the .Supreme Ruler among n)en than tlw people of this place. The most of you can boast of having sprung from the same race which defended Lon- (ionder?'y ; some of yon can trace your direct descent from the men and wo- men who actually sutferwl in the siege— men who, when gaunt and weak from famine, while able to stagger to their guns still raised the cry " No sur- render"— and I know no nobler descent on earth. These men stood in the very Thormopylre of constitutional lilwrty and Protestant truth. And their il.'scendants from whom yon are more immediately descended were not un- worthy of tlwm. Biit this only involves ou in more serions responsibility. You aro called to imitate their virtues, and hold fast their principles. We are in- clined to look buck upon the generation, who laid the foundations of our civil and religious institutions, in a spirit similar to that expressed by the language in which the prophet descril>es the generation which first oc- I'upied the land of Canaan, "Ah I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine osjXMisals, when thou wentest after me in the wilder- ness, in a land that was not sown. Israel then was holiness to the I^ord and the first-fruits of his increase." They may have had their errors ; Jet uh proHt by them, but still they were a noble race and have left us a noble beri- t;ige, and we are under every obligation to maintain those principles of gospel truth, and those moral and religious habits which, through the blessing of (iod.made them what they were, and to whidi we are indebted so largely for all the temjMjral and spiritual blessings we enjoy, and upon which the advancement of the whole community in all its interests has been so depen- iltnt. We read of old that tlie children of Israel "feared the I^ord all the days of ,!ni-l.av. unl which indeed was the centre, from wiiich has radiated throiiuJi the (v.unti v the twelve ciiurches exclusive of itself, now witliiu the precin^-ts. This chnrcii was connected with the Lower Stewiacke Churcii frum IS.;.' until 1850. Over the eongreuation as then united the late H mi attached to his pastor, he resolved to acconipany or follow him to his iit«w home, and accordingly settled in Stewiacke about the year IHd.S. Mr. Newcombe subsequently embraced the sentiujents of the Hapti'-N, and was baptized by Rev. .James Munroe, who was at the time pa.stor of tlui Baptist congregation in Onslow. The speaker first visited this place just verging on forty \ears ago, and was tlien pastor of the Baptist congregation in OhsIow and Truro. The vi.sit here resulted in an engagement to the paK'.orate, to serve one- fourth of the time. The first sermon preaclied in this place by a Baptist ministor, was preached by Rev. Dr. Tupper, on the 15th of Fel)., 181'J. The text on thi> oc- casion being Rom. 6. 2. 3. In giving Mr. Newcombe to the Baptists, the Presbyterians bestowwl no insignificant boon, and if the former are not ashamed »if their paternity, the latter, I hope, may not be ashamed of their descendants. For some time the body worshipping here was a branch of their earlier founded brethren in Lower Stewiacke. It became a distinct church during the pastorate just mentioned ; and, though few in numbers, lins not iKten al- tog<;ther dormant, with reference to its moral and religious obligations. In educational matters, this l>ody has been active, forward not only in' the common school, and fostering in connection with others in the coinniu- nity, the general intersts of our common school system, but also in forward- ing the liigher education. Thousands of dollars the congregation has contri - buted to this object. It may be worthy of notice in passing that as a member of the associat- ed religious body to which it belongs, at one of the anniversary nu-etiiiL's of that body, this church, by its delegates, gave a unanimous vote assenting in and recommending a general taxation as the surest and most su(rcessful mode of promoting common school education. This session, at which the resolution was passed, was held in thiscounty. This was probably thefiist religious body in the Protince that adopted this course, so as to pronounce upon it in this public manner. This was pre- vious to legislation on the subject by our Provincial Parliament. So that when our present system of common schools was inaugurated and carried through the Legislature, to effect which His Honor, our present worthy Lieutenant-Governor, took so at^tive and earnest part, the general boilv, of which this church was a constitutent member, was quite ready to chime in with the Legislature in the matter. Quite a staff of teachers have also emanated from this small body, w hich is further evidence of its interest in education^ About thirty have been, or iT^ii 60 THE STEWIACKE CENTKXARY. are, engaged in the teaching dopartuiont, five of wiiom are, or have been, teacliing hi>jh sdiciols or iicadoniies. A littleimudoat wiili ro;:ar(i to one oi* those may iHjriiaps bo allowed : When first i-uruing to this plii 'o to laijour, a little girl found it difficult to ko«p run of the wooks, wo iw lo know tho wei>k [ should arrive. A |)lan was sugyestfd. Four liitio i)e^;s wot\) piovidod. Kvery Thursday one was removed to another apartiuont in hor drawc^r, tho last one indicating the day of arrival. Scarcely passed a « (( " Dec 31, '35 II ! •' " Mar 5, '58 Stephen Johnson II i " Resieed Charles Blaikie II i Dec. 8, 1830 ■ " Oct' '67 Hugh Dunlap II ! " " Sep 12, '52 Wm. Gammell II i " " Aug 21, '48 '• Mch23,'63 John Logan ku's Namh. DlHTIlKT. Ordination Rkmovai- I)iivid Fulton Upper Stewiacke Jan 2, 1851 William CriHiliiiiin v. Jatne» Smith, D. D., PaMor wilil 1871 ; liir. Edward Grant, Pastor, 1872 to the present time:— 'i' * 1 .. i.r 1 III Kliukim Tiippor Stewiacko Villat,'o Nov 26, 1836 lion. Samut\l Crei^lman Kastville Jan'y 2, 1851 William Croclmuu II It Died Sept {•,'57 I>avid Fidton Pembroke t( A 111! row Cox Kastville II " Jan 3, '0.3 .lainoH A. F-oi^an C'roisH Roads >i " Sept 17, '69 " Feb 25, '74 ,lobn .Tolinson « 11 John Smitn.Sen. Otter Brook Nov 20, 1861 Rfiboit W. Frame iSouth Branch II Abniliam N. Tapper Village June 2, 1867 Kobort (Jam moll CrosH Roads ii (rcorjie Forbes S. Side River .1 .U-i. E. Dickio Village 11 Robert Deyarmoiid South I^ranch .1 Samuel Asbmoro ('reelman Meadow vale June 7, 1868 Died May 4,'70 Andnnv Lo;:aii C'roBS Roads Sept 10, \'u'ii .Samuel Smith Otter Brooke II MIDDLi: STEWIACKE CONGREGATION.— Rev. Alex. Cameron, I'aftor, Vc'^71SU.—REV. JOHN D. McGILLIVRAY, Past,r, 1SG5187 1. —REV. EDWIN SMITH, Pastor, 1871 . Adam Jolin^on Samuel Jobnfon John Smith Robert VV. Frame ITu?an Wm. Devarinond Cross Koada a Pembroke u ' Wtn. Lni^an », Rov" I'rincipal Ro.s,«i and Dr. Allison, Superintendent of Education, were invited to t'peak. Roth nipde short appropriate addresses. As they were not fully reported and could not be inserted without adding one or two addi- tional pages to the pamphlet, which has already CAceeded the limits in- tended, ihe addresses of the gentlemen named have to be omitted. The Publisher. i*'>'m^k]>»<'m^ -xX' -J tiout i-efor- rith " read ccidcDtally 'res'*, ll(>v' ere invited were not two addi- liuiits in- 3d. •ISHER. »1 ,!1 4 \JSu.ca^^ ^^^^^ ^