Category: Bill Hamilton’s Tantramar Flashback — Series 1

On December 30, 1998, Tantramar Flashback featured a quiz on local history. Based on columns published during the previous year, it’s objective was to heighten awareness of the rich heritage found on the Tantramar and beyond. The quiz was well received and another is presented below. In doing so, we are following a tradition found… Continue reading…

At first glance the city of Bathurst and the town of Sackville would seem to have little in common. However, history reveals that both were named for British politicians; the Earl of Bathurst and Lord Sackville. By coincidence each occupied the same cabinet post — secretary of state for the colonies. In pre-confederation days the… Continue reading…

It has long been recognized that cemeteries form an important link in our cultural and historical heritage. Whether plain or elaborate, gravestones are classified among the earliest examples of creative art. In addition, each and every stone is an irreplacable historical artifact, recording something of a community’s history. As might be expected in an area… Continue reading…

In 1786 the newly created province of New Brunswick was divided into eight counties; however, within each, older parish subdivisions were still retained. In the case of Westmorland County, a parish of the same name paralleled the Nova Scotia border as far as Port Elgin; while the adjacent Cape Tormentine peninsula kept its designation, Botsford… Continue reading…

From time to time this column will survey the imprint of the earliest settlers on the Tantramar region. The Mi’kmaq people were considered last October; today it is the turn of the Acadians. Later Flashbacks will spotlight other founding groups such as the New England Planters, Loyalists, Yorkshire settlers and others. On Aug 11, 1755… Continue reading…

It is often said that time has no divisions, yet anyone following recent media accounts would question this conclusion. For weeks we’ve been flooded with millennium mania. By now, I hope that everyone has relaxed a bit, and that you have not fallen victim to Y2K. In anticipation of future letters and telephone calls, I’ll… Continue reading…

Recently, when asked the question: Are you familiar with the Grange movement? I responded yes, as the organization was once active in southwestern Ontario where we used to live. Unknown to me was the fact that the Grange had also reached the Maritimes. There were at least four branches in this area; in Sackville, Amherst,… Continue reading…

In Port Elgin, the roots of Presbyterianism lie deeply imbedded. In late April 1854 Rev Alexander Clarke (1794–1874) reported: On Sabbath afternoon was at Jolicure. Monday lectured at the Bay [Baie Verte]. Went on to Gaspereau [Port Elgin]. Appointed a building committee, and let the foundation and frame of the [meeting] house. So began the… Continue reading…

Words often change their meaning over time; while new words emerge to meet the needs of the present. Terms such as Planter or New England Planter, once in common use, are seldom heard today. Planter was an old English noun that described a colonist or settler. It was applied to the New Englanders who moved… Continue reading…

Failure of the Eddy Rebellion did not mean an end to New England influence on the Tantramar. An examination of the lists of original land holdings indicates that many families, whose ancestry may be traced to the Planter migration, are still found on the Isthmus of Chignecto. Consider the following examples: Ayer, Briggs, Cole, Copp,… Continue reading…