Alarm clocks were set in a number of Sackville homes on the morning of May 15, 1941. Outside, dull grey skies, in evidence since dawn, suggested there would be rain later in the day. As people were waking up, the latest war news filtered through the radio. The morning newscast from CBA Maritimes did little… Continue reading…
Category: Bill Hamilton’s Tantramar Flashback — Series 1
Columns originally published in the The Sackville Tribune-Post
From 1875 to 2000: An Important Convocation Anniversary
On May 19, 1863, Mount Allison College held its first Convocation. Each year since then, this event has become as firmly fixed in the local calendar as the passage of the seasons. The actual date fluctuates within the month; and the size of the graduating class has grown upward, from single digits to the hundreds;… Continue reading…
From Semaphore to Short Wave: A Salute to RCI
In an age when instant communication is taken for granted, it’s hard to imagine a time when news could take months, even years, to reach a final destination. During the 18th and 19th centuries a number of experiments were undertaken to speed up the process. One of the earliest was known as semaphore. This involved… Continue reading…
Reflections on May 24th
Many readers will have guessed that Tantramar Flashbacks are often written well in advance of publication. When I checked the calendar and noted the projected publication date for this week, my topic was settled. Could there be a better place than Victoria, British Columbia, to reflect on the significance of this date? Any visitor to… Continue reading…
History In A Grocery Bag: The Mysterious Mary Cannon
Over the past two years several Tantramar Flashbacks have resulted from reader contacts. Equally important, many both within the region and beyond continue to keep in touch on a regular basis. I welcome this input; it’s the very life blood of the column. Keep the telephone calls, letters and e-mails coming! A number have been… Continue reading…
An Interview with Mr Football — David MacAulay
People who live within sight and sound of the Mount Allison campus can note the passing seasons even without a calendar. The comparative silence of late spring and summer comes to an abrupt end with the arrival of each new freshman class. This event is followed soon after by the first football game of the… Continue reading…
The “Remarkable” Career of Dr. Clarence Webster
Anyone who dips into the history of the Tantramar region, will soon encounter the long shadow of Dr. John Clarence Webster. Even after the passage of a half century, his writing and research remain among the most authoritative interpretations of local history. Who was this man? Why was he remarkable? Born on Oct. 21, 1863… Continue reading…
Reflections for Canada Day: The Planter Prime Ministers
In ten days time Canadians will observe Canada Day, the 133rd anniversary of Confederation. On July 1st 1867 four former British colonies: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick. Lower Canada (Québec) and Upper Canada (Ontario) were united to form a new Dominion. Use of the word Dominion was the inspiration of a New Brunswick Father of Confederation,… Continue reading…
Why Did “The Island” Wells Run Dry?
In the early 1800’s, if residents of this region mentioned that they were going to The Island they would not have PEI in mind. Regular travel across the Northumberland Strait was impossible for another century. Locally, The Island meant only one place; Botsford’s or Dorchester Island, as it later became known. Let’s step back in… Continue reading…
Causes of the Yorkshire Migration
On a day in early May of 1774, the lookout on Citadel Hill in Halifax raised his telescope to watch two brigantines beating their way into the harbour. Although the port was but twenty five years old, such sights were common. Nor was it out of the ordinary that these vessels were crowded with immigrants…. Continue reading…
