Category: Bill Hamilton’s Tantramar Flashback — Series 1

Amos Botsford II (1804–94) was educated at the Westmorland Grammar School and studied law under the direction of his father, William Botsford (1763–1864). Unlike other members of his family, most of whom became lawyers, he preferred instead to remain a farmer and country squire. Throughout his life he demonstrated a keen interest in agriculture and… Continue reading…

It was a happy coincidence that July 1st, 1867 fell on a Monday. In addition, the weather was reported as favourable in all four provinces of the new Dominion. From Sydney Nova Scotia and Sackville New Brunswick in the east, through to Sarnia and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in the west, the day continued clear… Continue reading…

What newspapers were being read by your great grandparents at the beginning of the 20th century? If they lived on the Tantramar, it was probably The Semi-Weekly Post which went back to The Sackville Post, first published on May 12, 1870. In 1896, The Sackville Post was amalgamated with The Chignecto Borderer; and renamed The… Continue reading…

Throughout New Brunswick there are several towns closely linked with business enterprises. Who could describe St. Stephen without mentioning Ganongs; or visit Florenceville and overlook McCains? For the first half of the twentieth century, the same might be said of Port Elgin. This was Magee territory, and while there were other important businesses, none had… Continue reading…

In researching the history of the Tantramar it’s easy to overlook the period before European settlement. From the mid 1600s onward we have a variety of records to help chart the way. But what about the years that went before? The area was inhabited by the Mikmaq for hundreds, more likely thousands of years; yet… Continue reading…

At first glance it would appear that these three locations have few, if any, links. However, a closer look reveals that the first two share a familiar heritage. Both Great Village, Nova Scotia and Westcock, New Brunswick were once sites of Acadian settlements, and later played important roles in the nineteenth centurys Golden Age of… Continue reading…

Last summer, while house-cleaning the attic at our cottage I uncovered, tucked away under the eaves, a carton of old magazines. They were dated in the early 1980s. For the next few minutes, my task was put aside, as I browsed through reminders of past summers. Toward the bottom of the pile, two issues of… Continue reading…

There are many important historical sites scattered throughout New Brunswick. The Tantramar region in particular, is fortunate to have its share, some predating European settlement. Many of these have implications, not just for a region, but for the entire province. Recently I had the opportunity to visit one such site. Its located at 41 Woodstock… Continue reading…

It’s certain that a number of readers will recall the 1948 escapade at Mount Allisons Lily Pond. Because today’s date is so close to All Fools Day, the uninformed may conclude that what follows is a hoax. Not so; I can guarantee that every effort has been made to verify the details. More on this… Continue reading…

In the days and weeks that followed the death of Peter Gzowski, tributes to his distinguished career in journalism and broadcasting flooded Canadian media. And rightly so. Of few people could it be said that they were icons of Canadian culture. More personally, Gzowski was referred to as the Voice of Canada and sometimes as… Continue reading…