Item
John Hanson, Early Loyalist
March 3, 1785
Provincial Archives of NB on Microfilm]
To His Excellency Governor Carleton Captain General and Commander in Chief, etc, etc.
The Petition of John Hanson and Ephraim Young
To his Excellency Thomas Carleton Esquire Captain General Governor and Commander in chief in and over his Majesty’s Province of New Brunswick and its dependencies, Vice Admiral of the same,
The Petition of John Hanson and Ephraim Young Inhabitants of Chamcook Island near Saint Andrews in Passamaquoddy
Most Respectfully Sheweth
That your Excellency’s petitioners were comfortably situated at Gouldsborough when for their Loyalty and attachment to the Crown of Great Britain they were obliged to leave the same together with a Considerable property to avoid taking up arms against his Majesty and to seek for a Habitation among the Subject of Nova Scotia.
That on this arrival in Passamaquoddy they began a Settlement on Chamcook Island then unclaimed by any person and after Six years Constant Labour (two years of which time they underwent the greatest distress having large families and no provision, being obliged to subsist on shellfish and whatever they could procure with their Guns) have cleared and brought to perfection a great part of said Island so as to Render themselves a Necessary Subsistence,
They therefore most humbly Implore your Excellency to take the same in Consideration and give them a Grant to hold the Land they have thro Infinite Labour and Distress Improved upon to Subsist their families and your petitioners will be ever bound to fervently pray for -----
John Hanson
Ephraim Young
[Receipt of Petition follows]
About 15 acres supposed by Mr. Pagan—and double that quantity said by Mr. Limeburner to have been cleared
John Hanson and Ephraim Young as to Chamcook Island, Passamaquoddy—where they have been settled six years—
Read in Council 8th of March
Referred till the arrival of Mr. Jones Deputy (?) Surveyor
In Council 29 March—
A prior Application has been made for the Island; but they will be considered for their Improvements.
Received 3 March 1785
[20 July 1785—Petition of Ephraim Young]
To his Excellency Thomas Carleton, Esq., Captain General and Governor in Chief of his Majesty’s Province of New Brunswick and Territories depending thereon in America,
The memorial of Ephraim Young most humbly sheweth
That he together with John Hanson Inclosed a memorial to your Excellency on the third day of March last praying for a grant of land which they had been in possession of for six years with their families on Chamcook Island and had with great labour and severe hardships cleared and cultivated, to which memorial your present memorialist begs leave to refer
That the answer indossed upon said memorial is that a prior application has been made for the Island but that your memorialists will be considered for their improvements,
Your memorialist with all humility conceives that his settlement upon the Island for so many years the labour and expense he has been put to and the cultivation of the land he has cleared upon the Land create as equitable a claim to a grant of this land as if he had had a formal application subsisting for such grant during the whole period of his possession.
That your memorialist feels it peculiarly hard and distressing to be compelled to remove with a wife and four children from this spot upon retaining which depend all his hopes for subsisti9ng his family and again encounter the difficulties of subduing an uncleared tract of country.
That the said John Hanson has sold his improvements upon the said Island to Capt. Osborne who he understands has applied for a grant of the same Island but your memorialist intreats he may not be dispossessed of this dear-earned fruit of his labours and reduced with his family to the distress that such a measure will subject him to.
f Confident in the known justice and humanity of your Excellency he therefore humbly requests that your Excellency will be pleased to grant him such proportion of land upon the Island as his labour and improvements shall be thought to entitle him unto,
And as in duty bound
Shall ever pray,
Ephraim Young
20 July 1785
[Response to Young’s second petition]
Ephraim Young asks Land on Chamcook Island Passamaquoddy—
The prayer of this Petition has been already determined.
Received 20 July 1785
Deed
Book B pp. 123-24
Capt. Samuel Osborn to Andrews
Middlesex. Know all men by these presents that I Samuel Osborn Esq. late commander of His Majesty’s Ship The Ariadne and now of London I the County of Middlesex, for an in consideration of the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds lawful money of the Province of New Brunswick to me paid by Samuel Andrews of Saint [blank] County of Charlotte and Province of New Brunswick in North America, Clerk, the receipt whereof [blank] acknowledged have granted bargained and sold, and by these presents do grant, bargain and sell [blank] Sam’l Andrews Clerk and Missionary from the Society for the propagation of the gospel in [blank] the Parish of Saint Andrews aforesaid, his Heirs and Assigns, all that Island Called Cham [blank] ate [sic] lying and being within the County of Charlotte in the Province of New Brunswick in North [blank] on the West side of the Grand Bay of Passamaquoddy, bounded by the waters of the said Bay [blank] red [sic] acres more or less, of which said Island and its situation in respect to the shores [blank] the plan annexed to the original grant of the said Island unto the said Samuel [blank] le [sic] is a representation, as by the said original Grant on Letters Patent under the [blank] aid [sic] Province of New Brunswick bearing date the twenty sixth day of August in the [blank] one thousand seven hundred and eighty five and the said place thereunto annexed, duly [blank] aining [sic] upon Record in the Registry of the Province of New Brunswick, aforesaid [blank] thereto being had may more freely and at large appear—together with all woods, underwoods, timber and timber trees, lakes ponds, fishings, waters, water courses, profits, commodities, appurtenances, and hereditaments whatsoever thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining together with the privilege of hunting, hawking and fowling in and upon the same and mines and minerals, saving and reserving nevertheless unto His Majesty his heirs and successors, all white pine trees if any such shall be found growing thereon; and also saving and reserving to His said majesty, his heirs and successors, all mines of Gold, silver, copper, lead and coals; to have and to hold the said lands and premises with the appurtenances to the said Samuel Andrews his heirs and Assigns, and to his and their only use and behalf forever and I do for myself any heirs executors and administrators covenant with the said Samuel Andrews his heirs and Assigns that I am seized of the premises as a good indefeasible estate of inheritance in fee simple free of and from all manual of ? whatsoever and have good right and lawful authority to grant bargain and sell the same in manner and form as above written. In Witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety one and in the thirty first year of his majesty’s Reign—Sam’l Osborn
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of us, acknowledged to be the Deed of Hannah Jarvis , Samuel Peters the son [of the] Sam’l Osborn by him this fifteenth day of march 1791 at the Public Office in Symonds Inn before me at master in Chancery, T. Walker.
I John Boydell Lord Mayor of the City of London do herby certify that Thomas Walker, before whom the acknowledgement of the Execution of the Bargain and sale hereunto annexed by Samuel Osborn appears to have been taken and whose name is thereunder written and subscribed is a Master of the High court of Chancery in England and is a person to whom all faith and credit ought to be given.
In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the Office of Mayor to be hereunto affixed the sixteenth day of March in the thirty first year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King George the Third by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth.
Saint Andrews, Charlotte County, Registered 1st June 1791. H. B. Brown, Registrar
Sept 11, 1798
New Brunswick Royal Gazette
For sale, that valuable island called Chamcook, containing 700 acres, more or less, said island has about 100 acres of land under improvement, it cuts 40 tons of hay, has arable and pasture land in proportion, it has a fine thriving orchard, an house, barn and outhouses, is well watered and timbered, said island lies about one mile and a half from the town of St. Andrews, and is found by the mainland by a bar which is dry 8 hours in 12. For further particulars inquire Samuel Andrews, St. Andrews, Feb. 27th, 1798.
Beacon
June 19/1890
Delving in the Past
How We Did our Business a Century Ago
Interesting Extracts from the First Court of Sessions in Charlotte
A CLERGYMAN ROADMAKING
Rev. Samuel Andrews made a strong appeal to the sessions at that time “to devise a more certain and equal support for their poor.” He also presented a petition for a road to Chamcook Island, stating that he had been proprietor of the island for seven years [since 1785 then, which would mean Osburn sold to him the same year he acquired the island, and the 1791 deed is post-dated, as it seemed to be] and had not been able to get a road from the town to it. “Much the greater part of the time he has been obliged to go to and from the island upon the sea shore, and to cross the water of the Cove, which has been the occasion of much trouble and great delay to him and has sometimes been attended with personal danger to himself and others.” He goes onto say that he had cut three road through the woods but had been obliged to give up two of them as soon as made. “Finding finally that he must give up the island altogether, or aught of any land he could get for a road to it he has complied with the offer of the proprietors of the land about Chamcook bar, and by their friendly assistance has but a road through the woods, to a line between them from the Bar till it strikes the great road, which leads from town to the country. This has been an expensive undertaking, and tho’ assisted by the others immediately concerned in the road with him, it has cost your memorialist at least six pounds currency, over and above his quota of work upon the public road.” He asked for certain concessions, which were allowed.
Standard
May 13, 1863
The late Mr. Hanson. Under the proper heading in another column we record the death of Mr. John Hanson at the patriarchal age of 104 years. He was born at Gouldsborough, Maine, (then a British possession) about the time of the capture of Quebec by Gen. Wolfe, in whose army his father served and shared in the glorious victory; and was also a soldier during the Indian and French wars. At the time the tea was destroyed in Boston harbor, he was forced out of his bed at night by the rebel, and compelled to show them where there was any tea secreted. He was drafted in the rebel service, but in consequence of not being tall enough did not pass muster. After the American Revolution, Mr. Hanson accompanied his father’s family to this province, preferring with other Loyalists to heave their comfortable homes and remove to British territory, and hew and cut for themselves a home, in at that time a vast forest. When they landed at what is now the populous and wealthy emporium of the Province, the city of Saint John , there was but one log hut, he was therefore prior to Major Ward. He piloted the first settler into the harbor of St. Andrews, and assisted at the laying out of the town. He afterwards removed from Minister’s Island to Bocabec, in the Parish of St. Patrick, and enjoyed good health until within a few days of his death. He lived to see the fifth generation and leaves behind him eleven children, eighty three grandchildren, one hundred and fifty great grand children, and four great, great grand children. It may truly be said of Mr. Hanson, that he was the last of his “times.”
Beacon
Oct 26/1893
Jeremiah Hanson, an aged resident of Bocabec, passed away last week, at the ripe age of 85 years. He was a native of Bocabec, and spent all his life there. He leaves a large family of sons and daughter and grandchildren.
Beacon
April 27/1893
R. B. Hanson, of Bocabec, has not been able to get out as much stuff for his box mill the past winter as during some previous seasons.
Beacon
Dec 7/1893
Bocabec Black Granite
The part a porcupine played in its discovery
Something about the Quarry and the Company that are to develop it—Steam polishing works and a wharf to be erected at Bocabec. William Gibson to be manager. Details. Jeremiah Hanson a partner in the enterprise. His property, apparently. Notice of incorporation this issue.
Beacon
Jan 21/1897
Minister’s Island. A Few Facts in Connection with the Early History of the island.
One of the oldest and most respected residents of the parish of St. Andrews is Mr. Marshall Andrews, who shares the ownership of Minister’s Island with his son and Sir William Van Horne. In his younger days, Mr. Andrews was a man of commanding height and as strong as a lion. His weight of 84 years has bowed his figure and robbed him of much of his youthful strength, but his intellect is as clear as ever it was, and he can discourse most interestingly on events of bygone days.
In talking with the Beacon, concerning the early history of Minister’s Island, on Thursday last, Mr. Andrews says the island was originally granted by the crown to Capt. Samuel Osburn, commander of the British gunboat Arethusa. in return for services performed by him in protecting the lives and property of the loyalist refugees. Subsequently, Mr. Andrews’s grandfather, Rev. Samuel Andrews, the first rector of SA, purchased it from Capt. Osburn for £500. Rector Andrews, as most people acquainted with the history of St. Andrews know, had been in charge of an Anglican church in Connecticut, a the time of the United States rebellion. Being strongly attached to the crown, he bade farewell to his Connecticut home and removed with other Royalists to NB. The coat of arms he brought with him from his Connecticut church now adorns the walls of All Saints’ Church and there is not sufficient wealthy in the whole of Connecticut to buy that precious heir-loom from its present owners.
It was soon after he arrived here that Rector Andrews purchased Minister’s Island. The deed of purchase, also the grant from the crown to Capt. Osburn, are still in the possession of his grandson. The purchaser of the island was not permitted to enter into full possession of the island for some time, as another family, named Hanson, had squatted upon it and refused to leave. Captain Osburn undertook to scare Hanson away by erecting a target on the bank in front of his house and firing at it with his big guns. the balls tore through the threes and whistled around the Hanson domicile, but they did not cause the occupant to abandon the place. To employ a latter day vulgarism Hanson was “on to the racket” and whenever Capt. Osburn began target practice he removed himself and his family to the Indian encampment farther down the island, and remained there until the Captain got through with his fun, when he returned home. Finding that he could not be scared, Rector Andrews succeeded in getting him to vacate by giving him £100. The oft-repeated story that the Rector bought the squatter off with a hogshead of rum is pronounced by Mr. Marshall Andrews to be untrue. Over forty years ago, while walking through the island forest with is father, Mr. Marshall Andrews observed that many of the large trees were torn and mutilated. He wondered at the cause, when he father told him of Captain Osburn’s’ pranks. Since then the story has been corroborated by the finding of large cannon balls at the foot of the cliff near where the Hanson homestead stood. On the death of the rector the island was bequeathed to his son, the father of the present occupant. He was Sheriff of Charlotte County for a great many years. As his official duties compelled him to spend a great part of his time on the mainland, Sheriff Andrews decided to sell half of the island. Rev. Mr. Cassels obtained possession of this half, and subsequently it fell into the hands of William Douglas, a study Scotchman. he was unable to satisfy the indebtedness against the property, an it reverted to the original owner, who passed it down to his son. With the later history of the island most people in this section are familiar.
In the early days, the island was a favorite hunting grounds. it abounded in game of all kinds, and at certain seasons of the year the wild fowl were so plentiful that they could be killed with clubs. the abundance of game in the vicinity attracted many Indians On the island there were two large encampments of the savages, and the clam shell mounds that they left behind them are to be seen to this day. occasionally stone hatchets and other implements of offence and defence are found. Some years ago, the island was visited by a local antiquarian, who has since made a name for himself. On a rock in front of the Indian encampment he found a number of characters, which he claimed were placed there by the Indians. Mr. Andres, who saw these characters and who was instructed afterward to have the stone removed to the university museum in Fredericton, declares, however, that the characters had no significance whatever, and that they were caused by the iron teeth of his harrow and not by Indians. Be this as it may, the visiting professor was able to work up quite an interesting narrative.
Mr. Andrews further informed the Beacon that the old colored woman, who died in the Alms House last week, was the daughter of a slave owned by his grandfather on this maternal side, Rev. Richard Clark, who came here with the loyalists and was the first rector of Gagetown. he brought with him two slaves Jerry Cole and wife. Polly, lately deceased, was one of the fruits of this union. She was brought up by a daughter of Rev. Mr. Clark, who resided in St. Stephen. She was about 95 years of age.
Beacon
Feb 4, 1897
John Hanson and Minister’s island
To the Editor of the Beacon,
In your issue of 21st ult., you publish an account of the early history of the so-called Minister’s Island, as given by Mr. M. J. C. Andrews. You mention one Hanson as being the earliest occupant.
Now who was this Hanson and when and by what means did he come in possession of it?
His father was among the early settlers of Massachusetts. At Deerfield the younger members of the family were massacred by the Indians and his mother taken as a hostage to Canada, while the father and eldest son,--this same John Hanson—were serving in the Provincial Army. Having thus been left alone in the world, the father and son fought seven years side by side, in the French and Indian war. when a truce was made for a few months, his father started to Canada with 100 pounds to ransom the mother but was massacred by the Indians on Lake Champlain. When the war broke out this John Hanson entered the regular service and fought at Ticonderoga, Crown Point, etc. Then when the expedition under Wolfe was fitted out to take Quebec, he again volunteered in that regiment of Provincialists, and was one of the first who scaled the Heights of Abraham. After the fall of Quebec, when peace was made, this regiment was disbanded at Salem, Mass. Again when the Revolutionary war broke, after the battle of Lexington, we find him drafted into the rebel service. But his loyal British blood was sufficient for the emergency and starting with two comrades from Salem, in the night in an open whaleboat, eventually arrived at the now Island of Campobello, then to St. Andrews at a time when there were only three log huts in the place. He then made application and received a location ticket to take up land in recognition of his fourteen years’ service as a British soldier. This gave him authority to choose his own site, and he chose what is now called Minister’s Island, settling at the southern point near where Sir William Van Horne’s residence now is, cleared land, erected buildings and planted an orchard, the relics of which could be recognized until within a few years. After a lapse of about ten years, when peace was proclaimed, other Loyalists and Refugees commenced to settle around St. Andrews and vicinity among the rest one Andrews, who was supposed to look after the spiritual interests of these people; but like Ahab of old he wad an evil eye on his neighbor’s vineyard—the Hanson homestead.
After vainly endeavoring to get possession of it by fair means or foul, he resorted to stratagem. A Capt. Osborne now appears on the scene as an ally of Andrews. An invitation from was given to Hanson and Andrews to dine with him on board his sloop-of-war. As a matter of course in those days, and in such company, champagne flowed freely. Hanson was sent home unconscious. A few days afterwards a document was produced signed and witnessed conveying all Hanson’s right and title of the island to Osborne in consideration of the sum of 20 pounds. Shortly afterwards it was reconveyed to Andrews, but Hanson’s wife and family refused to be driven off as they had not been consulted in the matter, the document being legal without the wife’s signature. Then came Osborne’s “target practice” in operation until life was made so intolerable that Hanson and his family had to evacuate, or remain at the peril of heir lives, there being no courts of law to appeal to at that early date. (Thus it was that Capt. Osborne afforded “protection” to the Loyalists and Refugees.) On leaving his home with tears in his eyes he exclaimed: “Deerfield Massacre, Ticonderoga, Crown Point and the bloody Plains of Abraham are nothing to this. I thought I could trust my parson.”
When his sad case was represented to the Government, he was permitted to take up land on Bocabec river where he ended his days. Some of his descendants are still to be found there, as well as all over the continent.
The writer could fill a volume of information connected with the same subject, but will not further trespass on your valuable space at present.
I am, Sir, yours very truly,
R. B. Hanson
Bocabec, Feb. 1st, 97.
Beacon
Feb. 18/1897
the Queen hotel, Fredericton,, is now known as “Government House.” Lt. Gov. McClelan having his quarters there while the legislature is in session. . . . Everyone who has ever patronized the Queen knows that it is one of the best kept and most comfortable hotels in Canada, and that its cuisine is not excelled anywhere. The great run of guests that it has had ever since it was opened under its present management shows that the travelling public knows a good thing when they see it.
Minister’s Island
On Monday, M. J. C. Andrews, brought to the Beacon office the original grant from George III to Capt. Samuel Osborne, of Chamcook Island, now known as Minister’s Island. This grant, which is quite a formidable document, is dated 26th august, 1785, and gives Capt. Osborne complete possession of the entire island. No reference is made to any others who claimed rights thereon. Endorsed on the back is the receipt from Capt. Osborne’s attorney to Rev. Samuel Andrews, grandfather of one of the present occupants of the island. this receipt is in the following terms:
St. Andrews, 23rd Feb., 1788.
Received of the Rev. Mr. Samuel Andrews, Missionary of the parish, of St. Andrews, the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds, current money of the Province. of New Brunswick, being the full consideration money for the Island within mentioned.
Edw. Buller
Attorney for Samuel Osborne
£250 New Brunswick currency
Witnesses,
Joe Garnett
W. B. Brown
Mr. Andrews is of the opinion that Mr. Hanson must be wrong when he says that his progenitor’s home was where sir William Van Horne’s residence now stands. One of the first considerations with a settler was the question of water, and as there was no spring within half a mile of the site of Sir William’s residence it is hardly likely that John Hanson made his home where his descendant says he did. In reference to the charge that Hanson was made drunken by Capt. Osborne and Rev. Mr. Andrews, for the purpose of securing possession of the property occupied by him. Mr. Andrews thinks this would be hardly like an act that would be countenanced by an officer of the British navy and a minister of the gospel.
Beacon
Feb. 25/1897
The Dead of 1897
Details on the life and death of Mr. M. J. C. Andrews, of Minister’s Island.
By the death of Mr. M. J. C. Andrews, of Minister’s Island, another link which bound us to the past has been severed. Mr. Andrews was a native of Sa, having been born here 85 years ago (1812). His father, the late E. Sheldon Andrews, was for many years the respected Sheriff of this County. His grandfather, Rev. Samuel Andrews, was the first rector of the parish of Sa, having come here with the Loyalists from Connecticut. The reverend gentleman obtained possession of Minister’s Island from the grantee of the crown in 1788 and since then it has been in the control of the Andrews family for the greater part of the time. The late Marshall Andrews was a splendid specimen of physical manhood, and in his early life had a local renown for his athletic prowess. Of late years he has been suffering from heart trouble, which for many weeks prior to his death prevented him from sleeping upon his bed. On Monday afternoon, he drove into town to have a chat with the editor of the Beacon. Though complaining of his heart, his voice was strong and his memory appeared to be as sound as ever it was. On Tuesday, while walking in his farm-yard he was seized with a spasm in his heart, and was only able to drag himself into his barn, where he laid for some time before he was discovered. The excitement thus caused aggravated the trouble from which he was suffering, and he never recovered from it, passing away peacefully just before midnight on Wednesday. he remained rational until the last moment, one of his latest requests being that a contribution be sent for him to the Indian famine fund. The deceased was twice married and leaves a widow and ten children surviving him. His sons now living are Capt. Fred Andrews, who some years ago retired from the sea on account of failing eyesight, and who is now ill in Boston, Capt. Marshall Andrews, now in command of the ship Robert S. Besnard, Edward L. Andrews, who is part owner and occupier of Minister’s Island, and Sheldon Andrews who resides in the province of Manitoba. His six daughters are Mrs. J. L. Lockie, of Toronto, Mrs. Henry Maxwell, of SS, Mrs. James Mowatt, of St. Croix parish, Mrs. Dr. Clark, of Kingston, Mrs. F. A. Stevenson, of SA, and Mrs. Fred Mowatt, of Boston. The late Mr. Andrews was a warden of All Saints Church for many years, and was deservedly esteemed for his manliness and integrity of character. His death, though not unexpected, was a sad blow to his family and friends. The funeral of the deceased took place from All Saints Church on Sunday afternoon lat. Rev. Canon Ketchum conducted an impressive ceremony in the church. Rev. E. W. Simmonson taking the services at the grave. The cortege was a very long one.
Beacon
Feb 25/1904
The Loyalists of SA
\R. E. Armstrong, Pres. of Canadian Literary Club of SA, reads paper on Loyalist forebears. "Looking about us today, noting our well laid-out town with its broad streets and magnificent shade trees, we can see reflected in them the character of the Loyalists of 1783. Everything indicates cultured minds, aesthetic tastes and sturdy manhood. What they did they did well. If there is any room for regret in this connection at all, it is that their descendants have made such little progress along the lines marked out by them and that the beautiful town which they fashioned in this little corner of the empire has not as yet realized the fond hopes that its founders entertained for it."
“Two Loyalist refugees, Ephraim Young and John Hanson, were living at St. Andrews when the Castine people came, the former probably on St. Andrews Island the latter on Minister’s Island. It is not known that there were any houses on the town site; and certainly no one but the Indians claimed it by occupation.”
Beacon
Jan 20/1910
Ad for Glenelg Dark Porphry Quarries, R. A Stuart and Son. Monumental stone. [Glenelg Road, the road to Steen Lake and the old Hanson and Stuart Quarries]
Beacon
Sept 29/1910
A Minister’s Vacation—Moralizes on the Rough Roads of Bocabec
Eastport Citizen—Arriving at Bocabec we put up for one night with our good Baptist brother, Mr. Charles Hanson. He showed us his granite quarry on the hill above his farm that has proved to be a source of profit in the days gone by. The view from the hill as the sun was going down was something grand. Starting the next day for SA, we had all the way a lesson of Patience for the roads were in awful condition. These rough rocky roads in NB compared with smooth and beautiful highways in Maine certainly show that somebody is at fault. The good roads plank seems to have fallen out of the party platform in Canada and traveller by carriage and automobiles cannot take any pleasure in riding over the most part of our provinces. The reason that men and women, tired to death of forms and conventionalities, choose the heart of the forest and the cool avenues and lanes of the country is not far to seek. They are seeking for rest as well s recreation and nothing is more helpful than a quiet drive through our own province if the roads are in good order. But when jolted about on loose rocks, and tripped first one way and then another by the ruts and gullies of a driveway the weary traveller feels more tired than if he had gone afoot, and recuperation for man or beast is out of the question. I am glad to say that as we neared St. Andrews the roadways improved and in every direction around that fine little town it was a pleasure to ride or drive.
St. Croix Courier
Dec 11/1941
Shiretown Items
A Bit of Local History
A letter from Wilbur J. Heuer, Edgerton, Wisconsin, making some inquiries, regarding an ancestor formerly residing here, was forwarded to me by the recipient, Chester A. Dixon, of Deer Island, with a request that I dig up some information on the matter, if interested. By the help of some good friends I have got together a little story which I thought might be of interest to others besides the inquirer. Mr. Heuer’s letter states: “Grandfather James Douglas was born about 1849 on Minister’s Island off SA, where he lived until about 9 years of age, spent several years in Saint John , and then migrated to Western Canada, and later to Wisconsin, volunteering as a Canadian in our Civil War, where he held the rank of major. His father, according to legend, owned this island and as a sea captain operated several sailing vessels with that as his base. He lost most of his estate as a result of guaranteeing a large venture in which the then prime minister of Canada was an associate.
For a beginning we shall go back to the year 1779 when two men, named Ephraim Young and John Hanson (latter being the great, great grandfather of D. G. Hanson, the present Collector here) came from Gouldsboro, Maine, and settled on what was then called Chamcook Island. On their way they stopped for a short period on Campobello (Admiral Owen’s records). Hanson had served in the British Provincial Army from 1757 to 1763, and was with Wolfe at the taking of Quebec. He was 41 years old when he came to Chamcook (afterwards called Minister’s Island).
At that time the population of St. Andrews was two. The place was called Consquamcook or Quanoscumcook by the Indians. This population consisted of two men who lived in a log cabin about where the record office now sits, and their home was on the bank of a small stream which emptied into the harbour at the point where Mr. Jos. Handy’s house is situated. They carried on a fur trade with the Indians. Their names are lost in the mists of the long ago, but they were agents for Brown and Frost of Saint John.
Mr. Young and Mr. Hanson, on arriving at Chamcook Island, immediately set to work and cleared a plot of ground. They lived there precariously for six years, being both married and having families. This whole island was in 1785 granted to Capt Osborne by the government of the newly formed province of NB. On learning that grants were being made Young and Hanson petitioned for the land but were too late. They were paid a fair sum for improvements they had made. They then each bought a lot of land at Bocabec. Hanson’s lot was situated on what is now called the Holt Point’s Road. There he lived the remainder of his life, died and was buried, the little private cemetery being still cared for by his descendants. Young settled farther inland. His son, Isaac, married Sarah, daughter of John Hanson, and their descendants till live there, or in other parts of Charlotte county.
In 1785 (year of grant) this island was purchased from Capt. Osborne by the Rev. Samuel Andrews, who was for many years a prominent figure in the life of St. Andrews, which had been founded by a group of Loyalists Oct 3, 1783. Rev. Andrews paid 250 pounds for the island. In 1828 a plot of land on the island (now called Minister’s) was sold to William Douglas by Elisha Andrews, son of the Rev. Samuel. This lot was situated on the north-westside of the island, the boundaries beginning at the bar. The deed is on record, but the acreage is not mentioned. In May 1832 Elisha Andrews sold another 50 acres to William Douglas. In 1838 Douglas mortgaged this property to Neville Parker for 500 pounds sterling. In 1841 the property was sold by the Sherifff “for want of sufficient goods and chattels of said William Douglas to make the several debts and damages aforesaid, did serve and take in execution all that certain piece of land situated on Chamcook or Minister’s Island (so called) being farm on which island William Douglas resides and particularly described in deeds of conveyance thereof from the late Elisha Andrews.” Land conveyed to George D. Street by Sheriff’s deed, who immediately conveyed same to Marshall Andrews, 1841. William Douglas owned lots in St. Andrews and several blocks of land in other part of the country, all of which, records show, was sold for debt before the homestead on the island.
There was a certain James Douglas, a merchant, living in SA, about the same time. On June 30, 1830, he sold lots 3 and 4 in Block P, Parr’s Division, to William Kinnear, Saint John. This is the property now owned and occupied by Miss Olive Hosmer as a summer residence. Customs records show that James Douglas did a thriving business.
I have no doubt that William Douglas was the father of the James Douglas referred to in Mr. Heuer’s letter, but this James must have been born previous to 1849. I regret that I have been unable to learn anything of William Douglas’ history either before or after this period spent on Minister’s Island. But his stay on the island and the losses he incurred seem to bear out the truth of the “legend” referred to in Mr. Heuer’s letter, except that there was no Dominion of Canada at that time and consequently no premier of NB. I have told quite a long story and have not given the inquirer much information about his ancestry. But I have learned much that is of great interest to myself and hope it will be to the general reader. I doubt if any person now living in St. Andrews knew that for those several years a great part of Minister’s Island did not belong to the Andrews family.