Queens County
Museum, Gagetown, New Brunswick
When we arrived at Grampy’s,
we found him in the kitchen, talking to Uncle Charlie, who a few minutes earlier
had stepped off the bus at the foot of the driveway. Although he now
lived in town, he brought lots of news of his home village of Gagetown and
the surrounding area. Gradually the conversation turned to the days of years
gone by - the friends who had left this earth, the doctors who attended the
medical needs, the river boats and the boys who went to war.
Speaking of the boys who went to war, they are being
remembered this summer at the Queens County Courthouse Museum at 16 Court
House Road in Gagetown, with an exhibition called "Unsettled Times: Connections Between Home &
Overseas".
War in the history books is about politics and land
hunger, ambition and economics, generals, battles, victories and defeats.
War in Queens County is a Story of People: of valor, service, adventure,
hardships, and personal loss. They came from farms, and from villages and
towns, young men mostly, and they came for several different reasons.
Some came for the excitement of change, some for love of King and Country,
and some to escape poverty.
Initially they came proudly and left in high spirits,
while mothers sighed, flags flew, bands played and the girls cried.
They went from Welsford and Chipman, from Hampstead and Coles Island, and
everywhere in between. It was not the glorious adventure they anticipated.
Sadly, some failed to come back, and for those who did, life was never the
same again.
Those left behind at home - mothers, wives, sweethearts,
children - thought of their soldiers, sailors and airmen everyday.
They sent letters and parcels, prayers, cards and good wishes. And those
at Home also contributed to the War Effort in thousands of ways. These are
the stories of those who went and of those left behind, and of the many connections
between them. The stories are being told now while there are some who still
remember.
This exhibition about both World Wars will be running
until September 18, 2005.
The Queens County Courthouse Museum is an 1836 Provincial
Historic Site and has been the seat of County Justice and Administration
for over 125 years. It is also a research center for those researching Queens
County history and genealogy.
In Gagetown you will also find the Tilley House Museum
on 69 Front Street, a 1786
National Historic Site and the birthplace of Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley, a
New Brunswick Father. of Confederation. Here you will find, many pieces of
Tilley memorabilia, Loyalist and Victorian furniture, glass, china, art,
textiles, agricultural equipment, children's articles, a schoolroom, and
an early doctor's office.
If you have roots in Queens County or are just interested
in history, I suggest you plan a visit to this picturesque village on the
bank of the St. John River, where the two museums are open daily from 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. until September 18.
The Museum website is at http://www.geocities.com/qchsm/
****
Query 1319
Sherwod:
Researching Adaiah Sherwood (1768-1851) of New York and Washington County,
VA. No mention of father or mother in Bible record. He is possibly
the son of New York Loyalist, Adiah Sherwood (brother of Andrew, Justus and
Jonathan) who came to Saint John in 1783.
ROBERT L. SHERWOOD
196 Alcott Road
East Falmouth, MA
02536, USA
E-mail rlsherwood@verizon.net
Query 1320
Phillips
- Ryder - Rider - Goldsmith: I am seeking information on David
Phillips of Dungiven, Ireland, immigrated to Queens County, became
a teacher. Phillipstown was named for him. His tombstone in the Coles
Island Baptist Church Cemetery notes he was born in 1794 and died 6 Feb.1873.
He married Elizabeth Ryder / Rider, born 19 Mar. 1804 died 27 Dec.1888, the
daughter of Ann Goldsmith (I know little about her) and Ebenezer Rider who
immigrated from Cape Cod to Queens County.
LOIS OLSON E-mail
loeyo@verizon.net
