Early Motoring in New Brunswick
Everything
was going just great in the bringing home of the young cattle from the
summer pasture. The herd stayed together and the barn was now in sight.
As they arrived at the turn for the covered bridge, we noticed a car
approaching from behind. Dad thought the driver would wait. But
instead, he honked his horn and stepped on the gas. The frightened
cattle threw their tails over their backs and ran at top speed through
the bridge and into the field.
Wow! I had never seen Gramp so angry.
Once the cattle were rounded up, he commenced to tell us about the
legislation that had been passed in 1905 that stated the operators of
vehicles, when crossing a bridge, must not exceed a speed of one mile
in fifteen minutes plus highway driving was one mile in eight minutes.
It took some thinking but Cliff and I figured this was a highway speed
of 7 1/2 miles per hour and going through a bridge was 4 miles
per hour.
“The Motor Vehicle Law” legislation that was passed in 1905 and the
amendments of 1912, are included in the 1984 publication. “Early Motoring in New Brunswick 1905 to 1914"
by Lucide Rioux. Here you will also find details on the yearly
registering of vehicles.
I learned the first automobile officially registered in New Brunswick
was a “Rambler” with serial number 5762, belonging to J. Walter Holley
of Saint John.
The first “Russel” car to be licenced, received License Number Twenty
on May 25, 1906. It belonged to Bernard Miller, Saint John.
On December 03, 1906, Dr. R. L. Ellis, Jacquet River received Number
Forty when he registered his Orient Buckboard.
Thirty-seven vehicles were registered in 1907. One of them was a
first for Edmundston when J. Adolphe Guy licenced a red Ford Runabout,
receiving Licence No. 67.
Mrs. Harry Southan, St. Andrews received Licence Number 1404 in
1913 for her Pierce-Arrow.
In the foreword, the author, Lucide (Cid) Rioux tells us the data for
the book was obtained from the four volumes of official Registers of
the Department Works, that were found in a building in Fredericton -
possibly left behind when the Department moved to other quarters.
The appendix, gives the license number, date of registration, make of
car, serial number for many, owner’s name and address for the years
1905 to 1914.
If an ancestor owned a car within these years, this is one book, you
will want to peruse to locate information on their license plate number.
“Early Motoring in New Brunswick
1905 to 1914" by Lucide Rioux is available for viewing at
several libraries.
By the way, the Saint John Branch of the New Brunswick Genealogical
Society will be holding the October Meeting in the Lions Den at the
Loch Lomond Villa on 26 October, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. Air Force veteran,
Marie Chapman will be speaking on life in the R.C.A.F. (W.D.). Those
attending are encouraged to bring mementos relevant to veterans.
*****
Query 1366
Hudson: I am trying to
determine if the six children, (William, Catheirne, Jane, Elizabeth,
Robert and Mary), of Robert and Catherine Hudson were born in New
Brunswick between 1833 and 1845. The seventh child, Edward, was
born in Calais, Maine. I have found no records of the six in
Maine.
D. H. PARKER
319 Ocean House Rd.
Cape Elizabeth, ME
04107, USA
E-mail dparker12@maine.rr.com
Query 1367
Clark
- Clarke - Seamore: I am seeking information on Edward
Noble Clark / Clarke, who was born 13 September, 1895 in Saint John,
New Brunswick to James and Hannah (Seamore) Clark.
DONALD RAYNES
6 Raynes Lane
Summerville, NB
Canada, E5S 1V1
Email raynesd@nb.sympatico.ca
Query 1368
Appleby
- Martin: Who were the parents of Peter Appleby and Helen
Martin who were married on 17 August 1843 in Nipisiquit, New Brunswick?
GILLES MELANCON
305-216 Notre_dame
Repentigny, Quebec
Canada, J6A 2R2
E-mail gmelancon@sympatico.ca
