Ruby M Cusack
The Loyalists of New Brunswick
by Esther Clark Wright
We were stopped in a line of traffic on Union Street near the Loyalist House, when my grandson looked out the side window and asked, "What's that red, white and blue thing with the long arms?"
"Is it a windmill?" he continued. "What is it there for?"
Here's what I told him.
It was May 18, 1783, when the Loyalists started to arrive in Saint John with the Spring Fleet. New Brunswick was still part of Nova Scotia way back then. The red, white and blue flag that was blowing proudly in the breeze when the ships brought all those families to their new home was called Queen Anne's Jack. (The Union Jack as we know it differs in that it includes the red diagonal cross of St. Patrick. It came into being in 1801 after the union with Ireland.)
This red, white and blue Queen Anne's Jack sculpture was unveiled on May 18, 1985. It represents the flag of the Loyalists and commemorates the contribution made to the Province of New Brunswick by these pioneers. There are seven stone tablets at the base that outline the history of this group of settlers.
I heard another Loyalist question asked many years ago of Vivian at the New Brunswick Museum bookstore: "Do you have the red Loyalist Bible?"
Time and time again, when I am using The Loyalists of New Brunswick, I think of the term that was given to this book.
In 1955, Esther Clark Wright published her book, The Loyalists of New Brunswick. The amount of information she collected amazes me. After all, this was long before computers were storing data.
Reading this publication gives us an insight into the history of the Loyalists. They become real people to us and we feel their sorrow, their anger and their frustrations. As a family unit they all worked together to provide food and shelter and warm clothing. Children took on adult tasks at a very young age.
Genealogical researchers delight in using the appendix of the book. It lists the names of heads of families or single men of 18 years of age and upwards, their former home, their service during the revolution, their first grants, their subsequent grants and place of residence.
You will find The Loyalists of New Brunswick in most libraries and other research institutions.
Query 98-414
Murphy - Driscoll - Egan: Margaret Murphy was born in Crosshaven, Co. Cork, Ireland, about 1833. She emigrated to Saint John, N.B., and married Daniel Driscoll on May 15, 1856, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The sponsors were Henry Foley and Catherine O'Gorman. Children were: Ellen Augusta, married George Ramage; John J.; Thomas; William Henry, married Josephine McCarthy; James Denis (my grandfather), married Mary Frances Dinn; Frederick Edward, married Lydia Maude Greno; Mary Gertrude, married John F. Morrison; and Robert Lewis. She had a sister Bridget (Mrs. Egan/Agan), who died July 19, 1879, in her 55th year. Mrs. Thomas Murphy was living with her daughter, Margaret Driscoll, at 64 Carmarthen St. at the time of her death on Oct. 23, 1879. I would appreciate any information regarding Margaret Murphy's family. I have a great deal of information on this family and would be willing to share it.
- Shirley Kirk, 22 Limardo Dr., Dartmouth, N.S., B3A 3X5. Or E-mail to s.kirk@ns.sympatico.ca.
Query 98-415
Carter - Davidson: I have been looking for the last 20 years for information on Charles Carter, who married Adazillah Davidson about 1830. Their son, George Carter, was born in 1833 - possibly Halifax. I am trying to establish a connection to the family of John Thomas Carter and Jane Thompson's family near Fort Cumberland, N.B. Grandchildren have middle names with Hanley and Payson.
- Carol Carter, 33 Wading Place Path, Chatham, MA, 02633. Or E-mail to ricarter@capecod.net.
Query 98-416
O'Dell: Corey O'Dell came from Saint John to Annapolis Royal, N.S., about 1850. In 1847, he is identified in a permit from the Mayor of Saint John as a labourer. In 1848, he received a permit to drive a public coach or carriage. After moving to Nova Scotia, he was a rider for the Pony Express from Halifax to Victoria Beach. In 1859, he built the O'Dell Inn in Annapolis Royal and was an important businessman. The O'Dell Inn is now a museum operated by the Historic Restoration Society. Who were Corey's parents? Was he related to that well-known early New Brunswicker, Jonathan O'Dell?
- Wayne Morgan, Historic Restoration Society, Box 503, Annapolis Royal, N.S., B0S 1A0. Or E-mail to wmorgan@ns.sympatico.ca.
Query 98-417
Olive: I am looking for information on Fred William Olive, who died Oct. 29, 1969, in Saint John and was buried at Fernhill Cemetery. I would also like information on his wife, Greta M. Cunningham. I know that they had at least one son, Stan Olive. Any information on this family would be greatly appreciated.
- Nancy Adams, 190 Church Ave., Sussex, N.B., E4E 1Z5. Or E-mail to njadams@nbnet.nb.ca.
Ruby Cusack is a genealogy buff living in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. Readers are invited to send their New Brunswick genealogical queries to Ruby at rmcusack@nbnet.nb.ca. When E-Mailing please put Yesteryear Families in the Subject line. Please include in the query, your name and postal address as someone reading the newspaper, may have information to share with you but not have access to E-mail. Queries should be no more than 45 words in length.
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