BlueNose Institute Library & Archives

Three turkeys stolen from Prince Edward in Halifax! Anyone with any information leading to the conviction of the turkey thief will receive a reward of 5 guineas. The year was 1798. Happy Thanksgiving!

Our friends at the Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia are hosting their annual dinner lecture again. Last year's dinner was a singular event. Don't miss this one - October 18.

Did you get your five o'clock yesterday? Will you have guests for any of your five o'clocks, next week? This term is obviously no longer in use but it is interesting!

An invitation for the historical commemoration of Isaac Chipman on June 27 at 6.30pm in the Wolfville Baptist Church and Old Burying Ground.
Rev. Dr. Cramp will perform the Victorian-inspired funeral on the day Professor Chipman was buried. We will respectfully remember all seven precious souls.
Costumes are welcome. Rain or shine. All ages welcome.

FIVE GIRLS FROM NOVA SCOTIA SAIL TO NEW YORK TO DO SOME SHOPPING AND GET THEIR NAMES IN THE PAPERS.

[The preceding headline and variations of it appeared in newspapers across North America in 1896]
Following is the story from American newspapers...

Five Young Women Voyage from Nova Scotia to New York. Five romping, rosy-cheeked girls stepped ashore yesterday from the trim Nova Scotia schooner Florence R . Hewson , from Shulie, N.S. The quintet are daughters of Nova Scotian lumber merchants, and they made the voyage on the Hewson through gales , fogs and rain squalls, under the care of Captain William Patterson, who has also promised the girls’ parents to take them safely back to Shulie. Miss Ella Seaman, who is 30 years old, as she confessed at the barge office, acted as chaperone for the party. Her companions were Misses Nellie Purdy, 19; Elizabeth Gillespie, 17; Elizabeth Stanford, 16, and Emily Christie, 14 years old. On the voyage they occupied state rooms opening from the Hewson’s cozy after-cabin. The little schooner carried a heavy cargo, and her deckload was piled so high there was barely room to swing the booms. She ran into a couple of westerly gales before she reached Nantucket, and the waves at times washed clear over her. The plucky Nova Scotia girls proved good sailors, however, and, far from being seasick, they developed appetites that kept the cook busy after the first day out. In the handling of the vessel they also evinced the liveliest sort of interest, and their desire to be on deck even when the tempest was howling loudest wrung the skipper’s heart; for he knew that if one of his fair charges was swept overboard the chance of rescue was slight indeed. Through storms and calms, however, the Hewson came unscathed, and she sailed down the Sound and through Hell Gate yesterday morning without the loss of even a rope yarn. The Nova Scotia girls declared they had learned more about navigation than they ever knew before, and they have kept a log book that is the wonder of the Hewson’s officers. Captain Patterson escorted the young women to the barge office, where their declarations concerning their baggage were taken in due form. Then they went uptown to visit friends. When Immigrant Commissioner Senner learned of the landing of the Nova Scotia quintet he expressed the opinion that they should have passed through Ellis Island, and he intimated that the case would be looked into and a search made for the girls. John C. Moore, agent of the schooner, at 74 Cortland street, was greatly annoyed when he heard of the Commissioner’s decision. “These girls,” he said, “are the daughters of respectable people in Shulie. Their fathers are in the lumber business there, and are friends of Captain Patterson. Three of the girls are mere children, and they are in [the] charge of their two elder companions. They took the trip for the experience and to visit friends in this city, who are now entertaining them. They will remain here for ten days or so, until the Hewson Is ready to start back.” — New York Journal. [copied to The Aspen Tribune, Nov 22, 1896]

A Kentycooker is described by Captain William Scarth Moorsom (1804–1863) thus: "'A regular Kentycooker,' is a term used to express a native Nova-Scotian of the true breed; a being raw-boned, gaunt, keen-eyed, and lantern-jawed: greatly resembling, in short, his own half-savage hog, and obstinate withal as the same animal, if you attempt to drive him in any given direction."

The description was anything but flattering. Moorsom, an army engineer from England, married a Kentycooker just one year later. His wife was Isabelle Wilkins of Windsor, daughter of Hon. Judge Wilkins.

The John Bragg Award for Atlantic Canada - Canada's History Connecting Communities through the History of Inspired Canadians

The life of an Anglican minister in in 1884.
"Rev. James A. Richey, Rector of Seaforth, took his appointments last Sunday, under exceptional circumstances, viz., walked two miles and skated five to reach Christ Church, East Chezzetcook, for Morning Service, which was then duly performed. Refreshments here, by kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Conrod, who always most hospitably entertain the clergy; then a mile's skating and 3 miles walk to appointment at unfinished Church at Head Chezzetcook, reached a little late, owing to an unavoidable detention on the road to baptize a sick child; a moment's refreshments here, generously offered by Mr. and Mrs. Braden, staunch Presbyterians; then rapidly conveyed six miles down the Bay by special kindness of Donald MacLarren, Esq. a devout Roman Catholic; short walk home to the Rectory; Evening Service and preaching at Parish Church." [from The Church Guardian Feb 13, 1884 p2]
Image is "Skating Rink Jeddore, N.S." a scene that is about 24 kms further along the Eastern Shore from Chezzetcook.

This Saturday, September 28th...

Please join us for this interesting lecture to be held this Saturday, September 28 at 2:00 pm in the Terry Punch Research Library, Suite 100, 33 Ochterloney St, Dartmouth, NS. It will be live-streamed for members.
Nova Scotia Heritage Pulse
The Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society
Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia
BlueNose Institute Library & Archives
Dartmouth Heritage Museum - Evergreen House & Quaker House

132 years ago this week... "extensive improvements" were being made at Athelston Hall in Maitland.
The East Hants Historical Society
Nova Scotia Heritage Pulse

The Battle of Culloden was remembered today at Knoydart, Antigonish County, amid a healthy turnout of the Scottish diaspora and friends. A great event in a great community!

Can a cook book impact a nation’s destiny? We have just acquired our 400th cook book. Thank you to Harold and Sheila Stewart who donated this 1946 Victory Cook Book. From the book’s preface by Clare Smith, of East Florenceville, NB, “Our war time foods have a direct bearing on health. Dishes properly cooked and attractively served may have a direct effect on our nation’s destiny.”
Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick
New Brunswick Women's Institute