EXTRACTS FROM JOURNAL AND LETTERS.
Some extracts from the journal as a beginning to this chapter will, I
hope, be interesting to some of the descendants:
"Aug. 2nd, 1802--Richard Lowerison's barn burned.
"Aug. 7th--Mr. Milledge preached at church. Got upland hay all up.
Have 60 tons good hay in barn and in stock.
"Aug. 28th--Quarterly meeting at our house.
"Sept. 10th--Mr. Albro dined at our house." (Mr. Albro was a Halifax
man who traded in cattle.)
"Dec. 28--John McCormick, apparently in good health, died instantly at
night.
"May 10th--Mr. Marsden started to-day for the Conference.
"June 26th--Mr. Bent arrived at our house to-day and went over to
Tantramar.
"June 27th--Mr. Bent preached his first sermon in Tantramar.
"May 3rd, 1803--William Bennet started for Conference.
"Dec.--Mrs. McMonagle's house was drawn from the plain to
Mount Whatley.
"Jan. 9th, 1806--W. Wood Fillmore was married to Nancy Patterson, of
Cole's Island.
"April 5th, 1806--Tolar Thompson brought a large birch log across the
marsh on the ice, and also a load of grain to the mill and returned the
next day.
"June 16th--Harmon had the old shop drawn to his house, had 17 yoke of
oxen.
"William Allen was buried at the churchyard at Camp Hill, attended by a
large concourse of people. Mr. Mitchell preached the sermon.
"Nov. 29th--Mr. Roach lost his vessel; the Capt. and two men were
drowned; 515 firkins of butter saved.
"Jan. 12th, 1806--This day Wm. McKenzie was found dead, sitting in his
chair, supposed to be frozen to death.
"June 3rd, 1808--Wm. Black came to our house and Mrs. Black and son,
Martin Gay. Mr. Black preached at Stone Chapel.
In February of same year, "Mr. Foster came to mill in a cart and John
Patterson from Cole's Island with a sled."
"Jan. 19th, 1808--Mr. Bamford moved to our house.
"Jan. 25th--A meeting to confer about the Byto*; nothing was done."
"Jan. 3rd, 1809--Martin Black married to Fanny Smith."
[FOOTNOTE: *This, I suppose, was the aboideau that had to be abandoned,
to which reference has been made. END OF FOOTNOTE]
On the 8th of that month "William Black preached at Sackville, and on
the 11th at Mr. Roach's in Lawrence; on the 16th William Black started
for Halifax."
"Feb. 23rd, 1809--Went to the Supreme Court.
"Feb. 29th, 1810--Mrs. Roach, of Fort Lawrence, died to-day after a
short sickness. Rev. Mr. Knowlton preached the funeral sermon from
Psalms; a very solemn time; about five hundred people present.
"In June, 1811, Robert Bryce purchased a lot of cattle and some butter
in Cumberland.
"June 28th--Went to Bay Verte with a drove of cattle and some sheep,
put 32 cattle and 116 sheep on board vessel for Newfoundland.
"July 8th--Started ten oxen for Halifax. John Trueman raising his house
and barn, July 6th, 1811.
"July 24th--Pulled the old mill down. A son of John Harper's was badly
hurt at the mill brook."
I notice in the journal that "muster day" was in Sackville this year.
It seems to have been a very prosperous year for the farmers of
Cumberland. Shipments of cattle and sheep were made to Newfoundland and
the usual supply sent to Halifax. The price paid must have been
satisfactory; it would, at any rate, be so considered by our farmers
now.
The following letter sent to Messrs. Reed and Albro, dated Sept. 6th,
1811, gives one an idea of the condition of the cattle trade at that
time:
"WESTMORELAND, Sept. 6th, 1811.
"MESS. REED & ALBRO.
"Sir,--Recd. Your letter by Thomas Roach, Esq., respecting cattle; have
been looking around for some cattle, cannot buy for less than 6d.
(10c.). Mr. -----, of Westmoreland, has some good cattle unsold at
present. If you wish me to purchase you some cattle you may depend on
my doing the best in my power for you. Wishing your answer as soon as
possible, as the good cattle may be picked up. I wish you would send me
the weights of the different lots of Beeves. I cannot settle with the
people I purchased from for want of the weights. Have given two drafts
on you, one on Saml. Holsted for L200, payable on the 20th July, and
one on A. Fowler for L100, payable on the 28th July.
"You will oblige me much by calling on Wm. Allan and take up a mortgage
deed belonging to Thomas King, of Westmoreland.
"There is, he thinks, about L50 or a little more due on it. Send it to
me and I shall get the money paid me on sight, as I want a letter. And
in so doing you will much
"Oblige your well wisher,
"WM. TRUEMAN.
"P.S.--Thomas Roach, Esq., will furnish you with ten cattle at 6d,
delivered in Halifax. If you accept his offer, send a boy to Windsor to
meet the cattle. Please to write the first opportunity and inform me
what I shall do. Do you want a few firkins of butter this fall? I have
given Harmon Trueman an order on you bearing date of 7th Sept.
"I am your humble servant,
"WM. TRUEMAN."
The following letter, a copy of which is among the papers at Prospect,
also adds some information about trade at that time:
"WESTMORELAND, March 7th, 1812.
"MR. JOHN ALBRO:
"Dear Sir,--I hope these lines will find you and Mrs. Albro and family
enjoying health and every other blessing. I take this opportunity to
inform you that I expect to have 12 or 14 oxen to dispose of this
summer. I wish you to have the preference. If you wish to have them
shall be glad to have a line from you by Mr. Gore, as also what you
think the price will be.
"I want no more than the market price.
"Remain your humble servant,
"WM. TRUEMAN.
"N.B.--John Keillor, Esq., hath four good oxen he wishes you to have
with mine. They are four fine oxen. They are likely to be good by July
15th."
In addition to the buyers from Halifax, Newfoundland was this year
sending to Westmoreland for a part of its beef supply. The letter below
refers to the trade with that colony:
"WESTMORELAND, 30 Oct., 1811.
"MESSRS. JOHN & ROBERT BRYNE,--
"I sent you a few lines Sept. 4th. Thinking it a chance whether you
received it or no, I take the liberty to send you a second. I think it
will be a great advantage to you to have some hay purchased and drawn
to the place in winter.
"If you wish to have any purchased I will do it for you, only let me
know the quantity you wish to have. Cattle have been as low as 4 pence
or 5 pence in the spring. It is uncertain what the price may be, but I
see no prospect of them being very high, as there is great plenty of
cattle in the country. Should you want any in the spring you can rely
on my doing the best in my power to serve you.
"Remain your most humble servant,
"WM. TRUEMAN."
Mr. Bryne had been in Westmoreland that summer and purchased a drove of
cattle and sheep, which were shipped on June 28th, as noted previously.
On April 25th, 1811, Mrs. Keillor, Mrs. Trueman's mother, who had been
living at Prospect since 1806, died. Her husband, Thomas Keillor, a
stonemason by trade, died some years earlier. There is at Prospect a
copy of a power of attorney given by Mrs. Keillor to her "trusty
friend," Stephen Emmerson, to act for her in collecting rents and
selling claims in Skelton, England, in connection with the property
owned by her late husband.
This document was copied by Amos Botsford and witnessed by Wm. Botsford
and Henry Chapman, jun., and dated Oct. 30th, 1810.
Mrs. Keillor was buried on the old farm at Fowler's Hill beside her
husband in a small burying-ground that was formerly surrounded by a
stone wall, part of which is still standing.
Mrs. Keillor's maiden name was Mary Thomson. She and two other married
sisters--Jane, the wife of John Carter, and Ann, the wife of William
Trueman--came with the Yorkshire emigration. These sisters left one
brother at least in England, as the letter following, in reply to one
received from George Thomson, will show:
"PROSPECT, March 29th, 1811.
"DEAR UNCLE AND AUNT,--Received your welcome letter of March 29th, and
was glad to hear from you and of your wellfare, and hoping these lines
will find you and yours enjoying the same blessings of health and
happiness.
"I have to tell you of the death of my mother-in-law. She departed this
life April 22nd. Your sister Jane is very well at present.
"The rest of your family are all well. If you see fit to come out in
the spring your friends will be glad to see you. It will be best for
you to get a lumber vessel if you can. There hath been two vessels from
Hull and one from Newcastle this summer. Respecting goods and
merchandise, lay in well for common clothing. Bring some home-made
linens and checks. Ox-chains and horse-traces and bridles. Everything
in wood will be expensive.
"You ask what bills I propose. Good bills on Halifax answer, but
nothing will answer like cash here, as it may be some trouble to get
them cashed. Mechanics of all kinds are wanted. Carpenters, 7 shillings
6 pence per day. We pay 4s. and 4s. 6d. for making a pair of shoes. A
good tailor is much wanted. We pay 6s. for shoeing a horse. Bring a few
scythes of the best quality. Baie Verte is the best place to land at;
if you cannot make that out, St. John or Halifax. There may be some
difficulty in getting a passage from Halifax by water. Shall look out
for a place for you with a house on it.
"May the Lord direct you and prosper your undertaking. Give my best
respects to George Swinburne and wife. Let him know my wife and my ten
children and myself are well.
"I have nothing more at present to write. May the Lord direct you in
all your ways, so prays your affectionate nephew and niece,
"WM. AND ELIZABETH TRUEMAN."
Mr. George Thompson did not emigrate to Nova Scotia as he expected when
he wrote to his uncle and aunt. The following letter, written by his
son five years later, explains why:
"DURHAM, Sept., 1816.
"DEAR COUSINS,--You probably would think it very strange our not
writing to you for so long a time, but I can assure you it was not for
want of affection or respect, but merely inadvertence; and no doubt you
would think it strange, after my father wrote to inform you he intended
setting out for America, that he never went, but the principal reason
was that on second consideration he thought himself too far advanced in
years to undertake so long a voyage, and the rest of the family except
myself were not very willing. Consequently he immediately after that
took a large farm, which I had principally to manage, otherwise I would
have gone at that time. However, it is my wish to set out next spring,
and have not written to inform you it, in order that I may have your
answer before that, stating all particulars of the country, and if
there be a good prospect for me. There is also an acquaintance of mine,
a threshing machine maker and cartwright, has a desire to accompany me;
therefore be so good as to say what prospect there is for such a man as
he is.
"All my brothers and sisters are married and settled, and my father and
mother are very well and now live by themselves, retired from farming.
"Hoping you and all friends are well, I shall conclude with kindest
love to all,
"And remain, dear cousin,
"Yours affectionately,
"GEORGE THOMPSON.
"P.S.--Have the goodness to write the first opportunity, and direct to
me at
"Harbour House,
"Durham."
It is quite possible the above letter did not receive a reply. A good
deal of trouble had been taken to send full information to the father,
and five years were allowed to pass before any acknowledgement was
made. At all events, there is no record of a letter being sent to the
son, and it is certain he did not come to this country.
The subjoined communication helps to show the depressed condition in
England at that period, and that many were looking to America in the
hope of bettering their condition:
"May 14th, 1819.
"DEAR COUSIN,--I hope these lines will find you all well, as they us at
present. We thank God for it.
"I intend to come over to America this spring If it should please God,
For the state of England are very bad, Land has got so very dear that a
livelihood cannot be got in England, and the taxes that Government lays
on are very heavy, till they reduce so many to a lower class that the
land will hardly support the poor. I hope you are in a better situation
in America.
"We understand in England that the States of America are very
flourishing at present. I intend to set off to America the first of
June. If it should please God that I should get over safe, I hope to
get to your house as soon as I can. All your cousins are in good health
at present. Thank God for it, and they wish to be remembered to you and
all your family.
"So I remain your most obedient cousin,
"JAMES BOYES,
"of Bilsdale.
"N.B.--By the wishes of one of your cousins, of the name of Harman
Wedgwood, a son of Benjamin Wedgwood, a tailor, he would like to hear
from you. He thinks you will give him some information of your country.
"He wants to come to live in your country, and if you please to give
him some intelligence of tailors' wages in your country.
"So he remains your most obedient cousin.
"HARMAN WEDGWOOD,
"Hawnby."
"N.B.--If you please to write to him you must direct as follows:
"'HARMAN WEDGWOOD,
"'Hawnby,
"'Near Helmsley, Blackmoor,
"'Yorkshire, England.'"
There was no change in the family at Prospect after Sallie's marriage
in 1808 until 1817. On Jan. 17th of the latter year Robert married
Eunice Bent, of Fort Lawrence, a sister of Harmon's wife, and in
October Amos married Susanna Ripley, a sister of Willie's wife.
Robert settled on a farm adjoining the homestead. His house was not
built until the summer following his marriage. James, his eldest child,
was born 30th October, 1817, in the Brick House at Prospect Farm. Amos
settled at the head of Amherst (now called Truemanville). The following
letter, written by his youngest daughter, Mrs. Sarah Patterson, is very
interesting, as giving some idea of the experiences of that time:
"When my father first came to live in the place now called Truemanville
it was a dense forest. In summer the only road was a bridle path. In
winter, when the snow was on the ground, they could drive a pair of
oxen and a sled along the road.
"The winter my father was married, as soon as there was enough snow and
frost, he and one of his brothers and another man set out to build a
house.
"They loaded a sled with boards, doors and windows, and provided
themselves with bedding and provisions to last till the house was
finished. They then hitched the oxen to the sled and started on their
twenty-mile journey and most of the way on a trackless path.
"When they arrived at their journey's end, they erected a rude hut to
live in and commenced building a house. They did not have to go far for
timber--it was standing all around the site chosen for the house.
"They built a very nice log house, 15 ft. by 18 ft. Their greatest
trouble in building was, the stones were so frosty they could not split
them. They had to kindle a huge fire of brushwood and warm the stones
through, when they split finely.
"After they had built the house they returned home, having been absent
about three weeks.
"My father and mother then moved to their new home, and father began to
build a saw mill and grist mill.
"Their nearest neighbors were one and a half miles distant, unless we
count the bears and foxes, and they were far too sociable for anything
like comfort. Sheep and cattle had to be folded every night for some
years.
"After father had built his grist mill he used to keep quite a number
of hogs. In the fall of the year, when the beechnuts began to drop, the
men used to drive them into the woods, where they would live and grow
fat on the nuts. One evening when my mother was returning from a visit
to one of the neighbors she heard a terrible squealing in the woods.
She at once suspected that bruin designed to dine off one of the hogs.
She hastened home to summon the men to the rescue, but darkness coming
on they had to give up the chase. However, bruin did not get any pork
that night; the music was too much for him, and piggie escaped with
some bad scratches.
"A short time after this, ominous squeaks were heard from the woods.
The men armed themselves with pitchforks and ran to the rescue. What
should they meet but one of my uncles coming with an ox-cart. The
wooden axles had got very dry on the long, rough road, and as they
neared my father's the sound as the wheels turned resembled very
closely that made by a hog under the paws of bruin.
"Imagine the way of travelling in those days! I have heard my father
say there were only two carriages between Point de Bute and
Truemanville. Their principal mode of travel was on horseback. My
father and mother visited Grandfather Trueman's with their three
children. Mother took the youngest on one horse, and father took the
two older ones on another horse; and yet we often hear people talk of
the 'good old times.'
"My father was a man of generous disposition. The poor and needy always
found him ready to sympathize and help them. He often supplied grain to
them when there was no prospect of payment. He would say, 'A farmer can
do without many things, but not without seed grain.' That reminds me of
an incident I will tell you, of our Grandfather Trueman. About thirty-
five years ago my mother was visiting at Stephen Oxley's, at Tidnish,
where she met an old lady whose name I forget; but no matter. When she
heard my mother's name she began talking about Grandfather Trueman. She
said she would never forget his kindness to her in her younger days
when she and her husband first came from the Old Country and began life
among strangers in very straightened circumstances. After passing
through a hard winter in which food had been very scarce they found
themselves in the spring without any seed wheat or the means of buying
any.
"Her husband was almost in despair. She tried to cheer him up by
telling him that if she went to Mr. Trueman she thought he would help
them. So her husband agreed to let her try her chance, and she mounted
a horse and set out for Prospect Farm. Just as she arrived there
another woman came in and asked Mr. Trueman to sell her some wheat,
telling him she had money to pay for it. Grandfather said he had very
little wheat to sell but he could let her have a bushel or two. The old
lady said her heart almost sank within her; she thought her case was
hopeless. However, she told him she, too, had come for seed wheat, but
she had no money nor the means of getting any at present, and they were
entirely without seed. Grandfather turned to the other woman and said,
'You have money' go to Mr.----- (a neighbor), you can get as much as
you want, and I will give this woman the grain.' Oh, how glad she
felt! Words were too poor to express her thanks, and she went home
rejoicing. In after years, when Providence had favored her with a
goodly share of this world's goods, she could not tell this experience
without the tears running down her cheeks. How true it is, 'The memory
of the just is blessed.'"
The following letter received from a son of Rev. William Black, is of
some interest:
"HALIFAX, N.S.,
"27th Sept. 1819.
"MR. WILLIAM TRUEMAN,
"DEAR SIR,--Your favor of the 20th inst. is at hand, and in reply to
it, as relates to the probable price of Butter, I would state it as my
opinion that it is likely to command about 14d. A considerable quantity
of Irish Butter has already arrived and more is expected. A number of
firkins have this day been sold at public auction at 1s. per lb.,--the
quality is said to be very fair. Please say to Mrs. Wells that I have
received her letter of the 24th inst., and shall do as she requests.
Mrs. Black and family are well, and join me in best regards to Mrs.
Trueman, Yourself and Family.
"Yrs. Truly,
"M. G. BLACK."
After Amos and Robert left Prospect for homes of their own, the family
remained unchanged until 1820. That year, Mary, the second daughter,
married William Humphrey, of Sackville. William Humphrey was a
carpenter by trade but shortly after his marriage bought a farm in
Upper Maccan and went quite extensively into farming and milling.
The Humphreys were from Yorkshire, and after coming to America, settled
first at Falmouth, Nova Scotia. After the death of Wm. Humphrey, sen.,
Mrs. Humphrey, following the advice of her friend, Charles Dixon, moved
to Sackville with her family of five children, three sons and two
daughters. James Dixon says of Mrs. Humphrey, in his history of the
Dixons: "She was evidently a capable woman," and judging from the
position her descendants have taken in the new country he was probably
right in his estimate.
As I remember the second William Humphrey, he was a man of more than
ordinary intelligence, one who looked closely at both sides of a
question, and with whom every new undertaking was well thought out
beforehand. He had no place for the man who wanted to make a show. He
was, for the times, a large employer of labor, and his men did not
readily leave his employ. He was possessed of strong religious
convictions, but was by no means demonstrative in such matters. His
children were given good educational opportunities. Two of his sons
studied and graduated at colleges in the United States, and two others
were students at the old Academy, at Sackville.
The following letter, written by William, one of the sons who was
educated in the United States, to his cousin Ruth, will show how
graduates of that day looked upon life:
"NEW HAVEN, June 27th, 1853.
"DEAR COUSIN,
"Your very welcome letter came to hand in due time, for which I am
exceedingly obliged, especially as many of my correspondents have been
dilatory and others have given me up altogether. But they probably have
as much reason to complain of me as I have of them. The truth is my
studies so occupy my attention that I am too much inclined to forget my
friends. The acquisition of a profession presents such an immensity of
labor that it would seem to require a lifetime to become proficient,
especially when the small amount of energy that I can command is
brought to bear upon it. However, I am not disposed to find fault with
the labor so long as there is so much that is intensely interesting and
I can make respectable progress towards the grand crisis of a student's
life.
"New Haven is equally as attractive as it was during my college life
and I feel more at home here than in any other place in the United
States during the present summer so far. I have become acquainted with
the professional men of the city from whom I have received many favors
and many of whom I hope to regard as my future friends. Through their
influence I have had an opportunity of treating a number of patients,
which is no small advantage to me in my studies. I confess I am so much
attached to the city I should like to make it my home if it were
practicable, but it is so much crowded with physicians that there is no
room for me. In reply to your question as to what pleasure it afforded
me to receive my diploma, I can very readily say that it was far from
affording me anything like a thrill of pleasure to look back upon my
acquirements. I rather felt as a tired traveller might be supposed to
feel when, having exerted himself to reach the top of the first peak on
a mountain, he has only secured a position where he can see Alpine
peaks towering to the skies, which he must scale before his journey is
ended. I very many times have felt as though I was not a particle wiser
since I graduated than before I first left home, yet I suppose I may
claim more than this for myself without being thought vain or arrogant,
but what advantage either myself or others are to reap from it remains
to be seen. I hope I am better prepared to spend the remainder of my
life more profitably than I was before, with higher aims and in
possession of greater capacity for enjoyment myself and of doing good
to others. I cannot yet tell when I shall get my medical degree, yet if
fortune favors and I get along with my studies pretty well, it will not
be longer than fourteen months. I would like to arrange my plans to
leave for home as soon as I get through, but it is so long beforehand
that I do not think about it yet.
"I shall have a short vacation of a few weeks, commencing with August
1st, when I should like to be at home, but I do not deem it best for me
to go this summer. I shall probably go into the country 'round. I shall
probably return to Philadelphia early in October and spend the winter
there, which will end my residence in that city, unless I should remain
longer to attend the hospital and see more practice than I could
otherwise.
"From the accounts I hear from home you still have need of doctors, for
people continue to be sick and die.
"Think you there will be any patronage for me? But your answer will
probably depend upon my worthiness of it.
"But I must hasten to close. I shall be happy to hear from you whenever
you are disposed to write.
"Kind regards to your mother, sisters and brothers.
"Very sincerely yours,
"WILLIAM F. HUMPHREY.
"To:
"MISS RUTH TRUEMAN,
"Point de Bute."
The Humphreys have not increased rapidly in this country. There were
three brothers in the first family, William, John and Christopher. John
never married. Christopher married, but had no family. William had four
sons, and these, with their father and uncles, made seven of the name
then living in the provinces. Since then these four boys have married,
and two of their sons, yet the males of the name just number seven
to-day; and, strange to say, have remained at that figure the most of
the time for the last seventy years. At present there are living four
great-grandsons, and three great-great-grandsons of the first William.
Dr. Humphrey graduated in regular course, received his medical degree,
and settled in St. John, New Brunswick, where he worked up a good
practice. His health, however, gave way, and he died a comparatively
young man.
Mrs. Bishop, a daughter of William Humphrey, writes:--
"I do not remember hearing my parents say much about their early life.
I remember my father saying he gave a doubloon to the man who married
them. They moved to Maccan very shortly after they were married. When
grandmother Humphrey died they went to the funeral on horseback (thirty
miles), and took John with them, then a young babe. (The baby, John,
was the late John A. Humphrey, of Moncton.) I have heard mother say
she took me to her father's funeral when I was four months old, another
long ride on horseback."
Mrs. Bishop is the only one of the family now living.
Returning to the family at Prospect, Betty, the youngest daughter, was
married to George Glendenning, in 1823. Her name was to have been
Elizabeth, but one day previous to the baptism the minister was at the
house and asked Mrs. Trueman what baby's name was to be. She said, "Oh,
I suppose it will be Betty," meaning to have her baptized Elizabeth,
but to call her Betty for short. When the minister came to the
baptism, he did not ask the name, but baptized the baby Betty. The
mother did not feel very well pleased about it, but Betty it had to be.
George Glendenning, George Moffat and George Dickson, three
Dumfrieshire farmers, came to America in the spring of 1820. They had
talked the matter over during the long evenings of the previous winter,
and finally determined to try their fortunes in the New World.
The agricultural distress that prevailed in Ireland at that time
affected Scotland also, and the wages of farm laborers was only a
shilling a day in harvest time. No doubt the love of adventure and a
desire to see more of world also had something to do with the decision
of the young men. Passages were secured on the ship ABIONA, bound for
Miramichi, at which port the young men were safely landed early in May.
John Steele was also a passenger in this vessel. He went to Cumberland
and settled on the gulf shore near Wallace. Rev. Dr. Steele, of
Amherst, is a grandson of John Steele. George Moffat also went to
Cumberland, and settled at River Hebert. Beside managing a farm he did
a large business in sending beef cattle to the Halifax market. Mr.
Moffat was a fine, honest man, "a canny Scot," who was always as good
as his word and expected others to be the same.
George Glendenning had a brother living in St. John, and after landing
at Miramichi he went direct to that place, where he had a short visit.
There was not much in the surroundings of St. John that was attractive
to the eye of a Scotch farmer, so the young emigrant decided to try
another locality. He turned his steps toward "Old Chignecto," a long,
hard walk. He made several attempts to get work on the way, always
without success. At a farmhouse in Dorchester he might have got
employment, but did not like the appearance of things about the place.
Before leaving Dorchester he had become much discouraged, and
remembering his early training in a godly house, determined to ask
direction and guidance from his Heavenly Father. And so, falling on his
knees, he prayed that he might be directed in his way so that by
another night he might find a place where work could be had. After this
earnest prayer he started out with more heart, but in the long walk
through the Dorchester woods to Sackville, then on the "Four Corners,"
no work was found, and so the marsh was crossed and Prospect Farm was
reached just as it began to grow dark. He would try his fortune here.
An old man answered his knock at the door and bade him, "Come in," but
in answer to his request for work said, "No, I do not want a man, but
you had better not go any further to-night; we will keep you here." In
the morning the proprietor of Prospect reversed his decision of the
night before and decided to give the young Scotchman a trial. The
result was that he remained with the family for three years, and when
he left took with him as his wife the youngest daughter.
Mr. Glendenning settled on a new farm in Amherst Head (now
Truemanville), and soon became one of the most successful farmers of
the district. John Glendenning, of Amherst, is his son, and Rev. George
Glendenning, of Halifax, N.S., and Robert Glendenning, M.D., of Mass.,
U.S., are his grandsons.