HISTORY

- OF-

CHARLES DIXON,

ONE OF THE

EARLY ENGLISH SETTLERS

- OF -

SACKVILLE, N. B.

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COMPILED BY

JAMES D. DIXON,

A GRANDSON

 

SACKVILLE, N. B., 1891.

 

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Press

Forest City Publishing Co.,

Rockford, Ill., U.S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Acknowledgements

 

Margaret Moorehead of Prince Edward Island, Canada,  owner of an original edition of the "History of Charles Dixon",  has graciously provided a photocopy.    The copy has been converted to electronic text.   Original page numbers have been preserved, and a new surname index has been added,  to supplement the index/table of contents by the author which begins on page 197.  The errata listed on page 196 have been inserted in the text in square brackets [..].  Double square brackets [[..]] denote additional significant errata found by Margaret Moorehead and Barbara Trenholm.

 

This electronic version is considered to be in the public domain and may be copied and distributed as desired, with this acknowledgement attached.  We hope the numerous descendants of Charles Dixon, as well as others interested in local history, will read and enjoy.

 

- Barbara Trenholm Merklinger, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

May 2000

 

The conversion of the MS Word 6.0 document to HTML was prepared by Bob McEachern, Richmond, Virginia, December 2002. The tabular sections of data did not convert very well, so new tables were constructed to contain this data. If anyone finds any discrepencies in these tables, please e-mail me by clicking on .

 


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PREFACE

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The object of the writer in compiling the within pages, is to give to the present and future generations some knowledge of their ancestry; and to put on record certain facts and events connected with their history, and as far as possible to record the names of the descendants of Charles Dixon down to the current year.  To obtain the name of all, was found to be quite impracticable.  The writer has personally visited numerous families, written scores and scores of letters, traveled hundreds of miles, and dilligently sought to obtain the information embodied in these pages; and while sincerely grateful for the measure of success attained, he deeply regrets that further greatly desired information respecting many of the families proved beyond his reach.  For the errors and imperfections the work contains, he feels he may reasonably claim forbearance.  The work has no claim or merit in a literary sense, the object sought being a simple, brief statement of facts and circumstances of little to any excepting the aforesaid Charles Dixon.  It was at first intended to bring the record down to the close of 1888, at which date some portion of the material had been collected.  Circumstances, however, delayed the collection of the required information until a more recent period.  Consequently it is probable many interesting events may have occured in connection with those families from whom he had obtained his information. at the period first named, which are not recorded herein.  To all those who have aided him in his search for information, (who are too numerous to be recounted by name) his sincerest thanks are respectfully tendered.  To the author of the History of the Black Family, who kindly gave him permission to

 


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use such portion of his account of the family of Martin G. and Fanny Smith Black as he might deem advisable, and which he has availed himself of to a certain extent, his acknowledgements are herewith tendered.  In the hope that his effort to compile a family history extending over so many years and reaching the seventh generation and numbering nearly three thousand persons, may be duly appreciated and its many imperfections and errors regarded with much leniency, the compiler herewith dedicates his effort to the descendants of Charles and Susanna Dixon.

 

J. D. D.

 

August, 1891

 

N.B. The reader will observe that the figures prefixed to many of the names herein mentioned, are introduced for the purpose of indicating the Generation, to which such persons belong, and their relationship to Charles and Susannah Dixon, who are accounted the first  generation.  Thus the figure 2 denotes that the name is that of one of their children; the figure 3, one of their grandchildren; the figure 4, one of their great grandchildren, and so on.

 

 


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HISTORY OF CHARLES DIXON, 1st.

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CHAPTER I.

 

 

CHARLES DIXON came from Yorkshire, England, to Nova Scotia in the year 1772, and settled at Sackville, N.B.  A paper written by himself, and dated Sept. 21st, 1773, giving some particulars of his life and history previous to that date, is herein transcribed, as follows:

 

"I, Charles Dixon, was born March 8, old style, in the year 1730, at Kirleavington, near Yarm, in the East Riding of Yorkshire in Old England.  I was brought up to the Bricklayer's trade with my Father until I was about nineteen years of age, and followed that calling till the 29th year of my age.  I then engaged in a paper manufactory at Hutton Rudby, and followed that business for the space of about twelve years with success.  At the age of thirty-one I married Susanna Coates, by whom I have had one son and four daughters.  I was brought up a Protestant, or a member of the Church of England, and endeavored to demean myself as one on his Christian race; to live soberly, righteously and Godly in this present evil world, thinking, or at least had no doubt but I should obtain heaven at last.  But being at one time at Robinhood's Bay, near Whitby, I went to hear Thomas


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Secomb, a Methodist preacher, so called by way of derision.  But his preaching was such as I never before heard, for his word was with power, it made me cry out in the bitterness of my soul, what must I do to be saved?

 

"All my pretence of being a member of the church fell to the ground, I was condemned by her articles and homilies.  I had broken my baptismal covenant, and was in fact a baptized heathen with a Christian name.  For the space of about twelve months I went mourning all my days under a sense of guilt, and bowed down with the Spirit of bondage, but seeking for and asking of God, that Spirit wherewith He made His children free; that I might rejoice with his chosen, and give thanks with his inheritance.  At length on Wednesday, September the 21st, 1795 [1759], while seeking and striving upon my knees, the Lord proclaimed his name merciful and gracious to forgive my iniquities, healed all my diseases, and set my soul at liberty.  I was then a member of the Methodist Society at Hutton Rudby, and continued so till the year 1772, being the 42nd year of my age.  Being wearied with public business, and I saw the troubles that were befalling my native country, oppressions of every kind abounded, and it was very difficult to earn bread, and keep a conscience void of offence, and though I was involved in business without the least appearance of being freed therefrom, until Providence so ordered it.  The Honorable Lieutenant-Governor Franklin of the Province of Nova Scotia, at this time made some proposals for settlers; an acquaintance of mine, being his agent, with whom I had some intercourse.  And when the advertisements came out I frequently recommended them to others, not seeing any way to embrace them myself, until about two months before I


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embarked at Liverpool.  A gentleman I had never before seen called at my house and asked me some questions about my business, and told me that he was informed that I was inclined to embrace Governor Franklin's proposals, and if so he would undertake my business and purchase my stock and interest in Hutton Mills, that I might not be retarded.  I was brought to think of it more seriously and gave him for answer that I would weight it more narrowly, and give him a deliberate answer in a little time.  After many thoughts, and consultations with my wife and friends, I came to a resolution to leave all my friends and interests I was invested with and go to Nova Scotia.  The time arrived that we were to be at Liverpool, and we reached there the 27th February, from whence we sailed on the 16th day of March, 1772, on board the Duke of York, with sixty-two souls, men, women and children, bound for Nova Scotia as settlers.  My family consisted of myself, my wife and four children, viz: Mary, Charles, Susanna, and Elizabeth.

 

"We had a rough passage, none of us having been at sea before; much sea sickness prevailed.  After six weeks and four days, we arrived at Halifax, the capital of the Province, and were received with much joy by the gentlemen in general, but were much discouraged by others, and the account we heard of Cumberland (the place of our destination) was enough to make the stoutest heart give way.  I had, however, an eye to that Providence that called and made things plain before me hitherto, and frequently told my wife all things would work together for good; not to be cast down, for I was sure we should meet with good success at our journey's end, and I endeavored to persuade others that He who had inclined us to


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come hither would surely not leave us, if were not wanting to ourselves.  Through many discouragements we arrived and landed at Fort Cumberland on the 21st day of May, and went into the Barracks with my family until we could find a resting place.  At first glance things wore a gloomy aspect.  There were few of the inhabitants but wanted to sell their lands and go hence.  I thought there must be some cause for this universal discontent.  The spring was very late.  I began to walk about the country, and went over to Sackville.  After a few days' investigation, finding the cause of discontent to be largely due to indolence and lack of knowledge, I purchased a tract of land at Sackville of Daniel Hawkins, containing 2500 acres, for the sum of £260.  To which I removed my family on the 8th of June.  Most of the rest of the settlers bought and settled elsewhere.

 

"One thing in the inhabitants of Sackville at that time was very commendable; the not forsaking, but assembling together to worship, though unhappily divided into parties and ready to say to each other 'I am holier than thou'.  And now let us admire that Providence which has preserved and brought us through many dangers from our Father's house and given us a lot in a strange land and an earthly inheritance that we never deserved or expected.  Oh! that it may excite us to gratitude and thanksgiving while we dwell in a house of clay, and when this earthly tabernacle shall be dissolved may we receive an  inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, that will never fade away; where the wicked will cease from troubling, and where our souls shall forever rest.

 

"N.B. – This, my son Charles, is written for thy and thy little sisters' instruction, that thou be not high-minded, but


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remember the rock from whence thou wast hewn, and in the future time when I and thy mother shall be called home, and rest in the silent grave, you may remember, that for your sakes we crossed the ocean.  See that you outstrip us in purity of heart and holiness of life, and always let your words be the picture of your hearts.  Study to adorn the doctrine and Gospel of God your Savior, and acquaint yourselves with God and be at peace.  At peace with yourselves and with all men, and may the God of peace be with you evermore.  Amen.

 

The following is also transcribed from a record made by the same person in his own hand-writing upon the flyleaf of his family bible:  "Sackville, N.B., 21st  May 1810.  This day, 38 years ago, we landed at Fort Cumberland from Hutton Rudby, in Cleveland, Yorkshire, myself, my wife, Mary, Charles, Susanna and Elizabeth, six in all, and at this day the family has multiplied to ninety-four, all alive, save infants, and Ruth, my daughter, who departed 20th March last, much regretted by all who knew her, aged 37 years and three months, but our loss is her gain.  She died as she lived, a Christian.  Thus has the mercy and goodness of God followed us hitherto.  (Signed,)  Charles Dixon.

 

"May 21st, 1815.  This day, forty-three years ago, we landed at Fort Cumberland, with four children, viz:  Mary, Charles, Susanna, and Elizabeth.   Four more were added, viz.: Ruth, Martha, Edward and William, all alive save a favorite, Ruth, and I suppose we are multiplied to not less, at this day than one hundred and thirty.  But why are we thus multiplied and spared so long?  Because God's mercy is over all his works.  (Signed,) Charles Dixon.  Aged 85.


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The foregoing paper and records contain all that Mr. Dixon wrote respecting his own, or his family history.  While the writer deems himself fortunate in the possession of these papers, he deeply regrets that Mr. Dixon did not leave on record some farther information respecting his parents, his brothers and sisters, and their families.  He had a brother Edward, with whom he kept up a correspondence after coming to America, who also had a family.  He for some time previous to his decease, was so afflicted with blindness, that he was obliged to employ some one to write his letters to his brother in America.  There was also a sister, who was married to a Mr. Scotson, one of whose daughters married Abraham Bass, who was a tailor and draper of London, and who at Mr. Dixon's suggestion came to Sackville about the year 1810 and built a brick house on the site now occupied by the Chignecto Hall, where he kept a public house or hotel until his death.   There was also John Dixon, an excise officer at Hutton Rudby, with whom Charles had business relations, while he was engaged in the manufacture of paper, who was probably a relative.  There was also a Dixon family near the same locality, who at a later period gave to the Methodist church a distinguished minister, in the person of the Rev. James Dixon, D.D., who it is well known, in advanced age became totally blind.  This latter circumstance coupled with the fact that a similar affliction existed in the case of Edward Dixon, before, mentioned, and also with the fact that two of Charles Dixon's sons were in advanced age similarly afflicted, as will hereafter appear, tends to give color to the probability that the families had been nearly related in the not very remote past.

 

Charles Dixon very soon became an active and prominent


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citizen of the community in which he had fixed his new home.  He doubtless possessed some traits of character to be esteemed and admired.  He was prompt in decision, firm of purpose, industrious, intelligent and conscientious in the discharge of his duties, and what his hand found to do, he did with his might.  He possessed an education quite in advance of many of his associates and neighbors, and his twelve years' training in conducting the business of the paper mill had given him an aptitude for business, which would materially aid in qualifying him for efficiently discharging the duties of the positions he was so soon called upon to fill.  He was called upon almost immediately to act as administrator of several Estates, among which was that of George Dobson, of Point De Bute, and one of Thomas Copple, of Petticodiac.  He was also appointed a Justice of the peace in 1775, and Judge of the common pleas in 1778.  As a Justice of the peace he had a large portion of the business of the Parish to perform for a lengthy period.  He was also authorized to solemnize matrimony, and performed that duty for many of the early inhabitants.

 

Mr. Dixon was among the first of the English immigrants to what was then called Cumberland, Nova Scotia, (which included not only the present County of Cumberland, but also a large portion of the Province of New Brunswick, notably the counties of Westmoreland and Albert) who settled at Sackville, and believing that he had done wisely himself, he encouraged others of his Yorkshire acquaintance to follow his example; and when they arrived, aided them by his counsel, and in some instances with pecuniary assistance to enable them to make a start.  What amount of funds Mr. Dixon brought


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from England is unknown, but beside the amount he paid for his land, he expended nearly as much in the purchase of stock of various kinds.  He bought of Daniel Hawkins all his stock, consisting of horses, oxen, cows, young cattle and sheep.  Of the latter he had more than a sufficiency, for he began immediately to lend them to his newly arrived acquaintances, to be returned, with their double in three years.  As he still had funds to lend to his fellow immigrants, it is probably he was possessed of about a thousand pounds when he left England.

 

It would be interesting to know the names of the passengers with Charles Dixon, and his family, in the ship Duke of York.  We are informed there were seventeen families, only one of which, so far as known, settled in Sackville beside Mr. Dixon.  Thomas Anderson, with his wife Mary, who were married just previous to their departure from England, and who, after living for a year or so with Mr. Dixon, bought a property on Coles' Island, of a Mr. Alvason, where they settled and became the founders of the extensive and respectable family of that name, many of whom are still residents of Sackville.  William Freeze, and wife, and his wife's brother, George Bulmer, (who was a lad of twelve years) were also of the number of the same ship's company.  Mr. Freeze first located at or near Amhurst, N.S., but finally settled at Sussex, Kings county, N. B., and became the founder of a numerous respected and influential family.  George Bulmer, after completing his term of service with his brother-in-law Freeze, came to Sackville, purchased a property adjoining Mr. Dixon, and married into his family as will hereafter be seen.

 

For some years after Mr. Dixon came to Sackville he was engaged in a small way in merchandise, purchasing his


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goods and supplies, and marketing the surplus products of his farm at Halifax.  This caused him to make occasional journeys to that city, going frequently by the way of Parrsboro and Windsor.  On one occasion he met some old acquaintances in the persons of William and Jane Humphrey, who were then settled at Falmouth, N.S.  Many years subsequently, after the death of Mr. Humphrey in 1795, Mr. Dixon advised Mrs. Humphrey to remove with her family of three sons and two daughters to Sackville, offering her a lot of his land situated on the main road through the village.  Mrs. Humphrey accepted the offer promptly.  A house was erected upon the lot, and in due time was occupied by herself and family.  She was evidently a capable woman.  She commenced very soon to keep a public house, so called, and her house was for many years a kind of headquarters where much of the semi-public or parish business was transacted. Mr. Dixon continued to hold his Justice courts there until within a brief period of his death.  The place is now known as the farm of the late Christopher Humphrey.

 

Long previous to the removal of Mrs. Humphrey to Sackville, Mr. Dixon had encouraged John Richardson and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Flintoff, and who was a sister of Mrs. Humphrey, to come to America, and who came out in the year 1774, and were then comfortably settled beside Mr. Dixon.  One of Mr. Richardson's family was born on the ocean voyage, and was named Joseph Providence.  The first name for the captain of the ship, and the second for the ship.  John and Mary Richardson, above named, are the founders of the various families of that name in and around Sackville.


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Very soon after the arrival of Mr. Dixon and the other English families who proceeded [preceded] or immediately followed him, the Revolutionary War broke out.  As a large proportion of the inhabitants of Sackville, at that period, were natives of Massachusetts, and the adjoining Colonies, and had only been absent from their native country a few years, it is not surprising that some of them should be inclined to sympathise with the Revolutionists and actively espouse their cause; and aided and encouraged by a force from Calais they for a time besieged Fort Cumberland.  That enterprise however was soon abandoned, and they found more congenial employment in raiding the homes of the loyal and peaceable inhabitants, plundering them of such articles as they were in need of, and destroying or carrying away any guns or ammunition they might find.  Mr. Dixon's home did not escape their unwelcome notice.  His house was robbed of many valuable articles, some of which he kept for sale.  For a considerable period the loyal inhabitants, notably the English settlers, were subjected to a state of anxiety, and lived in dread of a repetition of such unwelcome visits.  On one occasion when some of these people were approaching the house, Mrs. Dixon hastily gathered up her silverware and other valuables and deposited them in a barrel of pig feed, where they quite escaped the notice of the visitors.  On a later occasion, when somewhat similar troublous times existed, Mr. Dixon, with the aid of his negro servant Cleaveland, hid his money and other valuables in the earth; binding his servant by a solemn oath never to divulge to any one the place of concealment.  These incidents may serve to remind us of some of the perils and difficulties our


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ancestors were compelled to encounter very soon after their arrival in the country.

 

At the close of the revolutionary war, the population of Nova Scotia was largely increased by the arrival of the Loyalists, many of whom settled at St. John and in that vicinity, and some came to Sackville, and others to Amherst and the adjacent localities.  There was another class of persons who preceded the Loyalists, who came from the New England states, and some of whom settled at Sackville, who were termed refugees. These, it is understood, were not obliged to leave their native land because of their loyalty to the Crown and government of England.  It can be truly said however, that the descendants of some of this class are now to be found among the most industrious and prosperous of our citizens.

 

Very soon after the close of the war, the Province of Nova Scotia was divided, and what is now known as the Province of New Brunswick was given a separate government.

 

An extract from the journals of the first session of the Legislature held at Parr Town, (now St. John) in January 1786, is here inserted and is as follows: "The consideration of the Sheriff's return for Westmoreland, being referred to a committee, the chairman reports, that the French votes are illegal, and that Charles Dixon was entitled to take his seat."  And on February 7th, Charles Dixon appeared in the House, "And it was ordered that Mr. Hubbard and Mr. Paine, attend to see him qualified before the Commissioner for that purpose, who reported they had attended to that duty, and that Charles Dixon was duly qualified, and thereupon ordered that he take his seat."


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Amos Botsford was the only other representative for the County until 1793, when four members were allowed to Westmoreland, and Amos Botsford, Thomas Chandler, William Black and Thomas Dickson were elected.  Whether Mr. Dixon was a candidate for re-election in 1793 or otherwise the writer is not informed, nor does he know who beside Mr. Botsford and Mr. Dixon were the candidates of the first election.  It is probably some other candidate had received more votes than he, including French, which when found to be illegal were stricken off, and Mr. Dixon became entitled to the seat.  The revenue of the Province the first year was about £2500, out of which a grant was made to open a road to Westmoreland.  The necessity for such grant was doubtless apparent by the fact that it required two weeks to inform Mr. Dixon of his right to the seat, and to enable him to appear at Parr Town.

 

Shortly after Mr. Dixon ceased to be a member of the Legislature he was appointed Collector of Customs and acted in that capacity some years.  In the year 1788, he built a brick house, all the lumber for the floors and finishing of which was brought by water conveyance from the state of Maine.  There was abundance of timber near at hand certainly, but the absence of mills for its manufacture no doubt necessitated that course.  There is a building still standing owned by Mr. John E. Bowser, the boards of a portion of which also came from Maine at about the same time.  A few lines of explanation in reference to the discontent of which Mr. Dixon speaks of as being universal, may here be in order.  After the expulsion of the French from Nova Scotia in 1755, efforts were made by the English authorities to induce persons living in the New England Colonies to come and occupy these vacant lands, and in


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1758 and subsequently Governor Lawrence held out strong inducements which were to a certain extent successful.  A Baptist church came en masse  in the year 1763 and located at Sackville, other persons followed, and in the year 1765 the first grant of lands in Sackville was issued by the Government of Nova Scotia to these people, some of whom had served in the war against the French and were thus in part remunerated for such service.  The whole parish of Sackville was thus granted and the holders of the said lands were the people to whom Mr. Dixon refers as being anxious to sell their lands and leave the country.  The advent of the English immigrants who responded to Governor Franklin's proposals, and settled at Sackville, gave some of these people an opportunity to sell out and leave.  At a later period when the Loyalists came others of them found opportunity to sell out to them, and others returned to their native country leaving their lands unsold.

 

Of the long list of persons whose names were contained in the original grants of Sackville, those who remained permanently are represented by the names of Ayr, Cole, Estabrooks, Killam, Read, Tingley, Smith, Seaman and Ward.

 

The names of the English immigrants who settled at Sackville are Anderson, Atkinson, Bowser, Bulmer, Cornforth, Dixon, Fawcett, Harper, Patterson, Richardson and Wry.  Most of whom were Methodists in their religious views.  Those who settled at Point De Bute bore the names of Dobson, Chapman, Carter, Lowerison, Siddall, Trueman, Oulton, Trenholm, and others, many of whom were also Methodists, and others strongly attached to the Church of England.


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Reference to Mr. Dixon's ledger supplies us with facts which though in harmony with the wants of society at that age, would be sadly at variance with present conditions.  One or two of these may not be uninteresting.  One entry shows that he hired a servant girl for the sum of nine pounds a year.  And that one of the articles she required in payment for her services was a gallon of rum.  Another shows that he purchased several negro slaves at Halifax, one of whom he sold to his friend, the Honorable Amos Botsford, at the same price he paid; another to his friend Major Wilson, on similar terms, and one named Cleveland he retained for himself, for whom he paid the sum of sixty pounds, and to whom he subsequently gave his liberty, and thenceforth paid regular wages. This faithful old servant the writer can well recollect.   He lived with Charles Dixon, Junior, after the death of his old master, and when dying, said he wished to be buried somewhere near his old master.

 

Mr. Dixon's house was a home for the early Methodist preachers, to whom he always gave a warm and hearty welcome.  He was also one of the active members who erected the first Methodist church in Sackville, within whose walls he continued to worship until the infirmities of old age compelled his absence.

 

He, and his neighbor, William Cornforth, whose land adjoined, jointly set apart about four acres of land for a Methodist parsonage.  A circumstance which had its influence in making Sackville the head of a circuit at that time.  Previous to his death a brick house was erected on the lot so set apart, in the erection of which he also took a lively interest, and one of the latest of his efforts at writing


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contained instructions to his executors to sell certain articles of his personal property and apply the proceeds to assist in furnishing the parsonage.

 

It is proper that a few lines should be given to a notice of Mrs. Dixon, whose maiden names was Susanna Coates.  But little is known with reference to her family.  She was however a connection of an eminent thread manufacturing firm of that name in Manchester, and one of her younger sisters named Isabella, came to Nova Scotia about the same time she did, as the wife of John Trenholm.  They settled at Point De Bute, and lived to advanced age, and were progenitors of the numerous families of that name now living in Westmorland and Cumberland and adjacent counties.  The writer is of the opinion that the Coates family or families who came to Nova Scotia at about the same time Mr. Dixon came, and settled at Amherst and in King's county, were also relatives of Susanna and Isabel Coates.  Mr. Dixon had quite extensive business relations with a William Coates for a number of years after he came to Sackville, and for whom he probably named his youngest son.  Mrs. Dixon was blessed with a strong and vigorous constitution and also in a marked degree possessed the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.  She cheerfully and patiently endured the discomforts and privations incident to pioneer life, while diligently discharging her duties as a wife and mother.  She was somewhat low in stature, though capable of an unusual amount of physical endurance.  She was some nine years younger than her husband, but survived him as many years.

 

Mr. Dixon was a man of medium height, strongly built, and well proportioned, possessing an excellent constitution,


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capable of great physical exertion, and lived to ripe age.  His death occured August 21st, 1817.  Mrs. Dixon died June 13th, 1826.  Each of them in the 88th year of their age.  Near the site of the unpretentious church building which they and their co-laborers erected, and within whose walls they worshiped, their bodies lie buried; as do also many of the English immigrants before named, who were actively instrumental in founding Methodism in Sackville.  As in life they lived and labored to promote a common object, in death they are not divided.

 

The family record of Charles Dixon as kept by himself here follows:

 

Charles Dixon and Susannah Coates were married June 24th, 1763.

Mary Dixon, born Friday, July 5, 1764.

Charles Dixon, born Friday, January 10, 1766.

Susannah Dixon, born Friday, July 24, 1767.

Elizabeth Dixon, born Sunday, August 25, 1770.

Ruth Dixon, born Wednesday, September 16, 1772.

Martha Dixon, born Thursday, June 3, 1774.

Edward Dixon, born Friday, September 20, 1776.

William Coates Dixon, born Tuesday, February 23, 1779.

 

It will now be in order to trace out as far as practicable the genealogy of each of the above named persons, in their proper order.  A chapter it will be observed is assigned to each.


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GENEALOGY OF MARY DIXON AND HER HUSBAND

WILLIAM CHAPMAN

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CHAPTER II.

 

(2) MARY DIXON, the eldest daughter of Charles and Susanna Dixon, married William Chapman, the 1st, who came to Nova Scotia in 1775 and settled at Point de Bute, and whose descendants are probably more numerous than any of the English immigrants of that period, and are scattered far and wide, although a host of the name still remains in the counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland.

 

William Chapman who married Mary Dixon in the year 1780, was a mechanic, who worked at the carpenter trade during the largest portion of his life.  He did the joiner work of the brick house built by his father-in-law, Mr. Dixon, before mentioned.  He settled at Fort Lawrence so called, where he had a valuable farm.  The children of William Chapman and his wife, Mary Dixon, were:

 

William, born June 13, 1782.
Susanna, born March 19, 1784.
Elizabeth, born Feb'y 9, 1786.
Jane, born December 3, 1787.
Charles, born Sept. 28, 1789.
Henry, born Sept. 2, 1791.
  John born Sept. 8, 1793.
Richard, born Sept. 8, 1795.
Jennie, born April 8, 1799.
Sidney Smith, b'rn Aug. 13, 1801.
Mary, born June 26, 1804.
Horatio Nelson, born ---- 1807.

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(2) Mary Dixon Chapman departed this life on the 22nd of December, 1837 in the 74th year of her age.  Mr. Chapman survived his partner several years and died in March 1844, aged 87 years.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Chapman were honest, peaceable and industrious citizens, attendants upon the services of the Methodist church, within whose pale they found their spiritual home.  Their remains rest in the Point de Bute Methodist church yard,  which was a portion of the estate of the first Mr. Chapman, who gave it for a site for a Methodist church and burial place.

 

(3) William Chapman, eldest son of William and Mary Dixon Chapman, about the year 1804 married Miss Harriet Bent.  He also was a mechanic, as were very many of the Chapmans.  He worked at ship carpenter work some considerable portion of his early life, and moved about to various places, residing at Sackville for a time and afterwards at Dorchester Island, from whence he went to Shepody so called, and finally settled at Salmon River, where he remained until his death.   Their children were named Melvina, Eliza, Mary Ann, Clementina, John and Harriet.  One or two others died in childhood.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Chapman died at Salmon River about the year 1870.

 

(4) Melvina, the eldest daughter married a Mr. Martin, and they had some children, one of whom was Capt. Owen Martin, who died recently in Albert.  Mrs. Martin removed to Boston, U.S., and if now living would be some 85 years of age.

 

(4) Clementina, the fourth daughter of William and Harriet Chapman, married a Mr. Thomas Tingley of Germantown Lake.  Respecting the remaining members of this family no information has been obtained.  It is probable they have


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removed to the United States or have passed away from life many years since.

 

(3) Susanna, eldest daughter of William and Mary Dixon Chapman, about the year 1820 married a Mr. John Greeno, of Newport, Nova Scotia.  They settled at what is called the Chapman settlement, Cumberland county, where two of Mrs. Greeno's brothers settled about the same time, and which was then a dense wilderness.  They had children named Mary Jane, William, John, Phoebe and Samuel.  Mr. and Mrs. Greeno were thrifty, industrious people, and did much to redeem from the wilderness the village called the Chapman settlement.  (3) Mrs. Greeno died in the year 1858, aged 73 years, and Mr. Greeno died in 1863, aged 64 years.

 

(4) Mary Jane Greeno, eldest daughter of John and Susanna Chapman Greeno, married John Buchanan, a farmer, of Amherst Head, where they lived for some years and then removed to Lowell, Mass., with their family.  Their children were named William, Susanna, John, James Wilson, Barbara, Samuel, Allen and Elizabeth. 

 

Mr. Buchanan died in the year 1885, Mrs. Buchanan still survives.  Their children are all dead except (5)John, (5)Allen and (5)Elizabeth, who are married and some of whom have families.

 

(4) William Greeno, eldest son of John and Susanna Chapman Greeeno, married his cousin, Miss Elizabeth Greeno, of Newport, Nova Scotia.  They lived at Chapman Settlement, and followed farming.  Their children are named, Leonard, Margaret, William, Susanna, Samuel, John, Allen, Rebecca, Frances, and Florence.

 

(4) William Greeno died in the year 1885, aged about 62.  His widow still survives, residing at Chapman Settlement.


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(5) Leonard, eldest son of William and Elizabeth Greeno, married Annie E. Davis, of Northport, Cumberland County, N.S.  He is a farmer and resides at Chapman Settlement, and has two children named James Edgar and Mabel.

(5) Margaret, eldest daughter of William and Elizabeth Greeno, married Theodore Jackson, of Amherst.  Mr. Jackson is an employee of the Inter-Colonial railway but owns a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson had no family, and Mrs. Jackson died in the year 1882, aged 32 years. Mr. Jackson is again married to Sophia Hopkins and has a family.

(5) William, the second son of William and Elizabeth Greeno, is married to Miss Sophia Burns, of Shinimicas, Nova Scotia, and resides there, farming.  They have children named Laura, Lizzie, Walter and Maggie Bell.

(5) Susanna, the second daughter of William and Elizabeth Greeno, married William Murray, a mechanic, of Pictou, Nova Scotia.  They reside at Amherst.  They have one child named Ethel Florence, and one other died in infancy.

(5) Samuel, third son of Willam and Elizabeth Greeno, resides at Chapman Settlement, and follows farming, and is not married.

(5) John, fourth son of William and Elizabeth Greeno, married Miss Ann Chapman, daughter of Howard Chapman, of Chapman Settlement, and resides at Northport, and follows lumbering.  They have two children named Mary Blanche and Percy Blake.

(5) Allen, the fifth son of William and Elizabeth Greeno, married Miss Sarah Jane Brooks, of Head of Amherst, where they reside, and follow farming. They have two children named Robert William and Russell Allen.


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(5) Rebecca, third daughter of William and Elizabeth Greeno, married Frederic Brooks, a farmer, of Head of Amherst, where they reside, and have one child named Ralph.

(5) Frances, fourth daughter of William and Elizabeth Greeno, married James Roach, son of Thomas Roach, of Amherst.  They reside at Salem, and follow farming, and have no family.

(5) Florence Greeno, youngest daughter of William and Elizabeth Greeno, died in 1883, aged 18 years, unmarried.

 

(4) John Greeno, the second son of John and Susanna Chapman Greeno, married Miss Sarah Wells, daughter of Thomas Wells of Point De Bute.  They resided at Chapman Settlement, and followed farming.  Their children were named Susanna, Dixon, John, Benjamin, Emma, Martha and Rufus, two others died in childhood. (4) Mr. John Greeno, died in 1875, aged 50 years.  His widow still survives.

(5) Susanna Greeno, eldest daughter of John and Sarah Wells Greeno, married Joshua Hatherly, of Minudie, N. S., a farmer; they reside at Amherst, farming, and have children named Edward, John, Irving, Leslie Allen and Bertha, four others died in infancy.

(5) Dixon Greeno, eldest son of John and Sarah Wells Greeno, married a Miss Perkins, of Lowell, Mass.  They reside in California and have children named Frederic, George, Ralph and Cora.

(5) John Greeno, the second son of John and Sarah Wells Greeno, married Miss Angeline Doyle, of Five Islands, where they reside and follow milling, &c. They have three children, one of whom is named Walter.

(5) Benjamin Greeno, third son of John and Sarah Wells


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Greeno, is a farmer, residing at Amherst Head, and unmarried.

(5) Emma and (5)Martha Greeno, daughters of John and Sarah Wells Greeno, died unmarried, aged 23 and 26 years respectively, as did also their brother (5) Rufus Greeno, aged 16 years.

 

(4) Phoebe Greeno, the second daughter of John and Susanna Chapman Greeno, married John Trenholm, a deputy sheriff, residing at Amherst.  They had children named Amanda, Charles, Ellen, Clara, Sarah, Silas, James and Robert.

 

(4) Mrs. Trenholm died in 1878 aged 52 years. Her husband still survives.

(5) Amanda Trenholm, eldest daughter of John and Phoebe Greeno Trenholm, married John Bray, of New Glasgow, N.S., where they reside and are following mercantile pursuits.  They have children named Walter, Ethel, Roy and others.

(5) Charles Trenholm resides near Lowell, Mass., and is not married.

(5) Ellen Trenholm, second daughter of John and Phoebe Greeno Trenholm, married William Cox, a shoemaker, and resides at Amherst.  They had two children who died in infancy.  Mrs. Cox died in 1879, aged 21 years.

(5) Clara Trenholm, third daughter of John and Phoebe Greeno Trenholm, married George Workman, a merchant, residing at Lawrence, Mass., They have one or more children.

(5) Sarah, fourth daughter of John and Phoebe Greeno Trenholm, is married to Edson B. Barnes, a farmer, residing at Winchenden, Mass.

(5) Silas and James Trenholm, sons of John and Phoebe Greeno Trenholm, also went to Massachusetts, where they still reside, unmarried.


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(5) Robert, youngest son of John and Phoebe Greeno Trenholm, resides at Amherst and is not married.

 

(4) Samuel Greeno, the youngest son of John and Susanna Chapman Greeno, married Charity Wells, a daughter of Thomas Wells, of Point de Bute.  They reside at Amherst Head, and follow farming, and had children named Thomas Wells, John William, Charles Wesley, Archibald H., and Samuel D.  Mrs. Greeno died in 1864, at the age of 36 years, and (4) Mr. Greeno married Miss Lydia Wells, a sister of his first wife, and their children are named Robie, Erastus, Joseph Ernest and Courtland Roy, one other died in infancy, as did also an infant of the first wife's family.  Mrs. Greeno, Samuel Greeno's second wife died in Jun 1888, age fifty-one years.  Mr. Greeno still survives.

(5) Thomas Wells Greeno, eldest son of Samuel and Charity Wells Greeno, married Miss Eliza Nichols, of Vermont.  They reside in Massachusetts and follow farming, and have one child named Mabel.

(5) John William Greeno, second son of Samuel and Charity Wells Greeno, is a carpenter and resides in Massachusetts, where he married Miss Josephine Fleming.  They have some family.

(5) Charles Wesley Greeno, third son of Samuel and Charity Wells Greeno, is also in Massachusetts, engaged in farming, and is married.

(5) Archibald H. Greeno, fourth son of Samuel and Charity Wells Greeno, married Miss Sophia Peers, who died in 1884, aged 22 years, leaving no children.  Mr. Greeno then went to Rhode Island where he still resides, and is again married.

(5) Samuel D. Greeno, youngest son of Samuel and Charity


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Wells Greeno, married Miss Frances Wells and resides at Amherst Head and is farming.  They have a child named Frederic Roland, and one died in childhood.

 

The second family of (4) Samuel Greeno are all at home and not married.  This closes the history of Susanna Chapman, eldest daughter of Mary Dixon Chapman.

 

(3) Elizabeth Chapman, the second daughter of William and Mary Dixon Chapman, married Nehemiah Ward, a farmer. They resided for a time at Butouche [Buctouche]  N.B., and then removed to or near Gagetown on the river St. John, where they lived for some years, then returned to Butouche [[Buctouche]] where they lived to advanced age.  (3)Mrs. Ward died about the year 1860, aged about 75 years, and Mr. Ward a short time after. Their children were Mary Ann, Charles William D. C., Susanna, Fanny, Thomas, Nelson, Jane and Richard.

 

(4) Mary Ann Ward, eldest daughter of Nehemiah and Elizabeth Chapman Ward, never married, and resided at St. John, N.B.

 

(4) Charles William D. C. Ward, eldest son of Nehemiah and Elizabeth Chapman Ward, married Miss Catherine Ashley and resides at Buctouche and follows farming.  Their children are named William N., James Edward, John Henry, Elizabeth Emerancy, Charles Pickard and Valentine Cutler. Four others died in childhood.

(5) William N. Ward, eldest son of Charles W. D. C. and Catherine Ashley Ward, married Catherine Simpson, of Albert County, N. B.  They reside at Buctouche and follow farming, and have children named Charles, Ada M., Thomas, Jane and Minor. Two others died in childhood.

(5) James Edward Ward, second son of Charles W. D. C. and


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Catharine Ashley Ward, married Miss Elsie Sears, of Sackville.  They reside at Weldford, N. B. and follow farming.  They have children named Delilah Edith, Fanny, Adelia, Mary Catharine, Elizabeth, Isaiah Dixon, Ella May and Maggie Graham.

(6) Delilah Edith Ward, eldest daughter of James Edward and Elsie Sears Ward, is married to Henry Atkinson, of Weldford, where they reside.  They have two children, James Robert and a babe.

The remaining children of (5) James Edward and Elsie Sears Ward are not married.

(5) John Henry Ward, third son of Charles W. D. C. and Catharine Ashley Ward, married Miss Catharine McPherson of Molus River, Kent Co., N.B.  They reside at Newcastle, N.B.  Mrs. Ward is employed on the Intercolonial Railway.  They have children named Wellington, Bertha, Mary Ann, Charles and two others.

(5) Elizabeth Emerancey Ward, eldest daughter of Charles W. D. C. and Catharine Ashley Ward, married John Murray Ward, of Richibucto, N. B., and resides at Weldford, farming.  Their children are named Alfred, Alma, Catharine, Charles, Ella Victoria and Julia.

(5) Charles Pickard Ward, fourth  son of Charles W. D. C. and Catharine Ashley Ward, married Miss Zilpha Estabrook, of Sackville, and resides at Buctouche, farming.  Their children are Lillie May, Mary Ann, Chesley Melburn and Fanny Edith.  One other died in infancy.

(5) Valentine Cutler Ward, youngest son of Charles W. D. C. and Catharine Ashley Ward, married Miss Mary McDonald, of Buctouche, where they reside and follow farming.  They have children named Milton, Frank and William.


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(4) Susanna Ward, second daughter of Nehemiah and Elizabeth Chapman Ward, died unmarried.

 

(4) Fanny Ward, third daughter of Nehemiah and Elizabeth Chapman Ward, married Ichabod Pickett, of Belle Isle Bay, N.B. Their children were named Charles Peter, Mary Jane, Frances Ann, James Munson, Sarah Lavinia, Henry Wallace and Helen Louisa.  After Mr. Pickett's death, Mrs. Pickett married a Mr. Gunter, who is also dead, and Mrs. Gunter still survives.

(5) Charles Peter Pickett, eldest son of Ichabod and Fanny Ward Pickett, is married but has no family.

(5) Mary Jane Pickett, eldest daughter of Ichabod and Fanny Ward Pickett, married Charles Marvin, of Belle Isle, where they live.  They had a daughter named Fanny, and a son. Mr. Marvin died about 1872.

(5) Frances Ann Pickett, second daughter of Ichabod and Fanny Ward Pickett, is married and resides at Boston, Mass.

(5) James Munson Pickett, second son of Ichabod and Fanny Ward Pickett, married a Miss Pickett.  They reside in St. John, N. B.

(5) Sarah Lavinia Pickett, third daughter of Ichabod and Fanny Ward Pickett, was married and died soon afterwards.

(5) Henry Wallace Pickett, third son of Ichabod and Fanny Ward Pickett, married a Miss McLauchlin and resided at St. John.  They had two children.  Mr. Pickett is dead.

(5) Helen Louisa Pickett, youngest daughter of Ichabod and Fanny Ward Pickett, married a Mr. Goslin, of Sussex, N.B.  They reside at St. John.

 

(4) Thomas Ward, second son of Nehemiah and Elizabeth Chapman Ward, married a Miss Trites, of Moncton, N.B.


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They lived for a time at Buctouche, then removed to St. John.