Amicitia Crescimus
Various Industrial ventures in Dartmouth are noted on this map including Imperial Oil, Acadia Sugar refinery, J.P. Mott & Co., Dartmouth Rolling Mills, Starr Manufacturing, Chebucto Marine Railway, Consumers Cordage Co., Willistons Steel Foundry and a proposed Dry dock and shipbuilding Plant for Tuft’s Cove.
“Metropolitan Halifax”, 1914. https://archives.novascotia.ca/maps/archives/?ID=1338
“Plan, Town of Dartmouth Central Core-Land Grants”, 1838. https://archives.novascotia.ca/maps/archives/?ID=617&Page=202012302
“In his notes, Starbuck (1762-1829) wrote: “Not only the floors and the platforms are entirely covered with bodies, but the bodies actually touch each other, how wretched must have been their situations…” His descendant said it was likely that, as a young man in whaling, Starbuck had witnessed aspects of slavery first-hand. “It would have been almost inconceivable for them not to have come across slavery in some form or other in various ports that they visited.”” https://historyfirst.com/quaker-abolitionists-unseen-anti-slavery-archive-to-go-under-the-hammer/
“The Starbuck family were prominent in the Anti-Slavery movement both in the UK and the USA. Having been involved in the founding of Nantucket, members of the family emigrated to Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, South Wales after the American Revolutionary War and continued their successful Whaling business. The family who were Quakers were active abolitionists throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.”
“The Starbuck family, originally from Derbyshire, emigrated to Dover in the North American colony of New Hampshire in about 1635. The island of Nantucket, off Massachusetts, was granted to Thomas Mayhew and his son in 1641; they combined with others to buy the island from its Indian owners. By c. 1660, Nathaniel Starbuck was one of the associates. In 1725, Nathaniel Starbuck of Sherborn, blacksmith, granted land to his son Paul, including land that had formerly belonged to his brother Barnabas. Paul Starbuck described himself in his will of 1759 as a glazier; Samuel Starbuck described himself as a mariner in 1745, as a glazier in deeds dated between 1751 and 1763, and as a merchant, 1772-1783. In 1791 Samuel Starbuck, now of [Dartmouth], Nova Scotia, merchant, sold Samuel Starbuck & Co. to William Hussey of Sherborn, merchant. Samuel Starbuck’s will was proved at Canterbury in May 1805. Samuel Starbuck of Nantucket, mariner, bought the sloop Unity in 1745, with all appurtenances, except for some whaling equipment. The first American Quaker whalers arrived in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, from Nantucket in 1792. The Starbuck family is said to have sailed to Milford Haven on the whaler Aurora. By 1800, Daniel Starbuck held land in Milford and Steynton, and had goods distrained for the non-payment of tithes in four of the six years 1810-1815. Samuel Starbuck probably died in 1819, when his estate included half of the stock in trade of Daniel & Paul Starbuck, joiners (£5,020), the lighter Upton Castle, and the brig Diligence. The Starbucks were related to the Penrose family of Waterford, Ireland, merchants, who were fellow Quakers.”
“Prior attempts to settle Dartmouth had not thrived. In August, 1750, the ship Alderney had arrived from England with over 300 settlers and house-lots were assigned to them in a planned new town. Unfortunately, the town had been laid out on the traditional summer camping ground of the native Mi’kmaqs. In May, 1751, the Mi’kmaqs attacked the settlement, killing at least four and taking others prisoner. Most of the English settlers were frightened away. Although from five to several dozen families resided in Dartmouth in the years following 1751, settlement remained sparse. In 1783, when Loyalists arrived from New York, many Loyalists camped in Dartmouth while waiting for settlement of their claims for losses during the American Revolution. But most moved on to grants of large acreages throughout Nova Scotia. Parr and the Provincial Council were interested in attracting settlers and in developing new industry. Governor Parr knew the whaling industry would be an economic boon to the development of Dartmouth. He welcomed the Quakers who were not only skilled mariners but were known as hardworking and of good conduct.
In settling the Quaker Whalers, Governor Parr ordered the Chief Land Surveyor to re- survey the town plots in Dartmouth and as- sign them to the Quaker families. The Com-mission appointed by Parr planned to build 22 houses but some house-frames were “blown down by an uncommon Gale of Wind and much broken and damaged,” so only 12 two-family houses were completed. Soon, the new settlers were moving in the furniture they had brought with them, putting in gardens and digging wells. The township was laid out with streets in a grid pattern with an average of eight lots making up each block. Samuel Starbuck, his wife Abigail, their son Samuel, Jr., his wife Lucretia and their two young children were assigned lots on the block on the corner of the present Wentworth & Portland Streets in Dartmouth. The Folgers received three plots, one for the parents, Timothy, Sr. and Abial; and one each for the two sons’ families: Timothy Jr. and his wife Sarah; and Benjamin Franklin Folger and his wife Mary. Timothy and Abial’s daughter Peggy Folger and her husband David Grieve also were provided a plot, as was their daughter Sarah and her husband Peter Macy. Names of other Nantucket families who were assigned lots were: Barnard, Bunker, Chadwick, Coffin, Coleman, Foster, Macy, Paddock, Ray, Robinson, Slade and Swain. These early simple frame houses stood for many years until over time, one after another, they were pulled down to make way for larger, more modern buildings. The only one of the Quaker settlement houses remaining today is that of William Ray at 57/59 Ochterloney Street, built in 1786 and now the oldest house in Dartmouth. Concerned about saving this heritage building, citizens of the Dart- mouth Museum Society bought the house in 1971 and it is now preserved as “Quaker House,” part of the Dartmouth Heritage Museum.
Not only were houses built but docks and warehouses, essential for sending out ships and handling cargo, were erected on the shores of Mill Cove in Dartmouth. “Within one season the land was converted into a thriving sea port.” A plot was set aside for a Friends Meeting House, which was soon built, the exact date uncertain. The site of the Meeting House was where the present Post Office Building stands. (This Meeting House is mentioned by traveling minister Joseph Hoag in September, 1801: …”We appointed a meeting in the evening at Friends meeting house in Dartmouth.”). During 1786, the Friends held Meetings on First Day (Sunday) and in October, 1786, sent a letter to Nantucket Monthly Meeting requesting that the Dartmouth Friends be recognized as an established Meeting of the Society of Friends. The Dartmouth Meeting was advised to continue holding Meetings for Worship and eventually, after the request was referred to Sandwich Quarterly Meeting and New England Yearly Meeting, Dartmouth was recognized as a Preparative Meeting under the care of Nantucket Monthly Meeting. The Friends also established a burial ground on a hill overlooking the town. There Friends who passed away were laid but without markers in a place carpeted by grass and shaded by ancient trees, as these early Friends considered monuments to be too worldly. The site of the Quaker burial ground is now part of the Anglican Cemetery.”
“The British Government Discourages Development in Nova Scotia
Governor Parr’s efforts to enable the Province of Nova Scotia to be self-sustaining were not appreciated by the British government in London. The well-being of its colonies was not of interest to the British who considered colonies to exist primarily for the benefit of the mother country. Under the policy of mercantilism, colonies were seen as providing cheap raw materials to the home country while being consumers for the home country’s manufactured products. Successful colonial manufacturies were rivals to be discouraged. The British government decided that whaling vessels as well as the whale- related industries of refining oil, making candles and the subsidiary work of boat-building, sail-making and ship chandleries, should be based in the home nation to provide work and profit for Britains. They had missed the opportunity presented by William Rotch in 1785 of allowing a colony of Nantucket whalers to set up their base in England. The British acted to encourage whalers to emigrate to the home island after finding Rotch’s whalers established on the soil of Britain’s great enemy, France, the next year. The Nova Scotian governor was instructed to discourage the whal- ing colony in Dartmouth in order to bring the Nantucket whalers to Britain. “It is the present Determination of Government,” wrote the British Home Secretary, “not to encourage the Southern Whale Fishery that may be carried on by Persons who may have removed from Nantucket and other places within the American States excepting they shall exercise the Fishery directly from Great Britain.”
Follini, Maida Barton. “A QUAKER ODYSSEY: The Migration of Quaker Whalers from Nantucket, Massachusetts to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and Milford Haven, Wales.” Canadian Quaker History Journal, vol. 71, 2006. https://documents.pub/document/a-quaker-odyssey-the-migration-of-quaker-whalers-from-cfhainfo-shire-wales.html?page=21
Timothy Folger was born in 1732 to Abishai Folger and Sarah Mayhew. In 1753, he married Abial Coleman, daughter of Barnabas Coleman and Rachael Hussey. The couple had seven children: Syllvanus, Abial, Sally, Lucretia, Margaret “Peggy”, Timothey, and Benjamin Franklin, named after his cousin, the founding father.
As a skilled mariner from Nantucket, Folger was involved in the whaling industry. It was during his time as a Nantucket whaler that he became well-acquainted with the Gulf Stream, a warm and strong ocean current.
In 1768, Benjamin Franklin, then in London, received a visit from his cousin Timothy Folger, who captained a merchant ship. Folger’s knowledge of the Gulf Stream prompted Franklin to inquire about the prolonged travel time of British mail packet ships compared to regular merchant vessels. Franklin and Folger collaborated to name and map the Gulf Stream for the first time, publishing their findings in the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society in 1769.
In September 1785, Folger, along with Samuel Starbuck and other associates, relocated to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, intending to continue the whale fishery. They surveyed land in the Township of Dartmouth, acquiring two tracts totaling 2156 acres. The relocation of the Nantucket Whaling Company to Dartmouth marked the town’s first major industry.
However, in 1792, Folger and Starbuck departed for Milford Haven in Great Britain, where they hoped to continue their whale fishery with greater facilities. They were invited by British authorities to establish a whaling center in Milford Haven. Financial assistance, including pensions for Folger and Starbuck, was provided, and the first 15 families arrived in 1792.
Timothy Folger, now settled in Milford Haven, continued his involvement in the whale fishery. He became known as a whalebone cutter in his later years, contributing to the processing of valuable whalebone used in various products. His wife Abiel kept a detailed diary, providing insights into their daily lives and activities.
Timothy Folger died in 1814 in Milford Haven, leaving behind a legacy as a skilled mariner, navigator, and cartographer. His contributions to navigation, alongside his cousin Benjamin Franklin, have had a lasting impact on maritime history. Folger’s involvement in the whaling industry and his role in the settlement of Dartmouth further attest to his significance in shaping both local and maritime communities. He was buried in Milford Haven’s Quaker burial ground, leaving behind a rich legacy of exploration, innovation, and industry.
“Timothy Folger (1732 – 1814)” https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Folger-296,
“Benjamin Franklin Was the First to Chart the Gulf Stream, Franklin’s cousin, Timothy Folger, knew how the then-unnamed current worked from his days as a whaler” https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/benjamin-franklin-was-first-chart-gulf-stream-180963066/
“Former home of whale-ship captain Timothy Folger, Milford Haven” https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=former-home-of-whale-ship-captain-timothy-folger-milford-haven
Preamble:
WHEREAS the building of a bridge across the harbour of Halifax, would greatly facilitate the Preamble communication of the settlements in the eastern parts of the Province, with the town of Halifax and whereas, Jonathan Tremain, Esquire, and others, have proposed to raise, by private subscription, a sufficient sum of money, for the purpose of building a bridge of boats, or other practical structure, across the said harbour and have prayed the aid of the Legislature of this Province, to enable them to carry into effect this intention: powered to grant Governor im letters patent to incorporate nathan Tremain, and others, by the name of The Halifax Bridge Company, for ninety-nine years
Govenor impowered to grant letters patent to incorporate Jonathon Tremain, and others, by the name of The Halifax Bridge Company, for ninety-nine years:
I. Be it enacted, by the Lieutenant-Governor, Council and Assembly, That it shall and may be lawful for the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, or Commander in Chief for the time being, by letters patent, under the great seal of this Province, to incorporate Jonathan Tremain, Efq. and all and every person and persons, who, in their own right, or as executors, administrators, or assigns, for the original proprietors, at any time or times hereafter, shall have, and be entitled to, any part, share or interest, in the said bridge, so long as they shall respectively have any such part, share or interest, therein, to be one body, politick and corporate, in deed and in name, by the name of The Halifax Bridge Company, and by that name to have a succession, to continue for the term of ninety-nine years, and to have a common seal, with power, from time to time, to chuse their president, vice-president, and other officers, in such manner, and under such qualifications, with regard to the electors, and elected, as fhall be directed in such letters patent: the first president, vice-president, and other officers, being qualified in the like manner, as all subsequent president, vice-president and officers, shall, by the said letters patent, be directed to be qualified, and to continue in their refpective offices for such space of time, as, by the said letters patent, shall be limited and directed.
Company impowered to make bye laws:
II. And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawful for the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, or Commander in Chief for the time being, by the said letters patent of incorporation, to impower the said company to make bye laws, from time to time, as well for the management and direction of the building and repairing the said bridge, as for the regulation and government of the said company, and for the government of the servants and others who may be employed by the said company .
And to raise a capital stock in shares of twenty five pounds each:
III. And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That it shall be lawful for the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, or Commander in Chief for the time being, by the said-letter’s patent, to empower the said company, by a voluntary subscription, to raise a sufficient sum of money, in shares of twenty-five pounds each which sum, when so raised, shall be the capital stock of the said. company and to direct how the property of the persons subscribing and holding shares may be ascertained, transferred and alienated.
The Company to make calls, for payment of the subscriptions. And to fix the times and proportions. And to sell the shares of those who refuse or neglect to pay:
IV. And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That it shall be lawful for the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, or Commander in Chief for the time being, by the said letters patent, to impower the said company, or such part thereof, as, in the said letters patent, shall be named for that purpose, to make calls, and direct the payment of any part of the said subscriptions, which any person or persons shall subscribe, towards carrying on the said undertaking, at such times, and in such proportions, and to such person or persons, as the said company, or such part thereof, as shall be for that purpose named, shall direct and appoint: And that all payments be pursuant to the directions of a general meeting of the said company, to be assembled for that purpose, or of a majority of those present at such meeting. And if any person or persons shall refuse, or neglect, to pay any money which shall be-so called for by the said company, at the time when the fame shall be appointed to be paid, it shall be shares of those lawful for the said company to fell and transfer such share or shares of the person or persons so refusing or neglecting, as shall be requisite for raising the sum which such person or persons ought to have paid; and the purchaser of any share or shares, so fold, shall be liable to advance and pay therefor, to the said company, as much money as will be sufficient to answer the call aforesaid, and to reimburse to the person or persons, whose share or shares shall be so sold, in proportion to the then value of such share or shares, whatever sum or sums the former proprietor or proprietors shall have advanced and paid thereon.
Company impowered to erect a bridge across Halifax Harbour. And to occupy the waters and lands, from high water mark on each side for 99 years:
V. And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawful for the said company, to erect, maintain and keep, a bridge across the harbour of Halifax, to commence from, or near to, the Black Rock, on the eastern fide of said harbour, and to terminate on the opposite or western shore of said harbour, to the north of the Navy Hospitals. And that the said company shall, and may, occupy, possess and enjoy, during the said term of ninety nine years, all the waters, and lands covered with water, from high water mark, on the eastern fide, to high water mark, on the western fide. of said harbour, whereon, or over which, said company shall erect such bridge.
A draw bridge to be constructed for the passage of vessels, &c:
VI. Provided always, and be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That the said company shall to be constructed be obliged to construct, and keep, in the most convenient situation, at least, one draw bridge, for the passage of of sufficient width to admit of the passing and repassing of ships, vessels or boats, which draw bridge shall, from time to time, as occasion may require, be raised up, or drawn, for the passage of any ship, vessel, raft or boat, passing up or down the said harbour, upon any lawful business.
Company impowered to establish a toll for 99 years. And from time to time alter the toll. Seven days notice to be given, before any toll is established or altered:
VII. And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That for an encouragement to such persons as shall become subscribers to the said sum to be raised for building the said bridge, and to indemnify and recompense them for the great costs and charges of the said undertaking, it shall be lawful for the said company at any time or times during the said term of ninety nine years, to set, establish, demand and receive, a reasonable toll or tolls for all persons, horses cattle, sheep, carts, waggons, trucks, coaches, chaises or carriages, of any kind, passing or repassing over the said bridge, which toll or tolls the said company may, from time to time, and at any time during the said term, alter and change: Provided such alteration and change be pursuant to the directions of a general meeting of the said company, to be assembled for that purpose, or
of a majority of those who shall be present at such general meeting. And provided also, That a notification of the several toll or tolls, so set. and established, altered and changed, be publicly posted, or fixed, upon some post or posts at each end of the said bridge for general inspection, and that such notification remain so publicly affixed, or set up, for at least seven days before any establishment, alteration or change of any toll or tolls, shall take place.
Company impowered to erect toll gates:
VIII. And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That, in order to secure the due payment of the said tolls, it shall be lawful for the said company to erect toll bars, or toll gates, at both, or either, of the ends of the said bridge, and to appoint and impower one or more person or persons to demand and take at the toll bars, or toll gates, so to be erected, the respective toll or tolls to be established or set, altered or changed as aforesaid, before any persons, horses, cattle, sheep, carts, wagons, trucks, coaches, chaises, or carriages of any kind, shall be permitted to pass through such toll bars, or toll gates.
Property of the bridge, &c. vested in the company for 99 years. Then to become the property of the public:
IX. And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That the property of the said bridge, and the landings and abutments of the same, shall be vested and remain in the said company during the said term of ninety-nine years, and that from and after the expiration or determination of the said term, all the right, title and claim, of the said company in and to the said bridge, and the landings and abutments thereof, shall cease and determine, and the same shall henceforth be, and for ever remain, the property of the public.
Bridge to be erected within ten years, or the provisions of this Act to remain without effect:
X. Provided always, and be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That, unless the said company shall erect a good and sufficient bridge for the passage of men, horses, carts, wagons, and carriages of all kinds, loaded or unloaded, within the term of ten years, to be computed from the end of this present sessions of the General Assembly, the several provisions of this Act, and the encouragement therein granted to the said company, shall cease, determine, and remain without effect.
An Act to encourage the building of a Bridge across the Harbour of Halifax, 1796 c7.
An incredibly detailed map, again showing Chibouctou on the Dartmouth side. Mcnabs Island and George’s are fairly easy to spot for those who’ve seen them on a map before. Perhaps the hatchings next to the seven buildings is meant to represent the “1/2 acre of improved land” that de Gargas notes in his 1687-1688 census of Acadie (including Chibouctou).
I have attempted to transcribe it as best as I can, being mostly unfamiliar with French, certainly the 17th/18th century variety. Following that is my attempt at a translation, thanks to Google Translate along with the ARTFL project at the University of Chicago.
My reading of a word or words I’m not familiar with will be in brackets, with what I think it means in context located previous to the brackets in italics. Example (as seen below): closely to (extremely tidy). I wasn’t sure at first if the text spanned both sides of the harbor but I’m assuming it does since it seems to make more sense. If anyone has a better read of this, please let me know.
“Le Port de Chibouctou la plus belle recoinissance du monde est celle du port de chibouctou par la montagne SenSembre qui estant fort haute en est dautant plus facille adistinquer. Son entree est nord 1/4 nord est et sud 1/4 ouest. Il faut extrement ranger la coste du ouest. Jusques a ce que vous ayes ouvert deux petits islets en maniere de grave qui tienne arajere grand isle que vous howees apres quoy vous ales moniller a une demie portee de canondeldits. Islets nord et sud d’une petite isle toute ronde qui pariott au found de la baye. Pour ceux qui viennent du coste du ouest et qui veulenyt donner. Dans Chibouctou il fait bien qui le donne de garde d’aproacher de l’isle SenSembre accouse des roches et basses soundres qui sont a lentour de cette isle a un lieue et demie ou deux , la pesche est fort bonne partout a l’entree”
“The Port of Chibouctou
The most beautiful view (recognition) in the world is that of the port of Chibouctou from (by) the Sambro (SenSembre) mountain which, being very high, is all the more easy to distinguish.
Its entrance is north 1/4 north east and south 1/4 west.
You must adhere closely to (extremely tidy) the western coast until you see (have opened) two small islets in a grave manner which hold a large isle which you ?? (howees?) after which you go up to them at half a reach of ?? (cannondeldits?) islets north and south of a small isle all round which ?? (pariott?) at the bottom of the bay.
For those who come from the west coast and who want to enter (give in) Chibouctou it is good who gives him the guard to approach from the island Sambro (SenSembre). Watch out for (accommodate) rocks and low soundings (soundres) which are around this island at a league and a half or two. The fishing is very good everywhere at the entrance”
“Carte de la coste de l’Acadie” La Borde, Jean-Benjamin de. 17?? https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b53089980h
See also:
Executive Officers:
President: Hon. Joseph Howe
Vice Presidents: W.J. Stairs, Esq., Patrick Power, Esq.
Secretaries: Mr William Garvie,
Robt. L. Weatherbee Esq.,
Treasurer: Robt. Boak, Jr, Esq.
The Maritime Provinces of British America now enjoy all the blessings of self-government, controlling their own revenues, forming, controlling and removing their own Cabinets; appointing their own Judges, Councillors, and Public Officers; regulating her own Trade, training their own Militia, and discharging all the duties of loyal British Subjects in due subordination and steadfast allegiance to the Crown.
The people of these Provinces have lived in harmony with each other — have no disputes with neighboring States — no controversies with the Mother Country, have ever been prone to mutual sympathy and protection, and are ready to uphold the honor of the national flag, and the integrity of the Empire.
They are willing to promote well-considered measures for the joint construction of railways, and the establishment of Inter colonial lines of steamers— for the interchange of staple and of domestic manufactures; for the adjustment of a uniform currency; the general extension of Free Trade, and for the arrangement of such measures of mutual defence as shall place, in time of war; all the physical force of the Provinces under the control of the Military and Naval Commanders-in-chief appointed by the Queen.
But they are opposed to rash innovation and revolutionary changes. They are specially opposed to the scheme of Confederation arranged by certain gentlemen at Quebec in 1864, without any authority from the people they profess to represent; and they are equally opposed to the measure now in contemplation, by which it is intended to overthrow the established institutions of these Provinces by an Act of Parliament prepared by a secret committee, without the sanction of the loyal People, whose future it is intended to bind, and whose interests and wishes it is designed, in a most high-handed and unconstitutional manner, to override and disregard.
This League is formed to protect the institutions of the Maritime Provinces from such rash innovation — to assert the right of the people to be consulted before their revenues are swept away; and a distant authority, which they can never influence, is invested with powers of dictation and control which the Queen’s Government, for a quarter of a century, has not pretended to exercise.
The undersigned pledge themselves, each to the other, to protect the Maritime Provinces from radical changes by all lawful means and agencies, and, with this simple end in view, enroll themselves as members of this League.
League of the Maritime Provinces. Executive Officers of the League: President, Hon. Joseph Howe .. [S.l.: s.n., 186?] https://hdl.handle.net/2027/aeu.ark:/13960/t9k37059t
“Old stone house on North Street to rear of Belmont Hotel. Sole remaining house of stone construction for all walls. Exact age unknown – century or more at least built in 1830s. Has been residence of Frank Greene for 40 years. See article by Wetmore in Halifax Mail Star, March 12, 1954, or see “Story of Dartmouth” book. Photo by Wetmore.” https://archives.novascotia.ca/photocollection/archives/?ID=5323&Page=201742643
“Sturdy Old House Takes Town Back 125 Years
A relic of the past, the sole remaining old stone house in Dartmouth, has historical walls which – could they but speak, might have many tales of an early Dartmouth to tell. Solidly rising from the corner of North and Edward Streets in Dartmouth, the landmark is believed to be over 125 years old. For many years now, antique lovers or those who relish the solid, simple lines, characteristic of some 18th century architecture, have been captivated by the impressive edifice at first glance.
Many Visit
Mrs. Frank Greene, owner and resident of the house, reports that many times cars have stopped outside the house while the occupants stared at the weathered stones and firm lines of the building.
Several times strangers have come to her door, and asked Mrs. Greene if it would be possible to see inside the house and every time Mrs. Greene has willingly obliged.
Mrs. Greene – and until last year her husband, the late Frank G. Greene – has lived in the old stone house for over 40 years.
There is no cellar under the house and the walls rise straight up from the rock bottom. Stones that built these walls could have come from the old Shubenacadie canal locks, it is thought.
Inside? … Well, there have been some changes made since a century ago but the principle is the same.
Th rooms for the most part are large, the walls thick, and there are three floors including the ground one. On the first and second floors there are spacious rooms that must have been living rooms or parlous at one time, although both are in use they are not utilized as such today.
Beside a couple of bedrooms on the second floor there are two more large ones up a narrow flight of stairs, and under the eaves. In any case, the total is eight rooms altogether.
There is no basement under the house and consequently no central heating unit. Each room has its own individual coal stove which until recently was the sole means of heating the large building. When the Greene’s moved to the house several fire-places and gates were to be found in the larger rooms. these have since been boarded for, as they were not often used, they proved to be what Mrs. Greene termed as “dirt catchers”.
Other renovations included that of the inside color scheme which has changed often in the course of time. Also the windows were originally composed of many small panes of glass which were replaced with larger sheets of glass after the 1918 (sic) Halifax Explosion.
Historian Comments
One of the early owners of the property – at what is now 17 North Street, was John Hawthorne, who died about 1820. The next record of any owner is that of a Thomas Miller, a blacksmith connected with the old Shubenacadie Canal. Local historian J. P. Martin said he thought it possible that Miller might have built the house around 1830 which, he said, would explain the presence of sturdy stones that might have come from the canal.
John Tempest, a leading one time figure in the Halifax business world, was the next known occupant.
Becomes School
Then the stone residence became a private school which was run by Mrs. William Forbes, mother of Rev. E. W. Forbes, Hawthorne Street, Dartmouth. Mrs. Forbes was the former Mrs. Agnes Russell, the late sister of Judge Benjamin Russell. It was after she was a widow that Mrs. Forbes opened school in the house.
A teacher, presumably, stands in the doorway, while another boy is sitting in a pony-cart complete with pony. The road by the house is vague and not yet defined by curb and gutter.
A gifted and talented marine architect and shipbuilder who lived around the latter part of the 19th century, occupied the old stone house until turn of the century when he died. He was Ebenezer Moseley of Halifax, Dartmouth and Le-Have.”
“Old Stone house”, 1954. https://archives.novascotia.ca/photocollection/archives/?ID=5321
“Old Stone House”, 1954. https://archives.novascotia.ca/photocollection/archives/?ID=5322
“Dartmouth Fire Department Reel Race”, 1885. https://archives.novascotia.ca/connors/archives/?ID=602