Canada
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
The migration of Yorkshire people, 1,000, to Nova Scotia in 1772-5 gave to the province an asset of incalculable value. Nearly all the heads of the families were farmers, who had held rented properties, owned by great land lords. They were a sober, industrious folk, skilled in agriculture, and the new land soon yielded rich returns.
Sackville
In 1769-1770 Lt. Gov. Michael Franklin went to North Yorkshire seeking immigrants for Nova Scotia. Some settlers from New England were planning on returning to America and the government wanted to fill the gap with loyal supporters of the British and the Crown. What better choice than Yorkshire families? This led to the "Yorkshire Immigration" of 1772-1775 when over 1000 settlers left Yorkshire for a new land. They were mostly tenant farmers seeking a better livelihood. For the most part they did not receive government grants but purchased the land and farms from New Englanders.
Families settling in the Chignecto area, including Sackville were: Dixon, Bower, Atkinson, Anderson, Bulmer, Harper, Patterson, Fawcett, Richardson, Humphrey, Wray and others.
The area of Nova Scotia was redefined and part of the land became New Brunswick, which included Sackville.
Chignecto Isthmus
In March 1774, two ships, Albion and Two Friends sailed from Hull, Yorkshire, with all of 280 people. Other settlers joined them in 1774 on the following ships:
- Prince George out of Scarborough - 143 passengers
- Thomas & William out of Scarborough - 181 passengers
- Mary out of Stockton - 34 passengers
- Providence out of Newcastle - 73 passengers
In 1775 the Jenny left Hull for Nova Scotia
Black
Rev. William BLACK,(1760-1834) born in Huddersfield, Yorkshire emigrated to Nova Scotia in 1775. He settled at Amherst with his parents. In 1781, at full age, William left his father's house and became a travelling preacher. "He was highly esteemed by the people." In 1789 he was ordained by the Methodists. Later he was appointed as the Methodist Superintendent of the work in Nova Scotia. He married Mary Gay, daughter of Martin Gay, they had 5 children. Mary died in 1827 aged 73 years. William married again to widow Calkin. He died in 1834 aged 74 years.
Chapman
William Chapman was 42 years of age when, with his wife, five sons and four daughters, he sailed from Hull, on March 14, 1774, in the vessel ALBION. Most of the settlers leant towards the teachings of John Wesley and William Chapman donated land for the building of the first church.
Miles
Johnny MILES was 1905 in Halifax, Yorkshire and emigrated with his family, at 4 months old, to North Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. At 16 Johnny began his running career. In 1926 he ran in and won the Boston Marathon, he was pegged as a "curly-haired, befreckled, saucy-nosed, 22 year old." He won won the Marathon again in 1929. Johnny was also in the Canadian Olympic Track teams in 1928 and 1932. He was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1969 and in 1983, he was awarded the Order of Canada. Canada's highest honour. He died in Hamilton, Ontario in 2003. When he was 11 years old, his father went back to England to serve in WW1, so, as eldest son Johnny went to work in the coal mines to support his mother and 3 siblings. After his father's return, he began running "to win the prizes". His first prize was 100lb. bag of flour and a desk lamp.Thompson
Richard THOMPSON, a husbandman was born 1744 in Yorkshire. In 1788, he emigrated to Nova Scotia, where he bought 1500 acres for 70 pounds sterling and founded the town of Oxford in 1791 where he he built the first saw mill. In 1794 he was Surveyor of Highways. He and his wife, Dorothy had 9 children. A monument was dedicated to him in 2000. Read More »Trueman
William was born 1720 in Yorkshire sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1775 with his wife Ann and 24 year old son, their only child. They were from Billsdale near Helmsley, Yorkshire and were Methodists. They settled at Pointe Bute. William Sr's nephew, named Harmon settled at another township and had a family of 10 children. William Sr. purchased 800 acres, of what was to become Prospect Farm, which was in Nova Scotia then became New Brunswick. William Jr. married Elizabeth Keillor, who came from Skelton, Yorkshire with her family in 1774.
