Kings Historical Society Newsletter Spring 2019

The Court Reporter Spring 2019 Kings County Museum

The Kings County Museum is

OPEN Kings Historical Society Board of Directors 2019-2020

The Kings County Museum is buzzing with activity

President - Kelly Bourassa Vice President - Vacant Secretary - Jean Gibson Collins Treasurer— Karl Larson Curator - Bria Stokesbury Office Manager - Kate MacInnes Adams *pending approval*

Welcome to “Expressions of Nature: Quilts by the Town & Country Quilters’ Guild” Now showing Since the establishment of the Guild in 2002 the 50 members of the Town & Country Quilters’ Guild has welcomed quilters of all ages and all skill sets. Monthly meetings provide the opportunity to learn new techniques, gain inspiration, and strengthen friendships through the shared love of quilting. The group holds workshops, brings in guest speakers, take part in retreats and community outreach projects and enjoy displaying their work in exhibits such as this one.

This summer the museum has planted a pollinator garden on the grounds of the site. In keeping with this idea the Town and Country Quilters’ Guild have contributed works, which reflects themes of nature including florals and the bright bursting colour range of an Annapolis Valley spring and summer. Our exhibit guide provides detailed information on the items in the exhibit. Enjoy your visit and we hope that it inspires you to begin your own sewing journey of discovery!

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June, July, and August Monday– Saturday 9AM-4PM September-December 13th Monday—Friday 9AM-4PM

Summer 2019 The Kings County Museum is pleased to welcome two summer students for the 2019 season. Sydney Hood will be working in our genealogy department helping visitors to trace their roots and Ellen Lewis is back in the main office for her third summer. The Kings Historical Society is pleased to welcome Sydney and Ellen and encourages you to stop in and say hello!

Ellen Lewis and Sydney Hood

Why is Kathrin Grace looking so gleeful? Well in her capacity as Chair of the Facilities Dept she applied for, and received, a grant from the Kentville Business Community fund from the facade renewal program...good job Kathrin and we look forward to seeing a “fresher look� around the building later this Spring!

Carolyn Landry will guide you through the steps as you build a traditional Mi'kmaq hand drum.

All Supplies will be included in the workshop.

Pre-registration is required. Limited to 10 participants. $124 Smudging ceremony to begin our evening 2

Annual Kings Historical Society Potluck Picnic Tuesday June 25th 5:00PM Northville Farm Heritage Centre

1158 Steadman Rd, Centreville, Bring a plate utensils, and food to share!

Planned Giving The Kings County Museum, by maintaining and displaying our collection, thinks about legacies every single day; when was the last time you thought about yours?

Planned giving, in any amount, can offer a number of tax benefits. Both bequests and gifts of life insurance have the potential to result in tax deductions for you or your loved ones after you have passed on. Amount is not important; seeds, after all, grow into trees if nourished and given time to grow.

Even the smallest amounts can make a huge difference over time, especially to organizations that rely on donations in order to keep the doors open.

The Kings Historical Society’s Planned Giving program is one of the ways you can leave a lasting impact in your community. The Kings Historical Society has protected legacies, history, and the culture of Kings County for over forty years! If you would like to help the Kings Historical Society in it’s mission to protect this valuable, and irreplaceable, histories though planned giving contact your financial or legal advisor and find out what planned giving options are the best choice for you.

As always, regardless of donations, we at the kings county museum love to hear from you; if you decide to leave a donation to us through planned giving we would be grateful if you could let us know so we can properly thank you!

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The Kings Historical Society Board of Director's said good-bye to two long standing Executive members...Treasurer David Ritcey and past President Maynard Stevens. Both men have served our board for more than a decade and we said good-bye with deep appreciation for their hard work. With a sigh of relief we learned that Maynard will continue to haunt the halls of the museum providing his ever popular tours of the site.

Thank you to both David and Maynard for your years of dedication and service; you have left a mark on our society that will never fade or be forgotten.

Now Showing:

The history of the founding of Gibson Woods and the life story of one it’s heroines: Ethel L (Ford) Gibson.

A collection of quilts made by the Town & Country Quilters’ Guild. The quilt showcase is centered around the theme of nature and it’s beautiful colours.

Perfect Pollinators Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are critical to agriculture globally; without them we would not be able to live the life that we do. The Kings County Museum, as a part of our Apple Blossom Festival Showcase, is paying homage to these important critters. Visit us at the museum to see a collection of pollinator photographs taken by Paul Illsley, learn more about the critters so important to life in Kings County, find the butterflies hidden throughout the museum, and visit our living Painted Lady caterpillars that will metamorphosize into butterflies in our museum!

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Adventures in Gardening Dirt and Pails and Bees and Snails, a weekend workshop for children, is being hosted at the Kings County Museum on Saturdays in May and the better part of June. Participants will get their hands dirty and learn about dirt, soil, seeds, and other gardening goodness.

The workshops held so far have been a wonderful success and we can not wait for the coming weeks! Registration, at the time of publication, is full, but be on the lookout for new workshops!

Pollinator Garden Coming to Kings County Museum The Kings County Museum will soon welcome a pollinator and kids bean garden to the front of our historic building. Volunteers Kathrin Grace, Carmen Legge, JoAnne Bezanson, Harold Redden, and Harold’s son Kevin have put hours of work into preparing the grounds outside of the museum for planting. The hand hewn log will be home to the pollinator garden and the team has also built raised planters that reflect the post and beam construction that was used by the New England Planters. This will hold the kids bean garden . Planting is June 16th, Father’s Day! The Kings Historical Society is so incredibly grateful for the hard work of our volunteers!

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Kentville Heritage Centre Grand Opening On Saturday May 18th the Kentville Historical Society opened their new Heritage Centre (located at Station Lane). The cold overcast weather did not deter a large crowd which gathered to hear opening announcements. Ed Coleman piped the assembled group from a meeting room at Whites Funeral Home to the new heritage centre. An opening proclamation was read by Town Crier Lloyd Smith. Following a ribbon cutting the site was open to guests and visitors and refreshments were served. Quoting from an article on the new site by Lynn Pulisfer (Board Member) the heritage centre offers, “Pictures of the railway yard, the round house, and of steam engines. There is sports history too: photos of hockey teams who skated in the former arena, and basketball teams who played on the still-popular Memorial Park field. See pictures of old buildings along the tree-lined streets of Kentville, and read about John King, who was the first mayor of the town back in 1888.� A poster at the Heritage Centre lists the open hours as (Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm). We welcome the new heritage centre and wish the Kentville Historical Society well as they launch this next phase of their organization.

Erik Deal, President of the Kentville Historical Society, in the DAR exhibit of the new Kentville Heritage Centre.

Maynard Stevens makes a discovery about the curling history of the Town of Kentville.

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"Rediscovering the Bishop Pear Tree" by Judy Norton In the spring of 1760 the Bishop Family of New London, CT were on the move. John Bishop and his wife Hannah (Comstock), as well as his four sons (John and Peter had wives and children) and his sister Mary who was married to Gilbert Forsythe, had signed up to travel to Horton Township in Nova Scotia, to take up grants of land that were being offered by Great Britain.

John Bishop’s son, Peter, came to Horton. He was granted land at Grand Pre. In 1762 his wife died and he married Phebe Hamilton. The Hamilton’s grant was in Sunnyside - between Greenwich and New Minas. Peter swapped property with his in-laws and settled in Sunnyside. He and Phoebe had 12 children.

Their oldest son, Peter, was born in Horton in 1763. In 1786 he travelled to Connecticut. When he returned, he brought with him his wife, Amy Bowles, and two small shoots of a pear tree. He planted those pear trees on the family farm in Sunnyside where they grew and produced pears. In the spring of 2019, 233 years later, one of those trees is still standing and showing green leaves.

Interesting Facts about Pear Trees - The average yield of a mature and healthy pear tree is 90 kg. That’s 4-6 bushels.

- Left to themselves, pear trees are “alternate bearing.” That means they bear fruit every second year, with a reduced or no crop on the alternate year.

- The average pear tree can continue to produce until it is 30 to 40 years old.

Wikifarmer.com Do YOU have a Bishop line?

Many people with Kings County roots are connected to the Bishop family somewhere in their ancestry.

How many generations are you from that first generation of New England Planters?

In 1990 the Bishop Family Association published “Tangled Roots,” a 4-volume genealogy of the descendants of John Bishop (1709 - 1785) who came to Horton Township from Connecticut with his family.

Can you find your family in the index?

This Pear Tree was one of two pear trees planted by Peter Bishop Jr. in 1786. It stands on the side of the Number 1 Highway in New Minas, at the edge of the Ken-Wo Golf Course, across from the New Minas Baptist Church. This picture was taken for Tangled Roots in 1990. The tree doesn’t look this healthy in 2019. (The pear tree picture is in the front of the blue (Peter) Tangled Roots book.)

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Ron Lightburn Cards Now Available in Kings County Museum Gift Shop

Award-winning Coldbrook artist Ron Lightburn is seen creating a plein air painting of the Kings County Museum

Just in Time for Apple Blossom

President and all round conservation expert Kelly Bourassa cleaning the brass ship’s bell from HMCS Kentville, a WWII Minesweeper, in preparation for the museum reopening for the 2019 season.

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Summer Student’s Grandfather the face of Royal Canadian Mint’s Commemorative D-Day Coin June 6th, 1944 marked a day in history when the lives of thousands of men from countries around the world changed forever. The D-Day attacks on five beaches in France (Utah, Omaha, Sword, Gold, and Juno) saw Allied casualties of at least 10,000 and German casualties between 4,000-9,000. This day, although heavy with loss, marked an important shift in the course of the WWII; Allied forces were able to move inward and take a substantial amount of land.

Before the successful attacks, before even landing on the beaches, one can only imagine what the men on the boats heading towards the coast felt; perhaps dread, terror, or merely resignation. What is harder to understand, or imagine, is that when your future is waiting for you on a beach moments away, you have the ability to tear your eyes away from it.

George Herman Baker, the man recently in the spotlight for being Summer Student Ellen Lewis with coin the inspiration behind the Royal Canadian Mint’s special edition coin commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day, did look back; upon acknowledging a grasp on the shoulder from a fellow solider, George unknowingly became a face of a generation who fought to protect a way life for all of us.

George was born near North Brookfield, Nova Scotia on August 31, 1923. The oldest of six children, he attended school at the local school house until grade six then went to work as a woodsman.

In 1943 George enlisted with the Royal Canadian Army as his father, and other relatives, had done in WWI; serving King and county. George completed his basic training in Aldershot, Nova Scotia and was transferred overseas and trained with the Canadian Infantry Reserve Unit, then was placed with the North Shore New Brunswick Regiment.

The North Shore New Brunswick Regiment landed on Juno beach on D-Day (June 6th, 1944). It was on the boat heading towards Juno Beach that the moment, now immortalized in silver, was captured. The North Shore New Brunswick Regiment landed on Juno Beach with photographers and cameras to document the battle.

George, and thousands of other men, landed on Juno Beach and fought for their lives, eventually clearing the beach and moving onward. George served as a Bren gunner for A Company during the battle.

George was in active service until the end of the war in 1945. Following the war, George stayed overseas and served with the Red Cross, in Germany, for an extra year; he was in no hurry to return home and made many wonderful memories while there. George, for his service, was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France & Germany Star, Defense Medal, War Medal 1939- 45 and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp. George was also presented with an award from the government of the Netherlands in gratitude for his contribution to their liberation. Continued on page 10

The Kings Historical Society welcomes Amanda Pulsifer (Office Manager of the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival) a new face for the Apple Blossom Festival!

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A Commemoration of Abraham Gesner In early May of this year a new bronze sculpture of acclaimed Canadian physician, geologist and inventor Abraham Gesner (1797-1864) was unveiled in Chipman Corner, Kings County. Located on the grounds of an existing Parks Canada monument the new sculpture was created by renowned Canadian sculpture Ruth Abernethy.

Two previous works by Abernethy can be found in Wolfville and Kentville. Gesner is credited with being the inventor of kerosene.

An article on Abraham Gesner is found in Volume one of the series, “Kings County Vignettes”, published by the Kings Historical Society it is reprinted here: “On the road from Chipman Corner, Church Street, south to Belcher Street stands an impressive monument on a well landscaped site. This was erected by Parks Canada to honour Abraham Gesner. It is very easy for those not aware of this site to drive blithely past as it blends in with the lawn of this house next to it which was the Gesner house. The following (brief history can be found in the cover notes of Joyce Backhouse’s book on Abraham Gesner).

Abraham Gesner discovered the process whereby hydrocarbons such as asphaltum and petroleum could be distilled to yield lamp oil.

Born and raised in Cornwallis (now Chipman Corner), Nova Scotia Gesner was one of the liveliest, oddest, and most gifted figures of his day in British North America. He trained as a physician in England but preferred geology to medicine, and had the honour of being appointed New Brunswick’s (and Canada’s) first official geologist. He also founded Canada’s first public museum and wrote several popular, and still valuable, works on the nature features of the Maritime Provinces.

His biography provides a rich impression of life in Atlantic Canada’s heyday, when Joseph Howe was struggling for responsible government, Judge Haliburton was writing Sam Slick satires and Bluenose vessels were sailing proudly all over the world. The Gesner family is an interesting illustration of the blending of cultures, which produced an illustrious Canadian.

Major Abraham Gesner and his twin brother, Col. Henry Gesner, came to Canada from Tarrytown, New York in 1783. They were United Empire Loyalists and served with the King’s Orange Rangers.

When the Rangers were disbanded in Saint John, New Brunswick, the Gesner brothers came to Cornwallis in Nova Scotia as farm hands. Both were very proud of their German-Swiss ancestry and of their loyalty to the British Crown.

Major Abraham Gesner located in Annapolis County where he had a large estate and in 1824 became a member of the Provincial Assembly. Col. Henry Gesner settled at Chipman Corner (and married Sarah Pineo who was of French Huguenot descent). It is their first son in honour of whom the monument was erected. …Abraham Gesner would have attended a one-room school provided for by his parents with few facilities and often poorly trained teachers. The boy, Abraham, showed no taste for farm work and with his friends began doing experiments in a “laboratory “ in a shed at his home. They also spent many hours exploring the Bay of Fundy shore and collecting specimens of rocks.

From these humble beginnings and with what must have been an understanding family, Abraham Gesner went on to a varied, interesting and adventurous career, which merited a national memorial besides the home where he grew up.

Gesner has been commemorated in books, on Canadian postal stamps, with a national monument and now with this new and exciting bronze sculpture, which was unveiled on May 4, 2019.

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Continued from page 7 Upon retuning home to Nova Scotia, George studied carpentry in Cape Breton, where he met his future wife Madge. George got married, raised a family, and worked for both the Department of Highways and Department of Lands and Forests. In his spare time, he loved to spend time with his dogs, solving Rubik’s cubes, jigsaw puzzles, reading, hunting, and fishing.

George had an exceptional green thumb; he was known throughout his community for having an amazing vegetable garden and being able to grow anything.

The Royal Canadian Mint, in searching for a face for their commemorative coin, came across the video footage, taken all those years ago, of the soldier’s hand grasping George’s shoulder and his glace back in acknowledgement. This moment, remarkably human in an unthinkable situation, inspired the mint to immortalize the image.

The Royal Canadian Mint, however, wanted to find out who the mystery solider was. Through the efforts of three historians and the North Shore Regiment Commanding Officer Lieutenant, George’s daughter was located and she was able to confirm his identity. George, to the family’s knowledge, did not know of the video recording, nor did any of his family members. The discovery of this footage, although very unexpected, is exciting.

Seventy-five years after D-Day, and sixteen years my grandfather’s death, it is almost unbelievable to have this new piece of his story brought to life. In some ways is it is hard; you know of a family member’s participation in one of the biggest moments in Canadian war history, but seeing them there in film is a completely different experience. I personally had seen D-Day footage and pictures before, but I had no idea that my grandfather was among the faces that I saw on television, in documentaries, and in class material.

Family members who knew George better, and longer, than I say he would have been embarrassed from all the attention, but honoured all the same. The family is, as we have always been, proud of him and his accomplishments.

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Books for Sale

Hansford’s account captures what it was like for him and other craftsmen. $15.00 plus 10. S&H, only 1 copy left.

Gone Fishing by Ed Coleman— A Chronicle of stories from the river banks in Kings County NS. A must read for the fishing fanatic, or those interested in Kings County rivers and landscapes. $20 plus $7 S&H Gaspereau: A River Runs Through It, by L. Ross Potter - This book with its authentic stories, its many pictures, and genealogical data, gives an excellent view into the past, and preserves so much for posterity. Its easy styles and entertaining, informative content will appeal to the interests of a wide range of readers. $40. plus $12. S&H.

Ordering Information Books and CDs may be ordered by e-mail or by phone, (902) 678-6237. or on line www.kingscountymuseum.ca/shop If you wish to mail your order, our address is: The Kings County Museum, 37 Cornwallis Street, Kentville NS, Canada, B4N 2E2.

Payment will be received by cash, cheque, money order, Master Card ,Visa. And Pay Pal. If you are making payment by credit card please enclose the credit card number and the expiry date. Please add the appropriate shipping and handling fees.

As Ever, by John Bishop Grant– A collection of WWI letters written by Harold Fletcher Bishop from 1915-1919 while he was overseas during WWI. The book also includes a historical context for the areas Harold was stationed, and a condensed Bishop family tree. $20 plus $10 Shipping.

Affairs With Old Houses—This very readable and highly enjoyable book chronicles the experiences of an eclectic selection of owners and older houses around Nova Scotia. $20 plus $12 shipping and handling.

Burnt Lands, Lockshoes, Shivarees – Historical Sketches on Kings County, by Ed Coleman. This book is a collections of historic sketches that Ed wrote for local newspapers over the past 20 years. The book, 193 pages covers a variety of topics and includes a number of local postcards. Cost is $21.99 plus S&H $8.00.

Building for Justice - In this beautifully illustrated volume, James W. MacNutt, Q.C. has succeeded in compelling us to look at courthouses in a different way. Building for Justice is a celebration of a monumental architecture that, along with the buildings of church and state, forms one of the cornerstones of our society. The cost is $32.00 and includes shipping.

Comfort Me with Apples— A book chronicling the history of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association starting from 1863-2013, and stories from apple growers. $20 plus $10 S&H Verses From The Valley by Gordon Hansford. Gor don has a keen sense of humour and a talent for seeing beauty and interest in everything from a ugly earwig to his military experience. These interests are reflected in this book of Gordon’s poetry and sketches.

Cost is $12.99 plus S&H $6.00.

Grist From The Mills – a History of Sheffield Mills by Sheffield Mills Women’s Institute. This book was originally pr inted in1967 and printed again in 2012. This interesting history of the village of Sheffield Mills, Kings County has been a popular book.

Cost $25.00 plus S&H $8.00.

From the Brow to the Bay - This book chronicles the family and community history of Woodlawn, Burlington and Viewmount on the North Mountain, Kings County, Nova Scotia. Settled in the early 1800’s, these Fundy shore communities have seen vast changes in the landscape and way of life. $40.00 plus $18.00 S&H. A Craftsman Remembers, by Gordan Hansford - One man recounts his personal view of serving in the Second World War as a “craftsman” – a soldier who worked behind the front lines at various tasks to keep everything running smoothly. These soldiers acted as engineers, electricians, and mechanics, among other jobs, and

Oxen: Their Care Training and Use - An intensive guide concerning caring for, training, and using Oxen. The book is written by a long time oxen caregiver, Carmen Legge, and reflects his high level and knowledge and expertise. $25 plus $7 S&H The Union Street Café Cookbook— Tested and true recipes from the kitchen of the Union Street Café, guaranteed to make your next event a hit.

The Kitchen Party Cookbook, Recipes for Potlucks, Shindigs and Good Times in the Maritimes - A collection of recipes that come from the heart. Jenny Osburn complies a selection of delicious recipes that we are sure you will love! $26.95 plus $7 S&H Growing up in Cape Breton— A Memoir by Marilyn Jones about her childhood in Cape Breton 1940’s-1950’s. A wonderful read for anyone who’s interested in Cape Breton.

Planter Nova Scotia: 1760-1810.

The year 2010 marked the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the New England Planters in Nova Scotia. Follow the history of these people who played an important role in Nova Scotian, and Canadian history. There are four different books in the series, all by Julian Gwyn. Each one is on a different township, Horton, Cornwallis, Newport, and Falmouth. $7.00 plus $3.00 shipping ($8.00 for 4 books). If all four volumes purchased at same time $25.00 plus $8.00 S&H. Hannibal Hoops - Hannibal Hoops follows the story of a young slave boy born on a plantation in South Carolina. During the American Revolution he ends up in Nova Scotia where he chases his dream of returning to his people’s homeland, Sierra Leone. By: Gordon M. Haliburton. $20.00 plus $7.00 S&H. The Nova Scotia Eatons - A genealogical record of the local Eaton family that dates back all the way to the year 1640. By: Charles Ernest Eaton. $5.00 plus $14.00 S&H. Small Communities, Big Dreams - The Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival celebrates a unique way of life that relies on the tenets of hard work, good fun, faith, and rural values. This book celebrates 75 years of Apple Blossom history, a local festival that has a special place in the hearts of many. $21.00 plus $4.00 S&H. Nova Scotia’s Golden Age of Sail - This map of Nova Scotia shows where important ports were, lighthouse locations, where pirate’s treasures were buried, and even sea monsters and a ghost ship sighting happened! $1.00 plus $2.00 shipping.

Second Chance - Life in Nova Scotia during the American Revolution by Glenn Ells. $20.00 plus $5.00 S&H. Starting Over - Acadians and New England Planters in Nova Scotia in the 1760s by Glenn Ells. $20 plus $5.00 shipping.

Kings County Schools. A br ief histor y of schools and school sections in Kings County, Nova Scotia compiled by Nelson Labor and Linda Hart. $25.00 plus $8.00 S&H. .

Planter Chronicles - The Planter Chronicles contain 76 pages of articles and photographs telling some of the stories of the New England Planters.

These stories are reproduced from previous KHS publications; "Historic Kings County", "The Kings County Vignettes", Volumes 1 – 10 and some new articles as well. $10 plus $4.00 S&H. Kings Co., NS, Quiz Book - How much do you know about Kings County, NS? Challenge yourself and others with the quizzes in this book. $5.00 plus $4.00 shipping.

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Township Books of Kings County - Contains data for Aylesford Township, Cornwallis Township, and Horton Township. Over 7500 names, indexed, 157 pages.$25.00 plus $10.00 S&H. Also available as a CD. The information on the CD is in two formats: access database and a text file that can be converted to a word program, spreadsheet or data base program. $25.00 plus $2:00 shipping.

Memories of Coldbrook, N.S. - Marie Bishop writes about her early years in Coldbrook with write-ups on 50 Coldbrook families; 356 pictures, maps, 270 pages. $30.00 plus $10.00 S&H. Gypsum Royal Fleet by St. Clair Patter son A histor y of the transpor ting of gypsum from the quarries of Hants County and other parts of Nova Scotia to the manufacturing facilities in the United States $25 Churches of Kings County. Compiled by Linda Har t and Nelson Labor of the Community and Family History department. A brief history accompanies pictures of kings County churches $25 CDs Lineage linked database of "The History of Kings County" (Eaton). This CD merges all the families mentioned in Eaton's book and shows the connecting links between individuals and families. $25:00 plus $2:00 S&H. Kings County Church Records. - over 10,000 records of births, marriages and burials taken from microfilm and put on 1 CD. These records are from many of the early churches in Kings County. .$25:00 plus $2:00 S&H. Kings County Vital Statistics.

Produced by the Kings Historical Society, the CD contains the following statistics with instructions included.

(1) Kings County Census 1871 - 1881, 1891 - 1901.

(2) Kings County Cemeteries Records.

(3) Kings County Marriages 1864 - 1909.

(4) Annapolis Valley Births & deaths 1864 - 1877.

(5) Kings County Deeds 1764 - 1951 (6) Kings County Probate Records 1785 - 1950. $99.00 plus $2.00 S&H .

Evangeline: a Tale of Acadie - The “Expulsion of the Acadians” or “le Grand Dérangement” is one of the saddest chapters in the history of the colonial struggle between Britain and France. This is the story of Evangeline and Gabriel, two young Acadians who were cruelly separated on the very day in which they were to be wed. Evoking both the geography and the spirit of “La Belle Acadie,” Longfellow’s sweeping tale takes us from the tide-washed shores of Nova Scotia’s Minas basin, across the the vast breadth of 18thcentury America, from the Louisiana bayous to the foothills of the Ozarks, to its final, heart-wrenching conclusion in the plague-ridden poorhouses of Philadelphia. The cost is $23.00 plus S&H. Witness to a New Nation - a collection of homes of various shapes, styles, and sizes that saw confederation

Our KHS documentary adventure on DVD Be transported back in time through re-enactments of wrecked sailors slogging through the Minas Mud, and a riveting courtroom sequence filmed at Ross Farm. Join the documentary’s narrator, Kelly Bourassa as he searches the banks of the Canard River for evidence of the 1760 wreck of the brigantine The Montague. $20.00 West Novas– Thomas H. Raddall This well-written 326 page hard covered book required detailed collaboration with West Nova war veterans to arrive at a true picture of what happened inside the Regiment during WW11. Almost every chapter provides examples of the battlefield bravery of individual soldiers and officers by name.

Included are 42 pages of wartime photos and maps. First published 1947. $30.00 plus shipping.

Aunt Toni’s Diary– Excerpts from the diary of Toni Musial (1947-1951) who was diagnosed with tuberculosis at age 13. Written and compiled by her niece Marilyn Jones, the book also gives a brief history of the Nova Scotia Sanatorium in Kentville, Nova Scotia. $15

Births, Deaths 1864-1877, Annapolis Valley. $25.00 plus $2.00 S&H. Cemeteries of Kings County, NS. - All 100 Kings County cemeteries with complete inscriptions - a zipped CD for PC or Mac. $25.00 plus $2.00 S&H. Census of Kings Co. -Census data for 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901 (on one CD). $25. plus $2. S&H.

Clara’s Rib– The true story of a young girl growing up in an Ontario tuberculosis hospital in the 40’s and ‘50’s. Readers of all ages will be drawn into the evolving seasons of Clara’s life of courage, faith, pranks, laughter, first love, despair and hope. $25.00 plus shipping.

Marriages in Kings County, NS - 1864-1909 5,964 recor ds giving br ide, groom, age and parents. $25.00 plus $2.00 S&H

Berwick– A wonderful collection of pictures, clippings, and information on the history and families of Berwick Nova Scotia.

Compiled by Ron Illsley $25 plus shipping.

Probate Records for Kings Co. - 1784-1949 - Over 25,000 records. $25.00 plus $2.00 S&H.

The Harbourville Connection-This book covers Harbourville, and heads along the shore in both directions to Morden and Black Rock, then down into the Valley to Somerset. There are lots of pictures, tales of pirates on Isle Haute, the infamous Robinson murder case, ships sinking –“more on the shipping of apples and potatoes, farm produce – everything,” $15.00 plus shipping.

Index to Kings County deeds 1764 - 1951 - $25.00 plus $2.00 S&H. Acadian Church Records 1680-1757 and Acadian Census 1671-1758 $25.00 plus $2.00 S&H. Township Books of Kings County - Contains data for Aylesford Township, Cornwallis Township, and Horton Township. Over 7500 names, indexed, 157 pages. The information on the CD is in two formats: access database and a text file that can be converted to a word program, spreadsheet or data base program.

The cost is $25.00 plus $2:00 S&H (Also available as a book - see above) Acadian Church Records 1680-1757 and Acadian Census 1671-1758 - plus many Acadian maps. $25.00 plus $2.00 S&H.

Times to Remember– Major R.G. “Bill” Thexton CD Some recollections of four and a half years of service with the Nova Scotian Regiment. $20 plus shipping Glenn’s Life According to Glenn -Glenn S. Ells Glenn describes the life of a poor farm boy born in the 1930s, his fortunate choice of parents, his education, his years with his wife Leta and his family, his forays into politics and writing and some of his observations on life. $20 plus S&H

Vital Stat CD. Contains all the above information $99

A Place to Belong– Lind Hart .A history of Brooklyn Corner Kings County Nova Scotia $20 plus S&H

Township Books of Kings County - Contains data for Aylesford Township, Cornwallis Township, and Horton Township. Over 7500 names, indexed, 157 pages. The information on the CD is in two formats: access database and a text file that can be converted to a word program, spreadsheet or data base program.

The cost is $25.00 plus $2:00 S&H (Also available as a book).

Devils Half Acre – Mabel G. Nichols A comprehensive look at Kentville’s past through photographs and stories $25 plus $12 / Shipping

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Kings Historical Society Donations 2018-2019

We sincerely thank the following people for their kind donations in support of the Kings Historical Society and the Kings County Museum.

Donations * Lana Ashby* Ann Coldwell & Mar gar et Mor ton * Ruth Butler * Bill & Bernice Naylor * Gillian Poulter * Conrad Davidson * Richard Duncan * Doreen Roberts * Doug Bracewell * Richard Duncan * Ron Lewsey * Judith Doucette * Elizabeth Stokesbury * Jocelyn Nickerson * Dale Ward*

Gifts in Kind -Gillian Poulter * Bill and Bernice Naylor * Kelly Bourassa* Susan Cargill * Linda Sanford * Laura Burgyn * Anthony Garron * Donald McPhail * Melissa Messiah * Frankie Anderson *Sylvia Conrad * Helen and Gordon Hansford

Importance of Sponsorship Program Please consider donating to our 2019 campaign.

In 2004 we launched our Sponsorship Program. Sponsorship donations contribute to our heating, utilities, cleaning and maintenance supplies, exhibits and preservation of collections. We wish to thank all the Kings Historical Society members and friends who continue to help by donating to our Sponsorship Program, and encourage others to participate. For more information see our web page at www.kingscountymuseum.ca and click on “Sponsor”.

Chair Caning donations (cour tesy of Bill Naylor ) Rober ta Bishop * Ruth Butler * Bria Stokesbury New Coffee Brewer– Gillian Poulter In Memory In memory of Carmen Davison - Elizabeth Stokesbur y In memory of Anne Dickinson—Shirley Marston In Memory of Brent Fox —Bria Stokesbury and Carol Pope Event Sponsors: Soldiers Social - K-Rock * Half Acre Café * Maynard and Mary Stevens * Jason’s Independent * Safeguard Property Management Services * Wild Lupin Media Our Heritage Hearth- *Government of Nova Scotia Children’s Gardening Workshop - *anonymous donor Thank you to all who contributed to our Sponsorship Program Bronze Sponsorship - Sylvia Henshaw * Connie Millet * Dor een Roberts * Waterbury Newton * Macdonald Chisholm Trask Insurance * John Franey * Chaz and Rita Sweet *John Franey * Gaye and Mary Sponagle * Marie Gallant * Jean Gibson Collins Silver Sponsorship - Alice Newcomb * Eric Cox * Barbara Smith *Fred Houghton * Gold Sponsorship - Philip and Bar bar a Thor pe * Dor othy Walker * Bill and Bernice Naylor * Paul and Judith Bushnell * Doris Illsley * Dorothy Robbins * Doris Illsley * Cyril and Penny White Platinum Sponsorship - Fr ed Houghton * Gor don and Helen Hansford * Kings Historical Society Leave a Legacy We invite you to consider helping to preserve the heritage of Kings County through the planned giving of Cash gifts, Bequests, Gifts of Property, Gifts of Public Securities, and Life Insurance. There are major tax savings to be gained using any of the above.

If you are interested in taking advantage of these options please speak to your estate planner advisor.

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MEMBERSHIP

$20.00 per person $25.00 per couple $25.00 per organization $15.00 per Student with ID Membership is based on the Calendar year Make cheque payable to Kings Historical Society 37 Cornwallis Street Kentville, Nova Scotia B4N 2E2

MEMORIAL DONATIONS In Memoriam donations may be made to the Kings Historical Society in memory of your loved one.

This is a continuing way to honour friends or relatives, and provides much needed assistance to the Kings County Museum. * Charitable Tax Receipts are available for all donations.

KINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY KINGS COUNTY MUSEUM 37Cornwallis Street Kentville, N.S. B4N 2E2 Phone: 902-678-6237 Fax: 902-678-2764

e-mail info@kingscountymuseum.ca Web Page www.kingscountymuseum.ca Genealogy genealogy@kingscountymuseum.ca

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