THE DIARY OF SIMEON PERKINS
(Extracts)
By Muriel M. Farquhar Davidson The following “Extracts” are a combination of research by Lt.Col. Robert Ford Kirkpatrick, USAF (Ret’d) with 1992 research by above writer. The original entries will be marked by ** preceding the date and form of writing has been matched to the diary and original copy. The genealogical data in THE DIARY OF SIMEON PERKINS is very valuable, contains much of the history of the Proprietors who founded the Township of Liverpool, Nova Scotia in 1759. Readers will be familiar with many of the surnames listed in the entries, descendants of the first families of the Township of Liverpool and nearby areas still reside there, but often the surname spelling has changed.
The original books, contained in Volumes I, II, III, IV and V, list many of the schooners and other forms of shipping plus extensive data of weather, tides, encountered hardships and a verbal picture of life in the early days as found by the Proprietors of the Township of Liverpool. Readers are grateful these records were kept.1810
**18 Jan Thur : I agree with Frederick Remby of Petite Riviere to sell him my 30 acre lot, in letter H, * * (denotes location of a lot). 26 Jan Fri : I send Peter West & James Piggott to Henry Hupman to see if his horse will be suitable for me. ** 8 Feb Thur : I take a ride with my wife in Mr. Heater’s slay to see old Mrs. Gorham at William Dunlop’s. She appears very infirm, we make a short visit at Col. Freeman’s. (This entry would place the Dunlop home somewhere near Milton, NS, and not Sable River as has been stated, earlier, in print). [Mrs. Gorham died Sept. 14, 1811].
**24 Feb Sat : My birthday. Have now completed 75 and enter 76th year.
** 4 Mar Sun : Jacob Rude’s child that has always been sickly and
deformed, about 11 years of age, died yesterday morning, was buryed by
Mr. Bamford in the Chapel burying ground * * . This is the first corps laid there. ** 5 Mar Mon : Mr. Joshua Brother came passenger in the Brig. from Lunenburg, he reports that William Taylor, Esq., and old Mr. Prescott,
lately died in Halifax. It is reported that Mr. Taylor of Shelburne
is dead. ** 4 Apr Wed : I hear Rufus Cole’s wife died about 12 o’clock last night. She was lately delivered of a child and it is said not skill- fully managed by the midwife. She was a daughter of Christopher Cotman (Jane — See NICKERSON FAMILY, Pg. 348). **16 Apr Mon : I hear William Puttum (Putnam) has a little girl missing since last evening, supposed falled from the wharf and drowned, her bonnet was found on the wharf. The widow of Charles Murray, Sr., dec’d (Hope Freeman) called on me with a paper drawn * *. The little daughter of William Puttum is found under the wharf of Elisha Calkin, Esq., * * another melancholla accident has happened. Mr. Robert Slocombe had three sons in a boat loaded with clay. Boat sunk and one of the boys (Zenas) was drowned near opposite Mr. Simeon Gardner’s. **17 Apr Tues : Mr. Slocombe’s boy that was drowned yesterday is found near place he drowned. Buryed at Methodist Burying Ground, on 18 Apr 1810, Mr. Payzant & Harding. **21 Apr Sat : Robert Freeman sails for Halifax and Manchester, then to Cabaroos. Doc. Stickel & his woman go with him. Stickel is on the lookout for a place to settle. Mr. Geoffrey Cook & wife and Mr. John Newton also go passengers for Manchester. **29 Apr Sun : Mr. James DeWolf, of Horton, son of Elisha DeWolf, is married by Elisha Calkin, Esq., to Elizabeth Margaret Freeman, daughter of Joseph Freeman, Esq., a great wedding. Said to be 90 guests, principally relatives. ** 2 June Sat : The Bell Tolls for a death. I hear it is a young woman by name Fraser (Mary) at Mr. Simon Fraser’s and a relation of his from Shelburne. She has been sick some time * * Mr. Fraser and wife are gone to Halifax. * * * from Passamaquoddy, in Mr. Little’s shallop. Ebenezer Harrington is come with them. He went pilot or assistant in a vessel last fall and had not been heard of in a long time. I understand he has been the whole time at Penobscot. ** 3 June Sun : Funeral of Mary Fraser is attended, 5 o’clock, P.M., at Chapel, Mr. Newton and Rev. Mr. Payzant. ** 6 June Wed : * * Hallet Collins, Esq., came with him. He has received at Halifax, the melancholla tidings of the death of his son
Samuel Collins at Crooked Island, one of the Bahamas. He had been at
Jamaica & I understand took salt at Crooked Island. **20 June Wed : The Bell Tolls. I hear that Thomas Leslie, son of Jasper Leslie of Port Mouton, is dead of the Common fever. **21 July Sat : The Bell Tolls * I hear it is John Godfrey at Herring Cove, a son of the late Enoch Godfrey * * a very promising young man, lately married to a daughter of the late James Dolliver. Buryed 22 July 1810 in Common burying Ground. (See NEHGREG. 127/45, and DOLLIVER by Lawrence Dolliver for further background). ** 9 Aug Thur : (Lengthy report on the murder of Samuel Allen at Blueberry Cove (West Berlin, NS) by one Patrick Holland, and lists sundry witnesses, justices, etc., i.e.: Conrad Wolf, Leonard Teal, John Teal, William Smith and John Baker, all of Blueberry — Mr. Newton, Mr. Calkin — of Liverpool — also Wheeler Minard & Robert Harlow, Jr. — of Milton — and Mr. Thomas, also Liverpool. Minard & Harlow were at Conrad Wolf’s home at Pudding Pan, NS (now East Berlin). Incidentally, Holland was eventually pardoned). **17 Aug Fri : A Black woman, Caesar’s daughter Jane died this day, it is said of feaver. She washed the clothes of John Godfrey (see 21
July 1810 entry) lately died. Some people think she took the feaver from them cloaths. **24 Sept Mon : George Boyle found not guilty of rape charge by Anne Leslie, wife of John Leslie, Jr. ** 2 Oct Tues : An awful sudden death happened in the night, Capt. Joseph Atkins * * nearing the Fort, taken with bleeding in his stomach and expired, it is said, in fifteen minutes ** 33rd year of his age, left widow and children. ** 4 Oct Thur : Capt. James Barss arrived from Boston. He brings the mellancholia news of the death of Mr. Robert Foster, on his passage from Southward. It is reported that in a fit of insanity, he jumped out of the cabin window * * given to drink at times. He married a daughter of Capt. John West, and it is remarkable that four sisters of them are all widows. Funeral of Capt. Atkins is attended. Mr. Payzant preaches sermon at his meeting house. John McKenzie is returned with Barss, they report that Mrs. Smith, late Mrs. Tinkham, has buryed her daughter that was here with her. It was her youngest, I believe, Mary, had been married about a year, and died in childbed. ** 9 Oct Tues : * * and the funeral of James Knowles Collins, son of Mr. Benjamin Collins, age about 5 years. He died in the night between
Saturday and Sunday last. Major Tupper took up William Murray (Jr.) for breach of the peace. Beating his wife and threatening and striking at Major Tupper with a large stick * * a poor man, and, at times, appears to be insane. **13 Oct Sat : John Mullins belonging to schooner POLLY, Nathan Tupper, Jr., late master, arrived in the night, or this morning. He reports that 3 days after they left St. Croix, Capt. Tupper was taken
with the black vomit and that he lived only three days after being taken. **18 Oct Thur : About five o’clock, I hear that the (2nd.) wife of Hallet Collins, Esq., is dead (Martha). Funeral 21 Oct 1810. 5 Nov Mon : Simeon (his son) writes to Mr. Bishop (Daniel Lothrop Bishop) by Capt. Seth Huskins via Boston that we shall not send the BRITTANIA to New York as she is not ready. ** 9 Nov Fri : Another daughter of Caesar Bradly, Blackman, is buryed. 15 Nov Thurs : The Courts sit. They try the indictments — John Ward was committed an indictment against Richard MenHall (Mulhall) for putting lime in a black boys’ eye. He was cleared. (Richard Bartholomew Mulhall, s.o. Richard Mulhall, Loyalist, married Hepzibeth d.o. Jesse & Esther Torrey (Cheever) Atwood — died Nov 1873 ae. 81). **17 Nov Sat : * * William Chandler, Charles Stuart and Caspar Raynard, paid me 20 Pounds cash for my 200 acre lot Letter D/4. I am to give them a deed. 7 Dec Mon : A sloop appears in the harbour, said to be Seth Huskins from Boston. **27 Dec Thur : Mrs. John Godfrey says her brother Donald McLeod left Ruth Freeman’s (Mrs. Elkanah Freeman) last Monday, and that she was sick and her daughter Lucy. Mr. John Gorham & others from Cabaroos in Mr. Knaut’s shallop arrived * * 10 in number. That settlement seems to be broken up, at least the settlers from Liverpool. I believe that all but Capt. Samuel Man have quitted the place.1811
1 Jan Tues : New Year’s Day. Jesse Atwood is very sick and thought to be near his end. ** 2 Jan Wed : Jesse Atwood died this morning about 2 o’clock (his) funeral is attended. Mr. Bamford prayed at the house. Tryal of Lewis, a blackman, for theft * * sentenced to 25 lashes * * he received the
lashes, while it was executing Alexander Watson of Petit River interrupted the execution and made an affray. The Sheriff committed him to jail. 3 Jan Thurs : The funeral of Jesse Atwood — see Jan. 2, 1811.
**16 Jan Wed : I hear the vessel cast away at Indian Island (5 Jan.
Saturday, 1811) was Capt. Hillyard of Halifax, and that he and mate & cabin boy were lost. The mate was Edward Fitzjarrel * * . (Fitzgerald) 19 Jan Sat : Capt. James Barss in Schooner CONSOLATION sails for West Indies, loaded principally with dry fish. 21 Jan Mon : Pleasant morning. We are unloading the LARK. The corn is a good quality but does not appear to be northern. 27 Jan Sun : The Brig LADY WARREN, Samuel Parker, master, sails for the West Indies with a large cargo of fish. **29 Jan Tues : I understand Doc. (Andrew) Webster is married this evening to Miss Ann Barss, daughter of Joseph Barss, Esq. (Ann d.o. Joseph & Elizabeth (Crowell) Barss, born Aug 21, 1787 at Liverpool. 31 Jan Thurs : I have heard the BRITANNIA sailed this day from New York for Demarary (Demarara).
** 2 Feb Sat : I hear in the evening that Mrs. Moriah Wiggins,
alias McLeod, died this afternoon, she had been a long time in a declining state. She was a daughter of the late Lieut. Donald McLeod, member of King’s Orange Rangers. (Maria born at Liverpool 11 June 1782. On 10 Aug 1800 she married Charles Wiggins of Wiscasset, Maine). ** 4 Feb Mon : Funeral of Moriah Wiggins attended, a sermon at the Chapel. She was buryed in the Common Burying Ground tho she and her family are Methodist. I conclude the reason was that her father and mother were buryed there. **15 Feb Fri : Mr. Mahley, the German gentleman that boards with Mrs. Hopkins * * is from Bishoprick of Oznaburg * * * *. **23 Feb Sat : * * he also brings news that Simeon Atwood, son of late Jesse Atwood, was lost overboard on the 6th this month returning from West Indies, * * . **24 Feb Sun : My birthday — now completed seventy-six years * *. Aschah Nickerson, daughter of John & Aschah (Crowell) Nickerson, died this morning, having been six or seven months in a meloncholla state of mind and declining * * her death not expected so suddenly, she was able to walk the room in the evening. Funeral 26 Feb 1811, their Meeting House, Mr. Payzant, Psalms 46/1 (New Light Church). [She was the 2nd or 3rd daughter named Aschah.]. 26 Feb Tues : Funeral of Aschah Nickerson attended (see Feb. 24). 27 Feb Wed : Mary Collins is very low (d.o. Paul & Hannah (Parker) Collins, born Liverpool 15 Aug 1789, died 3 March 1811). ** 2 Mar Sat : SPEEDWELL sails for Halifax, * * Mr. Pahley (entry of 15 Feb 1811 says Mahley) is now bound for Europe, * * . ** 3 Mar Sun : Miss Mary Collins, 2nd daughter of Mr. Paul Collins died this morning between 1 & 2, * * Deaths have been frequent for some days past * * 3 children have died since (last Sunday). Simeon Freeman’s child buryed * * . ** 4 Mar Mon : Mr. William O’Neill calls to tell me that Richard Wilson, a blackman, that lived on my son’s place at Indian Harbor, died this morning. Funeral of Miss Mary Collins attended at her father’s house. Mr. Payzant preached. Revelations 14/13. ** 7 Mar Thur : Mr. Bamford informed me that the Rev. Mr. Israel Cheever died this morning, he is said to be 89 years of age. ** 8 Mar Fri : Stephen Smith, Jr., grandson-in-law to the late Mr. Cheever, invites me to attend the funeral to-morrow at 2 o’clock as pall bearer. (For Cheever). ** 9 Mar Sat : I attend funeral of Rev. Mr. Cheever. Mr. Payzant preached in New Light meeting house. **20 Mar Wed : * * a hired servant of Mr. George Collins * * pre- tended some magic art by which he found some of the goods * * he did not implicate anyone but a son of Mrs. Farmer’s — James Taylor — * * **31 Mar Sun : I hear that Isaac Kinney died last night, at his brother Sam Kinney’s. Funeral 1 Apr 1811. 2 Apr Tues : Capt. Samuel Freeman sails for Passamaquoddy. 11 Apr Wed : I attend the court — presented included Michael Hupman for adultery. (Son of Michael & Anna Margaretha (Howe) Hupman, married Widow Margaret McGowan May 5, 1792. In 1813 records state he purchased the land on which Hunt’s Point is situated, an earlier deed is from his brother Conrad to Andrew Hagen, former Tarleton’s Legion). **15 Apr Mon : * * and Jacob Jones with him * * I conversed with Jacob Jones, he says he lives at Hamden, about 30 miles above Castean
on Penobscot River, is married and in the blacksmith business * *. **25 Apr Thur : I hear a pardon (of murder) has come for Patrick Holland.
**26 Apr Fri : John Pigot tells me he expects to leave me in two
weeks. I conclude he is to be married to John Luther’s daughter. 27 Apr Sat : Henry Hupman is about petitioning the Governor for some land in the British/Tarleton’s Legion grant near Broad River. He brings John Hupman & John McKay to depose that the land is not being occupied except the marsh fenced by Drew Ridley & what Hupman has occupied. (John Hupman married Elizabeth, d.o. Donald & Alice (Spade) McKay, fisherman, died old homestead in Summerville [Broad River]. Drew Ridley had family of 3 at Port Mouton in 1787). ** 3 May Fri : Bell Tolls for the death of the wife of James McLannen (McClearn). Died last night 8 o’clock, in child bed. Left living child & daughter. She was daughter of Mr. Ichabod Darrow, 25 years of age, and 3rd wife of Mr. McLannen * * small pox being on board * * of which James Fraser, one of his seamen, died the 25th Feb.**. ** 4 May Sat : Funeral of Mrs. McLannen. Mr. Bamford preached.
8 May Wed : Mr. More arrived from Lahave, has No Sale of his
leather shoes, so has not raised any money to repay me what I lent
them. (Alexander, s.o. John & Martha (Cobb) More, born Liverpool, NS
4 Jan 1796, lost at sea in the privateer ROLLA.) **10 May Fri : The Schooner ROVER, Benj. Freeman, master, sails for the West Indies loaded with fish, Prince W. Snow, mate * * poles missing, he understands it is done by Hopkins boys, Black Bill, son-in-law to Peter Prentice & Joseph Buxton, son of Scipio Buxton, black **13 May Mon : I hear lately there has been a murder or manslaughter at Chester; the man killed was Allen, grandson to Ambrose Allen of Lunenburg, the murderer was _blank_____. **19 May Sun : Mr. Bamford baptizes an infant of Stephen Smith’s (Stephen III).
**20 May Mon : Mrs. Ruth Freeman, with all her children except Patty and Elkanah, arrive; she quitted Lunenburg principally for want of a house to live in; Elkanah with Docr. Harley, Patty is at Col. Creighton’s….Mr. Seth Huskins arrived from Lunenburg in a vessel he has bought or chartered.
**31 May Fri : Capt. James Knowles sails for Montreal, Mr. Alex-
ander Stevenson (teacher) and family are passengers. * * The SPEEDWELL
Hugh McLarrin, skipper, sails for fishing (s.o. Robert & Sarah (West)
McLarren or Mclearn, born 16 Jan 1782, married Esther Matthews, 1805,
collector of rates, died 26 Sept 1811). ** 6 June Thur : The wife of Robert Freeman died this day. Interred Methodist Burying Ground 7 June 1811 (Catherine). 16 June Tues : John Wallace mows all the street lot. (Born Port Medway, married Mary Eliza, d.o. Israel Wharton — he and his wife went to South-West Port Mouton, farmer, fisherman. ** 1 July Mon : Mr. Black attends the funeral of an i nfant of John Godfrey’s (see also 28 July 1811). ** 3 July Wed : Mr. Thomas Barss marries Miss Amelia DeWolf. ** 4 July Thur : Hallet Collins, Esq., arrived in McLeod’s shallop, his bride — late Mrs. Eagleson — from Lunenburg, with two daughters and a niece Miss Head * * . **28 July Sun : Towards evening at Mr. Payzant’s meeting, a child of John Godfrey’s is buryed. ( Note also 1 July 1811 entry). ** 4 Aug Sun : The Rev. Mr. Case, the Baptist minister, after service baptized Mrs. Lydia Dexter, widow of Ebenezer Dexter, who, I expect, is upwards of seventy years of age. ** 9 Aug Fri : I hear that the Widow Hannah Freeman, Col. Nathan Freeman’s widow, died suddenly last evening — appeared to be as well as usual * and was walking acrost the room when she fell dead on the floor * * . Interred in Common Burying Ground, 10 Aug 1811, Mr. Black preached. **12 Aug Mon : Doctor Harley, of Lunenburg, came to town yesterday; he has an account against Ruth Freeman * * he states a balance of 311 Pounds, * * he also has a complaint against her for taking away her son Elkanah, who she had bound to him to learn the trade of apothecary * * . **26 Aug Mon : A child of Enoch Freeman is buryed. ** 3 Sept Tues : Brig. NATASHKWEN James Freeman late master, arrived in harbor last evening and this morning we have the melincholla news that Capt. Freeman, John Chadsey, mate and most of the crew are dead. She traded at Guadeloupe * * loaded for home when Mr. Chadsey & some of the crew were seized with a malignant fever * * Boucher was left alive; Mr. Chadsey died, was buryed in the sea near Montserrat; Samuel Smith of Port Mouton, I understand, died also on board. They stopped at St. Kitts, Capt. Freeman went on shore sick to the house of John Robinson, Esq., and died there in 24 hours; an English lad and a Portugese lad died there also, so there was one of the crew remaining, a Creole, * * *. 3 Sept Tues : I am requested to write a memorial from the merchants and traders of this place to the Committees that have arrived at Halifax to regulate the customs, etc., stating that we have been informed that the officers of the Customs in Shelburne have applied
to get Liverpool annexed to Shelburne … and signifying our wish that
we might not be annexed to that collection. ** 9 Sept Mon : Mr. Atkins that married Harriet Allen came in here Saturday night, he sails today & carries Mrs. Jane Alline, his wife’s mother with him. **10 Sept Tues : Overseers of the Poor * * bound Solomon, black boy, son of Sam, late dec’d. to Abel Chadsey, and Joseph Buxton, son of Cipio Deceased, to Ambrose Allen * * . **11 Sept Wed : The Bells Toll. I hear Mr. William Cahoon Senr. is dead and Mr. Black is gone to preach a funeral sermon. (At Port Medway, Queens County, NS). **14 Sept Sat : * * the ancient Mrs. Gorham, widow of Jabez Gorham, died this forenoon; said to be 81 years of age. I conclude that she and Mr. William Cahoon, who died a few days ago, were nearly as old as any that are left — if not older. Funeral, 15 Sept 1811.
**27 Sept Fri : The Bell Tolls, I hear Mr. Hugh McLarren (McClearn),
eldest son of Mr. Robert McLarren, died last night about 8 o’clock.
Funeral 29 Sept 1811 at the Chapel. (His name erroneously given as
McLannan on his gravestone in old cemetery, Liverpool, NS). **20 Oct Sun : This evening Joseph Freeman, Esq., is married to Mrs. Ann Parker, daughter of Mr. James Rogers and widow of Thomas Parker; married by John Thomas, Esq. Mr. Freeman had a particular license. 30 Nov Sat : Finley McIntosh arrives from Halifax. **26 Oct Sat : We hear that William Dunlop of Port Medway died yesterday of a feaver and a young child of his also the day before. He was the only son of Alexander Dunlop. His father and mother very infirm. **25 Nov Mon : Mr. Benjamin Parker died about 2 or three o’clock this morning. Interred 27 Nov 1811 from the house. ** 2 Dec Mon : CONSOLATION, McPherson master, with colours at half mast * * I hear that Benjamin Kinney, one of the seamen, has been lost overboard on the homeward passage, he was a son of Samuel Kinney and said to be main dependence of the poor family. **22 Dec Sun : Mr. Smith Jones is married to Miss _______ Chadsey, by Rev. Mr. Payzant. (Mehitable). **25 Dec Wed : The widow of the late Rev’d Israel Cheever died this morning, or in the night.1812
**21 Jan Tues : * * there is a topsail schooner on shore at Broad
Cove * * she is ashore near Peter Clottenburg’s. **24 Feb Mon : My birthday — now enter my seventy-eighth year, almost 50 of which spent in this place. (His last birthday anni- versary). **27 Feb Thur : Miss Mary Mayhew died yesterday, a little past four o’clock, P.M., in the 70th year of her age. She was a sister of Mrs. Thomas and has resided there many years * * (Daughter of Thomas and Mary (Wetherell) Mayhew of Plymouth, Ma. For further data refer to THOMAS FAMILIES of Plymouth County, Mass., by J. M. Raymond, 1980). ** 1 Mar Sun : Funeral of Miss Mayhew at the Chapel. Mr. Black preached a sermon. Mr. Payzant attended and made the last prayer. (Early ecumenical service: Methodist preacher and New Light minister). ** 8 Mar Sun : My family also receive letter from my daughter Mary at New York — my daughter Lucy Bishop has a daughter 7 weeks old when they wrote; they now have 2 sons & 2 daughters. ** 9 Mar Mon : I ride out with him to further Beach Hill * * Mr. (Robert) Freeman has a child there at nurse with Peggy Hupman (Peggy or Margaret, d.o. Michael Hupman, Sr.). **11 Mar Wed : * * * about half past one P.M., when her spirit took its flight (Ruth Freeman). **14 Mar Sat : The funeral of Miss Ruth Godfrey Freeman, daughter of late Elkanah Freeman and granddaughter to my wife, was attended from the house of my son John Perkins. **20 Mar Fri : The boat returns from Lunenburg and I understand Joseph Freeman, Jr., died there last Saturday, the 14th inst., and was buryed. I afterwards heard he died on Friday night. **21 Mar Sat : The remains of Rufus Cole, who died last Thursday night about 12 o’clock, were buried. 13 Apr Mon : Samuel Dexter arrives from Halifax, Snow Parker, Esq., and Mrs. John Barry are passengers — they saw the PACKET today near Ashmetogan.////////////THE END ////////////