The Chignecto Isthmus and Its First Settlers

by Howard Trueman

OCCUPATIONS

Tele- Tin- Assay Student Mill
FAMILY OF Farm/Mech/graph/smith/Carp/ /Teach/AtLaw/Rail/Own/Agt

William Trueman 16 1 1 1 3 1 1
Thomas Trueman 6 7 2 1 1
John Trueman 1 1
Harmon Trueman 3 3 2 1 1
Mary A. Humphrey 1 1 1
Betty Glendenning 1
Amos Trueman 8
Sarah Lawrence 6 3 1 1
Robert Trueman 1 1
Thompson Trueman 3
Total 46 15 1 1 8 1 5 1 1 1 1

So much was this celebration enjoyed that the decision was quite unanimous that a similar reunion should be held at a future time. This was kept in mind, and in 1891, seventeen years afterwards, invitations were sent from Prospect for another gathering of the clan. This time, however, the scope of the celebration was extended. The Historical Society of Sackville was associated in the event, and all were welcome who cared to be present.

This gathering was called the Yorkshire Picnic, and anyone of Yorkshire blood was especially welcome. An effort was made to get the names of all visitors recorded, but it was not entirely successful. About three hundred, however, wrote their names below the following, written by Judge Morse.

"Visitors to Prospect Farm, July 14th, 1891, on the occasion of the reunion of the Trueman family, combined with a picnic of the Historical Society of Sackville, in commemoration of the coming into the country of the Yorkshire settlers,

"WILLIAM A. D. MORSE,
"Judge County Court,
"Nova Scotia."

The following is a report of that gathering as given in the Chignecto
POST at that time:

"YORKSHIRE PICNIC. "A LARGE GATHERING AT PROSPECT FARM—A SUCCESSFUL HISTORICAL MEETING.

"On Tuesday last, in response to invitations, upwards of five hundred persons gathered at Prospect Farm, Point de Bute, the residence of Messrs. Howard and Albert Trueman, to commemorate the arrival of the Yorkshire settlers in this country. The descendants of the Yorkshiremen had invited the Chignecto Historical Society, recently formed, to be present, and the formal proceedings of the day were under the auspices of the latter.

"After dinner, Judge Morse, as president of the Historical Society, in a neat speech spoke of the objects of the Chignecto Historical Society. It was their desire to find out who were the early settlers, and where they came from, and to collect all valuable information concerning the early history of this vicinity. He was pleased to see so many descendants of the original settlers of our country present, and see among them the most prosperous of our people. Mr. W. C. Milner, Secretary of the Society, then read an interesting paper on the expedition from New England to capture Fort Cumberland in 1776, under the command of Col. Eddy, and the influences that led to its defeat, notably the firm stand taken by the Yorkshire Royalists against the troops of the Continental Congress, and in favor of the Mother Land and the Old Flag. A good many facts connected with this episode in local history, which has been instrumental in shaping the destiny of the Province of New Brunswick, were for the first time made public. As it will be published in full in an early issue of the POST, together with other papers of the Chignecto Historical Society, it is unnecessary to reproduce it now.

"Judge Morse delivered an interesting address upon the Yorkshire settlers. The condition of our country in 1763 was one of constant strife between the French on the one side and the English on the other. But in 1763 the latter were victorious, the French driven back, and the country then thrown open for settlement by the English. In 1764 Governor Franklyn proposed to settle the very fertile land at the head of the Bay of Fundy with the proper class, and after some correspondence with Earl Hillsboro, Lord of the Plantations in England, he paid a personal visit to Yorkshire, where lived the thriftiest farmers in all England, induced in 1772-3-4 a large number of families to try their fortunes in the New World. In April and May the first arrivals landed on the bleak and rocky coast near Halifax, and surrounded as they were with every discomfort, it was no wonder that they felt discouraged. With their wives the men passed on to Windsor, where they first got a glimpse of the budding orchards left by the French settlers. Here a division was made in the party. The women and children were sent to the head of the Bay by a series of ferries, and the men pushed on to Annapolis, and later joined their families at Chignecto. To the pluck, loyalty, and industry of the Yorkshiremen Judge Morse paid many a tribute. To them do we owe our present connection with the Mother Country. When this country from north to south was rent by the rebellion, when the rivers ran blood, and when the prestige of English arms in Northern America seemed to totter, it was the Yorkshire immigrants who remained firm, and although compelled to suffer untold hardships and privations, yet they remained loyal to that old flag, whose folds he was pleased to see floating in the breeze to-day. The speaker gave fully in detail various particulars of the settlement, of the persons interested, and the location of several important landmarks. The Yorkshiremen have done three great acts: They made the country; they preserved the flag; and they, through the efforts of Preacher Black, founded in this country the principles of Methodism, which has made such steady progress, and which has been the prominent religion for over a century. He closed by asking all who had any historical relics in their possession to communicate with the officers of the society, and allow them to inspect such. Judge Morse was followed by Mr. A. B. Black, Amherst; J. L. Black, Sackville; W. C. Milner, and the host of the day, Mr. Howard Trueman, who spoke upon the valuable features of the Historical Society.

"Among those present were Sheriff McQueen, J. A. McQueen, M.P.P., W. J.
Robinson (Moncton), Col. Wm. Blair, Hon. Hiram Black, J. L. Black, Wm.
Prescott, Jas. Trueman, Esq. (St. John), W. F. George, Dr. A. D. Smith,
Dr. H. S. Trueman, Rev. Mr. Crisp, Rev. Mr. Bliss, Couns. Copp and
Trueman.

"The house at Prospect Farm is one of the oldest in the Province, having been completed on June 14th, 1799."

The following is an account of the one hundredth anniversary of the
"Brick House," taken from the Moncton TIMES of July, 1899:

"On Friday, Prospect Farm, the residence of Howard Trueman, Esq., the old Trueman homestead at Point de Bute, was the scene of an anniversary that called together representatives of the various branches of the Trueman family that came to this country in 1775. The centenary of their settlement here was celebrated by a big picnic twenty-four years ago, and the present one was connected with the building of the old house one hundred years ago—a fine English house built of brick and overgrown with ivy and climbing rose. The site is one of the most commanding and beautiful in the country, and is justly a spot cherished by all the Truemans with pride and affection.

"The afternoon was charming, though threatening, and the numerous gathering, old and young, male and female, enjoyed themselves to the utmost.

"The oldest member of the family present was the venerable Martin Trueman, of Point de Bute, aged eight-four years, still hale and vigorous, and enjoying life as well as the youngest. The next oldest was Thompson Trueman, of Sackville, father of Mrs. (Senator) Wood, aged eighty-three, also a very vigorous man. Within a few weeks Mr. Joseph Trueman, also of the same generation, the father of Judge Trueman, of St. John, has passed to his rest. Mr. Henry Trueman, father of Mrs. James Colpitts, was prevented by the infirmities of age from being present. Amongst others of the same generation were Mrs. Eunice Moore, of Moncton, and Mrs. Amelia Black, of Truro, N.S. Others belonging to the older generation were James Trueman, of Hampton; Alder Trueman, of Sackville, and Benjamin Trueman of Point de Bute.

"A younger generation embraced Judge Trueman, of Albert; Pickard
Trueman, James Amos Trueman, ex-Coun. Amos Trueman and George Trueman.
There was a large representation present of those connected with Mr.
Trueman by marriage or blood, as Squire Wm. Avard, Bristol; Collector
Prescott, Bay Verte; Albert Carter, C. F. McCready, Sheriff McQueen,
ex-collector James D. Dickson, George M. Black, I. F. Carter, James
Main, Botsford; John Glendenning, Cumberland; Geo. W. Ripley, Mrs.
J. M. Trueman, Thorndale, Pa; Gilbert Pugsley, Rupert Coates, Nappan;
Hibbert Lawrence, Gilbert Lawrence, Burgess Fullerton, Southampton;
Mrs. Sarah Patterson, Linden; Alex. Smith, Nappan; Dr. Chapman, James
Colpitts, Point de Bute; J. L. Black, ex-M.P.P., Sackville; Mrs. Burke,
Toronto; E. E. Baker, Fort Lawrence.

"Amongst the visitors were: R. Robertson, W. S. Blair, Experimental
Farm, Nappan; Dr. W. F. Ganong, W. C. Milner, W. Fawcett, Charles
George, W. F. George, John Roach, Thomas Roach, Nappan; Frank Beharrel,
Lowell, Mass.; Dr. Allison, President Mt. Allison; Dr. Smith,
Dr. Brecken, Prof. Andrews, Sackville; Rev. Mr. Batty, Amherst; Douglas
Fullerton, Leonard Carter, J. H. Goodwin, Point de Bute; Hiram Copp,
F. A. Dixon, Sackville; George Copp, James Fillmore, Bay Verte.

"A platform was erected under the shade of the vine-covered walls, and interesting speeches made. Dr. Chapman presided. In his introductory remarks he said he was pleased with his Yorkshire descent, and was very sorry that Mr. Batty, who was to tell sometime of Yorkshire at the present day, was not present. Mr. Howard Trueman, who was then called upon, told something of the settlement of the Truemans, the building of the house, the clock two hundred years old that was still keeping good time, the chair that came out from England with the family, and the bench there on the platform that came from the first Methodist church built in Canada, a stone church that stood by the Point de Bute Cemetery.

"Mr. J. L. Black spoke of his first visit to the old house. When not more than fourteen years old, he had been put on a horse and sent to the mill with a bag of wheat. On telling who he was he was sent to the house and fed with gingerbread and his pockets filled with cake. Mr. Black paid a high tribute to the sterling character of the men of the old days, but was of the opinion that the men of these days scarcely were their equals.

"Dr. Ganong, Mr. Milner and Mr. George not responding. Dr. Brecken was called upon. He claimed Yorkshire descent and supposed the stubbornness his wife complained of was due to the Yorkshire blood in him. He sometimes wondered, as Mr. Black had done, whether the race was not degenerating. He certainly could not stand as much exertion as his father could. The style of oratory was also very different from what it used to be. We have few of the finely finished speeches that characterized the old days.

"Dr. Allison said: 'All the speakers claimed some connection with the Truemans or Yorkshire, but he had not a drop of English blood in his veins, using English in its narrower sense. None, however, had a keener appreciation of the Yorkshire element than himself. Charles Allison, the founder of the Institutions, the one who had done more than any other to make the name of Allison to be remembered, chose for his partner in life a member of the Trueman family. Mankind was not degenerating. Wonderful things have been accomplished since this country was first settled. Divine providence has not constructed the railway and telegraph, but man. Dr. Brecken was just as good a man as his father, and a much greater orator than the men of those days. The men of the past suited the past, but a different type is required to-day.

"The chairman then announced that lunch would be served, and the other speakers would say a few words later in the afternoon.

"After lunch Judge Trueman, of Albert, took the platform. He said it gave him much pleasure to be at the picnic, not only to meet so many friends, but to see the old place where he was born and spent his youth. He knew every knoll and hollow of the old farm. He thought everyone who had the Trueman blood in him ought to feel on excellent terms with himself after hearing so many nice things said about the family.

"Prof. Andrews, who followed, agreed with Dr. Allison in thinking the race was not degenerating, and claimed if the people to-day would spend as much time out of doors as did their fathers, they would be even stronger. He gave some proofs that actually the race is improving physically. In the old times the weakest all died off, and only the tough old nuts remained. He told some remarkable stories of what he had undergone when a young man, that he claimed to be saving for his grandchildren. It gave him much pleasure to attend this celebration which would pass into history.

"Rev. Mr. Batty, of Amherst, was introduced by the chairman as a true bred, native-born Yorkshireman. Mr. Batty said, judging from the number around him, if all the Yorkshiremen had prospered as the Truemans there would be a new Yorkshire more prosperous than the old. He had not realized what kind of a picnic this was until he saw the lines of carriages driving through Amherst. On inquiring he found it was the gathering of the clans at Prospect. He considered these historic gatherings most important in the development of a country. He then gave a most interesting account of Yorkshire and Yorkshire Methodism. He had never seen a wooden house until he came to this country, and it stirred old memories to stand again under the shadow of a brick house that reminded him strongly of his grandfather's house in Yorkshire. If people here want to see Englishmen come to Canada they must do away with snake fences, sulphur matches, and bad roads. Agriculture is done for in England, and the fathers realize that their sons must come to Canada. No Westmoreland man would complain if he knew how well off he was.

"In closing he thanked all for their attention, Mr. Trueman for his invitation, and said he was going to write a full account of the gathering for the Yorkshire papers and send it at once.

"Votes of thanks were presented to Mr. and Mrs. Trueman, the host and hostess, and to Dr. Chapman, the chairman, after which all joined in the National Anthem."

The Chignecto POST had the following description of the gathering:

"The oldest house now being occupied in this part of the Province is in Point de Bute, about seven miles from Sackville. It was built in 1799, so that the structure is a hundred years old. In a granite slab over the front entrance is the following: "June 14, 1799." The main house is of brick and is a good solid looking structure yet. It has stood well the blasts of a hundred winters, and judging from its present appearance it will be able to stand many more.

"Some time ago the relatives and friends of Mr. Trueman urged him to celebrate the 100th birthday of his house. Circumstances prevented him from holding the celebration on June 14th, but on July 14th, last Friday, the event was celebrated in a manner that the two hundred people who were present will not soon forget.

"It was Mr. Trueman's intention that his guests should make a day of it, but unfortunately Friday forenoon was foggy and wet, and this no doubt prevented a large number from being present. However, the rain did not interfere with the plans of some of the friends, for early in the forenoon they began to arrive from a distance, and they continued to arrive, although the rain came down in torrents. But shortly after noon the cheerful face of Old Sol peered forth from behind a fog bank. The clouds were soon dissipated, nature dried her tears, and everybody was glad. A merrier throng it would have been hard to find than the one now gathered around the old brick house, everyone intent upon doing his or her best to celebrate the anniversary.

"There were people present from St. John, from Moncton, from Albert Co., from Bay Verte, from Amherst, from Nappan, from Sackville, and from all the surrounding country. There was the grandfather and grandmother, whose silvery hair and bent form contrasted strongly with sprightliness of the young toddlers who were very much in evidence. But a smile was on every face and nobody was made to feel that he was a stranger. From the top of the highest tree floated the Canadian ensign, while nearer the house the ancient folds of the Union Jack were spread to the breeze.

"The old house was thrown open to all, and many persons had the pleasure of seating themselves in the chair which was brought to this country by the first of the name who touched upon its shores. This article of furniture, together with a grandfather's clock, are the property of Mr. Trueman, and, needless to say, are very highly prized by him. They are remarkably well preserved, and the clock still keeps excellent time.

"On the grounds, quite near the house, a platform had been improvised,
and during the afternoon short addresses were made by Howard Trueman,
Jos. L. Black, Judge Trueman, of Albert Co., Rev. Mr. Batty, of
Amherst, Prof. Andrews, Dr. Brecken, Dr. Allison and others.

"Tea was served on the grounds in true Bohemian style, but everybody enjoyed it. The evening passed very pleasantly with vocal, instrumental music, etc. It was a fitting celebration, and one which both old and young will no doubt often be pleased to look back upon. Mr. and Mrs. Trueman and the members of their family dispensed the kindest hospitality and did everything possible to make the event what it was, a grand success."

The names of the children and grandchildren of William Trueman and
Elizabeth Keillor, with other records of the families:

HARMON TRUEMAN, born Sept. 27, 1778 Married
CYNTHIA BEST, born Sept. 7, 1787 Jan. 8, 1807.

THEIR CHILDREN.

NAME BORN M. TO WHOM MARRIED CHILD.

Stephen B. Feb. 17, 1808 1836 Eliza Wells 7
Amy E. April 17, 1810 1837 John W. McLeod 1
Sarah Aug. 27, 1812 1835 Rev. A. W. McLeod 6
Martin Oct. 30, 1814 1843 Bethia Purdy 5
Louisa C. Aug. 30, 1817 1841 Mariner Wood 2
Silas W. May 27, 1820 Did not marry
Eunice Dec. 18, 1822 1872 Thomas Moore 0
R. Alder Aug. 22, 1825 1854 Mary Jewett 2
N. Amelia Sept. 28, 1828 1857 Rufus Black 5

WILLAM TRUEMAN, born Nov. 22, 1780 Married
JANE RIPLEY, born April 25, 1788 Jan. 22, 1806.

THEIR CHILDREN.

NAME BORN M. TO WHOM MARRIED Child.

William Jan. 9, 1807 1831 Esther Ripley 9
Mary Ann Sept. 25, 1809 1834 Francis Smith 6
Jane D. Dec. 20, 1811 1834 Robert Fawcett 7
Alice Jan. 2, 1814 1835 Hugh Gallagher 10
Henry R. Dec. 17, 1815 1844 Jane Weldon 2
Joseph Mar. 24, 1818 1843 Janet S. Scott 8
Benjamin Aug. 25, 1822 1848 Elizabeth Weldon 2
Isaac Jan. 18, 1825 1849 Mary Black 4
Rebecca July 12, 1827 1855 Robert Scott 6
Sara Elizabeth Sept. 26, 1829 John Charters 4
Christianna Nov. 30, 1832 1856 James Scott 4

JOHN TRUEMAN, born Jan. 2, 1784 Married
NANCY PALMER, 1806.

THEIR CHILDREN.

NAME BORN. M. TO WHOM MARRIED. CHILD.

Catherine P. April 30, 1807 John S. Coy 4
Gideon P. Aug. 24, 1811 Mary Harrison
Elizabeth L. Sept. 8, 1813 Died young
Thompson Feb. 15, 1816 Rebecca Wood 4
Milcah June 23, 1818 Chas. F. Alison 1
Marcus May 10, 1821 Rebecca Reynolds 2
Jane Evans 2
George A. Sept. 26, 1823 Sarah Ann Black 2
Margaret C. Mar. 2, 1826 Did not marry
Annie J. Mar. 30, 1829 Samuel Sharp
Sarah B. Sept. 6, 1832 Robt. A. Strong 7

THOMAS TRUEMAN, born April 16, 1786 Married
POLICENE CORE, born July 10, 1788 July 11, 1805.

THEIR CHILDREN.

NAME BORN. M. TO WHOM MARRIED. CHILD.

Elizabeth E. Feb. 22, 1807 1825 Thomas Carter 4
Able G. Mar. 18, 1809 Died young
William L. Feb. 9, 1811 Olivia Embree 4
Caroline Sharpe
Thomas F. Feb. 9, 1811 1835 Harriet Prince 4
Harmon Henry July 21, 1813 1837 Jane Chapman 6
Lucy A. Dec. 19, 1815 1835 Joseph Carter 4
John Starr Oct. 2, 1816 Died young
Mary J. Dec. 15, 1818 1841 William Dixon 0
Rufus F. Feb. 2, 1821 1846 Eliza Trenholm 2
Francis Smith 3
Edward S. Feb. 11, 1823 1847 Sara L. Ann Bent 5
Frances B. May 6, 1825 1849 Samuel Sharp 6
Pamelia C. May 31, 1827 1851 William Smith 4
Charles E. Apr. 24, 1829 1853 Pamelia Smith
Susan Bowser 4

GILBERT LAWRENCE, born Oct.27, 1785 Married
SARAH TRUEMEN, born Mar. 16, 1784 April 14, 1808.

THEIR CHILDREN.

NAME BORN. M. TO WHOM MARRIED. CHILD.

David Feb. 11, 1809 1836 Mary Fullerton 7
William T. May 9, 1811 Died young
Sarah Apr. 13, 1813 1833 Daniel Pugsley 6
Mary F. Oct. 1, 1815 1833 Joseph Coates 10
Amos F. Apr. 3, 1818 1841 Annie Fullerton 9
Jane July 14, 1820 1841 James Fullerton 3
Charles W. Nov. 19, 1822 1846 Mary Fullerton 1
1872 Amelia Donkin
Eunice M. Feb. 27, 1825 1847 Jesse Fullerton 7
Thomas J. Apr. 6, 1828 Did not marry
Caroline A. June 2, 1830 1851 Douglas R. Pugsley 2
Cecelia R. Apr. 4, 1833 1856 David P. Fullerton 6

AMOS TRUEMAN, born May 23, 1791 Married
SUSANNA RIPLEY, born Feb. 20, 1799 October 2, 1817

THEIR CHILDREN.

NAME BORN. M. TO WHOM MARRIED CHILD.

Ann July 2, 1818 1850 Robert J. Mitchell 5
John Oct. 2, 1819 1840 Jane Finlay 6
Mary Aug. 20, 1821
Henry Sept. 10, 1824 1851 Sophia Finlay 7
Elizabeth Dec. 24, 1826 1851 Thomas Mitchell 9
Jane Mar. 10, 1829 Did not marry
Ruth Sept. 9, 1831 1856 Embree Wood 8
Rebecca Apr. 21, 1834 1852 William Mitchell 4
Susanna Nov. 18, 1836 1863 Joseph Doyle 5
Sarah July 8, 1840 1865 David Patterson 6

ROBERT TRUEMAN, born July 15, 1794 Married
EUNICE BENT, born Feb. 15, 1796 January 8, 1817.

THEIR CHILDREN.

NAME BORN M. TO WHOM MARRIED CHILD.

James Oct. 29, 1817 1844 Jane Black 2
Seraphina A. Apr. 28, 1819 1840 J. W. McLeod 6
Calvin G. Mar. 24, 1825 Did not marry

WILLIAM HUMPHREY, born Married
MARY ANN TRUEMAN, born July 10, 1796 Nov. 21, 1820

THEIR CHILDREN.

NAME BORN. M. TO WHOM MARRIED. CHILD.

William Oct. 24, 1821 1863 Hattie H. Sears
John A. Dec. 23, 1823 1855 Sarah Harris 4
Elizabeth May 19, 1825 1845 E. R. Bishop 5
Stephen Feb. 28, 1829 1851 Lucy Logan 6
Harmon July 12, 1831 1859 Salina Coates 4
1878 Emily Dixon 1
Jane Nov. 19, 1833 1854 Joseph L. Black 1
Christopher Apr. 15, 1837

GEORGE GLENDENNING, born May 14, 1799 Married
BETTY TRUEMAN, born Aug. 11, 1798 1823

NAME BORN M. TO WHOM MARRIED CHILD.

Elizabeth S. Jan. 28, 1825 1852 Thomas Lowther 8
John Sept.22, 1827 1850 Elizabeth Black 4
Sarah Ann Sept.27, 1829 1875 David Lawrence
William R. Dec. 20, 1831
Thompson Oct. 26, 1834 1864 Sarah J. Ripley 2
Mary Aug. 28, 1837 1865 J. Edward Smith

THOMPSON TRUEMAN, born 1801 Married
MARY FREEZE, born 1798 1823

NAME BORN M. TO WHOM MARRIED. CHILD.

Ruth A. Jan 21, 1824 Did not marry
Albert Apr. 18, 1826 Did not marry
Hiram June 2, 1828 1854 Tryphena Black 6
Eliza Jan. 2, 1831 1855 William Avard 4
Margaret Nov. 11, 1835 1864 George M. Black 3
Howard Mar. 1, 1837 1863 Agnes Johnstone
1867 Mary J. Main 5
Mary A. Dec. 26, 1843 1873 William Prescott 6

It will be seen by studying this record that out of the eight-seven members of the second generation born in this country, six elected to live in single blessedness. These were Silas, Harmon's third son; Thomas, a son of Sarah Lawrence; Margaret, a daughter of John; Jane, a daughter of Amos; and Ruth and Albert, Thompson's two eldest born.

Silas was a man of sterling principles, generous almost to a fault, and of more than ordinary intellectual force. He was the kind of man that would have delighted the practical mind of the Apostle James. Under all circumstances his aim was to make his practice accord with his profession. His death took place at his home in Point de Bute in 1860.

Thomas Lawrence was a general favorite, and had the reputation of being better to others than to himself. Children trusted him at once. He died at his home in Nappan, N.S., in 1867.

Margaret Trueman was one of the most charitable of women, always ready with a kind word or deed whenever opportunity offered. She finished life's journey in Mexico, in 1897.

Jane Trueman is still living.

Albert died in September, 1901, at his home, Prospect Farm. He was born in the brick house, and lived there his full life of seventy-five years and five months. He had many friends and no enemies.

Ruth lived her life of sixty-three years in the old home where she was born, and died in 1887. She was thoughtful and fond of reading, and did what she could to cultivate a taste for reading in those who came under her influence. Her religious convictions were decided, but not demonstrative. She delighted in conversation where literature and authors were the subjects. Macaulay was one of her favorite writers.

When Ruth's brothers and sisters were young, and books were not so common as now, she very often read aloud to her mother and the family. Macauley's Essays and History, Prescott's works, the "Literary Garland," and lighter works were read from time to time as circumstances or taste dictated. GLEASON'S PICTORIAL, the ANGLO-SAXON, the SCOTTISH- AMERICAN, and HARPER'S MAGAZINE were read with great interest. She was a subscriber to the CENTURY MAGAZINE at the time of her death. Some of Hannah More's sacred dramas were frequently read on a Sabbath evening. The writer remembers well how we younger children enjoyed the moment when David,

"From his well-directed sling, quick hurled, with dexterous aim, a stone, which sank deep-lodged in the capacious forehead of the foe."

And

"The mighty mass of man fell prone, with its own weight, his shattered bulk was bruised. Straight the youth drew from his sheath the giant's pond'rous sword, and from the enormous trunk the gory head, furious in death, he severed."

The language was rather beyond us, but we knew that David had killed the giant, and we did not bother about the big words. Or, when little Moses was left in the ark of bulrushes, exposed to all the dangers of the Nile swamp, how we almost trembled lest some evil should befall him before Pharaoh's daughter could rescue him, and rejoiced to think that Miriam did her part so well as to get her mother as a nurse for the little brother. Ruth seemed to enjoy reading these dramas over and over quite as much as we enjoyed listening to them. She grew fonder of reading as she grew older, and would talk of the characters in a book as if they were as real to her as her personal friends.

Ruth was deeply interested in the confederation of the Provinces when that question was before the people. After giving the matter a good deal of thought she decided in favor of the union. In early days, because of sympathy for a friend, she had conceived a prejudice against Dr. Tupper, who began his public life in Point de Bute, and with whom she was personally acquainted. The family at Prospect were supporters of Howe and the Liberal party in Nova Scotia at this time, but Howe had turned his back on Confederation, and Dr. Tupper was the leader of the Confederate party in that Province. Ruth was exceedingly anxious that the principle of union should triumph, and it was a grief to her that Dr. Tupper should triumph with it. But she lived long enough to forgive him and to appreciate the good work Sir Charles did for Canada.

The Free School question was another problem in which she was greatly interested, and as one of her favorite cousins was in the election of 1872, in which free non-sectarian schools were on trial in New Brunswick (at least, so thought the friends of this measure), she was anxious as to the outcome of the elections, and well pleased when they resulted well for free schools.

Of the twenty members of the second generation now living, the women outnumber the men thirteen to seven. Five of the twenty are octogenarians, two—Martin Trueman, of Point de Bute, and Thompson Trueman, of Sackville—have reached the patriarchal age of eighty-seven years. The former in one particular is like the late Mr. Gladstone—he takes his recreation with the axe. He has prepared many cords of wood for the stove in the last few years.

The first Trueman family were not strong men, but they were persistent workers, and could accomplish more in a given time than men of much stronger build. The second generation were physically equal or superior to that of the first, which was rather a rare circumstance in this country. The gift of language—of talking easily and gracefully, either in private or public—was not one of their possessions. Not a man of the first generation could talk ten minutes on a public platform; and the second generation are in this particular not much of an improvement on their forbears. This, in part, no doubt, accounts for the fact that a family which turns out elders, class-leaders and circuit stewards in such numbers has not produced a minister of the Trueman name.

Agriculture was the work to which the family set their hand in the new country. The children were taught that manual labor was honorable, and that agriculture was worthy of being prosecuted by the best of men. The seven sons and three sons-in-law were all successful farmers, and heredity no doubt had its influence.