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Willow Grove Cemetery

 

The land which is now Palmerston Cemetery was once the site of the Baptist Church and a small Baptist cemetery.  In 1852, the Baptist Church moved to its present site across the Pugwash River.  A group of citizens bought the land the Baptists had previously occupied and an adjacent lot for a non-denominational cemetery for the village of Pugwash.  There is no known record of the first Baptists who were buried there, nor of those subsequently buried until the late 19th century. 

 

Recently, a map was found in the North Cumberland Historical Society of the Willow Grove Cemetery.   Having never heard of Willow Grove Cemetery, we quickly ascertained that it was Cumberland County people named in it.   It showed the cemetery as being next to a lobster factory and across the river from Pugwash with land set aside for a rail line.  It was, in fact, the site of the present Palmerston Cemetery.

 

This map indicated those who had bought each one of the 117 plots.  Some of these people are listed in our Cemetery book which means that they had identifiable stones in the cemetery in 1969 when the lists for that book were first compiled.  The majority aren't which means either they never used their proposed and paid-for grave sites, or they did not have stones which lasted.  Occasionally two names are assigned to the same plot.

 

The plots would have had to have been sold before 1911 which is when the first burials of those listed occurred. Most of these people were born in the late 19th century and would have been interred in their plots in the first half of the 20th.

 

So when did the name change from Willow Grove to Palmerston?  We know that it was still Willow Grove in 1916 as death certificates from that year name it as the place of interment. 

 

What we also know for sure is that there are a lot more people buried on that piece of land than we formerly thought.

 

If you have been puzzled about the burial site of long-lost family members, we have listed on our web page the names of those who bought plots.  The number next to their name is the number of the plot.  Unfortunately, the map is too large and fragile to be scanned.  Number 1 is in the north east corner of the cemetery and it stretches to number 9 on to the south east edge.  The lots are each 18 by 9 feet. The north to south aisles are 3 feet wide, and the east to west are 4 feet in width.  The plan was drawn by Nellie Brown Webb who was the wife of Thomas Merritt Webb – a Baptist minister.  She was born in 1886.

 

We have included some genealogical information when we could find the person in Nova Scotia's vital records website.  Some of the information came from our book Cemeteries of North Cumberland County [CofNCC].  The names with an asterix * beside them are those who are listed in our book.  If there is no information, either we couldn't say for certain who the individual was or could find no provincial information about them.

 

The map lists mainly men.  We can assume that for the most part their wives are buried with them.   That is why we have included the wives' names when known.  Please drop by the Historical Society to see the plan for the exact location of a plot.

 

Ackley, Frank – 18

Ackley, Mrs. Thomas – 18

* Allan, Frank W. – 102 Frank Wells Allen (Feb. 3, 1882 – June 20, 1957) [NS Vital Stats] was born in Port Elgin, New Brunswick.  He married Ethel Charlotte Davis (Apr. 8, 1890 [NCHS Notes]– Dec. 30, 1923) [NS Vital Stats] and Margaret Vera McIvor (1902 – 1971) [NCHS Notes]. He died of bronchial pneumonia and is buried in Pugwash.

Allen, Banford – 106

Allen, Joshua – 88

Allen, Mont – 97  Lemont Moore Allen (May 19, 1883 – Aug. 19, 1958) was born in Bayfield NB son of Ralph Thompson Allen and Mary Jane Elizabeth McNutt.  He married Bernice Stevens on Jan. 14, 1904. * * Ash, C.P. – 65 Charles Pearl Ash (1879 – July 16, 1938) was born in Pugwash, son of John and Henrietta Ash.   He married Frances Beatrice Reid on Feb. 1, 1905.

 

Barton, Mrs. Richard – 34

Beaton, Angus – 24

Benjamin, Abel – 64 Abel Benjamin (1861 -    ) was born in Sweden, son of Benjamin and Helena.  He married Annie Armour on Dec. 14, 1900.

Bennett, Henry – 68

* Bent, E. A. – 47 Edgar A. Bent (May 14, 1851- July 11, 1916) [CofNCC].  He married Emma A.

Betcher, G. Erna – 89

* Black Jr., R. F. – 19  Rufus F. Black Jr. (1847 – Apr. 10, 1894) married Lucy A.  and second to Rhoda. [CofNCC]

Bowser, Mr. Bert -115

* Brown, David M. – * David M. Brown (1858 – Oct. 26, 1922) was born in Wallace Bay, the son of Joseph Brown and Charlotte Barnes.  He married Annie J. McDonald.

Brown, Frank M. – 14 Frank M. Brown (1874 -    ) was born in Pugwash, the son of William H. and Henry R. Brown.  He married Catherine A. McLeod on Sept. 26, 1899.

* Brown, J. A. – 3 James A. Brown (1849 – 1940) He married Carrie. [CofNCC]

* Brown, Stanley R. – 67 Stanley Reid Brown (July 9, 1878 -    ) was born in Pugwash, son of James Brown and Carrie Reid.   He married Elizabeth Bennet Brown. [CofNCC]

* Brown, W. H. – 5  William Henry Brown (Apr. 11, 1842 [CofNCC]– June 28, 1916) was born in Wallace Bay, the son of Joseph Brown and Charlotte Barnes.  He married Mary Rebecca Seaman on Feb. 4, 1873.  He was buried in Willow Grove Cemetery.

 

* Cameron, Mrs. Hugh – 31 Mrs. Hugh Cameron nee Janet Stewart (1861 – 1957).  Hugh had died in 1901.

Campbell, M.  - 16

Campbell, M. J. – 53

* Campbell, Martin – 23  Martin Luther Campbell (1864 – Apr. 5, 1917) was born in Pugwash.  He was married to Isabel K. and living in Rhode Island when he died.

Colbourne, Mrs. Samuel - 41

* Colburn, Earl – 78 (1888 – 1927)

* Cooper, George – 2 George M. Cooper (Aug. 4, 1849 – Jan. 27, 1935) was born in Pugwash, the son of John Cooper.  He married Isabelle Torrance [CofNCC]

Copp, Charles Howard and Frances – 33 Charles Howard Copp (1832 -    ) was born in Baie Verte NB, the son of William and Amelia Copp.  He married Frances Oressa Carter on June 2, 1869.

 

Daigle, Earl – 8

Daniel, Mrs. Bessie – 39 Mrs. Bessie Daniel nee Bessie Bent (1846 – 1934) married Rev. Robert A. Daniel [CofNCC]

Dewar, George – 12 George Dewar (Feb. 1860 – Jan. 25, 1939) was born in Pugwash River, the son of Alex Dewar and Eliza Bent.  He never married.

Dewar, James – 6 James W. Dewar (1848 - Nov. 14, 1916) was born in Pugwash River, the son of Alex and Eliza Dewar.  He married Mary M. Stewart on Mar. 1, 1889.

 

Elliott, E. K. – 49

 

Farwell, Nettie F. – 51

Ferdinand, Andrew – 7 Andrew Ferdinand (1874 – Sept. 5, 1926) was born in Pugwash, the son of John Ferdinand and Mary Davis.  He married Nellie.

Ferdinand, James – 26 James Ferdinand (1826 – Apr. 4, 1923) was born in Pugwash, the son of John Ferdinand and Sophia Teed.  He married Elizabeth Clyburn on Apr. 30, 1883.

* Fingler, George – 86  George Fingler (1909 – March 23, 1961) was born in Manitoba.  He married Alida (1879 – 1961) [CofNCC]  He was a widower, working as a janitor at PDHS, when he died.

* Flinn, R. S. – 35  Robert Smith Flinn (Oct. 3, 1861 – June 25, 1940) was the son of Thomas Flinn and Elizabeth Conners.  He married Mary McIver on Dec. 12, 1901.

Flynn, Henry – 17 Henry A. Flinn (Nov. 26, 1853 – Nov. 20, 1923) was born in Antigonish, the son of Patrick or John Flinn and Eliza Bradshaw.  He married Bertha McLeod on Nov. 15, 1858.

* Forshner, Murray – 113  Murray Gordon Forshner (June 4, 1919 -  Apr. 22, 1959 [CofNCC]) was born in Wallace Bay, son of Gordon Leslie Forshner and Alberta Angevine.  He married Gladys Agnes Sarson of South Pugwash on Sept. 27, 1939.

* Fraser, J.G.W. – 79  James George Walter Fraser (1877 -  1956 [CofNCC]) was born in New Glasgow, son of David and Priscilla Fraser.  He married Annie Amelia Borden on Mar. 18, 1908.

Fraser, W. - 83

* Fullerton, John M. – 103  John Mitchell Fullerton (June 27, 1898 – 1985 [CofNCC]) was born in Pugwash, son of DeMain Fullerton and May Mitchell.  He married Florence G. Gillis of Pugwash on Nov. 6, 1936.

 

Heather, James – 10 James Heather (1850 – Dec. 16, 1912) was born in Wallace.  He married.

Henley, Harry W. – 84

* Hilchey, Herman – 110 Franklin Herman Hilchey (May 30, 1880 - Feb. 8, 1961) was born in Tangier, Halifax County, son of Charles Hilchey and Elizabeth Mason.  He married Eva Jane Allen. 

* Hill, David – 1 David P. Hill (1827 – 1913) married Annabell MacAulay

Hollis, Frank – 93 Frank Lane Hollis (1916 -    ) was born in Pugwash, son of Russell Hollis and Annie Carprou.  He married Winnie Pollard of Northport on Nov. 16, 1937.

Huston, Mrs. Rupert – 73 Mrs. Rupert Huston (1894 -    ) was born in River John, daughter of David and Maud Jones.  She married Rupert Warner Huston, son of Hiram Huston and Clara Warner on May 16, 1911.  Her maiden name was Charlotte E. Jones.  Rupert died in 1916 and was buried in Willow Grove Cemetery, Pugwash.

 

Illegible – maybe McAuley, Peter - 57

Illegible, Mrs. Chas. F. ? – 40

 

Johnstone, J.G. – 56

Jones, William – 6 William Thomas Jones (Aug. 29, 1854 – May 10, 1937) was the son of Thomas Jones and Jane Fisher.  He married.

 

King, Oliver – 70

 

Lockart, William – 44

Loomis, Henry – 18

Lowden, J. Harry- 15 James Harry Lowden (1864 -   ) was born in Upper Pugwash,  the son of David M. and Catherine Lowden.  He married second to Rose Mary Kenney on Jan. 7, 1914.

 

* MacDonald, R. L. – 50 – Roderick L. MacDonald (Oct. 14, 1858 – Oct. 2, 1928) was born in Tatamagouche, the son of Daniel MacDonald and Daniel Lorrigan.  He married Elizabeth A. R. Fraser in June 1888.

MacKay, Mrs. Hugh – 56 Mrs Hugh MacKay (1862 -   ) nee Bessie Cummings was born in Pugwash West, the daughter of James and Helena Cummings.  She married Hugh MacKay (1853 -     ) of Rockley on June 2, 1886.

MacLellan, Eph. – 25 Ephraim McLellan (1856 – Jan. 5, 1915) was born in Five Islands.  He was buried in Willow Grove Cemetery.

MacLeod, Allan J. – 22

Matheson, Daniel A. – 74 – Daniel A. Matheson (October 1, 1850 – Dec. 30, 1926) was born on the Gulf Shore, son of Alexander and Annie Matheson.  He married Sarah MacMillan on Dec. 26, 1893.

McArthur, Dan – 105 Daniel Robert McArthur (1876 – Sept. 28, 1924) was born in Pictou Co., son of Robert McArthur and Elizabeth McDonald.  He was the station master in Pugwash.  He married Alberta.

McDonald, James C. - 60

McDonald, Mrs. John- 21

* McDonald, R. L. – 30 R. L. MacDonald was born in Bay Head according to a note by J. M. McQuarrie.

McFarlane, Sarah – 9 McFarlane, Sarah (1808 –  Nov. 19, 1866) was born in Scotland, the daughter of  L. McLean.  She was married.

McKay, Jno – 51 John D. McKay (1856 – Nov. 28,1923) was the son of Neil McKay and Margaret Moore.  He never married.

McKennan – 9

McLeod, Murdoch – 107 Murdoch McLeod- there are many in Pugwash. The one who was a lighthouse keeper is mentioned in Cemeteries book for Palmerston.

McLeod, William – 52 William H. McLeod (1857 – Jan. 30, 1912) was born in Pugwash Junction, son of Archibald McLeod and Catherine Slade.  He never married.  He died in Waltham, MA but was buried in Pugwash Baptist.  His dc says Pugwash Baptist Cemetery.

McLeod, William – 77 

McLeod, William G. – 76

McMillan, Jno. – 38 John A. MacMillan (Jan. 22, 1854 – Aug. 2, 1944) was born in Wood Island, PEI, the son of Hector MacMillan and Mary Blue.  He married Eva Forshner.

McNab, Robert – 66

McNutt, R. D. – 61 Robert DeWolfe McNutt (Aug. 9, 1867 – Mar. 9, 1952) was the son of Silas McNutt and Jane DeWolfe.  He married

McPhee, Ches - 46

* Mitchell, A.R.D. – 82 Amos R. D. Mitchell (1854 – Oct. 16, 1930) was born in Wallace River, son of Robert J. Mitchell and Ann Truman.  He married Ella E. Ripley on May 1, 1885

Mitchell, D. J. – 94

Mitchell, Mrs. Donald – 116 Eileen Victoria Mitchell (1924 -   ) was born in Pugwash, daughter of James Mitchell and Anny Hovis.  She married Donald Perry Mitchell of Truro.

Mitchell, Truman – 104 George Truman Mitchell (Oct. 16, 1900 -    ) was born in Lake Clainy, son of William Staveley and Sarah Jane Mitchell.  He married Greta May Fields of Port Howe on Jan. 17, 1924.

Mitchell, William – 91

* Munro, Mrs. Robert – 60 Mrs. Robert Munro (1844 – 1917) [CofNCC] nee Jessie MacDonald married Robert Munro.

Not sold – 80

 

* O'Neil, Mrs. Annie – 100 Anne Hildred O'Neil (1894 – 1975) 

 

* Peers, Aaron – 58 Aaron Peers (1839 – Jan. 2, 1915) was born in Wallace, son of Ephraim and Phoebe Peers.  He married Lavinia D. Cotter on May 7, 1867.  His dc states he was buried in Willow Grove Cemetery.

Porter, William – 9

Pushie, Samuel – 16 Samuel Pushie (1832 – Feb. 2, 1918)

Pye, Earnest – 101

 

Read, George – 29

Read, J. B. - 32

Redmond, David – 48

Reid, J. A. – 98 John A. Reid (June 25, 1862 -    ) was born in Pugwash, son of David Reid and Catherine Walton.  He married Emma L. Dean on Oct. 8, 1890.

Reid, William – 92 William Reid – possibly (1854 – Aug. 25, 1931)

* Robertson, Beacher – 75 Henry Ward Beacher Robertson (Aug. 13, 1868 – Feb. 19, 1958) was born on the Gulf Shore, son of Donald and Christina Robertson.  He married Carrie Munroe of Wentworth.

 

* Sarson, Clarence – 114 Clarence Ervin Sarson (April 8, 1916 – 1989 [CofNCC]) was born in Pugwash, son of Joseph Sarson and Clara Dingle.  He married Marion J. Anthony. [CofNCC]

* Sarson, Joseph A. – 43 Joseph Axford Sarson (July 12,1875 – July 10, 1959) was born in Pugwash, the son of William Sarson and Amelia McNeil.  He married Minnie Henderson [CofNCC].

Sarson, Lawrence – 112 Lawrence Henry Sarson (Feb. 23, 1909 – 1976 [CofNCC]) was born in Pugwash, son of Joseph Sarson and Clara Maud Dingle.  He married Kathleen Allen of Port Elgin NB on Jan. 30, 1929.

* Sarson, Ray – 111 Ray Colwell Sarson (Aug. 9, 1905 -    ) was born in South Pugwash, son of Clara Maud Dingle and Joseph Sarson.  He married Isabelle Ross of Glace Bay, NS.

* Scott, George W. – 85 George William Scott (Feb. 11, 1871 – Apr. 6, 1962) was born in New Anaan, the son of Robert and Mary Scott.  He married Minnie DeWolf Brown on Sept. 20, 1906.

Seaman, Chas. H. – 13 Charles Henry Seaman (Aug. 9. 1889 -    ) was born in Pugwash, the son of Elijah Seaman and Clementine Van Buskirk.  He married Mable Loretta Gayton on Dec. 23, 1915.

Seaman, R. - 42

* Smith, Alonzo – 96 Alonzo Smith (1848 – June 8, 1920) was born in Wallace Bay, son of William Smith and Harriet Phillips.  He married Matilda Ann Stevens of Wallace on Nov. 17, 1874.

* Smith, C. R. – 87 Chesley R. Smith (May 2, 1881 – Jan. 18, 1949) was born in Wallace Bay son of Alonzo Smith and Matilda Stevens.  He married Alice B [CofNCC].

Smith, William – 95

Sold to Railroad -  27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81, 90, 99, 108, 117

Stewart, Mr. J. H. – 59  James H. Stewart (1831 – Sept. 24, 1911).  He was married.

* Stewart, Peter – 1 Peter Stewart (1820 – 1882) married Isabel.

Stewart, Silas H. - 42

 

Teed, Charles – 28

Teed, Charles -37

Tuttle, Elijah – 55 Elijah Tuttle (Sept. 17, 1862 – Jan. 31, 1943) was born on the Gulf Shore, son of John Gilmore Tuttle and Mary Gibson.  He married Mary Belle.

 

Unsold – 62

 

Van Buskirk, Chas. – 20

 

Walker, Scott – 9

* White, James – 71 James R. White (1888 – Apr. 1978 [CofNCC]) was a private with the 25th Battalion of CEF.

* Wilkinson, Mrs. Doherty – 11 Mary E. Wilkinson (1829 – 1905) nee Mary E. Ralston married Dougherty Wilkinson (1819 – 1902) [CofNCC].

Williams, Fred L.- 69

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Mission

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PUGWASH

 

70 Water Street: The Clarke House

 

The Clarke House is on lot 103 of the original Black plan of Pugwash. A deed, signed by John and Sarah Black, shows that the land was purchased on Jan. 19, 1847 for 30 pounds by Dr. Joseph Clarke, a physician. The lot was on Water Street starting at Victoria Street and running east 85 feet and south 85 feet.

 

Joseph built a house which he named Napoleon’s Cottage. It also served as his office and his dispensary. In 1854, he also bought lot 106 for 80 pounds. That was on the corner of Water and Durham Street. He sold that land in 1873 to William Henry Brown for $364.00, and it eventually became the war memorial.

 

Dr. Joseph Clarke was born in Kilkenny, Ireland. He emigrated as a young physician and dentist to Nova Scotia. This was unusual as many Irish immigrants were coming to the area, but few were educated. He married Olivia King (Mar. 30, 1827 – Feb. 28, 1910), daughter of Lavina Pineo and Oliver King in about 1850. In 1853, their first child, Cyrilla Clarke (1853 – 1938) was born. She was followed three years later by brother William (1856 – 1882). Child 3, Joseph Holmes Clarke (1860 – 1938) followed soon after being born in 1860. Their newly built house was on Water Street, and Joseph was a successful physician with three children. He practiced out of his house, and it served also as his dispensary.

 

In the 1861 census, he was in a household of 8 in Pugwash, 5 males and 3 females. That same year, Dr. Joseph had a schooner built in Wallace, The Janet. Unfortunately, it sank in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 1862. In the 1864 Hutchinson’s Directory, Joseph is listed as a physician and dentist. In the 1871 census, the family of 5 are in Pugwash and living with them are Hiram and Clara Huston. Hiram was an engineer at a steam mill. Servant Maggie Satoris is with them as was a sailor, Joseph Akerly.

 

Daughter Cyrilla married Edgar Augustus Elliott in 1874 in Amherst. Dr. Joseph Clarke was obviously a man of some influence and service to the village. On August 27, 1857, he was appointed coroner for Cumberland County. He held other offices for the village. In 1858, he was an assessor. In 1858 - 60, he served as commissioner of streets. In 1870 and 1875, he was one of three school trustees. In 1871, he was an overseer of the poor. In 1872, he and Dr. Creed participated in the examination of Mr. Macaulay’s 103 students. In 1877, he had a meeting with the premier to change the route of the Northern Light which went to PEI through Pictou. He successfully pressed for it to be changed to going from Pugwash to Victoria instead.

 

The Christian Messenger reported that on Jan. 25, 1880, Dr. Clarke, just before retiring, went into his surgery to get some medicine and made a mistake, taking carbolic acid instead of the preparation he intended to take. Before he had drank the whole dose he discovered his mistake and told his wife that he was poisoned and had only a few minutes to live. Dr. Dakin, who lived just across the street, was at once called and used all possible remedies, but Clarke died in half an hour. The Miramichi Advance added that he had not been well for some time. Dr. Creed and Dr. Mackintosh also arrived but Dr. Clarke was speechless and could only wave his hand to indicate that there was nothing to be done. Reports of his death showed that the deceased had been in practice for a great number of years and had been particularly successful in the treatment of diphtheria. He practiced out of his house, but he also was said to travel into the countryside regardless of weather. He was buried in Palmerston Cemetery.

 

The appraisal of Joseph’s estate showed 3 pieces of real estate – 17 acres of land on Irishtown Road, 1 lot in Pugwash of 80 feet x 80 feet with a house and a barn, and a farm of 150 acres where Thomas Sarson was residing. The lot in Pugwash and the furniture was deeded to Augusta and Cyrilla including the portion owned by son Joseph Holmes. JH relinquished all right to his portion of that land and deeded it to his mother and sister. By the 1881 census, Olivia was a widow. She was living with her daughter Cyrilla Elliott, also a widow, sons William and Joseph Clarke and Cyrilla’s children Daisy and Pearl. In 1891, she was still in her house in Pugwash with Cyrilla, Daisy and Edmund as well as lodgers John Seaman and William Morgan.

 

Olivia was burned out twice. On July 25, 1898, a raging fire struck the Durham Street area. Winds fanned the flames and without a fire department, eighteen families were rendered homeless. Olivia’s house was completely lost along with 17 other properties, including the house and barn of her son, Joseph Holmes Clarke. In 1899, Olivia was rebuilding on the site of her former residence at 70 Water Street. In 1899, Joseph’s daughter Cyrilla married again to Clarence Edward Reed a sea captain in Pictou. Cyrilla’s son Edmund Pearl married Hattie M. Hay that same year in Truro. Her daughter Daisy Elliott married Stephen Percival Wilson also in 1899. Joseph’s brother William had died without having children. In the 1901 census, Olivia is living alone. On Sept. 10, 1901, the Clark house was again damaged by fire resulting from thieves blowing up the safe in Brown’s store which was adjacent. The house caught on fire several times, but was saved by the people. The town had no fire department. Finally, on Nov. 11, 1901, was a large fire that almost wiped out the town of Pugwash. Olivia’s damage was recorded as $1500 for loss of house and furniture. As the winter coal and vegetables had been laid in, the damage was even greater.

 

Olivia had to build again. By January of 1902, they had decided to also build a meat market on the property. This structure was right next door to the house she was also building, the house that is there now. Olivia died on Feb. 28, 1910, of softening of the brain and exhaustion. She is buried in Willow Grove Cemetery. She was C of E. This is interesting because son, Joseph Holmes Clarke and family were RC.

 

In 1911, according to the census, Cyrilla and Edward Reed were living alone in the house.

 

Cyrilla’s brother, Joseph Holmes Clarke (April 8, 1860 – Jan. 13, 1938) was initially employed as a bookkeeper and auctioneer. In 1879, Joseph was a surveyor of lumber. He married Agustia (Gussie) Adilea Walsh (Mar. 17, 1866 -   ) on July 16, 1886 in Pugwash. In 1898, when he was a general merchant, they lived in Pugwash. Their house was burned in 1898, with the loss being assessed at $800 and insurance at $300. In 1901 they were in Pugwash with children Adilea, Joseph and Alexander. They were Roman Catholic. He was a general merchant and also a surveyor of lumber. In 1915, a poem of his was published in Moncton called “Home is home where ere it be”. In 1920 he was a fence viewer. This was a municipal post. He became very active in municipal government, receiving appointment as stripendiary magistrate at Pugwash, acting periodically as returning officer for municipal elections and even running as an unsuccessful Liberal candidate for a seat on County Council in 1922. In 1927, he was a Customs Collector. He also worked for a time as a conductor for the railway out west and as the station agent and telegrapher in Pugwash Junction.

 

In 1911, Joseph, Gussie and the children are all in Pugwash. In 1916, Joseph Holmes is living in a hotel in Cochrane, Ontario working for the railway according to his son’s attestation papers. In 1921 Joseph and Gussie are in Pugwash with son Joseph V. In 1931, they are in Pugwash with Daisy Wilson who is listed as their boarder. She was Joseph’s niece. Joseph was a judge by then. Joseph Holmes and Gussie’s eldest daughter, Adilea Mary Clarke (May 6, 1888 - ) became a teacher. When she retired, she moved into the Clarke house. After Adelia died, the house was empty for some time.

 

JH’s second child, Joseph Valentine Clarke (Feb. 14, 1890 [1901 Census] - ) joined up for WWI in March 1916 from Winnipeg where he was a switchman. He was hit by a bullet on Vimy Ridge, and his right arm was amputated. After his return to Canada, he married Jean Elizabeth Thompson on Sept. 14, 1921. She died, and he married Christina Williams in May of 1928. Chrissy renovated the family house and she and Joseph moved in.

 

He was an insurance agent for 40 years and sold his business in 1969. Jophie and Chrissie’s second child was Joseph. Another child was Marion Clarke who won a beauty contest and from that was offered a contract by the CBC in 1953 to work in television. She gave up her career as host of The Saturday Show in 1957 to marry Darroch MacGillivray. Their third child, Alexander Bernard Clarke (Jan. 31, 1892 – June 13, 1953) also enlisted in 1914. At Ypres, he was wounded and taken prisoner. His leg was amputated. He was returned to Canada in 1917. He married Marie Clarisse Cantin in Calgary and moved to BC. Joseph and Chrissy’s fourth child was James David Clarke. They had grandson Darren Clarke who wrote an article about spending his summers in Pugwash in the Clarke house. According to him, Joseph V. smoked and loved pipes and had a room in his house dedicated to pipes. When Joseph and Chrissie became older, they moved to a smaller house down Water Street. 

​

Darren Clarke was a grandson of Joseph and Gussy and son of James David Clarke..  He wrote excerpts from reminiscences for “The Left Field Lark” June 18, 2018 Travel section.

 

Sitting on my grandparents’ sun porch in a rain storm – Pugwash is a tiny little town of 784 that sits on the Northumberland Strait at the mouth of the Pugwash River. My grandparents’ house sat on the corner of the town’s main streets, Water Street and Victoria Street. The sunporch overlooked Water Street and wrapped around half of the length of the house that ran parallel to Victoria. The windows were weathered, vaguely distorting the outside world. If you were sitting in the front of the house, you could look across Water Street and see Pugwash bay, its clay-coloured beach just steps away.

 

Memories of visiting my Grandfather - . . . lounging in lawn chairs beneath the tree in my grandparents’ back yard listening to my grandfather regale me, indeed educate me, with war stories and tales of his time as a magistrate – good decisions, bad decisions, funny decisions, in his endeavour to provide justice, the people he met, the ones that surprised him, the ones he respected, the ones that let him down and beyond that his stories of long lost World War I battlefields, former boxing champions (Tommy Burns) and so much more.

 

My grandfather’s pipes – My dad’s dad had tons of smoking pipes varying from simple corn cob pipes to straightforward wood pipes with plastic ends to crazy cool wood ones, some with improbably intricate metal ends. We loved them. He had an entire room dedicated to his pipes.

 

On the porch -The guns I remember really, rifles which appeared to be circa World War One. There was tons of random stuff there: almanacs, nicnacks, magazines, pins, old metal lighters that didn’t work.

 

The village – memories of collecting bottle caps out front of the same corner store in Pugwash where you bought the little packages of seaweed to eat.

 

70 Water Street was bought by John Caraberis and Bonnie Wood in 1996. They rented it to Dale O’Hara and Erin Horton who turned it into a restaurant known as Walden Pond, named after the book which Dale had been reading. It was a successful business. The current kitchen was the kitchen of the restaurant; there were two rooms which are now the dining room and living room and an outdoor deck on the Victoria Street side. Reception was from Water Street and Dale and Erin lived upstairs. It was next sold to Peter Sietel who used it as a storehouse for antiques.

 

In 2025, it was again bought by John Caraberis and Bonnie Wood. They renovated: municipal water was connected, the foundation was fixed, there was some new wiring and plastering, new heat pumps and a new roof were installed, the sun porch was repaired and a new entrance from Victoria Street was built. , and it is currently being occupied by a family who are new to the area.

 

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