North Cumberland Historical Society

Appleton

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Approximately 4 miles from the former Trans Canada at Wentworth Centre to Colchester County line, at the head of the Mattatall Lake is the small settlement of Appleton, Cumberland County. 

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At one time it consisted of approximately 14 families, all farmers. The need for a school arose so the men decided to build one. The neighbouring settlement of Lake Road, Cumberland County, were the possessors of a Baptist Church which was no longer used. Those people gave the church to be used as the school and also to be used for church purposes of any denomination.

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First the church had to be torn down, removed from its position on the Lake Road to the new settlement where it was to be rebuilt. It was rebuilt as a school in 1883. It was necessary now to choose a name for the settlement.

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Two names were considered, Lyndsville and Appletown. Mrs. Tom (Sophia) Lynds chose the appropriate name of Appletown, as each farm had a nice apple orchard. With other necessary information this name was sent to Halifax to be recorded and, due to some error in print, the name became Appleton.

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The school was a one room building with approximately 24 scholars attending under the direction of one teacher. Names were not available as some old records cannot be found. By 1910, 16 pupils were attending grades one to nine and Appleton School became Section # 93, District of Sterling, Cumberland County.

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At this time some family names were McGill, Lynds, Murray, Bonnell, Patriquin and Upham.

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School was held regularly and church services held on Sunday. By 1933 the school was continuing with four scholars, Grades 5, 6, 10 & 11. In 1934 the school was closed as only one child was available.

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In 1945, Mrs. Thomas (Helen) Lynds was informed she could have the school opened if there were 5 scholars. She took a child form the Home, Betty Kaye, her daughter Lois, Issac Murray moved into the section with 3 children, Lloyd, Murdock & Carman, and the school was re-opened. Attendance increased as other children became old enough to go to school. Mrs. Lynds also held Sunday School on Friday afternoon while she taught there.

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School continued into 1958-59 with 9 elementary scholars, the older ones going to Tatamagouche and Pugwash district High Schools. In the face of 1959, the new Wentworth Consolidated Elementary School was opened and children were transported by bus to the new school and the older ones bused to Pugwash District High School.

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Excerpted from a book published for the Wentworth One-Room School Reunion held in 2012, entitled "Reflections of Wentworth One-Room Schools" by the School Reunion Committee 2012.  This piece was written by Olive Lynds, last teacher of Appleton School.