Pugwash River

Pugwash River is a small community about six miles from Pugwash along the Pugwash River. It was founded in 1850. The first settlers were R. Timblin, T. Donkin, A.S. Stevens, Richard Chesnutt, R. F. Fage, G. Murray, Brindige and A. Fillmore. They were mostly Scotch and Irish.

The first post office was at Tom Fraser’s. The mail was brought daily from Thompson Station, being driven by William Chapman and Sons of Pugwash using a relay of horses. After the shortline railway was constructed in 1890, several new post offices were constructed at Samuel Van Buskirk’s, Annie Fraser’s and Conns Mills. The mail was then driven from Pugwash three times a week. The rural route took over in 1929.

The land for the church was granted in 1871 by Richard Chesnutt. On this lot the Methodist Church was built.

The first bridge was made of logs. Samuel MacPherson was the first to cross the bridge leading a Darby sheep. It was the always called the Darby Bridge. Later, a modern iron bridge was built.

The first school was by Laughlin MacPherson’s. Later the school district was divided into three sections: Conns Mils, Pugwash River West and Pugwash River East. The Pugwash River West school was on a hill close to Stewart Road. After its closure in the 1950's, the school was converted to a house. Pugwash River East School was on the east side of the river on the corner of Chisholm Trail and the Browns Corner Road. It was on the site of an old graveyard which had at least two sunken graves. The children had to cross the river on a bridge near Macpherson’s Creek - the foundation of the bridge can be seen today. Due to the shortage of teachers, at different times, they all attended one school. The rural schools were located so that no child had to walk more than 3 miles one way to school.

The telephone line was constructed in 1907. In 1915, the Mutual Company took over and still own it today. It is the only private telephone company left in Canada and is run by Ralph Thompson (2017).

Years ago, the farmers took their grain and logs to the Grist and Saw Mills at Conns Mills. It was rafted down the river to Pugwash for shipment.

Not only was the river the only means of transportation, but it has supplied the people throughout the years with many kinds of fish such as oysters and smelts. These are shipped to the American market. In the spring, the cry: “Gaspareau are in” is a welcome sound. They are caught in sweep nets, packed in barrels and sold as lobster bait. Spearing eels by the light of torches is a favourite sport.

By 1916, there were 100 residents in Pugwash River.

Although small, Pugwash River is a thriving farming district with a Women’s Institute, other societies and many members in the Farmers’ Cooperative Association. It has also supported a variety of stores.

Excerpted from an article by Curtis Chesnutt in the Oxford Journal of June 24, 1948

Civilian Marriage in Pugwash River or by citizens of Pugwash River 1864 - 1889

03-11-1864 Pugwash Cum Co FPresbyterian Rev John Munro
MERRY William Henry __ B Pugwash River Cum Co &
VAN BUSKIRK Susan __ S Pugwash River Cum Co

04-10-1865 Pugwash Cum Co Baptist Rev David McKeen
CRAWFORD Andrew William 26 B farmer Wallace Cum Co Wallace Cum Co John & Amanda
THOMSON Amelia 21 S Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co Abraham & C

08-11-1865 Wallace Cum Co FPresbyterian Rev John Munro
PEERS Isaac B 29 B farmer River Philip Cum Co Wallace Cum Co Ezekiel & Ellen McDougall
MCDOUGALL Margaret E 17 S Pugwash River Cum Co Archibald & Fannie Stewart

04-07-1866 Pugwash River Cum Co Baptist Rev Edwin Clay
MCCURDY Isaac R 26 B farmer Onslow Col Co Onslow Col Co Isaac & Nancy
MCLEAN Mary 20 S Pugwash Cum Co Alexander & Harriet

24-10-1866 River Philip Cum Co Methodist Rev James R Hart
CLONEY Thomas 38 W farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Martin & Catherine
FRASER Mary 41 S Pugwash River Cum Co &

06-12-1866 Wallace Cum Co Methodist Rev George Johnson
TUTTLE William 33 W farmer Wallace Bay Cum Co Wallace Cum Co &
MCPHERSON Elizabeth 24 S Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash Cum Co James & Elizabeth

19-12-1866 Little River Cum Co Baptist Rev William F George
METCALF Rufus 27 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co River Philip Cum Co William & Eleanor
COLBURNE Seraphine 21 S Pugwash River Cum Co

31-12-1866 Wallace Cum Co Methodist Rev George Johnson
WILLIAMS Mark 21 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash Cum Co Benjamin &
CANFIELD Emma 23 S Wallace Cum Co Wallace Cum Co J & Mar Heather

04-11-1867 Wallace Cum Co FPresbyterian Rev John Munro [recorded in 1868]
RAE Henry (Jnr) 22 B miner Pugwash River Cum Co Pictou Pic Co Henry &
MORRIS Harriet 19 S Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash Cum Co William &

25-04-1868 Port Philip Cum Co Baptist Rev Edwin Clay
EVANS Rufus 27 B farmer Port Philip Cum Co Port Philip Cum Co John & E
EATON Margaret 25 S Port Philip Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co Amos & E

30-12-1868 Pugwash River Cum Co Kirk Rev James Anderson
MCLEAN Thomas S 27 B schoolteacher Baddeck CB Bras d’Or CB Donald & Mary
OULTON Christina 25 S Pugwash Cum Co Charles & Christina

25-12-1869 Black River Rd Baptist Rev E B Corey
HORTON Humphrey 29 B carpenter Black River Rd Pugwash River Alexander & Zipporah
LIDDELL Sarah Matilda 17 S Black River Rd Edward & Sarah

22-03-1870 Pugwash Cum Co Baptist Rev Joseph Murray
CRAWFORD Robert H 25 B farmer Hartford Cum Co Hartford Cum Co John & Amanda
THOMPSON Nancy 21 S Pugwash River Cum Co Abram & Evelyn

24-03-1870 Pugwash Cum Co Methodist Rev John J Colter
BAXTER Richard 28 B farmer Amherst Shore Amherst Shore Cum Co Stephen & Ann
MONTROSE Frances Eliza 22 S Pugwash River Cum Co Jesse & Jane

03-08-1870 Little River Cum Co Baptist Rev E B Corey
THOMPSON John 23 B farmer Leicester Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co Abraham & Evelyn
JOHNSTON Nancy 17 S Little River Cum Co Little River Cum Co Matthew & Dorcas

27-07-1871 Pugwash River Cum Co Baptist Rev E C Corey
MORRISON Cyrus 22 B brick maker Port Philip Cum Co Economy Col Co William & Jane
VAN BUSKIRK Elizabeth 20 S Pugwash River Cum Co John & Jane

16-02-1871 Pugwash Cum Co Methodist Rev John J Colter
BOONE George 28 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co Robert & Eliza
IBBITSON Elizabeth 29 W Pugwash River Cum Co Theophilus & Sarah

16-05-1871 Wallace Cum Co Kirk Rev James Anderson
PATTERSON Samuel 31 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Eire Joseph & Mary
MCPHERSON Sarah 22 S Pugwash River Cum Co Samuel & Margaret

08-07-1871 Wallace Cum Co Kirk Rev James Anderson
WAKEHAM William 46 W farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Devonshire England William & Mary
ROSS Phoebe 46 W Victoria Cum Co Samuel & Abigail Clark

19-07-1871 Port Philip Cum Co Kirk Rev James Anderson
ROSS Daniel 32 B fireman ICR Pugwash River Cum Co Inverness Scotland James &
FRASER Margaret 24 S Port Philip Cum Co Albert &

05-10-1871 Pugwash Cum Co Church of England Rev Frederick J H Axford
HENNY Isaac Mansfield 24 B farmer Victoria Cum Co Victoria Cum Co Isaac & Jane
FILLMORE Sarah Eunice 20 S Pugwash River Cum Co Arthur & Patricia

08-11-1871 Pugwash Cum Co Baptist Rev E B Corey
FINLEY Jeremiah 27 B farmer Linden Cum Co Linden Cum Co Robert & Amy
STUART Basa Ann 28 S Pugwash River Cum Co Stephen & Eliza

29-11-1871 Pugwash Cum Co Church of England Rev William Ellis
O’BRIEN Andrew 22 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Malagash Cum Co Robert & Christiana
HENNEY Sarah Jane 20 S Victoria Cum Co Isaac M & Jane

16-01-1872 Pugwash Cum Co Methodist Rev David W LeLacheur
MCPHERSON Evan 23 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Alexander & Mary
CROW Mary Jane 26 S Pugwash River Cum Co James & Hannah

11-06-1872 Pugwash Cum Co Methodist Rev David W LeLacheur
STEWART Charles 36 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash Cum Co Stephen & Elizabeth
CROW Manilla 21 S Pugwash River Cum Co James & Hannah

04-09-1873 River Philip Cum Co Methodist Rev George Harrison
RIPLEY Amos Black 30 B farmer Grays Road Grays Road Cum Co Thomas & Priscilla
MCPHERSON Hannah Amelia 23 S Pugwash River Cum Co John W & Phoebe

04-09-1873 River Philip Cum Co Methodist Rev George Harrison
HENNEY Nathaniel 25 B farmer Victoria Victoria Isaac & Jane
MCPHERSON Elizabeth Jane 23 S Pugwash River Cum Co Alexander & Mary

15-10-1873 Pugwash River Cum Co Baptist Rev E B Corey
NELSON George 24 B farmer Maccan Cum Co Maccan Cum Co Gaius & Dorcas
THOMPSON Lucinda 17 S Pugwash River Cum Co Abraham & Eveline

30-10-1873 River Philip Cum Co Presbyterian Rev John McRae Sutherland
SCOTT James Kenneth 26 B farmer Pugwash River Pugwash River James & Margaret
CAMERON Elizabeth 22 S River Philip Cum Co Alexander & Sarah

23-02-1874 Pugwash Cum Co Presbyterian Rev John McRae Sutherland
CAMERON John 29 B laborer Thomson Stn Cum Co St Mary’s Guy Co William & Nancy
MCDOUGALLChristina 28 S Pugwash River Cum Co John & Mary

11-03-1874 Pugwash River Cum Co Presbyterian Rev John McRae Sutherland
EATON John Russell 22 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Stephen & Mary
RAE Maggie 20 S Pugwash River Cum Co Henry & Margaret

13-10-1874 Mapleton Cum Co Baptist Rev David McKeen
THOMPSON Ralph (3rd) 23 B farmer Roslin Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co Abram & Evelyn
BROWN Mary Elizabeth 22 S Leamington Cum Co James R & Mary

10-02-1875 Pugwash Cum Co Methodist Rev Robert A Daniel
MATTINSON Benjamin 23 B farmer Thomson Stn Cum Co Hansford Cum Co Francis & Mary
DEMINGS Mary C 27 S Pugwash River Cum Co Joseph & Margaret

06-07-1875 Mapleton Cum Co Methodist Rev Wilson W Lodge
BROWN John R 21 B farmer South Brook Cum Co Leamington Cum Co James R & Mary
THOMPSON E Catherine 20 S Pugwash River Cum Co Abraham & Eveline

29-12-1875 Pugwash Cum Co FPresbyterian Rev John Munro
MORRIS John 60 W farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Williamsdale Cum Co Thomas & Mary
O’BRIEN Mary Ann 42 S Wallace River Cum Co John & Nancy

04-03-1876 Pugwash Cum Co Presbyterian Rev John McRae Sutherland
MCPHERSON Samuel 56 W farmer Pugwash River Cum Co De Sable PEI Hugh & Mary
MCPHERSON Mary 45 W Pugwash River Cum Co Edward ANDERSON & Mary

29-03-1876 Pugwash River Cum Co Baptist Rev E B Corey
WOODLAND Robert 30 B farmer Wallace Cum Co Wallace Cum Co Richard & Annie
STUART Priscilla 25 S Stephen & Eliza

18-05-1876 Wallace Cum Co Presbyterian Rev James Murray
BRITTON William 37 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co River Philip Cum Co Henry & Matilda
MCIVER Annie 40 S Fox Harbour Cum Co John & Henrietta

16-11-1876 Pugwash Cum Co FPresbyterian Rev John Munro
DINGLE Alexander 21 B laborer Pugwash Cum Co Pugwash Cum Co John & Mary
CHISHOLM Jane 16 S Pugwash River Cum Co John & Helen

06-02-1877 Oxford Cum Co Baptist Rev E B Corey
CHESNUTT Richard 49 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash Cum Co Richard &
LYNDS Eliza 31 S North River Cum Co William &

01-02-1877 Pugwash River Cum Co Presbyterian Rev John McRae Sutherland
DEMINGS William Wilson 35 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River William &
CONN Margaret 36 S Pugwash River Cum Co William &

20-08-1878 Pugwash Cum Co Methodist Rev Thomas D Hart
SCOTT John Allen 26 B blacksmith Pugwash River Pugwash River James & Margaret
MATHESON Maggie Freeman 23 S Watersdale Cum Co Watersdale Cum Co Murdoch & Agnes

31-03-1879 Pugwash River Cum Co Methodist Rev Thomas D Hart
MORRIS Peter James 28 B farmer Pugwash River Pugwash River Alexander & Margaret
MURDOCH Charlotte A 20 S Pugwash River Cum Co Henry & Sarah

23-07-1879 Wallace Cum Co Presbyterian Rev James Murray
MCPHERSON Alexander 28 B machinist Oxford Cum Co Pugwash River Samuel & Margaret
REID Lucy E 23 S Wentworth Cum Co Wentworth Cum Co Samuel & Margaret

02-09-1879 Pugwash Cum Co Church of England Rev Robert F Brine
KINNEY Charles William 34 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Antigonish Ant Co Charles &
OULTON Harriet 34 S Pugwash River Cum Co Pictou Co Christina

26-11-1879 Amherst Cum Co Baptist Rev George F Miles
EASTABROOK Silas 24 B farmer Fort Lawrence Cum Co Midgic NB Martin & Phoebe
CALONEY Annie A 17 S Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co Thomas & Mary

03-12-1879 Pugwash River Cum Co FPresbyterian Rev Samuel Boyd
COULTER John 36 B farmerAvonville Cum Co Avonville Cum Co Patrick & M A
CHISHOLM Bella 38 S Pugwash River Cum Co Pictou Pic Co James & C

19-04-1880 Pugwash River Cum Co Methodist Rev Isaac E Thurlow
IVES James W 20 B farmer Point Brule Col Co John & Lavinia
FILLMORE Janet S 17 S Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co Arthur & Patience

14-05-1880 Oxford Cum Co Methodist Rev David W Johnson
AUSTIN John E 22 B farmer Farmington Cum Co Farmington Cum Co John & Ann
MCDONALD Rachel 21 S Pugwash River Cum Co Bridgeville Cum Co Simon & Nancy

05-06-1880 Amherst Cum Co Baptist Rev David A Steele
ANGUS Nathaniel 29 B farmer Northport Cum Co Beckwith Cum Co John & Eliza
PATTERSON Rachel 30 S Pugwash River Cum Co Eire Joseph & Mary J

01-07-1880 Wallace Harbour Cum Co FPresbyterian Rev Samuel Boyd
PATTERSON James 39 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Eire Joseph & Mary J
MCPHERSON Elizabeth 33 S Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Samuel & Margaret

27-07-1880 Wallace Cum Co Methodist Rev John A Mosher
FORSYTH John 28 B farmer Westchester Stn Cum Co Streets Ridge George & Elizabeth
FORSHNER Phoebe 20 S Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co Wellington & Jane

28-10-1880 Victoria Cum Co Presbyterian Rev Andrew Gray
MCPHERSON Angus 31 B miller Pugwash River Cum Co Victoria Cum Co John & Janet
ROSS Christy A 23 S Victoria Cum Co Victoria Cum Co Alexander & Bessie

11-07-1881 Linden Cum Co Presbyterian Rev Samuel R Stormont
MCPHERSON Hugh 36 B millwright Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Hugh & Isabella
PATTERSON Mary J 26 S Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co Joseph & Mary J

16-01-1883 Millvale Cum Co Baptist Rev George F Miles
DEMING Edward 24 B mill man Thomson Pugwash River Cum Co David & Anna
PURDY Serena R 19 S Eatonville Cum Co Eatonville Cum Co John & Deborah

28-01-1883 Pugwash River Cum Co Methodist Rev Eben E England
DEMINGS Alonzo 22 B miller Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Jessie & Susan
TOTTEN Janie 22 S East Folly Mountain Col Co East Folly Mountain Col Co Robert & Jane

07-06-1883 Centreville Cum Co Baptist Rev John J Armstrong
BIGELOW Clinton F 21 B farmer Beckwith Cum Co Pugwash River Gideon & Caroline
MATTINSON Mary J 22 S Beckwith Cum Co Mount Pleasant Cum Co William & K

15-11-1883 Pugwash Presbyterian Rev J W McKenzie [missionary to New Hebrides 1871-1912]
STEWART John A 29 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co Peter & Isabella
PORTER Ida O 18 S Pugwash River Cum Co Westchester Cum Co Thomas & Julia A

07-05-1884 Streets Ridge Cum Co Methodist Rev Arthur D Morton
THOMPSON Edward 24 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Abraham & Evelina
THOMPSON Francis A 19 S Streets Ridge Cum Co Streets Ridge Cum Co Elisha & Margaret

24-09-1884 Pugwash Cum Co Methodist Rev Arthur D Morton
DEWAR James 59 B farmer Pugwash Cum Co Pugwash Cum Co James & Mary
STEWART Elizabeth 38 W Pugwash River Cum Co River Philip Cum Co Stephen & Mary

03-11-1884 Linden Cum Co Presbyterian Rev Samuel R Stormont
CLOONEY Edward 24 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Thomas & Amelia
DICKEY Maria 27 S Mount Pleasant Cum Co Mount Pleasant Cum Co George & Mary A

02-09-1885 Springhill Cum Co Baptist Rev Joseph Murray
THOMPSON Joseph R 27 B farmer South Brook Cum Co Pugwash River Abraham & Eveline
MITCHELL Bella J 21 S Middleboro Cum Co Middleboro Cum Co Samuel & Jane E

03-08-1886 Pugwash River Cum Co Baptist Rev Thomas M Munro
HACKETT Francis F 31 W [not given] Oakland Taunton W & M
THOMPSON Mary L 21 S Pugwash Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co H & C

22-09-1886 Pugwash River Cum Co Methodist Rev George F Johnson
BLENKHORN Charles 25 B lumberman Southampton Cum Co Nappan Cum Co John & Elizabeth
FOUNTAIN Ella 19 S Pugwash River Cum Co Westchester Cum Co James & Mary

31-08-1886 Amherst Cum Co Presbyterian Rev Daniel McGregor
DEMINGS Jesse D 26 B laborer Tidnish Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co William & Margaret
READ Mary A 21 S Tidnish Cum Co Tidnish Cum Co John & Christian

09-02-1887 Pugwash Cum Co Methodist Rev George F Johnson
BRITTON John G 30 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Henry & Matilda
MCLEOD Charlotte E 21 S Dohertys Brook Cum Co Lakeville Cum Co Stewart & Margaret

23-07-1887 Amherst Cum Co Baptist Rev George F Miles
YEAMON William G 24 B farmer Amherst Cum Co Liverpool Qns Co William G & Isabel
DEMINGS Hattie 16 S Thomson Stn Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co Elisha & Isabella

26-10-1887 Pugwash Cum Co Methodist Rev George F Johnson
DEMMINGS Joseph E 27 B farmer Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash Cum Joseph B & Margaret
STEWART Ida 23 S Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co Stephen & Eliza

29-02-1888 Oxford Cum Co Methodist Rev John L Dawson
MATTINSON Charles B 23 B farmer Pugwash Cum Co Hansford Cum Co William & Mary
DEMINGS Elizabeth 26 S Thomson Stn Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co David & Annie

16-10-1888 Pugwash Cum Co Presbyterian Rev James A McKenzie
WOODBURY George 23 B farmer Middleboro Cum Co Middleboro Cum Co Amos & Mary Ann
MORRISON Anne 18 S Pugwash River Cum Co Pugwash River Cum Co John & Mary Ann

27-08-1889 Pugwash River Cum Co Presbyterian Rev James A McKenzie
THOMPSON George H 25 B farmer Conns Mills Cum Co Conns Mills Abraham & Eveline
CHESTNUT Annie 17 S Pugwash River Cum Co North River Cum Co Richard & Eliza

17-09-1889 Pugwash Cum Co Presbyterian Rev James A McKenzie
MCDOUGALL Samuel C 36 B farmer South Victoria Cum Co Pugwash River Cum C John & Mary
TEED Ida 23 S Wentworth Cum Co Wentworth Cum Co David & Jane