A Geography and History of the County of Digby, Nova Scotia

By Isiah W. Wilson

This book is an essential resource for those who have an interest in the early history and families of Digby County, Nova Scotia

Beginning in 1867, author Isaiah Wilson travelled throughout western Nova Scotia selling an almanac. While on his rounds he collected detailed histories of the communities and families on his route. originally published in 1900,  this book records the history of the county of Digby, Nova Scotia from prior to European settlement until 1900.

Contents include:

• INTRODUCTION
• CHAPTER I General Description of Nova Scotia - Ancient County of Annapolis -- Digby included in its limits -- Boundaries of latter County-- Geography -- National History -- Climate
• CHAPTER II Earliest Historical References and Descriptions -- French Explorations
• CHAPTER III Aborigines and their Footprints -- Acadians and their Entrance within the County -- Notes and Relics of Ancient Settlements
• CHAPTER IV Earliest Land Grants in the County -- Primary English Settlers -- Inducements to emigrate thither -- Locations and Sufferings -- Grants to Acadians
• CHAPTER V Loyalist choose Conway as their Home -- Their Locations, Conditions and First Experiences
• CHAPTER VI Mode of Allotting Lands to the Loyalists -- Progress of the Settlements --Miscellaneous
• CHAPTER VII Township and other Grants -- Discontent concerning the Allotment of lands -- Further Arrivals -- Early Notes and Improvements
• CHAPTER VIII Public Worship -- Earliest Clergymen -- Churches erected
• CHAPTER IX First Educational Efforts
• CHAPTER X Clare formed a Township -- Hillsburgh included with Clements -- New Settlements
• CHAPTER XI Commercial Progress -- Fisheries -- Religious Changes
• CHAPTER XII Court of Sessions established at Digby -- Improvements in Highways -- Grant of Confirmation Issued -- Confidence Restored -- Dissenters becoming Numerous and Influential -- Efforts to retard their Progress -- Miscellaneous Notes
• CHAPTER XIII War of 1812-14 -- Its Effects on the County -- Militia and Defenses
• CHAPTER XIV Further Land Grants -- The Interior Settled -- Clare devastated by Fire -- Emigration to Upper Canada -- French locate at Marshalltown, Gilbert Cove and elsewhere
• CHAPTER XV Visit of Governor Sir James Kempt to Digby -- Steam Communication with Annapolis and St. John, N.B. -- Loss of Packet Caroline -- Digby County Established -- Hillsburgh and Weymouth Townships Defined
• CHAPTER XVI Political Notes -- Clare accorded a Member in the House of Assembly -- Appearance of "Potato Blight" -- Court of Sessions raised in Clare - Education Encouraged
• CHAPTER XVII Masonic and other Benevolent Institutions -- Temperance Organizations and their Results -- Miscellaneous Notes
• CHAPTER XVIII Ecclesiastical History, Continued -- Visit of Governor Falkland -- Schools and General Literacy Advancement -- Sequel of Introduction of New Education Act -- Centennial Celebration in Clare
• CHAPTER XIX Additional Political Notes -- Confederation -- Shipping and Commerce
• CHAPTER XX Farming and Agricultural Societies -- Judicial History
• CHAPTER XXI Sporting and other Amusements
• CHAPTER XXII Western Counties' Railway
• CHAPTER XXIII Nova Scotia Electric Telegraph and its success -- Domestic Steamers and Telephone Lines
• CHAPTER XXIV Biographies of General Conway and Admiral Digby -- Sketches of Prominent Early Settlers
• CHAPTER XXV Miscellaneous Notes -- Valuable Documents -- Our Future -- How to make it Prosperous -- Results of such Efforts -- Conclusion
• APPENDICES Copies of Valuable Documents -- Roll of Clergy, Government Officers and Parliamentary Representatives -- Municipal and Town Councils -- Census Statistics

From the author's Preface: "The author, after most exhaustive researches, beginning with February 1, 1867, and extending at intervals over the period of twenty-six years since elapsed, has succeeded in collecting material for a History of his native county. This valuable and interesting matter is presented to the public, hoping it will be acceptable and satisfactory. Much care and discretion has been used to render the following pages correct and full as circumstances permitted.

While more important documents are copied verbatim, the unvarnished substance is usually given, because more generally in keeping with views of our people, since the Ancient Records contain many lengthy repetitions in the form of preambles..... From these authentic sources combined, a fair and productive area is traced from the primeval wilderness, through the various stages of development, otherwise hopelessly lost, to our own time [1900] when we behold a rapidly growing and prosperous Commonwealth which we all happily share and enjoy..."

Details

471 Pages
7.25 X 10.25" (hardcover)
Originally published by Halloway Bros., Halifax, 1900
This edition published by Global Heritage Press, Milton, 2006
ISBN 1-897210-91-4