| Note: From the Chester Book of Records...
The Revd. John Seccombe Departed this Life on the twenty Seventh day of October, one thousand, Seven hundred and Ninety two. Aged 84 years, 5 months. Recorded October 29th, 1792. Ebenezer Fitch, Town Clerk. Widow Mercy Seccombe Departed this Life on the twenty fourth day of January, one thousand, Seven hundred and Ninety Seven. Aged 77 years, 8 months, 27 days. Recorded February 3d, 1797. Ebenezer Fitch, Town Clerk. Mercy Seccombe departed this Life on the twenty fifth day of March,
one thousand, Eight hundred and one. Aged 57 years. Recorded March 28th,
1801.
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(Transcribed & Edited by Bryan Keddy - November, 2000)
There were settlers at Chester prior to the Rev. Seccombe's arrival there, but his diary mentions a number of the original thirty families who migrated from New England in 1760 - as well as a wonderful feeling of the people, places, foods, and weather....in which I have included some passages in full - but in most cases I have edited to include only names and dates for genealogy purposes!Note: I have left the spelling as shown in the diary which should make it easier to understand why there are so many various spellings of our ancestors names!!!
JULY 1761
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1761 - Set sail from Boston between 11 & 12 a.m.
The vessels crew were these:
Cap. Robert McGown Master, his son, Robert, Robert McGomery (mate), Gregory Bass (of Hingham), Walter Bourk (passenger from Ireland), Thomas Patridge (hir'd in the vessel), Cap. James Nicols (passenger of Boston), Stephen Greenleaf (of Bolton), Jonas Cutler (settler for Halifax), Ebenezer Cutler, Cap. Timothy Houghton & wife & 3 children, Aaron Mason, wife & 5 children, Joseph Whitemore, wife and 2 children, Robert Melvin (of Concord), John Houghton (of Bolton), Sarah Brinley (of New Rutland).FRYDAY, JULY 31 - Mr. Houghton's calf jumped overboard, but was saved.
AUGUST 1761
SATTERDAY, AUGUST 1 - High wind at 8 p.m., some rain and swelling sea in the Bay of Fundy.....
MONDAY, AUGUST 3 - Saw two whales and fishing vessels, first saw land viz. Cape Negro.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 - Saw Divers Islands. Arrived at Chester at 10 a.m. and weighed anchor in a most beautiful harbour. Many guns fired at our arrival; went on shore and refreshed ourselves at Mr. Bridge's. Mrs. Bridge came on board ye vessel overjoy'd to see me. Took a view of the saw mill. At night an Indian dance.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 - Went to Prescots Island for gooseberries.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 - Went to view the Country Lots .....a most pleasant time, and Prospect. A fine spring, up Middle River - Salmon jumped out of water..... John Houghton kill'd three gulls at once.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 - Dutch people from MusheeMush (about 12 miles) bro't to sell, turneps, beans and butter. Fir'd guns at going off -
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13 - Viewed Mr. Fellows's Island. - Purgatio.
FRYDAY, AUGUST 14 - This morning went in company with Cap. Houghton, Aaron Major, Robert Melvin and John Houghton to view the Eastern Bay. Saw Prescot's Lands. The point or beach where John and Willis camped last year and began to cut wood - one app tree there - view'd Phinehas Willards Farm Lot. Caught some pond pearch at the Bever dam. - Mr. Waters game me a fresh cod.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 - Mr. Annchurch, Mrs. Clap and some others came to meeting P.M. form ye Point. Joseph Turner sent me a fresh codfish.
MONDAY, AUGUST 17 - Went with Cap. Houghton and others to Gold River and view'd Mr. Abr: Whitney's Lot, Aaron Masons....... Saw several Indian Wigg-wams.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18 - Mr. Rogers began to digg a well for Mr. Bridge. The well was dug 10 feet and a half deep today.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20 - Joseph Turner cut his legg.
FRYDAY, AUGUST 21 - Took a view of Jos: Whitemore's farm lot. Mr. Waters sent me two large fresh mackerell. P.M. took a view of Maj'r. Shepherd's and Joseph Turner's Lot.
SATTERDAY, AUGUST 22 - Mr. Rogers got water in Mr. Bridges well.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 - Mr. Bridge came from Halifax to Chester in 5 hours today in Cap. Gowell's schooner "Kittery:" ( ie: as far as Tancook, which is not more than six miles from Chester.)
MONDAY, AUGUST 24 - Town meeting day.... Chose Cap. Houghton moderator and adjourned to tomorrow 1 p.m. Drank a glass of wine with Cap. Prescot.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25 - Went with Cap. Prescott and Cap. Houghton to view some lots.....
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26 - Went to the mill with Cap. Prescot and Houghton. View'd the pond and land that way. Mr. Knaut came on shore about 2 p.m. brot cucumbers, bread, beans for Mrs. Bridge from Mrs. Clap......... Met by adjournm't at Maj'r Shepherds....Lodg'd with Mr. Knaut at Mr. Bridges.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27 - Met by adjournm't at Major Shepherds at 5 p.m. - the meeting broke up at 10 p.m. Lodged with Mr. Knaut.
FRYDAY, AUGUST 28 - Mr. Knaut and Cap't Prescot.... breakfasted at Mr. Bridges on coffee and tea...... Some lotts drawn today.......
SATTERDAY, AUGUST 29 - Settling the affairs of the Town, as drawing and laying out lotts. The proprietors at Mr. Bridges till between 10 and 11 p.m. Two Indian squaws brought seil skin and ells to sell...
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 - MusheeMush people brot pigeons and cucumbers to sell.......
MONDAY, AUGUST 31 - Mrs. Bridge had a fit of the cholic. Mr. Porch sent me a halibuts fin. Din'd on pork, pigeons and string beans. View'd some lotts up Middle River with Mr. Bridge and others.
SEPTEMBER 1761
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 - Maj'r Patrick Sutherland came to Mr. Bridge's. After dinner went with Mrs. Bridge to great Tancook with Maj'r Sutherland in the Governors Schooner. Arrived at Mrs. Clap's about Sun Set ....from thence to Mr. Knauts at Lunenburgh at 9 p.m. in a whale boat - people chiefly in bed.... Lodged there....
(Note: Great Tancook - six or seven miles from Chester which island contains 750 acres, and belongs to Patrick Sutherland. Four Islands lye fronting the City, belonging to Cap. Jonathan Prescot.)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 - Breakfasted at Mr. Knauts on tea & coffee. Went to Adolph Wiederholt's, and went into the church, and took a view of the Town. Din'd with Mr. Bridge and wife at Mr. Wiederholts on soup made of a fowl with little dumplings in it, roast leg of mutton, roasted pigeons, boild pork, potatoes, cariots, green peas and cucumbers with salled oil - good wine and beer....... Went about 2 miles to the north west part of ye Town, thro part of ye Common which contains about two thousand acres of land. Saw Mr. Jason's House and Garden consisting of divers City Lots each 40 feet one way and 60 the other. He gave 28 dollars for one lot. Supp'd at Mr. Knaut's on fry'd cod, bacon and eggs, cucumbers...... Lodged there...cyder & wine enough....
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 - Breakfasted at Mr. Knauts. Went away with Maj'r Shepherd Cap: Houghton at 11 a.m. in the Whale Boat, and arrived at Mrs. Clap's at Goreham's Point at 12 - Arrived at Mr. Annchurche's Island at three of the clock, from thence we arrived at Chester at 6 o'clock. Saw Mr. Sabastian Zeberbala's Garden - abundance of currants.......
(Notes: Gorehams Point - nine miles & from thence to Lunenburg three miles.)
(Anschutz Island - it's about six and a half miles from Chester.)SATTERDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 - John Mason's fishing boat came in this morning with cod and halibuts. Four boarders moved away today from Mr. Bridges.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 - Lords day. Fair warm.
Preach'd A.M. from 2 Pet. 3.7 and P.M. 1 Kings, 8.38.. Mrs. Anchurch at meeting.MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 - Laid out my City Lots today - No 57 & 47. Went with Cap. Houghton & wife and others to the mill, and to see Cap. Houghton's House. Mr. Melven and Mr. Bridge caught a salmon in Middle River with their hands. Eat the rows fry'd for supper & corn roasted out of Mr. Bridges garden, and a watermilion.
( Note: My lot lies on the East side of Kings Street & Willis his lot also.)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 - View'd some City Lots near Mr. Bridges. Mrs. Houghton supp'd with us.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 - Supp'd on pigeon-pye that Mrs. Clap sent up. Hogs yoke to cord a bed with: a new Invention.
FRYDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 - Went to view my Lot with Mr. Bridge....dined in the woods at Mr. Rogers's new house on broild bacon, pickled salmon, cucumbers, butter made at Chester, Wine Beer and cyder. Viewed also Tim Keyes Lot. Mr. Bridges Well finished to day......
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 - Tho's Little Johns at meeting P.M. from Halifax, with George Collicut and others....
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 - Paul Labadore an Indian brought 5 patridges to Mr. Bridges, who lately killed four moose, and two bears. Bro't also dry'd moose & tallow. Din'd on Salt fish, cariots, eggs and Spanish potatoes. Indian squaws brot mink skins and a large bear skin, sold for a quart of Wine.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 - Dined on stewed patridges. Blooded Mrs. Bridge....Cake, Wine & Cheese for supper. Only Tho's Rogers lodg'd here tonight (a rare thing.) being the first time. -
FRYDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 - Mrs. Bridge taken sick at night.
SATTERDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 - Mrs. Bridge took a puke. I had a Conoe carried into the Mill-pond. Fished a little while; caught 18 pond pearch, 5 sea pearch, and 5 trout. Maj'r Gorham came to Town. Mrs. Clap and Mrs. Cranton din'd at Mr. Bridges, on boild pork, beacon, and fowls roasted; and boild corn which was bor't with them, and plenty of wines, apples, milk, biskett......went back to the point at 4 P.M.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 - Nine hands cleard a Lot for me.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 - Went with Mr. Bridge and view'd Hammonds, Turners and Maj'r Sutherland's Lots......
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 - Lord's day. Fair warm pleasant day.
Preached all day from Tit. 2.11. For ye Graces of God......Fresh Bever for dinner, fry'd. Mrs. Bridge not well. Supped with Mr. Melven and Cap. Houghton on baked Bever. It was extraordinary good........MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 - Cap. Houghton began to clear his City Lot. P.M.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - Went with Cap. Houghton towards Gould River. Found a small fish pond - got lost.....found a moose's head, bones.....got coralline. Went on Houghton's Island where Mr. Gildhart, Cap Houghton and Mr. Keys lodged.....Din'd on stew'd peas and pork and apple-pye, baked pompion....
OCTOBER 1761
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 - Some hands work'd on my Lot today. Mr. Porch sent me six fresh mackerel.
FRYDAY, OCTOBER 2 - Mrs. Houghton brought in to Mr. Bridges a pail full of milk from her two cows.
SATTERDAY, OCTOBER 3 - Mrs Bridge not well.......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 - Mrs. Bridge not well A.M. and not at Church -
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5 - Observed the loom in Mr. Waters his garden (where he was digging a wel)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6 - I went with Mrs. Bridge to Mrs. Gorehams point. We saild it in 2 hours and quarter. Mrs. Bridge sea sick - Din'd with Mrs. Clap and Mrs Craton on boild bacon and pork and cariots, parsneps, turneps, squash, cheese and cake. Good wines and spruce beers. - Rev'd Mr. Rob't Vincent and Esq'r Craton came to us just in ye Evening - we had coffee currant jelly - boild bacon and cake and cheese, Wine. Lodged there boild and rost corn and App. roasted and milk.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7 - Cap't Lunt din'd with us. Esq'r Craton gave me a rasour and Mrs. Clap a pair of black silk stockings, cost six dollars.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8 - The Parson and Esq'r Craton and his wife set sail for Halifax at 7 A.M. I return'd with Mrs. Bridge to Chester A.M. in 2 hours and a quarter - a good wind. Mrs. Bridge very sick all ye way home. I was quite well all the way. Got home at 10 A.M. Din'd on soused salmon. Mr. Bridge stumbled and fell down and hurt his right knee very much - and she very ill in the evening.
FRYDAY, OCTOBER 9 - Mrs. Bridge pretty ill. We had for dinner roast pork fresh (which Mrs. Clap gave us yesterday) and potatoes and cucumbers. Mr. Johnson caught a large skate at ye Wharf - a curious made creature. Mrs. Bridge ill and fits. -
SATTERDAY, OCTOBER 10 - Mrs. Bridge sick yet. Oblig'd to be at home.......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11 - Mr. Bridge and wife not at Church. Din'd on fresh pork roasted.....People came from Goreham's Point: but too late for ye sermon P.M. visited Cap. Houhgton in the evening....
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13 - Went with Cap. Houghton and Mr. Bradshaw to view ye land lying N.W. of ye City. Traveled abt. 7 miles - saw much good land, good pine timber. Blooded Mr. Johnson at night after a Fray.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14 - Dined with Cap. Joseph Smith on board his vessel. Elizabeth Whitemore came to Chester today from Halifax.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 - Cap: Smith & others at Mr. Bridges in the evening. they sang well.
FRYDAY, OCTOBER 16 - Went to see Goseberry Island, dugg some clams and went over to Nath'l Turner's point.
SATTERDAY, OCTOBER 17 - Cap. Houghton and some others went in the whale boat to view some lots up middle and Gold River. see ab: Whitney's, Mrs. Whites....saw two wigg-wams and Indians and apple trees.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 - Rose early and set sail for Halifax in Floyds sloop, but the wind proving contrary we came back. Indians at Mr. Bridges. Cap. Smith and company sang Psalms in the Evening.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19 - Viewed some city lots.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20 - Got up at 1 to go to Halifax - We caught 9 mackerell and 6 cod fish at Prospect Island. Two Indians came to ye side of ye vessels, with ducks and pinguins on board. The Indians begg'd tobacco of us....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21 - Arrived at Halifax Harbour about four clock in the morning. Dined with Mr. Prescot. Supp'd at Mr. Jos Fairbanks.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 - Went to the camps - view'd ye grave stones in ye burying yard. - Step Greenleaf came to see me. Saw Gardner Greenleaf at night.
FRYDAY, OCTOBER 23 - Visited Governor Belcher with Mr. Craton. Dined at Mr. Prescots. A letter from home by Mr. Cutler. Visited Mr. Salter with Mr. Prescot. Then to Dea: Fergussons, then supped at Mr. Edmund Crawley's.
SATTERDAY, OCTOBER 24 - Dined at the Governours with Mr. Craton. called at Dea: Fergussons.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 - Dined at Mr. Fairbank's. Aaron Porter dined with us. Supped at Mr. Prescots with company.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 - The Kings Accession celebrated - Invited to the entertainment but went not. Only at night waled into town - houses illuminated.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27 - Took a view of Kings yard with Mr. Sam Blacken. After dinner went to the camp. Mr. Greenleaf was sailed for N.E. before I got there.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 - Visited Mr. Dwight and attended a private meeting at Dea: Fergusson's and rec'd 4.15.0 Halifax Currency for preaching last Sabbath.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 - Visited Mr. Salter at night. Supped at Mr. Fairbanks.
FRYDAY, OCTOBER 30 - Visited ye Governour, who made very kind offers to me.
NOVEMBER 1761
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2 - Dined with Rev'd Mr. Brenton.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 - Went to ye camp to see Mr. Cutler.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4 - Visited ye Governour and Mrs. Clap A.M. The Devil and Pope carried about ye streets.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 - Dined at Mr. Blackden's. Supped at Mr. Fairbanks...the first small snow was last night.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9 - Rev'd Mr. Brenton came to see me. Visited Mr. Salter and Dea: Fergusson.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 - Dined at Dea: Fergusson's with Col'el Twing, Cap. Blake, Cap. Dunlap, Maj'r Gay and Dea. Harris - Boild Pork and beef and fowl. Roast and baked beef. Apple Pye and Mince Pye. Wine punch and bottled Beer. Spent ye evening with Mr. Blackden and wife at Mr. Prescots.
FRYDAY, NOVEMBER 13 - Supped at Mr. Fairbanks.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 - Dined at Mr. Blackdens. Baptised a child of Nathan Parkers - Daniel (a pair of gloves given me).
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 - Dined at Maj'r Goreham's. Visited ye Governour.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 - Dined at John Fillis. Visited Mrs. Levi, under soul concern. Supped at Fillis's. Set sail for Chester at one of ye clock at night and arrived at Chester at 11 A.M.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 - Dined at Mr. Bridges.
SATTERDAY, NOVEMBER 21 - Went with Mr. Bridge to ye Mill and to view a Lot.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 - Indians brot in a moose (kill'd this morning) and abundance of ducks, coots. Supped on fresh moose stakes - very good.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 - Thomas Grant apprehended as a deserter from Cap. Wall of ye Granidiers Royal Scots.
FRYDAY, NOVEMBER 27 - Went with Mr. Bridge to a new Point of Land. no 69 -
SATTERDAY, NOVEMBER 28 - Went on board Cap. Smith at 5 in the morning. Set Sail between 7 & 8 for Halifax and arrived there about 8 in the evening.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29 - Dined at Mr. Fairbanks. Baptised Lydia, Daug'r of Robert Davis. Supped at Mr. Fairbanks.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 - Saw the Procession of the Devil and St. Andrew. Musick - a Fine Show.
DECEMBER 1761
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 - The snow is 12 inches deep this morning. Visited the Governour.
FRYDAY, DECEMBER 4 - Visited Mr. Marshall with Mr. Giffin.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 7 - Rev'd Mr. Brenton came to see me to advise about going to Horton Cornwallis. Visited Dea: Fergusson and Cap: Wire. Wrote to New England.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 - Visited ye Governour with Mr. Breynton. A Highlander stabed a sailor today, with his sword.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 - Visited Mr. Josiah Marshell and supped with Mr. Simon Giffin upon fresh mutton and cariots, cheese and a very good hasty pudding made of New England meal - a great rarity in these parts.
FRYDAY, DECEMBER 11 - Dined on beef stakes at Mr. Prescots. Removed to Mr. Josiah Marshalls at night....
SATTERDAY, DECEMBER 12 - Dined at Mr. Marshalls. Mr. Bridge came to see me today - he sailed from Chester to Halifax yesterday in six hours.
FRYDAY, DECEMBER 18 - Dined at Alexander Grants.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20 - Visited James Morrison in the morning being under sentece of death for desertion. Baptized a child of Jn. Henley's - Hannah.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21 - Visited the prisoner again.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22 - Visited the prisoner again.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23 - Visited the poor prisoner, and attended him to the place of execution where he was shot about 12 clock. At night attended a private meeting at Mr. Ingols.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27 - Major Dixon of Horton visited me in the evening.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 28 - St. John's day - observed by the Free Masons. Rev'd Mr. Jn. Breynton of Halifax preached a sermon. I dined with ye Second Lodge of Free Masons at Mr. Riders - a handsome entertainment.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29 - Vistied Mr. Boyer and Levi.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30 - Private meeting at Mr. Marshalls.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 - Dined and supped at Mr. Mulleneuxe's with Dea. Fergusson, Mrs. Maud McClaine and others - a pleasant entertainment. Behold how good and how pleasant it is, for Brethren to dwell together in Unity.