They laid foundations deep and wide

1
CORNELIUS OF SUNDERLAND Passenger List Part II
(Families Herbert - Wilson) 1837 Founders of
Harvey Settlement, York Co., New Brunswick
There is no known official passenger list for the
1837 voyage of the Cornelius and reconstructed
tallies vary. The Weekly Chronicle (newspaper)
Saint John, NB, July 14, 1837 reported that "The
brig Cornelius arrived in St. John on July 12,
1837 under the direction of Captain Woodworth. In
addition to 137 passengers, it carried coals and
glass." A list of settlers including wives and
children, with names, ages, relationships and
occupations was prepared by the New Brunswick
government in the fall of 1837 and contained 146
names (see reproduction below). Setting aside
two duplicates, it was missing known Cornelius
passengers Henry Craigs and wife Isabella Kay,
the Davidson family and William Patterson. The
reconstructed list of 154 Cornelius passengers
presented here in two parts (surnames Herbert -
Wilson here in Part II) includes two babies born
at sea and was compiled based on land grants in
Harvey, family histories and the 1837 government
list below. Two children in the wombs of pregnant
women on board the Cornelius who were born
subsequent to the arrival of the settlers in
America are listed but not counted. The tally
presented here is in close agreement with an
estimate of approximately 160 passengers made by
Cornelius settler and school teacher John
Thompson in his ca. 1868-1875 account of the
voyage.
HERBERT EMBLETON 73. Thomas Herbert Husband
aged 39 b. ca. 1798, 'Whitehall' on College
Burn, Kirknewton Parish, Northumberland Son of
Robert Herbert Isabella Wanless md. 11 Jun
1824 in Haughhead, Parish Of Ilderton. d. 24 Feb
1862, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem.
Pre-emigr. occ. miller. Post-emigr. occ.
farmer. Rel. Presbyterian. 74. Isabel Embleton
Wife aged 33 b. 1804, Branton, Northumberland
bp. 25 Jul 1804, Branton Presbyterian,
Northumberland daughter of George Embleton
Margaret Davidson d. 16 Feb 1892, Harvey
probably bd. Harvey Settlement Cem. 75. Margaret
Ann Herbert Daughter aged 11 b. 19 Jul 1825,
Haugh-Head, Northumberland bp. 22 Aug 1825,
Wooler Presbyterian Church, Tower Hill,
Northumberland d. 10 Jan 1913, Harvey bd.
Harvey Settlement Cem. 76. Isabella "Belle"
Herbert Daughter aged 10 b. 1827, England d.
21 Apr 1902, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem.
77. Robert Herbert Son aged 7, b. ca. 1830,
Leeds, Yorkshire d. 4 Jan 1911, St. Kilda,
Australia bd. Bright Cem., Bright, Victoria,
Australia. Pre-emigr. occ. labourer. Post-emigr.
occ., Australia gold prospector, later teacher,
timber, wood merchant. 78. Mary Herbert Daughter
aged 3 b. 1 Feb 1834, Colgate Hill, Parish of
Ilderton, Northumberland bp., Wooler
Presbyterian Church, Tower Hill, Northumberland
d. 17 Jun 1915, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement
Cem. 79. Christian Herbert Daughter aged 1
b. 14 Mar 1836, Colgate Hill, Parish of Ilderton,
Northumberland bp. 18 Apr 1836, Wooler
Presbyterian Church, Tower Hill, Northumberland
d. Bef. 1851, Harvey Settlement, NB. Thomas
Herbert, his wife Isabella Embleton, and their
four children sailed on the Cornelius with quite
an extended family of Isabellas relatives.
These included Isabella's sisters Eleanor and
Elizabeth Embleton, brother Robert Embleton, as
well as brother William Embleton and his wife
Jane and their two young sons George and James.
Thomas first got Land Grant Lot 7W, first Tract,
Harvey Settlement, 100 acres, and later added
other property to his holdings. The 1861 Census
shows that the Herberts had 300 acres of land--75
improved and 225 unimproved.   Cash value of farm
was 200 pounds, and value of implements and
machinery was 15. KAY UNKNOWN 80. Thomas Kay
Husband aged 43 b.15 Feb 1794, Ewart,
Doddington Parish, Northumberland bp. 18 Feb.
1794 Wooler West Chapel, Northumberland son of
Thomas Kay Sr. and Isabella Hope d. 26 Aug 1857,
Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem. Pre-emigr.
occ. mason. Post-emigr. occ. farmer, mason. 81.
Isabell Unknown Wife aged 44 b. ca. 1793 d.
unknown. 82. Jane Kay Daughter aged 7 b.
ca.1830 d. unknown. 83. Mary Ann Kay Daughter
aged 3 b. 15 March 1834, Wooler, Northumberland
bp. 13 Apr. 1834 Cheviot Street United
Presbyterian, Wooler, Northumberland d. 8 Sep
1854, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem. Based on
the baptismal record of daughter Mary Ann this
family was living in the town of Wooler at the
time of her baptism in 1834. Thomas Kay is listed
in the NB Crown Land Grants 1851/12/19 v. KL
4949 (PANB microfiche) "James Mowett 18
others, 1857 acres, Kingsclear York", when he
received "lot number 15 west, first tract, Harvey
Settlement, containing one hundred acres more or
less." His wife Isabella was not in Harvey in the
1861 census, but sold Lot 15W in 1858 and Lot 16W
in Oct 1864 (Land Registry). She most likely left
the community.  MESSER BROWN 84. William
Messer Husband aged 37 b. 4 Dec 1799 bp. 19
Jan 1800 Golden Square Presbyterian (or Scotch
Church), Berwick-Upon-Tweed son of Walter Messer
and Ann md. 24 Sep 1826, Ford, Northumberland by
Thomas Knight, Rector d. 21 Sep 1874, Harvey
bd., Harvey Settlement Cem. Pre-emigr. occ.
labourer. Post-emigr. occ. farmer. Rel.
Presbyterian. 85. Alice (or Alison) Brown Wife
aged 42, b. ca 1795 d. 19 Sep 1877 bd., Harvey
Settlement Cem. 86. Elizabeth Messer Daughter
aged 9 b. 29 May 1828 England d. 26 Sep 1904,
Harvey bd, Harvey Settlement Cem. 87. Walter
Messer Son aged 5, b. 4 Apr 1832, England d. 7
Aug 1886, Harvey bd., Harvey Settlement Cem.
Eventual occ. farmer. Rel. Presbyterian. 88.
William Messer Son aged 3 b. 1834, England d.
1914, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem.
Eventual occ. farmer. Rel. Presbyterian. 89.
Thomas Messer Son aged 9 months b. 1836,
England d. 20 Jul 1861, Harvey bd. Harvey
Settlement Cem.. Rel. Presbyterian. William
Messer and his family first settled on Lot 6E,
100 acres in Harvey Settlement, which proved
unsuitable for farming. In 1843 they moved to
Lot V, fourth tract, north of Frog Lake. One
daughter died in England prior to emigration and
they had three more children in New Brunswick. In
the 1861 Census, William owned or occupied 80
acres improved and 120 acres unimproved land,
cash value of farm, 250 pounds value of
implements and machinery, 14 pounds.
MONTGOMERY UNKNOWN 90. Andrew D. Montgomery
Husband aged 50 b. ca 1787, England or
Scotland d. Unknown. Pre-emigr. occ. labourer.
91. Nancy (or Agnes) Unknown Wife aged 50 b.
ca 1787 d. Unknown. 92. Andrew Montgomery Son
aged 22 b. ca. 1815 d. Unknown. Pre-emigr.
occ. labourer. 93. David Montgomery Son aged
20 b. ca. 1817 d. Unknown. Pre-emigr. occ.
labourer. 94. William Montgomery Son aged 17
b. ca. 1820 d. 1851. 95. Jane Montgomery
Daughter aged 15 b. ca. 1822 d. Unknown. 96.
Margaret Montgomery Daughter aged 12 b. ca.
1825 d. Unknown. 97. James Montgomery Son aged
9 b. ca. 1827 d. Unknown. There is little
information on this family. MOWATT (Mowet)
HULISTON 98. James Mowatt Husband aged ca. 30
b. 1807/1808, Northumberland son of Andrew
Mowatt Margaret d. Jan 1892, Harvey bd.
Harvey Settlement Cem. Pre-emigr. occ. labourer.
Post-emigr. occ. farmer. Rel. Presbyterian. 99.
Catherine Huliston Wife aged 33 b. 1804,
England d.11 Oct 1866, Harvey bd. Harvey
Settlement Cem. 100. Agnes Mowatt Daughter aged
8 months b. 1836, England d. 25 Jul 1868,
Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem. James Mowatt,
his wife Catherine Huliston and their 8 months
old daughter Agnes were aboard the Cornelius
along with James's brother Thomas Mowatt and his
wife Elizabeth Betsy Moffitt. James received
Land Grant Lot 6W, of 100 acres. In the
statistical report for Harvey Settlement for the
year 1843, there were four in James family they
had 8 acres in crops 4 acres new land ready for
crop next year 8 acres in meadow and 3 acres in
pasture. MOWATT (Mowet) MOFFITT 101. Thomas
Mowatt Husband aged 28 b. 4 May 1809, Ford,
Northumberland son of Andrew Mowatt Margaret
d. 13 Dec 1892, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement
Cemetery. Pre-emigr. occ. miller. Post-emigr.
occ. proprietor farmer. Rel Presbyterian. 102.
Elizabeth "Betsy" Moffitt Wife aged 24 b.1813,
Stickel, Roxburgh, Scotland daughter of John
Moffat Janet Gladstone d. 22 Jan 1854/1855,
Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem. Rev. Dr.
Andrew Joseph Mowatt Son in womb b. 11 Feb 1838,
Woodstock, NB d.19 Feb 1911 while preaching at
the pulpit, Erskine Church, Montreal. Occ.
Presbyterian Minister. Rel. Presbyterian. Thomas
Mowatt and his pregnant wife Elizabeth "Betsy"
Moffitt came to NB with his brother James Mowatt,
his wife Catherine Huliston and their infant
daughter Agnes. It is believed that Elizabeth's
maiden name was Moffitt, and that she was a
sister of Mary Moffitt who married Peter Wood,
and Margaret Moffitt who married John Swan. Both
of these sisters and their families came to
Harvey as chain migrants around 1850. Thomas
brought the document copied below to New
Brunswick with him in 1837 "This certifies
that Thomas Mowatt, a native of this
neighbourhood, of creditable parentage, leaves
this country for N. Brunswick, wishing to better
his situation in that land.   He is a member in
full communion with this Presbyterian
Congregation and has always acted as becometh the
Christian. He is of a mild inoffensive
disposition, exceedingly peaceable, quiet and
retiring, very highly esteemed as a servant, well
acquainted with husbandry in all the modern
improvements.   He has had for several years the
oversight of a corn mill and is very capable of
managing such a concern, so he is likely to prove
an acquisition to any gentlemen improving his
estate. He leaves us in comfortable
circumstances, with his brother James. But if a
mysterious Providence should visit them with
shipwreck or disaster, the British agent or
Consul must afford them protection, and the
humane may rest assured they lend aid to the
deserving. Given in the name of the members,
Trustees and Elders of this congregation, Thomas
Hall, minister Crookham, County of
Northumberland, May 21st, 1837" NESBITT 103.
James Nesbitt Widower aged 52 b. ca. 1775 d.
28 Dec, 1851, Robbinston, Maine. Pre-emigr. occ.
labourer. Rel. Presbyterian, later
Congregational Church. 104. George Nesbitt Son
aged 21 b. 16 Feb 1816, Northumberland d.
1881/1891. Pre-emigr. occ. labourer. Post-emigr.
occ. farmer. 105. Elspeth Nesbitt Daughter aged
17 b. 11 Sep 1818, Berwick (from obit.),
Northumberland d. 12 Nov 1911, Calais, Maine.
Rel. Presbterian, later Congregational. 106.
James Nesbitt Son aged 14 b. 2 Oct 1822,
England d. unknown. There were two Nesbitt
families among the first Harvey Settlement
settlers, James Nesbitt and John Nesbitt. The
relationship between the two is unknown. James
was a widower in 1837, when he came to New
Brunswick on the Cornelius with his two sons,
George and James, and daughter Elspeth. James
wife who passed away before May 1837 was Elspeth
Carr (b. 3 Nov 1776, Norham, Northumberland,
England). James settled on Lot 12W, 100 acres
in Harvey Settlement.   He sold his land to John
Kilpatrick on 14 Dec 1844, whose name is shown on
the Land Grants Map.   Presumably after he sold
his property he moved to Maine to live with his
daughter, Elspeth.   The 1850 Census for
Robbinston, Maine shows "James Mashbeth, age 75,
born in England" living with John and Elizabeth
Larner.   This name perhaps should have been
"James Nesbitt".
ROBISON 126. William Robison Single man aged 25
b. 6 Sep 1811, England son of later chain
migrants Marshall Robison Jane Dickson d. 16
Apr 1889, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem.
Pre-emigr. occ. labourer. Post-emigr. occ.
farmer. Rel. Presbyterian. William Robison came
to Harvey on the Cornelius as a single young man.
He settled on Lot 11, second tier, 100 acres,
between the lots of George Nesbitt and Thomas
Wilson, southeast of the road from Saint Andrews
to Fredericton.   He was followed in 1842 by his
parents and siblings. In the 1861 Census for
Manners Sutton, he owned or occupied 40 acres of
improved land and 60 acres of unimproved land
cash value of farm was 150 pounds value of
implements and machinery, 2 pounds.   Had 3 milch
cows, 2 working oxen, 2 other neat cattle, 7
sheep, 4 swine, and slaughtered 300 lb. pork.  
Produced 200 lb. butter 20 lb. cheese 25 lb.
wool 9 tons hay 130 bu. oats 80 bu. buckwheat
60 bu. turnips 80 bu. potatoes and 30 bu.
carrots. SCOTT 127. Jane Scott Single woman
(sibling) aged 40 b. 2 May 1797,
Northumberland bp. 7 May 1797, United
Presbyterian Cheviot St., NC, Wooler,
Northumberland daughter of John Scott Susan
Johnston md. 20 Sep. 1845 in Harvey Settlement
to John Heughan d. 17 Mar 1871, Harvey bd.
Harvey Settlement Cem. 128. John Scott Single man
(sibling) aged 38 b. 20 Dec 1798,
Northumberland bp. 24 Dec 1798, United
Presbyterian Cheviot St. N.C., Wooler,
Northumberland son of John Scott Susan
Johnston d.12 Dec 1862, Harvey bd. Harvey
Settlement Cem. Pre-emigrat. occ. carpenter.
Post-emigr. occ. farmer. Jane Scott and her
brother John Scott were aboard the Cornelius.
John received Land Grant 2nd Tract W. Harvey
Settlement, Kingsclear, York Co., 100 acres
1851/12/19 KL4949. In the 1851 Census, John (45
years old) was living in the household of John
and Elizabeth (Chambers) Nesbitt, and was listed
as farmer/prop. In the 1861 Census he was living
with his sister Jane Heughan (her husband John
Heughan had died in 1857), and was listed as a
farmer/carpenter. TAIT 129. Robert Tait Single
man no additional information available. TAITE
130. William Taite Widower? aged 50 no
additional information available. 131. Margaret
Taite Daughter aged 5 b. ca. 1832,
Northumberland md. 4 Oct 1849 in Harvey
Settlement to Thomas Piercy d. 3 Mar
1891. Little is known of this family. Based on
the ordering in the fall of 1837 government list
of names of those applying for land on the St.
Andrews Road (this poster left) this family seems
to be closely associated with that of David
Cessford. Margaret was previously assumed to be a
daughter of David and Peggy Cessford. However,
Margaret is not in the 1851 census with the
Cessford family, and alone among the children
does not appear among the English baptisms.
Based on her age profile Margaret is most likely
the Margaret Taite who married Thomas Piercy in
1849. Witnesses at the marriage were Walter
Piercy and Barbara Cessford providing further
evidence of the close link between the Cessford
and Taite families. THOMSON 132. Thomas Thomson
Brother aged 34, b. ca 1803, unknown d.
unknown. 133. James Thomson Brother aged 24 b.
ca 1813, unknown d. unknown. The names of these
two brothers appears on the list of names of
those applying for land on the St. Andrews Road
in the fall of 1837 (this poster left). No
additional information is available. THOMPSON
SWAN 134. John Thompson Husband aged 37 b.
1800, Northumberland md. 29 Jan 1832, Cornhill
Parish Marriage Register 1798-1850 d. 25 Aug
1888, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem..
Pre-emigr. occ. teacher. Post-emigrat. occ.
teacher, farmer. Rel. Presbyterian. 135.
Isabella Swan Wife aged 37 b. ca 1800,
Northumberland daughter of later chain migrants
Henry Swan Elizabeth Russell d. 20 May 1851,
Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem. 136. John T.
Thompson Son aged 4 b. 1833, England d. 11
May 1910, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem.
Eventual occ. farmer. Rel. Presbyterian. 137.
Elizabeth Thompson Daughter aged 3 b. 1834,
England d. 4 Feb, 1909, Brooklyn, NY bd. 7 Jul
1909, Harvey Settlement Cem. 138. Margaret
Thompson Daughter aged 11 months b. Jun 1836,
England d. 29 Mar 1928, Harvey bd. Harvey
Settlement Cem. John received a land grant of 100
acres, Lot 9W, in Harvey Settlement.   He had
been educated as a school teacher and served in
this role when he came to the Harvey community.  
He served as Clerk of the Session in the
Presbyterian Church, and as an elder. They
eventually had ten children, three born in
England and seven born in Harvey.   Isabella died
when the youngest child was about two years
old. THOMPSON 139. John Thompson Nephew of John
Thompson above aged 16 b. ca 1821, most likely
Northumberland d. unknown. This young man
traveled on the Cornelius with his uncle John
Thompson above. He seems to have left the
community within a few years as he appears in no
subsequent documents. WIGHTMAN SIMPSON 140.
John Wightman Husband aged 47 celebrated 48th
birthday at sea b. Jun 1789, Doddington,
Northumberland bp. 23 Jun 1789, Doddington,
England son of John Wightman d. 13 Jan 1867,
Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem. Pre-emigr.
occ. labourer. Post-emigr. occ. farmer. Rel.
Presbyterian. 141. Mary Simpson Wife aged 42 b.
1795, England d. 19 Aug 1871, Harvey bd. Harvey
Settlement Cem. Rel. Presbyterian. 142. Eleanor
"Ellen" Wightman Daughter aged 12 b. Oct 1824,
Wooler, Northumberland bp. 29 Oct 1824, Wooler,
Northumberland d. 30 Mar 1889, Harvey bd.
Harvey Settlement Cem. Rel. Presbyterian. 143.
Isabelle "Belle" Wightman Daughter aged 9 b. 14
Jan 1827, Wooler, Northumberland d. 16 Sep 1901,
Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem. 144. John
Wightman Son aged 8 b. ca. 1829, Wooler,
Northumberland d. 23 Aug 1891, Harvey bd.
Harvey Settlement Cem. Eventual occ. farmer.
Rel. Presbyterian. 145. Elizabeth "Bessie"
Wightman Daughter aged 6 b. 5 Mar 1831, Wooler,
Northumberland d. 15 Jun 1901, Harvey bd.
Harvey Settlement Cem. Rel. Presbyterian. John
Wightman, his wife Mary, and four children sailed
aboard the Cornelius. They received Land Grant
Lot 19 W, on the Tweedside Road. WILSON
BROWN 146. Robert Wilson Husband aged 38 b. 26
Mar 1799, Greenlawdean, Scotland bp. 14 Apr
1799 son of Alexander Wilson Elizabeth Miller
md. 27 May 1818, Hutton, Scotland d. 25 Jan
1864, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem.
Pre-emigr. occ. labourer. Post-emigr. occ.
farmer. Rel. Presbyterian. 147. Mary Brown
Wife aged 38 b. 8 Sep 1798, Morpeth,
Northumberland daughter of James Brown Martha
Reed d. 12 Dec 1864, Harvey bd. Harvey
Settlement Cem. 148. Elizabeth "Betsy" Wilson
Daughter aged 18 b.18 Nov 1818, Lennilhill,
Berwickshire d. 28 Dec 1901, Harvey bd. Harvey
Settlement Cem. 149. Thomas Wilson Son aged 16
b. 13 Jan 1821, Ayton Law, Scotland d. 28 Dec
1892, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem. Rel.
Presbyterian. 150. Mary Wilson Daughter aged 10
b. 15 Dec 1826, Nethermoins, Scotland d 21 Jan
1848, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem. 151.
Margaret Wilson Daughter aged 8 b. 24 Apr
1829, Howlaws, Scotland d. 2 Jul 1852, Harvey
bd. Harvey Settlement Cem. 152. Robert Wilson
Son aged 5 celebrated 6th birthday at sea, b.
8 Jul 1831, Howlaws, Scotland d. 14 May 1901,
Harvey buried, Harvey Settlement Cem. Eventual
occ. farmer. Rel. Presbyterian. 153. Alexander
Wilson Son aged 3 b. 23 Jan 1834, Lennilhill,
Scotland d. 28 May 1906, Harvey bd. Harvey
Settlement Cem. Eventual occ storekeeper,
carpenter, farmer. 154. Jane Wilson Daughter
aged 2 weeks b. 14 May 1837, Lennilhill,
Scotland d. 16 May 1918, Harvey bd. Magundy
Cemetery. Later religion Seventh-Day
Adventist. Robert Wilson and his wife, Mary Brown
with seven children, the youngest just two weeks
old, sailed aboard the Cornelius. Robert received
Land Grant, Lot 10, 88 acres in Harvey
Settlement. He paid the sum of eleven pounds
for the land rather than working out an agreement
with the government. As his sons grew older
they received land on the second tier adjacent to
Robert's. Robert's land was passed down to his
youngest son, James.
The settlers first built 12 X 20 ft log cabins
(left) as represented by this reproduction built
for the the Harvey cenntennial in 1937. Within a
few years these were replaced by more comfortable
frame homes as represented by the Wilson
homestead (center). As means and family size grew
so did the houses. Early 20th century photograph
of Campburn Farm owned by the Robison family
(right) is typical of later farmsteads.
The immigrants had to work long back breaking
hours to clear the old growth forest as shown in
the undated late winter photograph taken on a
hill behind Jonathan Wilsons home (left). Once
the settlers were able to house and feed
themselves they could turn to other matters. The
first church (center) was built in 1851 where all
three branches of Presbyterianism then existing
in the Settlement worshipped together the Old
Kirk, the Free Kirk and the United Presbyterian
Kirk. Until then worship was carried out in
settlers homes. The photo was taken after the
structure was superseded by new larger churches
and prior to its demolition in the early 1940s.
The image of the Middle District schoolhouse in
Harvey (right) was taken ca. 1890. Similar
schools were scattered throughout the settlement.
In 1869 the railway was built through the
northern edge of Harvey settlement. Businesses
and homes became concentrated at the crossroad
between the St. Andrews Road and rail line.
Left Late 19th century view of nascent Harvey
Station with characteristic snake fences
constructed of cedar rails in foreground.
Center View of the Main Street in Harvey ca.
1910. Very few buildings in the scene are still
standing with the exception of W.W.E Smith Store
(most distant building), still a landmark in the
community. The grassy area with trees is now a
major highway. The photograph of the railway
station was also taken ca. 1910.
An 1837 list of settlers requesting land on the
St. Andrews Road prepared by the NB Government
A surveyor was employed by the NB Legislature to
lay out 25 lots with a forty rod frontage either
side of the new road to St Andrews, "extending
back so as to comprise forty Acres, leaving in
the rear sufficient vacant land to enable each
settler to extend his lot so soon as he might be
able to purchase the additional quantity." The
24 heads of family balloted for their lots. The
immigrants, with suitable instruction, commenced
work in August and by winter had cleared about an
acre and a half on each lot and constructed 21
log houses. They nonetheless spent the winter of
1837-38 in Fredericton, "sheltered in the new
hospital". Teamsters employed by the government
conveyed "6 Loads of Emigrants Provisions" to
Harvey the ensuing April, so that they could
plant their crops, and they were provisioned
there through the spring. Unfortunately the
season was inclement and the crops failed almost
entirely. They continued to be provisioned by
the Legislature, and the costs vastly exceeded
the 200 voted, though some of the expenses were
met from payments made for the settlers' work on
the road. By the end of the first year there
were 23 families on the land, consisting of 113
individuals. Two hundred acres had been cleared
and 160 readied for planting. The Commissioners
appointed by the Legislature to oversee their
location concluded, "For industry, sobriety, and
perseverance no men can surpass them, while they
only want an opportunity to introduce the most
approved systems of agriculture as now pursued in
England. By 1840 the acreage in crop had
increased to 184, and by 1843 to 291½. Excerpted
from B. Elliott 2004-2005. Emigrant Recruitment
by the New Brunswick Land Company The Pioneer
Settlers of Stanley and Harvey. Generations The
Journal of the New Brunswick Genealogical Sociey,
v. 26, 27.
PIERCY HENDERSON 118. Thomas Piercy Husband
aged 53 b. 1784, Northumberland bp. 29 Jun
1784, Spittal, United Presbyterian,
Northumberland son of Thomas Piercy Elizabeth
md. 19 Apr. 1812 Ford, Northumberland d. 12 Oct
1865, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem.
Pre-emigr. occ. steward, hind Post-emigr. Occ.
farmer. Rel. Presbyterian. 119. Mary Henderson
Wife aged 51 b. ca. 1786, Wooler bp. 3 Jan.
1787 Wooler Tower Hill U.A. daughter of Matthew
and Margaret (her parents are named in the
baptisms of some of the grandchildren) d. 3 Sep
1868, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem. 120.
Matthew Piercy Married son see entry for PIERCY
MOFFITT below. 121. Elizabeth Piercy Daughter
aged 22 b. 10 Mar. 1816 Redsford, parish of
Kirknewton, Northumberland bp. 13 Mar. 1816
Crookham Presbyterian, Northumberland d. 26 Jun
1889, Fredericton, NB bd. Forest Hill Cem.,
Fredericton. 122. Mary Piercy Daughter aged
18 b. 30 Sept 1819 (stone) 30 Sept 1818
(register) at Thornington, Northumberland bp. 11
Oct. 1818 Crookham Presbyterian, Northumberland
d. 6 Mar 1892, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement
Cem. Rel. Presbyterian. 123. Isabella Piercy
Daughter aged 16 b. 20 Sep. 1820 Thornington,
Northumberland (father a hind) bp. 27 Sep. 1820
Crookham Presb. d. Aft.1893. 124. Walter Piercy
Son aged 10 b. 19 May 1827, Thornington,
Northumberland (father a hind) bp. 23 May 1827
Crookham Presbyterian, Northumberland d. 24 Jan
1914, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem.
Eventual occ. farmer. Rel. Presbyterian. Thomas
Piercy, wife Mary Henderson sailed on the
Cornelius with their two sons, three daughters
and one daughter-in-law. There were also children
not in the list who likely died (or in Margaret's
case perhaps married in England) Margaret b. 25
Feb. 1813 Fenton, p. Wooler (father a steward),
bp. 11 Mar. 1813 Crookham Presbyterian Thomas b.
9 Feb. 1823 Thornington (father a hind), bp. 19
Feb. 1823 Crookham Presbyterian Andrew b. 19
Oct. 1824 Thornington (father a hind), bp. 22
Oct. 1824 Crookham Presbyterian. Thomas received
Land Grant Lot 18 West, 100 acres. Thomas and
his elder son, Matt, who was 23 years old,
arrived in Harvey before the rest of the family
and had a comfortable house built, with a fire
place before the rest of the family arrived. Mary
and their daughters and younger son walked from
Fredericton to Harvey, a distance of
approximately 25 miles, after their home had been
built. PIERCY MOFFITT 120. Matthew Piercy
Husband aged 22 b. 15 Jul 1814, Readsford,
Parish of Kirknewton, Northumberland bp. 23 Aug.
1814 Crookham Presbyterian, Northumberland d. 28
Feb 1889, Comox, BC bd. 1 Mar 1889, Courtenay BC
Civic Cemetery, Section A. Pre-emigr. occ.
blacksmith Post-emigr. occ. farmer. Rel.
Presbyterian. 125. Agnes Moffitt Wife aged 21
b. 19 Oct 1815, Lanton, Northumberland daughter
of John Moffitt Ellen "Nellie" Davidson d. 17
Apr 1886, Comox, BC bd. Courtenay, BC Civic Cem.
Rel. Presbyterian. Mathew Piercy and his wife
came to New Brunswick with Matthew's parents (see
PIERCY HENDERSON entry above), sisters and
brother on the Cornelius. Agness parents and
family also eventually came to Harvey in 1842 as
chain migrants. They received Land Grant Lot 14
West, 100 acres. Their twelve children were born
in Harvey. After 38 years of living in Harvey,
the Piercys moved to British Columbia in 1875
and settled on Vancouver Island, where they again
were pioneer settlers. Their sons Thomas, John,
Matt, Sam and Walt, and youngest daughters Agnes
and Isabella moved to BC with their parents.
Elizabeth died at an early age in Harvey. The
four oldest daughters married and remained in New
Brunswick. ??Matthew was very active in the
Presbyterian church and the second church built
in Harvey Settlement was on his land. In the
Comox, BC the Presbyterian Church and cemetery
was built on land donated by Matthew Piercy and
Samuel Crawford. Matthew and Agnes are buried in
that cemetery.?
NESBITT REAVELY 107. John Nesbitt Husband aged
47 b. ca. 1790, Northumberland md. 26 Feb 1815,
Wooler, Northumberland d. 11 Apr 1850, Harvey
bd. Harvey Settlement Cem. Post-emigr. occ.
farmer. Rel. Presbyterian. 108. Ann Reavely Wife
aged 42 b. ca 1795 d. 25 Feb 1864, Harvey.
109. Susanna Nesbitt Daughter aged 21 b. 11
(register) or 21 (stone) Feb 1816, Wooler Town,
Northumberland bp. 25 Feb 1816, United
Presbyterian Cheviot St. NC, Wooler,
Northumberland d. 20 May 1897, Harvey bd.
Harvey Settlement Cem. Rel. Presbyterian. 110.
Thomas Nesbitt Son aged 19 b. 23 Sep 1817,
Wooler Town, Northumberland bp. 28 Sep 1817,
United Presbyterian Cheviot Street, NC, Wooler,
Northumberland d. 20 May 1882, Harvey bd.
Harvey Settlement Cem. Post-emigr. occ.
carpenter. Rel. Presbyterian. 111. Ann Nesbitt
Daughter aged 17 b. 13 Oct. 1819 Wooler Town
bp. 1 Nov 1819 Wooler West Chapel,
Northumberland d. unknown. 112. John B. Nesbitt
Son aged 16 b. 1821, Wooler, Northumberland d.
23 May 1898, Harvey bd. Harvey Settlement Cem.
Eventual occ. farmer. 113. Elspeth "Elisabeth"
Nesbitt Daughter aged 13, b. 8 Dec 1823 Wooler
Town, Northumberland bp. 14 Dec 1823, West
Chapel Presbyterian NC, Wooler, Northumberland
d. unknown. 114. James Nesbitt Son aged 11 b.
23 Mar 1826, Wooler, Northumberland, England bp.
6 Apr 1826, West Chapel Presbyterian NC, Wooler,
Northumberland d. 30 Oct 1882, Harvey bd.
Harvey Settlement Cem. Eventual occ. farmer.
Rel. Presbyterian. 115. Jean (sic.) Nesbitt
Daughter aged 8 b. 9 Jun 1828, Wooler,
Northumberland bp. 19 June 1828 Wooler West
Chapel, Northumberland d. 5 Feb 1918, British
Columbia bd. Courtenay Civic Cem., Section A,
Courtenay, B.C. 116. Robert Nesbitt Son aged
6 b. 1831, Wooler, Northumberland bp. 30 Sep
1831, West Chapel Presbyterian, NC, Wooler,
Northumberland d. bef. 1871. Eventual occ.
farmer. There were two Nesbitt families among
the first Harvey Settlement settlers, John
Nesbitt and James Nesbitt. Relationship between
the two is unknown. John Nesbitt, with his wife
Ann, and eight children came to America on the
Cornelius. John Nesbitt and his family settled on
Land Grant Lot 20 E. PATTERSON (PATERSON) 117.
William Patterson (Paterson) Single man aged 25
b. 6 Mar 1812 (from family bible) Berwick,
Scotland (from obit.) d.11 Dec 1892, Harvey
Post-emigr. occ. farmer. Rel. Presbyterian.
William Patterson came to New Brunswick as a
single young man on the Cornelius. He
subsequently married a local young woman, United
Empire Loyalist descendant Sarah Ann Jane
Dibblee. Birth date is taken from family bible
and Scottish origin is based on obituary as well
as all census entries where he is listed as being
of Scottish origin. Spelling of last name is
variable as on at least one document he signed
his name as Paterson. He went into the green
woods and by hard work he made for himself a fine
farm on Land Grant Lot 9 second tier (South),
98 acres, in Harvey Settlement in 1841. In the
1861 Census, William owned 70 acres improved, and
28 acres unimproved land cash value of farm, 250
pounds, value of implements and machinery, 12
pounds.  He had two horses, 3 milch cows, 2
working oxen, 5 other neat cattle, 16 sheep, 3
swine, slaughtered 700 lb. pork produced 150 lb.
butter, 40 lb. wool, 15 tons hay, 300 bu. oats,
30. bu. buckwheat, 2 bu. peas, 4 bu. timothy, 20
bu. turnips and 150 bu. potatoes.William was an
elder in the Presbyterian church for upwards of
thirty years and took a leading part in church
and Sunday school work. 
They laid foundations deep and wide on which to
build throughout the years
Created for the Harvey Settler 170th Anniversary
Reunion Ford Castle, Northumberland, Aug 26 - Sep
2, 2007 To learn more visit http//history.earth
sci.carleton.ca
Compiled by R. Tim Patterson, Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada (tim_patterson_at_carleton.ca)