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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2010-08-15_Publication_Chester Basin 1760-2010Chester Basin 1760-2010 New Ross Freighters 250th Anniversary Re- enactment August 14 and 15, 2010 ,d,, Thank you to Glenda Redden, Chair of the Chester Basin 250th Anniversary Society, for providing much of the historical and photographic content in this book. Her unlimited enthusiasm is contagious and of benefit to all. Thank you to Jim Barkhouse, whose vivid photographs in this book are a colourful depiction of this event and will be remembered for years to come. Finally, thank you to everyone who participated not only in the New Ross Freighters re- enactment, but in all of Chester Basin's 250th Anniversary celebrations. Your involvement provided endless enjoyment and a sense of community. Municipality of the District of Chester As you will discover, Chester Basin is not only a community rich in beauty, but history as well. From its early settlement in 1760 to its present -day vitality, Chester Basin has represented a sense of enterprise, comfort and camaraderie. In the next few pages, let's share a moment from our past and take a glimpse into the lives of our predecessors. The New Ross Freighters is a proud memory in history for both Chester Basin and New Ross - an excellent example of old- fashioned teamwork. I hope you enjoy our album of unforgettable photographs and can agree that our past is indeed a cause for celebration. Warden Allen Webber Municipality of the District of Chester November 2010 Brief History of Chester Basin - contributed by Glenda Redden, Chester Basin 250th Anniversary Society Chester Basin, originally called West Chester, began its European settlement in 1760 following the arrival of a number of New Englanders to Chester. The settlement included a large tract of land, known as the Shoreham Grant, that stretched from Martin's River to part of the Aspotogan Peninsula. It equalled approximately three - fifths of today's District of Chester. Between the mid -1700s and the mid- 1800s, other settlers followed. Among them were the Planters (who settled lands taken from the Acadians), the first of the "Foreign Protestant" settlers from the Lunenburg area, disbanded soldiers (including some French), and a second group of "Foreign Protestants ". In 1816, a group of 172 disbanded soldiers from the Nova Scotia Fencibles settled in the New Ross area, formerly called Sherbrooke, for the purpose of turning the wilderness into agricultural land. Over the years, both areas continued to grow, and the need for many necessities of life also continued to grow. During the "Golden Age of Sail' (1840- 1880), shipbuilding was a key industry in the growth and prosperity of Chester Basin. Later, as shipbuilding declined with the growth of the steel ship industry, the community turned to other uses for the plentiful forests, mainly the making of water -tight barrels. Working oxen, originally introduced to the Province by the French in 1610, were commonly used in the southwestern part of the Province. These oxen were used for ploughing and hauling, and for the transportation of goods, and occasionally people, to and from Chester Basin and New Ross. To celebrate Chester Basin's 250th Anniversary, and to recognize the close links that existed between New Ross and Chester Basin, a partnership was established between the Chester Basin 250th Anniversary Society and the New Ross District Museum Society. Its purpose was to plan and carry out a re- enactment of the New Ross Freighters (also called Teamsters). The following photographs and commentary are a depiction of that re- enactment. Eight teams of oxen and their teamsters made the journey from New Ross to Chester Basin on August 14th and 15th, 2010, in celebration of Chester Basin's 250th Anniversary. The teams came from Caledonia, Kentville, and the New Ross area and travelled the 25 km distance from New Ross to Chester Basin on Route 12. Top photo: Riley Reeves, the youngest teamster, leads a team of oxen - contributed by Glenda Redden Bottom photos These oxen were part of the eight eams chosen to participate in the rs-enac ment - contributed by Jim Barkhouse t <: � �. Working in relay, the teams hauled a load of lumber and a load of apple barrels, made at Ross Farm, with their heads marked "Chester Basin 250th Anniversary". On arrival in Chester Basin, the Ross Farm ox team, which had now joined the other teams, took control of the load of barrels. Par left and top right -the barrels and lumber selected to make lie journey (mmributed by Glenda Redden) Bottom right -a small break before going back on the road (ronMbuted by Jim Baekhause) e -N gw ,r Or I urnnaonJ b% 11111 1 n wo_IL The Ross Farm team took the load of barrels out on the government wharf where they were loaded onto a heritage Tancook Whaler. Jim R rkhuw photo c FO After the Tancook Whaler was loaded, it then sailed out of the Basin, much as it would have 100 or more years ago. -� All phod provided by Jim Brkhous The crew of the "Amos H. Stevens" helps load the cargo at the Chester Basin government wharf. 7-6 aue! The Whaler later returned to the wharf with the barrels still on board. Three of those barrels are here, at the Municipal Office, so as to preserve the memory of this incredible journey. Mot, mnlabu red by llm Bi.�'W PM1OMro tnln, N by Gl da Redni.,, If the "Amos H. Stevens" were around 100 years ago, she would have left Chester Basin fully loaded with goods such as apples, vegetables, other produce, barrels, and lumber for use around other parts of the South Shore. Thanks to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic for providing the "Amos H. Stevens'.