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'.