Ross Hammond, Dry Goods Merchant and Postmaster

Nova Scotia # 10 on a January 20, 1865 Duffus & Co. branded embossed cover from Halifax to Ragged Islands, Nova Scotia. Addressed to Mr. Ross Hammond, Ragged Islands. Barred oval cancellation. Backstamps HALIFAX N.S. JA 20 1865, LOCKS ISLAND JA ? 1865. The back flap carried Duffus & Co. embossed seal, a nice example of period commercial stationery. Ross Hammond was a single, 26-year-old dry goods merchant on Locke's Island when he received this letter from one of Halifax's le

pshorner6

20 hours ago4 min read

you've got mail

about the BlueNotes

Nova Scotia issued its first postage stamps in September 1851. The stamps, 3d. blue, 6d. yellow-green, and 1s. dull purple, were diamond shaped and depicted the crown of Great Britain surrounded by four heraldic flowers of empire. In 1853 the square 1d. rose stamp was added featuring a portrait of Queen Victoria.

On January 1st, 1860, Nova Scotia switched from pounds to dollars and cents. So, in October of that year, the province issued stamps in five new denominations: 1c. purple, 5c. blue, 8 1/2c. green, 10c. vermilion, and 12 1/2c. black, and in May of 1863 a 2c. grey/black stamp was added. The stamps were based on two portraits of Queen Victoria, one in profile and one face on. After Confederation, in 1867, Nova Scotia stamps were gradually replaced by stamps of the Dominion of Canada.

The blue stamps for both the pence and cents issues were by far the most common, being the inter- and intra-provincial letter rate. Although The BlueNotes will feature examples of stampless covers and covers franked in other denominations and mailed from other jurisdictions, Nova Scotia's blue stamps will predominate here as they did in historic provincial usage.

Never Miss a New Post.

TRAIN OF THOUGHT

Ross Hammond, Dry Goods Merchant and Postmaster

20 hours ago4 min read

Theodorus Kinsman Jr, farmer

United States 6c Lincoln, carmine, Scott # 148 (issued 1870), on international cover from Boston, Mass. to West Cornwallis, Nova Scotia. Addressed to Mr. Theodorus Kinsman Jr., West Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, B.N. Manuscript "Union Square" on front, emphasized by a decorative flourish. Cancellation duplex BOSTON MASS DEC 20, Backstamp KENTVILLE N.S. DE 25 70, an arrival on Christmas Day, five days in transit. There is significant foxing of the envelope. There may be a second b

2 days ago5 min read

Freight, Insurance, and the "Cuba": A Windsor Merchant's Mail from Liverpool

Great Britain 6d lilac, 1867 issue (large uncoloured corner letters) — Scott # 50 / Stanley Gibbons 104 — tied to a folded business letter from Liverpool, England to T. S. Harding, Esq., Windsor, Nova Scotia. Postmarked LIVERPOOL, 8 NO 67 (November 8, 1867). The sender has annotated the top corner "P. Cuba" — "per Cuba" — naming the Cunard steamer that would carry the letter across the Atlantic. Backstamped on arrival, with the collector's later pencil note on the reverse con

2 days ago7 min read

George Braganza Oakes, physician

Pair of 3¢ green George Washington Bank Note stamps, Scott # 147 (National Bank Note printing, 1870 issue), on an embossed international cover from Faribault, Minnesota to Hantsport, Nova Scotia. Addressed in faded aniline purple ink to G. B. Oakes, Esq., Hantsport, Nova Scotia. Cancellation FARIBAULT, FEB 2; backstamped HANTSPORT, FE [-], 1872. Embossed "D" on the envelope flap.. Dr. George Braganza Oakes was 31 years old and practicing medicine in Hantsport, Nova Scotia whe

5 days ago3 min read

William Reynolds Cutler, Lawyer

Nova Scotia # 12 on November 26, 1862 letter from Halifax to Arichat, Cape Breton. Addressed to W. R. Cutler Esquire, Barrister, Arichat. manuscript "Per Mail" on front. Barred oval cancellation. Backstamps HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA NO 26 1862, ARICHAT NO 29 1862. The letter flap has a circular emboss. William Reynolds Cutler was 41-years old and practicing law in Arichat when he received this letter from Halifax. Probably the letter weighed more than allowed for the 5c intra-provi

Jul 62 min read

Maximin Forest, Acadian Merchant

Nova Scotia # 10 wih top marginal piece on September 22, 1862 cover from Halifax to Arichat, Nova Scotia. Addressed to Maxim Forest Esqu, Commission Merchant, Arichat C.B. Barred oval cancellation. Backstamps from HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA SP 22 1862, ARICHAT n.s. SP 24 1862. Nova Scotia # 10 on June 18, 1864 embossed cover from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to Arichat, Cape Breton. Addressed to Maximin Forest Esq, Arichat. Barred oval cancellation. Backstamps from YARMOUTH N.S. JU 18 1864

Jul 59 min read

Benjamin Smith Lyman, Geologist

U.S. 10¢ green George Washington, 1861 Issue, Scott #68, on August 14, 1863 international cover from Boston to Little Glace Bay, Cape Breton. Addressed to Mr. Benjamin S. Lyman, Little Glace Bay P.O., Cape Breton. Care of E.P. Archibald Esq. Manuscript "A(nswered) 20 Sept. 1963" on front would be in Lyman's hand. Black cork cancel with red circle "BOSTON MASS, AUG 14" and red oval "10 CENTS PAID". Backstamps AMHERST AU 17 1863, ANTIGONISH AU 20 1863, AND SYDNEY AU 22 1863 5.

Jul 42 min read

Contact

Finding Persons and Places in 19th Century Nova Scotia

A. F. Church County Maps

"The Great Map," published in 1834 by William Mackay, is the first printed map to present the entire interior of Nova Scotia, “Compiled from Actual and Recent Surveys”. It was a ‘great’ effort then in size and scope, and a remarkable accomplishment for its time. The map was the result of a five-year project undertaken by a special Map Committee of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. The following link takes you to the Nova Scotia Archives' searchable copy of McKay's map.

The Great Map of William MacKay

Between 1865 and 1888, the Ambrose F. Church Co. published a series of topographical maps for each of Nova Scotia’s eighteen counties. These maps feature detailed plans of the various census districts and townships, including the specific location of buildings, names of occupants, transportation routes and various geographical markings. Inset detail maps for larger communities within each county are an additional bonus. With an address and name, a researcher can often pinpoint the exact location of a sender or recipient. Sadly, no central, searchable database exists for the entire collection of county maps. When possible, we have included vignettes from the applicable Church Map.

The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources maintains a detailed set of Crown Land Index Sheet Maps. Often the original grantees are still listed on these maps.

Crown Land Grant Map

Ross Hammond, Dry Goods Merchant and Postmaster

you've got mail

about the BlueNotes

Never Miss a New Post.

Join our mailing list

TRAIN OF THOUGHT

Ross Hammond, Dry Goods Merchant and Postmaster

Theodorus Kinsman Jr, farmer

Freight, Insurance, and the "Cuba": A Windsor Merchant's Mail from Liverpool

George Braganza Oakes, physician

William Reynolds Cutler, Lawyer

Maximin Forest, Acadian Merchant

Benjamin Smith Lyman, Geologist

Finding Persons and Places in 19th Century Nova Scotia

A. F. Church County Maps