Luke Harrison, bachelor farmer

Nova Scotia # 10 on August 23, 1866 cover from Halifax to Lower Maccan, Nova Scotia. Addressed to Luke Harrison Esq, Lower Maccan, Nova Scotia. Barred oval cancellation. Backstamps from HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA AU 23 66, AND AMHERST N.S. AU 23 1866, Luke Harrison was a 49-year-old unmarried farmer in Lower Maccan when he received this letter from Halifax in 1866. Luke Harrison was born February 11,1817 in Maccan, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia the son of William Harrison (1770-183

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2 days ago4 min read

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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.

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Luke Harrison, bachelor farmer

2 days ago4 min read

Amanda Melissa Cossitt, dressmaker

United States # 148, 6c rose on September 2, 1873 international cover from Danvers Centre, Massachusetts to Digby, Nova Scotia. Addressed to Mrs Byron Cossett, Digby, N.S. Cancellation DANVERS CENTRE MASS, SEP 2, Backstamps from H(alifax) SP 3 1873, DIGBY, SE _____. Amanda Melissa Purdy Cossett was the 27-year-old wife of Byron Cossett, a printer in Digby, when she received this letter from Danvers Centre, Massachusetts. Her husband Byron would die of consumption eight months

Apr 22 min read

Charles Edward Ratchford, merchant and barrister

Two Nova Scotia # 9 on cover piece mailed to Amherst, Nova Scotia. Remaining portion of address reads Ratchford Esq, Amherst. This cover piece must certainly be dated between the issuance of the 2c stamp on May 15, 1863 and Confederation in 1867. It is a rare franking with two 2c stamps. 2c was the inter-county rate. Perhaps the letter mailed within Cumberland County weighed more than the allowed 1/2 oz and so was assessed double. This letter was mailed to Edward Charles Ratc

Apr 24 min read

Isaac Hartley, General Store Owner

Nova Scotia # 8 on April 21, 1863 unsealed folded sheet from Halifax to New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Addressed to Isaac Hartley Esq, New Glasgow. Barred oval cancellation. Backstamps from HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA, AP 21 1863, NEW GLASGOW, AP 22 1963. The 1c rate was for unsealed circulars, handbills, and lithographed matter. This particular use of the 1c franking is odd since the interior of this folded sheet is blank. It may have contained a second printed sheet. Any written matter

Apr 12 min read

Henry Carrie, Justice of the Peace

Nova Scotia # 12 on folded sheet "EXTRACTS FROM THE 'ACT TO REGULATE LABOR ON THE HIGHWAYS' passed the 12th day of April, 1862". Addressed to Henry Carre Esquire, River Bourgeois. Barred oval cancellation with manuscript "On Service" and "from Clk Peace Arichat" on front. No transit stamps on the back. The 10 cent double rate was used for local letters over 1/2 oz but not exceeding 1 oz. Henry Carrie was a merchant and Justice of the Peace in River Bourgeois when he received

Mar 312 min read

Addie L. Green of Springfield

Nova Scotia # 12 on October 10, 1867 international cover from Port Hood, Nova Scotia to Springfield. Massachusetts. Addressed to Miss Addie L. Green, Republican Office, Springfield, Mass, U.S.A. Barred oval cancellation, Backstamps from PORT HOOD NSOC 10 67, H(alifax) OC 12 1867. Adaline Luanne Green was 17 and was likely working in the offices of the Springfield Republican when she received this letter from Port Hood, Nova Scotia in 1867. Addie was born February 2, 1849 in C

Mar 293 min read

Calvin Albertus Bowlby, Teacher and Merchant

British Guyana # 16, 2 cent orange, on international cover from British Guyana to Nova Scotia. Addressed to C. A. Bowlby Esqr, Ohio, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Black oval cancellation. No backstamps. The letter is opened on the stamped end. The stamp is only partially adhered to the cover. This is an undated and somewhat enigmatic cover to Calvin Albertus Bowlby from an unknown sender in British Guyana. C. A. Bowlby was in his mid-twenties and a schoolteacher in Lower Ohio, Yarmo

Mar 295 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

Luke Harrison, bachelor farmer

you've got mail

about the BlueNotes

Never Miss a New Post.

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TRAIN OF THOUGHT

Luke Harrison, bachelor farmer

Amanda Melissa Cossitt, dressmaker

Charles Edward Ratchford, merchant and barrister

Isaac Hartley, General Store Owner

Henry Carrie, Justice of the Peace

Addie L. Green of Springfield

Calvin Albertus Bowlby, Teacher and Merchant

Finding Persons and Places in 19th Century Nova Scotia

A. F. Church County Maps