We're Not Lost - We're Just Exploring!

Guy Densmore

Part of the fun in travelling around Nova Scotia is looking for opportunities to stop and talk to people.  Sometimes we even ask directions when we really know where we are.  Yesterday we came across this lovely couple well into their eighties.  Both were quite deaf and the gentleman had yet to insert his Sunday dentures.  When we asked for directions to the local cemetery, we were broadsided with information.  These two knew everything that had gone on in the area and they were quite excited to share the gossip.  We found out how much Guy Densmore had paid for his tombstone and wasn't it cheeky of him to put a picture of his house on it?  We heard about who was related to who and weren't we lucky to go on such a long trip?  They were delightful as well as helpful because people like that can put the art of genealogy on such a personal level.

Ancestor of the Day.  

Since I'm travelling all around the area and learning so much about our family from the past, I thought it might be fun to share.  Today's ancestor is Captain Robert Wilson McLellan and he is related to me this way:  Isabella McLellan -> Jennie Chisholm -> Isabella Campbell ->Flora Ann Campbell ->Julia West Gamble -> My Dad -> Me.

Robert was born in Economy, Nova Scotia in September 1826 and went on to become a ship builder and master mariner.  Mary Ann Corbett was his wife and the couple had two little boys.  In 1860 Robert began work on a two masted brigantine called the AMAZON which he built at Spencer's Island just up the coast of the Bay of Fundy from home.  By May, the ship was ready and she sailed along the shore to Five Islands to be loaded with lumber bound for Britain.  During this time Captain Robert was feeling unwell but thought that the fresh ocean air would do him the world of good.  By June the ship was loaded and underway but they only reached New Brunswick when it became very evident that Robert was extremely ill to the point of death.

The ship turned back toward home when, at Spencer's Island, Robert succumbed to pneumonia.  The following day his crew carried the remains of their leader back aboard ship and set out for Economy.  Seeing the ship approaching the pier, Mary Ann went down to greet her husband, only to be told the awful news.

Later the ship was sold to an American and was re-christened the MARY CELESTE - a ship that would become world renowned as the ghost ship.  In 1872, the Mary Celeste sailed into Gibralter  with no one on board.  The Captain and his wife and two year old daughter, as well as 7 crew had disappeared.  No one knows for sure what happened to them.

Captain Robert Wilson McLellan is buried in the Economy Cemetery in Nova Scotia.

Unfortunately, we had a wicked rainstorm last night and so missed the Super Moon but maybe tonight we can catch what's left of it.

"Clean out the fridge" for dinner. Coleslaw, Chef Salad and Hot Dogs.  Everything tastes so much better in the out of doors.

Met a guy this morning from Windsor who had advertised on Kijiji something Bill wanted.  Since he lives nearby, he dropped the items off and it turns out we may be related.  He's coming back with his family tree next week.  Teeny, tiny world!

Going to look for the moon.

To be continued.