Isgonish?

Our First Clue

Today we set out to find the Isgonish Marsh Burying Ground, reputed to be one of the oldest cemeteries in Nova Scotia.  Isgonish Marsh is the site of the graves of the first settlers in the district of the Londonderry Township from the 1790’s to the 1890’s making  it over 210 years old.  Approximately 35 people were buried on this property many of them closely related to our family.

You call this a road?

On arriving at Debert, just north of Truro we were heading to the Tim's for an iced cap. and directions.  However, just as we started down the main street, I noticed a sign to the cemetery.  We turned off onto the little side road which could politely be described as a cart track.  Some 5 km later (at 5 kph) of very rough driving, Ann spotted a little drive with some stones beside us.  

Isgonish Marsh Burying Grounds

There, in a wonderful little clearing stood the old stones in grounds that were beautifully kept by some cemetery angel.  These grave markers were substantial in size, but very worn and covered with moss and lichens.  Fortunately for us, Ann carries a good stiff brush with her and we were able to get enough of the stone clean to be able to read the important bits.  The stones were scattered about, which indicated to us that there had been other burials there that are now unmarked.

Two stones of significance were that of John Rogers and Elizabeth Spencer and that of Sidney Holmes.

John Rogers (sic) and Elizabeth Spencer

 John Rogers and Elizabeth Spencer were the grandparents (and my 4th great grandparents)  of Jane Rogers who married John Bragg and who went to live at Windham Hill near Collingwood.  John and Elizabeth emigrated from Northern Ireland in 1761 with a large group of Ulster Scots aboard the famous ship "Hopewell".  According to census records of the day, John created a prosperous farm on his 1,000 acre grant and a family four boys and two girls soon came along.  Elizabeth died in 1782 and John in 1809 and are buried together at Isgonish.  It was amazing to stand at their graves some 200 years later.

Sidney Holmes (Marshall Cook Staples)

Sidney Holmes was a very special lady.  Born in Donegal Northern Ireland, she met and married a young man named David Marshall.  The couple had two daughters, Elizabeth and Rachel and then David died.  As a young widow with two small girls, she soon married William Cook (my 4th Great Grand Uncle).  William had two sons, John and William from a previous marriage and William and Sidney went on to have two children, James and Rebecca.  The couple emigrated to Nova Scotia in about 1761 much as the Rogers had done but they obtained their grant at Portaupique.  Sometime about 1767, William Cook was drowned in the Bay of Fundy, leaving Sidney with six children to support.  Of necessity, Sidney found herself married again, to Matthew Staples a blacksmith who worked for Governor Cornwallis.  The couple had three more children.  Sidney is buried at Isgonish and her tombstone inscription reads:

In Memory of Sidney Holmes, Native of Donegal, Ireland; Wife of David Marshal, William Cook and Matthew Staples, who departed this life September 1812  aged 82 years - Her troubles were great, she labour'd hard and with tho distress'd her mite  (small pittance) was shar'd.  She had a rich and generous friend, On whose gracious promise she did depend.

It was a perfect day to spend in a cemetery - cool, breezy enough to keep the bugs away and overcast enough to ensure we got some good shots.

More adventures tomorrow!

To be continued........