The Atlantic Provinces
The Emergence of Colonial Society 1712-1857

   
Ken notched the ends of our freshly cut saplings and attached string to make the bow. The arrows were thin kindling sticks with a hen feather stuck in the end.

We quickly became members of Robin Hood’s band as we tramped through our imaginary Sherwood Forest, which actually was the back yard. But the aroma of pancakes and sausages signaled the end of play and beckoned us to the house for supper.

As we entered the outside porch, Gramp asked us, “How many trees did the broad arrows of Sir John Wentworth’s men mark today?’

I think that man delighted in making comments that we didn’t have a clue what they meant.

According to “The Atlantic Provinces - The Emergence of Colonial Society 1712 - 1857" by W. S. MacNutt, Sir Andrew Snape Hammond, the Comptroller to the Navy Board searched the St. John River Valley for suitable trees for masts. Sir John Wentworth’s Broad Arrow became a familiar mark, as his deputies laid out reserves for the navy from the ungranted lands of New Brunswick. In 1788 the firm of Hunter, Robertson and Forsyth made a contract to supply great masts for a period of six years. These were sent to Halifax, Antigua, Jamaica and Britain.

Many a settler became quite upset when finding pine trees on his property had been marked with the broad arrow with the silent “Hands Off” message.

In 1790, instructions arrived from London, forbidding any further free grants of land. These restrictions were in effect for seventeen years. Settlers worked the soil and built their homes without the privilege of a clear title.

Although the majority of the settlers of New Brunswick were not involved in politics, the decisions and actions taken by politicians and government representatives affected them both negatively and positively.
               
The conflicts in religion, government, trade, quitrents, crown land, banking monopoly, railway construction, reforms and more are revealed by W. S. MacNutt in “The Atlantic Provinces - The Emergence of Colonial Society 1712 - 1857" which can be found in several research institutions in New Brunswick.

The reading of this publication makes us aware of the uncontrollable factors that influenced the lives of our ancestors - from the Plaster Act to the bloodless Aroostook War.
***
Query 1161
Bliss - Garrison - Hatfield - Johnston - MacQueen - Murray - Taylor - Upham:
Who were the parents of Ann Garrison who married circa 1785  David Hatfield of Saint John?  James Taylor, Sr. of Fredericton, a Loyalist from New York was born circa 1755, Port Glasgow, Scotland and died in 1834 in Fredericton.  He was married circa 1788 and three sons were, William, James, John F.  What was the name of his wife?   Mary Bliss, the daughter of John Murray Bliss married  Capt. Donald MacQueen in 1819 and they lived in Jersey, Chanel Islands.  Did they have issue? Elizabeth another daughter of John Murray Bliss married Hugh Johnston Jr. in 1822. Did  they have surviving issue? Mary Bliss, the daughter of the Hon. Daniel Bliss was married to Maj. Charle Parke.  Did they have surviving issue?  Can anyone provide me with information on the descendants of the Loyalist, Judge Joshua Upham and Elizabeth Murray?
Lane Bliss
366 Oakridge T
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
E-mail lanebliss@worldnet.att.net

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