The Allisons came from the County of Londonderry, in Ireland, near the waters of Lough Foyle.Joseph Allison was born about 1720, and when he reached manhood's estate he rented a farm owned by a London Corporation, paying yearly rates, which were collected by an agent in Ireland.On the occasion of a visit from the agent to collect the rent he was invited by Mr.Allison to dine with them.The best the house afforded was given to him as an honored guest.On that day silver spoons were used.Turning to Mr.Allison the agent said, "I see that you can afford to have silver on your table.If you can afford this you can pay more rent; your next year's rent will be increased." "I will pay no more rent," said Mr.Allison, "I'll go to America first." The agent increased the rent the next year, and Mr.Allison sold his property and with his wife and six children, in 1769, left the home of his fathers and embarked from Londonderry for the New World.He intended to land at Philadelphia, having friends in Pennsylvania with whom he had corresponded and who had urged him to come to that State to settle.The passage was rough, and the vessel was wrecked on Sable Island, and Mr.Allison and his family were taken to Halifax, N.S.
Through the influence of the British Admiral Cochrane, then on the coast, Mr.Allison and the others that came with him were induced to settle in Nova Scotia.Mr.Allison purchased a farm in Horton, King's County, on the border of the historic Grand Pre, where he lived until his death, in 1794.His wife was Mrs.Alice Polk, of Londonderry.She survived him for several years, and gave the historic silver spoons to her youngest child, Nancy (Mrs.Leonard), who lived to be ninety years of age.They are now in the family of her great-grandson, the late Hon.Samuel Leonard Shannon, of Halifax.
Mr.Joseph Allison was a farmer.Many of his descendants have been prominent in the political, religious and commercial life of Nova Scotia in the last hundred years.A goodly number of these have stood by the fine old occupation of their ancestor.
Charles Allison (second), who married Milcah Trueman, was the founder of Mount Allison Educational Institution, at Sackville, N.B.His biographer says of him: "The name of no member of the Allison family is so widely known throughout Eastern British America as his," and "in him the noblest character was associated with the most unassuming demeanor." Charles and Joseph, brothers, were the first of the name to settle in Sackville.Dr.David Allison, President of Mount Allison University, and J.F.Allison, Postmaster, represent the name now in that place.The mother of the late Hon.William Crane, of Sackville, was Rebecca Allison, daughter of the first Joseph Allison.
GALLAGHER.
The Gallaghers were a north of Ireland family.Hugh, who married Alice Trueman, was a most enterprising and capable man.He was a successful farmer and also a contractor.He built the last covered bridge over the Tantramar, a structure that was burned in the summer of 1901.He was also one of the contractors on the Eastern Extension Railway, from Moncton to the Nova Scotia border, and lost heavily by the Saxby tide.
He was one of the pioneers in getting steamers to run to Sackville, before the railway was built, and part owner of the old steamer "PRINCESS ROYAL," that ran on this route.
SMITH.
Captain Smith came from Ireland to America at the beginning of the last century.He married a Miss Shipley.He was master of a schooner that ran between St.John and the ports at the head of the Bay.On his last trip the schooner took plaster at Nappan Bridge for St.John and was lost with all on board.
Francis Smith, son of Capt.Smith, married Mary Trueman, and had a large family.Mr.Smith was an honest and most industrious man.He left a large property at Nappan, N.S., to his sons, who inherited their father's virtues.
COATES.
Thomas Coates emigrated from Yorkshire, England, to Nova Scotia in the year, 1774, and settled at Nappan, Cumberland County.His son, Robert, by his second wife, married Jane Ripley, and inherited the homestead.
This property is now owned by his grandson, Rupert Coates.Joseph Coates, a son of Robert, married Mary Lawrence.They had a family of ten children.
Mr.Coates was a successful farmer and amassed a large property.His sons, Thompson and Rupert, are at the present time prominent men and leading farmers of Nappan, N.S.Another branch of the Coates' family removed to King's County, N.B., and planted the name there.
FULLERTON.
James Fullerton was from the Highlands of Scotland.He came to Nova Scotia in 1790, and settled at Halfway River, Cumberland County.His wife was a Miss McIntosh.The eldest son, Alexander, was born before they left Scotland; and one son and three daughters were born in this country.Alexander had a family of three sons and five daughters.James married Jane Lawrence, and Jesse married Eunice Lawrence.The eldest daughter, Anna, married Amos Lawrence, and the youngest, Lavina, married Douglas Pugsley, of Nappan, whose first wife was Caroline Lawrence.James Fullerton (second) took an active interest in politics, and was a prominent man in the county for many years.He was one of the men that supplied the Halifax market with Cumberland beef.Although a stout man in late years, he was very active on his feet, and few men could out-walk him, even after he was seventy years old.
EMBREE.
Samuel Embree was a Loyalist from White Haven, New York.He commanded the Light Horse Dragoons during the Revolutionary War, and at its close his landed estate was confiscated.He then left the country and settled in Amherst, N.S.The British Government did not forget his services for the lost cause, and he drew a pension to the end of his life.
