Shortly before the capture of Quebec, Major Dickson was sent out from Fort Cumberland to disperse a band of Acadians who had been reported by one of their number as camping near the Jolicure Lakes with the object of raiding the settlers.The Major with his men started out in pursuit, the Frenchman acting as guide.The camp was found deserted, and the party started on the return home.When they reached the Le Coup stream, an affluent of the Aulac, they found the tide had risen so much that they were unable to proceed farther in that direction, so turning to the left, they followed the main stream to where there was a crossing.
While preparing to ford the stream they were suddenly fired upon by the Acadians, who were in hiding behind the dyke.All the party were killed save Major Dickson and the Acadian guide.Both were made prisoners, and as soon as the woods was reached the Acadian was scalped and the Englishman was told that he "must walk alone."Then starting north they made only necessary stops until they reached Three Rivers, in Quebec.Here the Major was handed over to the French officer in charge at that place, and was put under guard, but treated well, as had been the case on the journey from Nova Scotia.Possibly roasted muskrat would not be considered an appetizing diet, but the major found it kept away hunger, and that was no small consideration in a journey of five hundred miles without a commissariat department.
The prisoner had not been many days at Three Rivers when he received word that Quebec had been taken by the English, and he was again a free man.He soon made his way back to Fort Cumberland, and was present at the defence of the fort during the attack of the Eddy rebels and did good service on that day.
The Dicksons were men who thought for themselves.James, a son of the first James, was a teacher for a time, and in his later years did all the conveyancing in the neighborhood, such as the writing of deeds and wills.He was an omnivorous reader, and, like Silas Wegg, was inclined to "drop into poetry." Some of his efforts in this direction on local happening caught the ear and had the ring that stirred the emotions.
Titus, the only grandson of the major, lives on the old farm, and though eighty-three years of age, is still vigorous in mind.The writer is indebted to him for some of the facts given in this sketch.
ATKINSON.
There were two Atkinson families that came to Nova Scotia about the year 1774, one from Middlesex, the other from Yorkshire.
The Middlesex family settled in Fort Lawrence.Capt.S.B.Atkinson, a descendant of this family, writes: "My great-grandfather was a man of considerable substance in the County of Middlesex, England, known as gentleman farmer, and dubbed "Esquire." The tradition is he married a Lord's daughter, whose title would be Lady -----, and as her family would not recognize either her or her husband, they left the country in disgust."Mr.Atkinson came to Nova Scotia alone in 1774, and prospected the province.It was a beautiful summer and autumn, and he was delighted with the country.After securing a grant of land in Fort Lawrence, in the old Township of Cumberland, he returned to England and made arrangements to move his family to his new domain the following spring.
To accomplish this he chartered the good ship ARETHUSA, and put on board of her his family and farm tenants, all of his belongings, household goods, and farming utensils, and after his safe arrival in Nova Scotia, located on what is now known as the Torry Bent farm.
Capt.Atkinson, in his letter, gives some interesting information relative to the family after settling in this country.He says: "My grand-father's name was Robert.He was the sailor of the family.He served his apprenticeship to the sea out of England, and followed his father to America, sailing as master prior to 1800." His wife was Sarah, daughter of Obediah Ayer, generally known as Commodore Ayer, noted Yankee rebel, one of two brothers from Massachusetts.
Mr.Ayer held an officer's commission in Washington's army in 1776 and was also Commodore of a privateer out of Boston in 1812.In consideration of his service in the war of 1776, the United States Government gave him a grant of land in Ohio, at that time one of the territories.Some years ago his heirs undertook to look up the records, but found they had been burned in the Capitol during the War of 1812.
"Only for that little incident," Capt.Atkinson says, "I might have owned the site where Cleveland now stands or otherwise--probably otherwise."For services in 1812 Commodore Ayer was granted a pension, but died before any payments were made to him.His nearest connections, however, received two hundred dollars a year as long they lived (sic).
Capt.Robert Atkinson sailed his last voyage, from Kingston to Jamaica, in 1804, and died at that port of yellow fever.His widow returned to Sackville, leaving her son Edwin, their only child, with his grandfather in Fort Lawrence, where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age.
Mr.Atkinson had three sons besides Robert, who lived with him in Fort Lawrence.Thomas moved to Kent County, where his descendants still live.William and John remained in Fort Lawrence, and the Atkinsons there now are descended from these brothers.Capt.Stephen Atkinson, from whom most of the information about the family has been obtained, is a master mariner, and has commanded some fine ships in his day.He has now given up the sea and spends a part of his time in Sackville.
The Atkinson family from Yorkshire settled first at River Hebert, Cumberland County, N.S.Robert was the founder of the family.He did not remain in River Hebert for any length of time, but purchased a farm in Sackville, and moved his family there.This farm was afterwards sold by his son Christopher, and is now the site of the Mount Allison educational institutions.
Robert was married and had three children when he came to Nova Scotia.
