History of Medford

Compiled by the Women’s Institute
June 1950

An interesting document is the History of Medford compiled by the Women’s Institute of that district and covering in some detail the development of the village and its surroundings from the time of the earliest British settlers.

The book has not been published and only one volume, the well-illustrated book which the Institute exhibited last year, is in existence.  The Advertiser printed extracts from the text of the book.

First Settlers of Medford
By Mary West
 

The first settlers came to Kings Co. from Connecticut about 1760 and formed settlements around Canard and Church Street and received grants of land from the Government throughout the county at Kingsport, Bass Creek and Pereaux.

The first person who obtained a grant of land in Medford was Mr. Jason Huntley.  His grant of land or share consisted of all the land lying south of Bass Creek.  About the same time Mr. Ebenezer Eaton received a grant consisting of the land lying north of the creek and Mr. Harrington a grant lying in North Medford.  Mr. Jason Huntley was the great, great-grandfather of Mr. Whitfield Huntley.  They built their homes in the woods, gradually clearing the land and sold lots to other people.  Some of the oldest citizens remember when there was only a footpath through the woods to Kingsport.

By the year 1798 many more settlers had come to Medford, among them being Benjamin Weaver, Isaac Bigelow, Silas Weaver, James Eaton, Abraham Eaton and Elijah Eaton.

The first Medford school was built about 1775 and was situated near where Lyman Parker lives now.  This school was later replaced by one situated across the road from W.J. West’s.  The next one was built where the present one now stands, in 1855, and burned so was replaced by the present one.  The first teacher was Mr. George Cox (father of Joseph Cox).  He was succeeded by Mr. Daniel Cox, an uncle of Mr. Isaac Cox of Kingsport (now deceased).

About the first part of 1800 the church meetings were held in the upper part of the school house.  Later a church was built in Habitant. Mr. Metzler was one of the early ministers and lived near where Capt. Carey resided, his son Allan living there now.

Mr. Whitman organized the first Sunday School in Kings Co. but it was Mr. Metzler who organized the Sunday school in Medford.  He was assisted by Mr. Isaac Cox and Mr. Jacob Cox of Kingsport in the year 1875.

 

Name
By Mary West
 

Medford was formerly known as Bass Creek; occupation was principally fishing and later ship building; about 1855 the name was changed to Medford by the early residents.  At that time where the bridge was located was called “The Ford” and as the surrounding land was meadow, the name Medford was suggested from the natural scenery.

The descendants of the Palmeter family still live on the property purchased from the Harrington grant by their ancestors.

Shipbuilding was carried on quite extensively and a number of ships large and small were built there in 1800 and later.  A number of men from this district studied Navigation in the school here and became sea-captains.  James Lombard was one who worked up to Captain.  Others were Frank and Clement Barkhouse, sons of Edward Barkhouse.

Early captains here were Capt. David Loomer and Abraham Coffin.

Mr. William Payzant, grandfather of A.D.Payzant, had the first store in Medford.  The building still stands and is used as a garage.

Previous to 1798 orchards were unknown but shortly after this each resident set out a few trees, until orchards are extensive in this district.

The first telephone line was erected in 1909 under the management of the late Earl Parker and is still owned by the residents.

The electric light line was established in 1935.

Paddy’s Island
By Alice M. Parker

 

Paddy’s Island, a small island near the Pereaux river, which used to be tree covered is now so small that it is only a treeless landmark.  The island was named for Patrick (or Paddy) Burns who used to live in a house near the shore.  The mainland, especially the farm now owned by Lorne Parker, is now known as Paddy’s Island.

Close to the beach and near the site of Paddy Burn’s house a cottage was built by Loran Blenkhorn of Canning in 1911.  Here for several years he came with his wife, daughter and three sons.  But the war took his boys away and his daughter Grace married in Regina, Sask.  When they were moving to their cottage in the summer of 1919 Grace, who was very musical, persuaded her father to bring down her piano.  So her indulgent parent loaded an express wagon with the piano, an oil stove and other articles and drove to the beach. 

The horse, a nervous creature, objected to backing up to the platform, turned and twisted until finally it threw itself over the high bank.  The horse was at the bottom with the wagon above him and the piano on top of that.  The wagon shaft penetrated the horse’s breast and the animal was so badly injured that it had to be destroyed later in the season.  The wagon was broken badly and the oil stove was in ruins.  The piano was set upright, taken home and tuned, and except for a few scratches was as good as ever, but never again did they attempt to take it to Paddy’s.  After the children left home Mr. Blenkhorn sold the cottage to Mrs. Harris of Canning, who later sold it to Lorne Parker who had it moved to the Cox place by twelve teams of horses with twelve drivers.

 There it was enlarged and fitted up as a bunk house for which purpose it has been used every fall since.

A short distance west of the Blenkhorn property was the former home of the Harding Burns family who moved to the North Mountain after selling their small farm to Lorne Parker.

The Paddy Island farm on the south side of the road leading to shore was bought by Jacob Parker of Berwick in 1882 from John Strong, and was inherited by his son Lorne who at an early age pioneered successfully in strawberry culture - a new venture in those days.  The soil was always well suited for berry growing though rather late.  As apple growing became popular he planted the whole farm with trees.
 

Medford
By Esther Woolaver

 

Perhaps it would be interesting to note changes that have taken place in Medford from the early days when the land was covered with forests.  Medford is now a farming district, mostly orchard farming with mixed farming as a side line.

We will trace the changes that have taken place beginning at what is called North Medford road running east to west from Paddy’s Island to the Fred West farm, now owned by George Fluck.  Before Mr. West owned his farm it was owned by Neil McCall and previously by Jehiel Pineo.

The next farm we come to was owned by Mr. Church.  Mrs. Church was daughter of Harrington the Grantee.  Later this farm was purchased by Richard Kinsman and owned in turn by his son, Reginald Kinsman, Clyde Porter and R.W. DeWolfe, the present owner, who raises pure bred Herefords.

It is perhaps interesting to note here that when Mr. Church owned this property he owned and bred thoroughbred horses.  They also had horse racing as a sport.  Part of this farm at one time belonged to Everett Roscoe but at present Mr. DeWolfe owns the whole farm.

Next we come to what was the Sanford estate owned by Glendon Sandford.  This was divided between his two sons, John Lawson and Leander.  The Sandford farm was sold to Milledge DeWitt and is now owned by Walter Woolaver.

Next down the road toward Paddy’s Island we have the Bill Barkhouse property owned in turn by John Taylor, Rupert Schofield and at present Walter Woolaver.

Then the Burns property now owned by Lorne Parker.  This property was at one time owned by Harding Buns.

Coming back to the south side of the road we have the Edward Barkhouse property which was divided between Schofield and the Burns brothers.  The Schofield house was destroyed by fire a few years ago and the Burns house is today occupied by Charles Burns and his sister Rose.

Next on the road leading to Kingsport we have a farm at one time owned by James Lombard, later George Parsons and at present Mrs. Charles Keizer.

Then the John Taylor place now owned by Kenneth Parker and occupied by Wilfred Taylor.

Next the Harris Coffin property part of which is now owned by Logan Fraser and part by Robert Palmeter.  We might note here that the Fraser house is one of the oldest houses in Medford. (Part of this house was moved from the Church place).  At one time Mr. Coffin carried on a business of making coffins etc. at the Palmeter farm.

On the opposite side of the road from Fraser’s we find a new house built in 1938 owned and occupied by Charles Lombard.

Next to the Lombard farm purchased by James Lombard from Amasa Bigelow and owned in turn by his son Charles Lombard Sr. and at present by his grandson William Lombard.

Down in the field from the Robert Palmeter farm which is at present occupied by Elliot Palmeter we find the Palmeter homestead which was purchased in 1835 by Mr. Palmeter.  He cleared the land and set out orchards.  The present owner is Fred Palmeter.

Going down to the shore and coming back on the other side of the Palmeter lane we find a house owned by Curtis King.

Then a new house built in 1939 and owned by Peter Pilkington.

On this same corner is a house built in 1946 owned by Handley Taylor.

In the summer of 1949 a small store was built on this corner by Lawrence Barkhouse.

On the opposite corner of the Lombard property adjoining the Weaver road and near the same place where was the house of Justus Bigelow which served for a time as a school house, stands our present school house which, during the summer of 1949, was made into a two department school.

The teachers for the term 1949-50 were Miss Elizabeth Pearman of Berwick, Principal, and Miss Noreen Williams, of Truro, Primary teacher.

South of the school house on the west side of the road is the former George Holmes place now owned by Walter Woolaver and on the opposite (east) side of the road is the Lorne Parker farm formerly owned by Roy Cox.

Near the Creek Bridge is the Wylie West place which was the home of his father William West, who at one time kept the post office in his house.  There was once a store across the street.

Half way up the hill on the left is the Lyman Parker property which was once owned by John Strong and John Flucke.  The old house was torn down and a new one built which was burned in 1926.

Opposite on the west side is the farm of Lawrence Parker, the Vaughan place, formerly owned by Henry Weaver, the father of Mrs.Vaughan.  The house is considered the oldest in Medford.  Some say 150 years old, and until recently remodeled contained an enormous chimney with brick oven and bib fireplaces.

On the east side are the recently built home and poultry houses of Cecil Huntley.  This farm has been owned in turn by his grandfather Judah, and his father Whittfield, descendants of original grantees.

Further south is the farm of Clarence Patterson, at one time owned by Justin Bigelow.

This brings us to Kingsport and the farm of Burnthorn Cox.

On the east are many summer cottages along the shore from Ghouls Hollow back of Clarence Patterson’s south to Kingsport village.  While the shore is called Kingsport, it is easy to see it is due east from the Medford farms.  It is quite possible that in times to come the whole bank may be dotted with summer cottages.
 

Medford Beach Road
By Mary Lombard

 

In former times the first house on the north side of the road leading from the beach was the Ebenezer Eaton home.  When Mr. Eaton died the property was divided between his two sons Elijah and Abraham Eaton.  When Elijah went to the USA his place which is where the Young cottage now stands was sold.  E. Eaton sold his home to Mr. Metzler who later sold it to Capt. Alfred Coffill who sold it to C. Balsor.  This house later burned down.

Abraham Eaton’s was the last house on the north side of the road.  After Mr. Eaton’s death at a great age the place was sold to Mr. John Taylor.  His son Wilfred inherited the place and later sold it to Mr. R.L.Pameter.

The first house on the south side of the road leading to Medford beach,(after passing the property of Wylie West on the corner) is that built for Captain Alexander Carey and now occupied by his son Allan Carey.  The old Coffin house on this land was burned down.

The next house was the Captain Justin Loomer home which was also burned down a good many years ago.

The last house down near the shore was his (Justin’s)  father’s home, David Loomer’s after whose death the place was sold to Elijah White.  Then it went into the hands of Captain Joshua Lamb, next to Edward West and later it was sold to John Harding Coffin, who lived there with his mother until their death.

St. Joseph’s Vacation Camp, which is on the site of Captain Justin Loomer’s home, was built in 1946.
 

Medford Beach
By Alice Parker

 

Beginning at the extreme north the first cottage today is that of Mr. Sydney DeWolfe.  For a number of years the community picnic was held on their grounds.

The cottage now owned by Arthur North of Truro was built by Claude MacNamara.  This was later owned by Robert Palmeter who sold it to the present owner, Mr. North.

The first cottage built by Bert Hartlen is the one they occupy themselves.  The next one was built for their daughter and son-in-law, Mr & Mrs. Russel Carter.  Later this was rented to summer people together with other cottages they moved there or built.

The next cottage is owned by Mr. & Mrs. Earl Corbett of New Minas.  Coming next is the one owned by the late Mr. & Mrs. William Young.

There is a new cottage being built by Mr. Ritchy.

On the other side of the road is the cottage belonging to Lorne Parker and the Catholic Summer Camp for young people.

Medford Beach is getting to be increasingly popular as a summer resort and also a place for picnics.  A level safe beach affords a wonderful playground for children and an ideal spot for an evening bonfire, a wiener roast or a clam bake.  Many romances have begun amid these pleasant surroundings.

Off in the distance you may see any spring a weir or a fish net staked out waiting to catch unwary herring that way and sometimes larger fish.

Once, about 1919, great excitement reigned.  A great school of mackerel was found along the shore and the men left their farming and gathered and salted many tubs or barrels according to their needs.  Just why the mackerel came to be there has never been explained.

It has been said that the beach is so level and the sky so blue that it resembles Miami, Florida.

By Alice Parker

What is believed to be the oldest road to Medford begins at what is now the home of Arthur Taylor and divides at the railway crossing, one road going north and one going east.  That which goes north is usually called the Barkhouse Road as a number of families of that name lived on it for several generations.

The first place on the west of the road going north was that of the late Charles Bigelow, now occupied by Ralph Bigelow.

The next place on the east side was called the Billy Barkhouse place, where several generations of that family have lived.  The old house burnt down fifteen years ago and a new one built now owned by Morris Huntley and now occupied by Mrs. Smith.

The next house is that of Mrs. Clarence Barkhouse, and the following one is occupied by Mr. & Mrs. Jake Barkhouse and Mr. And Mrs. Earle Barkhouse.  Mr. Ned Barkhouse lived nearly a hundred years and his wife one hundred and six.  When over ninety years old Mrs. Barkhouse had the misfortune to fall and break her hip, but she made a good recovery, learned to get around to do her housework and enjoy nearly ten more years of life.  On and after her 100^th birthday the Halifax paper and radio mentioned her age and Moir’s Bakery, Halifax, sent her a birthday cake.
 

The Weaver Road
By Greta Swindells
 

The first house on this road running east and west is the Benjamin Weaver place, later occupied by his son, Benjamin Philip, then by his son David, then Leslie, George Fluck now owns the place, which is occupied by Austin Barron.

Across the road is the Joseph S. Jackson place.

Next easterly is the John Patterson place, which at one time was occupied by Myron Greene.  At the present time it is unoccupied.

Still easterly on the left is the William Weaver place, which is now occupied by Fred Greene.

Next easterly is the old Rupert Warner place.   The old house was burned and Mr. Warner moved away.  Edward Gammon built the house now owned by his son Karl, in 1883.

Next easterly is the Justin Bigelow place.  The house was burned and when George Holmes bought the place, he built a new house.  In 1946 the farm was bought by Walter Woolaver, who now occupies it. Just north of this place is the school house.

(Benjamin Weaver’s wife was a granddaughter of Louis Payzant, who was killed by Indians on an island in Mahone Bay.)

 

Huntley Road
By Alice Parker

 

Once a cow path, the other fork of the road near the railway crossing and leading over the hill has on the left the Eugene Parker farm operated by Hugh Parker.

On the right is the Loomer farm and house occupied by Harry Carty.

Next to this is the small house belonging to the Parker place which was lived in for a number of years by Clarence Parker.  This was afterwards bought by Jack Carty and later sold to Melbourne Huntley.

Opposite this on the left was at one time the home of Percy White.

To return to the right we find the Lewis Johnson property recently occupied by his son-in-law, George Harrison and which has lately been purchased by Wilfred Taylor.

The next two places on the right side somewhat back from the road are two comparatively new houses of Whitfield Huntley and his son Morris Huntley.  It is interesting to note that Whitfield Huntley is the oldest member of the Huntley family who were grantees of this part of Medford.

The next farm belongs to John Burns.  Here we have a couple (John and his wife) whose combined ages total 170 years.  They are still hale and hearty.

Still on the right side is the present home of Lyman Parker.  This farm formerly belonged to his uncle Charles Parker.

There are no more houses on the left side of the road.

 
Public Services

The Cornwallis Valley Railway line via Kentville and Canning came to Medford, Oct. 12, 1890.  This has been affectionately called the “blueberry Special” by two generations of high school students who have traveled night and morning to King’s County Academy at Kentville.  During the summer months of the last few years a bus has taken over some of the trips and the people along the line missed the familiar whistle of “Old Blomidon” passing through on its way to Kingsport.

Through the efforts of F.J. Hewitt, the first electric light service in Medford came from Pereaux about 1935.  Only a few homes were lighted at the time.  Later the Avon River Power gave direct service, which made it cheaper, and gradually the rest of the community was lighted.

The first three telephone lines in Medford were hand-made by Earl Parker Sr., and strung on the wire fence between his home at Paddy’s Island and the home of hi neighbour, Fred Palmeter, then to his brother’s (Lyman Parker) on the other side of Bass Creek.  Later three phones were given by John F. Fullerton of Port Williams.  A little later other families installed phones, connected up with standard wires and poles.  Eventually the owners incorporated into Medford Farmers’ Telephone Company with President, Secretary-Treasurer and directors.  At present there are eighteen shareholders in the company.  The first line was built in 1909.

During the last few years after big snowstorms the roads have been broken by the Government snow plough.  This has been much appreciated by those living off paved roads.

The Rural Mail Route (Canning RR 2) was inaugurated about 1912 and the first mail driver was Mr. James Newcombe and the second Mr. Owen Strong.



Medford Women’s Institute
 

The Medford Women’s Institute was organized in April 1920 by Miss MacDougal.

The charter members were: Mrs. George Holmes, Mrs. Wylie West, Mrs. Lyman Parker, Mrs. Leslie Weaver, Mrs. Harding Vaughan, Mrs. George Parsons, Mrs. Milledge DeWitt, Mrs. Levetta Sandford, Mrs. Robert Palmeter, Mrs. Fred West, Mrs. Lorne Parker, Mrs Reginald Kinsman, Mrs. David Weaver.

The first officers were: President, Mrs. Lorne Parker, Vice-president, Mrs. Harding Vaughan; Secretary-treasurer, Mrs. Leslie Weaver.

 

25^th Anniversary - May 1945
By Alice Parker

 

Address of first president read at 25^th anniversary of Institute:

Madam President, members and visitors:

It is a great pleasure for me to present this report on the 25^th anniversary of our organization.

Since in union is strength, we have everything to gain by banding ourselves in a rural women’s club.  The lonely isolation of farm women was much deplored in the past.  Their lives became increasingly narrow as they grew older and their children grew up and went away.  If the young need outside interest, the older ones need it much more.

We have ourselves the benefit of each other’s sympathy and encouragement, and at the same time helped in homes all over the country.  We have used the influence of our concentrated opinion in many matters of local and national concern.  We have sponsored many drives and collected for many needy and worthy causes.

Shortly after our organization we had a circulating library, each member buying a book.

We have studied Home Nursing, Home Economics, School and Legal problems, Home Decorations, Child Care and Gardening.

We gave to Children’s Aid, Infants’ Home, School for the Blind, Belgian Relief, and the Japanese Relief in 1920, Queen’s Canadian Fund, Russian, Greek and Chinese Relief in the war years.  We sent baskets of fruit, food, clothing and quilts to the needy of our community.  Our school has been supplied with First Aid kits, new seats and water cooler.  We also gave school prizes one year and prizes for competitive gardens one year.

We sent fruit and vegetables to Glace Bay during the strike and depression.  Contributed to Habitant Cemetery, Canning Rink, Col..Nobel’s statue at Grand Pre, Hospital Bazaar in Wolfville, Lady Tweedsmuir’s gift, Red Cross Ambulance and Mobile Kitchen. 

We erected signboard, decorated street corners, sent Sunshine boxes at Christmas, sympathy and congratulation cards, knitted for English Territorial Girls’ Service.

We have taken much interest in our Community Hall, even to painting, murescoing and scrubbing.  We have supplied dishes, closets, curtains and 100 chairs.  When electric lights were installed we took on our shoulders the responsibility of seeing that the monthly bills were paid.   The flag pole outside and the handrail on the stairs were also our gifts.

Two petitions have gone to the government at Halifax from us:

1. Concerning a new Medford bridge.

2. That a doctor be provided during the war year, after Dr. Chute left.

We sponsored the Prohibition Referendum a decade ago. We also sponsored the diphtheria clinic.

This is only part of what we have done.  We have enjoyed a wonderful community spirit at our meetings and at our annual picnic.

During the second World War a Red Cross Auxiliary was formed and sponsored by the Women’s Institute.  Considering the membership, a large amount of sewing and knitting was done, and there was a good response to the Red Cross drives.  Not only was there a large number of sweaters, socks, etc. Pillow cases and johnnies made, but also second-hand clothing was collected and sent overseas to the needy.  The auxiliary was disbanded at the close of the war and the money on hand was sent to the Cancer Fund.

The Guild was organized by Rev. George Miller in 1900 and continued for several years.  The meetings were held in Medford Hall and each week of the month a different type was held, as one week was a religious gathering, one week social, one literary and one musical.  It was well attended by the young people of the neighbouring districts, as Kingsport, Habitant, Pereaux.

The Division (Sons of Temperance) was organized in and had a large membership coming from Canning, Pereaux, Delhaven and Kingsport.

On December 15, 1913 the Little Star of Medford Band of Hope was organized.  The membership included the following: George Vyse, Raleigh Cox, Foster Barkhouse, Brunson Taylor, Freeman Taylor, Wilfred Taylor, Gordon Warr, Emery Parsons, Florence Parsons, Cassie Parsons, Willie Parker, Leonice Parker, Allison Carey, Robert Johnson, Maud Johnson, Phyllis Hutchinson, Mildred Holmes, Charlotte Jackson, Francis Burns, Kate Taylor, Mae Taylor, Elsie Huntley, Beulah Huntley, Andrew Huntley, Boyd West, Louis Arnold, Nicholas Ware, George Miller, Mrs. Eber Sandford and Mrs. George Holmes.

Medford School
By Lillian Young

 The first school house in Medford stood on the corner across from Mr. Lyman Parker’s present home, on land now owned by Lawrence Parker.  This school, which served both Medford and Kingsport was a two story building, a hall above and school house below.  Around the walls ran a platform, on which were built seats for the older pupils.  In front was the master’s desk, and in the low central part benches for the smaller children.

In the course of time the two sections were divided and a new school was built in Kingsport.  Medford too was to have a new school house, for shortly after this the school house on the hill was burned and a temporary school room established in a vacant house owned by a Bigelow family.  This house was just west of the present school house.  Probably the youth of that time appreciated the novelty going to school in a house.

However, fire seemed to be following them.  For some doubtful reason wood had been placed across the top of the stove and left to dry.  In the morning an enormous hole was found to be burned in the floor.  The wood had burned through in the middle and the burning ends had fallen off with natural results.

 The next school building was built about 65 years ago (about 1885) on land purchased from Mr. James Lombard.  Lumber for the job was obtained in Blomidon, owned by Vaughan and Loomer (Stewart Loomer’s father).  The carpenter work was done by Harris Coffin, Joe E. Cox and James Palmeter, while masonry was done by either Justus Bigelow or the Heanes.

Once again fire proved disastrous for the building was not beyond the lath and plaster stage when it burned to the ground.  A second attempt resulted in the present building which was opened finally in 1887 under the capable direction of Mr. Oliver Cogswell of Morristown, with 85 pupils on the roll.

Many changes have been made since those far-off days though some of the original features are still there.  We hear of years when the present storage room and wood shed were used for classes (apparently the trustees took enough pity on the teacher as to hire an assistant).

We hear of tennis courts on the school grounds.  We hear of new seats and desks and installation of electric lights.

In 1949 the school room was divided into two departments and in the year 1949-50 was under the management of Miss Elizabeth Pearman Berwick (advanced) and Miss Noreen Williams, Truro (Primary).

Many of the scholars of Medford School have distinguished themselves in the world, among them being two doctors and a lawyer and many noteworthy sea captains.

Many teachers have given of their knowledge to benefit the young folk of Medford, among them being, though not in chronological order:

 

Oliver Cogswell                                                                                                            Lillian Parker                Helen Power

E.A.Read                                                                                                                     Ellen Miller                   Mrs. Lil Young

Lew Haley                                                                                                                    Edith Graves                 Mrs. M. Rand

Fred Thomas                                                                                                                Emma Parker               Murray Ward

Norman Osborne                                                                                                          Lila Cox                       Elizabeth Magee

M.Gammon                                                                                                                  Effie Siddal                   John H. Parker

J.M.Hall                                                                                                                       Elsie Best                     L.G.Gladwin

Sadie Weaver                                                                                                               Ruth Jackson                Mrs. E. Woolaver

N.Spinney                                                                                                                    Mrs. Neary                  Mrs. Dickie

Clara Carter                                                                                                                 Mrs. Sandford  Mrs. Fry

Fannie Crowe                                                                                                               Mrs. P. Cox                 Mrs. Ward

Sadie Thompson                                                                                                            Mrs. Orton                   Mrs. Irving

Belle Cooke                                                                                                                 Mrs.Brown                   Lillian Young

Marion MacLean                                                          Mrs. Eaton

Lillian Kinsman                                                             Pearl Sellers

Cora Woodworth                                                         Joyce West

F. Woodworth                                                             Mrs. Blenkhorn

Mary Lombard                                                             Jos. Loomer

Francis Burns                                                               Gloria Dickie

Flora Patterson                                                             Thelma Butler

The Medford Hall

 

The Medford Hall has a long history of community gatherings.  Most worthy to remember are the Wednesday evenings of preachings and singing.  In olden times they were well attended.  A regular custom was for the men to sit on the left side of the hall and the women to sit on the right side of the hall.  There was spirited singing and many sons were called for.  The last minister to preach there was the Rev. John Barbour of the United Church.

Near the turn of the century the late Isaac Cox used to come to Medford to conduct the Sunday school.  After a few years it died down but it was reorganized during the time when Miss Ellen De Long was the Medford school teacher.  The women kept it going for some years, then when the women began to take their children to Kingsport church, it was disbanded.

There have been many Christmas concerts, pie sales, card socials, quilting parties, Institute Rallies and the yearly school meeting in the hall.  The Women’s Institute bought a piano to replace the old organ.  Many different people played for us - Mrs. Ethel Munroe, Mrs. Cassie Fluke, Mrs. Mary West, Mrs. Mildred Rand, Mrs. Mary Gammon, Lillian, Emma and Earl Parker and others.  When the school finally closed the building was sold to Walter Woolaver.  The piano was loaned to Kingsport United Church where it is at present.

The Medford Women’s Institute also bought a large Canadian flag with our beloved red ensign.  The men provided a nice tall flag pole and it was a great honour for a boy to have occasion to raise the flag.


1967
Property Changes in Medford since 1950

South East Medford:

Farm of the late Clarence Patterson sold to Bernthorne Cox

Farm of the late Lyman Parker, Walter Woolaver sold to Dr. Hoffman

Farm of the late Wylie West, Lewis Gammon, now Lawrence Parker

East

Farm of the late Lorne Parker, now Kenneth Parker

Farm of the late John Burns, Bill Burns now Bernard Parker

Farm of the late Fred Palmeter, Elliot Palmeter, Floyd Woolaver

Farm of the late Jim Parsons, Mrs. Logan Fraser, Frank Woolaver, Angus Strong

Farm of the late George Parsons, Mrs. Mary Keiser

Farm of the late Lorne Parker (Paddy’s Island) now Bernard Parker

West

Farm of the late Leslie Weaver, Beverly Fluke, now Kenneth Parker

Farm of the late R.S. Kinsman, Roy DeWolfe

Farm of Carl Gammon, Floyd Woolaver

Farm of the late Joseph Jackson, Fred Jackson, Morris Huntley

Farm of the late Eugene Parker, Hugh Parker now Floyd Woolaver

Farm of the late Percy White, Rawley Huntley

Farm of Jack Carty, Rawley Huntley, Fred Curry

Farm of the late Clarence Barkhouse now Daniel Barkhouse

School grounds and school building, Walter Woolaver

Honour Roll 2nd World War

 

P/L Roland West D.F.C., A.F.C. winner McFee Trophy 1948

Lieutenant Nursing Sister Eileen Lombard, USAAF in Pacific

L.A.C. Fred Fluke, R.A.F. in India

L.A.C. Roland Johnson R./A.F.

L.A.C. Joe Taylor R.A.F.

Corp. Peter Pilkington R.C.A.

Pr. Curtis King R.C.A.

Gunner Edward Keizer R.C.A.

Corp. Gilbert Patterson R.C.A.

Sarg. Major Murray Carey R.C.A.

Sarg. Will Parker, Signalman R.C.A.

Norman Barkhouse R.C.A.

Sapper Bob Barkhouse R.C.A.

Corp. Ivan Swindells R.C.A.

Jack Carty L.S. R.C.N.

Reynolds Carty F.C., Cook, R.C.N.

Clarke Carty, Electrician, R.C.N.

Fishing
By Katherine Palmeter

 

Some of the earliest known fishermen of Medford between 1870 and 1890 were John Lawson Sandford, James H, Palmeter, William West and James Eaton.  They built weirs by driving stakes into the beach and then weaving them with brush.  These weirs were tended each tide and the catch hauled home in ox-carts.  The fish were salted or smoked.  Few fresh fish were sold.

Carr Balsor and Abraham Eaton were our earliest boat fisherman.  They sold their fish from Windsor to Halifax.

About 1900 Jacob Trantor and his father-in-law DeWolfe of New Minas, built the first seine.  It was 1 1/4 miles long.  In 1905 Enos Barkhouse used this seine.  At this time Lyman Parker and Harding Burns built another seine.

In 1910 George L. Bishop, Leslie Bishop and Budd Bishop of Greenwich took over fishing rights here, The Bishop family still own the fishing rights of Medford.

Many of us remember the great school of mackerel that came by Medford Beach in 1919.  The fish were left on the shore by the outgoing tide and people hauled them away by barrelfuls.

In 1943 George and Varley Bishop put in the latest weir.

Alfred Barkhouse has been boat fishing off Medford since 1935. 
 

Boats and Skippers
By Katherine Palmeter

 

Carl Balsor owned one of the first boats in Medford.  Abraham Eaton and his son Clarke built several boats.  Two of them were the “Pilgrim” and the “Medford”.

About this time Oliver Cogswell began teaching navigation in Medford school, Captain Edgar Bigelow studied here.  Captain James Lombard studied navigation at Medford school and he sailed ships all around the world.

Captain Frank Barkhouse once of Medford now lives in Parrsboro.

Robert Taylor was captain of a tug boat which traveled the Avon River.

Clem Barkhouse became captain and sailed ships around the world.  He joined the Navy and became Commodore.  He commanded the government which patrolled the waters off the southern coast of Nova Scotia.

Captain James Burns and Lyman Parker sailed the tug boat “Millie”.  They towed scows loaded with logs from Cape Blomidon to Kingsport where the logs were milled into building materials, staves and heads for barrels.

Near 1910 Captain Alex Carey carried freight up and down the Bay of Fundy in many schooners.  The first was the “Golden Light”.  She was owned by Captain Potter of Canning.  The “Gypsy” owned bu Whitfield Coffin, Lavett Sandford, Dave Weaver of Medford came next.  Then the “Annie” owned by J.D.Ells of Kingsport and Scott Blenkhorn of Canning.  Captain Carey owned the “Murray B.” and the “Hattie McKay”.  His son Allan sailed with him as first mate.  He skippered the “Murray B.” and received his Captain’s papers.

The “Hustler” and the “Lena” were owned by Lyman Parker.

The “Alpha” was built in 1916 by Glen Sandford.

In 1934 Albert Barkhouse built the “Unexpected” for Frederick West.  Construction of another boat now by Glen Sandford proves that shipbuilding is not a thing of the past in Medford.

Frederick West Jr. son of Mr. & Mrs. Wylie West, followed the sea as an engineer for a few years, but his career was cut short in October 1940 when he was drowned in New York harbour during a collision with another ship.

 
Recent Changes in Medford

Maritime Telephone took over the local line in August 1957.

Dial service begun in August 1958.

School bus to Cornwallis high school begun in 1959.  Earnest Joyce driver.

Medford school closed in 1960.  Primary children attended Kingsport school.

Glooscap Elementary school opened in January 1964.

The paved road was completed in 1964.

Captain Alexander Carey
By his daughter Leone Carey Bennett

 

Captain Alexander Carey was born at Avonport, June 3, 1862.  He died in Wolfville, N.S. October 30, 1940.

The late Captain Carey started his sea going life at the early age of 12.  When only a very young man he used to go as first or second mate in three-masted schooners owned by the late Sir Frederick Borden and the Potter Brothers of Canning.  He later sailed in command of small schooners owned by Scott Blenkhorn of Canning and J.D. Ells of Kingsport.

Among the schooners of which he was captain were the “Annie”, the “Gypsy” and the “Murray B.”, the “Golden Light” and the “Hattie McKay”.

He was the first mate of the three masted ship the “Unexpected”.  When only 20 years of age his experience, like most of the old sea captains of his time, was his education and he learned by observation.

His last years of going to sea he was master and owner of his own schooners, the “Murray B” and later the “Hattie McKay”.  He carried coal for R.E. Harris of Wolfville and many summers he carried deal from Parrsboro to load steamers for the overseas markets.

His last schooner the “Hattie McKay’ was wrecked at Bass Creek having got across the sandbar in the August gale of 1927.

His last trip to sea was with his son Murray, on a little sail and motor boat, the “Silent Star” owned by Allison Carey, another son.  That was late August 1938.  They sailed from Wolfville for Port Greville, Cumberland Co.  A storm came up and only for the skill of Capt. Carey all would have been lost.  The small boat was seen from Port Greville by a large crowd who were picnicking on the shore who all watched and waited.  The little boat was given up for lost.  Among the spectators on the beach was Captain Carey’s niece, Mrs. Peter Skinner.  That night when she was called to the door it was to welcome her uncle (better known as Uncle Ech) and his son Murray.  They stayed several days at Port Greville visiting Mrs. Skinner.  He later told her how the rudder ropes got tangled in the propeller and his own son Murray had his feet tied and went down headfirst to cut the rudder clear/ Much credit was due young Murray but Capt. Carey weathered the gale and brought the little boat in safe.  As many on the beach that day said, “Only Capt. Carey could have done it.”

Interesting Items
By Alice Parker
 

The first radio battery set with earphones was sent to Lyman Parker Christmas 1924 by his brother Earl Parker of Victoria, B.C.

The first car in Medford was bought in 1911 in Parrsboro by Lorne Parker from a Mr. Vaughan.  It was brought to Kingsport in a vessel especially chartered for the purpose.  The car was a “Russel” and it was cranked on the side.

The first tractor was the property of Mr. Everett Roscos.  The name of the tractor was the “Happy Farmer”.

Rules of the road from right to left drive law.  January 1, 1922 Federal franchise for women in 1918.