| Title: | Machum, Alexander to , 1893 |
|---|---|
| ID | 6418 |
| Collection | New Brunswick Letters |
| File | newbrunswick/53 |
| Year | 1893 |
| Sender | Machum, Alexander |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | schoolmaster |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | New Jerusalem. N.Brunswick, Canada |
| Destination | unknown |
| Recipient | unknown |
| Recipient Gender | unknown |
| Relationship | unknown |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 5012 |
| Genre | excerpt from diary, account of N.Brunswick and his family |
| Note | |
| Transcript | An Account By Alexander Machum Of New Jerusalem, New Brunswick (1819-1897) Written July-August 1893 (An accurate copy – D.A. Machum, 1966) By the request of my son Harry W. Machum, I write the following; part of which is hearsay from my parents, and part what I remember and experienced. My ancestors lived in the County of Derry, Ireland. My paternal grandfather married a Miss Ann Bryce, who thus became my paternal grandmother. They had two sons and one daughter whose names were Samuel, Alexander and Ann. Their father died while they were minors. Samuel injured him by jumping which resulted in his early death. Ann married a Mr. John Orr, after which (they) emigrated to Pittsburgh, Pa. U.S.A. Alexander apprenticed himself to a Mr. James Carson of Newtonlimavady, County Derry, not far from where he was born, to learn the business of weaving linen by the fly shuttle. After a time he became a very expert weaver, and was frequently sent to the nearest market town, Coleraine, a distance of 10 Irish miles, to sell the cloth and buy yarn. This Mr. Carson had married a Miss Mary Worden and had a family of one son, named John, and two daughters Mary and Margaret. John married, raised a family, and ended his days in his native land. Mary, the elder of the two girls, married a Mr. Joseph Moore and emigrated to New Brunswick where they both ended their days. When Alexander Machums’s apprenticeship expired, he and the younger daughter were married in the autumn of 1818. And in the month of May following they sailed from Derry for St. John N.B. on a ship called the “Aurora”. After a tedious voyage of 80 days they arrived at St. John strangers in a strange land. A few days after they had taken lodgings, father met a Mr.Erb from Belleisle Bay, Kings Co. N.B. and hired with him to do farm labour. So he had to leave his wife behind; but after some days he rented a house near where he was working, and returned to the city for his Margaret. In the meantime she had become a mother by giving birth to me on the 5th Sept. 1819. We lived at the Bellesile till Nov. 1824; but father had previously petitioned Government for 200 acres of land on the west side of the Lot granted to Richard Polley Sen. in Jerusalem Settlement, Queens Co. N.B. After he obtained the grant, which cost ₤12.10, he went to see what kind of a farm he had got. He found he had the making of a good farm, and went to work and cleared a small field and built a log house. It was about 9 miles back from Jones’s creek, and the road for the greater part of the distance not leveled, only the trees and bushes cut out. However, in Nov. 1824, a Mr. Jenkins was hired to move the family to Jones’s Creek. That night we lodged at Mr. Duncan Grant’s. The next day a Mr. Harry Belyea, with his oxen and an entirely wooden cart, took mother and her three children and whatever else he could to Mr. Samuel Linskell’s, where the Bogles now live. We stayed there some days till the house was made ready to move into. The 7th day of the next October was the time of the great fire in Miramichi. It was so fearfully tempestuous that the inhabitants thought that the Last or Judgement day had really come: And it proved to be the last day to many in that place, where; it was said, the people were very wicked. Forest fires were very general over the province at that time. I well remember the smoke was so dense that people could hardly see or breathe. Shortly after that a minister, named Roy, came to Jerusalem and preached a sermon in Mr. Linskell’s house from the last verse of the 6th chapter of Rev. which produced such a sensation upon my mind as I have never forgotten, altho’ I was then quite young. My parents were strictly brought up Presbyterians and my mother being a devout and Bible-reading Christian, her offspring were early taught the reading of the scriptures; the observance of the Sabbath; and the first principles of religion for which I have many time felt to thank the Giver of all good. My father was born in March 1797 and mother in Nov. 1796. Father died May 20th 1868 and mother Oct. 8th 1878. Both departed this life with a lively hope of a glorious immortality and resurrection to eternal life. I never heard either my father or any of my brothers take thename of God in vain by using any profane language; And no person ever heard me violate the third command of the decalogue. When they first settled in Jerusalem, and for some years after there was no organized body of Christians in church capacity, farther than meeting together for prayer in private houses. About the year 1835 there was a Baptist church organized of which my parents became members and continued so till they left the church militant to join the church triumphant. Each of their children became identified with same body of christians. Their family, in the order of birth, were Alexander born in the City of St. John, September 5th 1819. Martha born at Belleisle, Kings Co. N.B. April 13th 1822. Ann at Bellesile on Aug. 21st 1824. James at Jerusalem Oct. 9th 1826. Samuel at Jerusalem June 25th, 1829. John at Jerusalem May 30th 1832 and Mary Jane Dec. 14th 1835. The next important family event was marriage. Alexander was married to Miss Elizabeth Frances Inch of Jerusalem, Jany, 18th 1849. Martha was married to Mr. Richardson Hutchinson of Jersualem Dec. 26th 1844. Ann was married to Mr. Thomas Kerr of the Gagetown Road Nov. 20th 1845. James was firstly married to a Miss Hannah Wilson of Fredericton March 25th 1863, and secondly to a Mrs. Brewer of F’ton May 11th 1887. Samuel was married to Miss Emily Sleep of Jerusalem July 21st 1857. And Mary Jane was married to Mr. John Brown of Jerusalem June 19th 1861 The final and most important event to a portion of the family to the present 1893 was death. Martha died Sept. 11th 1876, Ann died Jan. 21st 1862, and John died May 30th 1856. The remaining three sons and one daughter are alive and well. A brief sketch of my father’s family may not be out of place, leaving my own till the last. Martha experienced religion and joined the F.C.B. church some time before her marriage. Her partner became a member of the same church afterwards. Both appeared to walk together in the fear and love of God while life lasted, enjoying the comfort of the promises contained in the word of God which proved as an anchor to their hope when passing through trials and bereavements. Several of their children were taken from them by scarlet fever. After that her husband was called away by death of Consumption. Some years after, her dwelling house was burned with nearly all its contents. The loss by the fire was largely made up by her friends and acquaintances so that she was again quite comfortable. On Sept. 11th 1876 she was freed from all her trials and sorrows by crossing the narrow stream of death to be forever with Him who had supported and comforted her through life. And be re-united to the loved ones who had died in the Lord never to be separated again. There are only 3 of her children alive now, Joseph, Charles and William. My sister Ann professed religion in the days of her youth and was a member of the F.C.B. church some years before her marriage. Her partner adhered to the Presbyterian church. They had two sons, John A. and Lewis J. and two daughters, Margaret A. and Rebecca J. all alive and healthy. During the last few years of her life she endured a good deal of physical suffering, but through it all her faith and trust in Jesus were strong, enabling her to rejoice in all her trials and long to depart and be with her dear Saviour in whose presence there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord”. They are freed from a world of grief and sin, eternally with God shut in. My brother James did not experience religion so early in life as my sisters; but as soon as he yielded to the influences of the Holy Spirit and sought the Lord he was enabled to rejoice in God his Savior. He then dedicated (himself) to the Lord by being baptized and uniting himself to the people of God and enrolling his name in the F.C.B. church of which he is still a member. His first wife was an humble follower of the Saviour. She became the mother of three sons who are still living. She was not permitted to remain in this world to become old but was called home to enjoy the rest that remains for the people of God. His second partner is also a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. He remained home with father till after I was married, then he entered into partnership in business with me for a few years till he formed an idea of entering into saw-mill speculation. Our partnership then closed. After he married he sold his interest in mills and land and kept a grocery store in St. John for a few years. Then he moved to F’ton and followed the same business for several years, after which he sold out and moved to Nashwaaksis where he now lives. My brother Samuel stayed home with father and bought one half of the farm; and at father’s decease he got the other half for a consideration made in his will. His partner was a member of the Methodist church, and he of the F.C.B. They had quite a large family but some died leaving 4 sons, John C: George: James S. and William A. Also 4 daughters, Martha, Emma, Jane, Margaret and Minnie. My brother John stayed home assisting with farm work and going to school whenever it was possible. He taught school a few years, and when he experienced religion was much concerned about the welfare of others, going around exhorting and holding prayer meetings endeavouring to win souls to the Saviour. He went to Barrington N.S. for that purpose and remained several months. At length he contracted a heavy cold attended with a severe cough so he returned home accompanied by his affianced who remained with him the few months he lived. On May 30th 1856 his happy spirit was released from the diseased body to dwell forever with the Lord. My sister, Mary Jane, previous to her marriage, had sought the Lord and found him to the joy of her heart, and chose to cast her lot with the people of God, and united with the members of the F.C.B. Her husband was also a member of the Baptist Church. Soon after their marriage they moved to Brantford, Ontario, where they still live, and have become grandparents. I, Alexander, the eldest, remained at home working during the farming months and going to a school 2 or 3 miles distant the rest of the time. My teacher was Mr. Samuel Mahood who came from the Province of Ulster, Ireland. I continued doing thus till Feb. 1839, when a Mr. John Smith from Hampstead, where the village now is, came for me to go and teach school for them. At that time the system was to board around at the homes of the children who attended school. The government allowance to teachers was a uniform ₤20 a year. They appointed six persons in every county to examine applicants for licenses to teach. Upon the recommendation of this Board a license would be granted. I went to Hampstead and agreed with the proprietors to teach a year for ₤28 and my board and washing. After I had taught two weeks I went to Gagetown to be examined. The law required them to examine the Applicant in Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and English Grammar (Lennie’s). They examined me in the first three branches and expressed their entire satisfaction. I then told them I knew nothing about Eng. Grammar as it was not taught in the school I attended. They kindly advised me to go to some school where I could study it and then come back. I went right to St. John and attended a school just 4 weeks at the end of which I had committed to memory all the parts of speech and the rules of Syntax (36) and could parse simple sentences quite readily. When I returned the Board were well satisfied and recommended me for a license for the Province which in due time I received for which the Government charged a guinea. I then taught that year and the next at Hampstead. I then returned to Jerusalem and taught one year. In the winter of 1841 by the grace of God and the aid of the Holy Spirit I was enabled to believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ and yield my will to His without any reserve and in obeying His commands he blessed my soul abundantly, filling my heart with joy unspeakable and full glory so that my peace flowed like a river. Old things had passed away and all things had become new. I was made a new creature in Christ Jesus. I knew I had passed from death unto life by His Spirit bearing witness with mine that I was His adopted child. An heir to the inheritance purchased with a great price and freely given to all who will come to Jesus and accept Him as their only Saviour. It is His will that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. How shall we escape if we neglect to accept this great salvation? In the Autumn of 1842 I went to F’ton to increase my knowledge for teaching. I attended a school for 6 months, taught by a Mr. J McLaughlan; about 70 years of age, from the County Derry, near where my parents were born. He was said to be as good a mathematician as could be found in the Province of N.B. I assiduously devoted my time to the study of Eng. Grammar, Geography, Book-keeping: Plane and spherical Geometry, Land Surveying, Algebra, and Trigonometry with Navigation, much to my own satisfaction. During that winter 1843 the people up the River St. John were terribly excited by believing that the end of the world would certainly be that year. I understood that Woodstock was the centre of excitement. However the final end has not come yet. “Of that day and hour knoweth no man.” I left F’ton the last day of March and got to fathers that evening, just as the greatest fall of snow commenced that I have ever seen. The snow fell incessantly for four days and nights without any wind. I remained home till May when I went to the Parish of Springfield, Kings County three miles above the head of Belleisle Bay, where I taught in the same school for 3 years. Total abstinence from all intoxicants was my motto then and has been ever since. I came back to Jerusalem and began teaching there again. But I soon thought of changing my way of living. I bought 10 acres of land, had a nice house and barn erected thereon and made choice of a partner for life in the person of Miss Elizabeth Frances Inch of Jerusalem, daughter of Mr. Nathaniel Inch Se. She was a member of the Methodist Church and a lover of the Saviour of sinners. We become lovers of Him because He first loved us. I continued teaching till the autumn of 1848 when I left off to attend the Training School the second Term of three months. The Principal was Mr. D’Avray. I obtained a First Class License and returned home in Dec. And on the 18th of January 1849 my betrothed and I were united in the holy bonds of matrimony by the Revd. Christopher Milner (Episcopal). After a few days we moved into our own house. When I planned the house I had an ell attached to it and finished suitably for keeping a general store. I began upon a small scale, my wife waiting on customers during the day and I teaching school, but at home after my day’s work was done. We took great comfort together when uniting our prayers at the family altar, realizing that christians are all one in Christ Jesus. Although we were not so faithful as it was our duty and privilege to be, yet He who ever faithful was very merciful to us. I continued to teach for a few years. Business continued to increase so that I found it necessary to leave off teaching and attend to the store. Having purchased three lots of land on the other side of the highway, of 100 acres each, at a cost of $2, 000, with the assistance of a hired man, I added farming to the other business and in 1861 I built a larger store and enlarged the dwelling house costing in all about $1, 500. I worked along thus for a few years. At the end of the year 1868 I had a family of 6 sons and two daughters. James Alex born October 12th, 1849 Thomas Wm. born Aug. 12th 1851 Eliza Ann born Oct. 9th 1853 Amelia Jane born Oct. 22nd 1855 John Samuel born Aug. 23rd 1859 Geo. Alfred born Apr. 18th 1862 Edwin Robinson born Aug. 19th 1864 Harry Wilford born Aug. 16th 1868 In 1872 when the new School system was inaugurated, Teachers were classified and received better salaries than before. It was considered advisable for me to engage in teaching again, as my children had grown up so that they could attend to the business and work without me, having their mother to give directions how to manage. She was very industrious, tidy and economical, as well as an excellent manager not only in household affairs, but otherwise: to which (with the blessing of God) I attribute, in a great measure, not only my success in business, but my happiness and enjoyment of life. She was very anxious about her children’s welfare and comfort, and trained them so that they were a source of comfort and satisfaction to us both not only while they were under the parental roof but afterwards by shewing us all due respect and affection, and also endeavouring to make life, in our declining years both pleasant and comfortable; which materially enhances our earnest desire for their welfare and happiness both in this world and that which is to come, whither we are fast hastening. May the Lord enable both parents and children to so live that we shall be an entire family in heaven never to be separated; and freed forever from pain and sorrow; from temptation and sin; and all the ills to which the flesh is heir. In 1872 I began teaching again and taught 4 years in Jerusalem; then I went to Welsford and taught a Superior school 2 ½ years. In 1881 I was enumerator for half of the Parish of Petersville, after which I taught 1 ½ years in Hampstead where I taught upwards of 40 years before. Then I taught 3 years at Coote Hill, Nerepis, and lastly I taught three years in Jerusalem. Making a total of 38 years. After my mother-in-law died I bought my father-in-law’s farm for $1000. My dear partner was subject to frequent attacks of severe headache which, after some years became neuralgic. During the attacks then the pain and distress she suffered were beyond the power of description, and not fully known by any one but herself and Him who knoweth all things and sympathizes with His children in all their afflictions and sorrows. The Lord, in his infinite wisdom and love released her from all her sufferings on 8th of Aug. 1891 taking her ransomed spirit home to glory. Towards the last days of her life she desired to see all her children that were alive. They were at once notifed and all arrived in due time. And she being in full possession of her reason she gave full directions how she wished a distribution of our effects to be made. After which she gave each her last kiss and blessing, and passed away without a struggle; falling asleep in Jesus looking upward her countenance manifesting joy and happiness, just as if her spirit was beholding her dear Saviour and all the heavenly host. Will disembodied spirits know each other In Heaven? I think they will. Because here we see and know only in part, but there we shall be perfect, and shall “know as we are known”. The faculties of the soul, in a glorified state are free from imperfection. The Revd. Mr. Frizell officiated at the funeral. Before the children separated their mother’s wishes were most agreeably carried out. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord”. James A. my eldest son remained home attending the common school till we thought it advisable to send him to the Sackville Academy where he remained for a time. On his return he attended the Normal School in St. John and obtained a 2nd Class School License and taught school a few years. But at length he had a very severe attack of acute pneumonia. A Doctor living near was called at once, I requested him to treat him as I was, when I had an attack very similar, but he would not bleed in the arm, but gave him 12 pills saying they would make him all right, but they failed. He then gave 6 more and they failed to relieve him of the severe pain. I then sent 10 miles for our family Doctor. He said he was too long in seeing him to remove the disease at once, but left him some medicine. A severe cough set in with profuse expectoration. I applied to seven different doctors without any benefit, his cough and raising continuing unabated. After a time a strange doctor came looking for a situation saw him and appeared to be much interested in his case. He located about 6 miles distant, and every time he was passing he called and examined him by sounding his lungs. At a certain time when doing so he advanced the idea of making an opening in his side so that the matter could escape instead of by the mouth. He wished me to get a certain Doctor to consult with him, which I did. They did not agree about it. Still the first one referred to continued his examinations as formerly for some months. At last he said, the symtoms were more favorable for an operation than they had ever been. He then wished he had a certain doctor from St. John to consult with him. I brought him, but the result was as before, James was attacked with such severe pain that I sent for the same Doctor who came and administered every thing he could and remained nearly 24 hours. At length he said there was just one thing only that would ease the pain, and that was morphia, so he gave him the ⅛ of a grain which did give him complete ease in less than 20 minutes. When he was leaving he left 3 doses with his mother to give him should the severe pain recur. It recurred and recurred so often that the habit of taking the drug became fixed. So he had to use it regularly and in larger doses to have the desired effect. The cough and raising remaining as bad as ever. But after 6 or 7 years both the cough and expectoration ceased at once. Then he began to gain strength and after a time was able to teach and worked in different offices in St. John. In 1889 he came home to spend Xmas and stay a while. About the 20th of Feb. he was taken ill and died March 1st 1890. The fatigue and anxiety his mother endured during his protracted illness seriously injured her health and her nervous system. Thomas Wm. remained home till he married Miss Alice Smith of Jerusalem on June 17th 1873. I then gave him a deed of one of the 100acre lots on which were a house and barn and assisted him in making a start. After living on it a few years he sold it to this brother G. Alfred and moved to his father-in-law’s where he still lives, having only one son, now a young man. After Eliza Ann had acquired a fair education at home she was sent to Sackville Institution for a time. Some time after her return she was married to Mr. Hugh McLean, M.D. of Long Creek, Queen’s Co. They had a family of two sons and three daughters. The two boys and eldest daughter were removed by death. Eliza A. was married June 16th 1877 and are now living in Indiantown. Amelia Jane remained home till Oct. 16th, 1878 when she was married to Mr. John G. Nugent, M.D. They now live at Salmon River Q.C. and have three sons and one daughter. John S. remained home till he married Miss Alice Davis of Hibernia on Oct. 12th 1882. I then gave him the Inch farm by his paying me $300. He lived upon it for a few years. He then rented it and went to St. John as a grocer clerk to W. A. Porter. He has a son and a daughter. Geo. Alfred remained at home and was married Dec. 19th 1883 to Miss Esther J. Howe, of Nerepis. I gave him a deed of one of the lots. Afterwards he sold the lot he bought from Thos. W. and worked upon his own and the lot alongside, of which I gave him a deed taking a mortgage theron. After his marriage they lived in a part of my house, and do so yet. Having two sons and three daughters. When my partner was taken away I concluded to not keep house any longer but to live with my children. I gave Alfred a title of the real estate, (reserving two rooms in the house) for which he pays me a certain sum semi annually during my life. In 1890 he had a severe attack of La Grippe and ever since has been less rugged than before. Edwin R. remained home till he obtained a common school education. He was then sent to Sackville Academy. When he left there he went to the Normal School at F’ton, and obtained a First Class License on the first examination. He then taught school at Greenwich, after that at St. Stephen: next at Portland St. John with marked success. In the meantime he studied law and got an agency in a Life Insurance Co. While in Woodstock N.B. he became acquainted with a Miss Lielia Harrison whom he married Aug. 22nd 1888, and now has a son and a daughter. He gave up teaching and became an agent for the “Temperance and General Life Assurance Co. of North America”. The Head Office is at Toronto, Ontario. He is now manager for said Co. in the Maritime provinces. Having an office he needed an assistant, so, when his mother died he requested me to go live with him and assist in the office. As soon as I had my business arranged at home I went to St. John Nov. 6th 1891 and have been with him ever since, and am much pleased with the situation. I have good health and a contented mind; the only inconvenience is a little deafness. Harry W. attended the schools in Jerusalem and the one at Coote Hill taught by myself; after which he went to Sackville Academy for a time. After his return he attended the Normal School in Fredericton and received a School License of the 2nd Class. He then went to Carleton County and taught firstly in Knowlesville and secondly at Carlisle, with very good success. In the meantime he became acquainted with a Miss Katie Wheaton, whom he chose for a life partner, and married her on June 29th 1890. He then went to work as a sub-agent under his brother Edwin in St. John. At the beginning of 1892 he took up his residence in Woodstock, N.B. the Company appointing him Agent for the counties Madawaska; Victoria; Carleton, and part of York, by which he has done fairly well; considerably better than by teaching school. He has now two little sons who will afford him both work and amusement when at home “to train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”. Now, dear Harry, I imagine I have arrived at the end of my rambling and jumbled up statements, whether they will be of any interest to you or not. At any rate, my desire was to tell the truth as far as my memory served me. I hope you will kindly pardon me for any bad grammar, bad arrangements, or misstatements I may have made. My sincere desire is that I may meet every member of my dear family before the throne of God and (the) Lamb where there will be perfect happiness forever in the presence of God an the companionship of our dear loved ones who died in Jesus. No more separation forever and forever. Lord grant that it may be so for Jesus’ sake, Amen and Amen. From your loving father almost 74 years of age, Alexander Machum |
