(
Ethel t_,.amil~ ton Dalh. ousie,N.B ' July,I965 .
English3- -4990 Dalhousie,N.B.
Dalhousie is a pulp and pape r town in Northern Brunswick,situated on the Bay of Chaleur. ~he population is roughly six thousand and madP up almost equally of Canadians (Jf: Scotch~ • and ~rench background. Al though the Scotch were the original settlers of the region. Trade,first with the West Indies and £ngland, und en(£~~~J~~-; Hami~~ who was the first merohant:;t©o bring and take cargo from the town and now with the paper industry,has-long been of prime impontance.As a result, stories of burning ships and hidden treasure have been told through the ages. Since paper and before that the long lumber mills demanded vast quantities of wood,lumbering is well known and close to the fueart of many. It is for that reason I have tried to collect some of the old favorites of the shanty-days. Ethel Hamilton ----- I 194 01
P~antom Ship of the Bay Chaleur
Once a French vessel was bringing supplies to the hard pressed. forces at Que1H-ic .Her captain sighting a British ship - of - war in the Gulf ,sought refuge in the Bay of Chaleur,only to realize too late that it was impossible to get out a~ain. The Captain was a brave man and loyal to his king and country.Rather than allow the supplies he carried fall into the hands of the enemy he ran his ship aground and set it afire.With his men,he watched from the shore and then made his way through the trackless woods to the French settlements. The ship did not sink but burns on,a reminder of the days when Canada was New France.
coll.:Dalhousie,tt.B. July I6/65. Inf.: ~ Dalhousie,N.B. A.
Note: This is one of two stories !./Irs.Edwards told about the origin of the Phantom Ship.She is a lady of about sixty years and has been quite active in community affairs especially with anything dealing with a historical or cultural nature. She couldn't remember when she had heard these tales. r Ethel Hamilton ---- 2 194 02
The Burning Ship of the Bay Chaleur
It was in the eighteenth dentury,when the Caribbean was a pirate infested sea,that a Spanish galleon set sail from Cristobal in the New World for her home port of Santander in Spain.She carried a wealth of treasure and also a young Spanish don and his beautiful bride. All went well for some days and the vessel was soon sailing off . the coast of Hispaniola,as swiftly as her size would allow.The Captain and his crew were beginning to think that they would reach the broad Atlantic in safety.The young don and his bride had no thought of danger and all days were ? alike to ·them in their great happiness. Then suddenly a vessel,dark and dirty,amazingly swift, shot out of one of the tiny bays of the island. 'J.'he Joll y Roger was at her masthead.The great galleon tried to escape but she was too slow.It was not long before the pirate vessel grappled with her and the blood-thirsty villians swarmed aboard. The fight was short and sharp.One of the first to fall was the young don,and his terrified wife sought shelter in her cabin.She was soon discovered and brought before the captain who was touched by her beauty and helplessness.He warned his rough crew that anyonewho molested her would be punished.She was kept a prisoner in her cabin,except on rare occasions when she was allowed on deck. The pirate ship sailed north along the Atlantic coast seeking prey which she found all too easily off the Carolinas and Virginia •. Ernboldened by success ,her captain · decided to lie in wait for the richly laden New England vessels,and haunted the seas off the wealthy colony of Massachusetts,where _greed and ambition led to his undoing. Ethel Hamilton ----3 194 03
Word of his depredations caused the colonists to take action A sloop -of-war was sent out to catch and sink the pirate vessel and to capture the captain and crew for execution. After the first encounter the pirates knew that they were outmatched.They crowded sail and thevessel made off ,soon outdistancing her pursuers.A long and dogged race began north ward,until one day,seeking a hiding place,they entered the ~ay Chaleur. An oncoming storm drove the pirates up the bay, the wat.srs of which were unknown to them.The sky dark:Ened quickly,to be lit from time to time by jagged lightning.Suddenly a terrific crash of thunder accompanied a flash that lit the whole sky. A moment later it was seen that the ship had been struck and was ablze. Panic seized the crew and many jumped overboard.Those who remained were startled by a strange sight.±he form of a beautiful girl glided along the deck to the prow of the vessel where she stood with arm outstretched,pointing ahead.The Captain,speebound by the vision,shaped his course by her direction.Too late,he saw the rocks immediately in his way.There was a loud cry from the girl,a cry of fear or triumph or both,as the ship struck. The phantom ship sails on and many who have seen it testify that they see a girl in flowing robes with outstretched arms.
coll.:Dalhousie,N.B.JulyI6/65 Inf.: ~ · Dalhousie,N.B. A. Ethel Hamilton ----4 194 04
The Phantom Ship of the Bay Chaleur
The story is told of a Spanish galleon which was attacked and boarded by pirates along the Carribean.The Captain of the Spanish ship had his wife on board and when the Captain of the pirate ship saw her he took her back to his own ship leaving the husband behind. As the pirates left the Spanish ship the husband cried in anger that the abductors would pay for their deed with fire. The two ships sailed northward and the pirates,seoking shelter,sailed into a cove of the Bay Chaleur.fhey had not been there ~or long when the 0panish ship sailed on behind them.The pirates were quick to sail along the shore,hoping to escape.They had succeeded to the point where they were leaving the cove when suddenly out of the heav(?.ns a brilliant flash of lightning struck their ship and set it mn fire.
coll.: Fredricton,July I5,I965 Inf.: Walter Brown, Chatham, • • c
Note: This is again one of two tales about the origin of the Phantom Ship which I collected From Walter Brown. Mr brown is a graduate of St Thomas University,Chatham and is presently teaching school in Dalhousie,N.B. He is twenty-three years of age.He heard the stories from his grandmother when he was just L alad. /)~ ~
~ Ethel Hamil ton-----·- -5 194 05 The Phantom Ship of the Bay Chaleur
In the early days of the colonies pirates were a menace to shipping and it happened on one occasion that a ship from England was stopped from going to Quebec with a cargo o~ supplies. When the Captain o~ the English ship saw that he could not sail up the St.Lawrence he turned aside and entered Chaleur Bay only to find that he could not get out again. Now the captain was a brave man and rather thanhave the pira tes capture the cargo he decided to burn his ship.This he did • However,the ship did not burn completely and is still seen ? sailing throughout the entire lengih of the bay.
col l. :Fredericton , N.B. July I2,I965 . i nf . :~ Chathem,N.B. c
Note: This is the second of the two s tories that Wallie remembers hearing from his Grandmother about the origi n of the Phantom Ship. Ethel Hamilton -----6 194 06 Woodsmans Alphabet A is for axes,you very well know. B is for boys,who can use them just so. c is for chopping,we now will begin. D is for danger,we all do stand in. chorus So merry,so merry,eo merry are we No mortal on earth are so happy as we. Sing hi derry,ho derry;hi derry down Give the shanty boys rum and theres nothing goes wrong. E is for echo,which through the woods rings. F is for foreman,the head of the gang. G is for grindstone,which often goes round. H is for handles,so smooth and so round. chorus I is for iron,which we mark our pine. J is for jolly,we're not far behind. K is foe keen-edge,we on our axe keep. L is for lice,which down our backs cre.· p. chorus M is for moss,which we cork our camp. N is for needle,we mwnd our own pants. 0 is for owl,who hoots loud at night. P is for pine,which seldom falls right. chorus. Q is for quarrels,we seldom allow. R is for river,we on our logs brow. S is for sleds,so stotit and so strong. T is for teams,which haul them along. chorus U is for use,which we make of our pine. V is for valley ,which through the woods twine. W is fir woods,we leave in the spring. And this is to you all the song I will sing. chorus There are three more letters ,I can't put in rhyme. If anyone knows them,please tell me in time. .. Ethel Hamilton----7 194 07
For the train is aleaving,the signal has swung. So fare-thee well darling,It's I going home. chorus.
coll.:Young's Cove,N.B. July I3,I965 Inf.~~!~1~ Dalhousie,N.B. A.
Note. Mr Monzello is a man of about sixty years of age. He is presently an employee of the International Paper Company l11ill in Dalhousie but early in his youth spent several winters in the woods up the I.& R.The camps mentioned from time to time wher t~ Berry :Brook ( now part o:f what is called Jt: Saut}J East). Five Fingers and Kedgewick. He recalls heari ng~ hur Bouch~ from Balmoral sing by the hour during those winter evenings. I was to go with Mr. Monzello on Sat. July 24th. to visit Mr. Boucher in his home at Balmoral and did get two songs.Mr. ~oucher is now seventy-five years old and as he had not sung for some time was not able to remember all that he had known at one time • This particular song which I have copied above Mr.Monzello 1 7 learned from his mother when he was a small boy. His mother is living with a daughter at Young's Cove. She is now nearly ~ ighty but was very active in the community during her younger days and served continuously as nurse and friend in time o:f trouble and disaster. Ethel Hamilton------8 194 08
Its well that I remem er One dark and stormy night The rain came down in torrents And the lightning flashed so bright 1he moon and stars above us Did not their light reveal Dark clouds above us Their gentle lights conceal.
The post brought me a letter I hasten to peruse It was written by afriend of mine Which bore me startling news. It was of a fine young man ~hat ever you wisged to see And in an instant He was hurled into eternity. While he and his companions Where the waDers loudly roar Where breaking in some landing On the Androscroggan shore While picking the face of oneof these From the bottom to the top This landing had full forty feet Of a perpendicular drop.
To leave it there much longer Would be a foolish part A jar so slight you see it might This lofty landing start. There was one among them Who volunteered to go To start that mass of landing high And start them logs below. 194 09 Ethel Hamilton------9
There was one among them With heart so bold and brave Not thinking of that night He might be lowered into his grave. Not thinking of death's dark hand How soon t•would lay him low To leave the ones he dearly loved Sorrow,grief and woe.
This young man he approached it Approached this landing high While all the crew with pale cheeks And trembling limbs stood by. He rolled a log from off thetop The landing broke below The logs spread out into a birch And would no farther ~o.
There came a cry of warning To warn him of his fate He seemed to pause an instant He seemed to hesitate. He rolled a log just half way o'er The landing broke like glass And like a flash he disappeared Into that rolling mass.
Gently the logs rolled o•er Rolled o'er his mangled form The little birds were singing And the sun shone bright ahd warm. Strong men that stood around him Could not their grief command. Forbidden tears fell from their cheeks And fell into thesand.
******* Ethel Hamilton-----IO 194 1j
This young mans name was ~ His age was twenty-three They buried him in the churchyard Beneath the spreading tree The cuckoo and the sparrow The sunshine andthe rain The songbirds and the swall~wssing That spring will come again
The earth and all its beauty From the frozen land will soar But those in deaDh's dark valley Will o-crme. agaa.n·. no more.
coll.: Young's Cove,N.B. July I3 I965 inf. : ! anny Monzell ~ Dalhousie,N.B.
Note. This is one of the songs which Mr. Monzwllo learned fro Arthur Bouche one winter when both were in Henry Diotte•s Camp at Berry Brook. That was around !926. Mr Monzello was aware that there was a portion missing and I have marked the place he told me. Ethel Hamilton------!! 194 11 ~ My name is Peter Emberly As you may understand I belong to Prince Edward Island Thereby the ocean stands.
In !880 when the flowers were in bloom I sailed away from my native shore My fortune to pursue.
I landed in New Brunswick In that lumbering country I hired to work in the lumbering woods On the south-west Mirwnichi
I hired to work in the lumbering woods Where they cut the tall trees down I was loading two sleds in the yard
I received my fatal wound.
Theres a danger on the ocean deep Where the waves run mountains high Theres a danger on the battlefield Where the ugly bullets fly
Theres a danger in the lumbering woods Where death works on you there And I have fallen the victim Into that monster's snare.
I know my luck seems very hard Since fortunes have proved severe My father used me very hard And his treatments were severe. Ethel Hamilton------I2. 194 12 It is not right to press a boy Nor try to keep him down For it oft time drives him from his home When he is far too young.
Theres adieu unto my greatest friend I mean my mother dear. Its little did my mother thimk When she sang her lullaby What country I would travel in Or the death that l would die.
Theres adieu unto my younger friend My darling girl so true Long may she live to bless the soil Where first my breath I drew.
Theres adieu unto Prince Edward Island That garden in the sea No more I'll walk its flowery banks Nor enjoy its summer breeze.
No more I'll those gallant barks As they go sailing by With their streamers floating in the air Above their canvas high.
Its now I'm dead and gone to rest Theres one thing that I crave That some kind heavenly Father Will deck my peaceful grave.
Its in the cemetry at Boistown Where my mouldering bones shall lay And I will wake in an early call To appear on that judgment day. Ethel Hami1ton------I3 194 13
coll.: Young's Cove,N.B. 65 inf. : anny Monzello . • . -- --=- - .~ Dalhousie,N.B.
A
Note: This is another song which Mr.Monzello learned in the
South-East around I920's. He heard a man by the name of Walsh from the Miram.ichi sing it there. Ethel Hamilton -----I4. 194 1~ Sullivan .Murder
To young men all over Westmorland I hope you will attend And listen with attention To these few lines I'll pend.
I'll sing you a little song Which I made up today Concerning Johny Sullivan And his Moncton tragedy.
I do reside in Westmorland r don't deny the same Moncton is my native home And Sullivan my name.
I'M. handcuffed down in l?orohe.sterd jail sentenced for to die On Friday the twelveth of March Upon the gallows high.
Brought up by honest parents Who reared me true and kind. They gave me education Which I must leave behind.
They brought me µp to fear the Lord And do His Holy will They never thought that innocent That human blood would spill. Ethel Hamilton------I5 194 1~ There was a wealthy widow Lived in the fatal place With her I was acquainted From first I saw her face
She trusted me as you will see And thereof I did reqmire But still to take her precious life It was my whole desire.
It was four o'clock in the afternoon The day being nearly done The evening sun was getting low And the night was coming on.
My steps I cautiously led atrace My way I quickly took Till I arrived at Dutcher's On the banks of Meadow's Brook.
It was there l did conceal myself I soon contrived a plan I owned I wanted liquor And she kept the likes on hand.
I gained a devil in d_isquise Unce more he spoke to me Saying,"kill her John,you're brave and strong " And you'll gain you're liberty.
I went there in the dead of night For fear I would be seen I thought suspicion it would fall Ethel Hamilton -----!6 194 16
I killed the widow and her little boy And to accomplish my desire I gathered in what cash she had .And set the house on fire.
It was early the next morning The news went all around About the Dutcher's residence Being burned down to the ground.
The widow and her little boy They perished in theflames While little Maggie did survive On me she laid the blame.
It was then I grew uneasy And troubled in my mind My friends they all advised me To leave my home behind.
I steered my course for Boston That city of great fame It was there I was arrested And they brought me back again.
It was then I laid into my cell ~n a dejected state Awaiting for the day to come When I should learn my fate. Ethel Hamilton------I7 194 t•
When three long months had passed My fortune did rely The jury found me guilty And I was condemned to die.
So on Friday the twelveth of March I'~l make my last adieu To Westmorland and to Moncton Where first my breathe I drew.
If I had died upon tha ~: day What a blessing it would be fo see me die a descent death Not on the gallows tree.
So fare you well my darling girl The pride of all my life. If I had lived a year or two You might have been my wife.
No more I'll kiss your ruby lips Nor embrace you anymore Till deaths dark river it is crossed On Cannon's happy shore.
And to conclude and make an end My pen I'll put away I will wind up my little song As I have no more to say.
I hope that I've said nothing My neighbours to offend I've simply made these verses up To satisfy a friend. Ethel Hamilton------I8 194 18
coll.:Dalhousie,N.B. July 24,I965
inf :Manny Monzel Dalhousi.e ,N .B.
A.
Note: This is another song which TVIr. lVIonzello hec:ird while working in the woods. He does not remember who he heard sing it. Ethel Hamilton-----19 194 19
The Jam on Gerry's Rock
Come all of you bold shanty boys and list while I r elate Concerning a young river man and how he met his fate Concerning a young shanty boss,so handsome true and brave •Twas on the jam at Gerry's rock he met hiw watery grave.
It was on a Sunday morning,as you will quickly hear Our logs were piled up mountains high,they could not keep them clear. Our foreman said:"turn out,brave boys,with hearts devoid of fear, We'll break the jam on Gerry's rocks and Ellingstown will steer.
Now some of them were willing and some of them were not, To work on jams on Sunday,for they didnot think they ought; Till six of our Canadian youths did voluteer to go To break the jam on Gerry's rocks with our foreman,-young Munroe.
They did not roll of many logs till they heard his young voice say. "I warn you boys be on your gy:ard ,for the jam will soon give way. 11 These words were scarcely spoken when the jam did break and go. And it carried of those six fine youths with their foreman, young Munroe. Ethel Ha.milton------20 194 2C
When the rest of those young shanty boys the sad news they did hear., In search of their brave comrades to the river they did steer, Meanwhile their mangled bodies a-floating down did go, While dead and bleeding near the bank was that of young Munroe.
They took him from his watery grave,brushed back his raven hair, There was one fair girl among them ,whose sad cries filled the air, There was one fair girl among them who came from Saginaw town, Her cries and moans rose to the skies,her true love had gone down.
Fair Clara was a noble girl,the river man's true friend Who with her widowed mother lived near the river's bend.
~h~ wages of her own true love the boss to her did pay, And the shanty boys made up for her a generous purse next day.
They buried him in sorrow's depths,•twas on the first of May, In a green mound by the rivers side there grew a hemlock grey. Engraved upon that hemlock that by the grave did grow fas the name and date and the sad fate of the foreman young Munroe. 194 21
Ethel Hamilton------2!
Fair Clara dis not long survive,her heart broke with her grief, •Twas scarcely six months afterwards death came to her relieg. And when the time at last had come when she was called to go, ner last request was granted,to be laid by young Munroe.
coll.River Charlo,N.B. July 24,1965 "' inf., Wrs .Margaret -->.... Ham~ River Uharlo
_ · l'I , ,a_ rl . V --<4~~ I
Note: My mother had a copy of this written in a note book along with several others. She doesn't remember exactly where each came from as they were collected from various sources over the years.However,I do know that I can recall reading them over and over during my early schooldays and knew them all by heart before I was eight • Ethel Hamilton-----22
The Gaspe ~ragedy
It was in the month of August, In the year o~ thirty-three, In a quiet Gaspe village, Nestling close beside the sea, where the trees were gently swaying On that warm and summer's day Fanned by breezes softly blowing, From the silvery Gaspe Bay.
There the sea gulls o'er the hostior Glided through the morning air, And the misty vapour rises .l!'rom the silvery waters there. ~t was there that brave Jacques Cartier Now four hundred years or more Sailed from France across the waters To this rocky Gaspe shore.
Yes,its true he founded Gaspe Left his banner waving there But the saddest of my story You are now about to hear. Two young maids in budding youth On those cold sands did lay The hand of death had beckoned And they were called away.
~ Youn Marguerite Ascah Two handsome , fair youg maids Were murdered by t~eir _ cousin And sunk beneath the waves. While strolling out that evening
~ So,... sweet the Their cousin Unto them he did appear. 194 23· Ethel Hamilton-----23
He was in a fit of anger And no motive did he claim Those two young and handsome maids By that youg man were slain And down upon those gleaming sands Their lifeless form did lay Their tender hands he roughly tied And threw them in the bay.
Then for weeks the t±medrolled onward And no trace of them were :foillid •. ? Mother's weeping,fathers praying In that little Gaspe town. But at last one day in autumn. Came the first awaiting clue Wrested from the briny waters wa s A little maiden's shoe.
Then the watchers and the searchers Strengthened by the laws strong aid. Searched the silvery Gaspe waters And the gruesome find was made Lying there close by the sporeline Where in childhood she had played Was the younger of the sisters That the cousin had betrayed.
And the news was gently broken To the weeping mothers there Bowed their heads in deepest sorrow Oh.the anguish and sespair And the fate of little~-M-ar_g_u_e~;~· ~ No one knows where lies her form Sleeping in the ocean's bosom Till the resurrection morn. Ethel Hamilton------24 194 2'1 Then y oun ·Phillips he was taken And confine ~ a cell In the little ~erce village And the truth to them did tell Oh,my mind went blank he muttered, And his face turned deadly white, As he thought of Maude & Marguerite Ascah He had slain that summers night.
Now they took him straight to justice In Quebec that city old. Now the pleadings are all over And the jury verdict holds. Then a hush falls o'er the courtroom And all people in the courtroom Upon the lad do stare.
Then the hush the silence broken And all faces they are sad For the judge will now pass sentence On the youthful Gaspw lad Now the judge speaks more lowly As they meet those youthful eyes. You are guilty,Nelson Phillips, For this crime you will surely die.
From out that crowded courtroom He is quickly led away, Now his parents hearts are bleeding, Oh,that cruel debt to pay. Sad:the mother of the daughters Broken hearted ever141ore Their homes now are wrecked and broken, On that rocky Gaspe shore. 194 25 Ethel Hamilton-----25
Now come all you loving parents, Who have sons and daughters dear Be to them their kind adviser And your love to them do share, For we know not on the morrow, Jo~ may quickly turn to wrath. Pray that God will surely guide them Down that straight and narrow path.
coll.: River Charlo,N.B. July 25,1965
inf. :Mr .Margaret Hamilton
Note: This is another of the stories my mother had written out years ago.She got a hand-written copy from her brother .She doesn't know where her brother got his copy. 194 2t Ethel Hamilton-----26'
The Plain Golden Band
I am thinking tonight of the days that are gone, Where the sun slumbers sweetly on the valley at morn; And the dewdrops from heaven like diamonds did glow While kissing the rose in the valley below.
And the dear waters flowing so mild and so blue, There came a low whisper to you I'll be true; The flowers bloom brightly upon the dark shore, When I parted from Lizzie,the girl I adore.
She was lovely and fair as the roses in June, She appeared as some goddess or some gracious queen; Fair as the lilies that bloom by the shore, She's the pride of this valley this girl I adore.
The day that we parted I ne're shall forget, I fancy I see those sad tears falling yet; How my poor heart did ache and with sorrow did wring When she drew from her finger the plain golden ring.
Saying 11 take back this ring which I fain would retain For wearing it frequently causes me pain; Uur vows are all broke that we made on the strand, So take back I beseech you this plain golden band."
"Retain our engagement my darling"! cried. "You know that you promised you'd soon be my bride;" My love it is true,it shall never grow cold. So retain I beseech you ,this plain band of gold." 194 27 Ethel Hamilton------27
"MY darling I know that your love it is true, I know that you love me and that I love you; But you know I deceived you that night on thestrand, When you palced on my finger the ~lain golden band.
"One bright starry night when the moon it shone bright, All nature looked gay in its pale yellow light, It was there a dark stranger crept o'er the moor, As I strayed from my cottage to roam by the shore.
"A young man appeared and him i well knew, He told me false stories,false stories of you; He vowed that he loved me and offered his hand,
I placed then a strain on the plain golden band. 11
"Retain our engagement,my darling I crave, E' er you lay me to .. sle:ep in my cold, &1ilent grave; With those fond cherished letters in my right hand, And on my cold bosom the plain golden band."
In some dark shady forest so far,far away, Where the deEr loves to ramble and the child loves to stray; Where all nature looks gay though it seems wild and grand, That's the alter you'll find to the plain golden band.
comlRiverCharlo,N.B.
J~9.65--~ inf.· a.Margaret Hamil n River Charlo,N.B • •
The Story of a Stowaway Come,m.y lad,and sit beside me,we have often talked before Of the hurricane and the tempest,and the storms on sea and shore; When we read the deeds of daring done for dear old England's sake, We have sited Nelson's duty and the enterprise of Drake; Mid'st the fevered din of battle,roll of drum and scream of fife, Heroes pass in long procession,calmly yeilding up their life. Pomps and pageants have their story,in cathedral aisles are seen Marble effigies;but seldom of the mercantile marine. If your playmates love adventure i d them gather round at school Whilst you tell them of a hero Capt.Stracha of Liverpool.
Spite of storm and stress of weather,in a gale that~ lashed the lan, On the Cyprian screw streamer,there the captain took his stand He was no faiE weather sailDD and he often made the boast That the ocean safer sheltered than the wild Carnarvon coast, He'd a good ship underneath him,and a crew of Lnglish form, Sb he sailed f:rom out the Mersey in the hurricane and storm, All the lucj was dead against him -with the tempest at its height Fires expired,rudders parted,in the middle of the night, Sails were torn and rent asunder •. Then he spoke with bated breath: "Save yourselves my gallant fellows,we are drifting to our deaths."
Then they looked at one another and they felt the awful shock When,with louder crash than tempest,they were dashed upon a rock. All was over now and helpless,but across those miles of foam They could hear the shouts of people,they coule seethe lights of ho: "All is over ,screamed the captain."You have aswered duties call, Save yourselves,I cannot help you.God have mere:; on you all." 194 29 Ethel Hamilton------29
So they rushed about like madmen,seizing belt and oar and rope- For the sailor knows where life is there's the faintest ray of hope Then amidst the wild confusion ,at the dreaded dawn of day, From the hold of that doomed vessel crept a little stowaway.
Who shall tell the saddened story mf this miserable lad? Was it wild adventure stirred him,was he going to the bad? Was he thief ,or bully's victim,or a runaway from school When he stole that faDal passage from the port of Liverpool? No one looked at him,or kicked him,mid that paralyzing roar, All alone he felt the danger,and saw the distant shore. Over went the gallant fellows,when the ship was breaking fast, And the captain witlnhis life-belt-he prepared tp follow last; But he saw the boy neglected with a face of ashy grey, "Who are you,roared out the captain" "I'm the boy who stowed away. 11
There was scarce another sc"cond left to think what he might do. For the fatal ship was sinking,death was ready for the ;wo. So the captain called the outcast-as he faced the tempest wild, From his own waist took the life-belt-and he bound it round the ch "I can swim my little fellow.Take the belt and make for land. Up and save yourself .The outcast hwnbly knelt and kissed his hand. With the lifebelt round his body,then the urchin cleared the ship; Over went the gallant captain with the blessing on his lips. But the hurricane howled louder than it ever hwwled before As the captain and the stowaway were heading for the shore. 194 30 Ethel Hamilton----- 30
When yoµ tell this gallant stmry to your playfellows at school. They will ask you of the hero,Captain. Strachan of Liverpool; You must answer: They discovered,on the beach at break of day,
S~fe-the battered,breathing body of the little stowaway; And they watched the waves of wreckage,and they searched the cruel shore, But the man who tried to save the little outc1-"st was no more.
When they speak of English heroes,tell this story where you can, To the everlasting credit of the bravery of man. Tell it out in tones of triumph or with tears and qickening breath, "Manhoods stronger far than storms ,and love is mightier than death. 1
coll.:River Charlo,N.B. July~ 1965
inf. ,s. Margaret Hamil ~01 ~R iver Uharlo , N. B--. ,,
Note: This story had particular appeal to me du.Eing my early childhood and at that time I learned them all for memory from my mother's Scrapbook. Ethel Hamilton-----31 194 31
I The Station Agents Story Take a seat in the shade here lady, It's tiresome ,I know,to wait, But when the train reachs Verona It's always sure to be late; 'Specially when anyones waiting. Been gathering flowers,I see. Ah,well they're better company Than a rough old fellow like me.
You notived the graves neath the willows Down there where the blossoms grew? Well,yes,there's a story about them, Almost too strange to be true; 'Tis a swecter,stranger story Than was ever written in books. And God made the ending so perfect; There now,I see by your looks.
I will have tm tell you the story, Let me see;twas eight years ago, One blusterin' night in winter, When the air was just thick with snow; As the freight came round the curve there Ihey beheld a man on the track Bravin' the storm before him,but Not heeding the foe at the back.
And ere a hand could grasp the bell rope, Or a finger could touch the rod, One sweep from the cruel snowplow Had sent the man's soul to his God. They laid him out here in the freight house And I stayed with him that night, lJ~ He'd one of the pleasantest faces, So hopeful and young anf bright. Ethel Hamilton------32 194 3~ There was only a worn-out letter; And I know it by heart-it said: "Dear John,baby May grows finely, I send you this curl from her head. We will meet you at Brackenboro, The gramdfathers sad and lone But I read him your kind words saying When we've a home of our own
"He shall sing the songs of old England Beneath our own willow tree." Thats all there was of it lady, And 'twas signed "Alice Leigh". So we made a grave in the morning And buried the man out there, Alone,unmourned ,in a stranger's land With only a stranger's prayer. But when he'd slept in his lonely grave Out there nigh unto a year, The train got into a washout By the culvert away down here; There were only two passengers that night Dead,when we found them there- A sweet little English woman And a baby with golden hair.
On her breast lay the laughing baby With the rosy fingertips Still warm,and the fair young mother With a frozen smile on her lips. We laid them out in the freight house, I stayed that night with the dead. I sh.B.11 never forget the letter We found in her purse-it read: Ethel Hamilton-----33 194 33
"Dear Alice,praise God I've got here I'll soon have a home for you now; But you must come with the baby As soon as you can anyhow. Comf'ort the grandfather and tell him That by and by he shall come And sing the songs of Old England 'Neath the willows beside our home; For close by the door of our cottage I'll set out a willow tree For his sake a~t,h a ke of old England, Lovingly yours · ,John
The tears filled my eyes as I read it, But I whispered"God is just. 11 For I knew thw true heart yonder There only a handful of dust- Had drawn this sweet little woman Right here and God's merciful love Had taken her from the sorrow To the glad reunion above. So close by the grave of the other We laid her away to rest; The golden-haired English mother With the baby upon her breast. I planted those trees above them, For I knew their story you see; And I thought their rest would be sweeter 'Neath their own loved willow tree. Five years rolled along and lady, My story may now seem to you Like a wonderful piece of fiction; But t tell you it is true. Ethel Hamilton------34 194 34
As true as God is above us, One summer day,hot and clear, As the train rolled into the station, And stopped to change engines here, Among a company of Mormons Came a trembling,white-haired man. He asked me with a voice very eager: "Will you please tell me sir,if you can, Of a place called Brackenboro And how far have I got to go?" "It's the next station north I answered, Only thirteen miles below."
His old face lit up for a moment With a look of joy complete; Then he threw up his hands towards Heaven And dro d down dead at my feet. "Old Hugh ~ is dead",said a Mormon, And sights o' trouble he's been, Nothin' would do when we started But that he must come with us then,
To find Alice,John and the baby: And his heart was well nigh broke With waitin' and watchin' in England For letters they never wrote." So we buried him there wmth the others Beneath the willow tree. 'Twas God's way of ending the story. More perfect than you and me.
coll.: RIV ~ R CHARLO,N.B July 24,1965 inf'.:~· River Char lo A /311ar~ Another story from my motherJ·s collection. /) · · - 1 ~ ~- ('~ Ethel Hamilton----35 194 35
J f The ballad Charles..... Augustus Anderson
Charles Augustas AndPrson is my right and proper name. And since I've been in custody,I'll ne're deny the same. I come of decent parents,although I'll die in scorn, So believe me now I much lament the day that I was born.
My father was a wheelwright,I might have been the same, He taught me good example,to him I leave no blame. Likewise my wise mother,she for me suffered sore, And,when she'll hear this sad announcement,I'm sure she'll suffer more.
Oh, kind and loving mother,could I but see your face, I'd kiss your lips with tenderness,and take my last embrace, I'D bathe you with my tears of grief ,before the final hour,
I'd then submit m~ soul to God,to His Holy will and power.
Brothers and $lsters,all adieu, both near and dear to me, Though far beyond the ocean,and I'll ne•re their faces see. Those happy days I spent with you upon my native shore; And farewell,farewell sweet Annabelle,I'll never see you more.
We shipped on board the Saladin,as you may understand, Bound down to Valparaiso,MacKenzie had command, We arrived there in safety without the least delay, When Fielding came on board of us,curse on that fatal day.
'Twas he who had seduced us,to do this horrid crime, Although we might have prevented it had we begun on time. we shed the blood o~ innocents,the same we can't deny, We i.Q).brued our hands in human blood,for which we now must die. Ethel Hamtlton ----36 194 36
No books of consolation are here for me to read, I profess the Church of England,my nation and my creed. These lines which are addressed to me,I can well unders~and, I must die here like a heathen,nor leave this foreign land.
He was taken to the gibbet,placed on the fa~al stand, He viewed the briny ocean,and then the pleasant land. The rope went rattling through the reeve,which quickly stopped his breathe. Thus ending his career in the fatal jaws of death.
coll. :July 3I/I965 Daws_onville, N. B.
inf. Q~.~Mr s John Martin ~ Dawsonville,N.B. A.
Note: Mrs. lviartin is the former :Miss Hickey of Jacquet River. She is a first cousin 6i_ Fathe d Hiclce~ of Newcastle who as Chaplain in the North Shore Hegiment during the war wrote the "Scarlet Dawn".These words were copied down yeErs ago when nearly every gathering was an opportunity for a sing-song. 194 37 Ethel Ham~lton-----37
A Ballad of the Crimean War
"Oh,were you at war in the red Eastern land/? What did you hear and what did you see? Saw you,my son,with his sword in his hand? Sent he by you any dear word to me?" "I come from red war in that dire Eastern land: Three deeds I saw done one might well die to see; But I know not your son with his sword in his hand: If you would hear of him,paint him to me."
"Oh,he is gentle as south winds in May." "'Tis not a gentle place where I have been." "Oh,he had a smile like the outbreak of day." "Where men are dying fast,smiles are no:b seen." "Tell me the mightiest deeds that were done. Deeds of chief honour you said you saw three: You said you saw three I'm sure he did one. My heart shall discern him and--cry this is he."
"I saw a man scaling a tower of despair, He went up alone and the hosts shouted loud." "That we_s my son. Had he streams of fair hair? "Nay :it was black as the blackest night-cloud." "Did he live"No he died:but the fortress was won. And they said it was grand for a man to die so." "Alas for his mother.He was not my son. "Was there no fair-haired soldier who humbled the foe.? 194 38 Ethel Hamilton------38
"I saw a man charging in front of his rank, Thirty yards on in a hurry to die: ::itraight as an arrow hurled into the rank Of a huge desert beast,ere the hunter drew nigh." "did he live?"No he died:but the battle was won; And the conquest -cry car i:· ied his name through the air. Be comfortr-·d mother,he was not thy son; Worn was his forehead,and gray was his hair."
"Oh the brow of my son is as smooth as the rose; I kissed it last night i n my dreamd,I have heard Two legends of fame from the land of our foes~ But you said there were three:you must tell me the third. I saw a man flash from the trenches and fly In a batteries facebut it was not to slay. A poor dru: ;mer boy had dropped down to die Y/i th his ankle shot through in the place that he lay.
He carried the boy like a babe thruugh the rain, The death-pouing torrent of grapeshot and shell. And he walked at a foot's-pace because of the pain, Laid his burden down gently,smiled once,and then fell." ti Did he live?"No,he died;but he rescued the boy. Such a dPath is more noble than life (so they said): He had streams of fair hair,and a face full of joy. And his name-""Speak it not.Tis my son.He is dead." Ethel Hamilton-----39 194 39
"Oh dig him a grave by the red rowan tree, Where the spring moss grows softer than fringes of foam, And lay his bed softly and leave room for me • .tor I shall be ready before ge comes home. And carve out his tomstone,a name and awreath. And a tale to touch hearts through the slow-spreading years; How he died his noble and beautiful deayh, And his mother who longed for him,died of her tears.
"But what is this face shining in at the door? With its old smile of peace and its flow of fair hair? Are you come blessed ghost.from the heavenly shore? Do not g> back alone, let me follow you there." "Oh,clasp me ,dear mother,I come to remain. I come to your heart and God answers ~our prayer. Your son is alive from the hosts of the slain. And the Cross of our Queen on his breast glitters fair."
coll.:Dawsonville,N.B. July 3I/I965 inf. Mr s ,J .Martin;·, aw sonvuille,N.B. A.
Note: This Crimean War Ballad has remained in the fore probably because several of the singers in the comniunity are veterans of the both world wars and such songs as the above simply appeal. t:(}~ Y;thel Hamilton----40 194 40
The Jam on Gerry's Rocks
It was on Sunday morning in the springtime of the year; Our logs were piled up mountains high,we could not keep them clear; When our forman said "turn out my boys,with hearts devoid of fear; We'll break the jam on Gerry's Rocks,and for Saginaw town we'll steer."
While some of them wore willing there were others that hung back. For to work upon a Sunday they did not think it right. When six of our brave Canadian boys did voluteer to go And break the jam on Gerry's Rocks with their foreman, Young l'vTUnroe.
They had not rolled of many logs when the boss to them did say, "I womld have you be on your guard ,the jam will soon give way, These words were scarcely uttered when the jam did break and go. And carries off our six brave lads and their for eman youµg Munroe.
When the rest of those brave shanty boys those sad tidings did hear In search of their lost comrades for the river they did steer; While searching for their dead bodies,to their sad grief and woe. All crushed and bleeding on the rocks lay the head of young Munroe.
They took him from his watery grave,smoothed down his curly hair, There was one fair form among them whose moans did pie~ce the air. There was one fair form among them,a girl from Saginaw town Whose~ inoans and sighs would pierce the skies for her true love that was drowned.
Miss Clara. was a noble girl,likewise a raftsman's friend tler mother was a widow,lived by the river's bend. The wages of her own true love,to her boss did pay. And a large subscription she received from shanty men next day. 194 41 Ethel Hamilton-----4I
But Clara did not survive him long death came to her relief, For less than three months after God called her fro:n her grief, For in less than three months after God called on her to go. And the last request they granted her was to be laid by young Munro
Come.all you true born shanty boys,who would like to go and see, On a little mound where its chopped all round,there stands a hemlock tree, 'Neath that little ' mound chopped so nearly round,two lovers there lie now, ----- They are Mi s Clara Dennis ")and ker true love,young Munroe.
coll.:Dawsonville,N.B. J - I I 965 inf A.
Note: This is another version of the most popular shanty song in our area.Almost everyone knows this song and most have the words quite exact to one or the other of the two versions I have included here. 194 42 Ethel Hamilton-----42
Come all you brave shanty boys I pray you all draw near, 'Twas of a frightful accident That ~ would have you hear.
'~is of a young and comely youth James Whalen he was called, Got drowned from Le Claron's raft All on the Upper E'alls.
The water being in its raging course, :i.:he river rolling· ·high, When the foreman to yoJ:Ulg ·Whalen said, "The jam you'll have to try."
As they were rolling off the logs, Young Whalen made a shout: "To shore,to shore,my shantymen, The jam is going out."
Those mighty logs went end on end With fearful crashing sound, And when the shanty boys looked back Young nhalen had gone down.
The foaming waters tore and tossed !he logs from shore to shore, And here and there his body lies, A-tumbling o'er and o'er.
coll.:Dawsonville,N.B. J' -6...5 inf. Mrs .J. Mart~ Dawsonvill ,N.B . A. Ethel Hamilton-----43 194 43
Note: This was and still is a well known shanty song of our area.Mrs.Martin gave me the words an d~~ told me he had heard mt many times in the lumber camps. Ethel Hamilton-----44 194 44
The Origin of Middle Island
In the Mirimachi River there is a small island known to the people of the area as Middle Is.land.The story goes that long ago when the area was first settled by Irishsett lers that the leprechauns became very disturbed over some hanky panky which was going on in an area back of Chatham.In order to get rid of this troublesome spot the "Little People" simply had the whole lot of land removed out into the river.They tell us that back of Chatham there is a lake with exactly the same shape as Middle Island.
coll.:Fnedericton,N.B. July 20/1965 -----, inf. Chatham ,N.B. A.
This is another of the tales Mr.Brown(already mentioned earlier) heard from his grandmother. Ethel Hamilton------45 194 t5
The Origin of Middle Island
Long before the white man came to New Brunswick bands , of MicMacs and foalicetes roamed the northern areas.Once a quarrel arose over a disputed area and Glooskap became angry with the impatient braves and in order to settle the dispute simply removed the territory involved,.
This area is said to be the site of a lake back of Chatham which bears the same shape as Middle Island.
coll.:Fredericton,N.B. Jul 20/1965.
Chatham,N.B. A.
Note:This is the second story on this subject which Wallie learned from his grandmother.
?2uv 13, ~ ~.J({/.d7e /5it,~c. Ethel Hamilton------46 194 46
The Treasure of Point La Roche
In northern New Brunswick about ten miles from Dalhousie and off Blacklands there is a point known by those in the area as Point La Roche. It is believed,at least by some of the older citizens,that sometime in the :past pirates had buried treasure there. About fifty years age three men of the community went to dig hoping to find the same.They dug for some time and finally they hit something.On investigating they discovered a piece of black cloth covering a large box. Suddenly ,coming across the bay was a strange looking vessel rowed by ;· eight men and directed by the ninth who stood upright in the bo~t.The boat and men looked like one out of the cen;uries gone by.The men fled.One of them taking with him ? piece of the black cloth. 'fhat night he was disturbed in his sleep by a heavy knocking on the door and th i. s continued night after night until he took the black cloth and returned it to the site of the dige;ing.
coilil; Blacklands,N.B.
inf. Mrs.Lillian N1chol ~ Guelph,Ont. c
Note. t\ltrs Nichol is seventy years of age and is an aunt of my husbands.She lived in this area for the best part of her life. She told me this story with absolute belief. 194 47 Krthel Hamil ton------4 7
The Gold on Point La Roche
Another story is told how men went to dig the hidden treasure of Point LaRoche and had sueceeded in uncovering the chest when ~i·dde~l~ a skelton of a giant lizard-like creature starte~trasl11gg around in the bay which had turned to blood.In the sky the moon had also turned to blmod~The men fled.
coll.:Blacklands,N.B. cJ uly2 /1965. inf.·Mrs . Lillian iiuelph,Ont.
G
Note:Again Mrs Nichol believes in the story she tells and even went so far as to tell me that once when digging clams in the area men in the area had even found the shovel used by the men in their escapade and which they had left behind in their fright. Evaluation 194 4
I feel that there is a great deal of folk-lore in the comm.Un.i ty but since l had to travel home from .C'red · ricton each week-end ,a distance of some two hundred and thirty miles, the time I could spend collectingj ~n familiar territory was somewhat limited. I also feel that while people were wver so co-operative it was difficult to arouse just the right atmosphere when time is at a premium. I am sure that I have opened up avenues to information which may prove useful in the future but which time does not allow me to pursue in time to add it to this assignment.
--~=s pecially want to follow up the interview I had wit .barl Fir fi1 of Robinsonville for I know that he gas a wealth of songs.he is noted as a singer in the community and the chat ~ had with him was sufficantly interesting enough to insure me that under favourable circumstances he would be willing to record some~