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Authority record

Royal New Brunswick Rifle Association

  • Corporate body
  • Established in the 1860s

The New Brunswick Provincial Rifle Association was sponsored by Sir Charles Hasting Doyle, lieutenant-governor and chief of the armed forces in New Brunswick, in the 1860s. Organizational meetings were held in Saint John in December 1866, when a constitution and bye-laws were adopted. Initially, admittance to the association was restricted to members of the militia and regular military units, but by 1881 residency in the province became the only membership requirement.

By 1900, a considerable number of civilians had joined the association, and in 1922 two women were added to the rolls and the name was changed to the New Brunswick Rifle Association. The New Brunswick Rifle Association holds annual competitions locally, and sends representatives to regional and national events. The Prince of Wales Cup Competition, which was first held in the 1860s, is perhaps the association's most prestigious event. In 1983 the name was changed to the Royal New Brunswick Rifle Association.

IODE. Provincial chapter

  • Corporate body
  • Formed in 1900

Credit for founding the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE – since 1979), now a world-wide organization, belongs to Margaret Polson Murray of Montreal. In the midst of the Boer War in South Africa (1899-1902), Mrs. Murray sought to organize “the women of the [British] Empire” to support the Mother Country. On January 13, 1900, she sent a telegram to the Mayor of each Provincial Capital urging the women in each city to join with the women of Montreal as “Daughters of the Empire” and send the Queen (Victoria) an emergency war fund. First off the mark to respond to this invitation were women in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where the first IODE chapter, a Provincial Chapter, was formed. On January 15, 1900, thirty-seven (37) young ladies responded to the invitation, forming the New Brunswick Auxiliary and electing officers, with Mrs. John (Katherine E. ) Black as their first President. Other chapters were soon established, first in Quebec and then across Canada.

In 1917, under the motto: “One Flag, One Throne, One Empire,” the IODE was granted a Charter of Incorporation by the Dominion of Canada. Its stated goals were to “stimulate and give expression to the sentiment of patriotism which binds the women and children of the Empire around the Throne,” “to foster a bond of union amongst the daughters and children of the Empire,” “to promote the study of the history of the Empire, .. to celebrate patriotic anniversaries; to cherish the memory of … the last resting place of our heroes and heroines, to erect memorial stones” and to care for families of military personnel.

In New Brunswick, the Auxiliary began its IODE work by raising money for Mrs. Murray’s proposed “emergency war fund.” This was followed by their contribution to the “relief of sick and wounded soldiers in South Africa” and their families. They marked graves of Canadian soldiers who died away from home and supported the war efforts in two World Wars in many ways. In the 1920s, in Fredericton and Moncton, the IODE erected a centotaph. Besides patriotism, their philanthrophy often focused on children, family and education. As early as 1900, they organized a Special Empire Day Observance for school children in Fredericton. Later, the schools in NB were "adopted" by Primary Chapters, a relationship which continues to the present. Students have been awarded prizes, bursaries, scholarships and loans over the years, sponsored in various educational activities, all courtesy of the IODE. IODE interest in children extends to babies, who benefit from books given under the "Born to Read" program. At the other end of the spectrum, Clark House, a home for senior citizens in Fredericton, opened in 1960 and continues to be operated by the IODE.

In 2005, a major issue for the IODE is an aging and declining membership, provincially and nationally. In New Brunswick, a number of Primary Chapters have surrendered their Chapters.

Sources: Patriotism Through Service, A History of the Provincial Chapter of New Brunswick I.O.D.E. (1984)
The Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire, Golden Jubilee, 1900-1950 (1950)

New Brunswick and Maine synagogues

  • Corporate body
  • First New Brunswick synagogue dedicated in 1899

The Synagogue section of the archives comprises material relating to the five New Brunswick Synagogues and the synagogue in Calais, Maine, specifically synagogue activities and religious life.

The Ahavith Achim (Brotherly Love) Synagogue was the first synagogue in New Brunswick, dedicated January 11, 1899. It was located on Carleton Street in Saint John and was used as a synagogue until 1919. From 1919 to 1950 it was known as the Talmud Torah (Hebrew classrooms, meeting rooms, and mikvah). The original congregation in this synagogue was composed of the early English and Western European arrivals, but in 1906 the building was turned over to the more recent Russian immigrants.

The Hazen Avenue Synagogue building was purchased from the Unitarian Church in 1906 and drew its congregation from the English and Western European Jews and some of the assimilated Russian immigrants. Services continued to be held in this building until 1919. The two congregations coexisted because of the social, economic, and linguistic gulfs between the original settlers and the later arrivals. Although both congregations were Orthodox, differences in religious practice helped ignite the split.

By 1918, these two congregations amalgamated and purchased the Calvin Church building at the corner of Carleton Street and Wellington Row in November 1918. The Shaarei Zedek (Gates of Righteousness) Synagogue was dedicated on March 24, 1919. The building remained a synagogue until November 2008 when the building, along with the adjacent Jewish Community Centre were sold to the City of Saint John to make way for new urban development. The congregation remains active, but functions with fewer than 30 families and without a resident rabbi.

The Congregation Chaim Yosef was established in Calais, Maine, in 1926 and closed its doors in 1986, although the congregation was no longer viable after 1974. The border communities of Calais, Maine, and St. Stephen, New Brunswick, were served by this synagogue which was located in a remodeled family home. The building was demolished in 1989. It was founded by the Unobskys, a strong willed and leading merchant family in the town. The Jewish Community in Calais always remained small and at the present time there are few Jewish residents in the area. Much of what had been in this congregation was donated to the Saint John Jewish Historical Museum in 1986 and 1987.

The Congregation Tiferes Israel of Moncton, New Brunswick, was built in 1926 by the Russian Jewish immigrants who had founded the community at the beginning of the twentieth century. It took twelve years of extensive fundraising for the community to raise the funds for construction which took place on Steadman Street, which was outside the Jewish residential and business area. This is still an active congregation which is Orthodox in practice.

The Sgoolai Israel Synagogue in Fredericton, New Brunswick's capital city, was incorporated in 1929, although the members worshipped in the Orange Hall until the synagogue building was completed in 1934. The community consisted of a few large families who had begun to arrive in 1912. It is still a relatively small community of about 50 families who continue to worship in the Orthodox tradition under the guidance of a rabbi.

Maritime Fire Fighters Athletic Association

  • Corporate body
  • Active prior to 1933

The Maritime Fire Fighters Athletic Association was organized to co-ordinate athletic and training exercises and competitions among firefighters. The association was active prior to 1933. M.F.F.A.A. sporting events feature demonstration drills and skill competitions. The association is active in 2001.

New Brunswick Women's Institute, Grand Manan Branch

  • Corporate body
  • 1913 - [1919?]

The Women's Institute was founded in 1897 by Adelaide Hoodless of Stoney Creek, Ontario, and by 1913 institutes were active in all the provinces. Mrs. James E. Porter of Andover, New Brunswick, was instrumental in introducing the organization to New Brunswick women. Between 1911 and 1960, hundreds of branches of the Women's Institute were established across the province. Its purpose was to provide educational opportunities for rural women, especially in food preparation and family health. This model was even emulated in other countries, including in the United Kingdom, where the first Women’s Institutes appeared in 1915.

Institutes were also concerned with improvements in living conditions in general, such as the provision of sidewalks, streetlights, park improvement, cemetery improvement, public halls, and public libraries. During the First World War, the Institute’s attention was drawn to international affairs. Its members made garments for members of the armed forces, organized POW relief committees, and sent clothing to the people of war-torn Belgium. But they were still active in their own communities, running knitting clubs, visiting the sick, and participating in similar activities, just as they had done during peace-time. Today the Women's Institutes of New Brunswick are affiliated with the New Brunswick Federation of Agriculture.

The branch at Grand Harbour, Grand Manan Island, existed between 1913 and 1919, and probably continued after that date. The first president was Lizzie Ingalls, and the first secretary was Hazel M. Newton.

Women's Institute. Meductic Women's Institute (York County)

  • Corporate body
  • Local branch organized in 1948

The Women's Institute was founded in 1897 by Adelaide Hoodless of Stoney Creek, Ontario. Mrs. James E. Porter of Andover, New Brunswick was instrumental in introducing the organization to New Brunswick women. Between 1911 and 1960, hundreds of branches of the Women's Institute were established across the province.

The Meductic Women's Institute was organized on September 2, 1948. The officers elected were: President, Mrs. Sheldon Durling; Secretary-Treasurer, Mrs. Douglas Bagley. In the beginning the group adopted 3 schools: Meductic, Benton and Riceville. The following items were purchased for the schools: window blinds, light shades, waste paper basket, cod liver oil capsules, paper towels, drinking cups, books, and a first aid kit. Later, the ladies started a well baby clinic, donated financially to the Manitoba Relief Fund, St. John Ambulance, Brownie and Girl Guides, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Kidney Association and the Home Company. Blankets were purchased for the Fire Department. Jams, jellies and pickles were made and donated to the Lewis Nursing Home. A key accomplishment of this branch was funding improvements to the Dowville Cemetery. Fundraisers to finance all of the above included the sale of cookbooks, rummage/food sales, and bring and buy sales.

Women's Institute. Canterbury Women's Institute (York County)

  • Corporate body
  • Local branch organized in 1936, disbanded in 1988

The Women's Institute was founded in 1897 by Adelaide Hoodless of Stoney Creek, Ontario, following the death of her son as a result of drinking impure milk. Mrs. James E. Porter of Andover, New Brunswick, was instrumental in introducing the organization to New Brunswick women. Between 1911 and 1960, hundreds of branches of the Women's Institute were established across the province.

The Canterbury Women's Institute was organized on May 6, 1936. The first officers were: Mrs. John MacPherson (president), Mrs. W.H. Scott (treasurer) and Mrs. Harley Smith (secretary).

In its early years, this Institute aided the war effort by sending gum, cigarettes, candy and socks to the "boys" overseas and donated money towards the purchase of a 'mobile kitchen.' They also sent food for British Prisoners of War in Germany. Later, they donated to the Army Appeal, Saint John Ambulance, the Children's Welfare Fund, the Canadian Cancer Fund. Locally, they donated a Bible, dictionary, and a first aid kit to the Carroll Ridge School. Money was raised by holding suppers, rummage sales, travelling baskets and having a "penny" collection.

The Canterbury Women's Institute disbanded on May 16, 1988.

Saint John Unitarian Fellowship

  • Corporate body
  • Active in 1850s, first church opened in 1853

The Saint John Unitarian Fellowship can trace its roots to the 1850s when André Cushing, George B. Cushing, E.D. Jewett, Ebenezer Sutton, and M. Dunn contributed financially to the construction of a structure on Hazen Street in Saint John, New Brunswick. Completed in 1853, the church began to attract members. The deaths of several founding members, however, left the church without leadership for a number of years.

In the late 19th century, a Unitarian Universalist Church was functioning in Saint John, but by the mid-20th century it had declined. In the 1960s representatives of 10 families met to discuss the re-establishment of a Unitarian presence in Saint John. Interest in the Fellowship grew, and members purchased and refurbished a facility on Germain Street known as Unitarian House. Also in the1960s a corporate body, Unitarians of Saint John Inc., was incorporated to operate the Unitarian Fellowship. In 1997 the name of the group was changed to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Saint John.

J. & J. Miller & Co. (Millerton, N.B.)

  • Corporate body
  • Operational in NB by 1869, reorganized in 1880

J. & J. Miller & Co. was first organized by James Miller of Picton, Ontario, and later St. Pie, Quebec, who developed and patented a process for extracting a substance from hemlock bark used in tanning leather. By 1869 James Miller had established a branch of the business at Derby (later Millerton) in Northumberland County, New Brunswick. The product was shipped from New Brunswick to London, Liverpool, and Antwerp. The business continued to expand, and ten years later "Millers Extract of Bark" was being produced in manufacturing establishments located at Millerton, N.B.; Upton, Quebec; Durham; Saroba; Bermondsey, Surrey, England; and elsewhere.

The firm was formally reorganized in April 1880, after James Miller, Sr. and James Miller, Jr. retired from the partnership and James Miller, Jr. was named manager of the business on 31 December 1879. At this time, the partners in the firm were John Miller, Charles Alexander Duff Miller, David Elder Miller, John Cumming Miller, Alexander Mortinore, and Cecil Hedworth Williamson. Following this reorganization another New Brunswick plant was built at Mortimer (later Beckwith's Corner) in Kent County in 1881-1882. In 1886 the company was reorganized as Miller Tanning & Extract Co. with the company's head office located in London, England. John C. Miller remained in charge of operations on the Miramichi.

Source: Dictionary of Miramichi Biography by W. D. Hamilton, 1997

Sunbury County, Nova Scotia. Governor

  • Person
  • British took control of Acadia (later Nova Scotia) in 1713.

When the French surrendered Acadia to the British at the end of the War of the Spanish Succession in 1713, many of the aboriginal tribes remained loyal to the French. After some violent incidents, a peace was arranged. In 1725, delegates of the native peoples of Acadia and New England signed a treaty of friendship with the British, which was ratified at Annapolis Royal in 1728.

When war broke out again between France and England in 1744, the Indians sided with the French. In August, 1749, shortly after the founding of Halifax, Nova Scotia, native delegates and Governor Edward Cornwallis renewed the 1725 treaty, which was ratified on the St. John River in September 1749. In spite of the treaties, Cornwallis and his successor continued to treat the native population as enemies and the natives, in return, continued to support the French.

Source: W. D. Hamilton and W. A. Spray, Source Materials relating to the New Brunswick Indian, 1976

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