Collection ID151 - Mary Spurr Harding genealogical

Title proper

Mary Spurr Harding genealogical

General material designation

  • Textual record

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  • Source of title proper: Title based on contents.

Level of description

Collection

Reference code

CA MNBM ID151

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Physical description

5 cm of textual records

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Name of creator

(1822 - 1910)

Biographical history

This collection was assembled by Eleanor E. deWitt Morehouse of Digby, Nova Scotia, as the result of her interest in her great grandmother Mary Harding and her family. Mary Olivia Spurr Harding (1822-1910) was born in Annapolis, Nova Scotia, daughter of Amelia DeWolf (1788-1828 -1856) and William Spurr (1794-1841). She married John Henry Harding (1818-1901), son of Thomas Harding and Mary Johnson, in 1846. Thomas Harding was a businessman and served as mayor of Saint John. Mary and John Harding's children were: James S. Harding; Charles S. Harding, (1851-1938); Frederick J. Harding; Mrs. J.T. McBride; and Henry Havelock ( d.1862).

Mary's husband John moved from Saint John to northern New Brunswick where, in association with Hon. Joseph Cunard and W.G. Weir, he built a lumber mill around 1846. In 1854, he was joined by his young brother Jesse (1821 -1898) in business which included a saw mill, a general store and later a shipyard at The Rocks in Newcastle. Between 1863-1867, the Harding brothers launched five ocean-going vessels, including the ships "Gladstone" and "Northumberland" and the barques "Beatrice" and "Oceanus".

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

Custodial history

Information about the custody of these records prior to acquisition is incomplete.

Scope and content

The collection consists of genealogical information and family letters. There are original letters with transcriptions, written by Mary Spurr Harding from Shippegan and Chatham, N.B., in 1851-1852, to her mother Amelia deWolf Spurr in Bridgetown, Nova Scotia. The letters discuss: children; childhood conditions, including remedies for worms; mid-19th century everyday life for women; relatives; preserving food, particularly fruit; family friends; travel within the province; and the slow delivery of mail. There is also some discussion of Mary Harding's husband John's lumber and shipping business.

There is also a modern hand-drawn map showing the places in northern New Brunswick and Nova Scotia where Spurr and Harding families lived; photocopies of photographs of Mary Harding (1850 -1901); newsclippings of family obituaries; a photograph of the Harding house in Miramichi; and genealogical material including a printed form showing Spurr family lineage.

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Acquired from Eleanor E. deWitt Morehouse, Digby in 1988

Arrangement

Language of material

  • English

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No restrictions

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