This segment introduces the 3rd child of Ebenezer
and Martha Grace Cole. Rufus Cole was born in Sackville , NB Chignecto Peninsula , was known for its “Nova Scotia grit”. There are no records that
indicate the process that Rufus and Martin used in getting the grindstones from
their earthbound location to a ship ready to deliver them to other ports. They
most likely used a method that was common to the area in that day. It all
depended on the tides of the Bay of Fundy ,
considered to be the highest in the world. The grindstones were quarried from
the cliffs exposed during low tide. The stones were then attached to a special
type of boat and allowed to rise with the incoming tide.
They were then floated
to another area to be prepared for transport. Rufus and Martin had part
ownership in several boats. Martin was the Master Mariner sailing the grindstones
to east coast ports, while Rufus saw to the business on land. Rufus also
engaged in farming, as in Milne’s book on The History of Sackville, it’s
stated that he drove a team of oxen, pulling a load of grain, to Palmer’s mill
in Dorchester .
Rufus is called Squire Rufus in almost every place he is referenced.
There seems to be no explanation for this title. He was a land owner, farmer, and
businessman but so were many of the other men in the Dorchester
and Sackville area. He seemed to have no further education than what was
available in that area, at that time, which would not lead to a formal title of
Esquire. So it remains a curiosity as to why he was dubbed Squire Rufus.
Rufus Cole (1796-1884) m. 1818 Lavinia Cutler (1797-1862),
d/o Ebenezer Cutler, a Harvard graduate and an educator in the Sackville area.
Rufus and Lavinia settled in Sackville and raised a large family. Their
children were:
A. Seraphina Cutler Cole (1819-1853)
B. Martha Grace Cole (1821-1846) m. Charles Calhoun of Hopewell , NB
1. Samuel
(1841-1911) m Seriph Unknown (1843-?) – 3 children
2. Seraphina
(1844-?)
3. Martha (1846-?)
C. Mary Ruth Cole (1823-1890) m. 1845 Stephen Barnes (1807-1872)
as his 2nd wife
1. Martha
(1846-?)
2. Rufus C.
(1849-?)
3. Henry C.
(1850-?) m. Marion Harris
4. Mary O.
(1855-?) m. James Bedford Hamilton
5. Lavinia R.
(1857-1936) she died in Boston ,
MA
D. Olive C. Cole (1826-1862) School Teacher
E. Rufus Cutler Cole (1829-1918) m. 1855 Charlotte Smith
1. Henry L.
(1859-?)
2. Horace W.
(1862-?)
3. Bessie E.
(1865-?)
4. Gordon W.
(c. 1871-1877)
5. Lottie M.
(1874-?)
6. Maggie M.
(1878-?)
7. Daisy E.
(1879-?)
F. Jonas Cutler Cole (1831-1883) m. Adelia Jane Calkins
(1853-1924)
1. Rufus Warren (1880-?)
2. Laura (bef.
1881-?)
G. Ruth Elizabeth (1834-1864) lost at sea m. 1863 Thomas
Anderson (1840-1918)
H. Lavinia V. Cole (1837-1884) m. 1863 Edwin Bennett
(1841-1870) – 1 son
I. Charles W. (1840-1875)
J. Augusta (1844-1866)
K. Laleah Burpee (1845-1870) m.
1867 Alfred Bennett (1844-1870) both lost at sea
Lavinia and Augusta were also
thought to be lost at sea on board the Brigantine William Bennett of Hopewell, Albert Co., NB, but they both survived
the shipwreck. Although it may seem strange to see so many female family
members lost at sea, it must be remembered that this was the day of sailing
ships. Many of the women in this area of Dorchester and Sackville , NB
Rufus’ wife Lavinia died in 1862
and Rufus married his 2nd wife in 1863. She was Mary Ann Calhoun
Calkins, a widow. Her husband Elijah Calkins had died leaving her with one
child, Adelia Jane (1853-1924).
Rufus and Mary Ann had a daughter,
Alice Grace (1865-1941) who never married.
As can be noted above, Jonas
married his step-sister Adelia Jane Calkins.
HISTORY OF SACKVILLE NEW BRUNSWICK
by
DR. WILLIAM COCHRAN MILNER
Historian, and Former Dominion Archivist
(1846-1939)
by
DR. WILLIAM COCHRAN MILNER
Historian, and Former Dominion Archivist
(1846-1939)
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