1. Nicholas Lister

 

Son of George Lister. Born 1796/1798 in Annan, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. Died 25 Jan 1869 in Harvey. Buried in Harvey Settlement Cemetery. Occupation Farmer, Weaver.

    

The Lister name was also spelled "Litster" in old records.   In the 1801 Census of Annan, Scotland, Nickol (age 3) was listed as part of the household of George Lister, Agnes Gass, Jean Lister, John Lister and Isabel Lister.   The home was listed as Bonshawside which included 16 residences.   (Info from E. E. Lister)

 

From Morning Telegraph, Saint John, 2 Feb 1869:

   " Died Harvey, 25th ult., Nicholas Lister, age 77, native of Annan, Dumfriesshire, Scotland.   He was promoted to Ruling Elder of the Parish Church in   his native place.   He emigrated to America in 1843, left children and grandchildren."

​

From "Statistical Return of the Harvey Settlement for the year 1847", Nicholas settled in Harvey in 1843, had a family of 9, and besides farming he was a Weaver.   In the four years between 1843 and 1847, he had built a house and barn, had cleared 18 acres of his 100 acre lot and had paid off half the cost of his land.   He had 3 cows, 2 oxen, 10 sheep, 3 swine and 3 young cattle.   His crop consisted of 10 tons hay and stray, 150 bu. oats, 10 bu. barley and buckwheat, 100 bu. potatoes and 10 bu. wheat.   Estimated total value of crops, stocks, land and improvements was 166 pounds.   (As his wife died in 1846, it would appear that he had 8 children living with him in 1847.)

  

The 1851 Census lists Nicholas a widower, 54 years of age, Scotch, farmer/proprietor, who entered this colony in 1843.   The following children were living at home:   (All were born in Scotland)   David, 20; James, 16; Edward I., 14; Jane, 12; Agnes, 11 and Mary, 9.

  

Ten years later, 1861 Census, only his son Edward Irvin, 24, was at home with Nicholas.   Also a servant, Elizabeth Dundas, age 26, lived in the household.   The Lister family was Presbyterian.   By 1861, Nicholas owned or occupied 60 acres improved and 90 acres unimproved land.   Cash value of farm was 250 pounds, value of implements and machinery, 15 pounds.   He had 2 horses, 3 milch cows, 4 other neat cattle, 14 sheep, 3 swine and slaughtered 400 lb. pork.   Produced 150 lb. butter, 36 lb. wool, 10 tons hay, 300 bu. oats, 87 bu. buckwheat, 20 bu. timothy and 100 bu. potatoes.

  

From the Land Grants records, Nicholas received the following land:   Lot P Block 31 Kingsclear (later Manners Sutton) York Co. 100 ac. 1851/10/13   Vol. 36, No. 4873; and Lot 70 Block 31, Manners Sutton, 50 ac. 1868/12/14 Vol. 74, No. 12594.

  

Excerpt from newspaper account of Settlement of Harvey -- undated--"For 16 years the Harvey Settlers were without a kirk or meeting house and without a clergyman excepting a rare visit from the Rev. Daniel McCurdy of Keswick.   The children were taken to Fredericton for baptism.   The Rev. John Brooke kindly granted the ordinance to all who sought, without hindrance at his own manse.   During all these years, however, public worship amongst themselves on the Lord's day was regularly observed.   This was conducted in the school house by the elders and others.   There were four of them, John Thompson, Thomas Herbert, Thomas Piercy and James Nesbitt.   In this connection the name of Nicholas Lister should be mentioned.   He took regular turns at the desk with the elders giving out the psalm or paraphrase, leading in prayer and reading the sermons.   There was no great force in the reading of the sermon but to hear some of these men pray, pleading at the throne, offering up their gifts at the alter was something grand.   The very simplicity of the language lent power and solemnity to their soul stirring devotions.   Nor was the service of praise led by Matthew Piercy less earnest and striking.   At the end of sixteen years in 1852 a substantial meeting house was erected........"

   

He married