THE STORY OF CAP’T SAM. KEMPTON

CHAPTER ONE

SAMUEL KEMPTON, ONCE BEFORE A SAILOR, RETURNS TO A LIFE AT SEA.

The Brig’t “SADIE” had been owned by Steward Freeman & Co., and registered at Sable River, Nova Scotia. These were times with many forced sales caused by economic depression. Juggling of properties, repossessing of land, bankruptcies, changing vessel ownership, etc. were common.

A.W.Mooers & Drew now owned the Sadie, and she was being readied for a trip to Barbados in the West Indies. She was slated to sail on August 5, 1881, from Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Captain Frank Annis was Master, and Oliver Tupper was Mate and First Officer of this ship.

The captain needed a second mate to round out his crew, and he hired Mr. S.T.Kempton for this role.

Samuel T. Kempton previously had sea experience. This was before his marriage in 1874 to Mary Anne Payzant of Newport, Hants County, and NS. He had then left the sea and joined his father and other family members in a lumber finishing company called S & P Kempton, General Merchants, Door, Sash, and Box Mfgrs., located in Milton, NS. This, by 1880, was almost bankrupt, and he had taken on the unpleasant task of closing out the business.

Now with a family to support, he decided to return to the sea.

We will call him “Sam” in this story. Many years later in his senior years he would be referred to as “Captain Sam”, almost in love and awe, like a super person. He was one of those characters everybody liked and enjoyed being in his presence. He traveled easily; he had relatives and friends practically everywhere he went.

He kept journals, of his travels, and of the many families, of whom he was familiar. These became valuable assets, much used today in Queens County Museum, and T.H Raddall Research Center.  (Today is 1999, when this story is being prepared, One hundred twenty years later)

He was a good church worker; the Milton Christian Church was considered his church, as it was for his father and grandfather before him.  He loved fraternal groups, and was a long time Mason, sometimes Worshipful Master, a strong leader in his mother lodge, Prince of Wales, No. 29, A.F.& A.M., Milton, NS.

He was hired as Second Mate for this trip south. His salary would be $22.00 per month, all board and meals found as was the custom. The salary was paid to him one month in advance.

The other crewmembers were steward Stuart Newman, and Simeon Bowers, his son Douglas, and Charles Spink, crewmen before the mast.

The wooden sailing ship’s cargo was typical of the times being exported to that market. The captain was expected to sell this cargo to the best advantage when arriving at the designation. The ship was small; she had this amount on board.

155,450 board feet of lumber.

115 drums of cod-fish.                  8 boxes of cod-fish.              80 half-bushel cod-fish.           

36 boxes cod-fish.             5 half-barrels of eels          52 M. of wooden shingles.           

2 Spars…(spare masts)                  .8 casks of cod-fish.                6 casks of haddock.

 

Sam’s experiences as Second Mate, on board The Sadie, a sailing vessel to the West Indies, the year 1881.

They set sail from Liverpool, NS, in August 1881, and as many before them, ran into a terrible storm, a hurricane, before they were halfway to their next port of call, in Bermuda. Vessels of this period depended completely on the sails and the spars that supported them, as well as the wooden hull of the vessel itself. “Wooden ships…Iron Men”.

They became aware of the weakness of their topmast, and being junior officer Sam was the one designated to climb high into this huge mass of sails and booms and with a hatchet cut away the weak mast. His diary reports: “ I did this, some of the rigging swung in the wind and struck me in the mouth, it broke one of my teeth off. I then came down and we cut the topgallant backstays, but still the mast would not go. We lost our flying jib boom some time towards morning. It was a fearful, bad night and very dark”

It would be a week before they arrived at Bermuda, and only then was he able to go to a dentist. There they also repaired the storm damage to the ship.

Life on board a sailing vessel was reported in Sam’s diary. It was great when the weather was right, the ship silently travelling along, and the crew with time for living a simple life. He had never cut hair before but he cut the steward’s hair. A bird, a snipe, landed on board, and was quite tame as it climbed up onto the Captain’s shoulder when he played music on the accordion. They were able to do such things as shave, to put out wet clothing and bedding to dry, with many ship-keeping things to get organized again.

The ship arrived at Barbados Sept. 3^rd. 1881, a journey of 29 days from Liverpool, N.S. to Barbados.  It was then that they discovered that Yellow Fever (another name for smallpox) was prevalent there.

A yellow flag hanging in the rigging of vessels would signify this, as would the hanging of a lantern there at night. They declared quarantine, only the Captain was allowed to visit ashore, no one was allowed on board.

The decision was made to go to St. Pierre, Martinique, and find a market for the cargo. There they learned that 200 deaths had occurred in Barbados, including a Cap’t Shaw from Annapolis, NS, who had been in port with his brigantine.

Captain Annis sold the lumber cargo for $27 per M. (1000 square feet board measure, M.-fbm.). Unloading the 155 M.-fbm load of lumber was accomplished by making up rafts and floating these ashore. Layering a number of boards as platforms laid much like shingling a roof, boards totaling from 10 M to 20M in size made a raft. No docks or wharves existed at this port, so the rafts would be towed or poled ashore to the unloading beach. The weather was so hot and humid that the work was performed at night.

The crews off time in port was used in various ways, Sam wrote a letter home to his wife, and sent it via another vessel, the Millie B., of Shelburne NS, and Captain Taylor. Later he wrote another letter sending it by the schooner Victor, from Lunenburg, NS.

Sam reported in his diary how pleased they were to “clear” that “stinking hole”. They moved to Haiti, St. Mark, about 700 miles away. All hands were employed at cleaning cabins in an attempt to get rid of some of the cockroaches. They killed millions of them, yet plenty remained.

This diary also reported another adventure of the times. Cap’t Dauphney, and his ship Brig’t D.F.Brown had left Liverpool, NS. about three weeks before the “Sadie”. Its designation was St. Marks, Haiti with a load of lumber. “In running for Turks Island Passage they went ashore on Corpas Reefs, about 45 miles NW of Turks Island. A total loss, it had gone ashore Aug. 5, 1881, 16 days out of Liverpool, NS. The Cap’t next journeyed from Turks Island to St. Marks, all alone in an open whale boat.”

The Sadie next left Gonaives, Haiti, with 140 tons of tapwood. This had been loaded in portions of 20 tons to each lighter load.

Sam had ventured ashore and amongst his purchases were some boxes of local cigars, and bottles of bay rum. This was popular with barbers back home to use as an after-shave, and would have good value when he got home.

Their designation was Boston, Mass., and when they were still some 360 miles from Boston, Sam recorded being in the Gulf Stream, which “current is about 1 knot in speed”. The next day he reported changing his clothing pattern for the first time since going south. Under-clothes and boots were being worn again. The clothing on board for weeks had been only shorts, with feet bare.

His diary reported passing Nantucket Shoal Lightship, Sandkaty Head Light on Nantucket Island, and the next day passing Chatham Light. He told about counting 48 schooners, but next day near Cape Cod there were too many ships to count. They first anchored on Boston Flats, then in the evening moved up to Sargeants Wharf. 

News of their arrival in port traveled fast, homesick Miltonians Mill Kempton and Don Purdy met them.  This was like “home week”, first he had tea with Augustus Murray and Angus MacDonald from the Liverpool “Dexter”. Visitors next to the “Sadie” were Helen Freeman and Mrs. C.Burke.   Other names mentioned in Sam’s diary were: George Payzant, Bob Payzant & wife of Summerville, Mrs. Church, Annie, Gertrude and James Ball, Tom Burnaby, Deed Freeman, Elkhanah and Zoeth Ford, Freem Smith, Harvey Kempton (his brother) arrived from Rhode Island, Bob and Lan Starratt, John K. Freeman, Helen and A. Freeman.

The tapwood cargo was sold in Boston; new cargo for home was loaded. This included 50 Bbls. of flour and meal. Later in East Boston was loaded 125 additional Bbls. of flour, and ship stores. Next they went to Chelsea for coal cargo, after which they set sail for home. Time required was 34 hours from Boston Light, after sighting and passing Nova Scotia’s Seal Island, and Coffins Island at Liverpool, NS.

This round trip had taken 3 months and 8 days.

Several days later he had sold his cigars and bay rum for $37.67.

 

CHAPTER TWO

SAMUEL KEMPTONS LIFE ASHORE, AWAITING FOR A NEW SHIP

This chapter is intended to illustrate life in Milton, NS, in the fall and early winter of 1881/1882. Sam had been away 3 months or so from a young wife and two daughters, May Lamont b.1875,(later 1^st wife of Sid Morton), and Helen, who had been born in 1878,(later Mrs. Wm. McCaffrey).  Mary Ann, his wife had been from Falmouth, Hants Co., NS. She had many Payzant cousins here in this Liverpool area, and had known the area before her marriage to Sam. Their home, recently purchased from Joseph Cook, was at Milton corner, across from the corner marker; an old cannon buried nose down. Joseph Cook, was associated with the Samuel Freeman “Empire”, he had built a new home three doors away, across from the Milton Baptist Church.

What does a sailor do when he had some shore time to himself and his family? His wife has many suggestions. He had a bill at Dr. Farrish’s, and paid that. He cut brush to cover the strawberries and grapevines. His rates for the county and poor were $ 2.85, to be paid to Robert Kempton. He wanted a new bedstead so ordered this to be made by Joseph Wyman, who was a local cabinet type carpenter, with a reputation of fine woodworking.

Mary Ann and Sam enjoyed a social period of teas and meals with relatives and friends. His father was Simeon G. and lived with his mother across the river near Indian Island on the western side of the Mersey River. His brother Thaddeus also lived near the same location. Two sisters were married to local men. Harvey, his brother had visited with Sam in Boston, recently.  Sam and Mary Ann went to a party that was held at neighbor’s Joseph Cook’s, they were popular guests.

He felt flush with money so ordered a new shotgun, a Champion breech-loading gun from Swain & Co., Augusta, Maine. When he needed transportation he borrowed his Uncle Thomas horse; he had his own carriage.

He and Mary Ann went shopping in Liverpool, amongst other things he bought a bbl. of flour. He delivered three barrels of apples for his father to Edwin Starratt in nearby Brooklyn, and brought back his pay in sugar. (Edwin Starratt’s son would later marry Thaddeus Kempton’s daughter).

Sam’s sister Annie had died in 1872. She had been married to James Morton Freeman.  He was recently remarried, to Celesta Lloyd of Dartmouth, NS., and Mary and Sam had a party for them.

Their social calendar included; His mother and father. [Jane (Payzant) Kempton, his mother, had married Simeon Gardner Kempton. Sam’s wife was a distant cousin of Sam’s mother.]  Cap’t & Mrs. James Ryan, his wife was the former Ethel Harlow.          

Thomas Tupper A visit to Jonathan Kempton.   He reported death of old Mrs. Zoeth Freeman. He loafed at McEwen and Ford’s shoemaking shop.                       A sale of a revolver to Jonathan Kempton for $3.00.  P. Murray preached at Mrs. Freeman’s funeral. He went Partridge hunting twice, with no luck.          Received some codfish from Dunlop’s. Made a “side-bracket” for Libby Freeman. Visited the Robert Smiths. He cut up a quarter of beef, which he had purchased for 4-1/2 cents per pound. Visited Ira Freeman’s for a party.         Dec. 24th he reported on the “Bell-Snicklers” coming after pies and scaring the children “almost to death”. Dec. 25^th the children hung their stockings for Xmas.

They attend church, “Milton Christian Church”, whose preacher was Howard Murray.

He reported on a “Sport Shooting” which was an annual Christmas celebration enjoyed by the men. Joshua Newton Freeman, (married to Sam’s sister, Catherine), donated five geese to be shot for. It took place behind Parker Freeman’s barn. (The 1999 location where this activity occurred is behind  Stephen Oliver’s barn.)

Albert Kempton got 3 for 90 cents. Thad. Kempton got 2 for 30 cents. Thad set one up and Albert K. took it after he got 30 cents, leaving Thad one goose for nothing. Leonard Coombs got one for 20 cents.

Another Christmas celebration occurred when everyone attended a “Tea” at the Masonic Hall. Over 50 men and their wives and girl friends attended, there was enough food left over for that many again.

The gun he had ordered came in on the schooner “Rival”. In those days they made their own bullets, or shells, and poured lead into moulds for the balls. He did this for his new gun, they made splendid shots.

 

CHAPTER THREE

SAM SIGNED ONTO ANOTHER SHIP, THE J.C.Dakin,  A COASTAL PACKET.

His shore leave was coming to an end. His next ship would be the J.C.Dakin, a Packet with Liverpool, NS. to Halifax and back schedule. He would advance to first mate, at higher salary, although the trips of this type of ship were short, they went often, with a small crew.

They started to load with “Heading”.  Barrels were reusable containers for many kinds of foods, fish, fruit, and vegetables. They were always a standard size, and once used after removing the one head, only needed a new standard head for reuse. Milton was a lumber town where boxes and barrels were made. These replacement heads for barrels required only scrap lumber to be made. Halifax merchants reused the barrels, it was a good market in “Headings”, and most cargo ships to Halifax included this staple.

The Packets carried special items on their return trips also. Sam was able to obtain 2 cans of Kerosene from the ship captain, Mr. Harnish. He quickly sold one can to Daniel Moody. Allen Freeman and his wagon transported them to Milton for him.

The outgoing cargo manifest included: 1800 pairs heading, 40 quintals of fish, 260 spice boxes, and several barrels of mackerel.

They also had several passengers bound for Halifax. Persons travelling in those days depended on small ships going to a designated port. It would be twenty years before the railroad would reach Liverpool, NS. The stagecoach did take some travelers; most persons favored the ships.

Passengers this trip was: Mr. Merritt of Pennant Point, John Rhyno, and Arthur Wright. Mr. Merritt was landed at Sambro Head.

The captain sold 100 pairs heading to Mr. Smith at W.Books wharf; 700 pairs to Mr. Thompson, at Wood’s wharf; and 268 pairs to Thomas Doile for $4.00 per 100 pairs. They were very poor spruce heading. John Taylor’s wharf was the delivery point for the fish.

Captain Edward Cooke came down to the ship to spend the evening.

Sam had several errands to do for others; he bought 2 silver mirrors @ 50 cents each, for George Bell (Milton’s blacksmith at West End of Milton bridge).

He went to the W. &A. railway station to see about A.J Ford’s freight. A.J Ford was a carriage maker on the east bank of the river near Milton center.

Cap’t Ed. Cooke was the only passenger when on Jan. 12, 1882, they headed back towards Liverpool, NS. Enroute they stayed two nights at Sambro, because of bad weather. Next night they anchored at Moshers Island at Lahave. The “Kate”, with Captain Chadsie was also anchored there away from the storm at sea. The next night, Jan. 15, they arrived and tied up to the steamship wharf in Liverpool. The ship was moved further up by Henry Lohnes’s help through the opened swing bridge and then to Anderson and Bill’s wharf.

Sam was home again and getting caught up on the news there. He reported and recorded most deaths for his own diaries; the mother of the Murrays had died in Worcester.

He was advised that the J.C.Dakin was not going back to sea, she would be laid up for weeks settling up on accounts.

Other crewmen, Nat. Minard and Charles Harlow took their clothes home. He made arrangements to go to sea again, this time as mate of the schooner Coronilla. He had a few days home and got caught up in the social affairs again in Milton.

Janie Freeman was over to tea. Mary and Sam went to Nicholas Smiths for an evening.

 His brother Stephen Harvey had returned from Rhode Island, his return was through Annapolis, on the Bay of Fundy, and across the Nova Scotia peninsular to Milton, Queens Co., and 80 miles away. He would later marry Alice Mansfield of North Queens (near Rosette); One might suppose he came home the Annapolis route for this reason.

 

 

CHAPTER FOUR

Samuel next reports to the CORONELLA, THIS TIME FOR A TRIP to Demerrara. He will be the First Mate.

 

This journey started on January 30, 1882. This was a schooner owned by J.H.Smith and others, tiny by today’s standards, 63 tons registry.

Her captain was Cap’t Frederick Smith and Sam Kempton was hired as first mate at $24 per month. Men before the mast were; Thomas Reinhardt Cook, Jerrie Scot, and Hiram Fralick.

Cargo was: Lumber, 18, 024 board feet. Both Pine and Spruce.       59 Sweeps…(long oars).         2 Spars.            38 Barrels and 55 boxes of potatoes.        2 cases of rabbits.           Codfish.5 casks +16 drums+30 boxes +43 half-boxes.     Haddock.7 casks +2 drums +4 boxes + 2 half-boxes.      Hake…19 Bbls. + 1 half Bbl.                      Herring. 2 Quintals. Mackeral..1 Kip.                    Vegetables…2 boxes of turnips and beets.

The trip down to the West Indies was normal, again a viscous storm that broke the main boom, and “started”(moved) the deck load. Latitude and longitude readings were as follows: off Liverpool, NS, Lat. 41/39 N. x Long. 62/53 W.; 22 days later at Demerrara: Lat. 7/19 N. x Long. 56/51 W.

Visitors will quickly visit a ship entering port, these would be friends from back home, many homesick and wanting news of home. Visitors were Samuel Hicks, Mate of Barque Sadie; Augustus Mullins, 2nd Mate of Georgina; John Love, Cap’ t. Edwin MacLeod, and Rob’t. Innes.

Both Sam and Jerrie Scot were given orders to have dental work done, teeth pulled at the hospital there.

It was after their cargo was discharged that they took on new cargo.

 

 

 

This consisted of:

57 Casks of Molasses; (38 in the hold, and 19 casks on deck). Later they would add to this cargo, total of 95 in the hold, 27 on deck.

They made sail for a rum factory 5 miles from St. Pierre, Martinique, at Point Lama. They discharged 122 casks of molasses here.

They took on 30 tons of ballast here before proceeding. They also spoke to several other NS ships in the area. The St. Elmo with Sandy Crowell as Mate, was loading sugar for Portland Maine. They visited her captain, Cap’t. Ryan, on the St.Elmo. Another local vessel at St. Pierre was the Schooner Dexter.

Sam on this trip again made purchases to trade off back home. This time it was more cigars, and some earthenware dishes.

It was March 22, 1882 that they set sail for Liverpool, NS. They had just loaded 612 ½ Barrels of salt. Salt cost there $3.00 per Bbl., a valuable cargo to resell up north.  One of his diary entries indicates that the vessel was drawing 10-½ ft. loaded. Other entries indicate soundings taken enroute home; such as George’s bank @ 23 fathoms.

One ship they “spoke” ( talked with) on this trip north was the schooner Charles H. Hilldred of Gloucester just west of George’s Shoal.

It was April 9^th when they landed at Brooklyn, NS, and he borrowed Reinhardt’s horse to take his clothes and purchases home. This included the goods he had bought for resale; he sold these the next day in a little trip around to clients in Liverpool, NS.

Sam was home again. Jan. 30 he had left for Demerrara, back home by April 10, 1992.

Now, on April 13^th he was signed up to go as Mate on the J.C.Dakin again, back on coastal, packet type service.

 

CHAPTER FIVE

THE J.C.DAKIN IS BACK ON PACKET SERVICE FROM LIVERPOOL, NS, TO HALIFAX, NS, AND SAMUEL KEMPTON IS FIRST MATE.

This was the type of work that suited Sam much better than those long journeys into hot steamy south islands where small pox, and malaria was so prevalent. There was another good reason, each trip to Halifax and back took only three or four days, so he could enjoy a better home life.

He had hired Ingram Kempton in January to cut firewood for him on his own land , Ingram had agreed to do this at 50 cents a cord. The 10 cords contracted for could be made ready for the stove by himself on his days off from now on.

This trip to Halifax was uneventful. They had started loading cargo on April 13, next day enroute, arriving to unload cargo on April 15.

They unloaded for Alfred Graves at Corbett’s wharf some “Heading” and spare staves that would be used for barrel repair. They unloaded 4M fbm lumber which his brother Thaddeus Kempton had sent to D.Cronan’s wharf.  He was able to take Thad. $134.62 for his lumber. His brother-in-law, Joshua Newton Freeman had gone with them to Halifax as a passenger, he and Sam together visited the local cotton factory.

Next the Dakin sailed for home on April 22^nd, making stops at Sambro, Prospect, Black Point, and Brooklyn, arriving home April 25^th. Returning home was passenger Newton Freeman.

The next day they started loading for Halifax, sailing again on April 29. Passengers this trip were Captain and Mrs. Fred Smith. The vessel had one stop on the way at Lunenburg town.  They were, after stopping at Corbett’s wharf unloading their freight, taking on more freight, and by May 6^thwere on the way home again.          

One visitor Sam had on board the Dakin was a relative Mrs. Waddle of Dartmouth.

Another crewman on the Dakin was an old friend James Walker. Jimmy had worked for Joseph Wyman in Wyman’s Woodworking factory on the Kyack Brook in Milton. Wyman had imported planers and other woodworking tools from the USA to further finish our local lumber for the shipbuilding, and house-building industry.

The early lumber merchants who were exporters had depended on selling Air-Dried rough-sawn lumber to others for the later finishing for use in end products.

Most of Milton’s factories were closed in the late 1870’s, the banks had foreclosed on most local businessmen. Labourers, were the biggest losers as usual, and must seek employment wherever it might be.

Jimmy, now married, with children to feed, moved his family to nearby Summerville, 10 miles away from Liverpool.

He had been born near Peggy’s Cove in Halifax Co. His father, the local land surveyor, had died when he and his brother, Walter, were only teenagers.  The boys went to work where they could to help the mother along. Jimmy had started at going to sea, but soon found work in Milton at Wyman’s Woodworking Factory. He courted a young lady, Eliza Hauptman, who was the daughter of John Hauptman of  Summerville, Queens Co, NS. The social activities of those days were church oriented. These two young people were active in youth activities of the newly built new church building of the Milton Christian Church. This was located directly across the road from Wyman’s factory, and Jimmies work place.

Jimmy, now with family responsibility found work on the J.C.Dakin, the same ship that Sam was Mate on. They had known each other before this new association, both in Church work, and the woodworking industry.                         

The Dakin was again in her homeport, she had landed and tied up first across the harbour in Brooklyn, NS. The captain and Sam had walked home to spend the night. May 7^th, they ran up into Liverpool, and discharged their cargo, all except 24 iron knees.

Their next trip was to transport lumber from Morton’s Wharf that was located another mile up the river. This was often a difficult maneuver, wind must be right, and the tides must be right. Their attempt to do this failed so Morton’s were forced to have the lumber team-hauled to the ship.

This amounted to 17,500 board feet of lumber to go to Halifax. The remaining cargo consisted of 85 boxes, 300 pair of heading, and 10 cowls of leather.

The weather was bad, they had made it as far as Lahave, at the mouth of the Lahave River, in Lunenburg County by May 17. Here they waited, playing checkers and visiting, like to Spectacle Island for eggs and water. Next they moved to St. Margaret’s Bay where they lay too again. On May 23 they had made it to Prospect, where Cap’t Smith and Sam went ashore and dug clams. Later Sam reported that “Jimmie and I went ashore and looked around the place. It was a hard looking place”.

Next day, a Saturday, in Halifax, Sam had a visit from Mrs. Waddle. The next day he went ashore to church, after which he visited Mr. Alexander Waddle there.

May 31 saw them away for Liverpool again where they arrived on June 1^st. Next they loaded some coal and iron for Summerville Breakwater where they arrived at 11 P.M. James Walker was able to spend the night at home, and be picked up the next morning.

This trip they had better luck in getting up to Morton’s Wharf up the river in Milton.. They moved from Harlow’s wharf, to Cowie’s wharf at the narrows, then up past “Hills Grove” and tied up at Morton’s wharf. The next day they dropped down into the harbour on the outgoing tide, and were through the drawbridge by half past five.

This trip took only 10 hours to make the run to Halifax, NS, arriving 10 A.M. on June 9. The cargo was mostly the hemlock lumber from Mortons to R.I.Hart of Halifax. Hart complained the lumber was too small, of poor quality, and refused the cargo. It was after several telegraph messages back and forth that they finally unloaded.

The next trip back to Liverpool was in dense fog. Once to get their bearings, after hearing noise from surf, Jimmie and Sam rowed ashore until they identified Pudding Pan Island, then were able to proceed. Passengers that trip were John and Thomas Rhyno.

Sam’s diary is a great source of what many would call “trivia”. Actually it indicates how life was lived in those days when Canada was in its formation years.

He wrote of an election held in 1882, Election Day was June 20^th. This must have been for both the federal houses and the provincial houses. Dr. Forbes was running for Ottawa. Joseph H. Cooke and Jason M.Mack were for the Liberals on the local house. The Tories were running his brother in law, Joshua Newton Freeman, for Ottawa. Leander S. Ford and Cap’t Bartlett were Tory for Halifax. The Liberals went in big…145 majority.

The Liberals later had a celebration at Hill’s Grove, (today’s Pine Grove Park). Sam reported, apparently in disgust, “over two thousand people were there”.

The Dakin’s crew had several days off while the ship went on the Steamboat’s Slip for caulking and painting. He took advantage to have his five front teeth pulled; Dentist was Dr. Freeman Tupper.

They make another trip to Halifax. While there he ordered a Poole’s Signal Service Barometer from the Oswego Thermometer Works. Fred Freeman was their passenger to Halifax this trip. On July 9^th they were back home again.

Sam this time, ashore for several days, borrowed a horse from James M. Freeman and hauled his winter wood from John K.Dexter’s woodlot.

The cargo on the Dakin’s next trip bound for Halifax, NS,  was:

3500 board feet of spruce lumber for A & B.  1500 board feet of pinelumber for Rufus Ford. 18 Boxes for Joseph B. Wyman.  2196 board feet of spruce lumber for James Nickerson. 4 Boxes for R.H.Gardner, & 25 quintals of fish for C. MacLeod & Co., both Gardner and MacLeod of Brooklyn, NS.

Sam reported a ship having been washed ashore on Green Island. It was the Quick Step; several crew members were Isaac Harlow, and Cap’t Joseph Smith.

The Dakin arrived in Halifax on July 15, and stayed until July 21^st.

The fish were sold for $4.75 per quintal. The spruce lumber was sold for $9.50 per M. board feet.

Errands for others and visitations occurred each trip or visit to the city.

This trip he went to Carson’s and picked up a watch for A.L.Etherigton. He visited Mrs Waddles, was visited by James Demond.

The next trip they had to pick up cargo in Port Mouton.  First they got stuck on the flats, 100 fathoms from the wharf. Later they loaded 100 quintals of fish, 100 boxes of lobsters, and other cargo. They went back to Brooklyn for more cargo, and a night’s layover.

He had a haircut at Tom Tuppers.

They loaded 200 quintals for Henry Smith of Brooklyn.

They had five passengers this trip; Whitfield Freeman, Thaddeus S.K.Freeman, Arthur Morton, Sidney Morton, and Aubrey Smith.

A word here on a passenger, the sixteen year old boy Thaddeus S.K.Freeman. He was a nephew of Sam Kempton, orphaned early in life, grew up under the wing of Sam’s mother, Mrs. Simeon Kempton. He was the pride of the whole family. Here he was leaving home to attend Acadia College where he graduated several years later. He studied Theology at Bethany College in West Virginia and followed the Church of Christ Disciples denomination into active ministry. He preached inTexas until 1892, he next preached in Illinois, where he married in 1892. He became a chaplain in the US Navy in 1897, and was with Admiral Dewey at Manila Bay in 1898. He unfortunately became ill in Japan on the journey to his home in Illinois, where his wife was awaiting his return, he died enroute.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

Meanwhile back in Halifax the Dakin was being readied August 9^th, 1882 for the return trip to Liverpool. They had loaded 125 barrels of flour at the new Railway Wharf.

That night on the way to home they met a bad storm. Knowing they were near Liverpool they again put a boat over to check the surf they could hear. It proved to be Gull Islands surf, so they went back easterly a small distance and entered the port of Liverpool. Sam reported that they all went home that night except Jimmie Walker, he lived a ten mile walk away, and the weather was bad.

The next day was important for the children. Picnics for their Sunday School, Milton Christian Church, were much looked forward to. Wagons would be contributed, or hired, to take the children, and supporting adults to Beach Meadows, about 8 miles away. Beach games would be organized there, and a large amount of food would be prepared. Sam’s two daughters loved these parties. The next day they took freight to Port Mouton, after visiting Bell’s Point. There they unloaded 50 barrels of flour and meal. When they returned they stopped briefly at Summerville Breakwater for Jimmie Walkers clothes.  August 15^th, 1882, Sam picked up his four-day Barometer that he had ordered some days ago. His diary commented on a walk he and Jimmie Walker had taken to the cotton factory on Spring Garden Road.

            August  had them back again in Liverpool, very little freight. Sam often visits Nicholas Smith, who had married another cousin of Sam’s. This man, Nicholas Smith, had tremendous influence on Milton youth. He was headmaster of Milton’s Academy, many young students were influenced by him to continue into the professions, and further education. The local industry would be unable to absorb the many young people soon to be thrown into the work force, so this was early in the days of “Brain-Drain”, many moved away. These Milton youth became lawyers, doctors, nurses, and teachers. Homesick Milton youth would visit Sam’s ships at every port he tied up into.

The diary of Sam’s revealed many historical events. A heavy forest fire was reported behind Moose Hill on August 22^nd, 1882.

Their Sept. 13^th trip to Halifax had seven passengers going to a Church of Christ Convention in Halifax’s North Street Church. Mary, Sam’s wife, and Jo Payzant would continue on to Falmouth near Windsor, NS. to visit Mary’s parents there. Others were Mrs J.M. Freeman, Charles Whitman, Mr. Zwicker, a blind man, and his companion.

Another vessel, the “Edgar Stewart” brought delegates to Halifax from another end of the province. It was reported that all these passengers were very sick.

 A Steamer also brought more passengers from Liverpool, Mrs. C. Harlow, Mr. Ira Freeman and his two daughters,Mrs. Thad Kempton, Mrs. Tom Tupper, and Mill Robertson. Another passenger, Mr. Alfred Etherington, was very sick at the Commercial Hotel.

Preachers that Sam had heard give sermons at this convention were: Mr. Garrity, Mr. Crawford twice, and Milton’s Howard Murray. He also enjoyed a walk around Halifax with visiting delegates, Annie Kempton, Bess Tupper, Fred Irven, and Whittie Freeman. They visited Mrs Waddles also.

Sam’s vessel returned to home port, and as his wife was visiting in Falmouth, his two daughters, May and Helen were staying at Mrs A. Kempton, while he stayed at his fathers house. The next day, Sept. 26, the vessel went to Port Mouton, stopping at Summerville Breakwater for Jimmie Walker. They anchored behind Charles Island, took on cargo for Halifax. This consisted of 1 cask of cod oil, lobsters, potatoes, sweeps, etc.    

After an uneventful trip to Halifax again, he traveled by train to Windsor to visit his wife Mary who was visiting her parents there. She was sick and could not return with him this trip.

The last several trips that Sam would be taken on this vessel were drawing close, he would become Mate of the “Dexter” and have a different run. Some of the passenger names noted of late were: James Murray, Newton Freeman, Robert Kempton, and Brooklyn passenger Fred Gardner. Mary and Lucilla returned from Falmouth.

Jimmie Walker missed this trip, Henry Lonas took his place.

Sam would next be reporting from the Dexter. John Randall would replace Sam on the Dakin.       

                                               

 

CHAPTER FIVE

 

THIS TRIP SAM GOES AS FIRST MATE ON ANOTHER TRIP TO THE WEST INDIES. THEY LEFT PORT OF LIVERPOOL ON NOV. 28, 1882, RETURNED ON JANUARARY 20, 1883.

 

The Dexter was considered a very nice and substantial vessel. She had been built in Brooklyn, across the harbour from Liverpool, NS.

 

Her registry was for 143 Tons.

 

Her crew for this run to Kingston, St. Vincent in the West Indies is:

Captain: William Brooks; Mate, Sam Kempton; 2^nd Mate, Gil. Wagner.

Crew: Snow McDonald as Steward; Doug Bowers, Wm. Norman, and

Syl. Manthorn.  One Passenger: Wm. Holdans.The Dexter is loaded this trip with general cargo:

 

Lumber: 36.7 M. fbm, Ship. Pine. (24.8 M. is actually Refuse Pine)  67.7 M. fbm, Ship Spruce.(1.3 M. is Refuse Spruce)    Shingles: 13.5 M,  Fish: 15 casks of Dry Fish.   32 Bbls. of Pickled Fish            24 Drums+ 34 Boxes+ 33 Half-Boxes of Codfish. 4 Cases of Lobsters.

 

The trip south was uneventful, good winds hurried their journey. They passed right by Bermuda, and had some rain on the trip. They arrived in St. Vincent at 9:00 P.M. on Dec 14 th. The next morning they went into the harbour there at Kingston. The day was spent cleaning the ship, and doing the regular work in port after two weeks at sea.

 

The bargain was made for the cargo: The Pine lumber was sold for $ 25, and the Spruce lumber for $22. ( Both these prices would be for 1000 fbm or square feet, board measure, on 1 inch thick lumber.) 

 

This would be rafted ashore in the next few days. They were anchored close to the beach, all cargo would be floated or barged ashore. The lumber was made into rafts in the regular manner, 5 M. to 10 M. per raft. Making the rafts would normally be supervised and a tally made by the Mate. Sam did this most days, but he was sick one day and Capt Brooks filled in for him that day.

 

When the loads were finished, the next day being Sunday they did no work and spent time on ship cleaning and washing. The next day, although Christmas Day, Sam worked the crew until 8:00AM then gave them the day off. He went ashore and bought some Nutmeg & Arrowroot for back home. Back on board he and Wagner worked on mending the upper topsail, and top gallant sail. Special food that day was Baked Beef, and Plum Duff.

 

Dec. 28th they set sail for St. Martins. The diary mentions that they passed near Sugar Loaf on St. Lucia, about 11 miles away. They passed near Guadeloupe, after passing between St. Kits and St. Estatius they made port in Phillipsburg, St. Martins. They had taken on ballast before this last journey to St. Martins where they would be taking on a cargo of salt.

 

 Salt in the north was a very valuable commodity. Here in the tropics it was separated from seawater in ponds, the sea would flood an area, barriers or dams would contain the water, the burning tropical sun would cause the water to evaporate. Remaining behind was caked salt. It would be loaded in barrels, 3 bushels to the barrel. Barrels were easily handled by stevedores and crew, they would be rolled up ramps, rolled into the cargo area, then upended and secured tightly packed in the vessel’s hold.

I t’s main use in the north was in the fishing industry. Large fish like codfish will quickly rot, smell badly, and would never reach market without salt. Properly handled the filleted fish would be salted and set out to dry on open racks for sun and wind to do the drying. Once dry it would be boxed, or packed in another container, for shipping anywhere where there was a market. The islands of the Caribean made such a market.

European fishermen had developed the fishing industry at Nova Scotia long before Columbus and other explorers had found this new land. French, and Portuguese fishermen had exploited this resource long before Nova Scotia was colonized.

Now, in 1882, as many before them, Sam’s vessel was loading with salt for the Nova Scotia market. This cargo was 1452 Bbls., which would be equal to 4356 bushels. The loading point was a small harbour with a sandbar hazard at its entrance. The secret here was to load as much as possible inside the bar, then later transport the balance of the cargo outside the bar with lighter or smaller boats.

Their trip back to Liverpool, NS, was uneventful, there was always work on a sailing vessel, the diary of Sam’s gave good coverage of that. They had barely missed a bad storm, this story was told them when they sighted other ships travelling south, and those vessels showing storm damage with missing sails and rigging.

The diary gave positions, latitude and longitude, which is always of importance to sailors, the ocean is wide, and no sign posts for travelers.

Enroute he points out landmarks, all important because they verify their art of reading the sun, and their navigating the ocean.

The route from the West Indies to Nova Scotia is as close to the eastern shore of North America as practical to allow the occasional sighting of at least head lands. The diary reports such sightings as Cape Hatteras, off the Carolina coast;  later a large fleet of fishermen on Georges Bank, running down the Nova Scotia coast at night, sighting Lockport light, arrive off Coffin Island at 3:00 AM, and go up the Liverpool Harbour, anchoring in Brooklyn at 5:00 AM.

There are always chores to do after anchoring at the home port.  They worked until 10:00 O’clock getting the ship presentable, then after checking into the shipping office for their pay, arrive home about noon. Later the crew could return to the ship for their clothes and belongings. They had been away for almost two months, things at home needed addressing.

 

CHAPTER SIX.

Samuel Kempton has only two weeks at home this trip to tend to things at home.

It was late January, 1883, that the sailor was home from the seas, the next voyage would be in only two weeks time.

The first several days were quiet things, like visiting family and friends. He needed to get the winter wood topped up, he had hired someone to cut it while he was away.

Seward Coombs, on nearby Moose Hill, had an ox and wagon and was available to haul Sam’s wood from Dexter’s Road. This was probably todays School Street in Milton. They together hauled four cords of firewood, Sewards price was $1.75 per day. Several days later they hauled two more cords of green wood, which he had sawn by Isaac Steward, and he split for piling himself.

One of his visitors was former shipmate James Walker of Summerville. This visit will result in the Walker family moving to Milton, and establishing a home there. Sam’s aunt Caroline, Mrs John Cameron, had been a widow for many years. Her two sons had migrated to the USA. Her daughters were married and had homes of their own. Her husband had drowned on the river in a spring river-drive many years previously.

Jimmie Walker was negotiating a term of employment with Harlow & Kempton, Milton’s Woodworking plant at Potanoc Bridge. His family, now grown to six children were seeking a house in which to move. It was common in those days to become carekeepers of elderly persons, in exchange the property would be deeded to the carekeepers. It would be several years before this was accomplished, the seed was being planted, and the Walker family would eventually be residents of Milton.

This shore leave was short, Feb. 5, 1883, The Dexter was being readied again for a trip south.

 

CHAPTER SEVEN

 

SAMUEL KEMPTON IS NOW MAKING $30 PER MONTH. FEB. 8, 1883 THE “DEXTER” IS BEING READIED FOR ANOTHER WEST INDIAN CRUISE.

 

This trip is to Kingston, St Vincent, which they did in 14 days. The cargo was the usual stuff, fish in casks, barrels, boxes, etc. Spruce and pine lumber sell well down in the islands. Most cruises also include spars and sweeps for the repairs often needed after storms at sea.

 

Sam’s diary was a fund of information, like the harbour depth was 8 fathoms deep. They anchored in the harbour, the starboard anchor chain was out 35 fathoms. The port anchor was out 30 fathoms. The whole crew stroll ashore, find good fresh water to wash and shave, and relax. Late Feburary in this area was pleasantly cool. They set up the front rigging, and hang awnings to protect from the sun.

 

Unloading the lumber cargo was under the supervision of the first mate, who is Sam himself. Rafts have to be made, these were made into sizes of 15 M-fbm (15,000 square foot coverage) to 20 M-fbm. The method used was by mental arithmetic. Each board had a mark, installed at the sawmill, indicating its board feet. Calling out each bards mark, the checker Sam would memorize this, and make a mark on his sheet for each hundred board feet, did tallying.

 

The potential customer would also have his representative making a similar tally for his protection. Comparing these later would allow an agreement to be met to pay for the load. The rafts would be floated ashore for unloading at the customer’s place of business.

 

This trip two customers were the recipients:

John S.C.Hazell & Sons, and J.G.Simmons and Son.

The total cargo, each with about the same amount, totalled:

Spruce lumber= 84, 085 Board Feet.  Pine lumber = 32, 579 Board Feet. It took about five days to complete the discharge of lumber.

 

Sam, when finished this work, took a boat, cruised some distance down the coast and saw the island’s coast from this advantage, he also had the chance to take a private swim in the waters there. The next chore would be to arrange for cargo again. This was Monday, Mar. 5, 1883.

 

The next week was taken up pretty much with loading 500 pound wood (barrel like) casks of molasses. The total cargo amounted to 128 casks, some on deck, some in the hold. 20 were from the schooner “Wasp” on Mar. 5, 17 from Hazell, 7 more from Wasp, 23 from Schooner “Media”, 2 more from shore, 40 more from the lighter of a steamer, and 2 more from shore, and finally 17 more casks.

 

Sam’s private purchase for resale at home later was a supply of nutmegs, and a glass jar to keep them in.

 

They set sail for home on Mar. 14 th, nearby islands passed enroute were; Guadeloupe; St. Kits; St. Eutatins; St. Martines; Dog Island; Sombero;  and many small islands. A week later north of the Bahamas they start to feel the weather worsening, and they get ready for heavy seas.

 

It was Mar. 28^th that the weather got real bad, wind of Hurricane force. The molasses cargo shifted, causing the ship to “hove” down, and soon they were taking on water. They, in manning the pumps, discovered they were pumping pure molasses, and began to realize the cargo had broken open and causing bad problems. The next day they were able to limp into Bermuda, they needed to add ballast to replace all the molasses they had lost from crushed casks from the storm.

 

The Bermuda visit required Doctors examination, required a steamer and pilot to get them into port. There they had a mess to clean up from broken casks of gooey molasses. They discharged some , took more aboard, as well as extra ballast to replace their lost cargo. It was April 7^th that they set sail for Liverpool, NS.  The trip to home was again in Winter and the weather was bad, stormy and windy. It was April 18^th before they anchored in Brooklyn, and some of the Dexter’s

 

owners came on board. It was the next day that they went up to Patch’s Wharf, after passing through the open bridge on Market Street. The next several days would be busy, taking things home, meeting the family obligations, seeing the children again, back to the vessel, discharging cargo, many items to look out for.

 

Sam reported on April 20, 1883 they had a thunder storm; four days later he reports on a snow storm, one in which a steamer went ashore on the Brazil Rocks near Port Mouton, NS. No one was lost.

 

It would be about a week that his ship, the “Dexter” would get ready for a short trip to Boston. His activities at home were like getting wood cut and hauled for next winter, arranging for the doctor, Dr. Farish to come to his wifes aid and remove five front teeth. The doctor used ether to perform the operation. Mary was sick for several days, as were his children, so he spent a fair amount of time keeping house.

 

April 30^th they moved the Dexter up to Hemeons Wharf to load hemlock lumber to be shipped to Boston. Hemeons Wharf was located on the West Bank of the Mersey River about a mile upstream from the Narrows and slightly below Salmon Island.

 

On the move to drop down to Liverpool from Milton’s Hemeons wharf, the ship grounded. This necessitated removing some two rafts of lumber, and floating those to Liverpool, and reloading this portion of the cargo there. This was performed at Anderson and Bills wharf.  It was May 2^nd that they slipped down over the bar in the harbour and anchored at Brooklyn. It was May 4^th that they finished loading cargo and the ships supplies, took on passengers and set sail for Boston.

 

They reported a splendid run to Boston, arriving at Tony Island on May. 6^th, at 11:00 P.M. They were hauled up to Picketts Wharf by the tug in the morning. The cargo was discharged in Boston, some local folk from home visited the ship.

 

Sam’s journal ends on this note, the original is on file at Queens County Museum.

 

 

 

CHAPTER SEVEN

 

Samuel Thomas Kempton, his position in Queens Co. Kempton Genealogy.

 

Richard Kempton,*(1739- 1809), came from Plymouth, Ma., in 1760.

He was an original proprietor. He married in 1762, at Liverpool Township, Fear Curtis. Children were: Richard; Mary; Thomas*; Jacob Curtis; John; Fear; Francis; and Rebecca.

 

Thomas Kempton*, (1767-1852), b. in Liverpool, NS, marr. in 1789 Eliz. Doggett. Their child. were:  Elizabeth; Deborah; Catherine; Samuel Doggett; Simeon Gardner*; Charlotte; Caroline; and Hannah.

 

Simeon Gardner Kempton*, (1829-xxxx), b. in Milton, NS, marr. Jane Payzant , dau. of Rev. Wm. Payzant of Falmouth, NS. Their children were: Mary Anne; Catherine; Thaddeus; Charlotte; Samuel Thomas*; and Stephen Harvey.

 

Samuel Thomas Kempton*, (1848- 1910), b. in Milton, marr. in 1874, Mary Ann Payzant of Newport, Hants Co., NS.  They had three daughters; May Lamont, b. 1875; another dau. who died young; and Helen Freeman who was born in 1878.

 

Most of the Kemptons who settled in Milton, NS, built homes on Miltons Mersey River, and on the west side. This grouping of houses started near Oliver Street, and progressively northerly about a mile. The period span would be about one hundred and fifty years. Many of those homes still exist. The Kempton’s collectively owned great acreage of Nova Scotia forest land.

 

 

 

CHAPTER EIGHT

 

THE KEMPTONS AND THEIR NEIGHBORS THE HARLOWS HAD MARRIED AND WERE INTERTWINED.

 

Cap’t Samuel Kempton’s life was influenced by this Harlow kinship.

 

One of the Harlow family that influenced many in Milton in the late 1800’s was John Henry Harlow(1846-1920). He was about the same age as Sam, they had grown up in the same neighborhood, attended the same schools, both had been influenced by teacher Nicholas Smith, who had developed so many responsible Milton youth.

 

John H. Harlow had attended a business school in St. John, NB. He became back home a Provincial Surveyor and became much involved with land management. He married a cousin of Sam’s, Alice Snow Kempton, and had built their home in the neighborhood from which they had originated.

 

The Harlows and Kemptons had been fellow land developers and Sawmill operators from early pioneer days.  An early partnershp had been formed between John Harlow and Philson Kempton, called Harlow and Kempton. They consolidated and increased acreage in the valley area of the Mersey River. They bought a Minard developed sawmill on Potanoc Falls, and added woodworking machinery to develop further this industry. The rise of this partnership to greater development coincided with the decline of many bankrupsies of the 1880’s. They were soon exporting lumber to foreign markets, and built their own ships to do this.

 

John H.Harlow also was one to encourage other enterprising youth to develop their own businesses, and formed several companies with these attachments. Harlow and Kempton, (Woodworking, lumbering, shipping, etc.)  Milton and Liverpool Railway co.    Milton Telephone Co.  Kempton Aerated Water Works. 

 

 

 

 

John H. Harlow was also involved in social matters also. He was a senior Elder in his church, Milton Christian Church, and at his death left a magnificent endowment for its future.    He was a strong leader in the Masonic order, Milton A.F.& A.M. No 29.   Local entertainment in that period was mostly home created, and local theater actors, and show persons were supported by his wisdom. He was quick to encourage local persons in their own enterprises. He was also a magistrate, and onetime Warden of the County of Queens, NS.

 

One of the ships he owned was the “Rival”. She was completely refitted in 1886, when cabins were added for passengers, and she was made more suitable for “Packet” duty. She served the coastal trade for many years. Owner of 32 of the 64 shares was John H. Harlow, 16 were owned by Cap’t Sam Kempton, 16 by Blacksmith James Wile.  Another ship owned by Harlow, captained by Sam. Kempton was the “On Time”.  With those two ships Cap’t Sam was reported to have completed over 200 trips from Liverpool, NS, to Boston, Mass.

 

 

 

CHAPTER NINE

 

Sam’s last few years at sea, his return to shore duty, his final years.

 

The coastal ship and Packet, “On Time”, was one that Cap’t Sam served on during his senior years. She was owned , all 64 shares, by John H. Harlow. She was in length…86.4 feet, breadth….24.4 feet,  and depth….7.3 feet. She was registered at 124 Tons.  She was used for general shipping of lumber as well as coastal duty, and it was on a trip to the West Indies that she was wrecked, and Sam. Kempton survived this disaster. She was lost at SE Point, Grand Cayman Island, and Caribbean Islands. The date was Nov 20, 1890.

 

His voyages on the Rival were mostly in and out of Boston Harbour. It was most common for local persons to go to Boston from Liverpool, rather than to nearby Halifax for example. Many were visiting relatives working and living there, as well as searching for better employment than that to be found at home. Our local people knew the shopping places in Boston better than those at home.

 

It was because of his nature and this work with many people that Cap’t Sam became so well known.  He was a very helpful person, he knew everyone’s genealogy and was always inquiring to add to his journal entries. These were lost for almost 100 years, when a researcher into an allied genealogy discovered the journal in California, where a descendant unearthed it and had copies made for our local Queens County Museum.

 

It was 1906 when Sam finally retired from the sea. He became the collector of Customs for the Port of Liverpool, NS. He replaced the recently deceased John H. Dunlop. Other appointments that followed were Measuring Surveyor of Shipping for the Port of Liverpool, NS, Registrar of Sipping for Liverpool, Justice of the Peace for Queens Co., NS.

 

The above appointments occurred in 1906, when he sold his home in Milton and bought a place in Liverpool, NS. Mary Ann, his wife died in late1909, he died in Liverpool in July 1910. He was only 62 years old.