Small
In the year of Our Lord, 1950, a certain James Elbridge Russell Haines* of Ontario being of a certain age and having completed a successful career, decided to search for his surviving relatives in New Brunswick. James was aware that his father Elbridge Haines had left a place called St. Mary’s Ferry in New Brunswick in 1919. James’ father often spoke of the little village where he had been born and of the influence of the Haines family in the area.
So one day after due preparation James Haines travelled by train to Fredericton, New Brunswick. Early the next morning he travelled across the highway bridge and began to make inquiries at the local businesses. He stopped at Bowlen’s Store on St. Mary’s Street and as luck would have it he was soon introduced to Fred Haines who had come into the store to get his mail.
Fred was 73 years old and he knew the history of the vicinity well. He soon deduced that James and he were first cousins once removed. It was decided that Fred would take James on a tour of this part of Fredericton so James could become more aware of his family connections.
Fred stated, “Although I have never moved in my lifetime, I have lived in three places. This village was first called St. Mary’s Ferry, in 1917 it became North Devon and in 1945 we became part of Fredericton. Our family was very involved in its growth from running the ferries, the construction of the bridges, and in the rebuilding of the community after the fires of 1882, 1892, 1893 and 1894. You are related to many of the people who live here because Grandfather Whitman Haines had thirteen children. I remember some of the older people. I am going to acquaint you with your ancestors in this community, the fires that destroyed the village and the main buildings that are here today. As well you will find that although the people who moved here were predominantly of British background, there is also an Indian reservation and a Lebanese community. We will start with that river crossing you made this morning.”
*James Elbridge Russel Haines was a real person; however, his journey to Fredericton in 1950 is a device to tell the story of St. Mary’s Ferry / North Devon.
