When a very young man Elijah wanted to go to sea, so he changed his name to Charles Thomas Whitney (two of his brother's names) for fear his parents would stop his going. Afterwards he married an Englishwoman in England - Jane Louise Dodd. A few years before 1877 he came to St. John with his wife and four children - 2 girls and 2 boys - as captain of one of the largest sailing ships at that time and visited relatives and friends. Having his name changed by law, he could not change it back. Upon arriving here he met a Mr. John Fisher, shipbuilder, who directed him to his people. He, with his family, then went to New York to live. There he bought a ship and with cargo sailed to St. Thomas. On the way, there was one officer short, so he promoted one of the seamen to second mate. For some reason the captain and second mate disagreed and Captain Whitney was murdered and thrown overboard. The crew refused to give any evidence. In 1931 the family was still living in New York. A son Percy Whitney lives (1931) in Richmond, VA. In 1927 Percy married his second wife, his cousin Elizabeth Ray, daughter of Margaret (his father's sister). She died in 1929. He married the third time in Richmond, VA. All this told by Mary Ann Bissett to her daughter Alice Mary Barbour.

In 1851 census she is called Euroline and is aged 5. She died at Dorchester, MA, USA

Frank Bissett sailed out of Saint John as a cabin boy and aboard ship learned to sew sails, etc. When he left the ship in Boston, he became a tailor.

Marriage Notes: Frank H. Bissett of 158 Falson Street, Boston - age 33, occupation vest manufacturer, born in Saint John, NB, son of Thomas V Bissett and Georgianna James wed Lucy Jones Snow of 213 Eagle St. Age 27 - occupation, Tailoress, born Chatham, MA, daughter of Samuel A. Snow and Lucy E. Jones. Married by L. B. Botes, Clergyman.

He died after a sever illness and the Custom's House flag was at half mast and a Masonic Funeral was held. Newspaper says he was the son of the late Capt. Alex (?) Bissett. This family is buried in Cedarhill Cemetery near first entrance on right.

She worked at the Telephone company in Lynn till she retired as an operator. She never married and currently lives in Peabody, Mass. She is a world traveller and had a large circle of close friends. She is the one who is just as thrilled as I am with this information that you sent.

PANB Marriage Bonds
Detailed Record for: WELLS, HARRIET
Husband: Whitfield Peacock
Year: 1873
Role: BRIDE
From: SAINT JOHN COUNTY
FNUM: F-9104
Reference: 1873-7280
Whitnesses: William Thorne and Hattie A. Bissett

(PANB Saint John Burial Record)
PEACOCK, HARRIOTT E.
Age: 90
Date of Death:
Year: 1907
Month: 7
Day: 16
Place of Birth: LONG REACH
NB County of Birth: KI
Vol: 16
NUM: 559
FNUM: F20752
Died as a resident of the Saint John Alms House

(1881 Canadian Census)
Brooks Ward, Saint John, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Source: FHL Film 1375814 NAC C-13178 Dist 24 SubDist G Page 27 Family 133
Sex Marr Age Origin Birthplace
Morris FLEWELLING M W 65 English New Brunswick
Occ: Mariner Religion: Baptist
Milton FLEWELLING M 30 English New Brunswick
Occ: Mariner Religion: Baptist
Harriett PEACOCK F W 55 Scottish New Brunswick
Religion: Baptist

Married to Mr. Peacock at the Germaine Street Baptist Church.

Sailor and Barber. In 1901 City Directory listed as Imperial Barber Shop 10 Market Square living at 24 High St. When he was a boy he was very strong. We have been told at 5 he could lift 2 pails full of water at arms length out from his sides. Also at 5 he carried his father, who held a baby in his arms, across the room. Older men have told me that at 9 he lifted heavy anchors at the docks and the men bet on him. As an adult he was 5Ƈ" tall. Obituary says he was in poor health for 6-7 years, enthusiastic Mason/Shriner, St. Georges Society. Survived by 2 brothers, Stephen in Malden, MA and Andrew of Boston and Saint John. The funeral was from 281 Princess St.

Buried at Duke St. Cemetery right inside gate in a grave marked in error with a stone for a man 100 or more years old. Cause of death was Scarlet Fever.

Duke Street Cemetery would be the "Old Carleton Burial Ground" which was on the site of the (now) Carleton Kirk Nursing Home. Only about 6 stones survived and are now placed in the driveway entrance. The records were recorded by James HANNAY in 1907 and he noted that there were numerous wooden markers that had not survived. He recorded the 26 stones left and Dan Johnson included these in his book "The Old Cedar Hill Cemetery and Carleton Burial Ground of Saint John West,NB, Canada"

1901 Census list name as Hilda M. Bissett

In 1886 directory Irving Bissett is listed as a clerk and in the 1890 directory he is listed as an ice carrier (for Mrs. G. Whetsel ice dealer at 18 Leinster St.) he bds at 122 Britain St. (Where Mary Ann Bissett lived and Samuel, Ervin in 1891. In 1892 he is listed as a teamster and no listing after.

James Mortimer Bissett who had been second mate on a vessel on which his older brother, William, was mate, was making a trip to Cuba in 1876 when he contracted yellow fever and, as was the case in those days with the greater number who were unfortunate to contact that disease, he died and was buried in Havana. Although only 28 years of age when he died, he had already shown great promise as a sailor and was to have been made mate of his ship on the return from that trip. He was already planning a trip to Liverpool to go before the licensing board to obtain his master's certificate as soon as he had served the required time as mate.

Unmarried in 1846. in 1863 directory a John Bissett is living at 12 St. Andrews St. and is listed as a seaman. In 1865 seaman at 100 Carmarten St. In 1869 a Sea Capt. at 16 St. Andrews St. He was lost at sea in 1877 with all hands between St. John and St. Thomas, West Indies. The ship was the Mairanna Nottabon of the Black Ball Line.

I can find no evidence that John Bissett was ever married.
These records searched by Researcher Don Dixon, New Brunswick:

Queens, Kings and Saint John County Marriage Register indexes, 1839-1877
Kingston Parish Cemetery records
Lovell's and Hutchinson's NB Directories, 1871 and 1868
Atlantic Canadians Index, 1600-1900
1851 Kings Co Census, Kingston Parish
1851 SJ Census
1851 West Co Census, Dorchester
SJ Registry Office Indexes, 1871-1877

I am aware that John B Bissett died in 1870 and that yours died at sea in
1877. I found John B in the 1851 SJ Census. Lovell's and Hutchinson's list
only one William Bissett, in Westmorland County. In the ACI, there are no
John Bissett entries for NB. All John Bissett entries are for NS (4). I
found Elizabeth Bissett in the 1851 Kingston Census - she is age 62 and I
suspect she married a son of the Loyalist William Bissett. I see in E C
Wright that William initially settled at Grand Lake, Queens County. SJ
Registry indexes have no entry for a John Bissett over the periods
1854-1877.

I did not search the Kingston Parish Kings County Anglican Church records
for a possible marriage of your John Bissett; nor the Church Registers for
the Grand Lake area of Queens Co. This would be duplicated effort as the
County Registers have all such Church marriages repeated. Without using more
time, I think you have sufficient evidence by omission to conclude that John
did not marry.

Owned the wooden schooner Ino which was built in 1857 in Grand Lake, New Brunswick. Register Number 35236 in Saint John, NB. 57 Ton.

John a Sea Captain was lost while taking a ship laden with passengers and all else off Bermuda enroute to California.

1900 USA census shows that John J. Bissett entered the USA in 1880 at age 10. He was living with his Uncle Joshus Bradley and his family.

1930 USA census shows that John is living alone, age 60, in Suffolk Co., Boston, MA

Birth registered as Hazel Evelyn Bissett in New Brunswick

Listed as Mabel on some records.

Upon her death the following article:

She was one of the oldest residents of this city, having passed her 90th year. Six children survived, 20 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. Mrs. Barbour was one of the oldest members of the Germain Street Baptist Church, having given freely of valued services to that church for many years. The funeral service will be held from her late residence on Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock, with Rev. Dr. S. S. Poole officiating. She is buried with her husband at Fernhill cemetery, lot #3649 at Cypress Avenue, St. John, NB, Canada

Was married by Rev. I. E. Bill at Germain St. Baptist Church, Saint John; they lived 1869 to 1875 at 109 Britain St. In 1876 they moved to 143 Britain St. and Euphemia, widow of Robert is listed as living at 109 Britain St. In 1877 the Great Fire left 13,000 people homeless; 101 homes on Britain Street alone in charred ruins. In 1884 Robert rebuilt and lived at 14 Britain St., for that year. His later years were spent a Beacon View, the home they built at 156 Sydney St. When he died in 1912 he left and estate of nearly $30,000.

There was a Muriel in Salmon Arm, Alberta, Canada

They had one son, Norman T, who was in Melrose, MA when Agnes died. Her
obit says 4 grandchildren; Clarence's, the same year, says 2 grandsons and 4
great-grandchildren.

Drowned as a young man

Newspaper accounts of the death of Percy Bissett. He was
in a canoe about 300 yards from shore. He was familiar with canoes but not
an expert. It was about 3:00 pm on a Sunday in November, 1923. He was a
strong swimmer, but the water was very cold. He managed to swim some of the
way to the beach but it is assumed he suffered from a cramp, and sank and
drowned. They grappled for his body for the rest of that day and evening,
but it wasn't till 9:30 the next morning that they found it, 40 yards from
the shore.

The funeral was held Tuesday, Nov 7th at 2:30. His brother Clarence arrived
from Cambridge, MA just minutes before the service commenced. He was buried
at the Methodist Church at White's Bluff (Long Reach). [this is now United
Church of Canada as there was a joining of some Methodists, Presbyterians &
one other in mid 1920's to form the United Church].

Percy was survived by his parents, Mr & Mrs Thomas Bissett of Long Reach,
and by Clarence. He was junior partner in the firm T Bissett & Son, general merchants, and had moved here from the US two years previous to become partner. The grocery store was at
Williams Wharf. [Long Reach, not far from the Bissett homestead.]

04/12/2004 Richards "Dawson" Bissett 1916 - 2004
Richards "Dawson" Bissett, of Moncton, NB passed away
at Kenneth E. Spencer Memorial Home on Friday,
April 9, 2004 at the age of 87 years. Born in Saint John,
NB on April 17, 1916, he was the son of the late Hedley S.
and Mary E. (Richards) Bissett. He was retired from Imperial
Oil after 42 years service in the marketing dept. He was a
member of The Carleton Lodge F & AM in Saint John, a member
of The Moncton Golf and Country Club, a member of the Gyro Club,
and a member of the commercial travelers. He is survived by his
wife, Sara Elizabeth Goggin; son, R. Richards "Dick" Bissett of
Lower Coverdale, NB; sister, Betty and her husband, Don Logan of
Moncton; three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Besides
his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Jack Bissett. At his
request, there will be no viewing, visitation or funeral service.
A private graveside service will be held at Wilmot Memorial
Cemetery in the spring with Rev. Dave Evans officiating.
Donations made to The Alzheimers Society of South East NB
or to the Kenneth E. Spencer
Memorial Home would be appreciated by the family. Funeral
arrangements have been entrusted to Tuttle Bros. Funeral Home,
(506) 857-8564. www.tuttlefuneralhome.com

The Times transcript
Moncton,New Brunswick

In 1879 City Directory he is listed as a laborer at 122 Britain St. with his mother, Mary Ann Bissett. At the same address an Irving is later listed 1886 to 1892 and an Ervin 1891 to 1893 only. Again Samuel in 1882, in 1883 at 36 St. Andrews St., in 1884 listed as painter at 122 Brittain St. and the same through to 1895 and ends.

When he was a yound man, he was a champion speed ice skater. He received his certificate of Naturalization on July 10, 1916 in Salem, Mass. He was 45 then and listed as 5 foot 7 inches with medium complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. We was then residing at 523 Western Ave., Lynn, Mass. He registered to vote on October 17, 1916 in the city of Lynn. He worked for General Electric. He like his drink and hide some in his bedroom. He was a nice man from memories from Gladys Bissett and Dorothy Marjorie Bissett (sisters and daughters of Alvin). His cause of death was Popliteal Aneurism and medical info. Contributory cause of death is valvular heart. Test confirmed by clinical evidence. Info from death certificate. He is buried in Pine Grove Cemetary in Lynn, Mass and died at the age of 56 years old, 7 months, and 1 day. Occupation on death certificate is listed as a Machinist and on his marriage certificate as a Fresco Painter. Religion was Church of Christ

In 1851 census he is aged 4. In 1877 listed as Master Mariner house on St. George St., 1880 on St. John St. 1882 listed as a Sea Captain and lived on King St. 1886 on Duke at corner of Ludlow. 1889 on St. George St. 1894 living at 265 St. George St. Not listed after 1896. In 1909 he was Capt. of a transport ship in Boston Harbor (quoting his brother George's obituary). He was in Malden, MA in 1941.

Both Stephen and his wife are buried at Forrest Dale Cemetery in Malden, MA, USA.

Stephen went to sea at age 8 as a cooks helper and was skipper of a Square Rigger by age 24 running to the West Indies. He is listed as a sailor in 1869 living at 10 Britain St., St. John.

Stephen moved to Massachusetts by 1892.

Captain Stephen Albert Bissett b. 2/24/1847 d. 5/17/1950

Taken from The Evening News, Providence, RI by Clifford A. Shaw

99-Year-Old Former Sea Captain Cites Durability as Longevity Secret.

Captain Bissett Saved at Sea; Had 13 Falls.

How to live to be 99 may not be reducible to a set of rules, but Capt. Stephen A. Bissett, sitting perkily on the edge of his favorite chair at his home, 140 Adelaide Avenue, can tell you what you have to be prepared to withstand in order to do it.

He has just turned 99 and says a few of the things he took in stride include:

Smallpox when he was 4. He was the fourth member of his family to get it. That was in the days when smallpox survivors thanked rugged constitutions and got little help from medical science.

Pneumonia 50 years ago, before doctors knew about sulfa drugs.

Spinal meningitis when he was in his thirties, at a time when this disease usually left its victims crippled for life.

At least 13 bad falls, on board ship and ashore.

Shipwrecks in the West Indies, when the captain of the vessel on which he was sailing ran the ship aground.

Saved From the Sea.

Two-day storm along the Atlantic coast, which swept away his deck cargo of Maine potatoes and left his ship waterlogged in the raging ocean. A fisherman pulled him out of that one.

To start with, Captain Bissett prescribes a Canadian-US heritage, preferably fifty-fifty. His father (Andrew3, William2, Andrew1) was a Canadian sea captain, his mother (Sarah Marie James2, Robert James1) a native of New York state.

Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, on February 24, 1847, son of Albert (should be Andrew) and Sarah James Bissett, the captain traveled the sea from baby days. He remembers going ashore on T-Warf in Boston when he was only seven and being fascinated with the turmoil as great square riggers unloaded their cargoes from all corners of the world.

Started as Cook

Captain Bissett started his seafaring days humbly enough, as a cook. But before he was 24, he was a skipper in his own right, captain of a square rigger that carried lumber from Canada to the West Indies and brought back sugar and molasses for US and Canadian ports.

When steam replaced sail, Captain Bissett skippered steamers from Boston to New Brunswick. In later years he commanded a lighter in the port of Boston, finally quitting the sea just before the first World War, when he was nearing 70.

He’s still proud of his record for being able to get a ship through any kind of weather.

‘One night when I was acting as wheelman on one of the New Brunswick steamers, there seemed to be some confusion in the wheelhouse as to where an approaching ship was located in the fog.

‘The captain hollered out, "Steve, how did you hear that horn blow?" I said about a point and a half by the starboard bow and he said "That’s more like it." And we passed safely. That was a feather in my cap.’

Only 5 feet tall, Captain Bissett still retains a remarkable amount of agility that got him safely about rolling decks in all kinds of weather over his more that 50 years of seafaring.

He bounced out of his easy chair after telling about some particularly enjoyable experience, rolled up his sleeve and pointed to the patriotic tattoo on his left arm.

‘The fellow who put that on there told me just how I could take if off if I ever got tired of it.’ He chuckled reminiscently. ‘I never tried.’

The secret of the tattoo removal? That’s something Captain Bissett imparts only to another tattooed sailor.

The captain went through so many wars he is not quite clear as to which was which. Age had confused the experiences somewhat.

Weary of War’s

‘There have been so many wars,’ he says with the only tough of weariness evidenced in an hours’ talk.

After his retirement to his home in Malden, Massachusetts, nearly 30 years ago, Captain Bissett busied his sea wise fingers making models of the square riggers he had sailed. That hobby has been relinquished in recent years, but when he was 97 he cut up two great trees that furnished wood for the household of his daughter, Mrs. John. D. Buchanan, with whom he makes his home.

Captain Bissett is the last of his family. His five brothers, all of whom were sea captains, and three sisters have all died.

‘My father died when he was only 86.’ the captain explains sadly.

Mrs. Bissett died in Malden five years ago, and an only son, Charles, of Melrose, Mass., died seven years ago. Besides Mrs. Buchanan, Captain Bissett has two other daughters, Mrs. Mabel Look, of Dorchester, Mass., and Mrs. Blanche Faye, of Providence.

Captain Bissett is sure there are other factors in longevity besides the durability he has exhibited through the years.

Swears Off Tobacco

‘I take good care of myself and ask the Lord to take care of me,’ he explains seriously. ‘I don’t drink nor swear, and I quit using tobacco years ago, after a man told me in Boston harbor, "You’re the worst man to use tobacco on the waterfront." I got clear of it.’

The captain’s only apparent infirmity is a partial loss of hearing. He reads newspaper headlines without glasses and takes his full place in the life of the Buchanan household without needing any assistance.

‘I still shave myself with a straight razor.’ He says proudly.

‘I’ll be seeing you next year at this time,’ Captain Bissett said in parting, a challenge to the centennial year of his life which his ringing voice made convincing.

In 1851 census living at 284 Sydney St. aged 46, trader. In 1871 census listed as farmer, Baptist from Scottish ancestry. A captain and owner of a number of ships. He built ships at Chapel Grove and he owned the farm where his mother (Mrs. Elizabeth Weldon Bissett) lived before him. Among the ships he owned were the 'William Henry', Lady Douglas', 'General Coffin', 'Mary', and the 'London'. Mr. Treadwell and John Russell were part owners of the 'London'. He built the 'Bell Barbour', 'S.K.F.James', and 'Georgianna'. His sons William, Charles and Thomas sailed with him, the two former becoming captains. The 'Bell Barbour' was commanded by his son John and later wrecked while commanded by another son, Samuel, near the American coast and was taken to Gloucester where she was sold for salvage. Robert Barbour had a share in this vessel. 'S.K.F.James' was the last and was captained by son Charles. It was sold and the name changed. William was captain of the 'Mary" which was wrecked of Mispec. All hands were saved by breeches bouy - a total loss. (All this was told by Mary Ann Bissett to her daughter Alice May Barbour)

Marriage listed at Trinity Church Records (b. of St.J., Sur.Gm Jos. Bryant of Pd. and Wm. Bisset of Kgs.).

Purchases lot 20 at Chapel Grove from his parents in 1832.

Number, Ship's Name, Where Built, Year, Type of ship, Tonnage, Builder's Name, Notes

58, William Henry, Kingston, 15/8/1835, Schooner, 16, Owner Thomas Bissett

75, Lady Douglas, Kingston, 20/12/1838, Schooner, 39, Thomas Bisset

142, Ramble, Kingston, 12/11/1860, Schooner, 95, Thomas Bisset, Sr, & Jr., 2 Mast

157, Georgianna, Kingston, 1865, Schooner, 83, Thomas Bisset, Sr.

190, S. K. James, Kingston, 5/11/1872, Schooner, 99, Thomas Bisset, Wrecked on Marsh Island Ledge, Maine while on voyage from Saint John to Maine, Mar 16,1890.

SKF Janis, Kingston, 1872 , 2 M S, 99, Bissett, Thos Vickary, MM; Bissett, Chas, Master

2MS - 2 masted schooner

The wooden schooner London was built in 1855 in Grand Lake, NB, Canada. Number 34896 registered in Saint John, NB. She was 89 ton.

Thomas Bissett bought land in Grafton, NH on Sept. 19, 1989. He was living in Chelsea, MA and paid John F. Costelo and Amelia H. Costelo $350 for the land. This land appears to be on Hardy Hill Road.

From John F. Costelo to Thomas Bissett, Sept. 17, 1898 for $400.

A certain tract of land situated in Grafton as follows: Beginning at a spruce tree standing in the northeast corner of said land and at the southeast corner of Jonathan Bucklin's land and George H. Sargents west line; thence south 20 degrees west 80 rods to stake and stone at the end of the wall of J. F. Carters north line; thence north 70 degrees west on line 200 rods to south corner of burying ground and at the northwest corner of said Carters land and northeast corner of David Giles land; thence 20 degrees west on the southeast line of H. W. Hardy's land on the west side of the road 80 rods to Oliver B. Childs southwest corner; thence south 70 degrees east on said Child's line & Jonathan Bucklins south line to the bound beginning and containing one hundred acres, be the same, more or less surveyed by Eben Clough, November 1, 1891. Also one other piece of land beginning at the southwesterly corner of Lot 8, in the Head land; thence south 72 degrees east 42 rods to a stake and stone on a line between the No. 7 & NO. 8, lots; thence beginning at the first mentioned bounds, thence north 18 degrees east 40 rods to stake and stone; thence south 72 degrees east 6 rods to stake and stone; thence south about 13 degrees east to second mentioned bound. There being seven acres and forty rods. Also the following described piece of land adjoining the last mentioned piece, beginning at the northeast corner of said piece; thence north 18 degrees east on the line between No. 8 & No. 10 lot, 16 rods to a stake and stone; thence bringing the first mentioned corner, thence south 72 degrees east 16 rods to a stake and stones; thence in a straight line to the second mentioned bound, being the same property conveyed to me by deed April 2, 1897 and recorded deeds Book 430 Folder 427.

Meaning to convey same property as deed May 25, 1897 from Anna Speidell to John F. Costello.

Meaning to convey same property as deed July 6, 1896 from Frank B. Morse and Sarefeta E. Morse of Enfield, NH to Mrs. Jennie Brackett and Miss Anna Speidell.

Capt. Thomas Charles Bissett though lost at sea when he was only 23 years old, had already received his license as master and had sailed as such. He temporally had been sailing as a master of one of the largest and best ships of his owners. But he was a very young captain and when an older captain applied for his ship Thomas was put in charge of the building of a new vessel then under construction for his principals. He had been under the impression that he was to be the captain of the new ship and when he found that it too was to be given to an older captain he was greatly disappointed and gave up his position. The owners immediately offered him an older ship. He declined the offer, moreover, stating as his reason that he did not believe the older ship seaworthy. He then went to St. John and there was offered a ship and after signing papers went aboard while the ship was loading. After several days aboard, during which time he had thoroughly inspected the ship, he decided it also was unsafe and asked to be relieved of his contract. The owners granted his request and he interviewed for another ship owner who offered him a berth as mate on a large fairly new ship and he feeling that he could not expect the owners to give him the captaincy of a ship, accepted. The ship sailed for England shortly after and was never heard of again, nor was any wreckage ever found. The two ships he declined to serve on in the capacity of captain because he considered as unsafe sailed the seas for many years afterwards.

From NY Times March 8, 1880 - Could this be the same person.
.
Lost With Part of Her Crew
Wreck of the Bark Eblana - Five men, a woman, and a child drowned.
St. John, New Brunswick, March 8.- The bark Eblana, from Newport, Wales, Jan. 25, for this port, in ballast, was wrecked this morning at Nigger Head, five miles from this port. Capt. Barry and seven persons were drowned. The vessel, after a stormy voyage, sighted Briar Island at 8 o'clock last night. Soon after midnight a snow storm set in, and about 2 A. M. the vessel suddenly touched bottom near Nigger Head. She passed over it, however, but it was found impossible to steer her, and she struck again. An eddy then seized her, and she swung around on a rock. The vessel was driven close to shore, right under a precipice. Her boats were lowered only to be swept away, and all hands got into the rigging. Five, unfortunately, got into the mizzen rigging, while the remainder lashed themselves in the forward rigging. After bumping on the rocks for some time, the vessel suddenly turned over on her broadside, and all in the mizzen rigging were drowned. Soon afterward the master, Capt. Barry, put on a life preserver, and attempted to swim ashore for the purpose of taking a line, but he never reached land. The first mate, named Bissett, fell off the jib-boom and was drowned before the eyes of his comrades. The remainder of the crew clung to the wreck until 11 o'clock, when the storm had subsided and the tide had fallen, and they got ashore and crawled up a precipitous cliff. Although thoroughly exhausted, they had to walk a mile and a half through woods to reach a habitation. Fortunately, the weather was not very cold, and they were only slightly frostbitten.

The drowned are: Capt. Barry, who leaves a wife in St. John; Bissett, of St. John, mate: Albert Smith, of Birmingham, sailor; Albert Schmidt (German), sailor; a sailor boy, name unknown, hailing from Birmingham; Mrs. Slade, stewardess, and her child John, 3 years old. The saved are: George Doody, second mate; John Slade, steward; Dominick Casrron, William Wilson, Samuel Taylor, John Ernest, Joseph Flavin, John Nicholson, and one other, a foreigner. The vessel was owned by George Carvell and John McSweeny, and was insured. She had sailed for many years in the deal trade between St. John, Great Britain, and Ireland.

Lived at 138 Prince St. Apparently she was dropped by nurse when born and damage started TB of the bones. She had special shoes and her legs were different lengths so walked poorly. Operations semi-corrected the condition.

In the 1930 census Walter James Bissett is living as a logder in a rooming house in Cleveland, Ohio. He is listed as married for 9 years but he doesn't have a wife with him. This would make him married in 1920.

When the Grafton, NH land was sold in 1935/36; Wilfred Burton Bissett's signature was whitnessed by William J. Lowthers and Agnes Elizabeth Bissett, wife of Clarence C. Bissett.

William Bissett has possession of 700 acres of land at Cumberland Point, Waterborough Parish, Queens County in 1808. In October of 1808, William and Elizabeth sold 350 acres to Robert Cox. In September of 1812, William and Elizabeth Sold the second 350 acres to A. Barton and H. McDonald.

In September 1812, William Bissett bought 200 acres from James and Jane Weldon, 100 acres each of the lots 14 and 15 at Carter Point, Westfield Parish on the Kingston Peninsula of Kings County.

There is no record of lot 20 at Chapel Grove being left to James Weldon. By English inheritance law then, the eldest son assumed title to a father's property upon his death, sometimes without Probate action.

Also, there is no record of a registered transfer of the Chapel Grove lot 20 from James Weldon to William Bissett. We have to assume a verbal or paper private sale at some time between 1817 and 1832, from James to William.

In 1832, William and Elizabeth Bissett sell lot 20 to their son Thomas of Saint John.

In 1835, William and Elizabeth sell their 200 acres, lots 14 and 15 at Carter Point to John McKeel.

Capt. William Harding Bissett was born in the district known as the Devil's Back in St. John Co. NB on February 28, 1808 and as a boy spent some of his time on logging operations on the St. John River. He is told of skating from above Fredericton to St. John a distance of over 70 miles in one day. As a very young man he went to sea with his father, Capt. William Bissett in the coasting service between New York, Boston and the Maritime Provinces and after he became a captain, he purchased a ship and established a regular service between St. John and points on the Memramcook River, principally Dorchester. The village of Dorchester was at that time an industrial point of some importance, the ship building yards usually containing several ships in various stages of construction. So a very large number wooden sailing sloops have been constructed in these yards.

The Memramcook River freezes up in the winter, but Cap. Bissett always tried to take trips up the river as late in the fall as possible and ........again in the spring. He sailed between Boston, St. John, Yarmouth and Halifax. On the last trip up the Memramcook River in the winter of 1836-37 he became seriously ill. Gideon Smith, who lived nearby and who later became Capt. Bissett's father-in-law fearing that the Capt. would not live if he remained on his ship, had him moved into his home, and before he recovered, the ship was frozen in. Capt. Bissett remained all winter and fell in love with Gideon Smith's young daughter Mary, who he married on June 30, 1838.

Shortly after his marriage Capt. Bissett purchased a farm of about 800 acres very close to the farm of his father-in-law, but, as he knew little about farming and disliked it, he continued in the coasting service until the winter of 1843 then, on the last trip he expected to take that year as he was sailing into Chicnecto Bay in the night, he encountered a terrific storm which drove his ship onto the rocks near the mouth of the Apple River, NB. In a short time the ship was broken to pieces. All hands were thrown into the sea and with the exception of Capt. Bissett who although a small man was a powerful swimmer, all were drowned.

Capt. Bissett in relaying this experience told how he was badly battered about but was able to keep afloat and eventually was thrown up upon a narrow edge of rock jutting out from an almost perpendicular cliff. He gladly would have stayed where he landed until daylight but the waves continued to sweep over him and he realized that unless he could climb higher he would soon be pulled back into the sea and drowned. He tried to climb up the cliff and for some time met with little success, but eventually he was able to get a foothold and a handhold, and started the painful climb to the tip, which he reached in a condition of almost utter exhaustion, with most of his clothes torn off him. He was so worn out and cold he wondered if it would not have been better to have died in the sea, rather than freeze to death on the top of the cliff. After resting for a while he saw a light some distance away, to which he struggled and upon reaching it, found it was the home of Polly Vaughn, who always kept the light he saw burning at night because, some years before, her son had wrecked in the same place and had perished. The Canadian Government later established the Polly Vaughn lighthouse at this point. Polly Vaughn took the Capt. in and gave him warm food, dry clothing and a place to rest. As soon as he was strong enough to travel, he started for his home in Upper Dorchester, walking practically all the way and seeking shelter where he could find it, as all his money had been lost when his ship was wrecked. He was too proud to ask for the assistance he so much needed. After this incident, his wife prevailed upon him to give up the sea and remain on the farm, which he reluctantly did, but he would complain that 'a good sailor could not be spoiled by making him over into a poor farmer'.

He became a fairly successful farmer and through the influence of his wife developed a real fondness for flowers. They saw to it that part of the farm close to the house was given over to flower beds, and with its white board fence at the road the farm always presented the most attractive place in the district, which was highly pleasing to them.

After the end of the Crimean War, many British soldiers, both wounded and well, emigrated to Canada, landing at Halifax, and in going overland to what were then know as the Upper Provinces of Canada passed by Capt. Bissett's home, which was on the main road from Halifax and the Upper Provinces. Public stopping places were few and far between and as Capt. Bissett was known as a man of great hospitality his home was often filled with travellers and discharged soldiers. Bathing facilities were not readily available and consequently these travellers and soldiers were not always clean. This and the fact that the home life of the family was almost lost, brought forth strenuous objections from his wife and family, and he very regretfully, refrained for a time from further entertaining the passers by. That winter two travellers were caught in a terrifically cold storm and were found frozen to death. It was said that they had been refused shelter at some place farther down the road. Shortly after this incident his wife and family capitulated and agreed to give the travellers food, that they were obliged to keep in one of the out buildings. This continued until the railroad (the Intercoastal) was constructed through that country and the travellers ceased using the road.

As told by his daughter Alberta May Bissett.

1861 Lost overboard from ship "Elizabeth Bently" on her passage hence to Liverpool, age 24, William
H. eldest s/o Thomas BISSETT of (St. John) city.
4 April 1857 N.B.C.

In 1871 census he is listed as 10 years old. A William T. married in 1883 and a William Jr. settled in Kincardine Settlement about 1874.

Capt. William Wallace Bissett sailed as Captain of his ship from the time he was 19 years of age, even before he was licensed at Liverpool. Although he died at the age of 26 he had sailed most of the 7 seas as an officer and on occasion as captain of the largest full rigged ships afloat. Capt. William, as he was always called, was a very small man and a great favorite, not only with his friends but also with his crew. It is said that he seldom had to fight to have his orders obeyed, even though fighting on shipboard to reserve discipline was at that time pretty much the order of the day. His sailors used to say that when he did engage in a fight he was a very difficult man to deal with, as they could never tell from what direction his blows would come as he seemed to be on all sides at the same time.

On his last trip, Capt. William took a cargo from Dorchester to New York. While his ship was ...... into the pier at New York in charge of the ....ilco, some damage was done to the pier and the ship was held in port for a few days for examination as to responsibility. The case was soon decided favorable to the ship owners but Capt. William thinking that the owners felt he was responsible for the accident as this was the first time he had sailed the ship as it's captain, asked to be relieved of duty. The owners assured him they regarded him as in no way responsible and requested him to continue. He thereupon picked up a cargo in New York for New Orleans and there loaded cotton and sugar for Antwerp, Belgium. During the trip across he contracted typhoid fever, his predecessor having died aboard the ship of that disease. He captained the ship to Antwerp and on Oct. 8, 1872 at the age of 26, he died and was buried in that city. His younger brother, Thomas, was a member of the crew and was with him when he died, returning home with the ship. This was the second trip Capt. William had made to Europe during the year 1872.

Capt. William Wallace Bissett passed his examination when he was 20 as Master of British deep sea vessels at the licensing board in Liverpool.

Capt. BISSETT of ship "Maggie L. Carvell" died at Antwerp of Typhoid Fever on 26th ult. at age
26 years. He belonged to Memramcook (West. Co.)
28 October 1872 D.N.