Titus, the only grandson of the major, lives on the old farm, and though eighty-three years of age, is still vigorous in mind.The writer is indebted to him for some of the facts given in this sketch.
ATKINSON.
There were two Atkinson families that came to Nova Scotia about the year 1774, one from Middlesex, the other from Yorkshire.
The Middlesex family settled in Fort Lawrence.Capt.S.B.Atkinson, a descendant of this family, writes: "My great-grandfather was a man of considerable substance in the County of Middlesex, England, known as gentleman farmer, and dubbed "Esquire." The tradition is he married a Lord's daughter, whose title would be Lady -----, and as her family would not recognize either her or her husband, they left the country in disgust."Mr.Atkinson came to Nova Scotia alone in 1774, and prospected the province.It was a beautiful summer and autumn, and he was delighted with the country.After securing a grant of land in Fort Lawrence, in the old Township of Cumberland, he returned to England and made arrangements to move his family to his new domain the following spring.
To accomplish this he chartered the good ship ARETHUSA, and put on board of her his family and farm tenants, all of his belongings, household goods, and farming utensils, and after his safe arrival in Nova Scotia, located on what is now known as the Torry Bent farm.
Capt.Atkinson, in his letter, gives some interesting information relative to the family after settling in this country.He says: "My grand-father's name was Robert.He was the sailor of the family.He served his apprenticeship to the sea out of England, and followed his father to America, sailing as master prior to 1800." His wife was Sarah, daughter of Obediah Ayer, generally known as Commodore Ayer, noted Yankee rebel, one of two brothers from Massachusetts.