James Yuill, Esq., was born in Clydesdale, Scotland, in the year 1717, and Jane Bailey, his wife, was born in the year 1721. They were married about the year 1742. He carried on business there as a merchant; and a part of his business was the manufacture and sale of snuff. He found his business in Scotland, was not very profitable, so he removed to Boston, New England, in the year 1753, and there carried on the same business that he followed in Scotland. He removed again to Old Barns (now Clifton) in the year 1761. At the time that he and Mr. Alexander Nelson came to Truro, Nova Scotia, together, there were two old barns standing in the field east of Mr. Ebenezer Archibald's house, and an old grist mill standing on the brook near John Yuill, Esqr.'s shop. These buildings had been left by the French settlers, and this small village had no other name but Old Barns for more than eighty years. He still continued the sale of goods at Old Barns, and, as he said himself, he kent nothing about cents or per cents, but his way of doing business was to sell his goods for just double they cost him. He was a Grantee of Truro Township. He, his son James, and Alexander Nelson, had their land laid off where they settled. Their land was about one and a quarter mile wide, along the Bay, and extended about four miles back. His house stood near the place that his grandson, John Yuill's stood. at this place he continued the remainder of his life. He died March 4th, 1807, aged 90 years. Jane his wife died January 11th, 1804, aged 83 years. They had several children who died young in Scotland. James, their son, was born in Scotland, in the year 1752, and was brought by his parents to Boston when one year old, and from thence to Nova Scotia, when he was nine years old. His name is among the Grantees of the Township, although he was but thirteen years old at the time of the grant. He was married to Eleanor Mahon, of Londonderry, October 8th, 1776. He settled, and had his house on the same place where Mr. Charles Yuill now resides. In the fall of the year 1810, he started to go to Scotland to look after the business of the late Andrew Yuill, his father's brother, who had died there, having no children, and leaving a considerable property. He sailed from Pictou in a ship bound for Liverpool, England, and not long after, he took ill of a fever, and continued ill during the remainder of the passage. He arrived in Liverpool, and died about seven days after, on January 21st, 1811, aged 59 years. His wife died May 3rd, 1811, aged 52 years.
Jane Yuill, their eldest daughter, was born October 25th, 1777. She was married to James Laughead, in the year 1793. Mr. Laughead purchased his farm from Charles Nelson in the year 1809, (at the time that Mr. Nelson removed to the Upper Village of Truro.) His house stood on the same place that the house now stands in which his grandson, Joseph Laughead now resides, at Clifton, where he died February 12th, 1850, aged 80 years. His wife died May, 1856, aged 78 years. John Laughead, their eldest son, was born July 26th, 1794. He was married to Margaret, daughter of Joseph McLellan, of Londonderry, July 20th, 1820. They had five sons and two daughters. Mrs. Laughead died September 8th, 1845. He was married again to Elizabeth, daughter of John Faulkner and Janet Moor, his wife, September 14th, 1846. His second wife died February 29th, 1860. Eleanor, the eldest daughter of James and Jane Laughead, was born January 5th, 1796. She was married to James Totton, of the Folly Mountain, 1817. The had four sons and four daughters. James Laughead, their second son was born October 4th, 1797. He was married to Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth McLellan, of Parrsboro, January 10th, 1822. They settled on the farm on which Mr. James Archibald now resides.
It may here be observed that this James Laughead Junr., and his brother, William, built a brigantine called the "Enterprise," in the years 1842 and 1843. In May, 1844, this vessel was loaded with Plaster at Pitchbrook, on the east end of the Shubenacadie river. She had twenty persons on board; James Laughead, Junr., aged 46 years, his daughter, Elizabeth, aged 21 years, William Laughead's wife and child, Maria, daughter of James Laughead, Senr., aged 23 years, James Noble, son of Robert and Eleanor Laughead, aged 14 years, Captain Allan, Mr. Atkins, first mate, Joseph Tidmon, second mate, Thomas Green, son of the late James Green, aged about 45 years. He (Thomas Green) left a wife and family. Matthew and William Green, sons of the late William Green, Matthew Green left a wife and three daughters; Joseph Forbes, Thomas Keef, David Messenger, Mr. Blackwood, son of the Rev. Robert Blackwood of Tatamagouche, Charles Tucker, Junr., of Truro, aged 18 years, William Hill Dill, second son of the late George Dill of Truro. He was a young lawyer about 25 years old; Mahew; son of Eliakim Tupper, of New Glasgow, aged 23 years, and Alexander, youngest son of Alexander L. and Mary Archibald, aged 19 years. This vessel sailed from Spencer's Point, on the north side of the Bay, on May 22nd, 1844, and has not been heard from since, thus leaving a large circle of friends and relatives to mourn their loss.
Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of James Laughead, Junr., and Sarah, his wife, was born December 1st, 1822. She was one who was lost in the "Enterprise." Mary Laughead, their second daughter, was born March 7th, 1825. She was married to Charles, fourth son of James and Sarah Yuill, December 31st, 1845. They had six sons and seven daughters. She died March 4th, 1870, aged forty-five years. Samuel Laughead, their eldest son, was born May 22nd, 1827. He was married to Lucinda, second daughter of William and Susan Creelman, December, 1852. He died July 9th, 1872, aged 45 years. Jane, the third daughter of James and Sarah Laughead, was born September 10th, 1820. She was married to Charles Christie, January 30th, 1849. They had nine sons and four daughters. Charles Laughead, their youngest son, was born March 25th, 1832. He was married to Harriet, the youngest daughter of John and Jane Yuill, November 10th, 1856. They had two sons and one daughter. On September 23rd, 1869, their son Oscar was on a high part of his father's barn, when he fell on the barn floor, and was so much injured that he died in about ten hours. He was about 12 years old.
Robert, the third son of James Laughead Senr., and Jane, was born July 3rd, 1799. He was married to Ann, the youngest daughter of William and Ann Flemming, December 29th, 1825. She died September 25th, 1829, and left no issue. He was married again to Eleanor, eldest daughter of James and Sarah Yuill, January 5th, 1830. They had seven sons and five daughters.
Mary, the second daughter of James and Jane Laughead, was born June 12th, 1801. She was married to Jessie Gourley, 1820. They had one daughter. She died May 7th, 1821, aged 20 years. Mr. Gourley died March 27th, 1871, aged 77 years. William Laughead, their fourth son, was born April 23rd, 1803. He was married to Fanny Aljo, August 27th, 1833. They had three sons and three daughters. He inherited the homestead half of his father's farm. Mrs. Laughead and her youngest child were lost in the "Enterprise," May, 1844. He was married again to Hannah, daughter of Daniel S. and Dorothy Yuill, March 25th, 1851. They had three sons and one daughter. He died November 28th, 1865, aged 63 years. His second wife died June 17th, 1862, aged 33 years.
Susan Laughead, their third daughter, was born March 17th, 1805. She was married to William Creelman, December 9th, 1824. They had three sons and seven daughters. Joseph Laughead, their fifth son, was born December 23rd, 1806. He was married to Rebecca, daughter of James Archibald and Rosanna McKeen, his wife, January 10th, 1833. He inherits a part of his father's farm.
Elizabeth Laughead, their fourth daughter, was born September 17th, 1808. She died April 23rd, 1811.
Jane, their fifth daughter, was born January 17th, 1810. She died October 19th, 1827, aged 17 years.
Martha Laughead, their sixth daughter, was born October 25th, 1811. She was married to Samuel Creelman, December 25th, 1832. She died April 21st, 1835, aged 23 years.
Elizabeth Laughead, their seventh daughter, was born January 29th, 1815. She was married to William Rogers, of Shepody. They had one son and one daughter.
Catherine Laughead, their eight daughter, was born December 4th, 1816. She was married to Alexander, son of William and Susan Archibald, January 10th, 1837. They had five sons and four daughters. She died in Musquodoboit, August 26th, 1869, aged 53 years.
Maria, their ninth daughter, was born April 7th, 1821. She was lost in the ''Enterprize.''
John, the oldest son of James and Eleanor Yuill, was born in Truro, May 22nd, 1779. He was married to Hannah, daughter of John and Mary Smith, February 3rd, 1803. He inherited what was his grandfather's property, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died October 4th, 1849, aged 70 years. His first wife died September 4th, 1817. Daniel Smith Yuill, their eldest son was born November 24th, 1803. He was married to Dorothy, daughter of John and Martha Dunlap, of Stewiacke, February 11th, 1830. They had one son and four daughters. Mrs. Yuill died November 17th, 1857, aged 53 years. He was married again to Rachel, eldest daughter of Andrew and Nancy Yuill, October 19th, 1858. James the second son of John and Hannah Yuill, was born December 6th, 1806. He was married to Martha McCulloch, of Debert River, 1836. They had three sons and five daughters. Mary, the eldest daughter of John and Hannah Yuill, was born November 20th, 1809. She was married to David Chisholm of Londonderry, 1834. They had three sons and four daughters. Jane Yuill, their second daughter, was born November 21st, 1811. She was married to David Slack, September, 1838. They had one son and two daughters. Sarah Yuill, their third daughter, was born June 4th, 1813. She was married to Thomas son of William and Nancy Pearson, June 23rd, 1836. They had three sons and two daughters. She died April 9th, 1868, aged fifty-five years. Mr. Pearson died February 23rd, 1852, aged 38 years. Hannah Yuill, their fourth daughter, was born August 12th, 1817. She was married to John Smith Vance, July 13th, 1836. They had two sons and two daughters. She died July 4th, 1846, aged 29 years. John Yuill was married the second time to Jane McNutt of the Lower Village of Truro, August 10th, 1818. Myzian their eldest daughter, was born November 16th, 1819. She was married to William, son of Charles and Mary Nelson, December 25th, 1836. They had six sons and three daughters. Samuel Yuill, their eldest son was born March 14th, 1821. He was married to Agnes Northup, March 14th, 1841. They had three sons and three daughters. He died March 25th, 1868, aged 47 years. William Grigor Yuill, their second son, was born August 12th, 1824. He was married to Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of Charles Tucker, Esq., and Mercy P. Polley, his wife, February 1st, 1851. They had four sons and four daughters. Margaret Eleanor, their second daughter, was born September, 1829. She was married to Captain James O. Morrison, February 1848. They had five sons and three daughters. She died April, 1870, aged 40 years. Harriet, their third and youngest daughter was born February 2nd, 1833. She was married to William, son of James and Sarah Yuill, August 8th, 1850. Mr. Yuill removed to the United States, and died there October 24th, 1850. She was married again to Charles, son of James Laughead, Jr., November 10th, 1856. They had two sons and one daughter.
William, the second son of James and Eleanor Yuill, was born, April 25th, 1781. He was married to Jane Campbell of Londonderry. They settled at the Great Village. He died there September 29th, 1863, aged 82 years. His first wife died in 1818. He was married again to Eleanor, daughter of Thomas and Jane Gourley, February 11th, 1819. William, their only son, is living a bachelor. Eleanor Yuill, their only daughter, was married to Samuel O'Brien of Noel. They had a numerous family. She died some time ago. Thomas, the eldest son of William and Eleanor Yuill, was born March, 1821. He was married to Jane McNutt. They had one son and three daughters. He removed to the United States, and died there. James Yuill, their second son was born in 1823. He died in 1844. John Yuill, their third son, was born in 1825. He was married to Margaret Thompson. They had sons and daughters. Robert Barry Yuill, their fourth son was married to Mary Smith. They had three sons and one daughter. He removed to the United States. He died at Arizona, July, 1871. Joseph Yuill, their fifth son, was married to Amelia Corbett. They had four sons and two daughters. Susan Yuill, their only daughter, was married to Nelson Chisholm. They removed to California.
James, the third son of James and Eleanor Yuill, was born January 10th, 1783. He was married to Sarah, the youngest daughter of Major John Archibald and Margaret Fisher, August 29th, 1809. He inherited the homestead part of his father's property at Old Barns. He died there September 7th, 1863, aged 80 years. His wife died August 2nd, 1866, aged 75 years.
George Yuill, their eldest son, was born August 12th, 1810. He was married to Jane, second daughter of Joseph Crowe and Mary Vance his wife, July 9th, 1839. They had one son and one daughter. Eleanor, their eldest daughter was born December 28th, 1811. She was married to Robert Laughead, January 5th, 1830. They had seven sons and five daughters. Margaret, their second daughter, was born November 20th, 1813. She was married to Robert O. Christie, December 30th, 1831. They had five sons and two daughters. Mr. Christie died March 22nd, 1867. Susannah, their fourth daughter, was born June 27th, 1815. She was married to Isaac Christie, December, 1834. They had one son and eight daughters. She died September 17th, 1863, aged 48 years. Sarah Ann, their fourth daughter, was born October 13th, 1817. She was married to John Blackie, January 14th, 1836. They had four sons and two daughters.
James Yuill, their second son, was born May 3rd, 1819. He died when he was young. John Yuill, their third son, was born December 12th, 1820. He was married to Barbara Henderson, February 7th, 1843. They had one son and three daughters. He holds a commission of the Peace, and is Captain of a company of the Militia. Eliza Jane, their fifth daughter, was born December 1st, 1822. She was married to Richard Christie, December 31st, 1842. They had six sons and four daughters. She died June 20th, 1872. Charles Yuill, their fourth son, was born July 15th, 1824. He was married to Mary, daughter of James Laughead, Junr., December 31st, 1845. They had six sons and seven daughters. Mrs. Yuill died March 5th, 1870. He was married again to Sarah Yuill, December 15, 1870. He resides on the same place on which his father and grandfather resided. William Yuill, their fifth son, was born October 20th, 1826. He was married to Harriet Yuill, August 9th, 1850. He died suddenly October 24th, 1850. Alexander Yuill, their sixth son, was born September 25th, 1828. He was married to Mary Helpert, of Halifax, October 17th, 1854. They had one son and four daughters. He is settled at Debert River, where he carries on the blacksmith work. Ruth, their sixth daughter, was born March 11th, 1830. She was married to Isaac, the fifth son of James M. and Margaret McCurdy, of Musquodoboit, July 29th, 1851. They had six sons and three daughters. Mr. McCurdy died March 31st, 1867, aged 41 years. Maria, their seventh daughter, was born March 11th, 1833. She was married to Joseph Howe Archibald, March 15th, 1864. They had one son and one daughter. They have removed to California. Mary L., their eight daughter, was born August 5th, 1835. She was married to John M. Atkins, December 25th, 1855. They have three daughters.
George, the fourth son of James and Eleanor Yuill, was born February 8th, 1785. He was married to Susannah, daughter of William and Mary Forbes, November 16th, 1826. He settled on the farm that had been owned by James Rutherford, and afterwards by Thomas Crowe, Senr. Mrs. Yuill died September, 1845. Eleanor and Sarah, their twin daughters, were born December 1st, 1827. Eleanor was married to George, son of William and Mary Creelman, October 3rd, 1856. They have three sons and two daughters. Sarah, the other twin daughter, was married to Charles Yuill, December 15th, 1870. Isaac, the only son of George and Susan Yuill, was born January 5th, 1836. He was married to Eleanor, daughter of William and Sarah Cox, of Upper Stewiacke, May 22nd, 1862. They have two sons and one daughter. He inherits his father's farm at Beaver Brook, Clifton.
Andrew, the fifth son of James and Eleanor Yuill, was born May 16th, 1787. He was married to Rachel, daughter of Capt. John and Rachel McKeen, October 22nd, 1811. He inherited a part of his father's farm. Mrs. Yuill died April 18th, 1813. He was married again to Nancy, the third daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Miller, December 1st, 1814. She died April 15th, 1822, aged 35 years. Thomas, the only son of Andrew and Rachel Yuill, was born August 18th, 1812. He was married to Mary, the eldest daughter of James and Sarah Crowe, July 11th, 1854. He inherits a part of his father's farm. Rachel, the eldest daughter of Andrew and Nancy Yuill, was born January 9th, 1816. She was married to Daniel Smith Yuill, October 19th, 1858. Vashti, their second daughter, was born August 16th, 1817. Elizabeth, their third daughter, was born August, 1819. She was married to John Miller, of New Glasgow, June 27th, 1871.
Samuel, the sixth son of James and Eleanor Yuill, was born October 21st, 1789. He was married to Margaret daughter of James Corbett and Elizabeth Marsh, his wife, of Five Islands, July 21st, 1812. He inherited a part of his father's property, at Clifton, where he spent the whole of his life. He died May 13th, 1868, aged 78 year. Elizabeth, their eldest daughter, was born July 26th, 1814. John Corbett Yuill, their eldest son, was born April 17th, 1817. He was married to Martha, daughter of Joshua Corbett and Eleanor Yuill, his wife, of Five Islands, July, 1848. They have one son and three daughters. He inherits a part of his father's farm. Joseph Yuill, their second son, was born June 30th, 1819. He learned the blacksmith trade with William Hall, of Truro, and carries on his business at Clifton. He was married to Martha, daughter of William and Agnes Miller, of Five Islands, October 11th, 1842. They had five sons and three daughters. Sarah Yuill, their second daughter, was born August 19th, 1821. She was married to Christopher Dillman, of Musquodoboit, June 18th, 1858. James Yuill, their third son, was born October 15th, 1823. He was married to Catherine daughter of Jacob Dillman and Margaret McKenzie, his wife, of Musquodoboit, September 26th, 1848. They had three sons and two daughters. He settled up the Beaver Brook. Eleanor, their third daughter, was born February 9th, 1826. She was married to William Elliott, of Chiganoise, July 25th, 1848. They had three sons and three daughters. Zeuriah Yuill, their fourth daughter, was born March 7th, 1829. She was married to David Rude, of Chiganoise. Louisa, their fifth daughter, was born October, 1831. She was married to George Burgess, December 27th, 1860. Hezekiah Yuill, their fourth son, was born September 30th, 1833. He was married to Eliza Margaret, daughter of Christopher Dillman and Catherine Dunbrack, his wife, November 1st, 1860. They have one son and two daughters. He inherits the homestead part of his father's farm.
Elizabeth, the second daughter of James and Eleanor Yuill, was born May 23rd, 1792. She was married to John L. Fisher in the year 1812. She died shortly after. Eleanor Yuill, their third daughter, was born April 1st, 1795. She was married to Joshua Corbett in the year 1812. They had five sons and five daughters. Mr. Corbett died 1868.
Jacob, the seventh and youngest son of James and Eleanor Yuill, was born October 13th, 1802. He was married to Susan, daughter of Daniel Urquhart, of Portaupique, August 15th, 1822. He settled on the farm upon which the Messrs. McCurdys now reside, near the shore of Clifton. Eleanor Jane, their eldest daughter, was born March 17th, 1824. She was married to John Knight, of Portaupique, April, 1867. Mary Ann, their second daughter, was born February 22nd, 1826. She was married to Capt. William McDuffey, February, 1851. They had four sons and three daughters. James, their eldest son, was born December 21st, 1828. He was drowned from a vessel that was lost on the rocks at Grand Manan, in the Bay of Fundy, in March, 1849. Amelia Yuill, their third daughter, was born. December 12th, 1833. She was married to William Smith Cox, August 7th, 1855. They have two sons and two daughters.
Daniel, the second son of Jacob and Susan Yuill, was born December 19th, 1835. It may here be observed, that Mr. Yuill and his son, Daniel, were crossing the Shubenacadie River, in a boat, in the spring of the year 1845, when he was removing from his farm at Old Barns to the County of Hants. He had, in the boat with him, his seed wheat, some of his farming utensils, and a pair of oxen fastened to the boat to make them swim across the River. The oxen upset the boat and threw all in the River. His son, then in the tenth year of his age, was drowned. Mr. Yuill held on by the oxen until they swam ashore, and was, in this way, delivered from his perilous situation. William Yuill, their third son, was born May 16th, 1837. He was drowned in August, 1854, being thrown overboard by the boom of a vessel in the Bay of Fundy. David Yuill, their fourth son, was born January 20th, 1839. He was married to Claressa, only daughter of the late Joseph Russell and Sarah Conley, his wife, February, 1865. They have one son and two daughters. Sarah Yuill, their fourth daughter, was born June 11th, 1840. She removed to the United States, and was married there to Samuel H.H. Humphrey, of Peabody, Mass., September 27th, 1781. Nancy Yuill, their fifth daughter, was born July 16th, 1841. She was married to Captain Caleb Atkins, September, 1860. They have one son and one daughter. George Yuill, their fifth son, was born in 1843. He left Truro, for California, April 2nd, 1867, and arrived at Sacramento in May. On the 25th of October, same year, while out on a duck hunting excursion on a lake, in a boat alone, he was shot by the accidental discharge of his own gun. Jane, the only daughter of James Yuill, Esq., was born in Boston, in 1857. She was married to Thomas Gourley. They had seven sons and six daughters.
