Charlotte Howe Hierlihy

• Charlotte Taylor' website: http://www3.telus.net/charlotte_taylor/

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/137063317/charlotte-hierlihy

• Charlotte is most likely the d/o Charles and Ann Taylor christened at Charlotte at Holborn Lying in Hospital, Endell Street, London, on 9 Nov, 1755. The Taylors appear to have been visitors to the city, who retuned to that same institution in 1757, where Ann gave to birth to twins.

This may be the same Charles Taylor who was the master of the "JANE," from Bristol,when it transported slaves from Africa to Jamaica in 1772. He made the same voyage as master of the "PHOENIX" in 1774 and was attempting a third voyage when his slaves murdered him in 1776.

CHARLOTTE TAYLOR'S MYTHOLOGY

There are many myths surrounding Charlotte Taylor's arrival on New Brunswick's Miramichi River:

   Charlotte " ... was the daughter of a London merchant who made a run-away match with a West India merchant (a negro). Her daughter, the issue of her marriage I understand with the negro, came with them to Black Brook.... (Charlotte came to Black Brook with Captain John Smith) to Bermuda and leaving the vessel there married. He returned to Miramichi and settled at what is known as Black Brook, formerly Blake’s Brook, the Blake being a final filial corruption of Blake – opposite side of river are large flats still bearing the name Blake's flats. After a few years residence Blake died." - April 29, 1891 letter from R Nicholson, MD to W. F. Ganong, from the Ganong papers in the New Brunswick Museum

   Note: Some of Charlotte's modern descendants say that "negro" was named "Williams" and an Elizabeth Williams married Duncan Robertson in 1791.

   Ganong referred to the alleged issue of Charlotte's marriage to the West India merchant, Elizabeth Williams, though not by name. In "The History of Tabusintac," (ACADIENSIS, no 4, 1907, p 325), Ganong wrote Charlotte Taylor's "adopted daughter married Duncan Robertson." On p 322 he names Duncan Robertson was one of the three people who accompanied Charlotte and her husband Phillip Hierlihy to settle Tabusintac in 1798. 

   Around 1998, Dave Hierlihy mailed that his family tradition was that Phillip Hierlihy adopted Charlotte's illegitimate daughter Elizabeth because of the need to keep up appearances. 

   "Charlotte Taylor is said to have come out in a ship commanded by one captain Skinner, but owned by Commodore Walker ... and she is believed to have married Captain Blake at Miramichi. They settled at the Mouth of Blakes, now corrupted to Black Brook ..." -  Ganong, "The History of Tabusintac," p 324

   Some of Charlotte's descendants say that negro was Williams

   "Some of her descendants tell me that she went to the West Indies to be married, but  but her fiance died of yellow fever before she arrived. Then she came to Miramichi and marrried Captain Blake." - from a paper Louise Manny gave at the N.B. Historical Society Meeting of Oct 27, 1959.  Subsequently published as Scenes From An Earlier Day.

   "Descendants of Charlotte Taylor say she made her way at first to the West Indies from Europe. Her fiance died before she arrived and so she went to Miramichi and married Captain John Blake." - James A Fraser & Carl W.W. Stymiest, LOGGIEVILLE ON THE MIRAMICHI (Chatham: Miramichi Press Ltd, 1962) pp 15-16

   "Local tradition says that Charlotte went to the West Indies to be married, but found on arrival there that her prospective  husband died of yellow fever. Either there, or at Miramichi, she met Captain Blake" -  Lousie Manny, History of Miramichi, NORTH SHORE LEADER, Feb 19, 1969.

   The stories that Charlotte was the daughter of general Howe Taylor & eloped with the family's butler, Williams, appear to be of a later vintage.  

RECONSTRUCTION OF THESE EVENTS

   Charlotte is the daughter of Charles and Anne Taylor, who were visiting London when they christened Charlotte at Holborn Lying in Hospital, Endell Street, London on 9 Nov, 1755.

   The Taylors were most likely not London residents. According to Eve McLaughlin, author of the McLaughlin Guides for Family Historians, Holdborn Lying in hospital “was used by respectable couples who for some reason had no adequate accommodation for a birth, because they were travelling, were in a single room, or sharing a room ..." 

   If this is the same Charles Taylor who became master of the "JANE," from Bristol, in 1772, it is quite possible that his business in London was connected to trading and/or the slave trade. 

   After he became a captain, Charles Taylor is known to have visited Jamaica at least twice. The JANE, was in Jamaica from 5 January to 31 March, 1772.  Taylor was later captain of the PHOENIX, which was in Jamaica from 20 December, 1774 until 7 March, 1775.  In both cases, his vessels were carrying slaves from Africa.  (Taylor was murdered by his slaves, off the coast of Africa, in 1776.) 

   He could have arranged a marriage with one of the Jamaican planters and taken Charlotte there in his 1774 trip on board the PHOENIX.

   Charlotte’s intended would not have been Williams. Free or not, it is highly unlikely that a slave trader like Charles Taylor would have even perceived Williams as a human being. 

   From what we know of Charlotte’s subsequent history, her voyage on board the PHOENIX may have been a life changing experience. The Charlotte we know did not share many of the racial prejudices of her times. 

   Instead of marrying her intended, Charlotte Taylor became pregnant by a West India merchant named Williams.

   The name that Charlotte gave the fruit of that union may be important. Elizabeth was not named after Charlotte’s mother, Ann, but she could be William’s mother. Thus it may be significant that an “Elizabeth Williams, free negro” was buried in Kingston on August 29, 1774. 

   One version of Captain John Blake's mythology states that he married Charlotte Taylor in the West Indies and brought her and her daughter back to New Brunswick. 

   According to Tabusintac's 1851 census, Charlotte’s oldest child - Elizabeth (nee Williams) Robertson - was 76 years-old and born in New Brunswick. This would have occured about 1775.

CAPTAIN JOHN BLAKE'S MYTHOLOGY

Unfortunately, Captain Blake has a mythology as rich as Charlotte's. According to a letter that Dr R. Nicholson wrote New Brunswick historian W. F. Ganong on April 29th 1891:

“Commander Blake first English speaking settler. This Blake was the commander of the vessel Viper which conveyed home the remains of Wolfe. Running short of water on his voyage he entered Miramichi to get a supply. After sailing up the river as far as Bartibogue a boat was sent ashore but the crew did not return and the pilot told the captain that he though crew had been massacred by Indians. This so enraged Blake that he sailed up the river and destroyed a French fort on Wilson’s Point then Beaubair’s. He also destroyed a French settlement at a point opposite Newcastle giving origin to the name of the marsh there Canadian marsh. Going down the river he destroyed a large church – place now known as Burnt Church. This church was set on fire by red hot cannon balls.

“After committing these depredations Blake afraid of court martial sailed only to Bermuda and leaving the vessel there married. He returned to Miramichi and settled at what is known as Black Brook, formerly Blake’s Brook, the Blake being a final filial corruption of Blake – opposite side of river are large flats still bearing the name Blake's flats. After a After a few years residence Blake died. His remains as it was winter were first put out in the snow and in the spring were taken and buried at Wilson’s point."

Unfortunately, there is very little support for this myth in the historical record.

   A British man-of-war called the Royal William took Wolfe’s remains home, not the “Viper.”  

   The attacks that Blake supposedly made were actually made by Colonel Murray in September 1758 (i.e. - before the Plains of Abraham, not after).  Murray described the destruction of Burnt Church in his report: “”Evening of the 17th in obedience to your instructions embarked the troops, having two days hunted all around us for the indians and Acadians to no purpose, we however destroyed their provisions, wigwams and houses, the church which was a very handsome one buouilt of stone, did not escape. We took numbers of cattle, hogs and sheep, and three hogsheads of beaver skins ..” 

While it is quite possible that Captain Blake was in the fleet that accompanied Murray, I would like to see stronger evidence.

SEARCHING FOR THE HISTORICAL CAPTAIN BLAKE

The earliest written reference to Captain Blake in the Maritimes comes from Alexis Landry's papers in the New Brunswick Museum. A £3.10.10 bill from John Blake states that the money must be paid to Mr Smith. A second entry, from William Smith at Caraquette on 15 Sept, 1769, makes it clear that the payment must be received by Aug 28, 1770.

Smith operated a fishing station in Bonaventure, Quebec. He was an associate of Commodore George Walker, who shipped a variety of salt fish from Bathurst, in what would become New Brunswick, to the Mediterranean, London and the West Indies between 1768 and 1777.

According to Robert Cooney's HISTORY OF THE MIRAMICHI (1832), "Captain Blake was once " ... in the employ of Commodore Walker, in the Bay Chaleur."

Nova Scotia's trade with the West Indies increased after the outbreak of war between England and her American colonies.

"Until 1776 most West Indies produce entered Nova Scotia through New England. Only 10% of the rum imported into Nova Scotia between 1768 and 1772 came from direct trade with the Caribbean. When in December 1775 Parliament declared direct trade with the rebel colonies illegal, direct trade with Nova Scotia expanded." By 1778, 15.6% of the goods paying Halifax's lighthouse duty were bound for the West Indies. - Julian Gwyn, EXCESSIVE EXPECTATIONS: MARITIME COMMERCE AND AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF NOVA SCOTIA, 1740-1870 (McGill - Queens University Press, 1998) p 52

Simeon Perkins' diary mentions Captain Blake bringing a cargo of molasses (a product of the West Indies) and salt to Liverpool, Nova Scotia, in 1775:

   Wednesday, July 24, 1775: "One Capt. Blake is arr. a few days ago w. molasses and salt. Captain Ephraim Dean and myself have bought his cargo and agreed to load him w. fish, and some boards if to be had."

   Friday Aug 2, 1775: "Cloudy/rain. HM Brigantine Hope, Capt. Dawson arr. in harbour. They board Capt. Blake's brig, and go up ye river with their boat. Mr. Johnstone goes on board w. them. Capt. Dawson sends a second time to examine Capt. Blake's brig, whether the cargo is molasses."

   Friday Aug 23, 1775: "Pleasant. Get some fish fr. Capt. Snow and deliver to Capt. Blake."

   Saturday, Aug 24, 1775: Pleasant. Take some fish to Capt. Blake (He?) is pressing. A barque, Capt. Whalen, arr. fr. Hfx. The Capt. Reports he saw 2 vessels, which he took to be Snows, firing upon a ship. Last Mon. or Tues. the cannon were heard by sundry people.

   Monday, September 9, 1775: "I am getting my accts. ready. Settle w. Capt. Blake, and my brother, and taking acct. of accounts ret. In the Betsey."

   Tuesday, Sept 19, 1775: Settle w. Capt. Blake, Capt. Dean takes his bill for 115. I have 38 in it.

   Thursday, Sept 12, 1775: Capt. Blake sails w. a good wind. NN.

THE BLAKES ON THE MIRAMICHI

A later memorial from his oldest son, also named John, suggests Captain Blake was on the Miramichi by 1775. He said his farther was "the first settler on the River of Miramichi, was allowed to hold lands on said River, and in particular in 1782 a quantity of land to the extent of 550 acres, on the southside."

This agrees with Elizabeth Williams statement that she was born in New Brunswick about 1775.

The Miramichi was not too isolated to suffer from the onslaught of American privateers. William Davidson left the Miramichi, in 1777, because of the attacks upon his trading vessels. The following year, Alexander and William Wishart's lots were plundered.

Further North, Blake's old associate William Smith abandoned his fishing station at Bonnaventure, Quebec, because "Our Gulph is swarming with American privateers." Commodore Walker's establishment at Bathurst was plundered.

On her website, THE CHARLOTTE TAYLOR STORY, Mary Lynn Smith wrote,

Charlotte and Blake were married by the time the HMS Hunter arrived on the Miramichi River, in 1777. Captain Boyle called the local settlers together, " ... and had them properly qualified to be registered for Grants of Land. In consideration of the barrenness and obscurity of the Miramichi, they said, Captain Boyle allowed each settler to take up a grant with the extra large frontage of half a mile on the river. This, you can see, led to plenty of trouble later on, when the standard grant was 200 acres, with a 60 rod front." (Louise Manny, Scenes From An Earlier Day)

There were also number of incidents on the Miramichi that almost culminated in a full scale Indian uprising in 1777. The Micmac had already resolved to put all the settlers to death, when the American privateer Lafayette arrived on the river. Thirty to thirty-five chiefs responded to an invitation to come on board. Too late, they discovered it was a trap. They were overpowered by British marines and a group of old settlers and taken off to Quebec.

Nine old settlers - John Murdoch, John Malcolm, Peter Brown, Alexander Henderson and his sons—James, Peter, John, Alexander, and George - are known to have fought alongside the marines.

Mary Lynn Smith believes that John Blake was there too and adds, "I think that the kidnapping and removal of the Indian chiefs was a pivotal moment in the lives of the early settlers. If this had not happened precisely when it did, it is difficult to imagine how the 'old settlers' could have remained in the area or indeed if they could have survived. The Micmac, superbly conditioned and adapted to their environment, were more than a match for the English settlers, but not without direction from their chiefs."

A March 1785 petition identifies the widow Blake (i.e. - Charlotte) as one of the old settlers that had met with Captain Boyle. Her household at that time consisted of Charlotte herself, 4 children and 1 servant (6 in number). The oldest of the children would have been Elizabeth Williams, who was born around 1775. Charlotte also had three children by Captain Blake:

   John Blake (probably born about 1778)

   Mary Blake (probably born about 1780) 

   Robert Blake, whose obituary, published in the September 7, 1853 edition of The Gleaner, states he died on August 24, 1853, at the age of 71. (i.e.- he was born about 1782)

The end of the American Revolution brought 10,824 Loyalists and former soldiers to Western Nova Scotia. Edward Winslow, secretary to the military commander, proposed that the resulting problems would best be addressed by forming this region into a separate colony. Winslow’s vision and the torrent of complaints led to the formation of New Brunswick, on June 18 1784. The new Governor, Thomas Carleton, chose the inland village of St Anne’s as his capital – because it could more easily be defended. He renamed it Frederick’stown in honor of a royal prince.

When Daniel Micheau arrived to survey the Miramichi in 1785, he noted that Charlotte was occupying lots 8 and 9. Her house was on lot #8, where he noted “Considerable Improvement made by a Widow Blake, Old Setler”.

WILLIAM WISHART

William Wishart entered Charlotte's life around this time. The earliest written reference we have of him on the Miramichi is his brother Alexander's Aug 12, 1785 petition.

"Alexander Wishart says he and his brother settled here 1775, and built a house and shed for curing of salmon, and cleared some land, which house is now on Lot No.3, north side of the River and also occupied from Lot Nos. 2 - 9, but in 1778 we was plundered of a very considerable amount by the privateers of the states, and in 1779 by the savages, and lost everything. They went to Quebec in HMS Viper, Lord Hervey, where we both obtained commissions to serve His Majesty on Lake Champlain, under command of Captain William Chambers, and at the conclusion of the war six of us entitled to lands Intered into a Co-partnery in order to carry on merchandising, fishing and farming at the place formerly occupied by me and my brother. On their arrival last year with a cargo from London, was interrupted by a William Ledden, who had taken violent possession of my house … who said he had got a grant of it from William Davidson, and would not give up the house to them, but was obliged to put up with one end of it, and we, having a valuable property, was exposed to many risques and when I arrived here this spring he still would persist in keeping possession of the house, although knowing it well to be my property, he is lickways marked to Lot No. 4, which cuts off the whole fishing on Lot No. 3. He is a man of very indifferent character, and never was of any service to King or Country, but I have had the honour to serve His majesty in the two late wars, so that I hope your Excellency will be pleased to honour me with your advice relative to the memorial. Presented to your Excellency by Mr. Robert Reid Dated January 10, last (1785)."

The Wishart brothers were back on the Miramichi by 1785.

There is no evidence that Charlotte actually married William Wishart or used his surname, but she did give birth to a son bearing the same name.

According to his obituary, in the April 28, 1851 edition of The Gleaner William Wishart Jr died at the age of 65, on April 26, 1851. He was born between April 27, 1785 and April 26, 1786.

THE FIGHT TO KEEP BLAKE'S LAND

In CHARLOTTE: MOTHER OF TABUSINTAC, Kimberly Branch writes (p 7), "It is believed that Capt. John Blake received a large grant of land on the Miramichi River (lots 8, 9, and 10) that was never formalized, leaving Charlotte to fight for his land after his death."

Family tradition asserts Charlotte donned snowshoes and treked the 240 kilometers to Fredericton in the depth of winter to make sure that she retained his lands. Her only companion was an indian guide. The threat was real enough. Not only was Blake’s claim unrecognized, as a widow Charlotte was only entitled to a third of his property. She applied for lot #8 in her son John's Blake's name and lot $10 in her own name. The grants for both lots finally came through on May 4, 1798.

PHILLIP HIERLIHY

On Sept 11, 1787, Charlotte married Phillip Hierlihy, a former sergeant of the Prince of Wales American corps.

"Court of General Sessions Northumberland to Wit

"James Horton Esquire one of the Justices of the Quorum in and for the Said County Hereby certifies to the Court that on the eleventh day of Sept one Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Seven in the parish of New Castle in Said County Phillip Hierlihy and Charlot Blacke of Said parish were duly married by me according to Law to the Court of

General Session James Horton Q.U."

The Hierlihys probably enjoyed an active social life. Bees were held for raising houses, knitting, and harvesting crops. These often ended with an evening of singing, story telling and dancing in the homes.

Phillip became actively involved in community affairs. In 1790 he was appointed Surveyor of Roads in South District, Nelson to Balck River. He served on juries during 1791, 1793 and 1794. Phillip compained about the high taxes and “prayed that justice be done him.” The next year he received a 5 percent discount.

Possibly at Charlotte's insistence, Hierlihy applied for lot #9 on his right, as a Loyalist, and was also granted it on May 4, 1798. So it would seem that Charlotte accomplished her design of keeping Blake's property in the family.

TABUSINTAC

IN 1798, Charlotte and Phillip Hierlihy led the first group of English settlers to Tabusintac. Ganong notes (p 322) that Dunacn Robertson, John McLeod and William Tobin.

Phillip is said to have intiated the move. He may have been restless. In 1796 he was found guilty of a offence (not deciphered) and fined. In 1798, he committed assault and battery. The Hierlihys have a tradition that Phillip had wanted to move to a locality where there were other Catholics. Aside from the indians, the only inhabitants in Tabusinatc were some Catholic Acadian families across the river in French cove. Charlotte gave another reason in an 1809 memorial to the government:

To His Excellency Martin Hunter Esqr Lieutnant Governor and Commander in chief of His Majesty's Province of New Brunswick The Memorial of Charlotte Hierlihy

most Humbly Sheweth That your Memorialist having been one of the first Settlers on Miramichie River and after many trying Difficultys brought up a numerous Family was obliged to remove from thence for want of Hay lands, at the time of her removal, the River Tabisisintack being entirely uninhabited by any English Settler, your Memorialists late Husband Phillip Hierlihy, thought proper to make a settlement on that river - your Memorialist begs leave to -? Your Excellency that is the lands surveyed -? -? By Dougal Campbell Esq in 1803 there is no Marsh, and that she is at present wholely Destitute of the means of Keeping any Stock, except your Excellency will be pleased to Grant her the privilege of the Hay, Grass on the Glebe Lot, untill such time as an Established Clergyman is settled at Tabusintack the same having been promised your Memorialist by D. Campbell Esqr at the time of Survey Hoping that your Excellency will be pleased to take your Memorialists Situation ino consideration, as in Duty bound will ever Pray

2th Oct. 1809 - The lot Surveyed for Charlotte Hierlihi contains a large tract of Marsh and is rekoned one of the best Lots - there is a Marsh Lot annexed to the upland Lot reserved for a Glebe on which about 12 Tons of hay may be annually cut as reported to me.

G. Sproule

Charlotte Hierlihy asks permission to cut the Grass on the Lot reserved for a Glebe at Tabusintac.

In Council 27th Octr. 1809 Cannot be complied with. 26th October 1809

Phillip Hierlihy died sometime prior to this, for Charoltte is called the "Widow Charlotte Hierlihy" in Dugald Campbell's 1804 map of Tabusintac. She never married again.

Charlotte's Obituary was published on Page Three of the Royal Gazette, Fredericton, New Brunswick, May 5, 1841:

"At Tabusintac, on Sunday the 21 ultimo, Mrs Charlotte Hierlihy, in the 89th year of her age., after a lingering illness. Mrs H was an old and much respected inhabitant and the third English settler on the banks of the Miramichi."

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Born in London, England. Married 1st husband in 1763 in England. She had her 1st child after arriving in NB and was a widow. Married 2nd husband in 1777 Black Brook, Northumberland, New Brunswick and had 3 children. He died and she was a widow again with 4 children. Married 3rd husband about 1784 in Miramichi, Northumberland, NB and had 1 child. Husband died and widow with 5 children . Married 4th husband 11 September 1787 in New Castle, NB and had five more children, for a total of 10 children. She had 76 grandchildren.

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GEDCOM Note

Also seen spelled as (Taylur, Tayllur, le Taillour)(CS)

Several sources use the birth date "April 27, 1841". It is believed that this date however, is closer to Charlottes' death date as indicated. There is much discrepancy in Charlottes' birth and death dates in many sources. (CS) Also "Charlotte Taylor (Mrs. Charlotte Hierlihey) died on April 25, 1841 at the home of her daughter Charlotte Stymiest at Stymiest's Millstream. Her death certificate is filed in the Office of the Common Clerk, Saint John, New Brunswick and her obituary was printed in the May 5, 1841 Royal Gazette." (MLS) "Charlotte is said to have died in April, 1840, at home of her son-in-law, Benjamin Stymiest, at Stymiest Millstream. She was taken five miles down the river by a group of Indians and buried. She now rests at Riverside Cemetery (Tabusintac)*." Source:

• "A History of Tabusintac"; Mrs. Elva Avery, Excerpt from Page 13.

The life of Charlotte Howe Taylor is one of fascination and intrigue, and it is hoped that one day someone will research her heritage and legacies. My own immediate family connection to Charlotte Howe Taylor is one of intermarriage on both sides of my parents. Not only can descendants of "Carlyle (Bud) William Stymiest" trace ancestors back to Charlotte (Howe?) Taylor on his side, but lineage can also be traced on his wife's family name (Tait) as one of the grand-daughters of Charlotte H. Taylor, namely Mary Hierlihy, married George Tait, Sr.( my maternal great-great-grandfather). (CS)

In a letter received 1999 from a fellow researcher, she writes, as Charlotte had so many children and grandchildren, etc. it is not surprising that you are your own cousin, so to speak. Remember the old song, 'I'm my own grandpa'? I have heard Charlotte's family tree described more accurately as vines on a fence, and when you take a close look at it you can understand why. But doesn't that make it all so fascinating?" (JP) Source: "Private Papers of Carlyle Stymiest", Vancouver, B.C., 1960-1999.

The following excerpt is taken from a 1927 article written by George W. Hill of Chatham, N.B. I include this as a reference only as much is based upon speculation and does contain errors.(CS)

"Charlotte Taylor was one of the first English speaking settlers of Tabusintac. She was a native of England, who came to live here about 1780 or 1800. Charlotte Taylor was first said to have lived near Richibucto, New Brunswick where she married a "Williams", her father's butler. She later moved to Tabusintac where forestry and fish were plentiful. This very fact alone was probably the reason that many new settlers settled in and around the Tabusintac area. Charlotte is said to have had one daughter by "Williams" who is said to have married a "Robertson", a son of Duncan Robertson, who originally came from Scotland. He was a member of the 62nd. Highlanders or famous Black Watch which was disbanded after the American Revolution. Charlotte's second marriage was to Captain Robert John Blake by whom she bore two children, Robert and John Blake, Jr. Robert, the eldest son, married the daughter of a "McRae", one of the early pioneers of the 42nd. Highlanders. Charlotte Taylor married two more times. Her third husband was a Wishart. One son by Wishart married a Johnstone, the other son James, drowned. Her fourth and last husband was Philip Hierlihy. One daughter by her last husband married a "Stymiest", an early settler of Loyalist descent, another married David Savoy who was a joint co-founder of the French Settlement called Covedale, or French Cove. By Hierlihy she had six children: William, James, Ellen, Charlotte, Nora and Philip, Jr. all of whom were married. Thus Charlotte Hierlihy became the ancestor of many of the principal families of Tabusintac, and there are indeed few in the settlement who cannot trace descent from her. She was thus the principal founder and may well be rightly designated the "Mother of Tabusintac". She died about the middle of the eighteenth century and is buried in Long Point Cemetery."(GWH) Source: "Tabusintac History Goes Back More Than A Century: (Thrifty Settlement Was Always Recognized as Rich in Every Natural Attraction), George W. Hill, The Semi-Weekly World, Chatham, September 7, 1927.

Author's Note: The reference to Charlotte's daughter, "Elizabeth" cannot be substantiated (through records) at this point in time, however there are many sources which use the name "Elizabeth Williams." (CS)(KAB) Also it is noted in the above article by George Hill that Charlotte and Philip had six children, but for research purposes here only five have been found in records to date and only these have been included in their family page.(CS)

The following excerpt is taken from the research done by Kimberley A. Branch. (CS)

"Charlotte Howe Taylor emigrated from England to the rough coast of New Brunswick in 1776, when she was little more than twenty years old. Her father was a prominent general in the British Army, Gen. Howe Taylor. There are two stories of her decision to come to Canada. Both contain enough similarities to be different versions of the same story, neither completely true nor false (as is the case with many family stories). The first suggests she fell in love with the butler of her fathers estate. Forbidden by her father to continue the relationship, she waited until he sailed to Australia on duty to flee across the ocean with her lover. Presumably pregnant, Charlotte arrived on Miscou Island in Northern New Brunswick. Unfortunately, the butler drowned during the landing. With her daughter, she settled in the Miramichi River area.* The second story contains slight variations. It contends that Charlotte and her fiance travelled to the West Indies to elope (giving credence to the suspicion that this family servant was probably black). The butler died of Yellow Fever during passage but she persevered and settled in New Brunswick.# Whichever story is truer; there is no doubt that she arrived in British North America without a husband or family (except for an infant daughter)." Sources: "Charlotte: Mother of Tabusintac, Kimberley A. Branch, 1995.

• "Upfront,", Homemaker's Magazine, October, 1992.

1. "Loggieville ... on the Miramichi", James A. Fraser & Carlyle W. W. Stymiest, Chatham: Miramichi Press Ltd., 1964.

Author's Note: Charlotte Taylor made several petitions to Sir Thomas Carleton, Governor, and as such was granted: Lot #8 (161 acres) for her son, John Blake which was river front property in Black Brook (Loggieville, N.B., now Miramichi) on the Miramichi River; Lot #10 (154 acres, Black Brook) in her own name. Philip Hierlihy, husband of Charlotte Taylor was granted Lot #9 (160 acres, Black Brook) between John's and Charlotte's lots. These were all registered May 4, 1798.(CS)(JAF)

Author's Note: As a child, my father, Carlyle (Bud) William Stymiest, son of Adam Garfield Stymiest purchased the former home belonging to one of the "Loggie" boys, i.e. Stafford Loggie, in Loggieville, New Brunswick. It was during my research of the book, "Loggieville...on the Miramichi" in the 1960's that I learned that our house was located on the original grant (Lot #10: 1798) of "Charlotte Taylor". I have many pictures of the old homestead on Water Street (Loggieville). As my parents became older, the home was sold in the mid-1970's.(CS)

"The William Milne et al petition showed intense community interaction and involvement on the part of Charlotte Blake. A power struggle between old and new settlers on the River escalated to name-calling and questioning of motives on both sides. The new settlers, William Milne, Charlotte Blake and a dozen others, made several requests. Technically, Charlotte Blake should not have been considered a new settler because of her early arrival date and marriage to Capt. Blake, along with the fact that she was an original grantee of Lot #10. As a group, the new seflers accused the old seflers of endangering a meadow, 'there should be a stop put to them for cuttin the hay at napping [Nappan] marsh as when they cut it they let it ly on the ground untill it is borned," and asked for the communal use of that land. The old settlers agitated for a reduction in the regulation of fishing and misled the government with "many plauseable storeys," according to the new settlers. The new settlers requested the appointment of an impartial official to regulate the dispute, as their "great happiness would entirely depend" on the actions taken by the Governor. This petition was of a serious enough nature to have been formulated in the City of Saint John, rather than the local county seat of Newcastle. Charlotte Blake was the only woman to have signed the petition, amongst sixteen landowners. The severe and blunt language illustrated the severity of the issue for all residents of the region. The quality and amount of land was central to self-sufficiency and survival in this pre-industrial world. The quest for land and security was ultimately the main reason for emigration to Canada..."(KAB) Sources: "Charlotte:Mother of Tabusintac", Kimberley A. Branch, 1995. "Memorial of William Milne & Alexander Taylor: January 31, 1786", Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB

With her next petition we find Charlotte moving from the parish of Chatham to the parish of Alnwick (Tabusintac, N.B.) where she was once again successful in obtaining Lot #52 (280 acres) on the Tabusintac River. Again Kimberley Branch in her essay on Charlotte says: "... was of a more personal nature and was signed independently as Charlotte Blake, although a note on the envelope clarified that Mrs. Blake was now married to Philip Hierlihy". Between the time of this petition, January 7th, 1788, and the last, 1786, she moved from the parish of Chatham to the parish of AInwick (which comprised Tabusintac). (SEE: APPENDIX L) Once again, she was granted prime river front land in the name of Charlotte Hierlihy, this time 280 acres on the Tabusintac River (Lot #52)."

Further to this Charlotte was not satisfied as is indicated in a letter to Jonathan O'Dell in Fredericton. An original handwritten letter by Charlotte with its envelope (with notations speculated to have been written by O'Dell) dated 7 January, 1788 to Governor, Jonathan O'Dell, (Provincial Secretary to the Province of New Brunswick from 1784 to 1814) was sent by Charlotte informing him of her inability to obtain a certificate for neighbouring land purchased by her.(SEE copy of original in Appendix VIII as well as transcription below.)

"You have Desired me to Send a Certificate of what Cleared land was on No. 53, South side of the River, but the man will not sign it for me as he means to try to get located for it himself after the Selling of it and Giving a Deed, which Sir you have in your Office which is drawn by Mr. Ledurny (John Mark Crank Delesdernier, High Sheriff of the County of the time), and Signed by John Wilson, Esquire. Honourable Sir, I hope you will see me. I testyfyed in this affair and have me Registrate for said Lot as it seems to me that he have a mind to try cut me out of it after I buying of and paying for it." Charlotte Blake N.B. The man name is John Humphrys Honourable Jonathan Odell.

Addressed: "Honourable Jonathan ODell, Frederick Town"

Envelope Notations: (Speculated to be the handwriting of O'Dell himself.)(CS)(KAB) "Mrs. Blake is now married Philip Hurlehay...J.P.Wate's ...copy asks to have No. 53 S.S. Miramichi. Sold by J. Humphries- Humphries does not appear to have had any title to the Lot, either by improvements made by him, or by any Register in Council."

Author's Note: A second transcription of the "Envelope Notation" reads as: "Mrs. Blake - now married to Philip Huryehay, Late Srgt. of P. Wales's Amr. Corps. asks to have No. 53 S. S. Miramichi sold by Jnn. Humphries- Humphries does not appear to have had any title to the Lot, either by improvements made by him or by any register in Council." (MLS) Sources: "New Brunswick Provincial Archives", Land Petition #F1034, Fredericton, N.B. "Memorial of Charlotte Blake: January 7, 1788", Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB

Author's Note: In the Northumberland County Court Records, Newcastle, N.B. (now Miramichi) lies a record of the an 1811 Deed transcribed by Kimberley Branch as follows:

"Philip Hierlihy, James Hierlihy, Honnor Hierlihy, Charlote Mary Stymist and Elenaar Savoy. Know All Men by these presents, that we Philip Hierlihy, James Hierlihy, Honnor Hierlihyy, Charlote Mary Stymist and Elenaar Savoy of the Parish of Newcastle County of Northumberland and Province of New Brunswick, for and in Consideration of the Sum of 350 pounds Current money of the said Province to me in hand paid by Hugh MacDonald of Newcastle County and Province aforesaid. Gentlemen the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge and from which and every part and parcel thereof we for ourselves, our heirs, Executors, and Administrators do acquit and fully discharge the said Hugh MacDonald, his heirs and Assigns Have, Granted, Bargained, Sold, enfeoffed, and confirmed and by these presents do We the said Philip Hierlihy, James Hierlihy, Honour Hierlihy, Charlotte Mary Stymist and Elenaar Savoy for ourselves our Heirs, Executors and administrators do grant, Bargain, Sell, Infeoff and Confirm unto the said Hugh MacDonald his heirs and assigns a certain tract or parcel of land known by the same of Lot No. 9. Situate on the South Side of Miramichi River and bounded on the West by No. 10 Granted to Mrs. Charlotte Hierlihy and on the east by No. 8 Granted to John Blake and Granted by His Majestys to Philip Hierlihy by letters pattent Witnessed by Thomas Carleton Esquire Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of His majesty's said Province of New Brunswick bearing date at Fredericton the Fourth day of May in the year of our Lord 1798, Reference to said Grant or letters patent will fully and at large appear. To have and to hold the said Bargained and granted Premises with all the buildings and improvements thereon together with all and every privilege and privileges, advantage and advantages, benefits and appurtenances thereinto belonging or in any way appertaining to him the said Hugh MacDonald his heirs and assigns as a good and lawful Estate in fee Simple and to his and their only use behoof forever. And we the said Philip Hierlihy, James Hierlihy, Honour Hierlihy, Charlotte Mary Stymist and Elenaar Savoy for ourselves our heirs, Executors and administrators do Covenant and agree to and with the said Hugh MacDonald his heirs and assigns that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Hugh MacDonald his heirs and assigns immediately after the date hereof of these presents, to enter upon and take Possession of and at all times forever, hereafter peaceably and quietly to have, hold, use, occupy, possess and enjoy the said bargained Premises and furthermore we the said Philip Hierlihy, James Hierlihy, Honour Hierlihy, Charlotte Mary Stymist, and Elenaar Savoy our heirs, Executors and administrators will safe and harmless keep warrant and defend the said, Hugh MacDonald, his heirs and assigns in the aforesaid premises of every kind and description from all other Grants, Bargains, Sales, Gifts, Martgages, Jointures, Intails or any other Incumbrance or encumbrances, whatsoever heretofore made or suffered to be made by us the said Philip Hierlihy, James Hierlihy, Honour Hierlihy, Charlotte Mary Stymist, and Elenaar Savoy our heirs and assigns. The said Hugh MacDonald being alwise understood to discharge the quit rents and other conditions and Covenants in said Grant or Letters Patent - In witness whereof we the said heirs of Philip Hierlihy, Deceased Charlotte Hierlihy Senr James Hierlihy, Philip Hierlihy, Honour Hierlihy, Charlotte Mary Stymist and Elenaar Savoy, Have hereunto our hands and seals Subscribed and set the 18th Day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven, and fifty first year of his Majesty's Reign.

Signed, sealed and delivered Charlotte Hierlihy in presence of Alexr McDonald, James Davidson Elenor Savoy Charlotte Stymist Honnor Hierlihy James Wm Hierlihy Benjamin Stymist

Northumberland County. Be it remembered that on the 4th day of October, 1811 before me Joseph Horne, Esquire personally appeared Philip Hierlihy, James W. Hierlehy, Elenor Savoy, Charlotte M. Stymist and Honour Hierlehy and acknowledged the within Instrument to be their voluntary act and deed for the purposed in the same contained.

Joseph Horne, Esquire Andw Reid, Register Source: "Northumberland Court Records", Provincial Archives of New Brunswick F5312, Vol. 9, Pp 168-9; Number 93.

Author's Note: Benjamin Stymist, Charlotte Mary's husband also signed the deed above.(CS)(KAB)(MLS) Charlotte Howe Taylor Blake Hierlihy Wishart is buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Tabusintac, New Brunswick, Canada.(ES)(CS)

"She died at the home of her son-in-law, Benjamin Stymiest and was reportedly carried to her final resting-place by a group of Indian friends. (They obviously did not hold a grudge against her for the actions of Capt. John Blake at Burnt Church.) This incident showed the mutual respect between white settlers and Native Indians, who she is said to have helped in times of need and acted as midwife at births."(KAB) Source: "Charlotte: Mother of Tabusintac", Kimberley A. Branch, 1995.

Author's Note: Legends and stories of "The Mother of Tabusintac" still persist and are passed down from one generation to another. As part of my genealogy work, I am always receiving inquiries regarding descendants of Charlotte Taylor. One such query comes from a new acquaintance and researcher friend, Judith Purdy, a descendant of Charlotte Taylor. She and I have been writing corespondents to each other since mid-1990's. She lived in Kamloops, B.C., but has since moved to Victoria, B.C.(CS) In a letter I received from Judith, written August 22, 1996: she writes: "...I am convinced we are all just one big family...Charlotte (Taylor) has been intriguing yet equally elusive, and had a life that was apparently full of lots of drama and heartache. I feel too that she could not have been a quiet little woman tending to her children and chickens and have so many tales (some pretty outlandish) survive to this day about her."

She continues: "One of the Stymiests I met during my trip in 1993 told me that Charlotte had a child by the Indian guide who accompanied her on her famous trek to Fredericton; the child later died and was buried secretly by the native Indians. Is any of this true to your knowledge?"

Her favourite: "...is that people suspected her (Charlotte) of being a witch and poured boiling water on her footsteps to ward off the 'evil eye'. Highly unlikely, but I keep telling my husband to watch his step (ha! ha!) in case it is hereditary. In any event, Charlotte is a fascinating character..."(JP)

In a letter received from Judith in September, 1999, she writes in reference to Kimberley Branch's essay on Charlotte: "I had read the Kimberley Branch story of Charlotte... She did a tremendous job, producing an interesting and well thought out record. Nice to see a young person take an interest in an ancestor. Usually we don't begin to become interested until we get older. How I wish I had asked more questions of my parents when I had the chance. It appears that Kimberley had not found Charlotte's obituary which showed that she died a Hierlihy, thus making it likely, as most records show, that Charlotte married lst Blake, 2nd Wishart, and 3rd Hierlihy. She married Hierlihy 11 Sept. 1787. 1 do question her assumption (that she admits may be incorrect) that Mary McGraw in the 1851 census is Charlotte's daughter. If the census is correct, she would have been born ca. 1775, too old to be Charlotte and John Blake's daughter."

Source: "Private Papers of Carlyle Stymiest", Vancouver, B.C., 1996.

"Charlotte Howe Taylor-Williams-Blake-Hierlihy-Wishart was one of the most remarkable women on the Miramichi and foundress for the community of Tabusintac. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich uses the phrase- Mother of All Living- to describe her example of a fruitful colonial mother..." Source: "Charlotte: Mother of Tabusintac", Kimberley A. Branch, 1995.

"Charlotte Howe Taylor became a symbol of strength and courage to many of her descendants and became truly in many respects THE MOTHER OF TABUSINTAC." Source: "Charlotte Howe Taylor- The Mother of Tabusintac", Harold W. J. Adams, Cadogan Publishing Ltd, Miramichi, N.B., 1998.