The following text was
transcribed by Donald Colpitts
on 15 April 2001.
Thank you Don for this and your other contributions to Albert Co. GenWeb
pages. It is very much appreciated.
Moncton Daily Times
Thursday, August 26, 1920
HUNDREDS ATTENDED COLPITTS FAMILY RE-UNION AT COLPITTS, ALBERT CO.
A Feature of the Day's Proceeding Was The Reading of the Honor Roll by the
Secretary, Rev. R.J. Colpitts
- To Erect a Monument on the Old Colpitts Homestead in Memory of Those Who
Gave Their Lives in Defense of the Empire - History of the Colpitts Family
- Another Re-union Five Years Hence, When Monument Will Be Unveiled -
Officers Elected.
(Special to the Times)
Colpitts, Albert Co., Aug. 25 - The spacious intervale on Little
River, belonging to Lane Colpitts, lineal descendant of Robert and
Margaret (Wade) Colpitts, who settled there in 1783, was the scene today
of the sixth Colpitts Family Reunion. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Colpitts, who
had removed from Norton, Durham Co., England, soon to Newcastle-on-Tyne,
whence, as soon as the Revolutionary was was over, they came here, have
now many descendants, who since the beginning of the present century,
frequently foregather to renew acquaintanceship and talk of old times.
Several hundred, of all ages, availed themselves of the opportunity today.
The first family celebration was held in this place on September 6th 1900;
the second, at Forest Glen, Westmorland Co., Aug. 27, 1902; the third at
Forest Glen, Aug. 24, 1905; the fourth here, Aug. 25, 1910; and the fifth
at Forest Glen, Sept. 2, 1915. They are to hold similar meeting every five
years henceforth.
The Colpitts family is widely distributed over Albert and Westmorland
counties, and members are found, many occupying positions in nearly every
province of the Dominion and in several states of the United States.
Enquiries made after the first reunion have brought out the facts that
there are still people of the same name in Durham and Northumberland,
England. It has also been discovered that there are at least three
Colpitts families in North America, not descended from Robert and Margaret
Colpitts., but closely related however. They are John Colpitts,
Toronto; Geo. A. Colpitts, barrister, Barnesville, Ohio, and Alvoid
Colpitts, Iowa. All others of the same name in North America are,
presumably, descended from the pair who settled in this village in 1783.
Robert Colpitts, who had been a captain of militia, left England
immediately after the close of the American Revolutionary War in 1873. The
family register in the old family bible gave the particulars of his family
as follows:
"Robert Colpitts and Margaret Wade, his wife
"John, their son, was born April 17, 1768, at Norton, Crawford
Parish, Durham County, England.
"Robert, their son, was born November 25, 1770, at Shellaly, parish
and county aforesaid.
"Elizabeth, their daughter, was born March 12, 1772, at Burkee House,
parish and county aforesaid.
"Thomas, their son, was born Dec. 3, 1773, at Burkee House, parish
and county aforesaid.
"William, their son, was born was June , 1775, at Burkee Horse,
parish and county aforesaid.
"Ralph, their son, was born Jane. 1, 177_, at Pethrow, Cockfield
parish county aforesaid.
"George, their son, was born Sept 12, 178_, at Kenton; christened at
Portland, Northumberland County."
Though Robert Colpitts' occupation in England is not known, he must have
been a man of some means, as he brought to Canada with him three large
clocks, one of which was still keeping good time in the home of Abram
Colpitts, of Dickie Mountain, in 1900.
It appears that Robert Colpitts visited New Brunswick before the
Revolutionary War and made a small clearing on what afterwards became
Charles Trites farm, a little above Moncton. He put up a small cabin and
returned to England for his family. Reaching home, he wound up his affairs
and moved to Newcastle-on-Tyne, to embark from there. But just then the
war broke out and he stayed where he was till its close.
When Robert Colpitts came to New Brunswick he was between 35 and 40 years
of age. With his two oldest boys, John and Robert, about 15 and 13 years
old, he walked overland from Halifax. The rest of the family came round in
a vessel, soon afterwards. Arriving at Moncton, he found his homestead had
been taken by someone else, so he journeyed to a place five miles above
Salisbury and located just where the reunion was held today. While their
first crop was ripening, the family's main food was salmon.
Two children were born here: Margaret, on Oct. 11, 1784, and Jane,
Oct. 3, 1786.
In a few years, John the eldest son, married Miss Eleanor Foster, of
Amherst, and settled where his great-grandson, Charles Colpitts, now
lives, at the corner of the Little River and Colpitts Settlement roads.
John died in 1792, leaving two children, John and Margaret. His mother
died in 1794, at the age of 47 years. Robert Colpitts married again, but
there was no issue. He died in 1813.
John's son, John, married a Miss Goodwin, of Baie Verte, and raised a
large family, most of whom settled along Little River in this parish.
John's daughter Margaret, married Benjamin Wheaton, of Dorchester.
It is not known to what church the original Robert and Margaret Colpitts
belonged, but their children were divided between Methodist, Baptist and
Free Baptist bodies.
Their second son, Robert, became a Free Baptist preacher. He married
Rachel Steeves, of Hillsboro, and finally settled on Dickie
Mountain, near Bloomfield Station, the farm descending to his son, Abram.
His children were: Wesley, Henry, Abram, Margaret, Eleanor, Jane, Rosannah,
Elizabeth, Rachel and Mary.
Elizabeth, the third child, married Lewis Smith, and among their
children were: Margaret. Mary, Annie, Jane, Elizabeth, and Robert. The
youngest, Robert settled at Pollet River, a mile below Elgin. It
afterwards became known as Jacob Steeves place.
Thomas married Eunice Reynold, of Lubec, Maine, and settled on Pollett
River. Their children were: Lydia, Robert, Elizabeth, John Newton, Sarah,
Nathaniel, William, Margaret, Benjamin, Reynolds and Jonathan Thomas.
Johnathan Thomas inherited the homestead, and from him it passed to his
son R. R. Colpitts.
William married Mrs. Elizabeth
Stiles (nee) Cummings. He settled, after marriage, on the Stiles place in
the Parish of Coverdale, his former farm in Forest Glen, now known as the
Miller place, passing to his wife's son. The Stiles place passed on to his
(William's) grandson, Robert Colpitts. The children of William were:
Christian, Lazarus, Elizabeth, John, Mary, Lewis, Eleanor and Delilah.
Ralph, the fifth son married first Marie Jones, of Moncton, and settled on
Pollet River. Their children were: Henry, Robert, Thomas, Ralph, Charles,
Christiana, Margaret, Lydia, Marie, and Deborah. By his second wife,
Hannah Raymond, of Hampton, N. B., he had one child, Sarah Anne, who
married Charles Keith, of Havelock. By his third wife, Emma Mollins, there
were no children.
George, the youngest son, remained on the homestead and married Elizabeth
Foster of Amherst, a sister of his brother John's wife. Their children
were: William, John, Eleanor, Mary, Margaret, Lucretia and George.
George jr., got the homestead, which passed on to Bamford Colpitts, and
thence to his son, Lane Colpitts, who owns it today. As second and
third wives, George Colpitts married Grace and Elizabeth Mollins, but had
no children by either.
Margaret, the first child born to Robert and Margaret Colpitts in New
Brunswick, married Jacob Day, of Wickham, Queens County, and their family
were: Jacob, George, Robert and Eleanor.
Jane, the youngest, married Christopher Horsman, and settled on Pollet
River, Their children were: Robert, John, Benjamin, Margaret, Jane,
Lucretia, Elizabeth and Sarah.
From the above nine families have come the many families now scattered
over New Brunswick, western Canada and elsewhere.
THE HONOR ROLL
The Colpitts connection was well represented at the front in the Great
War. Below is a partial list of those who served their country, in the
great crisis:
Bela Alonzo Colpitts, son of T. Whit Colpitts, Forest Glen, enlisted
Feb. 1916, at Moncton, as a private in the 145th Batt; promoted to Lance
Corporal; killed in action at Passchendaele, Oct. 30, 1917. His officer's
comment: "Ready for any sort of task assigned him, be it ever so
difficult."
Robert Archibald Colpitts, son of Capt. and Mrs. Geo. W. Colpitts,
Pleasant Vale, enlisted in 104th as a signaler, transferred to 26th,
crossed to France, May 9, 1917. At Hill 70 during Battle of Lens, he was
reported missing and later on was officially declared dead by Ottawa. He
was born in Liverpool, England. Fred Stanley Peters, son of
Frederick S. and Celia Ann Colpitts, Peters, Galloway, Kent County,
enlisted at Rexton, Sept. 14, 1815. Went over seas in 64th Batt. April
1916, drafted into the 24th Canadian, wounded at Courcellette. Died in
hospital at Rouen, Oct. 1, 1916. Buried in St. Genevieve cemetery. Aged 28
years.
Clarke Foster Colpitts, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. E. Colpitts, Alma, N.
B., enlisted in 115th, April 5, 1916; went overseas, Aug. 1916, and to
France in Oct. 1916, was transferred to the 26th. Enlisted as a private,
became a corporal, then a sergeant; was recommended for lieutenant. He was
slightly wounded in July 1917. He was awarded a Meritorious Service
Medal;. He was in Vimy Ridge and many other engagements in which the 26th
won distinction. Was killed Aug. 8, 1918, at the battle of Amiens, while
leading his platoon on the open field. He was buried in Wood (British)
cemetery, 6 miles s.e. of Corbie, France.
Ronald Blakney, son of Sherman and Alice Blakney, Sunny Brae, enlisted at
St. John in 115th Batt., as Pte. 742960, March 15, 1916; proceeded
overseas Aug. 1916, transferred to 26th; killed in action at Amiens, Aug.
28, 1918.
William Colwell Day, son of Alfred M. and Mamie A. Day, Wickham, Queen
County, enlisted in 25th Batt., at Delia, Alta., Oct. 30, 1917. After
about one month's service he was wounded on Sept. 24th, by an enemy bomb
during a raid; was taken to No. 4 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station,
where he succumbed to his wounds, Sept. 25, 1918.
Robert Morrison, of Sussex, also fell in battle.
H. C. Cockran, son of Henry Cockran and Tillie Colpitts Cockran,
enlisted Oct. 1915; three years service in France and Belgium, in Heavy
Siege Battery, discharged May 1919.
Francis Harold Vanwart, 18 years, son of John Franklin and Eleanor Vanwart,
enlisted in Canadian Engineers, Nov. 21, 1916; wounded by shell in right
thigh and left knee, just before armistice, promoted to sergeant. After
recovery went into pay office, Belgium; discharged March 13, 1919.
Harry H. Colpitts, son of Lane and Elizabeth Colpitts, enlisted at Boston,
April 28, 1917, with the 17th U.S. A. Cavalry; discharged March 13, 1919.
Clifford Wm, Colpitts, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bamford Colpitts, enlisted at
St. John, May 15, 1918,
discharged July 7, 1919.
Clarence Dale Colpitts, son of R. S. and Frances Grace Colpitts, of
Pleasant Vale, enlisted at Swift Current, Sask., July 1916, in 209th Batt.,
lost right leg at Vimy Ridge. Discharged 1919.
Weldon C. Steeves, son of John W. and Celia M. Steeves, enlisted at St.
John.
Thos. A. Colpitts Steeves, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart A. Steeves,
enlisted October 1915; discharged as medically unfit.
Romaine S. Colpitts, son of F. W. S. Colpitts, Moncton, enlisted
Aug. 8, 1916; served in battles from Passchedaele to Cambral; discharged
April 11, 1919.
Geo. A. Blakney, corporal, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. D. Blakney, Sunny Brae,
enlisted Nov. 15, 1915;
went overseas with 140th, Oct. 1916; served in Machine Gun Company 15, in
France; invalided from France Aug. 1917, serving remainder of time as
Asst. signal Instructor at the C. M. G. Depot, Seaford, England.
Russell C. Mann, son of R. A. and S. E. Mann, of Havelock,
enlisted in 1st Depot Batt., Jan 5, 1918; transferred to 25th Batt.,
fought at Canal du Nord, Sept. 1918. Cambral, Sept. 1918. St. Eloi., Nov.
1918; marched from Mons to Bonn, Dec. 1918; discharged May 25, 1919.
Clarence T. Douglas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas, enlisted Nov. 1,
1915. Charles C. Douglas, of same family joined Royal Flying Corps at
Toronto, May 1, 1918.
Dean A. Colpitts, son of Alvin W. Colpitts, now of Lewisville, enlisted
at Salisbury, Dec. 11, 1915; served in Canadian Field Artillery,
going to France, July 28, 1916. At Somme, Vimy Ridge, Hill 70,
Passchendaele, Amiens and Cambrai; discharged April 24, 1919.
Charles Leonald Fillmore, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Colpitts Fillmore,
Westmorland Point, enlisted in Vancouver about July 1916; discharged March
1919.
Harold V. Colpitts, son of Stratford R. Colpitts, Lewisville, enlisted May
7, 1918, discharged Jan. 1, 1919, private in 1st Depot Batt., N. B. R.
C. K. McLeod, son of Rev and Mrs. A. M. McLeod, Wolfville, enlisted
Sept.1, 1914, went to France
Feb. 1, 1915; served there over three years. Discharged April 11, 1919.
Howard W. Hopper, son of Geo. and Clarice Hopper, Coverdale, enlisted
April 1, 1916; discharged March 18, 1919
Norman Leigh Blakney, son of Norman Stewart Blakney, Goshen, served Nov.
2, 1915 to March 3, 1919.
Lawrence Merill Colpitts. son of
Ralph and Aurella Stiles Colpitts, served July 16, 1916, to May 31, 1918.
Was wounded at Vimy Ridge, April 9, 1917.
Alvin B. Colpitts, son of Caleb Colpitts, served June 15, to Sept.
10, 1915. Enlisted at Port Arthur.
Leonard W. Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. W. B. Smith, Grangeville;
served Sept. 23, 1915, to April 18, 1919, in 24th Battalion, V. R. C., and
C. M. G. C. Wounded May 5, 1917.
Robt. W. Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Smith, Grangeville, served
Mar. 13, 1917, to Sept. 20, 1919.
Asa Wm. Posser M. M., son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. H. Posser, served Nov. 6,
1915, to Feb. 15, 1919.
Walter Meari Colpitts, son of Chesley S. Colpitts, Colpitts Settlement,
Jan. 16, 1918, to July 7, 1919.
Warren H. Colpitts, son of late Lemuel Colpitts, Mapleton, Sept. 10,
1915, to April 21, 1919. Wounded at Somme.
C. Raymond Blakney, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. D. Blakney, Sunny Brae, Aug.
14, 1914, to April 22,
1918, in 8th Battery and on staff as Signaler. In second battle of Ypres,
Festhubert, Girenchy, Sanctuary Wood, Somme, Vimy Ridge, Hill 70,
Passchendseie, Arras, Amiens, etc.
Edward Colpitts, Weyman, of St. John, son of Char. W. and Naomi L.
Dunfield, Weyman, 1915 -1918. Went over as major, returned as Lieut-Colonel.
Wounded at Vimy Ridge.
Horace Colpitts, son of Alphens and Annie Colpitts, Woodland, Me.; served
in U. S. Army.
Fenwick W. W. Colpitts, son of John M. Colpitts, enlisted at Sydney,
N. S., Aug. 5, 1914; discharged July 30, 1919 *
Everett Perry and E. Moore Perry, sons of Rev. and Mrs. Abram Perry,
Penobsquis.
Three sons of Gilbert Stiles also served overseas; also two sons
of Chesley Colpitts of Forest Glen, and there were many others whose
names have not yet been handed in.
*(should be) Fenwick Wetmore Colpitts, son of John Wetmore Colpitts.
THE SPORTS
After dinner a good program of sports was carried out. The winners were:
50 yards dash, boys under ten - Lee Colpitts
100 yards dash, boys under 15 - Wendell Colpitts
100 yards dash, for men - Austin Steeves
50 yards dash, girl's under 12 - Beatrice Douthwright
50 yards dash for young ladies - Edyth Estabrooks
Potato race - Russell Colpitts
Three legged race - Sandford Colpitts and Wesley Douglas
Sack Race - Sandford Colpitts
Pie Eating contest - Albert Mollins
WILL ERECT MONUMENT
At three-thirty, President F. W. S. Colpitts called the gathering to
order. Minutes of last assembly were read and confirmed.
It was voted to have the proposed monument erected on the spot where the
first Colpitts made their first clearing in 1783, rather than on the lower
ground, nearby, where are the graves of some twelve of the first settlers.
On the monument will also be inscribed a fitting tribute to those of the
Colpitts families who died in the Great War.
The Honor Roll was then read by the secretary, who begged all present to
help him in making the list complete.
OFFICERS
Following officers were elected for ensuing five years:
President - Fred Colpitts, Colpitts Settlement
Secretary - Rev. R. J. Colpitts, St. John. (re-elected)
Additional members of Executive, each representing one member of original
family:
William - F. W. S. Colpitts, Moncton
Thomas - Allan Colpitts, Mapleton
Ralph - E. L. Colpitts, Petitcodiac
Robert - Bertram M. Colpitts, Woodstock
George - Otto Blakney, Elgin
Elizabeth - H. W. B. Smith, Grangeville
Margaret - R. M. Day, McDonald's Point, Queen Co.
Jane - Ray Horsman, Forest Glen
The gathering unanimously voted to hold another reunion five years hence.
At that meeting the monument for which a subscription list has been
opened, and liberally subscribed to will be unveiled.
Dinner and supper were served and refreshments sold on the grounds.
