History

OBITUARY OF GABRIEL PURDY, THE LOYALIST

May 25, 1841, The Halifax Times

Died at Westchester on Saturday 8^th inst. Gabriel Purdy, Esq., aged 87 years. Mr. Purdy was born at Westchester, in the State of New York, 1754. He had five wives, the last of whom survived him. He had 17 children born to him, the issue of which are 170 grandchildren, 52 great grandchildren, making a total of 239. At the age of 21 he joined the British Army, and fought in the Battle of White Plains. He was made Sergeant at the close of the battle, and served as a non-commissioned officer during the war. At its close in 1873 he with many others came to Nova Scotia. Sacrificing their patrimonial inheritance, with bleeding hearts, breaking asunder the social ties which bound them to their native soil, on the more tender chords consanguinity; exchanging the fruitful vales and fertile intervale of the majestic Hudson for the wild howling wilderness, the precipitous rocky hills of the Cobequid mountains; and all for the loyalty they bore to their King and love for the British Constitution. It is evident the affection they bore to their native land still had a place in their hearts; for on looking abroad for a place of settlement they fixed upon what is now called Westchester, near the top of the Cobequid range of mountains, which separates Cumberland from Colchester, as bearing in physical appearance the nearest resemblance to the land they had left, and calling it after the place of their nativity. The privations, the toils, the dangers which these pioneers of the wilderness had to undergo, was sufficient to appall the stoutest heart, and to wear out the strongest constitution. With no road for many miles but a bridle path through the woods, they were compelled to rely upon their own resources, unless in case of great emergency. Before the children could be supplied with bread, the grist had to be borne on the back of the parent for many miles through the trackless desert, the journey to and from the mill occupying them a day and a night; whilst the fear of the family at home, for the safety of their absent father, may be conceived, but cannot be realized by those of the present day, who sit surrounded with every comfort and every luxury compatible with rural life, brought home to them by the superior industry and economy of their forefathers. So great were the sufferings of this band of patriots, that several sank under their toll, others gave up in despair, and either returned whence they came, or sought some more congenial soil on which to exercise their industry. 

Mr. Purdy was one of the few who remained, resolved to meet and conquer every toil and difficulty, and had the satisfaction of redeeming from the wild wilderness, one of the most forbidding spots in Nova Scotia and of rendering a rugged and stubborn locality, a fertile and flourishing settlement; of raising a numerous family, and of seeing them happily and comfortably settled around him.

No provision was made by the British Government for the Loyalists of the rank of Mr. Purdy, further than giving him free grants of wilderness lands. This in many instances was but a sorry exchange, and but a poor reward for their perilous services and patriotic sacrifices, yet Mr. Purdy was never heard to repine or to repent of the choice he had made. Nor indeed could it be said he had so much cause as perhaps some others had to complain for the government seemed aware of the claims he had upon it, and unsolicited, conferred upon him a Lieutenant’s commission in the Provincial militia immediately upon his landing in Nova Scotia. In 1809 he was a Justice of the Peace, and in 1817 he received the command of a Company. For 20 years he acted as a Road Commissioner, and was entrusted with the expenditure of many thousand pounds of the public funds. In every situation which he filled he acquitted himself to the entire satisfaction of the government who employed him, and the public for whom he acted, and with credit to himself. As an instance of his consistency, and of the estimation in which his character was held by his government, when he found by the infirmities of age he was unable to discharge his official duties with efficiency, he requested permission to retire free from public life, and the government in testimony of its approbation of his conduct, conferred the several offices which he held upon his children.

Mr. Purdy through his whole life was an ardent lover, as active, a conscientious, and strenuous supporter of the British Constitution. And often has the writer seen his eye light up with indignant fire at the recital of the chimerical schemes of designing innovators, or the more daring attempts of modern revolutionists. Through every stage of life and in the discharge of every duty, he maintained a character of integrity, justice and humanity; in the settlement he was honored, amongst his neighbours he was respected, and by his family he was revered. Add to all this Mr. Purdy was a pious, a consistent and humble Christian, and adorned his profession through a long and checkered life, often beset with dangers and difficulties, bereavements and trials of no ordinary kind, by piously resigning himself to the will of his Devine Master. He was strongly attached to the doctrines as taught by Wesleyan Methodists; his house was the home of messengers of God of every persuasion; and with them he delighted to hold sweet converse on the things pertaining to eternal life. He had no long protracted sickness, he needed not that narrow field of bed of death to fight the good fight of faith, he looked forward to the time of his dissolution, and spoke of it as the beginning of a better life. He died as he lived at peace with his Heavenly Father and with his fellow men, and with a calmness not often witnessed in the hour of death he resigned his breath into the hands of Him who gave it, in the sure and certain hope of a blessed immortality through the merits of Him who loved him and gave Himself for him.

THE PURDY REUNION PICNIC, AUGUST 30, 1916 AS REPORTED IN THE NEWS AND SENTINEL, SEPTEMBER 1, 1916 (reprinted in the Oxford Journal March 23, 1961)

Westchester Mountain, August 30, 1916 – Purdys to the right of you, Purdys to the left of you, Purdys all around you. This great historical family was ably represented in the immense reunion on the old Jacob Purdy property. This farm is now in the possession of Mr. D. Halliday. It was originally settled by Gabriel Purdy, one of three brothers who crossed the border and came to Cumberland.

The descendents were for the most part, present, running in age from eighty-five to mere infants in arms. The gathering of the Purdy clan could not possibly be classed as anything else but a success. From all parts of the County of Cumberland, from many points in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the United States, the summons had gone forth. The answer was self-evident, for nearly three hundred people climbed the mountain to the place of reunion. Cars and teams were there by the scores, each bearing its full quota of Purdys. Not all bearing that name of course but all with Purdy blood flowing in their veins.

Truly, considered the reporter, the Purdys had accomplished wonders. Coming from the United States, the three brothers, Henry, Gilbert and Gabriel, hewed away through the virgin forest, built up roads and moved into the wilderness of a new country, at Fort Lawrence, Malagash and Westchester.

One cannot imagine the hardships endured by these pioneers. Nevertheless they raised their families, set their sons on their feet, and when turning their footsteps toward their Creator, left the earth with a knowledge that their wives, sons and daughters were all left in comfortable circumstances.

Waxing egotistical for a moment, the newsman is forced to describe a trip to the place of meeting. The arrival to Westchester causes no comment, but the subsequent car ride over the rough and muddy roads naturally elicits a few words. The Purdy pioneers, when building roads, kept the same in a condition fit for passage. The present paths of transportation between Collingwood and over the Westchester Mountains are truly awful. Yet, not withstanding, the trip was most enjoyable. The country, in most sections, still remains wild, although the lumberman has opened many a stretch of forestland.

With imagination, the writer could easily fill in the farmlands and clearings with immense trees, and picture the struggles of a small band through the dense stretches of “forest Primeval” in search of a clearing on which a home could be erected and a patch of land cultivated. Finally the place was found and then the toil commenced. Log after log was cut and shaped in readiness for the house and barn. Grain was sown and prayers uttered for a successful harvest. Step by step the work would be carried forward. The clearing enlarged for an ever growing harvest. One son and then another would push on through the forest to a section devoid of trees and repetition of work would ensue.

The benefits of hardship are easily proven by the stalwart frames of the present day descendents. Even the men and women with a heavy weight of years upon their shoulders stand erect and carry such a burden with unusual lightness.

We have deviated from the main subject: that of the Reunion. Mr. Sanford H.(8) Purdy of Westchester occupied the chair. The gathering first sang the Doxology, “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow”. No hymn or song could be found more suited to the occasion. The chairman then stated the meaning of the reunion., welcomed the throng and delivered a brief address upon the family name.

The genealogy of the Purdy family was given in full by Sidney Purdy of Collingwood. Mr. Purdy is an orator of more than local note, and his address was one that was followed with extremely close attention by all present. He informed his hearers of the hardships by their ancestors, what great results they achieved, and what the bearers of the name today were doing. It was without a doubt a notable address. The speaker in proving the warlike blood of the clan produced a sword worn in battle by Colonel Gilbert (5) Purdy. Many interesting reminisces were attached to this warlike weapon, but lack of space will not permit the same. In his description of the family, Mr. Purdy based his remarks principally upon the three settlers in Cumberland County, Henry, Gilbert and Gabriel. From the thirty-three children of these three the more modern members of the Purdy family sprang. (He was not counting the ones near Digby, Yarmouth or in New Brunswick.)

Mr. J.H. Livingstone of Wentworth, exMP for Cumberland (his first wife was Frances Purdy) was the next speaker for the afternoon. Mr. Livingstone spoke but briefly. He likewise spoke of the achievements of a personal kind, the remarks caused considerable laughter.

“The Purdys are and always will be British to the backbone” was the keynote of the address delivered by Mr. Hibbard Purdy of Wentworth. “Descended from United Empire Loyalists stock, the family has always been renowned in this country for their confirmed loyalty to King and country. It is this loyalty that forced the ancestors of many present to leave the United States at the time of the Declaration of Independence. Subsequently several of these emigrants took up arms against their relatives and neighbours on the opposite side of the border and gave evidence of their worth on the field of battle”. The speaker in conclusion dealt with genealogical history of the various local families.

In conclusion, the Reverend J.T. Dimock, the Baptist Pastor of Westchester, made a few remarks. He was an excellent speaker and his words relative to the Purdy family won loud applause. The official Reunion closed with the National Anthem. It was declared the Reunion would be repeated from time to time and that due notice will be given the numerous descendents long previous to the date set in order that from all points of the world the huge family may assemble and discuss former days upon the peak in the heart of the Cobequid Mountains. The Reunion over the need for refreshment was felt. Every person had come fully prepared. Heavy lunch baskets were produced, tables arranged and the choicest of viands were set forth. No person came away hungry. All had taken food for any eventualities, but none such arose.

At the hour of departure, the newsman noticed an interesting group having their picture taken. They ranged in years from eighty-five to thirteen. Owing to the confusion at the hour of departure we could not secure the names of the gentlemen, but we were assured that they were all Purdys and all blood relatives.

We observed on the grounds Mr. Lawrence Purdy of Amherst, who is the only son living of the late Henry (6) Purdy. He enjoyed himself as much as did the busiest youngster on the field. He was the second to the youngest. (This genealogy places him youngest).

Of the nearly three hundred present at the reunion only twenty-six were recorded.

THE PURDY REUNION - 1983

Nova Scotia was celebrating Loyalist Year in 1983, two hundred years since the arrival of Loyalists from the Thirteen Colonies. What better opportunity would there be for the descendents of the Purdy Loyalist brothers, Gabriel, Henry, and Gilbert, to gather and celebrate as a family? It had been almost seventy years since the Purdy Picnic at Westchester, Nova Scotia, and with the recent interest in Clayton Purdy’s book on the descendents of Gabriel Purdy, Mabel (Purdy) Doucet, and Muriel (Crawford) Purdy, co-conveners, began to plan and organize for a reunion. Willing volunteers pitched in and everything was made ready for the event.

On the weekend of July 15-17, 1983, at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro, about 265 Purdys from near and far gathered. Some were familiar faces and some were strangers but they connected as family and were keen to learn more about each other and their shared history.

Accommodations and meals were available on campus where there were facilities for the activities and program. Time for the children was set aside Saturday morning and there was a lunchtime BBQ followed by a planned program including presentations with Walter Purdy as Master of Ceremonies. Author Clayton C. Purdy (Gabriel Purdy his ancestors and descendents), and his wife, Charlotte, were in attendance. Mr. Vic Yeadon, Deputy Mayor, brought greetings and presented a plaque commemorating the Town of Truro to Clayton Purdy. Mr. Cliff Way, Director of Industry for the Department of Tourism, Nova Scotia, spoke to those assembled and presented the Order of Good Times certificate to Clayton and Charlotte Purdy.

Douglas Purdy, photographer, offered his services to anyone wishing to be photographed and he compiled a family album for purchase, one copy being deposited with the Public Archives of Nova Scotia along with the signed guest book from the reunion. Family crest pins were on sale and placemats depicting the Purdy House in White Plains, New York, were used at a meal.

Having enjoyed some free time before supper in the cafeteria, people were ready for some social time; sing song and dancing through the evening ‘til midnight.

Following Sunday breakfast and the departure of some, about 85 people attended an Ecumenical worship service led by Rev. Harlyn Purdy. Rev. Purdy shared a message prepared for the occasion by a relative, Rev. Dr. Thomas Bruce McDormand in his absence and he based his own sermon on the biblical text from the Book of Matthew. Walter Purdy sang ‘How Great Thou Art’ and everyone joined in congregational hymns sung by our ancestors, ‘O God Our Help’, Faith Of Our Fathers’ and ‘How Firm A Foundation’.

Following the service a few more photos were taken in the sunshine and people said their goodbyes with a lingering hope to gather again some day.