Charles Oulton, the first of the name to settle on the Isthmus, came to Nova Scotia with his mother in 1759.At this time Mrs.Oulton was a widow, but before she had been here long she married Capt.Sennacherib Martyn.Capt.Martyn had been with Winslow at the capture of Beausejour.
Young Oulton was seventeen years old when he landed at Halifax.Shortly after this he came to Cumberland, and his name is on the list of the first grantees of Cumberland Township, in 1763.He settled in Jolicure on the farm now in possession of Joseph D.Wells; here, no doubt, his grant was located.
Charles Oulton married a Miss Fillimore, and they had a family of twelve children, seven daughters and five sons.The children's names were: William, Charles, Thomas, George, Jane, Sally, Patience, Mary, Charity, Abigal, Betsy, and a twelfth, who died young.
William married a Miss Smith; Thomas a Miss Trenholm; George a Miss King; Charity a Mr.Williams, of Fredericton; Abigal a Mr.Tingley, of Albert County, N.B.; Mary a Mr.Frank Siddall; Patience a Mr.Smith;Jane also married a Mr.Smith; Sarah a Mr.Fields; Betsy a Mr.Bulmer.
A daughter of Mrs.Williams married a Mr.Fisher, also of Fredericton, and they had five sons: Edwin, Henry, George, Peter, and the late Judge Fisher.
George, the youngest son, inherited the homestead in Jolicure, and was for many years one of the leading men in the parish.He married Miss King, of Westmoreland Point, by whom he had three sons: Thomas E., Cyrus, and Rufus.Squire Oulton, as George was usually called, was one of the most genial of men.In figure he was tall and straight.He had an open countenance, a quick step, a hearty laugh, and a pleasant "good morning" for everyone.He was just the kind of man to make friends.He enjoyed a good honest horse-race, and was always ready to bet a beaver hat on any test question that gave a chance of settlement in that way.
An incident is told of him in connection with a trip made by his son Cyrus, which gives one a good idea of the man.It was customary before the days of railroads for the farmers and traders in Westmoreland to send teams loaded with produce as far north as Miramichi.These trips were generally made in the early winter, and butter, cheese, woolen cloth, socks, mittens, etc., found a ready market.The journey usually lasted ten days or more.Cyrus was sent by his father, Squire Oulton, on one of these journeys.A storm delayed the party, and more than the usual time was consumed before the return.When Cyrus returned he was not particularly prompt in reporting the success of the transaction to headquarters.At last his father asked him about the returns, and Cyrus said: "Well, to tell you the truth, father, I did not bring any money back with me.I met a number of good fellows and had to stand my share with the others, and the money is all gone." There was silence for a minute and then the Squire replied, "That is right, Cyrus, always be a man among men." That was the last of the affair, but it is porbably that Mr.Oulton chose some other agent to market the next load of produce.
In later years Cyrus used to enjoy telling the following story, based on one of his boyish experiences: "His father had been trying to buy a pari of cattle from Mr.Harper, in Sackville.They could not agree on the price, and Mr.Oulton had come away without purchasing.The next day he decided to send Cyrus over to get the oxen, with instructions to offer Mr.Harper twenty seven pounds for them, but if he would not take it, to give him twenty-eight.Cyrus started away on horseback, in great spirits,full of the importance of his mission.He rode as quickly as possible to Mr.Harper's, and as soon as he saw that gentleman delivered at once his full instructions, that his father wanted the cattle, and if he would not take twenty-seven pounds for them he would give him twenty-eight.Cyrus got the cattle, but not for twenty-seven pounds."The Oulton nameis largely represented inJolicure at the present time, and most of those who bear it are energetic, industrious, and successful farmers.A few of the name have tried other professions and have succeeded.Geo.J.Oulton, Principal of the Moncton Schools, and one of the most capable teachers in the Province, is a Jolicure boy, and a descendant of Charles Oulton.
KEILLOR.
Thomas Keillor came to Nova Scotia from Skelton, Yorkshire, in 1774.
His wife's maiden name was Mary Thompson.He settled near Fort Cumberland, on the farm now known as the "Fowler homestead."Mr.Keillor had five children--three sons, John, Thomas and Thompson, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Ann.John married a Miss Weldon and settled in Dorchester, where he and his descendants occupied a prominent place for many years.The name became extinct in that parish in 1899 at the death of Mrs.Thomas Keillor.
Thomas married a Miss Trenholm and settled at Amherst Point.He had a number of sons.Several of the family moved to Ontario.Robert married a Miss Dobson and remained on the homestead.His descendants still own the farm at Amherst Point.Coates married a Miss Jones and settled at Upper Miramichi.One of Coates's sons moved to Upper Canada, and the name is still found there.Some of the descendants, but none of the name, now live in Point de Bute.
Thompson died when a young man from a severe cold caught while hauling wood from the lakes.Ann married Amos Fowler, and Elizabeth married William Trueman, as stated in another place.
