New Ross occupies the north-eastern section of Lunenburg County, and encompasses the hamlets and rural areas of The Forties, Fraxville, Lake Ramsay, Harriston, Aaldersville, Mill Road, New Russel, Leville, Glengarry and Seffernville, as well as the central village of Charing Cross (Leopold, 1966: 13-14). The original name for the place was Sherbrooke, but this caused some confusion with the other Sherbrooke settlement in the province, and became a reason for change. As it happens, there are several accounts of how the name of New Ross was then established. C. B. Ferguson's account is particularly felicitous, eliding those oppositions which still remain:
In May, 1863, the name was changed in honor of Lord Mulgrave whose second title was derived from the Irish town of New Ross, and in honor of Captain William Ross who was granted land along with his group of one hundred and seventy-two disbanded soldiers. They arrived and began to build houses in August, 1816 (Ferguson, [1967] 1974: 480).
When Captain William Ross first arrived at Sherbrooke in 1816, he constructed a small log house near Lake Lawson and a frame house in 1817 which was named Rosebank. Although Captain Ross died in 1822 at the age of 39, the family dwelling continued to be the home of the Ross family until 1969 when it was turned into the well-known Ross Farm Museum. Today, the Ross Farm Museum has a significant impact on the community as it continues to represent the 19th century farming technology and the rich agricultural history of Nova Scotia while providing education opportunities.
Since its creation by the New Ross community, generations of Nova Scotia school children, as well as visitors from all over the world, have experienced traditional farm life and gone home with rich memories that will last a lifetime (Leopold & NRHS, 2015: 60).
In the early days of settlement, the forestry industry was beginning to develop. When Captain Ross first arrived at Sherbrooke on August 7, 1816, he chopped down a Rock Maple tree as requested by the Earl of Dalhousie who was deeply interested in agricultural development. Ross sent the butt junk to Halifax which was used to make a dining table and a mounted eggcup that continues to be preserved at New Ross. (Leopold & NRHS, 2015: 15). In the following years, forestry, along with farming, became an important part of the developing economy of New Ross.
In conclusion one might sum up an average New Rosser in 1871 this way – A married, linen clad potato eating farmer and part time cooper, who kept 8 sheep, a cow and almost a pair of oxen in his barn, hand processing rye for his family of 3.6 children and at least one other than his wife all from 20 of his 150-acre homestead (NRHS Heritage News, No. 7).
As one of the very first "military settlements" in Canada, New Ross, has had a rich history of organized religion. The first sermon was delivered in the house of Captain William Ross by Reverend John Ingles. The first church of New Ross was built in 1824 named Christ Anglican Church. For many years, the church services were carried out by lay readers and others. Under the leadership of Reverend Joseph Norwood, who had studied medicine before giving most of his time to the ministry, the Christ Church was burned down and a new one was begun to be constructed by the master builder Joseph Skerry. The construction was completed and consecrated on September 25, 1879 when Reverend W. H, Groser, born and educated in New York, was rector of the church. (Leopold, 1966: 32-33).
Rich in its beauty, steeped in tradition, Christ Church stands on the highest point of the Charing Cross intersection looking out over the community it has served for so many generations. It would be impossible to number the souls who have served their God and offered their sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving within its walls. All that need be said is that, for almost as many years as New Ross has stood, the Sacraments of Grace have been administered, the Word of God and the message of Salvation has been proclaimed, while the faithful have stood firm in the Faith of Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Leopold, 1966: 89)
Across from the Christ Church, a Catholic chapel was constructed in 1827 which was named St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, the first Roman Catholic Church in Lunenburg County. During this time, the Church had a visiting priest, the Reverend John Laughlin (Leopold & NRHS, 2015: 82). In 1930, some of the parishioners had given a bell (built at the Causard Foundry in Colmar, Haut Rhin, France) to the church in memory of their deceased relatives who were members of this church. The belfry was installed in 1931 and is now attached to a large neon lighted Cross. Unfortunately, little is known about the history of the Roman Catholic Church and its role in the community at the time.
Reverend Joseph Dimock of Chester was the first person to preach to the Baptists of New Ross. Under his leadership along with Reverend Joseph Maynard, the church organization was established in 1831 with eleven members of the Baptist Church at Chester. The meetings were held at “Broome’s Hill” owned by John Broome who was a settler from the USA and gave his land to this organization. The first sermon preached at Broome’s Hill was delivered by the Reverend Dimock. In 1856, a new meeting house was built, and Reverend C. S. Hunt had delivered the first sermon in 1860. During this time, the church name was changed from Sherbrooke Baptist Church to New Ross Baptist Church. On October 21, 1884, a decision was made to construct a new church under Reverend J. S. Archibald’s ministry. However, it took about 20 years for the new church plans to be completed. Members of the church provided money or building materials for the construction. On May 21, 1905, the new Baptist Church was dedicated to God and Reverend D. H. Simpson of Billtown had delivered the dedication sermon. The Anniversary services played a significant role at the church as they brought rejoicing and thankfulness to the community while providing a hope for the future. For its 125th anniversary, the church had received a beautiful Hammond electric organ in 1956.
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- Leopold, Caroline (Broome). (1966). The History of New Ross, in the County of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. New Ross: Committee in Charge, 150th Anniversary of New Ross.
- Leopold, Caroline (Broome), and the New Ross Historical Society. (2015). The History of New Ross, 200 Years (1816-2016). New Ross: New Ross Historical Society.
- Ferguson, Charles Bruce. ([1967] 1974). Place-Names and Places of Nova Scotia, 2nd Edition. Belleville: Mika Publishing Company.
- New Ross Historical Society. (xxxx). Heritage News: Vol. 7.
KITH is working with heritage groups in Antigonish, Hants and Halifax counties to preserve and digitize the A. F. Church maps and match the map information with existing genealogical records. The goal is to improve our understanding of the history and social relations in nineteenth century Nova Scotia, and make this data publicly accessible.
