Boston Public Library - Electric Scotland

184 JOHN ALLISON, OF NEWPORT, NOVA SCOTIA.
They had a large family of children. He settled in Newport,
N. S., where he lived some twenty years. The last years of his
life were passed in Halifax, N. S. Mrs. Bennett died soon after
they settled in Newport. Children:
I. AVilliam Allison Bennett,^ b. 1812; farmer; res. 1892, in Newport, N, S.
II. Martha Bennett," m. Eobert, second son of John Allison. She d.
1889.
III. Joseph B. Bennett,' merchant; res. Halifax, N. S., and d. years ago.
IV. Jane Bennett,* m. William Coffin; i-es. Barrington, N. S.
1028. William Allison,^ d. young.
1029. Amos Allison," d. young.
=
1030. Nancy Allison (1074), m. James Noble Shannon; res. Halifax,
N. S.
1031. John Allison 4
[1005] (Joseph,^ William,^ John i).
He was born near Limavady, Ireland, in 1753, and came to
America with his father's family when he was sixteen years
of age, and settled on the shores of Acadia, bringing with
him the loyalty and religion of his ancestors. From 1769 to
1804 he lived in Horton, N. S., where he successfully contended
with all the privations and difficulties incident to a new
settlement, and while there, and later in life, by great perse-
secured for him-
verance, industry, frugality, and integrity,
self and family a respectable competency. In 1804, he removed
to Newport, Hants count}^, N. S., which was his home
the remainder of his life. He was a trader, and later on became
one of the most successful farmers in Nova Scotia.
He was a man of solid virtues, of good sense, excellent judgment,
and a pleasant conversationalist. Being a magistrate,
he exerted his powers oftentimes successfully for the settlement
of differences. Brought up a Presbyterian, in his later
years he was an active member of the Methodist church. He
was a friend of God, and delighted in the duties of religion.
For many years he represented Newport in the provincial
parliament. By his efforts the Hants Branch Bible society
was reorganized, and new life infused into the organization.
This was his last public work. He told his family that the
fear of death was past, and died in peace March 1, 1821, and
went over the river to be reunited with many beloved friends,
and to join "'that great multitude which no man can number."
Mr. Allison married in 1779, Nancy, daughter of Jt)hn
Whidden, a leading magistrate in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia.^
'John Whidden emigrated to Truro, N. S., with the New Hamjishire
settlers in 1761. He married a Miss Longfellow of Gorham, Me., who
was closely related to the family of the poet Henry W. Longfellow. Mrs.
Whidden and her sister, Maria Ltmgfellow, lie buried at Horton, N. S.,
in the very centre of the village of the historic Grand Pre, made forever
famous by the genius and soul of the great jjoet.