A few years ago Marianne Grey Otty transcribed a list of Anglican Church records from Gagetown, Queens County, New Brunswick. I suspect that all or part of these records were transcribed by hand from microfilm which is likely in the possession of the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, but I don't know this for a fact. A copy of this transcription fell into my hands, and over the past two and a half years I've been spending time entering the information into a computer, in the hopes that I may provide the information to other researchers in a format that might be easier for them to look up their information (i.e. alphabetically by surname), as the list as it was transcribed was straight from the records themselves, which of course was in no particular sequence, except generally in chronological order to some extent.
This list represents the efforts of myself and Marianne Grey Otty. The original job was most likely far more tedious than my own, and so I would like to thank you, and I tip my hat to you if you're ever reading this. I hope I've done your work justice.
The earliest records in this compilation were recorded by Rev. Richard Clarke, apparently a respected clergyman of the Gagetown Anglican Church. On March 13, 1811 a fire swept the home of his daughter's family, and Rev. Richard Clarke was apparently so devastated by this loss, that he ended his ministry, removed to St. Stephen (Charlotte County), where he died in 1824 at the age of 87.
The following entry is made in the records of the Gagetown Anglican Church:
March 17, 1811 - Gagetown, was buried by Revd. Mr. Scovil, the remains of Sarah Coldwell Clarke & Marshall Clarke Andrews & Mary Hubbard, first named was the daughter, 2nd the grandson the 3rd the niece of the Revd. Richard Clarke, all 3 suffered death by fire which consumed the house to ashes on the 13d: instant. The house was discovered to be on fire as near as can judge about half after 4 of the clock in the morning. The rest of the family, exclusive of the unfortunate children, consisting of 9 escaped the flames by leaping from windows excepting 4 (or 2), vis Mary & Samuel Clarke -- a white boy and black girl.
Rev. Samuel Clarke, the son of Rev. Richard Clarke, was to continue the ministry of his father following this tragedy. Rev. Richard Clarke's cemetery inscription in the Old Burial Ground in St. Stephen reads as follows:
Sacred to the memory of the Rev'd Richard Clarke, the first rector of this parish & the oldest Missionary in the Colonies having accomplished in the 58th year of his ministry being much respected & living in the utmost harmony with the people of the several parishes to which he was appointed. Departed this life 6th October 1824, aged 87 years. Also Rebecca his wife who died 7th May 1816 aged 60 years. Those worthy examples of piety, extensive charity and Christian fortitude after long and afflicting sickness resigned their spirits unto the hands who gave it looking forward to their crown of immortality which the Lord the righteous judge shall at the last day bestow on all his faithful servants. New Milford, Connecticut, 19 years. Gagetown, N.B. 25 years. St. Stephens, 13 years.
It's my hope that the researcher will remember that this is a "best effort" basis compilation. I have tried to retain spellings (particularly of names) as they are on the transcribed files. There are, of course, instances where not all information was recorded, and also instances where pages had been torn, or otherwise spoiled, and consequently the written information on those pages were illegible. Please be aware of possible spelling errors from those original records, and while researching these files, take every spelling possibility into consideration. This is a great resource for middle names of baptised individuals also, as it was common practice to give a child their mother's surname when baptised, and often that name would be lost during the remainder of their lifetime.
It should also be remembered that in the case of baptisms in particular, that they are indeed baptisms, and it was common practice (to some degree) for adults as well as children and infants to be baptised. So the dates associated with baptisms, where there is no birth date given, shouldn't necessarily be construed to represent an infant. Where there was a birth date given, I have included it under the "comments" heading. Also, where there was an occupation of the parent (the father usually) indicated on the register, I have tried to include it under the "comments" heading, although I admittedly didn't include every instance where it was the father's occupation was listed as "farmer", rather if it was other than "farmer", I would so indicate it.
I hope this list will assist the researchers of their New Brunswick roots for many years to come.
Roger G. Melin
March, 1996