Leavitt Head Cemetery, Back Bay, NB
LEAVITT HEAD CEMETERY, BACK BAY, NB

Leavitt Head Cemetery Origins

DAVID LEAVITT AND HIS BROTHER ELISHA LEAVITT

 

DAVID LEAVITT,  born March 05, 1796 , died March 09, 1864;  his brother ELISHA LEAVITT, born  March 20, 1805, died 1886 age 80 years.   They were born in Harpswell, Maine.  They were 7th Generation down from JOHN LEAVITT, born 1608 in England;  John arrived in Massachusetts in 1628 and died 20 Nov.  1691 in Hingham, Mass.  John married twice, 1st wife Mary Lovet in 1637, and married 2nd   Dec. 16, 1646 to Sarah Gilman – John & Sarah were David’s & Elisha’s lineage.

DAVID LEAVITT married  CHRISTINA WALTMAN, daughter of PETER WALTMAN, Loyalist & SUSANNAH CAMPBELL, daughter of John Campbell, Loyalist.   David & Christina Leavitt selected a shore lot on a headland known thereafter as Leavitt’s Head, probably early 1820’s.

ELISHA LEAVITT married Mary POLLY SPRAGUE, daughter of SAMUEL SPRAGUE  and REBECCA LEE, daughter of loyalist DANIEL LEE.   Elisha & Polly Leavitt chose a lot on the L’Etang Harbour, which is known as the Limekilns, Elisha had the first limekiln there.   Elisha also bought the property from the Anglican Church which was laid out earlier as a town, but the area burned in about 1790-95 era.  Present day St. George was established after that.

According to a book written by  Emily Leavitt Noyes, on information she obtained from interviewing older descendants in 1941,  David & Elisha Leavitt  and their wives were the first persons buried in the cemetery at LEAVITT’S HEAD which was on David’s property.

 

Information donated by Marilyn M. Bonvie

November 30, 2002

 


Transcribed by Gorman B. Harris--May 9. 1983

**
Pictures taken July 26, 2001

1.  HARRIS
Orbin J.        Leta E.
1887-1962    1887-1967
----Ever Remembered---

 

2. Front Side
LEAVITT
Eben
1844-1933

Ellen Lee
1846-1943

Harry d.
1910-1938

Gorman
1924-1933

 

3. Back Side
LEAVITT
Seymour Curtis
1884-1981

His Wife
Mable DINES
1888-1919
Second Wife
Catherine LESLIE
1888-1950

 

4.  OLIVER
---In Loving Memory Of---
Neil                     Blanche Barrett
1878-1965                1888-1959
Children
Vivian- 1903-1932(unmarried)buried on the right hand side
Ruth-1913-1959(unmarried)
Bessie-1906-1906
Vangie- 1907-1909
Marinor- 1916-1918
Next to Vivian is the unmarked grave of Mr. John Lee from Bonny River
 Father of Ellen (Lee) Leavitt wife of Eben Leavitt

I know the location of Mr. Lee's grave well because I would often hear my grandmother (Blanche Oliver) tell the story of why her daughter Vivian was buried next to Mr. Lee.  Apparently she died just after a snow storm in Feb.1932 and whoever dug the grave couldn't find the small graves of the other children so she was buried next to Mr. Lee  in what is now the site of her sister Ruth and her parents plot with the infant children buried at the foot of their graves.
 


 

5.  LEAVITT
Father                    Mother
David                    Elizabeth
1869-1933                1875-1967
"Two foot stones also--Father & Mother"

 

6.  LEAVITT
Royce W.        His Wife    Gail E. Cooke
1942-1982                        1948-

 

7.  TINKER (Brothers)
Gaston S.
1962-1962
Stephen W.
1964-1979

The unmarked grave of Charles Hooper. 1870 -1942 is located just beyond  the marked Tinker  plot and near the John Leavitt family site.  Charles Hooper was the son of Benjamin Hooper 1836-1914 and Amelia Hatch of Deer Island. Charles' wife was Jemima Hanley 1884-1972. She is buried in the St. George Rural Cemetery.

 

8.  LEAVITT-two footstones only 'BABY'-belongs to Octive LEAVITT

9.  LEAVITT
Inge
1940  Rest In Peace  1973
Denmark                  Canada

 

10.  HENLEY
James-b. 1845 Died Oct. 7 1919-Age 75 years
(Verse on stone)
Sleep on dear one
and take your rest
God called you home
He thought it best;
The midnight star shines on the grave,
Of one we loved but could not save
Footstone--J.H.

James Oliver.1823-1889
 His wife Sarah Christina Leavitt 1826-1889.
Their daughter Christina 1861-1933(wife of James Henley)

Their daughter..Sarah Jane Oliver1854-1921
Her husband Hugh Harris 1860-1914
Their son Hugh Harris Jr.1890-1932

Eva and Edith Kinney  two infant daughters of Walter and Irene Kinney
The two infants would be great-grandchildren of James Henley.


 

11.  LESLIE
Front Side
Margaret
1854-1935

Back Side
In Memory Of
Arthur
1884-1958

 

12.  CRAIG
Samuel
1853-1926
His Wife
Martha
1857-1934

Picture and information donated by Steve Craig

Samuel Winnfield Craig, 1854 - 1926. (son of Henry Craig who was the son
of the Samuel Craig, b. 1798.) He was born in Mars Hill, Maine and died in
Back Bay. He is buried in the Leavitt's Head Cemetery, Back Bay. Location is
on extreme right edge of cemetery when you enter. It is actually in the
woods now.
Also on this stone is his wife, Martha (Quigley) Craig. 1857-1934. She was
born in St. George, daughter of William Quigley and Emily Kenny. She died in
Saint John, 1934.
 

Samuel Craig and family are buried in what is now a wooded area behind and a bit to the right of the Oliver plot.

 

 

13.  H.P.H. --footstone only

 

14.  LEAVITT*
Martha May
Sept 16 1905-May 05 1952

 

15.  LEAVITT*
John-1874 d. Sept. 9, 1955-81 years
Sarah Leala (HARRIS) b. Nov. 14, 1883 d. Feb. 13 1967-83 years

*(Information from Mrs. Melvin Leavitt)


16. OTIS HUBERT LEAVITT
 

17.  REBECCA MARY LEAVITT

18. KINSBUR JOHN LEAVITT

Information for unmarked graves was given by Ruby (Hooper) Miles who was born and brought up in Back Bay, now living in BC.
 

19. BARBARA JANE LEAVITT
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

FUNERAL HELD FOR JOHN LEAVITT, 81—Dated September 9, 1955—Back Bay—The death of John Leavitt occurred at his home here Friday after a few days illness. He was a son of the late Eben and Ellen Leavitt and was 81.
 Mr. Leavitt spent his entire life in this community where he was a well known weir fisherman.  He was a member of Back Bay Christian Church.
 Surviving are his wife, the former Leah Harris, Back Bay; five sons, Kinsbor, Saint John, Octave, Back Bay, Melvin, Blacks Harbour, Otis and Basil Leavitt, at home; and two daughters, Ethel, Mrs. Earle Wilcox, Pennfield, Bessie, Mrs. Frederick Hanley, Back Bay; two brothers, Seymour, Back Bay, Eben, Boston; two sisters, Mrs. Thomas French and Mrs. Orbin Harris, Sr., Back Bay; 21 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; several nephews and nieces.
 Funeral was held at his home Monday afternoon.  Service was conducted by Rev. Wallace Jentry, pastor of the Christian Church, assisted by Rev. Ian Kelsey, pastor of the local Pentecostal church and Rev. W H Ring, Pentecostal church, Blacks Harbour.
 Favorite hymns Safe In The Arms Of Jesus, He Arose and The Sweet Bye And Bye were sung.
 Pallbearers were Roscoe and Arthur Leavitt, Ottis Kaglar, Alphonso French, Donald Ulham and Frederick Hooper.
 Interment was in the family lot, Back Bay.
"Donated by Bea Leavitt and typed by Jill Justason"

 

Rebecca Mary Leavitt

Peacefully, at the Fundy Nursing Home, Blacks Harbour, NB on October 28, 2004, Mrs. Rebecca Mary (Harris) Leavitt, wife of the late Roscoe W. Leavitt, formerly of Back Bay, NB. Born in Grand Manan, NB on July 19, 1914, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Blanche (Guthrie) Harris. A loving grandmother, and mother-in-law, she is survived by two grandchildren, Brenda Lambert (Norman) of Blacks Harbour and Mary Leavitt of Pennfield; six great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, Barbara Leavitt of Beaver Harbour and Gail Gaudet of Sudbury, ON; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was pre-deceased, besides her husband, by two sons, Royce and Mariner; one granddaughter, Winnifred; two brothers, Rex and John Harris.

Becky loved knitting, cooking and looking after others. In her early years, when her health permitted, she became very active within her community on numerous functions. She was also a member of the Church of Christ in Back Bay.

Resting at the St. George Funeral Home, 26 Portage Street, St. George, NB (755-3533) with visiting on Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. The service will be held on Monday, November 1st at 2 pm from the Back Bay Church of Christ, followed by interment in the Back Bay Community Cemetery at Leavitt’s Head. In her memory, donations to the Alzheimer Society or a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family.

Source:  www.stgeorgefh.ca

 

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MRS JOHN LEAVITT—Dated February 13, 1967—Back Bay—The funeral of Mrs. Sarah Leila Leavitt, widow of John Leavitt, was held from her home, where the service was conducted by Rev. H David Haddon, minister of the Christian Church.
 Pallbearers were four grandsons, Larry Hanley, Frederick Hanley Jr., Leo Wilcox, and Jerry Leavitt; Royce Leavitt and Otis Kaglar.
 Interment was in the Leavitt’s Head Cemetery at Back Bay.
 Mrs. Leavitt’s death occurred at her home following a brief illness.  A daughter of the late Hugh and Jane (Oliver) Harris, she was born in St. George, Nov. 14, 1884 and has lived most of her life in the community.
 Her husband died in 1955.  She was a member of the Christian Church.
 Surviving are five sons, Kinsbur J, Basil L, Octive E, and Otis H, all of Back Bay, and Melvin V Leavitt of Blacks Harbour; and two daughters, Mrs. Earl Wilcox, Blacks Harbour, and Mrs. Frederick Hanley, Back Bay.  Also surviving are 28 grandchildren, a number of great grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Dave Cook of Back Bay, and several nephews and nieces.
 Many beautiful floral tributes were received and a number of donations made to the Gideon Bible Society in Mrs. Leavitt’s memory.
 
 

"Donated by Bea Leavitt and typed by Jill Justason"
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HARRIS—At the Fundy Hospital, Blacks Harbour, July 10, 1967, Leta Harris, 80, widow of Orbin Harris of Back Bay, Charlotte County, survived by three daughters, six sons, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, two brothers, several nephews and nieces.
 Resting at the St. George Funeral Home, until Tuesday, at noon, when the body will be taken to the home of the daughter, Mrs. Edward Leavitt, at Back Bay, where prayers will be said at 1:45 pm, on Thursday, followed by service at the Pentecostal Church.  Interment in the family lot at the Leavitt’s Head Cemetery, Back Bay.
 

"Donated by Bea Leavitt and typed by Jill Justason"
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BACK BAY RESIDENT PASSES AT HOME—Dated July 31, 1959—Relatives and many friends of Mrs. Neil (Blanche) Oliver of Back Bay were sorry to hear of her sudden passing at her home recently at the age of 72.
 Mrs. Oliver, formerly Laura Blanche Barrett, was born at Mascarene, Charlotte County, Aug. 24, 1886, daughter of the late James and Emma Barrett.  She came to Back Bay at an early age and resided there the greater part of her life.
 She leaves to mourn her husband, Neil Oliver; one son, Stanley Oliver, Back Bay; one daughter, Mrs. Stinson Hooper, Oromocto; three grandchildren and six great grandchildren.  One son and four daughters predeceased her some time ago.
 Mrs. Oliver also leaves one brother, Hazen Barrett, Back Bay; two sisters, Miss Jane Barrett, Back Bay, and Mrs. James Taylor (Florence) of Eastport, ME.
 Funeral services were held at her home conducted by Rev. N J Merry assisted by Rev. I Kelsey.
 Pallbearers were Orben Harris Jr., Russell Barrett, Murray Leavitt, Lowell Hooper, Omar Hooper, Raymond Kinney.
 The many floral tributes received testified to the high esteem in which she was held in the community.  Those received included pieces from management and staff of No. 6 Factory Connors Bros., Back Bay; Pentecostal Church, Back Bay; Granite Chapter No. 15 OES; Church of Christ, Back Bay, along with many from friends and relatives.
 Among those attending were friends and relatives from St. George, Eastport, ME, St. Andrews, Saint John, New River Beach, Oromocto, Mascarene and L’Etete.
 Interment was in the family lot, Leavitt Head Cemetery, Back Bay.
 

"Donated by Bea Leavitt and typed by Jill Justason"
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Kinsbur John Leavitt

1906-2007

 Peacefully at the Charlotte County Hospital, St. Stephen NB on April 4th, 2007, Mr. Kinsbur John Leavitt in his 101st year, of Back Bay, NB. Born in Back Bay on September 8th, 1906, he was a son of the late John and Sara Leila (Harris) Leavitt. A loving brother, he is survived by one brother, Octive of Geary NB, one sister, Bessie Hanley of Back Bay, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by three brothers; Melvin, Otis and Basil, two sisters; Martha Leavitt and Ethel Wilcox.

Kinsbur was a fisherman for many years and was also employed by Connor’s Bros in Back Bay. He was an avid birdwatcher and enjoyed meeting new people, as he loved to socialize.

 Resting at the St. George Funeral Home (755-3533), 26 Portage Street, St. George, NB from where the service will be held from The Gary E. Waycott Memorial Chapel on Saturday at 2 pm with Rev. Gordon Cooke officiating. Interment will be in the Back Bay Cemetery at Leavitt’s Head at a later date. Visiting at the funeral home on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. In Kinsbur’s memory, donations to the Charlotte County Cancer Society or a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family.

 www.stgeorgefh.ca

Back Bay centenarian once rowed to Eastport, Maine, to sell fish

Mike Mullen

Telegraph-Journal

Published Tuesday April 17th, 2007

Appeared on page C3

Charlotte County centenarian and retired fisherman Kin Leavitt of Leavitt Head, outside Back Bay, was quite the rower in his day. As his great-great-niece Candy Leavitt said in the eulogy, Kin started his working career by helping his father chop wood on Frye's Island and rowing it home in a dinghy.

"Those days, I believe, set the stage for his life as an avid bird-watcher and top-notch fisherman," she said. "For many years, Kin pulled 40 (lobster) traps a day while out rowing through the Fundy Isles. He even rowed over to Eastport (Maine) to sell fish, an achievement that very few would know about today, or even attempt.

 "Those days in a dinghy are a true testament to Kin's will and strength he exuded over a lifetime."

 Kin, who died in hospital on April 4 at the grand old age of 100, enjoyed a reputation in later life "as a kind, social man who enjoyed telling stories and listening to others tell theirs over a cheerful drink," said Candy Leavitt.

 "He always had a sharp wit about him and a memory that spanned the decades."

Born in Back Bay on Sept. 8, 1906, Kinsbur John Leavitt was one of eight children - five boys and three girls - of John and Sara Leila (Harris) Leavitt. His survivors include one brother, Octive, of Geary, and one sister, Bessie Hanley, of Back Bay.

 In addition to lobstering, Kin Leavitt loved to go hand-lining, especially for flounder.

 "This tradition, along with his secret strategies, were shared for more than five generations," said Candy who, like her brother Cory, grew up next door to Kin in the old family homestead where Kin also was raised.

"He was more like a grandfather figure to me," said Cory. "If it was late at night and the lights were on, he called to make sure we were OK. If we played on the beach, he would yell and make sure we were OK."

 As he grew more frail, it was Candy, Cory and their parents - Gary and Cindy Leavitt - who kept an eye on Kin, ensuring his needs were met and allowing him to live in his own home right up until he was hospitalized just two weeks before his death.

 "During his many years on Leavitt Head enjoying retirement, Kin also managed to watch eagerly as young generations practiced their skills digging clams, periwinkling, fishing and, of course, working on salmon cages," recalled Candy Leavitt. "He kept a keen eye on his entire world and always managed to keep track of the kids who grew up "... on the head and played on the beaches.

 "Back Bay was his life and world, and Leavitt Head will never be the same without him."

But having led the "always pleasant" non-churchgoer Kin Leavitt, then 96, in a prayer of repentance during a visit to his home, Rev. Gordon Cooke believes he's now in a far better place.

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Barbara Jane Leavitt

1943-2010

Barbara Jane Leavitt
At the Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John NB on October 13, 2010, Mrs. Barbara Jane Leavitt, wife of the late Mr. Mariner B. Leavitt of Beaver Harbour NB. Born at St. Stephen NB on June 5, 1943, she was a daughter of Thelma T. (Maxwell) Cook . A loving mother, daughter, grandmother and sister, she is survived by one daughter, Brenda (Norman) Lambert of Blacks Harbour NB, her mother, Thelma Cook of Blacks Harbour, three grandchildren; Angel Lambert (Conan Graham) of St. Stephen NB, Matthew Lambert and Johnathan Lambert both of Blacks Harbour, five sisters; Rose Marie Mahar of Blacks Harbour, Eunice Scott, Bernice Cook and Judy (Wayne) McGarrigle all of Pennfield NB and Margaret (Steve) Brahm of Ontario, one brother, Dale (Gwenith) Cook of Hatfield Point NB and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her husband Mariner, she was predeceased by her twin sister, Pamela Palk and a sister, Joan Gardner.

Barbara was a member of the Beaver Harbour Baptist Church and the Beaver Harbour Historical Society. She enjoyed shopping, spending time with her family and talking to her many friends.

Resting at the St. George Funeral Home & Crematorium (755-3533), 26 Portage Street, St. George, NB with visiting on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. The service will be held at the Calvary Baptist Church, Blacks Harbour NB on Friday, October 15, 2010 at 1:30 pm with Rev. Brent Wagstaff officiating, followed by the interment at the Leavitt’s Head Cemetery, Back Bay NB. In Barbara’s memory donations to the NB Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family.

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©Charlene Beney 2001