His Moiety Half

 

Uncle Peg’s Chronicles

June 25, 2026

“His Moiety Half”

 

“These were their settlements. And they kept good family records.”^[1]

 

Don’t forget to look for the title which is embedded in the chronicle.

 

 

 

 

FAMILY ALBUM

 

 

And I Quote:

 

Sounds very interesting - and so glad someone did something so nice for you.  Makes a great day, doesn't it? – Jeanni

 

What a wonderful story! – Carolyn

 

Thank you, Peg! Rex was certainly a man of mystery! - Grace

 

Very interesting history of Rex. Seems he was not a very good husband, but who knows what might have prompted his departure. He may have become depressed because of his exclusion from being in the army during the war. It’s called Survivor’s Remorse and sometimes happens when one avoids wartime service. Not a well understood condition back then. Then again, maybe it was much simpler, and he was just not a reliable or responsible person. – Byron

 

Peg, this is a fascinating Chronicle!  So incredible that Rex has been found and now marked...if only by flowers. Lovely! What a special gift! – Julia

 

1926 to 1928

 

1924 to 1928 are the years that our Holmes ancestors spent renewing relationships that had somehow fallen by the wayside but with organization, letter writing, and challenging travel – by hook or by crook – they managed to come together again. They reacquainted and rediscovered their family ties. And then, one by one, they died, and many of those ties died with them.

2026 to 2028

I am not quite done with the James and Fannie family section, but I am straightening out the introductory section, adding to it, deleting from it, copying and pasting into new places. Seems a lot of work to do, but I want it done right. This update to “A Homestead on the Old Post Road” will probably be the last, save for a section here or there. As it will be on a pdf and not in book format, unless you choose to do that on your own, I will be able to add information and make corrections to it.

I enjoy doing this – otherwise, I guess I wouldn’t do it. It will be there for us and for generations to come. I’m not saying it is the best family history in the world, but it will be well-cited and informative.

Now, to keep my “get up and go” motivation. You help so much with your emails to Uncle Peg. I appreciate your encouragement so much.

The header photo is “Holmes Homestead Outbuildings.” Not sure where I got it. Must have been taken on a Monday.

Letters From the Past

I am cleaning a bookshelf. I am doing more than removing the books, dusting, and putting them back. I am also going through them. Two shelves are devoted to books related to genealogy and family history, and there are also some how to write good books and stories, how to transcribe, and how to use good grammar and punctuation.

In one of my binders, I found two letters. Julia Nolte and her mom, Janet Nolte, have been sharing stories from Janet’s past. I know Janet doesn’t need to be reminded that she is one of our oldest family members, because she is young at heart. We are helping her to exercise those brain cells in recalling the past. So, when I found these letters from Mummy Lil, her mother who was a mother figure to many, I thought it might tickle her fancy to read them. The first one is a copy – not sure if I have the original or not. I think she sent it to my grandmother, Minnie Holmes. The stationery, as I recall, had a wee tatted or crocheted pansy on it.

Janet Minella Nolte – daughter of Lillian Holmes Underhill Minella – daughter of Ella Mae Holmes Underhill – daughter of Daniel and Charlotte Holmes.

“January 14, 1970

Dear Folks,

How fast time flies and what a procrastinator I am. Thank you for the Hummel pictures. I was both surprised and happy to get them. Thank Margaret for sending the picture of Peggy [me]. I think she looks much like you Min. We hope to see you all next summer.

I am getting along fine. Next week I can drive for which I am thankful as I am getting tired of being cooped up. We have had some nasty weather since Christmas but if we don’t get rain during the winter, the trees and shrubs suffer when summer comes.

The mother of one of Janet’s college friends sent me this stationery, which some friend of hers makes. Isn’t it dainty? Each one is different. My best wishes to all for a healthy, happy New Year.

Love, Lil”

Page one of four.

“[Undated and unaddressed to anyone specific. Probably my grandparents, again.]

This stationary was made especially for me, I am sure. Why is it that I never seem to get around to writing except when I am the very busiest? We are all well here. Mac [her husband] is as busy as can be. Sis [her dauthter, Lillian Minella Thomas] is evening supervisor at the rehabilitation hospital here, has her own apartment and due to the nurse shortage has very little time off but gets home quite often for short visits. Janet is very busy with her four, has a cub scout troop, teaches a Bible class as I do and is active in many other things.

Last night we had our Christmas choir program at the church. All Janet’s family sings except Emily who is too young of course. Ralph [Janet’s husband] has an excellent baritone voice. He and Janet sing in the sanctuary choir. Brett sings in the carol choir, and Julia and Celia sing in the cherub choir. They sang Christmas Music from other lands and it was very good. Next Sunday evening there will be the Sunday School program. Brett is going to be one of the kings and the girls will be angels.

Mac is going to fly to Washington DC with the patent attorney Sunday night in regard to one of his inventions.

Ruth’s youngest daughter is down here at the University. She lives at the dorm. We don’t see much of her but she baby sits for Janet quite often so they see her.

Must write some more notes. Hope you are all well. We think and speak of you often and the many good times we had.

Love to all, Lil”

FAMILY HISTORY LESSON

 

I found a new (to me) document of a deed of sale of the Daniel Holmes property in Petitcodiac. I did not know this previously. Does it change anything? Not much. But, I’m glad I found it.

 

The family members that I mention in this section:

 

Children of Daniel and Charlotte:

Harriet, aka Hattie, married Abner Jones.

Margaret, aka Maggie, married William, aka Billy, Snider.

Sarah Louisa, aka Louisa, married Robert Ballantyne.

 

Children of Abner and Hattie:

Ormond Jones

Oliver Jones

 

I do not know the men mentioned in the boundaries of the lot, although the names are familiar names in this area.

 

1878 – sold lot of land known as the homestead to Abner Jones (his son-in-law, husband of Hattie). Remember that, before he died in 1883, he had a “severe and protracted illness.” A wise man, he made preparations for his necessary care. He also wrote his last will and testament shortly before his death.

 

Holmes, - At the residence of Abner Jones, Esq., Petitcodiac, on the 23rd of March, Daniel Holmes, in the 69th year of his age. Our brother was long and deservedly known as a good citizen and a humble christian. And during his severe and protracted illness, manifested patience and resignation to the Lord's will. His end was peace. George Seely.” ~ The obituary of Daniel Holmes.

 

The land was bounded on the west and north west by lands owned by Joseph Boyd, on the north by Chipman Lutes, on the east by Charles Chapman, and on the south by the Pollett River lots. It covered 500 acres. Number 37721. W – 3, page 336.

 

1901 – Abner Jones sold the same piece of land (boundaries were still the same) to Ormond Jones of Cardwell and Oliver Jones of the same place. (Cardwell Parish, in Kings County, is where Daniel’s daughter, Margaret, and her husband, William Snider, lived in Portage Vale.) (This is what I did not know.)

 

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6Q89-MD7?wc=M69X-ZZS%3A13841901%2C13841702%2C21673501%26cc%3D1392378&lang=en&i=478&cc=1392378

 

Although I knew that Ormond Jones lived in the homestead, and I figured he had purchased it, I did not know about Oliver. Who was Oliver? I assumed that the land belonged to Ormond and his wife Jennie. However, it was a man’s world in that time frame. Each paid $1.

 

After looking at the genealogy, I quickly figured it out. Ormond and Oliver were both sons of Abner and his first wife, Harriet (daughter of Daniel and Charlotte). I thought that Oliver lived in western Canada. And, so he did. He moved to Calgary in 1903. What made this somewhat challenging to research is that there was an Abner Jones and an Oliver Jones in Moncton – not far away, who were well known and made many deeds of sale.

 

 

Page 478. Deed 72, 613. Abner Jones et ux (and wife) to O & O Jones. Registered February 5^th, 1901, at 9 AM. W Frank Tait, Deputy Registrar.

 

Know all men by these presents that we Abner Jones of the Parish of Salisbury in the County of Westmorland and Province of New Brunswick farmer and Eliza Jones his wife [his second wife] in consideration of the sum of one dollar to us paid do hereby grant bargain sell assign and convey unto Ormond Jones of the Parish of Cardwell the County of Kings and Province aforesaid farmer and Oliver Jones of the same place Yeoman their heirs and assigns all those lands and premises conveyed to the said Abner Jones by Daniel Holmes by deed bearing date the sixth day of May AD 1878 Registered in the Registry  of Deeda for the County of Westmorland in book W . . .

 

1905 – Oliver sold his half-share to Ormond for $1 lawful money of Canada. Oliver Wendell Jones (1878 – 1960) was the sixth child of Abner and Harriet. Ormond was the first child.

 

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9X3-RHC?view=fullText&keywords=Oliver%20Jones%2CNew%20Brunswick%2CCanada&lang=en&groupId=

 

Here is Oliver’s obituary.

 

“Lethbridge Herald January 4, 1960

O. W. Jones Dies in City

     An old-timer of the Lethbridge district, Oliver Wendell Jones, 81, died in a local hospital Saturday, following a short illness.

     Born in. Petitcodiac, N.B., Mr. Jones moved to Calgary in 1903, prior to coming to the Lethbridge district in 1905, where he farmed until retiring to Lethbridge.

     He married in 1910 and was predeceased by his wife Mrs. Mary Irene Jones, in February last year.

     Survivors included: one son, Wendell A. Jones, Diamond City; two daughters, Mrs. T. W. Shield of Taber, and Mrs. W. E. Fraser of the city; three sisters, seven brothers, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.”

 

Interesting to note that in the 1900 US census, he was living with the widow Louisa Ballantyne family in Lincoln, Maine, as a servant. Oliver was Louisa’s nephew. Louisa was the daughter of Daniel and Charlotte.

 

The family network, although spread all over Canada and the US, remained strong at that time.

This is an excerpt from the deed of sale between Oliver Jones to Ormond Jones, brothers and sons of Abner Jones and Hattie Holmes.

 

 

 

Page 407. Deed 79668. Oliver Jones to Ormond Jones. Registered March 7^th 1905 at 10 – AM. A D Richard, Registrar.

“This indenture made the twentieth day of February AD 1905 Between Oliver Jones, formerly of the Parish of Cardwell in the County of Kings in the Province of New Brunswick, but now of Calgary of the County of Alberta, in the Northwest Territories, Yeoman, hereafter called the Grantor of the first part and Ormond Jones formerly of the said Parish of Cardwell in said Kings County, but now of the Parish of Salisbury in the County of Westmorland in said Province of New Brunswick, farmer, hereafter called the Grantee of the Second Part. Whereas one Abner Jones and Eliza Jones his wife by their deed dated the Twenty sixth day of January AD 1901 conveyed the land and premises hereafter particularly described to the said Ormond Jones and said Oliver Jones to each of them an equal moiety an equal interest or share therein, and Whereas the said Oliver Jones has agreed and concluded to convey  his moiety half or interest therein to his Co-grantee the said Ormond Jones for which purpose he executes and delivers these presents. This indenture therefore Witnesseth that the said Oliver Jones for and in consideration of the premises and also for and in consideration of the sum of one Dollar of lawful money of Canada to him paid by said Grantee, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged . . .

(New word: I had to look up “moiety.” Merriam – Webster definition: one of two equal parts.)

Later– records are not online; they are located at the provincial government office in St. Stephen. Family knowledge. Ormond’s three unmarried children, Fred, Al, and Helen, lived there for most of the rest of their lives. I believe they spent a few later years in a house in the village of Petitcodiac. My mother told me that it was sold to the province when they put the new Trans-Canada off ramp on the location.  That would be c. 2001.

Exciting? Probably not to most of you, but an aha moment for me.

 

 

This ends week twenty-six of our centennial virtual celebration of 1926 – 2026.