Their Story

James Henderson came to Canada, May 1820 (Census, 1851) from Dublin, Ireland, when a boy of eleven, along with a brother, John, age nine, and a sister, Mary Ann of seven years. A boy by the name of Henry Crabb came over on the same boat and while travelling together, James and Henry became fast friends. After nearly a month's pleasant voyage they landed in St. John, New Brunswick.

They were met by friends and taken to different farm homes, happily in the same community where they could attend the same school and visit back and forth. The Lord gave them Christian homes where they were taught to love God and to till the land; at school they learned to read and write.

When James Henderson and Henry Crabb reached the ages of 18 and 20 respectively they decided they would like to have homes of their own. Early in May, probably 1828, each with a knapsack over his shoulder, they started south, crossing the Saint John River opposite Southhampton, York County, and travelling 18 miles through the dense woods. They lunched by a cool spring; then when the sun was getting low, found a sparkling brook with maple trees all around and there they decided to stay.

They cut trees for a shelter using the boughs for a good bed, and lay down to rest. Very early the next morning they went to the brook, had a wash and breakfast, and after thanking God for all His loving mercies, began to cut trees for their cabins, first for James' and then for Henry's. In two weeks they each had a two-room cabin built. How their hearts thrilled with pride and joy. They then cleared a small piece of land and planted a vegetable garden. they each staked out 100 acres of land in this area now known as Debec Junction, parish of Richmond, Carleton County.

Now that they had their homes built and were ready to marry, they returned to Southampton. James married Deborah Young, a lovely girl of 18, born at Southampton, and Henry married a girl from the same place.

— Summarized from N. Mazerolle's account —

To get a copy of the Henderson Family Tree, go over to Resources and download a copy of the PDF.

About Debec Junction

Introduction

Some confusion exists surrounding the original name of the Village, now know as Debec. Various documents record such names as Mills, Mill Settlement, De Beck, and Debeck. The Provincial Archives in Frederiction officially records the original name as Blairs Mills, with the explanation that the family of one of the first premiers, Andrew Blair, was of prominence in those early days of the Settlement, and hence, the name.

By the time the railway was extended from St. Andrews to Richmond in 1862, George Debeck (whose name had also underhone spelling changes) was a prominent resident of the area. At this point in history the Village became known as Debeck. This remained the name until a line was constructed from Woodstock to Houlton. At this time "Junction" was added to the name. Just when the letter "k" was dropped and "Junction" discarded seems to be lost to the mists of time, today our Village is simply known as "Debec."

The following material is a brief description of the life and times of Debec and surrounding sttlements. Much much more could have been said, unfortunately, financial limitations had to be considered.

The Debec Women's Institute wishes to thank the Federal and Provincial Governments for their assistance with this Bicentennial Project.

The Railway

No history of Debec would be complete without mentioning the old "Iron Horse" and it's role in the economic history of the area.

Since 1862, when the line first reached Debec, until the station closed in 1966, hundreds of tons of goods were imported and exported by rail.

In the golden era of the steam engine, Debec boasted a coal yard, water tank, four sidings, four potato houses, a feed shed, customs office, railway station with agent's dwelling, freight shed, and tool sheds for two section crews.

The Village was serviced faily with four passenger tains on the main line and a mixed freight to and from Houlton.

Pulpwood, lumber, and farm produce such as potatoes and livestock were shipped to markets in large quantities. Freight, express lines, dry goods, and domestic commodities were brought in almost exclusively by rail. In short, the rail line was the life line for the area. Then it happened! Better roads, improvewd vehicles, superior harvesting methods, the diesel engine, shifting economic patterns, all combined to sound the death knell for rail transport.

Today there are four retired C.P.R. men in the Village, Lawson Wadsworth, Jogn Williams, Ross Elliott, and Don Nixon. Only two employees remain here at Debec, one of which is Charles Crabbe, who lives here in Debec.

Random Memories

by Gordon Blue

Gordon was born on the family farm in Elmwood, 94 years ago. (This farm was an original land grant to the Blue family).

His education started in the one room school on the Blowdown Road, the school has long since disappeared. After a couple of years he transfered to the Elmwood School, where he completed his studies.

Gordon recalls life on the farm in those days with fondness. He also recalls Debec as being the focal point for social gatherings and and public events. Especially the Saturday evenings, when people would travel into Debec to shop and chat with their friends.

He remembers the old Mill Pond as their skating rink and recalls having a twirl or two around the ice with a girl who was detined to become the first Miss Canada. Her name was Elizabeth Blair, the daughter of the local Station Agent, at that time.

His first job, away from home, was as a night watchman at the sawmill situated at the old dam. The sawmill was operated by a Kennedy family. He used to train with the local Company of the Carleton Light Infantry, 67 Regiment. In those days militia members were issued ammunition and allowed to keep their rifles at home. He attended two summer training camps in Sussex. One summer he was the froom for Colonel Kirkpatrick's horse.

On election days, hand-picked men were sworn in to keep the peace, one of which was his father. He recalls that such events got somewhat roudy, possibly due to the availabilit and quantity of a particular type of refreshment. In those days, the Laverty family ran a restaurant and livery and the Dickinson family ran a hotel. Voters had to travel by horse for long distances to reach the polling station, so they had to be fed. They were divided pu political persuasions, the Laverty Restaurant fed the Liberals and Dickinson's Hotel provided for the Conservatives.

Gordon recalls that travelling salesmen would arrive in Debec by train, take lodging at the Hotel and hire a horse and buggy from the livery. This horse and buggy would provide transportation for visiting various stores in the outlaying areas.

After working for many years on the C.P.R., Gordon is now retied and lives in Brownville, Main. He visits the Debec area frequently and often stays with his sister Louise, a retired nurse, living in Woodstock.

Dates of Interest

1765

St. John River valley was included as part of County of Sunbury. Maugerville was the seat of the Court of General Sessions.

1783

First United Empire Loyalist transport arrived in Saint John, in May.

1784

St. John River Valley region became The Province of New Brunswick. Thomas Carleton landed.

1785

New Brunswick's first elections were held. Thomas Carleton fixed New Brunswick's seat of Government at St. Anne's rather than Saint John and called it Frederick's Town. Election riots occured in Saint John.

1790

Population of Saint John was approximately 2000.

1822

Andrew Blair petitioned for land (Petition No. 348) south of Richmond Settlement. Debec Village area was first named Blairs Mills.

1931

Carleton County (as we now know it) was formed from York County

1835

Village name was changed from Blairs Mills to De Beck.

1861

The First Census of the Parish of Richmond.

1862

The Railway was extended from St. Andrews to Richmond.

1869

Village become known as Debec Junction, when a second railway line was completed from Woodstock to Houlton.

1872

Local school district known as Number Three was formed.

1890

The Catholic Church was erected.

1945

Formation of the first organized Fire Department.

1948

Trinity United Church was erected.

1948

Hydro-electric power was introduced to the Village.

1963

November 16, the last passenger train to go through the Village.

1966

Railway Station was torn down.

1967

Closure of the little one room school-house.

Taken from page 3 to 8 of "Debec in Retrospect."

About the Website

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