Posted on Jun 12 2008 in Uncategorized
When John Baptist Armsworthy took his honourable discharge from Lord Montagu’s Duke of Cumberland Regiment in 1783 he probably was not thinking about a reunion of his descendants some 225 years later! That’s exactly what is taking place however during August 8-10, 2008 in Antigonish and Canso, Nova Scotia.
John Baptist Armsworthy’s story is an interesting one and takes place during a great historical time in the life of the United States , Canada and the British Empire. The era was ‘history in a rush.’
While the origins of the English surname are still under research it is clear the Armsworthy name was in what is now St Mary’s County, Maryland, USA. as early as 1671. Research also continues into John Baptist’s parentage. Documentation does show he had a sister, Aleathea, who married Bennett Nugent and descendants are found throughout the USA.
John Baptist at a very early age in 1777 joined the 3RD Maryland Regiment in support of secession from Great Britain. He would have been considered a rebel by the British and a patriot by the Americans . His regiment was engaged in some difficult battles and he fell captive to the British at the battle of Camden , North Carolina, 16 August, 1780.The British offered ‘freedom’ to those prisoners who would join them for service in Jamaica and at Charleston he was released from a prisoner of war ship on 10 February in 1781 to join the Duke of Cumberland Regiment.
The Americans listed him as ‘missing’ and later paid a pension to his sister Aleathia in 1791. This act raises speculation that his family never heard from him again thus the total disconnect between the Nova Scotia Armsworthys and those in Maryland until recent research as described in the book, ‘Some Descendants of Armsworthy Families of Nova Scotia , Canada and Maryland, USA’ by Garth E. Staples (Revised 2008).
Now 225 years later descendants of John Baptist Armsworthy and his wife May Mass are found throughout Canada and the USA bearing dozens of surnames so familiar to the people of Canso and area.; names such as Dobson, Feltmate, Richardson, Dort, Ehler, Hendsbee, George, Greencorn, Grover, Lumsden, Manuel, Meedes, Roberts, Uloth, and of course many more.
Many of these cousins will come together for the first time when they register at St FX
on the 8th and 9th of August for a reception, workshops and displays and on the 10th when they participate in a host of activities at Canso including a luncheon and supper. A full programme will be published later.
When the Reunion draws to a close and farewells are made John Baptist and Mary would have been amazed just how well they contributed to so many communities across North America.
Reunion Chair: Allan Armsworthy : aarmsworthy@eastlink.ca
Communications: Garth Staples —gestaples@eastlink.ca
Website: http://www.armsworthyheritage.com/contacts.html