The Tweedside Settlers’ Monument stands as a testament to the commitment and heritage of the community, commemorating the families from the Scottish and English borderlands who established a life in this region of New Brunswick in the mid-19th century.
Commemorating the Pioneers
The monument was erected to honour the settlers who arrived in the Tweedside area from the Scottish-English borderland during the 1840s and 1850s. These early pioneers laid the foundation for the community. The monument specifically represents the Swan, Rutherford, Taylor, Cleghorn, Messer, and other families that settled in Tweedside.
Construction and Dedication (1950)
The initiative to commemorate these families was realized in the mid-20th century through local community efforts.
- Inception and Building: The monument, a cairn (a structure made of piled stones), was initiated and built by Lewis Swan and other dedicated residents in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
- Unique Materials: The cairn was constructed using rocks collected from various parts of York County, linking the structure to the region. The stonework was completed by Harold Langley, a local mason.
- Location: The monument is located at 650 Tweedside Road, situated between the properties at the time owned by Winston Rutherford and Inez Swan.
- The Ceremony: The formal dedication took place on July 16, 1950. Remarks were delivered by Dr. Frank Baird of Fredericton. The honour of officially unveiling the Cairn was given to Wilbert Swan.
Preservation and Ongoing Care
The community’s commitment to its heritage continues through ongoing preservation efforts:
- 1995 Repairs: In 1995, a repair initiative was led by Clayton and Erva Piercy of Tweedside. The restoration was funded by monetary donations collected from the community.
- Flag and Flagpole: As part of the 1995 repairs, Nachawic Mechanical donated the steel flagpole. The Flag of St. Andrew’s (the Scottish Flag) was shipped from Glasgow, Scotland, reinforcing the link to the settlers’ country of origin.
- Stewardship: The monument grounds continue to be maintained and cared for by local residents, ensuring this historical landmark remains preserved for future generations.
The Tweedside Settlers’ Monument serves as a physical record of the work and dedication of the founding families, standing as a historical landmark in New Brunswick.
More information about these settlers can be found https://www.harveysettlers.org/chain-migrants.
Sources
Daily Gleaner (Fredericton, York, New Brunswick, Canada). Tweedside People Honor the Early Settlers by Cairn.Fri, Jul 28, 1950 · Pages 9 and 16
Daily Gleaner (Fredericton, York, New Brunswick, Canada). Tweedside Scottish Cairn Repaired. By Brenda MacMinn. Jun 13, 1995.
Harvey Heritage Archives
