Rothesay
“In 1851 Rothesay was a convenient stopping place on the coach road between Saint John and Halifax. It’s nine-mile from the city and proximity to the Kennebecasis River guaranteed it a role in the development of transportation and commerce. It’s pleasing locale was already drawing seasonal residents. However, it was the coming of the railroad in 1858 that ensured the transformation of the area known variously as Nine Mile House, Scribner’s Corner or Kennebecasis.”
– Rothesay, New Brunswick: The First 150 Years
History
- Rothesay: An Illustrated History by Robert Hook, Ann Condon & Charles Grant
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch #58 (written by Larry Greer)
- Rothesay Yacht Club (a pictorial history developed by Bruce Tennant)
- Rothesay Fire Department (written by Geoff Sayre, Bev Sayre & Larry Greer)
- Authors, Artists and Athletes of Rothesay (compiled by Bev Sayre)
- The Opening of the Rothesay Room
Photo Gallery
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- Winter Carnival on the Rothesay Common, 1945.
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- Winter Carnival on the Rothesay Common, 1945.
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- Susan Mackay and Joan Mortimer sell tickets on a Jersey calf, donated to the 1943 Rothesay Fair by the Kingshurst Jersey Farm. (Dorothy Purdy files)
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- “Every August the Rothesay Common would be decked out with booths and games and activities.” 1940s (Dorothy Purdy files)
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- “Every August the Rothesay Common would be decked out with booths and games and activities.” 1940s (Dorothy Purdy files)
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- King George VI and his wife, Queen Elizabeth are seen on the back platform of the royal train that travelled through the local communities in 1939.
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- This poster promotes the Voluntary aid Detachment, which a number of local women joined in WWI. (Dorothy Purdy files)
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- Margaret (Fairweather) Bourne on duty in a hospital in England during World War II. (Courtesy of Margaret Bourne)
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- Margaret Fairweather of Rothesay met Dr. Monroe Bourne in Montreal during her training as a nurse. They met again in England during World War ll and married in 1943. (Courtesy Margaret Bourne)
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- “There would always be a pile of wood to be stored. Arthur Fairweather, ca. 1918.” (Courtesy Margaret Bourne)
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- Firshade, the Fairweather home, was a typical farm of the day, ca. 1900. The house remains, on Rothesay Road near the entrance to Rothesay Netherwood school and Margaret Fairweather Bourne lived there until her death in 2014, just short of her 103rd birthday. (Courtesy MarGaret Bourne)
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- Young women enjoy the waters of Taylor Brook, ca. 1905. (Courtesy Margaret Bourne)
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- Members of the Fairweather family illustrate some of the clothes of the day, 1920: Louise Adelaide (Aunt Bee) Fairweather sits, surrounded by Barbara (in front), Margaret and Hamlin Fairweather. (Courtesy of Margaret Bourne)
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- John Steele, fourth from left, was a gunner with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. (Courtesy John Steele)
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- This invitation to a garden party, 1919 was received by Hazen Short. It was held in honour of the visit to Rothesay of Prince Edward Albert, future King Edward VII of England. (Courtesy Mary Jane Banks)
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- Fred Randles with his father, Warren, on the front porch of the family home on Rothesay Road, 1940, before Fred went off to war. (Courtesy Gary Randles).
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- The cross honoring the war dead that stands on the Rothesay Common was erected originally on the grounds of the Rothesay Consolidated School by the IODE. (Courtesy of Bob Scribner)
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- Royden Scribner served in the Canadian Army during World War II and returned home to start an oil delivery business. (Courtesy Bob Scribner)
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- Royden Scribner, son of Anthony and Blanch (Carpenter), sits in front of his family farm on Grove Avenue, 1927. (Courtesy Bob Scribner)
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- A winter view across the railroad in Rothesay toward Henderson’s Point, now known as Sagamore Point, and Long Island, ca. 1920. (Courtesy Walter Banks and Dave Brown)
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- Located next to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, The Grove house was the residence of Lieutenant Governor the Honourable Hugh Havelock McLean in the early 1930s. It was originally built before Confederation (1867). Named for the grove of birches that flanked its entrance, the house was demolished in 2009.
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- Captain H.A. Jack Fairweather stands in front of his troops with his daughters Hamlin and Barbara, ca. 1915. (Courtesy Jack Connell)
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- Hugh Turnbull with his father, W. Rupert Turnbull. After his service in World War ll Hugh was awarded an MBE, Member of the Order of the British Empire. (Courtesy Turnbull family)
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- South and North houses at Rothesay Netherwood School, circa 1900. South House, one of the oldest buildings in Rothesay, was originally the home of C.H. Fairweather, and North House the home of S.S. Hall. North House was demolished in 2001 but South House remains after heated discussions about its structural viability. (Courtesy RNS School Archives)
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- ‘Balmaghie’, built around 1840, is the oldest house in the original Rothesay. (Courtesy of RLM)
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- Harold and Elsa Ellis enjoying the Kennebecasis River off Rothesay Park on their honeymoon, 1913. (Courtesy of Audrey Stanley)
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- Fenwick Ellis and wife Audrey, who both served during World War ll. (Courtesy Audrey Stanley)
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- The Ellis boys of Rothesay, Fenwick, Tim and Warren, with Harry Hoar, all survived their service during World War ll. (Courtesy Audrey Stanley)
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- Sheila and Doug Stanley, with cousin Warren Van Scoyoc, celebrate the end of World War ll. (Courtesy Audrey Stanley)
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- This crest was one of many used for decorations for the visit of the future King Edward Vlll to Rothesay in 1919. This crest, along with several others, “mysteriously” disappeared and ended up being buried for 30 years. (Jude Carson)
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- Mrs Hugh Mackay, formerly Kate Hazen of Saint John, was the daughter of Lady and Sir Douglas Hazen. Active in the Progressive Conservative Women’s Association, the PC party, the Girl Guides, the IODE, the Church of England, Children’s Aid, Netherwood And Rothesay Collegiate, Mrs. Mackay was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of New Brunswick.
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- Rothesay corner, 1949. Rothesay Consolidated School is near the middle with the former Merritt’s/Hamm’s below that on corner. Diggles is across the road and Kennedy House is below Hamm’s.
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- Don Turnbull (right), was one of the young participants in the “heist of the crests”. Shown here with Jim McAvity, 1925. ( Courtesy of Bruce Tennant Collection)
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- Rothesay Town Hall (Courtesy Brian Perkins)
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- Neighbourhood group, Rothesay, 1955: Patsy Steele, Bev Armstrong, Beth Madison, Jim Crosby on trike, Jill Steele (Wallace) behind, Jack Steele on trike and brother Peter holding on. (Courtesy Peggy and John Steele)
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- Program for the 1947 Canadian Professional Golf Association tournament held at Riverside. (courtesy Peter McGuire)
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- Taylor Brook, 1948, was a popular spot to hang out. (Courtesy Jeff Schofield)
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- Jeff Schofield and his sister Rebecca, dressed for the annual winter carnival on the Rothesay Common, (courtesy Jeff Schofield)
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- Station master Everett Robinson stands in front of Rothesay train station with son Joe, ca. 1943. In the distance is the station freight shed. (Courtesy Joe Robinson)
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- Hugh Mackay ran the family lumber business when his older brothers were serving in the First World War. He then became involved in the investment business in Montreal, and upon returning to Rothesay, became leader of the Progressive Conservative party. He was married to Kate Hazen, daughter of Lady and Sir Douglas Hazen of Saint John.
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- Names of original members of the Kennebecasis branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, 1946. (Courtesy Jude Carson)
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- Names of the original auxiliary members of the Kennebecasis branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, 1948. (Courtesy Jude Carson)
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- Students perform for Parents’ Day at the Rothesay Pony Club, 1966. (Courtesy Gretchen Kelbaugh)
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- Rothesay Oaks hockey team, 1946-47. (Courtesy Peggy and John Steele)
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- The Steele family decked out for a winter carnival, 1955: Louise, Patsy, Jill, Peter and Jack. (Courtesy Peggy and John Steele)
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- A.T. Scribner works a field in Rothesay, 1950s. (courtesy Bob Scribner)
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- Rothesay Consolidated School, class of 1949. (Courtesy Joan McPhee)
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- Richard Oland, NHL Calder Trophy winner and Bruce Stewart at the opening of the Kennebecasis Valley Recreation Centre,1974.
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- St. David’s United Church has a long and varied history in the community.
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- St. Paul’s Anglican rectory, Hampton Rd, early 1900s.
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- Church parade with students from Rothesay Collegiate School. (Courtesy of Rothesay Netherwood Archives)
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- The Reverend A.W. Daniel and party are shown on their way to a special service at Kingston Church on the peninsula. (Courtesy Bruce Tennant Collection)
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- Norman Diggle operated Diggle’s at the Rothesay corner from the 1920s into the 1960s and his family kept the shop going into the 1970s after his death. (Courtesy Gus Bonnycastle)
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- Dr. Oliver Peters and family. Dr. Peters began his Rothesay practice in 1914 and over the course of 52 years, delivered a large number of the population of Rothesay and the surrounding communities. (Courtesy Mary Jane Banks)
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- Stewart Fairweather relaxes on the family farm, Firshade, circa 1913.
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- Daughters of the Honorable John Robertson, businessman, politician and original owner of the land now known as the Rothesay Common.
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- Outside the Fairweather barn at Firshade, 1925.
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- A maid at Firshade cares for Margaret Fairweather and cousins Hamlin and Barbara Fairweather, circa 1914.(Courtesy Margaret Bourne)
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- In 1916 Helen Walters emigrated from England to work as a nursemaid. She is holding Peggy Harding Kelbaugh. (Courtesy Peggy Kelbaugh).
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- Robertson’s Store, located at the Rothesay corner, was one of the first stores in the area to pump gas, circa 1920s.(Courtesy Jeff Schofield).
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- Robertson’s Store, located at the Rothesay corner, was one of the first stores in the area to pump gas, circa 1920s.(Courtesy Jeff Schofield).
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- Warren Randles was chauffeur to Will Allison, 1920s. (Courtesy Gary Randles)
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- A.T. Scribner hooks up a team of horses on the Scribner farm off Grove Avenue, 1940. (Courtesy Bob Scribner)
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- A work day on the Scribner farm, 1930.(Courtesy Bob Scribner)
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- Anthony and Blanche Scribner at time of their wedding, 1918. (Courtesy Bob Scribner)
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- Tommy, Betty, Donny and John Steele, circa 1927. (Courtesy Peggy and John Steele)
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- Walter, the Kingshurst Dairy milkman on his Rothesay Park route, with helpers George and John Teed, 1953. (Courtesy George and Valerie Teed)
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- Jeff Kierstead operated a blacksmith shop at the top end of Tennis Court Rd, early 1900s.
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- Kennedy House was located at Rothesay Corner, and from the late 1800s provided accommodation and refreshment for travelers and visitors alike. The building was eventually demolished and a gas station built at that location.
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- Kennedy House, upper right, was a well known establishment at the Rothesay Corner from 1906 to 1958. The building was demolished in 1966. Diggles Store can be seen diagonally across the road.
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- A plane with the second all-metal variable pitch propeller, 1930, invented by Rupert Turnbull of Rothesay. (Courtesy Turnbull family)
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- Sobey’s was Located at Rothesay Corner in the 1960s.
