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THOMAS GILBERT,was born at Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts, in 1715. [He] was styled "Leader of New England Tories. Entering a company of Volunteer Militia, Mr. Gilbert soon became Captain, and served in that capacity under Sir William Pepperell at Siege of Louisbourg, Cape Breton, in 1745... After the Peace of 1763, our hero returned to his home at Freetown, Massachusetts.

Having valuable real and personal property, he soon became prominent in public affairs. Being elected a member of the General Assembly, his ardent loyalty and entire devotion to British institutions were speedily noted. When hostilities against the memorable Stamp Act commenced, he was specially conspicuous against the popular malcontents.

[His] unwavering and invaluable services excited utmost hatred among the republicans. At acknowledgment of Independence, their lands were peremptorily confiscated to the Federal Government. Like many others similarly situated the Colonel and his sons with their families, emigrated to Nova Scotia.

After a stormy voyage on board his Majesty's ship-of-war Spencer in May, 1783, they reached Annapolis, with negro slaves, a few pure bred horses, some cows, a pack of hounds, and several valuable household effects. Repairing shortly to St. Mary's Bay, they selected the Plantation on its south-eastern side, around Gilbert's Creek, an arm of the Bay about fourteen miles west of Digby, and nearly six east of Weymouth Bridge, as their abode.

In a letter from Major Gilbert, dated November 2nd, 1784, to "Patty", in Massachusetts, a former female slave of his father, we are informed that they found sufficient slat marsh and upland previously cleared, probably by Acadians, to supply fodder for their herds; also, that ample lumber to build a vessel of two hundred tons laid on shore of the Bay and in the Creek where they landed.

Isaiah W. Wilson.Geography and History of the County of Digby. Cha.24, pp.335-337.

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