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In Isaiah's book, there is an example of an earthquake,
which is extremely rare in this area:
But one instance of an Earthquake alarmed the people of this County.
We are informed that on May 22nd, 1817, just before sunrise, three
shocks were felt at Digby and other places in the Province. They all
occurred within fifteen minutes and were accompanied by a rumbling
sound like thunder. Houses were shaken, furniture moved and the inhabitants
alarmed. At Digby and Annapolis they were most severe.
Isaiah W. Wilson.Geography and History of the County of Digby. Cha.14, p.155.
He also mentions a rare instance of a Tornado:
The only Tornado that visited the County occurred April 23rd, 1847. It chiefly traversed the
eastern and northern portions, notably Hillsburgh Township, where some buildings were demolished.
No very extensive damage, however, was suffered.
Isaiah W. Wilson.Geography and History of the County of Digby. Cha.17, p.242.
On the eighteenth of October, 1783, the Ship Joseph, owned by Messrs.
Rutherford and Nash, Merchants, sailed from the North or Hudson River, New York,
with a numerous company on board, bound for that Township on Annapolis Basin, named
on the Charts, "Conway," under then command of Captain Jonathan Walton. A tedious
voyage, attended by changeable winds and boisterous weather was her lot : having
been twice driven off our coast by those adverse elements. At length, Long
Island was in sight. Desiring a Pilot, Mr. Nathaniel Bates came on board. A
record kept by one of the emigrants, states that when approaching the entrance,
many on board becoming alarmed at the narrowness of the passage, feared the
craft could not pass the barrier. Great consternation and dread dismay pervaded
their minds on that memorable tenth of December. Females wrung their hands and
screamed frantically; expecting every moment the frail bark would be dashed in pieces
by the high cliffs rising in sublime grandeur on either side. Unable to allay their
fears, and having no other recourse, they were ordered into the hold, and the hatches
promptly closed. Several sailors also refused duty for a time, confident further
advancement was impossible. However, the brave, expert Pilot, accustomed to the
Channel, steered his charge safely to anchor in the beautiful Basin.
Isaiah W. Wilson.Geography and History of the County of Digby. Cha.5, pp.50-51.
JAMES MOODY resided commencement of American
Revolution with is beloved wife and three promising children, on his large pleasantly
situated, fertile, and well cultivated farm in New Jersey, unaffected by political or other
distubing elements. He simply wished to live and die a British Subject. Constantly importuned
however, by the Whigs to join the rebel cause, and frequently threatened with death, being even
fired at three times on Sunday, March 28th, 1777, while in his grounds with friends, for
refusing to become a traitor. In self-defense, he obeyed the call of imperative duty, and in
following month, accompanied by seventy-three neighbours, all honest and respectable, marched
amidst greatest dangers and most acute suffering to the British Army at Bergen, where they
joined Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Barton's Battalion in General Cortland Skinner's Brigade
of Provincial Troops called "First Battallion of New Jersey Volunteers." They cry that
"Moody is out" or that "Moody is in the country," was uttered amidst intense dread, and
justly created wildest consternation in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
His first service was
at head of about one hundred men, when he advanced seventy miles to annoy the rebels.
Being attacked, only eight of his companions returned. The others were captured by the Whigs,
over thirty were sentenced to die and two were executed; while the rest saved their lives by
following Continential Army, through all who survived till they could desert, re-joined by
the Royal forces. He was next employed to penetrate the country for ascertaining strength
and position of a rebel corps. being recommended to rank Ensign for his skill and bravery.
In June, 1779, he captured a Whig Colonel, a Lieut.-Colonel, a Major, two Captains, with
several of inferior position; also destroyed a considerable magazine of powder and arms.
While returning, with a quantity of public stores secured as booty, the party was assailed
by a force of twice its number, and after a spirited encounter of forty minutes, were
dispersed by the Royal detachment at point of bayonet. Rebels lost one fourth of their
company including the leader, in killed and wounded. The Loyalists with depleted ranks
arrived at camp, where Moody sold the prizesand divided proceeds among his men. In same
year, he was sent to lurk near troops under personal command of Gen. Washington. Later,
General Sullivan's vicinity was explored; and before close of year, he again reconnoitered
Washington's camp.
Moody was also a spy upon Gates who was moving southward. Those were his principal enterprises
during first three years of service, being attended with constant peril of life, suffering
for food and shelter. He had entire confidence of superiors,- possesing in their estimation,
marked ability as a partisan and spy. His plan on May 1st. 1780, to seize Livingstone,
Governor of New Jersey, and the subsequent attempt to explodethe magazine at Suckasanna,
Morris County, New Jersey, failed, through intimation conveyed to the enemy by unsuspected
traitors in Moody's employ. He was at length promoted to rank of Lieutenant while in
Skinner's Brigade. In 1782 he visited England, where many evidences of esteem were bestowed.
After compiling a minute but appalling narrative of adventures during the contest, which
revealed numerous instances of intense personal suffering and most marvellous escapes from
death at hands of the Republicans, Lieutenant Moody returned to New Jersey; and shortly after
emigrated with his family to Weymouth, Nova Scotia, where he occupied a large and valuble
tract south of Cosman's Creek. His dwelling stood on northern side of street south of
the Creek leading from Post Road to Sissiboo River where the cellar is yet visible. His son
John lived south of that street where his grandson, Henry Moody, now resides.
Col. Moody, Represented County of Annapolis in the House of Assembly during two Parliments
- from 1793 to 1806. After living highly esteemed and greatly beloved, Colonel Moody died
April 6th, 1809, aged 64 years. His partner Jane, born June7th, 1752, died March 19th, 1837,
aged 84 years, nine months and eleven days.
Isaiah W. Wilson.Geography and History of the County of Digby. Cha.24, pp.332-333.
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