BOOKS
The Kings County Museum has an extensive collection of historical works by authors and historians from throughout Kings County and across New Brunswick. Our most recent addition is Cheese and Butter Factories of Kings County NB by John G Elliott, released in 2021. Over the last two years we have re-released The Road to Norton by Lillas Reid, plus Reflections: The Story of Hampton NB and The Bloomfield Area Remembered both by David Keirstead. These books provide a great deal of local history from the Kings County area of New Brunswick, from early settlers to the late 20th century. We also added Abraham Beverley Walker: Lawyer, Lecturer, Activist by Peter Little to our available books.
Books can be purchased at the Kings County Museum, 27 Centennial Drive, Hampton or by contacting the museum at (506) 832-6009 or by email at kingscountymuseumnb@gmail.com. We accept payment via e-transfer, debit, and VISA and Mastercard.
Yesteryear Meets Today
by Nancy A Cusack
LIMITED AVAILABILITY - Please check
Growing up on a farm in New Brunswick at the end of World War II, Ruby Cusack had a childhood filled with animals, chores, visits to the fishing hole and rebelling against hair bows and box socials. It was a different time, before social media, cell phones, and television. A time of community and small town life, where everyone knew each other. It was also a time of storytelling, and Ruby Cusack was good at that. Her daughter, Nancy Cusack, has gathered together some of Ruby's stories, using them as examples as she shares her own expertise in mental health with compassion and a touch of nostalgia.
129 pages / $25.00
Backwoods Boy: An Illustrated Memoir
Growing Up in Rural New Brunswick in the Fifties and Sixties
by Richard Irving
In Backwoods Boy, author Richard Irving takes you on a nostalgic romp through rural New Brunswick's maple and blueberry fields of the fifties and sixties. Emerging from World War II, the small community of Baltimore, New Brunswick, was isolated by poor roads and expensive telecommunications. Nevertheless, this seclusion fostered deep community connections and a solid sense of place. Thirty-four whimsical pencil and ink sketches and thirteen photographs accompany stories that illustrate the joys and challenges of each season and demonstrate the social effects of changing technology.
166 pages / $2 0.00
The Great Saint John Fire of 1877
SOLD OUT
by Mark Allan Greene
By the mid 19th century Saint John, New Brunswick was the third largest city in British North America. On June 20, 1877, the city suffered the worst urban fire in 19th century North America, destroying almost half the city and leaving 13,000 homeless. Mark Greene's book tells the story of the city's rise, destruction and recovery in both text and pictures.
112 pages / $35.00
The Quilts of Kings County Museum
This little book was compiled by Melanie A. Wade, President of Kings County Historical & Archival Society and museum volunteer, and edited by Debbie Hickey, Museum Curator. It is a compilation of information and full colour photos of the quilts currently in the possession of the Kings County Museum in Hampton New Brunswick. These quilts represent the work of hundreds of women and girls over almost 200 years. The information on each quilt was obtained from the accession (donation) documents, as well as from local quilters who shared their expertise on quilt patterns and the names of patterns used in this area.
64 pages / $17.00
Henry More Smith: The Mysterious Stranger
"The true story of the most remarkable prisoner ever detained in a gaol in New Brunswick as told by Walter Bates, one time Sheriff of Kings County. Being an authentic account of the numerous arrests, remarkable doings and wonderful escapes of the most noted road agent who ever pestered the authorities of New Brunswick".
88 pages / $15.00
"Ice Out Past My House": The Diary of Azor Hoyt, a Kings County Loyalist
Transcribed from the original diaries of Azor Hoyt by his descendants, this book has been out of print for many years. Azor Hoyt, the writer of the diary, was born in 1770 near Stamford, Connecticut and came to with his family to New Brunswick in 1783 as a 13-year-old. The diary dates from 1811 through to the mid 19th century and includes historical notes of many of the incidents and people referenced as well as an index of names for the Kings County residents mentioned by Azor Hoyt.
78 pages / $15.00
1901 Census Index for Hampton Parish, Kings County, New Brunswick, Canada
by K. J. Cormier
Transcribed from the 1901 census in the order written in the original census. Showing: Census Page Number, Dwelling number, Surname, Given Name, Sex, Color, Head of Household or relationship to, Marital status, Date of Birth, Age, Country of Birth, Year of Immigration to New Brunswick, Racial Origin, Nationality, Religion and Occupation.
$15.00
Abraham Beverley Walker:
Lawyer, Lecturer, Activist
by Peter Little
Chronicles the life and work, as well as the systemic racism Dr Walker faced as Canada's first black lawyer. Born in 1851 in Kars, New Brunswick, Dr Walker studied law at National University in Washington DC and at the Saint John Law School. He struggled to make a living as a lawyer in Saint John, New Brunswick, and subsequently focused on civil rights issues, lecturing extensively across North America. He was a devout Christian and his message bears a striking resemblance to that of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr who followed in his footsteps 50 years later.
120 pages | $16.00 each
Annidale: From Wilderness to Wilderness
The Story of an Abandoned NB Community
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by John R. Elliott
Beside St John's Anglican Church in the rural Queens County community of Highfield, a largely abandoned dirt road, the Annidale Road, leads to what was first known as Boyd Settlement and later as Annidale. Very little survives today to mark the community which began in the 1820's and by 1891 was described as "one of the most thriving hamlets along the central railway". By the late 1950's it was abandoned. In addition to a history of the community, the book includes genealogical information on the Annidale families.
269 pages | $30.00 each
Life in Rural Kings County in the Early and Mid 20th Century
By Roy Fletcher
Stories from two generations growing up in rural Kings County: Alice Fletcher and her sister Mary Keith reflections on growing up in early 20th century in Cornhill, and Alice's son Roy's memories of his youth in Upham.
90 pages / $15.00
The Bloomfield Area Remembered
by David G. Keirstead
The nearly 400 pages of print and photos telling the history and stories from early settlers to late 20th century in Bloomfield Corner, Bloomfield Station, Bloomfield Ridge, Passekeag, Dickie Mountain, Guthrie Road, Central Norton and Warneford. Schools, churches, cemeteries, early families and family lines, reminisces,,, newspaper articles . . . tons of information for anyone interested in the Bloomfield area.
383 pages | $35.00 each
Butternut Ridge - Havelock, Our Proud Heritage 1809 to 1989
Published by Havelock Women's Institute
Contains information and photographs on Havelock in four categories: History, Happenings, Businesses and organizations.
$25.00
Cheese & Butter Factories
of Kings County, New Brunswick
by John R Elliott
The Kings County Museum has received several copies of local historian John R Elliott's latest book, "Cheese & Butter Factories of Kings County, New Brunswick". Enjoy the tales of the factories, their owners and workers as the region developed from humble beginnings to become the Dairy Centre of the Maritimes.
324 pages | $35.00 each
The Communion of Saints
by Vesta Dunlop Mullen
Ordained ministers of the Reformed Baptist church 1888-1966.
$12.00
Diary of Flora Somerville: The Lady of the Narrows Vol. 1 & 2
Compiled by Graeme F. Somerville
Two book set.
$60.00
Diary of Philip Nase, 1836-1885:
Family, Business & Politics on the Lower Saint John River.
This diary covers a fascinating mix of genealogy, local history, river history, and Canadian and world events. Enjoy these insightful first hand records of life along the river from the age of sail, to the days of steamships.
114 pages | Fully indexed | photos & family documents | $20.00 each
On Order
Down with the Rigidly Righteous:
The Poems of John Dunham
Edited by John R. Elliott.
This is a collection of over 200 poems by an incredible – but little known figure - from New Brunswick's past. John Dunham (1868-1944) was a keen observer and his witty, insightful poems create a vivid depiction of life along the river in Kings and Queens Counties. He was a jack-of-all-trades, working at the Quarries in Hampstead, as a lumberman, and as a deckhand onboard the many steamships that piloted the Saint John River. His poems are a reflection of this life, and of the wonderful stories to be found in the day-to-day lives of people in this area of New Brunswick. This new collection will surprise and delight readers from the area – and those who just enjoy a well-written verse.
317 pages | Fully indexed with photos | $25.00 each
Downeast: Upcountry
by Thomas L. Shanklin
$20.00
Education 1792-1970 in Springfield N B
by Ernest G. C. Graham
Covers all schools in Springfield Parish. History of school buildings mixed with local history.
$6.00
Hampton Consolidated School- A Story Worth Telling
by David G Keirstead
368 pages of text and pictures
$30.00
An Historical Sketch of the Early Settlement of New Canaan and the Histories of the New Canaan, Havelock and Albert Baptist Churches
by Rev J W Brown, MA PhD
This historical account published in 1905 covers the settlement and history of the area from the arrival of the Loyalists to the early years of the 20th century.
39 Pages $10.00
History of Springfield Parish
by W. Harvey Dalling, Ernest Friars, and Mrs. Faye Pearson
$10.00
History of Waterford Parish
by W. Harvey Dalling, Ernest Friars, and Mrs. Faye Pearson
$10.00
A Keirstead History
by David G. Keirstead This genealogy is the author's direct line. The original was in a binder, but has been reissued in 2023 as a softcover book with corrections provided by the author.
$20.00
The Story of Knowlesville
by Judson M. Corey
Contains much genealogical information on families such as: Corey, Sarchfield, Wheaton, Hallet, Harrison, Spinney and Keirstead, to name a few.
$12.95
KNOWLESVILLE II: The Corey Story
by Judson M. Corey
The re-location of Alfred and Lucretia Corey from New Canaan, Havelock and vicinity to Knowlesville about 1874 where neighbors helped them build a log cabin. 150 years of family and community history with photos and genealogy.
$24.95
The Land of Milk & Honey: A History of Upham
by Edward Kilpatrick
First published in 2014, and updated in 2021, this book takes readers through the community of Upham, farm by farm, looking at the original land grants of the area and how those properties passed through families over time. Includes many images of Upham area.
113 pages
$20.00
The Loyalists of New Brunswick
by Esther Clark Wright
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Reprint 2003. An incredible, detailed look at the early Loyalist story in New Brunswick. 365 pages; fully indexed.
$30.00
Mills, Hills and Early Settlers of Springfield Parish, Kings Co. N B
by Ernest G. C. Graham
Not only an interesting description of the mills and hills in Springfield Parish but also much folklore and genealogy of these early settlers. Some early photographs.
$8.00
Presbyterian Baptisms in Saint John: 1817-1890
Compiled by Graeme F. Somerville
An excellent resource for researchers
$45.00
The Records of the Reverend James Gray, Kings County, New Brunswick 1857 - 1898
by Saint John Genealogical Society
Presbyterian Church records in Kings County.
$25.00
Reflections:
The Story of Hampton NB
by David G Keirstead
The definitive history of the Hampton New Brunswick area, from first settlement through to the early 1980's. This book was first published in August of 1983 and has been out of print for many years. The November 2019 2nd printing is now available for sale at the Museum. Full of information and photos from Hampton's history, this is an excellent reference for anyone with connections to Hampton NB.
294 pages | $30.00 each
The Road to Norton
by Lillas Reid
First published in 1984, The Road to Norton has been out of print for many years but is now available for sale at the Museum. Full of information and photos from Norton's history, including early settlers, churches and the coming of the railroad, and this is an excellent read for anyone with connections to Norton NB.
95 pages | $15.00 each
The Soldiers of the Valley; The KV Memory Project
This book includes the stories of the men and one woman, from the Kennebecasis Valley, who died while participating in World War I and World War II.
$25.00
SOLD OUT - Digital copy may be available at Family Search organization
Somerville: from Perthshire, Scotland to New Brunswick and Beyond
by Graeme F. Somerville
The genealogies of the families of Andrew and William Somerville, who were settlers in Kings County from Perthshire, Scotland.
$20.00
Sorrow: A Sanctifying Touch
By Judson M. Corey
This book explores the variety of responses to loss, the experience of sorrow and the changes it brings to many people. The book was written in hopes that others who experience loss of loved ones and are filled with sorrow will find comfort in the experiences and thoughts that are shared throughout this book.
$15.00
St. Paul's Church, Londonderry, and the Shepody Road
$10.00
The Story of Sussex and Vicinity, New Brunswick
by Grace Aiton
The history of New Brunswick's Sussex Parish which goes back 200 years is actually the history of Kings County and contained in this book. Some early photographs and genealogy.
$5.00
Tales of Lonewater Farm
by Edis Flewwelling
The chronicle of Major Edis A. Flewwelling, the director of a unique alcoholic rehabilitation centre that worked to get alcoholics back on the path to sobriety.
$8.00
There Goes the Bell
by Marion (Vail) Kellow
The author grew up in Belleisle Creek and attended the one-room schoolhouse in Joiliff Brook during the 1930s and 40s. Her recollections of her adventures both in and out of school provide a laughter filled recounting of rural life during that era..
213 pages | $20.00 each
ON ORDER - Please check availablity
A Titus History
by David G. Keirstead
This genealogy is the author's direct line. Book comes punched, loose-leaf form so that buyers can mount it in a binder if they so wish.
$20.00
A World Champion Story
By Andrew Gillen
The history and story of Hugh J. McCormick, a world professional speed skating champion in 1890.
$4.00
Yesteryear Sussex
By K. Wayne Vail
Buildings, business and people of "yesteryear" Sussex told by K. Wayne Vail
$45.00
