‘Miss Nelly’ a real pioneer
Helen ‘Miss Nelly’ MacDonald arrived here in 1772 as part of the Glenalladale immigration
Catherine and Mary-Carla MacDonald will present “Helen ‘Miss Nelly’ MacDonald of Glenalladale” on Monday, Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m., in the Tracadie Community Centre on Station Road in Tracadie Cross.
Their presentation is based on the research and writings of their mother, the late Genevieve MacDonald. Catherine and Mary-Carla are completing the editing of the book their mother had researched and prepared on “Miss Nelly”.
Arriving from Scotland on St. John’s Island (now Prince Edward Island) with her family in 1772 as part of the Glenalladale immigration, it was not long before “Miss Nelly” found herself managing the 20,000-acre Glenalladale estate when her brothers, John and Donald, left to serve in the American Revolutionary War.
She would manage the estate for nearly 20 years, and as a woman doing what was then considered men’s work and a job for which she had no preparation, she was an extraordinary pioneer who deserves to have her story recorded.
With support from Tracadie Community Hall, this presentation is free.
There will be light refreshments and a few snacks.
This is the last presentation in the All Around the Hillsborough Speakers Series, but there is still the launch of Franklin Pigot’s “A History of Mount Stewart” illustrated edition and a bus tour of historic events and sites this autumn.
The Hillsborough River Association, with support from the Canadian Heritage Rivers’ Canada 150 Fund, is hosting a variety of events and activities during 2017 with the over-riding theme of “All Around the Hillsborough. These events acknowledge and celebrate the history, built heritage, culture, recreational value and natural history of the Hillsborough River.
In addition to 2017 being Canada’s 150th Anniversary, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the designation of the Hillsborough as the Island’s first Canadian Heritage River.
For further information, contact the association at pisquidwatershed@gmail.com or see the group on its Facebook site search-HRA-Watershed-Management.