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Record #16606
Name :
: John HODGE (1878 - )
  aka : George Hodge; John Hodges


Father
:
Mother
:
BMD and other details
Date of Birth
: 1878 (approx.)

Marriage (1)
:
Marriage (2)
:

Date of Death
:
Abode (1) : Place of BirthScotland
Abode (2) : Place of Death / Burial
Sailing Information
Date of Arrival
: 11 Sep 1886
Country
: Canada

Ship
: Carthaginian

Placement Family
:
Homes / Agencys
Institution (GB)
:

Agency
: Emma Stirling
NotesIn 1886, George Hodge, 9, arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, in a group of 29 Scottish children accompanied by Miss Stirling, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Berwick Register,

June 11, 1941

"Large Orphanage Was Established Near Aylesford 50 Years Ago

This Enterprise Was Established By Miss Emma Stirling, Founder Of The Edinburgh And Leith Children's Aid And Refuge Society.

Fifty years ago there was a large children's orphanage known as Hillfoot Farm, located at Dempsey's Corner. A large number of children were brought out from Scotland and cared for here by Miss Emma M. Stirling, a Scotch philanthropist. These young people were educated and given a splendid training, the girls in housekeeping and the boys in farming, lumbering and milling. When possible foster homes or positions were found for them. Many of those who went out from this orphanage are
located in various parts of Nova Scotia and the United States.

Mr. John Hodge, who makes his home when in Nova Scotia, with Mr. and Mrs. G. D. Cox, Weston, was brought out from Scotland in 1886, and after leaving the home became a telegrapher with the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railway. He is now enjoying a pension after thirty-six years service.

Mr. Hodge has supplied us with some interesting information about this orphanage, which was a model of industry. The farm, including the woodlot, was about six hundred and fifty acres in extent, and all kinds of crops were grown on it. Apple orchards were set out as well as a number of pear, peach, plum and cherry trees. Besides a quantity of small fruits were planted.

The farm buildings were in advance of their times in conveniences. Besides the large barn there were a piggery, sheep house and poultry house, all of which were kept scrupulously clean. There was a herd of fifty head of registered Ayrshire cattle as well as forty hogs (Berkshires), two hundred sheep, twelve horses and a pair of oxen. Beef, pork and lamb were sold on the market.

The living quarters were extensive, including the ?Big House,? the boys? house and several other buildings, which contained school and play rooms, work and mending rooms, washing and drying rooms, dairy, pantries, kitchen. In the main building was a large room used for worship and social meetings.

A sawmill, shingle mill and a grist mill were operated on the farm and these were patronised by farmers throughout the countryside. The toll of grain went a long way towards feeding the farm stock.

This enterprise of half a century ago was the work of Miss Emma M. Stirling, founder of the Edinburgh and Leith Children?s Aid and Refuge Society. For a number of years before coming to Nova Scotia, Miss Stirling conducted children?s homes, day nurseries and coffee houses in Scotland. In 1885 the work had increased to such an extent that she brought a party to Canada to find an opportunity to place her wards in good homes.

In her book "Our children in Scotland and Nova Scotia" Miss Stirling gives a vivid description of her arrival at Halifax and the assistance rendered her by dr. George Lawson, Secretary of Agriculture in Nova Scotia, in locating a desirable property two miles north of Aylesford. There were twenty-five children as well as several helpers in the party. A second party of thirty-six children arrived three months later.

In connection with this arrival Miss Stirling states: "When we arrived at Aylesford the whole neighborhood assembled at the railway station to bid us welcome and brought their teams and waggons to help us to carry the party and their baggage." It was not long before a great many of the children and entered foster homes and then more were brought out from Scotland.

Probably some of the older citizens will remember many interesting details in connection with this enterprise. The orphanage was the centre of many community functions, including a religious service every Sunday evening. At one of the Christmas "At Homes" over eight hundred people attended. When a new barn was to be raised twenty-five neighbors were invited to assist. Actually fifty offered their services. Strawberry boxes, oxyokes, Dutch racks were made in the workshops. Articles of furniture were also made there.

Miss Stirling was evidently a very capable woman, for besides managing the orphanage and overseeing many details, she had the oversight of the farm. The plans for all the new buildings were drafted by her and when the new barn was to be built, she figured out the size and number of pieces to frame the building and during the preceding winter had these sawed out to the right dimensions at the sawmill.

Some of the buildings are still standing, but the property has been made into smaller farms." 
ContributorsCreated : 2012-08-20 16:35:14 / From original database

Last Updated : 2012-08-20 20:25:52 /

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Surnames starting with:   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  30 Entries        
Page: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 488 Entries        
IDNameDOBPlace of birthArrivals & ShipsDest.AgencyFamily links
3042 ABBOTT, John1881SCT,     Sep 1886 : Carthaginian CAN Emma Stirling  
3140 ACKROYD, Frances May1899M__,     Jun 1915 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
3143 ACKROYD, Mabel Emma1904IRL,     Jun 1915 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
3144 ACKROYD, William Henry1906IND,    , Quetta Jun 1915 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
9641 AGAR, John1905ENG,     Jun 1911 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
13349 ALGIE, James1871SCT,     Apr 1888 : Carthaginian CAN Quarriers  
4645 ALLDRIDGE, Arthur1897ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1904 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
4644 ALLDRIDGE, Harry1892ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1904 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
4643 ALLDRIDGE, Violet1893ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1904 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
9650 ALLEN, Dorothy1903ENG,     Jun 1911 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
4703 ALLEN, Thomas Henry1899ENG, WOR, Kings Norton May 1907 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
12871 ALLEN, Walter Harry1883ENG, WOR, Kidderminster Jun 1895 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
17071 ANDREWS, William 1898ENG,     May 1908 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
5753 ARUNDEL, Alfred1900ENG,    , Kings Norton May 1914 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
5754 ASHBURNE, Alfred1892ENG, YKS, Dewsbury May 1907 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
24069 ASHBY, James1904ENG,     Jun 1915 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
23681 ASHFIELD, George1900ENG,     Jun 1912 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
23682 ASHLEY, Frank1895ENG,     Jun 1904 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
23683 ASHTON, Abraham1896ENG,     May 1907 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
4015 ATTWOOD, Beatrice May1897ENG, WOR, Worcester Jun 1911 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
4016 ATTWOOD, Louisa1899ENG, WOR, Worcester Jun 1911 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
3620 AVERILL, Ernest John1894ENG, BRK, Reading Jun 1909 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
8592 BAILEY, Ernest1902ENG,     Jun 1911 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
3423 BALL, Albert Victor1902ENG, WAR, Aston Jun 1912 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
3422 BALL, Amelia1900ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1911 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
24070 BALL, Daisy1909ENG,     Jun 1915 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
4038 BALL, Edward1901ENG, WAR, Aston Jun 1912 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
24071 BALL, George1907ENG,     Jun 1915 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
9157 BARLEY, Edward 1894ENG, STS, Wolverhampton May 1907 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
7199 BARLEY, Frederick1897ENG, STS, Wolverhampton May 1907 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
IDNameDOBPlace of birthArrivals & ShipsDest.AgencyFamily links
Page: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 488 Entries        
Surnames starting with:   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  30 Entries