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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  12 Entries        
IDNameDOBPlace of birthArrivals & ShipsDest.AgencyFamily links
11610 HODGE, Benjamin1898ENG, LDN, London Aug 1908 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
18802 HODGE, E. H.1889ENG,     Sep 1899 : Arawa CAN Barnardos  
17016 HODGE, Ed H.1889ENG,     Sep 1899 : Arawa CAN Barnardos  
7617 HODGE, Elizabeth1859ENG,     Nov 1870 : Peruvian CAN Maria Rye  
5971 HODGE, Frederick1901ENG,     Oct 1910 : Sicilian CAN Barnardos  
6607 HODGE, Grace1896ENG,     Aug 1908 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
5970 HODGE, James1898ENG,     Oct 1910 : Sicilian CAN Barnardos  
16606 HODGE, John1878SCT,     Sep 1886 : Carthaginian CAN Emma Stirling  
22523 HODGE, Reginald Charles1907ENG,     Jul 1923 : Regina CAN National Childrens Home  
4163 HODGE, William1898ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1910 : Mongolian CAN Middlemore  
13034 HODGE, William1882ENG,     Sep 1896 : Mongolian CAN Unknown Catholic Group  
4391 HODGE, William W.1897ENG,     Mar 1910 : Canada CAN National Childrens Home