From: THE MIRAMICHI: CLAIMING THE WILDERNESS By Carl Stymiest UE, BA, B.ED., M.ED., PH.D.
- The voyage of Benjamin (Stymiest II & III) and his brother, Jasper (Stymest) to their new home was more difficult than they had anticipated. Their parting with loved ones left behind; a highly emotional time for all. Upon completion of their long and horrendous journey, these two Loyalists began pondering the “promises” made regarding the settling of this strange, new and foreboding territory. The “promises,” a series of discussions and decisions between New York, London, Halifax, and Quebec established that every Loyalist would receive a free land grant. Benjamin Stymiest II was to be no exception and after a brief time in Parr Town, resolved to migrate further north-east where he heard a more favourable territory existed. While in Parr Town, Benjamin heeded the stories of great timber-wealth further north in a place called “River Mariameschie.” After numerous family discussions, Benjamin decided to investigate the so called “Davidson Tract” on the Miramichi River. Benjamin learned that William Davidson was the founder of the first settlement at Miramichi and that he operated a lumber and fishing business there. Who was this Davidson? Benjamin soon discovered that he was born, John Godsman (aka Goodsman) in Bellie Parish, Banffshire, Scotland around 1740, the son of William Godsman who was engaged in the fishing industry on the north coast of Scotland. Before leaving home to seek his fame and fortune in Nova Scotia, he adopted the name of his maternal grandfather, William Davidson. As Benjamin listened to the narratives of this legendary entrepreneur; he learned that at the age of twenty-four, Davidson formed a partnership with John Cort, a native of Aberdeenshire. William had two-thirds interest, and Cort one-third. Davidson and Cort, who arrived in Nova Scotia in the mid 1760s explored the lands of the east coast of what is today New Brunswick and managed to obtain a sizeable land grant on the Miramichi with all fishing and timber rights as well. They chose the site “Elm Tree,” twelve miles above Beaubear’s Island, as their chief centre. Although their grant was intended a fishing grant, they also received a township grant of 100,000 acres. This was located on the “River Mariameschie” which first appeared on Champlain’s map of the early 1600s. Benjamin further learned of Davidson’s escapades from other settlers as well. They told him Davidson had returned to the Miramichi after leaving for Maugerville in 1777 during the uprisings. They also said he suffered heavy losses from “the predications of the privateers” as well as constant raids carried out by the local Micmacs.
- United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=8233
- Finda a GRAVE: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/189662014/benjamin-christoffel-stymiest
UEL Canada 