ROSCOE - Dr. Muriel Victoria, 92, Wolfville, died
Friday in Eastern Kings Memorial Hospital, Wolfville. She
had served on numerous university committees and was
instrumental in organizing the Ninth International Botanical
Congress in Montreal in 1959. The body has been cremated.
Memorial service will be 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Manning
Memorial Chapel, Acadia University, Rev. Roger Prentice
and Rev. Dr. Freeman Fenerty officiating. Donations may be
made to The Muriel Roscoe Memorial Fund in Biology, Acadia
University, Wolfville. Born in Centreville, Kings County,
she was a daughter of the late Clarence M. and Mary Amelia
(Morton) Roscoe. She graduated from Acadia University with
a B.A. in 1918. After four years of teaching high school
she did graduate work in Biology at Radcliffe College, Mass.,
graduating with an A.M. in 1925 and Phd., in 1926.
Dr. Roscoe had a distinguished career in teaching
and research, first at Acadia University from 1926 - 1940,
and then at McGill University, 1940 - 1947, where she also
served as warden of Royal Victoria College and was chairman
of the McGill Botany Department, from 1952 - 1962. She
served on numerous international botanical Congresses in
Montreal in 1959. In recognition of her outstanding
contribution to McGill, a large residenence wing of the
Royal Victoria College was named after her in 1964. Several
awards and a lectureship were also established in her name
at McGill. Her service to Acadia University was recognized
in 1982 with the construction of the Weston Research Centre
in her honour. She received honourary degrees from Acadia,
Queen, McGill University and Radcliffe College.
She is survived by a sister, Mary Vestol, Florida;
several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three
brothers, Harold, Miner, Robie; a sister, Eleanor. The body
has been cremated. Memorial service will be 7:30 p.m.
Thursday in Manning Memorial Chapel, Acadia University,
Rev. Roger Prentice and Rev. Dr. Freeman Fenerty officiating.
Donations may be made to The Muriel Roscoe Memorial
Fund in Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville.
(Src: The Chronicle-Herald, Tuesday, January 16, 1990, Page C10)
The King family of Pugwash, thanks this fine
lady for the following compilation on the Roscoe
family, she must have spent many long interesting
hours in search of the following information and
I am happy to have the opportunity to share it
with others. This information is laid out as was
presented to us by Muriel, shortly after visiting
with the King family at Pugwash, and has not been
added to in any way.
signed: Richard G. King
Roscoe Family Genealogy
Theophilus Roscoe, b.____; m. Mary _____ (1777-1856)
d.1853. Children: one son (?); three daughters (?).
There is little factual information about Theophilus
RUSCO and the lack of vital and other statistics means a
decidedly unclear picture of this man and his family. It
would seem that he was the eldest of Josiah Sweet RUSCO's
sons.
The first record concerning Theophilus is of his
nominating his brother, Josiah RUSCO, of Cornwallis "to be
his attorney and collect debts, etc., and to sell a parcel
of land containing an estimated 75 acres on the North
Mountain". This was in October 16, 1819. The land was sold
to Benjamin DONALDSON, by deed, in 1820. "Also Theophilus
RUSCO, late of Cornwallis, but now of Petitcodiac in the
Province of N.B.", bought land from George FINCH and wife
by deed (i.e., in Cornwallis).
Evidently he did not remain long in New Brunswick
as the 1827 census for Nova Scotia recorded him as living
in Cumberland County, viz. "Theopholes RUSCO, Methodist,
farmer, residing in River Philip, Cumberland County, N.S.
Family, 2 males, 4 females, total of six in family."
The Registry of Deeds in Amherst shows that
Theophilus bought from John OXLEY "land at the mouth of the
River Philip", N.S., on which Theophilus was living in 1831.
Later, on July 1, 1841, he sold a tract of marshland "on the
south side of River Philip,viz. 6 acres more or less, known
by the name of Rushpond" to Josiah KING. This deed was
signed by his wife Mary, as well as himself.
At some time later, he moved to Goose River,
Cumberland County (now known as Linden, on the Sunset
Trail, Route #6, from Amherst to Pugwash). He died there
in 1853 without a Will, leaving one child Eliza. His estate
was administered by three persons who were appointed to
do that for the "sole heir", Eliza IBBITSON, his daughter.
A guardianship was set up to protect the interest of Eliza
IBBITSON in the estate as she was a minor at the age of 14
in 1853, and recently had been married to Henry IBBITSON.
The guardianship was settled in 1860 when she was 21 years
old and of legal age.
Mary his wife, died three years after Theophilus.
A tombstone for "Mary RUSCO, 1777 - 1856" in Palmerston
Cemetery, Pugwash, N.S., marks her place of burial.
It is difficult to correlate the known facts
concerning Theophilus and his family. Either the census
figures for 1827 were incorrect in implying that Theophilus
had four children at that time or all four may have been
victims of an epidemic disease such as diphtheria or
smallpox. Eliza was born in 1839 when Mary at that date
would have been 62 years old. It seems probable that the
earlier family had been decimated and that Eliza, "the sole
heir" was a surviving grandchild, and brought up by
Theophilus and Mary. When they moved to Goose River,
members of the community thought Eliza to be their child.
FOREWORD:
On February 26, 1793, Josiah Sweet RUSCO,
stone mason, bought land from Barnabas Tuttle LORD,
some 15 acres on the right side of Silas WOODWORTH's
200 acre division. This was in the Cornwallis township
of Kings County, Nova Scotia. The place is known as
Centreville. He built a house and established the family
home there. At that date, Theophilus, was (?) years old;
James was 9; Lydia 4 and Joseph 2. William was born
three years later, in 1796.
Josiah died in 1812/13. In September, 1816,
Lydia married Oliver THORP and moved to North Mountain.
In 1819 Theophilus left for Petitcodiac, N.B., but
ultimately settled in River Philip. James had married
Isabell ROBINSON and moved to Hall's Harbour. Josiah
married Catherine ATKINSON in October, 1820, and took
up farming across the Minas Basin in what later was called
West River. William had married on January 4, 1820, Amy
Miner PORTER and they remained in the Centreville home.
It should perhaps be noted when Theophilus and
Josiah settled in River Philip and West River, they still
were in Kings County, although in the township of
Parrsborough. That portion of Kings did not become
included in Cumberland County until 1840.
June 21, 1984, Muriel V. Roscoe
Josiah, born 1791; married October 24, 1820,
Catherine ATKINSON, daughter of Michael ATKINSON, Maccan;
died February 13, 1869 age 78.
Josiah was born and grew up in Cornwallis township.
Later he moved to Canaan (now West River) across the Bay
of Fundy, in the Township of Parrsborough, which, until
1840, was a part of Kings County. He was first a teacher
and later became a farmer. In 1822 (Sept. 18) he and his
wife, Catherine, sold some twenty acres of land he owned
in Cornwallis to Michael MURPHY for &52,S10. On March 5,
1824 he was granted 300 acres (Partridge Island to Maccan
area), the grant being given on condition of settlement;
- also a payment of Quit-rent amounting to `two shilling
sterling' for every 100 acres granted, to commence on the
mid summer day after the expiration of two years from the
date hereof and to be paid yearly and every year."(Grant
Book L, page 48). Subsequently, Josiah bought several
parcels of land in Cumberland County, and developed a
large good farm. In his Will made in 1868, he left money
and land to, his grandson, Josiah William RUSCOE, son
of Stephen, and the rest of his estate to be equally
divided between his wife, Kitty, and his son Stephen RUSCOE.
Ultimately, the entire farm passed to Stephen. Josiah
died February 13, 1869, of Asthma and his wife Catherine,
a year and a half later, with burials in West Brook Cemetery.
Children:
Stephen A. RUSCOE, born April 29, 1821 married
(1) January 20, 1852, Elizabeth J. LEWIS (daughter of Oman
LEWIS) born January 12, 1829, died August 17, 1862, buried
in West Brook, married by Rev. Samuel THOMPSON, Baptist;
(2) December 31, 1863, Mary Jane RONY, born May 11, 1842,
died December 11, 1919, married by Rev. Duncan MacKINNON,
Presbyterian, died January 3, 1894 at age 73 years. Buried
in West Brook.
Stephen was the only child of Josiah and Catherine.
He is reported as being a large, very strong and handsome
man. Stephen's first wife, Elizabeth LEWIS, died of
diphtheria ten years after their marriage. The third child
Charles, also died of diphtheria at the same time. The first
child Oman, lived less than a year and Josiah William died
at the age of 29.
Stephen's second wife, Mary Jane Rony, was a
particularly beautiful woman. The two took over the farm in
West Brook when Josiah became unable to carry on, and all
their children were born there. After the deaths of Stephen
and Mary Jane, the farm was sold to Stewart SMITH, son of
Henry SMITH, Parrsboro.
Children of the first marriage:
a. Oman O. Roscoe born June 21, 1852, died May 14,
1853.
b. Josiah William Roscoe born Aug. 12, 1855, died Apr.
11, 1885.
c. Charles H. Roscoe born Sept. 28, 1857, died August
26, 1862. Died of diphtheria, buried in West Brook
Cemetery.
Children of the second marriage:
d. Miner Edward Roscoe born Feb. 22, 1865, died Oct.,
1928
e. Clifford Stephen Roscoe born Feb. 11, 1867.
f. Willard Elbridge Roscoe boorn Feb. 23, 1869, died
mid 1930's.
g. Elizabeth Roscoe born Sept. 1871, died in infancy.
h. Mary Roscoe born Sept. 1871, died in infancy.
i. Burton Eugene Rosce born Jan. 17, 1875, died 1949,
Pugwash, NS.
j. Ada Glendella Roscoe born Apr. 11, 1877, died Mar.
21, 1947.
k. David Leslie Roscoe born Apr. 25,1879, died July
30, 1919.
l Eva May Roscoe born May 23, 1881, died April 12,
1887.
(d) Miner Edward RUSCO, born Feb. 22, 1865 married December
28, 1893, Emma McLEAN. Miner was a mining man. He worked
in the coal mines in Springhill, N.S., until 1901 when he
went to Morenci, Arizona. There he worked in the copper
mines until approximately 1921. He then managed the
Company hotel, the Morenci Hotel, for seven years until
his death in 1928.
Children:
1. Bessie Roscoe born June 7, 1895, died in infancy.
2. Beatrice Roscoe, born June 13, 1897, married 1924,
Clifford Roscoe NICHOLS (the NICHOLS family
lived in Essex, England and emigrated to Conn.,
USA). Beatrice graduated from the University of
California and taught English and Dramatics until
she married. Her husband was in mining and worked
different places in California, chiefly in the
gold mines in the Mother - lode area. After much
moving about, Beatrice and her husband settled in
Santa Barbara and in 1979 retired to Walnut Creek,
near San Francisco.
Children:
a. Mary Patricia born married 1948, Richard
Hamilton. They have two sons, Stuart and Scott
HAMILTON.
3. Glenn Roscoe born January 13, 1900, died October
8, 1982, married October 8, 1934, Dorothy McGOWAN.
Glenn was an accountant.
Children:
a. Dorothy Lea born 1935, married --, died 1966.
b. Milton Edward born 1937, died 1969.
(e) Clifford Stephen Roscoe born February 11, 1867, in
Parrsboro, married May 4, 1892, Ellen Cecilia McGrath,
born 1864, daughter of Michael and Catherine McGRATH
of Parrsboro, married by Rev. Harvey BURGESS, Methodist,
River Philip. Clifford was a photographer in Springhill
at the time of his marriage. To date there is no further
record of this couple.
(f) Willard Elbridge born February 23, 1869, married
September 12, 1894, Carrie Blackburn SPROULE, daughter
of James and Rebecca SPROULE, married by Rev. James
SHARP, Methodist Church, Parrsboro. Willard worked in
mining in Timmins, Ontario, and then moved to James Island,
off Vancouver Island, where he was employed in munitions.
In his later years, he lived in Edmonton with his daughter,
Helen, and her family. He died there in the mid 1930's and
was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Willard's wife Carrie,
had died in West Brook, ca. 1900, and was buried in the
cemetery there, as was an infant daughter, Jannis.
Children:
1. Jannis Roscoe, died in infancy.
2. Helen Margaret Roscoe born July 30, 1895, died
March 29, 1969, married June 26, 1927, John
TEMPLETON. Helen was about five years old when
her mother died, and she grew up with ROSCOE and
SPROULE families. She attended the University of
Edmonton and taught in schools in Alberta. The
Templetons lived in Edmonton. She died in 1969 and
was buried in Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Edmonton.
Children:
a. William Roscoe TEMPLETON.
b. Joan Margaret TEMPLETON.
c. Mary Carolyn TEMPLETON.
(a) William Roscoe TEMPLETON, born on Edmonton, married
Mona McKEE. He lives in Pincher Creek, Alberta,
where he is manager of a credit union.
Children:
1. John Clarke TEMPELTON.
2. Scott Douglas TEMPLETON.
3. Margaret Lynne TEMPLETON.
(b) Joan Margaret TEMPLETON married December 24, 1960,
David Michael TOD, Physician. They lived in Hinton,
Alberta and then moved to Nanaimo, B.C.
Children:
1. Ian Michael TOD born December 29, 1961 in
Edmonton.
2. Colin Kent TOD born August 17, 1963 in
Edmonton.
(c) Mary Carolyn TEMPLETON born in Edmonton, married
April 30, 1954, Arthur Robert McDONNELL. They lived
in Calgary.
Children:
1. Brian Patrick McDONNELL.
2. Glenn Murray McDONNELL.
3. Douglas Keven McDONNELL.
4. Sandra Diane McDONNELL.
5. John Andrew McDONNELL.
(i) Burton Eugene ROSCOE born January 17, 1875, was
unmarried. He was a storekeeper in Springhill, N.S.. After
retiring he lived in Pugwash until his death in 1949 and
was buried in Palmerston Cemetery, Pugwash, Nova Scotia.
(j) Ada Glendella (Dillie) born April 11, 1877, married
1902, John Alfred Ash. Dillie lived in Pugwash, until her
husband's death, after that she went to Boston where she
worked as a housekeeper. She was buried in Palmerston
Cemetery, Pugwash, Nova Scotia.
Children:
1. Genevieve Beatrice ASH born 1907, married May 7,
1924, Lorne Hezekiah KING.
Children:
a. John Herbert KING married 1949, Beulah
MacCULLOUGH. They live in Toronto.
b. Helen Madeline KING born November 20, 1926,
died February 14, 1984, buried in Palmerston
Cemetery, Pugwash. Married (1) April 1943,
Leslie BUCKNELL, (2) 1947, John HOPPS
c. Robert MacKenzie KING born March 18, 1930,
died June 18, 1982, buried in Palmerston
Cemetery, Pugwash, Nova Scotia. Lived in
Toronto, Ontario.
d. Lorna Genevieve KING born April 21, 1932, died
November 11, 1990, buried in Memorial Gardens,
Calgary, Alberta. Married Ronald Thompson and
lived in Calgary, Alberta.
e. Charles Edward Alvah KING married Eileen
PATRIQUIN, live in Pugwash.
f. James Tuttle KING married May 22, 1965,
Gloria Dawn O'HARA, live in Richmond,
Cumberland County, Nova Scotia.
g. Richard Glenn KING married, April 5, 1969,
Shirley Ann ARMSTRONG PERRIN, live in Amherst,
Cumberland County, N.S.
(k) David Leslie ROSCOE born April 25, 1879, married
Etta Frances SCHURMAN, born June 12, 1881, in Malden, Mass.
Leslie went to Morenci, Arizona, and worked for his brother,
Miner ROSCOE, in the copper mine. He later moved to British
Columbia and died in Vancouver, July 30, 1919. No children.
Richard G. King
by E-mail.
at Rick.King@ns.sympatico.ca
or kynge@hotmail.com
This page hosted by
Get your own
Free Home Page.
Return to King Genealogy Page