Peter Grant

Peter Grant was born in 1767 in Glen Urquhart, Inverness, Scotland.

The History of Nova Scotia VIII: Halifax fills in some details of his life : “………Peter Grant, the grandfather, was born in Scotland, from which country he came as a young man to Nova Scotia, locating in the city of Halifax, later coming to Pictou where he taught school, having received a good education in his native land.  He was subsequently bookkeeper with John Russell, who conducted an extensive ship and ship building blacksmithing plant.  He took up a homestead on Scotch Hill and developed a good farm.  He lived to the age of eighty-five years.  His family consisted of five sons and six daughters.  All the sons and four of the daughters located on farms within ten miles of the old homestead.” 

Peter married Eleanor before 1798 in Pictou.  Eleanor was born in 1777 in Stewiacke, Colchester County, NS and died on 26 Feb 1865 at the age of 88 in Scotch Hill.  She was buried in Scotch Hill Cemetery.   At this point no further information is known about the ancestry of Eleanor.

Peter received a grant of land in 1823.  He had a large family which is recorded in the many land grants in which he, conveniently for genealogists, recorded their ages.

Peter died on 30 Oct 1852 at the age of 85 in Scotch Hill. He was buried in Scotch Hill Cemetery.  Eleanor lived another thirteen years. There is a possibility that Peter had more than one wife, but to date the only information is from the tombstone

“At Scotch Hill, on Saturday, the 30^th ult. Mr. Peter Grant, aged 85 years.  A native of Scotland, he emigrated in early life and nearly fulfilled his fourscore years in this province.  He was surrounded by a large and respectable family, all of whom survive to revere his memory and imitate his Christian virtues.  Like one of the Patriarchs of old, he died in the presence of his children and when gathered to the congregation of the dead, it was as a shook of corn that cometh in his season.” Eastern Chronicle 2 Nov 1852 p3

“At Scotch Hill, Pictou, on Saturday, 30^th ult., Mr. Peter Grant, aged 85 years, a native of Scotland.  He emigrated in early life, and nearly fulfilled his fourscore years in this province.” Presbyterian Witness 13 Nov 1852 p363

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