In 1773, several well-established Halifax businessmen, all of German origin, were the first to be granted land in the area we now know as Harrietsfield and Williamswood. in Harrietsfield. There is, however, a road petition of 1784 in which these same men described themselves as “proprietors of land laying about four miles southwest from Spryfield Farm...that they have opened up a road from the North West Arm to the foot r>of Long Lake and from thence to their own lands so that carriages may now go from Spryfield to that place.
The name “Harrietsfield” did not come into use until the 1780s, the same time as William Thomson appeared in land transactions. In a 1783 deed, the name “Jerusalem” was used to describe the land in Harrietsfield.
It is the accepted belief that Harrietsfield was named for Harriet Cunningham, wife of William Thomson. In a 1789 petition, Thomson stated that he had built a house and cleared 14 acres of the land granted to him at Harrietsfield, and had made and repaired the road for one and one-half miles.
Another prominent family in Halifax, the Moodys, acquired a great deal of land in Harrietsfield, through grants and through purchasing several lots owned by the Germans. According to the 1793 Poll Tax record, John Moody Jr. actually lived on his land for a short period. His name lives on in Moody Lake, Moody River and Moody Park.
John Moody, William Thomson and the Germans entrepreneurs all contOributed to the development of Harrietsfield, paving the way for permanent settlers like John Peter Marriott and two Brunt brothers, David and John. David Brunt married Marriott’s daughter, Margaret Elizabeth, and John Brunt married Marriott’s granddaughter, Eleanor Marriott. Descendants of these families farmed the land for more than 100 years and continue to live in Harrietsfield
Club Road appears as Bennet Road in early land grants.
James Bennet’s land, which was located quite a distance beyond the end of the present day road, was occupied as early as 1838. Stone walls can be found in the woods surrounding the fields of long ago. It is estimated, because of the moss growth, etc., that the stone walls were in existence 150 to 175 years ago,
IRoad The road now continues on to Harry's Lake a popular destination for the 'Sportsmen' of the day. It was in 1926 that a building was constructed near the shore of Harry’s Lake and was known as the Rod and Gun Club.
Like the MicMac Club, its membership came from all levels of society. The building had hardwood floors and ceilings and a large platform along the front which afforded a full view of the lake. The building was abandoned and left to rot before World War II.
One wonders why since Harry’s Lake was an exceptional fishing lake.
the series will take you on a old road down to 'Two Lakes' another area known for sport fishin