The Old St. Margarets Bay Road, also known as The Old Coach Road was a vital transportation link between Halifax and St. Margarets Bay in the early years of the province. A map of the interior of Nova Scotia, drawn by Titus Smith in 1801-02 clearly identifies the old road and also shows, what is now St.Margarets Bay as Charlotte Bay or St. Margarets Bay.
This series will highlight the eastern end of the Old St. Margarets Bay Road, situated in Long Lake Provincial Park. Motorized vehicles are not permitted within the park boundaries.
Along the Old Post Road you will find the Purcell's Ground Cemetery located off the road. There are eleven headstones in this fenced in cemetery. According to local historian Iris Shea the land around the cemetery originated with the Toler family. Peter Toler purchased a small piece of property from John Wagner, son of Thomas and established a working farm there around 1814, following his marriage to Jane Umlah a sister to John Wagner's wife. All of those buried at this site are descendants of Peter Toler. His only daughter Isabella is mother or grandmother to the people buried here.
special thanks to hirtle for reworking the map for us