Common field residents
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This page brings together two sets of similar records held by the Archives:
Dykes and Common Fields (1784-1936)
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View the digital copies of these records.
Proprietors of the Lower Dyke Common Field (1814-1864)
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View the digital copies of these records.
Similar Records
- Grand Pre Marsh BodyThe Marsh Body is made up of Proprietors who care for the dykes and common fields around Wolfville, Grand Pre, and Port Williams.
- Bleakney, J. ShermanThese records concern the biology and topography of the dykes and salt marshes now cared for by the Grand Pre Marsh Body.
- Eaton, Ernest L.An ancestor of Eaton's helped to build the Wellington Dyke. Eaton has research notes on the dyke's construction and use.
- Gormley, Archibald familyAlthough this family did not farm the dykes, these photographs show the usage of land and farming equipment.
- Dennison, Lewis P. familyFind here a ledger that includes accounts of work on the Grand Pre dyke between 1871 and 1876.
- Herbin, John FredericA man of many interests, Herbin often wrote about the dykes and fields in the Wolfville and Grand Pre areas.
- Eaton, A.W.H.Eaton's collection includes land transactions for the Township of Horton. Dyke lands were often included in these transactions.
- Horton, Township ofFind out more about the original Township records.
- Kings County Agricultural SocietyOnly the second oldest Agricultural Society in North America, this group formed in 1789.
Dykes, Common Fields, and Proprietors
When is a horse considered a cow?
When setting the fees for using common land.
You see, the method applied for charging a field usage fee was based on the three acres of dykeland that it took to feed a cow during September and October. Therefore, a three-year-old horse might rate as a cow and a half.
From the settling of the New England Planters and continuing into the 20th century, under the townships’ Commissioners of Sewers, each group of proprietors of a dyke organized itself for the day-to-day use of the lands and the maintenance of their condition. At annual meetings, the proprietors set the yearly rate for covering the dykeland expenses. The expense of regular maintenance and repair was borne, often with difficulty, by the proprietors; but the added expense of rebuilding dyke walls damaged by major storms caused great hardship for most. For example, by 1932 the Wickwire Dyke had been severely damaged by storms and, unable to meet the expenses, the proprietors had to abandon it.
They also appointed, from among themselves, volunteer assizers to assess the size and value of dyke holdings; branders to brand and otherwise mark the livestock to be allowed on the dykelands after haying or harvest; field watchers to keep an eye on the condition of the fields and to ensure peace on the dykelands; fence viewers; and drivers to care for the animals feeding on the common fields.
The Archival Records
Check out the "Get the Records" box in the left column for a Finding Aid link to get the full story on the Dykes and Common Fields as well as the Proprietors of the Lower Dyke Common Field and view some digital copies of these records.
The records, covering the period from 1784 to 1936, reflect the administration of the dykes and common fields area by the proprietors who cared for these areas. Minutes and accounts not only track the geography of the lands and their usage, they give a history of these areas and the people who maintained them. The records are also useful for genealogical purposes.
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