Gehen zu:
The Nova Scotia Wallace's
If you read our post introducing you to Clan Wallace, you’ll have seen our note that there’s a link between the Wallace's and Nova Scotia in Canada. We thought we’d explore that connection further in our latest blog post on this mighty clan.
Scottish influence in Nova Scotia
By 1629, England already had several overseas colonies, including in Ireland, North America and the West indies. Scotland, however, had none and was keen to catch up.
The first Scottish settlement in the Americas was Nova Scotia, after King James VI of Scotland (and I of England) granted a charter for the foundation of a colony to Sir William Alexander from Menstrie.
It proved difficult to get skilled Scots to emigrate to Nova Scotia (Latin for ‘new Scotland’), so James V1 created a new order of baronets. This meant that any person who funded six skilled labourers or artisans to set up a new life in Nova Scotia would be given the title of ‘Baronet’. They would also become a landowner in Nova Scotia.
It was an exclusive deal, with only 150 people to be given the distinction. However, by 1631, only 85 people had taken up the offer. At this point, the Scots were ordered to abandon their colony at Port Royal in Nova Scotia, giving it over to the French, but the baronet scheme continued, and another 25 people became baronets between 1633 and 1637.
The Nova Scotia Tartan was the first provincial tartan in Canada, designed to reflect the profound contribution of the Scots to the founding of Nova Scotia. The tartan was originally designed by Bessie Murray for an agricultural exhibition in Truro, back in 1953. Two years later it was adopted by the province through an order in council and went on to be officially registered in 1956. The design combines blue and white area for the surf-ridden sea, greens for the forests, red for the royal lion on the Arms of Nova Scotia, and gold for the province's historic Royal Charter.
Baronet Wallace
Some years later, in 1669, Hugh Wallace of Cragie became a Baronet of Nova Scotia. Each baronet paid 1000 merks (old Scottish currency) for his barony and a further 2000 merks to provide for the six Scottish labourers over the two years.
In return, Wallace received his title as well as 16,000 acres of land in Nova Scotia. It’s unlikely that Wallace ever set foot on his new land.
Wallaces in Nova Scotia
Although Baronet Wallace never travelled to Nova Scotia, many other Wallaces did. One such Wallace was Michael Wallace who became the treasurer of the Province of Nova Scotia at the end of the American Revolution. He remained in this position for over 40 years, and many of the Wallaces in the province today are his descendants.
Another prominent Wallace in Nova Scotia was Ron Wallace, who served as the mayor of Halifax, the capital of the province, from 1980 until his retirement in 1991. This made him the longest-serving mayor of the city, and in 2001 he was given the distinction of becoming a member of the Order of Canada.
There’s even a town named Wallace in Nova Scotia. A small village in rural Cumberland County, it was originally named Remsheg, which means “the place between” in the Mi’kmaq language of the indigenous people of the area. In 1825, the name was changed to Wallace to commemorate William Wallace, as well as Michael Wallace’s position as treasurer of Nova Scotia.
Today, there’s still a Scottish influence in Nova Scotia and the Scots diaspora makes up the largest ethnic group in the province, with 29.3% of its population being of Scottish descent. We’d love to know how many of those are Wallaces.
Are you a Wallace living in Nova Scotia? Get in touch with us to tell us your story!
