Caleb and Emily Huntington

Caleb

Caleb Adolphus Huntington (1833-05-06 – 1916-07-07^⟮1⟯) and Emily Frances Gesner (1838-05-01 – 1906-04-05^⟮2⟯) were the parents of Robert Huntington and thus my great-great-grandparents. Married 1862-01-15 in Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia^⟮3⟯, they had six children. Both died in Mira.

Caleb was born in Huntington, Nova Scotia, the son and oldest child of John Huntington and Ruth Martell. Emily was born in Hillside, Nova Scotia, the daughter of Gibbs Henry Gesner and Mary Eliza Hill.

Caleb was a farmer, and served in the Canadian militia from 1865 to 1870, and served as a justice of the peace from around 1875 till his death.^⟮4⟯

Emily’s lifespan

Records and sources vary as to whether Emily was born in 1837 or 1838. Her self-reports point to 1837. For example, she is said to be 43 in the 1881 census, which was supposedly dated to 1881-04-04, and the 1901 census asks for a full birthdate, and she says 1837-05-01. However, her older sister’s self-reported birth was 1837-03-19, and, even if that’s wrong, there seems barely enough time to fit her older siblings in unless the 1838 date is correct and the others are mistakes. See her parents for more details.

Emily’s probate record^⟮2⟯ says she died on or about 1906-04-05; since her husband furnished the information, it is assumed to be exact. A genealogy site^⟮5⟯ claims 1906-04-08, but with no source.

Children

All were born in Grand Mira.

Hortense Jane (1862-12-31 – 1926-04-16), married William Edward Spencer, died in Glace Bay.
Marion Gertrude (1864-01-07 – 1934-12-10), married Robert Nelson Spencer, died in Homeville.
Henry Gesner aka Robert (1865-06-10 – 1952-05-28), my great-grandfather.
Emily Frances (1866-10-05 – 1948-07-31), married Henry William Crawley, died in Sydney.
Hubert Frederick (1868-04-19 – 1942-08-14), married Frances Jane Cook, died in California.
Henrietta Evalina (1870-02-06 – 1943-08-28), married Philip Ingoville D’Auvergne Gibbons, died in Huntington.

Wills

Both left assets only to their daughter Henrietta, perhaps because the other children were already provided for.

Emily

Dated 1902-08-04:^⟮6⟯

I Emily Huntington of Mira in the County of Cape Breton, wife of Caleb A. Huntington of the same place, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, Do make and publish this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me heretofore made.
I give devise and bequeath to my Husband Caleb A. Huntington of Mira aforesaid and my daughter Henrietta E. Huntington of the same place, in equal portions to be agreed upon between them all the real and personal property whatsoever belonging to me, or in my possession, including any benefits or profits accruing or arising from or out of a certain[?] Agreement made or joined in with Mr Thomas Routledge of Sydney and bearing date of July the tenth 1902.
I also direct that my said Husband Caleb A. Huntington and my said daughter Henrietta E. Huntington assume all my obligations under the said agreement.
I appoint Clifford C. Huntington and Frederick A. Huntington both of Huntington in the County of Cape Breton Executors of this my last Will.

Caleb

Dated 1916-07-06:^⟮7⟯

I, Caleb A. Huntington, of Huntington, Mira, in the County of Cape Breton, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make, publish and declare this as my last Will and Testament.
I give and devise my daughter, Henrietta E. Gibbons all my real property consisting of lands and any buildings thereon.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Henrietta E. Gibbons any and all the personal property in my possession, consisting of farming implements and household utensils.
I also give and bequeath to the said Henrietta E. Gibbons any money or deposit in any of the chartered Banks in the County.
I appoint William E. Spencer, of Glace Bay, and Clifford Huntington, of Huntington, in the County of Cape Breton as Executors to or of my said above Will and Testament.

Ancestry

Caleb and Emily have a shared ancestry from Henry Samson and his wife Ann Plummer, through William Holmes and David Sampson, respectively, both being the couple’s grandsons.