United States # 31, 1857-61 10c Washington, green, type I, on 7 December 1859 cover from Boston to Middle Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia. Addressed to Mr. Robert Henderson, Md. Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia. Manuscript “Price 10” on front. Two red cancels United States 10, and Boston, Mass. 10 cts, ___7 1859. Two backstamps, H(alifax) DE 13 1859 NS, and Musquodoboit DE 1_, ___9.
Robert Henderson was a 46-year-old bachelor carpenter when he received this letter from Boston.
1871 census Middle Musquodoboit, Halifax East, Nova Scotia, District 197, Robert Henderson, age 58, birthplace, Ireland, c. 1813, Presbyterian, living in the John Ervin household, farmer.
John Ervin was the son of Robert Ervin who came from County Antrim, Ireland. His first wife, Ann Rath, died leaving him 2 sons and 2 daughters. Nancy, Charles (1802 - 1885), and John (1804 - 1878.) Robert's second wife was Mary Henderson, a bride, when they sailed with the children on a vessel built, owned and commanded by Captain Phillip Drew, an American. This was in the summer of 1812, and Robert's shipmates were said to be the Bells, Hendersons and Lecks, all of whom settled in Musquodoboit.
1881 census, Robert Henderson is listed as a carpenter, Methodist, now boarding with the John Taylor household, farmer.
1891 census, Robert Henderson, single, carpenter, Methodist, lodger in the John Taylor household.
The word “Musquodoboit” is derived from the Mi’kmaq “Mooskoduboogwek”, which means to suddenly widen out after a narrow entrance at a mouth. Musquodoboit is an Anglicized version of the name. The three largest communities in the valley are Upper Musquodoboit, Middle Musquodoboit, and Musquodoboit Harbour. The Musquodoboit river flows through the Musquodoboit Valley and exits into the Musquodoboit estuary, a harbour that is tidal and winding, making it difficult to navigate. Musquodoboit Harbour in turn flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The river is approximately 97 kilometers long and originates in the extreme northeastern area of the valley. Many small communities follow the winding river as it moves northward. The upper part of the Musquodoboit Valley comprises the largest farming district in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
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