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of his situation." John Bradley had moved up the river for the same reason. Zebedee Ring had been compelled to abandon his lands for the same reason. Gervas Say, Esq., had been obliged to abandon his house and property opposite the falls and remove to Lower Maugerville (now Sheffield) for the same reason. The experience of Samuel Peabody, James Woodman, William McKeen, Jonathan Leavitt and Daniel Leavitt was much the same. Messrs. Peabody, Woodman and McKeen went to Maugerville where Mr. Peabody engaged in milling and "masting," and we shall hear more of him in this connection. James Woodman purchased from Joseph Dunphy some land on Oromocto Island, and afterwards 1,800 acres of land in Maugerville from William McKeen, also 100 acres from Richard Esty, Jr., with a mill on a stream known as Numeheal creek opposite Middle Island in Maugerville. Mr. Woodman seems to have been associated with William Davidson in his contract for getting out masts for the royal navy as we gather from the following:—
Fort Howe, 2nd July, 1781.
Sir,—At Ten days sight this my Second, first of same Tenor & Date not paid, please to pay to Mr. James Woodman or Order, Three Hundred Pounds Halifax Currency and charge the same to the Debt incurred on the Mast Contract by Order of Sir Richard Hughes, Baronet.
I am sir,
Your Most Respectful Humble Serv't,
George Andrew.
To the Naval Storekeeper of
His Majesty's Yard at Halifax.
James Woodman's mill on Numeheal creek was employed a little later in sawing boards and other lumber for the use of the Loyalists. In the summer of 1783 he supplied Major Studholme with lumber which was used in building houses at Parr Town. Woodman died during the course of the year, as is evident from the fact that on Sept. 30th, Dr. Ambrose Sharman acting on behalf of Martha Woodman, widow of the late