1879 MARGARETVILLE MURDER/DAVID GATES
Anyone know who were the parents of David Gates who murdered his wife in Margaretville in 1879? See Pages 21-2 of the book "Over the Mountain And Down to the Bay".
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Re: 1879 MARGARETVILLE MURDER/DAVID GATES
Ok, I'm going to see if my 84 year old mother has those names. I hadn't heard the story about David Gates, so I asked my mother about this. Well, she said that her father (my Grandfather) forbid her to tell any of our family about it out of embarrassment I guess. My mother actually traveled to Nova Scotia and spoke to someone from the McGranaham family who knew the true story (I guess there are several versions ...not sure which one you have heard as I haven't seen that book). In short, David had a nervous breakdown, killed his wife (Elizabeth McGranaham), then drowned himself in the Bay of Fundy. I think I saw another version that said he hanged himself, but my mother insists that this is not true. It is also said that one of the children ran to a neighbor's house for help.
Very interesting, but tragic story indeed. I will do my best to find some additional information.
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Re: 1879 MARGARETVILLE MURDER/DAVID GATES
It is believed that Elenor, twin sister to Minnie hid under a bed during the attack, then ran to a neighbor's house for help. This is the story my mother told me.
I'm still trying to find out what happened to Elenor. My mother never heard Minnie ever speak of having a twin sister!
Still no additional info on David Gates. Sorry.
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Re: 1879 MARGARETVILLE MURDER/DAVID GATES
This doesn't answer that question, but relates... Boston Daily Advertiser, (Boston, MA) Friday, August 15, 1879; Issue 13; col F Halifax N.S., Aug. 14. - Yesterday morning David Gates of Margaretville, Annapolis county, murdered his wife, and immediately after committed suicide by throwing himself off the wharf. He was temporarily insane. ### This is from the historic newspapers at New England Historic Genealogical Society ( www.americanancestors.org)
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Re: 1879 MARGARETVILLE MURDER/DAVID GATES
I am from Margaretville and I heard it was his son that hid under the bed and ran to the neighbours. He killed her with an axe I believe. I also heard that they kept his body in the lighthouse for a while before buring it and later dug it up and gave it to a medical school in Boston because they were looking for a skeleton.
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Re: 1879 MARGARETVILLE MURDER/DAVID GATES
This is not a family that I am researching or connected with but thought I’d see whether I could find out anything to answer the questions. Started out with the 1871 Census which was just 8 years before the murder. There were several David Gates but the most promising one was as follows: 1871 Census, Annapolis County, Wilmot subdistrict David Gates, age 33, married born about 1838, Elizabeth Gates, age 34, wife Mary J Gates, age 12 Samuel Gates, age 8 David Gates age 6 Amanda B Gates, age 5 Minie Gates, age 3 Elinor Gates, age 2.
When I checked the 1881 Census, there was no sign of this family which in itself doesn’t mean too much-lots of families left Nova Scotia for the US during that time period. But what I did find was : Elenor Gates, female, age 11, living in Middleton Corner with Rufus and Alice Dewolf, age 43 and 42 (no childred) Minnie Gates, female, age 12, living in Wilmot with William and Pricilla McGill (ages 60 & 62) Amanda Gates, female age 14, living in Wilmot with William Stronach age 38 and Jessie Stronach (according to her death certificate she was d/o James Gates) age 33 and their 5 children between the ages of 1 and 9 years.
According to the birth record of Minie Gates as follows: Annapolis County Reg Year 1868, Book 1801, page 56 #18 November 18, 1868, Wilmot – Minie Gates Dau of David Gates and Elizabeth McGranahan (sometimes ends in “m”)who were married Jan 29, 1858, Wilmot.
(Minie has a twin named Elenor. The 1871 census has an Elinor who is a year younger than Minie. Perhaps the twin Elenor died young (common with twins) and the next baby, being a girl was also named Elenor.
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Re: 1879 MARGARETVILLE MURDER/DAVID GATES
Thank you so much for doing all that work, it is really appreciated! This whole murder story was hushed by our family members for many years, and only came to light when my research stopped short with David Gates. Thank you again for helping. Jeff
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Re: 1879 MARGARETVILLE MURDER/DAVID GATES
Anyone interested in this can please send me email (arkaig1 at aol) We should get a mailing list going.
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Re: 1879 MARGARETVILLE MURDER/DAVID GATES
Several first cousins of my ancestors seem to be tied up in this, and on several of them I am stuck. Can anyone lend me a hand on it? Email me as arkaig1 at aol for more discussion? Any help appreciated. Barry
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Re: 1879 MARGARETVILLE MURDER/DAVID GATES
Hi Barry, Any way we could keep it on the forum? Would be nice to keep all the gathered information in one place where others could find us and add. -Jeff
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