A reunion to commemorate the 170th anniversary of the founding of Harvey Settlement, York County, New Brunswick, Canada was held at Ford Castle, Ford, Northumberland, England from August 26 to September 2, 2007. This reunion was novel in that it was held in the area that the settlers originated from; the Wooler area of Northumberland. The first settlers arrived in 1837 aboard the snow rigged Cornelius of Sunderland and settled as a group to found the community that became known as Harvey Settlement. Through the next 15 years successive waves of friends and relatives arrived from the same area, settling around the first arrivals. There are now many thousands of descendants of these pioneers spread not only throughout Canada and the US, but around the world. About 130 of the descendants of these early settlers gathered to explore the beautiful countryside and small communities between Wooler and the Borders, where many of their ancestors came from.

The planning committee worked three years in organizing the reunion. The reunion would not have been possible though without the assistance and hospitality of many additional people in Northumberland and Berwickshire who provided the reunionists with many hours of their time to help make this reunion a great success.

The reunion garnered media attention in the Borders region on television, radio and in newspaper articles. Follow this link to a summary of print media items.

A group photo of most reunion attendees on the front step of Ford Castle on Day 2, 28 August, 2008. Source: Linda & Bob Harris, 27 Aug 2007.	A few of the reunion attendees including Mayor of Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Lance Robson,have begun to gather on the steps of the city hall following a civic reception in their honor. Source: Linda & Bob Harris, Day 3, 29 Aug 2007.
Medium Sized Pop-up Image 700 X 467 jpeg; 256 k; 72 dpi Full Sized Pop-up Image 1566 X 1044 jpeg; 1200 k; 72 dpi	Medium Sized Pop-up Image 700 X 467 jpeg; 252 k; 72 dpi Full Sized Pop-up Image 2007 X 1338 jpeg; 1900 k; 72 dpi

A group shot of most attendees at the reunion banquet held on the banks of the Tweed River at the Ednam House Hotel in Kelso. Day 6, 1 Sep 2007. Source: Linda & Bob Harris, 27 Aug 2007. Medium Sized Pop-up Image 700 X 467 jpeg; 262 k; 72 dpi Full Sized Pop-up Image 1913 X 1275 jpeg; 2100 k; 72 dpi

 

Below are links to a day by day diary of the reunion complete with photographs. There was also considerable media attention

Day 1	Mon. 27Aug	Noon	Check-in Ford Castle
		3 PM	Reception at Glendale Agricultural Show
Day 2	Tues. 28 Aug	10 AM	Introductory Remarks - Al Robison
			Welcome - Lord James Joicey
			Orientation - Ian Herbert
			Keynote Lecture - Prof. Bruce Elliott, Carleton University "New Brunswick Land Company and the Settlement of Harvey and Stanley, NB"
		Afternoon	Hike up Yeavering Bell near Kirknewton
			Hike up College Burn to 'Whitehall"
		Evening	Guided tour around Coldstream
			Lectures and Reception, Coldstream Historical Society
			Prof. Bruce Elliott, Carleton University: "New Brunswick Land Company and the Settlement of Harvey and Stanley, NB"
			David Welsh, Northumbria University "Preemigration professions and way of life of the Harvey settlers"
Day 3	Wed. 29 Aug	9 AM	Double decker bus tour of castles of north eastern Northumberland
		3 PM	Civic reception at Berwick Town Hall followed by plaque unveiling at Berwick Quay
		8 PM	Lecture: James Bell "Battle of Flodden Field"
Day 4	Thurs. 30 Aug	Morning	Hike to "Old Rookland"
		12:30	Lunch and refreshment at Clennell Hall Hotel, Alwinton
		Afternoon	Visit Alwinton Church and Harbottle
		7 PM	Burns Supper at Coldstream
Day 5	Fri. 31 Aug	Morning	Day trips to Cheviots or Dumfriesshire or free time.
		10 AM	Berwick Records Office open for reunion attendees
		8 PM	Lecture: Prof. Tim Patterson, Carleton Univ. "Genetic Genealogy: A Primer"
Day 6	Sat. 1 Sep	9 AM	Hike across the Cheviot Hills or walking tour of Wooler with local guides
		12 PM	Picnic lunch at Harthope Burn
			Walk along the Burn or up the hill to meet Cheviot hikers
		7 PM	Evening conference banquet at Ednam House Hotel, Kelso Remarks by Ian Herbert
Day 7	Sun. 2 Sep	Morning	Walk around Town Yetholm
		1 PM	Lunch at Wauchope Hall, Yetholm
		3 PM	Church service at Kirk Yetholm
Day 8	Mon. 3 Sep	Morning	Ford castle residents depart after breakfast

Page last updated: 8 June 2008.