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Authority record
Moll, Herman
Person · 1654-1732

Herman Moll (1654 – 1732) was a map publisher and engraver based in London and Holland. Moll moved to London in 1678 where he worked as an engraver and eventually set-up his own shop. He published several important atlases late in his career. He died in London in 1732.

Morgan, Robert James
Person · 1938-2011

Robert James (Bob) Morgan is remembered for his outstanding contributions to the archival community, the heritage sector and the scholarly field of local history, particularly the history of Cape Breton Island. In all Bob’s involvements he brought a joyful enthusiasm and genuine respect for the opinions of others. He loved to conduct research and Bob shared freely that research in the classroom, with researchers in the archives and the community through his many public lectures and publications.

Born and raised in Windsor Ontario, Bob received his BA Honours in History and English from the University of Windsor in 1961. Following graduation Bob travelled to Cape Breton in 1962 to take up a lecturing position at Xavier College in Sydney, Nova Scotia. For the next four years he resided in Sydney and taught Canadian history and political science at the new College.

It was during this time Bob became involved with a small but action-oriented group of individuals keen to save an aging and derelict stone church in the North End of Sydney. The church eventually became known as St. Patrick’s Church Museum and the group formed themselves into the Old Sydney Society in 1966. The Old Sydney Society has grown from its initial incarnation of one church museum to include the operation of the Centre for Heritage and Science in the historic Lyceum Building, the Jost House Museum and Cossit House Museum all situated in Nova Scotia’s only designated historic district – Sydney’s North End. Their success continues today as the Old Sydney Society is in its 46 th year.

Bob, through his involvement as a founding and continuing member of the Old Sydney Society, held executive positions numerous times and continued to work toward a thriving heritage community in the area. He volunteered with the Sydney Steel Museum as well as the Lyceum Heritage Society, offered advice to forming societies and advocated on behalf of archives and museums to municipal, provincial and federal government departments as a means to enhance ones engagement with their community. He believed that archives and museums were foundational to responsible citizenship; one must know the history of their community, the struggles and the successes.

Bob’s early teaching and community involvement led him to further his education. Bob obtained his MA in Canadian History from Queen’s University in 1964. It was during his graduate studies at Queen’s that Bob met his future wife Barbara (Babs) MacKinnon a native of Inverness Cape Breton.

Following the completion of his MA Bob worked with the Public Archives of Canada in Ottawa. It was here Bob learned to be an archivist and he developed an interest in the colonial period of Cape Breton history. Bob continued his studies in History and completed his Ph.D. at Ottawa University. In 1971 he was offered the position of Senior Historian at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Park where he worked for the next five years.

Working as the Senior Historian from 1971-1976 Bob helped to shape the interpretation of the largest historic reconstruction site in North America. Bob’s keen interest in social history meant he brought the lives of these early settlers, citizens and militia to life and encouraged Cape Bretoners, Nova Scotians and Canadians to know and engage in their past.

In 1976, following the tragic loss of Sr. Margaret Beaton, College of Cape Breton Principal Fr. MacLennan invited Bob to join the history faculty and become the Director of the Beaton Institute archives. During his time as Director, Bob transformed the archives into a research centre out of which has grown the wealth of regional and Cape Breton studies research and programming which is evident at Cape Breton University today. Bob remained with the University for 26 years and in 1990 was appointed Cape Breton University’s first Dean of Research and Development.

Through his position at the Beaton Institute Bob became an advocate of Nova Scotia’s growing community archives and museum movement. In 1982 Bob chaired the first organizational meeting of what would become the Council of Nova Scotia Archives (CNSA). He then served as the CNSA’s first president from 1983-1985. Bob left his mark on the Nova Scotia archival community, laying a strong foundation for other archivists to build upon.

Bob’s contribution was also felt nationally as he was a founding member of the National Archival Appraisal Board and in 1976 served as Vice-President. In 1979 Bob was the Atlantic Canada representative for the Archives Committee of SSHRCC which during his term investigated the reform of the national archival system. Bob also served as President of the Association of Canadian Archivists from 1985-1986.

Dr. Morgan’s publications are indeed a lasting contribution to the scholarly fields of history, public history and regional studies. Bob published 4 books focusing on the history of Cape Breton Island including Rise Again! The Story of Cape Breton Island Volume 1 and Volume 2; Perseverance: The Story of Cape Breton’s University College (1952-2002); and Early Cape Breton: From Founding to Famine. Dr. Morgan also published in various journals on the history of 18th century Louisbourg, historical biographies, the Loyalist founding and early history of Sydney.

During his life Bob was committed to his wife Babs, Cape Breton Island, teaching, heritage, research and writing, and his garden. It is in Robert J Morgan’s honour the series Cape Bretoniana is established and through his legacy this Grant-in-Aid Program is possible.

Person · 19-09-1852 - 1944

Alexander Allan (A.A.) Morrison was born on September 19, 1852 in Loch Lomond, Richmond County, Cape
Breton. It was also here that he met his first wife Catherine Morrison, with whom he had six children. In 1880 Morrison left Loch Lomond and moved to St. Peter’s with his family. Following Catherine’s death in 1908, he married his second wife, Mary MacIntyre.

In 1881, A.A. Morrison opened Morrison’s General Store and began his life-long career as a general merchant in the community of St. Peter’s. He also operated a branch store near the Stirling Mine. Morrison's General Store was originally established in a rented location on Main Street in St. Peter’s. A.A. Morrison later purchased a building across the street, where the store remained until its closure in 1996.

In 1925, A.A. bought out the neighbouring general store D.Y. Stewart & Sons, and combined the two units into a single operation. Morrison remained an active member of the community, and continued to run Morrison’s Store until his retirement at the age of 90. Following A.A.’s retirement circa 1940, the store was run by his son William D. Morrison, who served as President, and later by his grandchildren Catherine (Kay) MacDonald and Alex Morrison. A.A. Morrison passed away in 1944, at the age of 92.

Person · 1922 -

Alexander Allan (Alex) Morrison was born in 1922, in St Peter’s, Richmond County to parents W.D. Morrison and Annie (Kemp) Morrison. He married Ruth MacLeod of Glace Bay, with whom he had two daughters and one son.

In 1941, Alex A. Morrison began working at his family's store, Morrison’s Store, where he later served as Secretary Treasurer and President. He remained as proprietor until its closure in 1996. In addition to his work at the store, Alex ran a successful funeral parlour, Alex A. Morrison Funeral Home for nearly 50 years. In the 1950s and 60s he served as the Richmond County Secretary for the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia.

Alex still lives in St. Peter’s, and at the age of 89 continues to be an active member of the community.

Morrison, Archie
Person

Archie Morrison was born and raised in he community of Loch Lomond. He was the son of Roderick D. of Estmere and Maggie MacDonald of Loch Lomond. Morrison was a descendant of pioneer Angus "Saor Mór" (Big Carpenter) from North Uist. Morrison compiled a detailed genealogy of MacDonalds descendants and donated it to the Beaton Institue where it can be found at B&G file MacDonald (Loch Lomond).

Morrison, Daniel W.
Person · 1922-1931

Daniel W. Morrison was the mayor of the Town of Glace Bay from 1922 to 1931.

Morrison, Duncan S.
Person · 1878-1944

Duncan S. Morrison was born at Catalone, Nova Scotia in 1878. He married Kate MacKinnon of Mira Ferry ca. 1903. Following her death in 1937, he married Charlotte Emeline Brehaut in 1938. He served in the South African War and retained his interest in military affairs after World War 1. He was an Officer Commanding 9th Coy F. C., Corps of Canadian Engineers (Militia) from 1929 to 1936. Morrison was a professional engineer, employed by Dominion Steel and Coal Company, Towns of New Waterford and Glace Bay and the City of Sydney. He was active in civil affairs and promoted credit unions and cooperatives as well as a junior college for Sydney. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) and the Scottish Society in Cape Breton. He was a member of the United Church and served in various official capacities. Morrison died in 1944.

Morrison, D.W.
Person · 1934-1950

D.W. Morrison was mayor of the town of Glace Bay from 1934 until 1950.

Person · 1923-

James Bryson (JB) Morrison is the son of Catherine Ferguson McLachlan and William Ernest “Ernie” Morrison. Catherine was the daughter of James Bryson (JB) and Catherine (Kate) McLachlan.

JB Morrison (b. 1923) and his brother Sammy (b. 1925) moved to Steele’s Hill when their mother Catherine (McLachlan) Morrison died of pneumonia at age 29 in 1927. JB Morrison was 4 and Sammy Morrison was 2. Their father Ernie Morrison was a machinist at Caledonia and continued working following the death of his wife Catherine. He also looked after his mother, and was unable to care for the boys on his own. JB and Sammy lived at Steele’s Hill with their grandparents until 1939 (JB McLachlan died in 1937 and his wife Catherine (Kate) McLachlan died two years later in 1939). JB Morrison left Steele’s Hill at age 16 to work as a miner and took up residence at 13 Ronald Street, where he’s lived since 1939. He never married and has no children, and currently resides with his niece Paula Morrison, daughter of Sammy and June Morrison (both deceased).

JB (Morrison) recalled his grandfather was an honest, hard-working man who gave and shared freely with others who were less fortunate or struggling. He was an avid reader, and noted that it was difficult to break his focus while reading. He spoke of the farm at Steele’s Hill, where his grandparents maintained a garden and owned several cows and at least one horse. He suggested his grandmother Kate was the driving force of the household, looking after the kids and tending the farm while JB (McLachlan) worked. He recalled that Kate would have been too preoccupied with the daily concerns of the family and farm to have been closely involved in her husband’s political activities, but underscored that her contributions at home enabled JB (McLachlan) to focus on his work and cause. He also remembered that his grandfather wore red on May Day, and described the yard at the farm as busy with floats and people for the annual May Day Parade.

Morrison, James R.
Person · 1883-1975

James R. Morrison (Seumas Ruairidh Òig Choinnich Bhàin) was born in Framboise Intervale in 1883. His father Roderick Morrison had immigrated from Berneray, Harris in the 1840s. His mother, Jane Strachan was born in Framboise to immigrants who also hailed from Berneray. By his own admission, James was fond of travelling and he left Framboise for Boston at the age of seventeen. From there went to work in the copper mines of British Columbia. At the request of his parents, he returned to Framboise where he met and married Loch Lomond native Effie Morrison. James operated a store in Framboise for many years and continued to do odd jobs in the community following his retirement at the age of 80. He passed away in 1975 at the age of 92. On his tombstone the words “Gaelic Singer” can be read beneath his name.
James R. Morrison was the nephew of renowned bard Murdoch Morrison, author of Òrain Fuinn is Cladaich”. James R.’s compositions do not appear to have been published.

Morrison, Kenneth
Person · 1874-

Kenneth Morisson of North Framboise was born on May 28, 1874. He married Flora Morrison in 1904, and the two raised a family together. He retired in 1942.

Morrison, Murdoch
Person · 1873-1945

Murdoch Morrison was born in Ferguson's Lake near New Boston. Many of his songs appeared in Orain Fuinn is Cladaich compiled by by Alex Finlayson and published by Alexander MacLaren & Sons in 1931. He moved to Alexandra St. in Sydney. Morrison was remembered as a strong Liberal. Another of his songs appears in Beyond the Hebrides.

Person

The son of Alexander Allan (A.A.) Morrison, William Daniel Morrison (W. D.) was born on May 20th, 1887 in St. Peter’s, Richmond County, Cape Breton. He married Annie Kemp in 1914, with whom he had four children. One of his children, Alexander Allan (Alex) Morrison, was born in 1922 in St. Peter's.

In 1903, at the age of sixteen, he began working at Morrison’s General Store. He later oversaw the incorporation of D.Y. Stewart & Sons with Morrison’s Store in 1925. After A.A. Morrison's retirement at the age of 90, circa 1940, W.D. assumed the role of owner and operator of the store, becoming President of Morrison’s Stores Ltd. in 1953. Like his father before him W.D. continued to work well past the age of retirement. In 1988, W.D. passed away at the age of 101.

Morrison's General Store
Corporate body · 1881-1996

Morrison’s General Store in St. Peter’s, Richmond County, Cape Breton was founded by Alexander Allan (A.A.) Morrison in 1881. Originally established in a rented location on Main Street in St. Peter’s, A.A. Morrison later purchased a building across the street, where the store remained until its closure in 1996. A general merchandise store, Morrison’s offered a wide variety of goods to the people of St. Peter’s, which were purchased in bulk from several different wholesalers and delivered by way of train or boat. In 1925, A.A. bought out the neighbouring general store D.Y. Stewart & Sons, and combined the two units into a single operation.

During the 1920s, 1930s, and 1950s, Morrison’s periodically operated a branch store in Stirling, Richmond County, where the Mindamar Mine was located. In 1953 the company was incorporated, and became known as Morrison’s Stores Ltd. Following A.A.’s retirement circa 1940, the store was run by his son William D. Morrison, who served as President, and later by his grandchildren Catherine (Kay) MacDonald and Alex Morrison. The store regularly employed between 12-14 members of staff, many of whom served as employees for several decades. The store later became Morrison’s Home Hardware. After 115 years of operation, Morrison's was faced with many financial challenges enhanced by the appearance of larger retailers in the Port Hawkesbury area, and Morrison’s closed its doors in 1996. Morrison’s was a staple of the local landscape in St. Peter’s, and is fondly remembered by residents and former employees. Morrison’s store was demolished in 2002.

In addition to its role as a retail store, it is possible that Morrison’s General Store operated as a Canadian federal Department of Indian Affairs depot, under Superintendent Angus J. Boyd. Papers rescued from Morrison’s Home Hardware in 2001 indicate a retail relationship between the Department of Indian Affairs and the Store. More research is required to establish the historical relationship between the Department, Boyd and Morrison’s Stores Ltd.

Munroe, Dan A.
Person · 1971-1981

Dan A. Munroe was the mayor of the Town of Glace Bay from 1971 to 1981.

Murphy, James A.

James Murphy was born in Margaree, Cape Breton in 1893, and began working in a coal mine at an early age. He enrolled at St. Francis Xavier University to complete his high school education, but during his first year at college war broke out and he was selected to go to the Royal Military College where he obtained his commission as Lieutenant. His military career began in 1916, serving at Somme and Vimy Ridge where he was wounded receiving the Military Cross in 1920. He resumed his education after the War, completing two years of engineering. In 1923, Murphy went to the United States where he worked at various jobs, married, raised a family and settled in Detroit where he retired in 1961.