Purcell Family of America

An association to help those trace the Purcell family line

Purcell's Cove

Posted: 5 April 2008 at 8:08 p.m.

A little history of Purcell's Cove in Halifax.

LOCATION:

The cove is located along Route #253, what today is known as Purcell's Cove Road, opposite the tip of Point Pleasant Park on the North West Arm.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

The community was named for Samuel Purcell, an early settler. Before the Purcell family arrived it was known as Mackerel Cove. The Purcell’s lived in the area for a number of years but did not buy any land until 1828.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS:

In 1853, a descendant, John Purcell, operated a ferry between the cove and Point Pleasant Park. The family used rowboats and sailboats to ferry passengers across the Arm for more than a century. There is still evidence of these once serviceable piers on both sides of the North West Arm.

Granite and ironstone were cut from the quarries near Purcell's Cove and were used to construct military forts in Halifax as well as many of the buildings on the Dalhousie University campus.





Comments

  • Comment from Janet Hunt (20 December 2011 at 7:03 a.m.)

    I spent my summers growing up in Purcell's Cove where my aunt and uncle had a home right on the water, those were my fondest times and greatest memories to date. I have since gone back and the lane doesn't seem as long anymore...things have changed but to me I will always remember my wonderful times and the friends made during those hazy lazy days of summers long ago. Thank you for the memories Purcell's Cove.

  • Comment from my name also joan purcell (17 October 2011 at 1:47 p.m.)

    my grandfather moved to mass. passed on about 1913 in fall river ma. married esther mqsters. 8 siblings

  • Comment from Angela Wertman (31 January 2011 at 11:56 a.m.)

    OOps! I should have said she was from Purcell's Cove in Halifax!

  • Comment from Angela (Grainger) Wertman (31 January 2011 at 11:55 a.m.)

    Hi there. My great-grandmother was a Purcell. Her name was Katie Purcell. She was born in 1883 and died in 1960. She was married to an immigrant from England names William Henry Grainger (my great-grandfather). Having touble finding any info past her, but trying desperately!

  • Comment from purcell (16 November 2010 at 10:39 a.m.)

    My Purcell is from the South Pacific Island called Samoa. Not sure if any relation to all these other Purcells

  • Comment from James Hodges (16 August 2010 at 11:46 a.m.)

    My mother, Eileen "Bunny" Maxwell, grew up in Purcell's Cove during the 30's and 40's. She is still with us and fondly remembers those years. She especially remembers the time she spent with Louie Purcell, who taught her to row a dory and fish in the NW Arm. She can be contacted through me at bgrchip "at" gmail.

  • Comment from Peter Waldron (30 July 2010 at 6:59 p.m.)

    Hi, I live in Purcell's Cove,N.S. my late mother-in-law was a Purcell.

  • Comment from joan purcell (01 December 2009 at 7:26 p.m.)

    i had a grandfather from nova scotia. charles or caleb name . all i know.he moved to either maine or mass. oh also a chef in boston mass.

  • Comment from Dianne Purcell Collier (07 August 2008 at 7:25 a.m.)

    I found this information very interesting as I am from Halifax although I don't have any relatives from Purcell's Cove. I would love to correspond with other Purcells who have a Nova Scotia connection. Cheers.


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