by Fred E. Cox
Originally published in the Middleton "Outlook"
December 14, 1942

Last week I called upon three of our senior citizens: Arthur W., Robert I., and Charles H. Phinney. The only survivors of the late Inglis and Matilda (Craig) Phinney, their respective ages are 94, 89 and 78, a total of 261 years. They have also survived their wives Katherine North, Mary Ince and Florence Chesley respectively.

The other members of this family of seven were the late Vernon H. Phinney, who married Florence Beldon; Almira, who married Joseph C. Morse of Paradise; Aradbella, who at the age of three lost her life in a fire accident and Elizabeth, who married the late Lewis E. Landers.

Through conversation with the three brothers above and by consulting Calnek's History of Annapolis County and Rev W. I. Morse's geneology of the Phinney Family I have obtained some information regarding this remarkable family, or perhaps I should say clan.

In brief the geneology of the Phinney Family so far as known is this: Widow Phinney 1, John 2, John 3, John 4, Thomas 5, Issac 6, Lot 7, Levi 8 and Inglis 9.

In 1638 Widow Phinney, with one or more sons came from England and settled in Plymouth, Mass. Issac 6 born in Barnstable, Mass came to Nova Scotia and settled at Upper Granville his grant of land extending from the Annapolis River to the Bay of Fundy. Lot 7 born in Upper Granville moved to Victoria Vale, NS.

Inglis 9 and Matilda Phinney moved in 1865 from Victoria Vale to Middleton, purchasing the Samuel Chesley property, which then included the present properties of Alboro M. Coldwell, Robert I. Phinney and L. Vaughan Phinney. Matilda (Craig) Phinney was the daughter of William and Charlotte (Brown) Craig of Northern Ireland, but of Scottish decent.

Inglis Phinney 9 born in Victoria Vale in 1824 was a man of unusual ability, who filled a large place in the history of the Township of Wilmot. He was a non-user of tobacco and a total abstainer. In religion he was a baptist and for years taught a Bible class at the old Baptist Church at Pine Grove, Lower Middleton. In politics he was a Liberal up to the time of Confederation, but the proposal to combine the scattered British provinces in North America into a great nation appealed to him and he became a supported of Sir John A. MacDonald and Sir Charles Tupper, who were taking the lead in forming the Dominion of Canada and the Liberal-Conservative Party.

Inglis Phinney while yet in his teens began teaching school. He taught at Nictaux and later at South Farmington. He also for a time studied at Acadia College.

In his native village of Victoria Vale Mr. Phinney built a school house in which he conducted a private school. The location was just north of the present Dr. Oswald Parker Community Hall. His fame as a teacher drew students from miles around. The Albert Gates and Dea. William Morse of Nictaux were among them. A special attraction was instruction in navigation, which few were able to give at that time. Capt. Wymers of Wilmot and Capt. Norman Ray of Margaretville acquired their knowledge of navigation at this school.

Appointed a justice of the peace Mr. Phinney did much of the conveyancing and other legal work in Wilmot Township. He and his wife also carried on a mercantile business in a store which he erected near the schoolhouse on the south side of the highway. When they moved to Middleton they sold the store to their son, Arthur W. and their nephew, John I. Phinney. This store was later purchased by Harding Weaver and moved westward to the next highway corner.

Inglis Phinney died in 1909 and Mrs. Phinney in 1921.

With the assistance of Mr. Charles H. Phinney I have made a count of the posterity of this worthy couple with this result. Children seven; grandchildren 28, great-grandchildren 59, great great-grandchildren 12, a total of 99. This is a fine contribution to the Annapolis County and something of which to be justily proud.