Thomas Richard Gammon (abt. 1846 - 1881)

Born about 1846 in River John, Pictou, Nova Scotia

Ancestors

Died 4 Feb 1881 at about age 35 in Sussex, Kings, New Brunswick, Canada

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Biography

Thomas was born about 1846. He is the son of John Gammon and Letitia McMillan.

He married in 1874 in Westmorland Co., New Brunswick, Mary Jane Turner.^[1] She was likely the daughter of Cornelius and Delia Turner, residing in Westmorland, Westmorland Co., age 17, in 1871.

Thomas died in a railway accident, 4 Feb 1881, age 35, and is buried in the Kirkhill Cemetery, Sussex. His tombstone states “native of Pictou”. The 5 Feb 1881 edition of The Daily Telegraph reported: "d. 4th inst., Thomas Gammon. Funeral from his residence half past 2 o'clock Monday."^[2]

The 5 Feb 1881 edition of The Daily Telegraph reported: "A thrilling disaster occurred on the Intercolonial Railway yesterday. The northern train, being delayed at Moncton, did not reach Sussex until nearly 7 o'clock. It started on its way to St. John and the usual accommodation train from Sussex was delayed 15 minutes to give the one in advance an opportunity to get out of reach. The latter was in charge of Conductor James Millican and was drawn by two locomotives, the one in advance by having Mel. Jones as engineer; Thos. Gammon, engineer and Robert McMann, fireman in the second cab. When a mile east of Apohaqui (Kings Co.) the passengers felt the cars rocking, when the cars toppled over and came to a standstill. Among the passengers were Mrs. James Millican and daughter. Arthur Magee who was near the door jumped and landed in the snow bank; John Cummings, one of the orchestra was at the opposite end and his face blackened by ashes from the stove. Conductor [sic] Gammon had died immediately after the fall. The deceased was a married man, having a child three months old. He was a member of the Valley Lodge of the Oddfellows in Moncton. Mr. Gammon belonged to Pictou, N.S. and had a sister in Providence, R.I. whose daughter is now living in Sussex with the deceased's family. He had been in the railway employ about 10 years and for the past seven years was a driver. Five years ago he narrowly escaped being killed by his engine striking a snow plough which he was taking along the line. The funeral of Mr. Gammon takes place at Sussex on Monday next 2:30 p.m. Testimony at Inquest given by James Millican, Willard Broad, Melbourne Jones, F.W. Stockton, Dr. J.H. Gray (see original) ^[3] The 9 Feb 1881 edition of the New Brunswick Reporter and Fredericton Advertiser reported: "On Friday morn. last an accident happened to a train on the I.C.R. hauled by two engines shortly after leaving Sussex enroute to St. John. By the spreading of the rail the entire train was thrown from the track and the locomotive was completely capsized, instantly killing the engineer, Thomas Gammon of Sussex (Kings Co.) The fireman, Robt. McMann, was pretty badly hurt, but of the other 30 persons on the train none was seriously injured. The engineer is said to have stuck to his post endeavoring to stop the train; left wife, one child. "^[4]

In 1881, Mary, widow, 29, born Nova Scotia, was residing with the family of Thomas Kolston in Moncton, NB.

Children:

1. Ida May, b. 10 Apr 1879, d. 29 Aug 1879 in Sussex, Kings Co., New Brunswick, of scarlet fever, age 4 mos 19 days. The 30 Aug1879 edition of The Times reported: “d. Sussex (Kings Co.) 29th inst., of scarlet fever, Ida May Gammon, age 4 mos. 19 days, d/o Thos. Gammon and Mary Gammon. Funeral Sunday 2:30 o'clock. (Pictou, N.S. papers please copy)”^[5]
2. Thomas R., b. 6 Nov 1880, d. 23 Mar 1881 age 4 mos 17 days. The 26 Mar 1881 edition of The Daily Telegraph reported: "d. Sussex (Kings Co.) 23rd inst., Thomas R. Gammon, age 4 mos. 17 days, s/o Thomas Gammon (recently killed on I.C.R.) and Mary Gammon."^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ marriage record
2. ↑ death notice 1
3. ↑ death notice 2
4. ↑ death notice 3
5. ↑ notice of daughter Ida M.
6. ↑ death notice of son Thomas R.

• 1881 census, Westmorland Co., New Brunswick
• Descendants of John Gammon
• 1871 census, Westmorland Co., New Brunswick
• Find A Grave: Memorial #152274126