Consumption at Kentville

Kentville Sanatorium

"Consumption" got its name from the way the disease attacked the body - consuming it, causing the patient to drastically drop in weight.  Around 1882, Dr Robert Koch, who won a Nobel Prize in 1905, coined the term tuberculosis – from the latin word tuberculum – a result of discovering the tubercle bacillus, a small, swelling bump or pimple.

To slow the spread of infection, it was treated by isolating the ill and making life as comfortable as possible.

The Kentville Sanatorium, in Kentville, NS or the 'San', was built in 1904 for the treatment of consumption patients.  Originally treating only 18 patients, it was later expanded to accommodate about 400 patients and living quarters for about 200.  The San was so well recognized that it accepted infected men who were returned home from Europe during the First World War.

Unfortunately for John 'Robert' Vincent and Elizabeth 'Bessie' Johnstone, their daughter Elva 'Marguerite' "Marge" Vincent contracted and died of the disease which found its cure in the early 1940s in antibiotics

Unknown Paper, Jan 1932 Marguerite Vincent - West New Annan - After a long illness extending over a period of twelve years, Marguerite Vincent passed away Sunday evening Jan 10 at her home, West New Annan.  Deceased was the youngest daughter of Mrs. J.R. and the late J.R. Vincent of this place. 

During her long illness which she bore bravely, and uncomplainingly she spent some time, in the Kentville Sanitarium, also a year in the Canadian West where she hoped to regain her health. "Marge" as she was better known to her many friends, was highly respected and was always willing to do for others when her strength permitted her, she passed away at the age of thirty one years. 

She is survived by her lonely mother who so patiently cared for her during her long illness, two sisters, Mrs. M.D. MacKenzie in Pugwash, Mrs. Rev. William MacKenzie in British Columbia, two brothers, Earl of New Glasgow and Delmar at home, her father and eldest brother predeceased her a few years. 

The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock and although a very stormy day, a large number of friends and neighbours came to pay their last tribute of respect. The service was conducted by her pastor, Rev. Mr. Murray of the United Church, whose message was most comforting "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course." The choir sang "Does Jesus Care", "No Night in Heaven", and a duet "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" was sung by friends of the deceased. Deepest sympathy is extended to the bereaved family and the floral tributes bore evidence of the love and esteem in which this young lady was held.

A Family of Heroes - John Vincent & Elizabeth Johnstone

Bessie was the daughter of James Johnstone & Janet Warick and she married our John 'Robert' Vincent - the son of George S Vincent & Sarah Morrison out of Barney's River.  

Unknown Paper - 12 Mar 1948

Elizabeth Vincent - There passed peacefully: to her eternal Home on March 6 Mrs. Elizabeth Vincent, widow of the late J.R. Vincent of New Annan, at the age of 83 years.   Mrs. Vincent was formerly Elizabeth Johnstone, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Johnstone of New Annan.

With the exception of a few temporary visits elsewhere her life was spent in the vicinity of her birth place, where she was known and loved by a wide circle of relatives and friends.  Of a kindly, patient and self-sacrificing spirit she was affectionately known as Gram, not only to her own children and grandchildren, but to many beyond the confines of her own family. 

In her immediate family she leaves to mourn the loss of a loving and devoted mother, two daughters, Mrs. M.D. Mackenzie of Pictou and Mrs. J.W. Miller of Truro.   Also two sons, Earl J. Vincent of Halifax and Delmar E. Vincent with whom she made her home.   She was predeceased by her eldest son Ira and youngest daughter Marguerite.   One brother Harvie Johnstone of New Annan survives, as well as a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was tenderly and competently cared for during her brief illness by her daughter-in-law Mrs. Delmar E. Vincent.  The funeral from the United Church was conducted by Rev. Eric Koffend, followed by interment in the family lot in Bell Gift Cemetery.

 

Their sons Lt Earl Johnstone Vincent & Delmar Lauriston 'Lloyd' vincent both served with A Co of the 85^th Battalion of the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade which is credited with capturing Hill 145 in their first battle – the hill of the Vimy Memorial. 85th Battalion, NS Highland Regiment

Earl received a Medal of Honour for bravery during the action on Passchendaele on Oct 30 & 31st, 1917.  As written on the citation card, “He was foremost in locating positions for advanced posts and the best locations for the consolidation of the line being almost continually exposed to the heaviest fire.  Througout the whole operation he was very cool and collected and showed great courage as well as being instrumental in obtaining valuable information for his OC.”  Earl was shot in the chest and the bullet landed near so near his heart that it was never removed.  

Chronicle Herald, 28 Sep 1964

Delmar Lauriston Vincent - The funeral service was held yesterday at West New Annan United Church for the late Delmar Lauriston Vincent, who died September 27 at Camp Hill Hospital, Halifax, at the ago of 70.  Interment was at Bell Gift Cemetery, West New Annan. Rev. Keith Rodgerson conducted the service, which was largely attended, and the floral pieces were many and beautiful. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion attended the service in a body.  The hymn sung was "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go."  Prior to the funeral service members of the Masonic Lodge held a service at the Bonnyman Funeral Home in Tatamagouche.

A native of West New Annan, the late Mr. Vincent was the son of the late John Robert Vincent and Elizabeth Johnstone Vincent.

He served in two world wars - in the First War with the 85th Battalion and in the Second War with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders.  He was a member of Keystone Masonic Lodge, Victoria Lodge of Perfection (Scottish Rite) and of the Royal Canadian Legion.  He was also active in the United Church and for a number of years taught a senior class in the Sunday School.

The late Mr. Vincent is survived by his widow, the former Greta Katherine Cox, West New Annan, a son Ian and two grandchildren, St. Eleanor's, P.E.I., a brother Earl Vincent, of Halifax, and a number of nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents as well as three sisters and one brother.

Their grandson, Lt Maurice Doherty Mackenzie, the son of their daughter Sylvia Irene Vincent and her husband Marsden Day MacKenzie was a pilot for the Canadian Air Force and on a mission to Essen, crashed at Burdinne, Belgium.