Peter Heisler (1846 - 1896)

Born 1846 in Second Peninsula, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Ancestors

Husband of Ellen (Knock) Heisler — married 9 Jan 1875 in Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Descendants

Died Feb 1896 at about age 50 in Atlantic Ocean

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Elliott Myles [send private message]

Biography

By one family tradition, Peter’s full name was Peter Elijah Heisler. However, in 1871, the Heisler household included both a Peter Heisler, age 25, and his brother Elijah Heisler, age 22. He was called simply Peter Hisler [sic] in his marriage record.

Little is known of Peter Heisler’s youth. In an undated manuscript, but probably from about 1956, his son Andrew Bennet Heisler wrote (corrected for grammar and punctuation): “A man by the name of Thophilus Boho came out from England taught school on the 2nd Peninsula. He also taught navigation to the Ackers, Smeltzers, Knocks, Masons, Heislers. The following Master Mariners were born on the 2nd Peninsula: … Capt. Alfred Heisler, Capt. Reuben [Heisler], Capt. Peter [Heisler], Father of Andrew Heisler.” Nothing else is known of Theophilus Boho. However, there was a school on Second Peninsula as early as 1828, when George Hains was the schoolmaster.

In 1871, Peter Heisler, age 27, was enumerated in the Lunenburg Polling District with his father John Heisler, age 70, his step-mother, Elizabeth Heisler, age 58, and his siblings Rachel Heisler, age 33; Reuben Heisler, age 27; and Elijah Heisler, age 22. His niece, Adah Heisler, age 6, was also living with the family. Also enumerated in Lunenburg was Peter’s eldest brother, John Heisler, age 34. John was living with his wife Sophia Heisler, age 32, and children Spurgeon Heisler, age 5; Gabriel Heisler, age 4; and Helen Heisler, age 8 months.

In 1871, Peter Heisler was a farmer on Second Peninsula. Between 1871 and 1875, he became a mariner.

Helen Knock:

Bachelor Peter Heisler of Second Peninsula, age 28, a mariner and son of John and Sarah Heisler, married 9 January 1875, in the Presbyterian Church, Lunenburg, spinster Helen KNOCK of Second Peninsula, age 26 (born 17 October 1849, on Second Peninsula, or 17 October 1850, in Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia), daughter of John and Catherine Knock. Alfred Heisler and Benjamin Knock witnessed the marriage.

In 1870, Ellen’s father, John Knock, was a farmer on Second Peninsula. In 1871, Ellen Knock was enumerated with her parents on Second Peninsula (dwelling 188), just four houses away from the Heisler family (dwelling 184). John Knock was 55, and a farmer. His wife Catherine Knock was 45. They were enumerated with David Knock, age 24, a mariner; Ellen Knock, age 22; Benjamin Knock, age 18, a farmer; and Emma Hoyt, age 8. The family was Presbyterian. John Knock’s brother, Edward Knock, and his family, also lived with them (Edward’s family was number 242, and John’s 243, both living in dwelling number 188). Edward Knock was 48, and his wife Sophia 40. They were enumerated with their children Adelaide Knock, age 15; Joseph Knock, age 12; Hosiah Knock, age 8; and Nathan Knock, age 7.

201 Cumberland Street, Lunenburg:

In 1840, Lunenburg merchant William Ross owned two Lunenburg town lots in Steinfort’s Division: Lot D-6 fronting on Cumberland Street, and lot D-9 fronting on Townsend Street. In 1878, he sold them to William Godley, a local builder. Between 1878 and 1879, Godley built a house on Lot D-6, and the house appeared on the “Bird’s Eye View of Lunenburg” published by A. Ruger in 1879. In 1880, Godley sold the house and lots to Alfred Heisler, Peter Heisler’s brother. The home became the Heisler family home.

In 1881, Peter and Ellen Heisler were enumerated in Lunenburg Town, probably at 201 Cumberland Street, Lunenburg. Peter was 35, and a master mariner. Ellen was 26. They were enumerated with Annie Heisler, age 6; Howard Heisler, age 5; and Andrew Heisler, age 3. The family was Presbyterian. Ellen Heisler’s age in the 1881 Census was incorrect. In 1901, Ellen Heisler gave her birth date as 17 October 1849, meaning that she would have been 32 in 1881, not 26. Peter Heisler’s immediate neighbors in 1881 were Hibbert Young, a ship builder, and Martin Mason, a fisherman. Martin Mason was born on Second Peninsula and also became a master mariner.

In 1881, Charles and Nettie Heisler were also living with Peter and Ellen Heisler. Charles, age 30, was a fisherman. Nettie was 26. They were Methodists. Charles Heisler was the son of Peter Heisler’s cousin, Alexander Heisler. Charles Heisler’s sister, Mary Heisler, married Peter Heisler’s brother, Reuben Heisler.

By the publication of the 1883 A. F. Church Map (1864-1883), 201 Cumberland Street was owned by Peter Heisler. His descendants lived in the house until 1975. On 5 April 1885, Peter Heisler was issued certificate 921 as a master of a fore and aft rig in the coasting trade.

In McAlpine's Nova Scotia Directory, 1890-97, Peter Heisler was listed as a sea captain, home 88 Montague, Lunenburg Town. This entry is confusing, as according to other documents and family history, the family lived at 201 Cumberland Street from at least 1881 to 1975. In 1890, he was master of the schooner Narcissus.

In 1891, Peter and Ellen Heisler were enumerated in Lunenburg Town. Peter was 46 and Ellen 41. They were living with their children Anna Heisler, age 18; Howard Heisler, age 15; Andrew Heisler, age 13; Nellie Heisler, age 6; and Arthur Heisler, age 3; and Peter’s sister, Rachel Heisler, age 59.

In 1896, Peter Heisler was the Captain of the schooner Menendez, built by J. Smith in Lunenburg on 7 August 1895. The vessel was 93½ feet in length and 23¾ feet in breadth. Her gross tonnage was 142.42, and her registered tonnage was 130.04. Like other British registered vessels, she was owned in 64 shares. Her owners were John Smith, shipbuilder, 16 shares; David Smith, shipbuilder, 16 shares; Allan R. Morash, accountant, 8 shares; Peter Heisler, master mariner, 8 shares; Reuben Heisler, master mariner, 4 shares; J. Henry Wilson, merchant, 4 shares; Charles Smith, merchant, 4 shares; and Seth B. Prince, carpenter, 4 shares.

In February 1896, while on a voyage to Trinidad, the Menendez disappeared with all hands off Sable Island in the North Atlantic some 300 miles south-east of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The crew were Peter Heisler, master, Lewis Knickle, mate, and crewmen Mahlan G. Conrad of Rose Bay, James Herman, Oliver B. Pearl of Martin’s Brook, and Elkanah Smeltzer. The registry was closed on 6 July 1896.

After Peter Elijah’s death, his widow, Ellen Heisler, continued to live at the family home, 201 Cumberland Street, Lunenburg.

In 1901, Ellen Heisler was living with her children Andrew Heisler, age 23 (born 28 May 1877); Nellie Heisler, age 16 ( born 30 November 1884); and Arthur Heisler, age 12 (born 20 June 1888). Ellen was 51 (born 17 October 1849). The family was Methodist. Andrew Heisler was the only person in the household who was employed. He was a laborer, had worked twelve months of the prior year, and had earned $200.00. Nellie and Arthur Heisler had nine months of schooling.

In 1907-1908, Ellen was listed in McAlpine’s Nova Scotia Directory as Mrs. Peter Heisler, widow, home on Cumberland. Her sons Andrew, who was by then married, and Arthur Heisler were living with her.

In 1911, Ellen Heisler was living with the family of her son Andrew Heisler in Lunenburg Town. She was 62, and gave her birth year as 1848. Although widowed for many years, Ellen stated that she was still married.

Widow Ellen A. Heisler, daughter of John Knock and Catherine Herman, died 5 November 1944, age 94 years, 18 days, of senile myocardial insufficiency, in Lunenburg. Her daughter Nellie Heisler was the informant on her death certificate. She was buried 7 November 1944, in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Lunenburg.