SHIP HECTOR PASSENGER DESCENDANT: Jessie Ellen Grant, A.N.C.

Teacher, nurse, WWI award recipient, hospital superintendant

A lifetime dedicated to helping others would bring this Ship Hector passenger descendant, much praise and respect from all those she knew and worked with. Reports state that this lady had “outstanding qualifications”, “acted with quiet, firm authority in handling her routine” and was “distinguished by a spirit of selfless and efficient service to others."

Jessie Ellen Grant was born in Springville, Pictou County in 1872. She would inherit these steadfast work ethics from where Ship Hector passenger and great grandfather James Grant and their descendants built an industrial water-powered site that operated for over 150 years in the Springville area.

Grant would be educated at the oneroom school in her community, graduate from Pictou Academy and attend the Normal School in Truro where she received her teaching certificate. She would begin her love of teaching in 1899 in Pictou County where she was a successful educator at Island East River, Caledonia, Springville, Bridgeville and Pictou town.

This professional fondness would continue for another 45 years, which she would combine with another proficient skill and devotion, that of a nursing career. This move would offer her positions to some of the larger hospitals in Canada and the United States.

In 1903, Grant entered the training school at the Massachusetts General Hospital and graduated in 1906. She was subsequently employed as a teaching and office assistant during a two year period. In 1908, Jessie was appointed assistant superintendent at St. Frances Hospital in San Francisco, California remained until 1911. From 1912 until 1918 she was the superintendent of Beverly General and the Anna Jaques Hospital both in the state of Massachusetts.

In April 1917, the United States joined the First World War hostilities. And through the next two years supplied over twenty thousand nurses to the conflict. Grant signed up and was appointed chief nurse at Base Hospital 55, quartered in the French Barracks at Toul, France. The hospital handled soldiers recuperating from wounds and the dreaded influenza pandemic. Grant would stay on for another six months after the Armistice signing. For her gallant effort, she was awarded the Military Merit citation.

After the war, Grant served as hospital superintendent at Victoria General Hospital, Halifax, Illinois Training School, Chicago, Winnipeg Hospital Training School, Manitoba, and Springfield Hospital, Vermont.

After retirement in 1947, she moved back to Pictou County and after a tragic accident, passed away in 1950. Grant is buried in the Springville Cemetery.

If you believe your family descends from the Ship Hector passenger, you are encouraged to connect with the project via www.facebook.com/ shiphestordescendants or email hectorroots1773@gmail.com.