Jamie Heap

Amos 'king' Seaman and Minudie, Nova Scotia: Rural Entrepreneurial and Community Development in the Maritimes, 1686-1886 Jamie Heap

The life and times of Maritime entrepreneur Amos ?King? Seaman (1788-1864) and Minudie?s history (1686-1886) sheds new light on the new rural history?s focus on tenant and/or labourer alienation, under-employment and exploitation during late 18th and 19th centuries. Amos Seaman, the ?Grindstone King?, was a successful entrepreneurial pluralist who farmed, lumbered, built ships, sold goods at his store, and participated in the lucrative import-export trade with Britain, the West Indies and the United States. In addition to his construction of ships, Seaman also built wharves as well as the province?s first steam-powered mill to support his diverse and integrated industries. Seaman?s personal wealth was exemplified by Grindstone Castle? where he and his family lived. In addition to this opulent mansion, Seaman?s wealth also enabled him to maintain a second home,a town house in Boston, MA. He also built two churches and a one-room school house. Grindstones, which served a variety of domestic and commercial uses were the main commodities that Minudie?s ?King? exported to Britain, the West Indies and the United States. A series of events unfolded that ended Seaman's reign over Minudie, NS