OUR STORY
Welcome to our family's legacy, where we have proudly stewarded this land for over two hundred years. Our journey began in 1774 when William, Anne, and their son William Jr. arrived from Hull, Englad, settling in Pointe de Bute, New Brunswick. William Jr. and his wife Elisabeth established Prospect Acres farm, raising ten children, including Amos Trueman who was the first to make his mark in Truemanville, continuing our rich heritage and connection to this beautiful land.
TRUEMANVILLE
In 1817, Amos and his brother, along with another man, braved the winter by loading a sled with building materials and pulled it by oxen on a 20-mile trip to Truemanville. There, they erected a small log cabin, which led to the house later built by Amos and Susanna's son, Henry Trueman as pictured. Today, Mark has built his home on this historic site, where the original carriage shop still stands.
In 1817, Amos married Susanna Ripley and established Truemanville’s first water-powered grist mill and sawmill, crucial for early settlers needing flour and meal. The forestry and lumber industries became the backbone of the Truemanville in the prosperous 1800s, driven by high timber demand. By the 1850s, the milling operation switched to steam power, boosting productivity and allowing mills to move closer to logs, marking a significant era for Henry Trueman and Sophia Finlay. Following their legacy, their sons, including James Amos, united to operate the family business, Trueman Brothers Lumber.
DAYLES GRAND MARKET
In the late 19th century, Amherst thrived as a regional hub for ship building, after the Intercolonial Railway completion, driving demand for lumber and bricks. Truemanville also prospered, with its mill supplying wood for structures like Two Barker', now known as Dayle's Grand Market. However, by 1908, manufacturing declined, signaling the end of this prosperous era before World War I.
With the of prosperity in the West, James A. made strategic investments in stocks, bonds, and real estate, acquiring several lots in Tuxedo Park, right next to the future site of the University of Winnipeg. Unfortunately, despite his ambitious ventures, the Great Depression and subsequent economic challenges led to significant losses, leaving only the Diamond Match shares as a silver lining in a turbulent financial landscape.
MODEL T FORD
In the early days of Truemanville, the arrival of the iconic Model T Ford marked a significant moment as the first vehicle owned by the Trueman family and in Truemanville.
Photograph captures Walter and Hubert, James A.'s two sons, and Oressa Trueman in the back seat in the yard of Thunderbrook Farms.
In the fourth generation of the Trueman family, Hubert Trueman managed a diverse range of livestock, including beef, sheep, and poultry, to meet the family's needs while also selling beef to the Two Barkers Store in Amherst. Following Hubert, Cyril Trueman took the reins and, in 1953, began hauling cattle to summer pastures on the marshlands of New Brunswick. This practice continued for an impressive forty years, with the last decade spent pasturing on the land of George and Ron Trueman, marking a nostalgic return to Prospect Farm, where their journey began.
In 1962, Cyril and Joyce embarked on their journey in the hog business, which spanned two decades. Ultimately, they made the wise decision to exit the industry, especially considering there is no local hog market remaining today. During this, cattle numbers grew, and significant work was done on blueberry fields, transitioning from hand-picking to machine harvesting. Cyril also recognized the value of the wood lot, managing it like a vital crop and generating income through timber sales while providing lumber for building and firewood for personal use.
MARITIME SPRING SHOW
Cattle showing is a cherished tradition passed down through generations. Pictured is Brian Trueman with Hank, the Grand Champion 4-H Steer in the 1966 Maritime Spring Show & Sale in Oxford, Nova Scotia.
In 1979, Brian and Joan returned home to join Cyril and Joyce in a thriving joint venture that lasted for 21 years. While Cyril managed the commercial cattle, blueberries and lumber, Brian and Joan focused on building a purebred Hereford herd and cultivating strawberries and vegetables for local stores. In 2002, they proudly took over the farm as the sixth generation, continuing a legacy that began with Amos in 1817. Today, the farm flourishes with the dedication of Brian and Joan, their children Mark and Sarah, and Beth and Jeff, who all contribute to the daily operations.
Thunderbrook Farms as the farm is known today got it's name from the sound of the spring thaw water roaring over the spill way of the pond. As in the past the woodlot has played a role in the development of the farm operation. We harvest it, we manage it, with almost 65% of what we have harvested already received aquaculture treatments and species thinning a crop growing for the next generation.