The Allisons came from the County of Londonderry, in Ireland, near the waters of Lough Foyle.Joseph Allison was born about 1720, and when he reached manhood's estate he rented a farm owned by a London Corporation, paying yearly rates, which were collected by an agent in Ireland.On the occasion of a visit from the agent to collect the rent he was invited by Mr.Allison to dine with them.The best the house afforded was given to him as an honored guest.On that day silver spoons were used.Turning to Mr.Allison the agent said, "I see that you can afford to have silver on your table.If you can afford this you can pay more rent; your next year's rent will be increased." "I will pay no more rent," said Mr.Allison, "I'll go to America first." The agent increased the rent the next year, and Mr.Allison sold his property and with his wife and six children, in 1769, left the home of his fathers and embarked from Londonderry for the New World.He intended to land at Philadelphia, having friends in Pennsylvania with whom he had corresponded and who had urged him to come to that State to settle.The passage was rough, and the vessel was wrecked on Sable Island, and Mr.Allison and his family were taken to Halifax, N.S.
Through the influence of the British Admiral Cochrane, then on the coast, Mr.Allison and the others that came with him were induced to settle in Nova Scotia.Mr.Allison purchased a farm in Horton, King's County, on the border of the historic Grand Pre, where he lived until his death, in 1794.His wife was Mrs.Alice Polk, of Londonderry.She survived him for several years, and gave the historic silver spoons to her youngest child, Nancy (Mrs.Leonard), who lived to be ninety years of age.They are now in the family of her great-grandson, the late Hon.Samuel Leonard Shannon, of Halifax.
Mr.Joseph Allison was a farmer.Many of his descendants have been prominent in the political, religious and commercial life of Nova Scotia in the last hundred years.A goodly number of these have stood by the fine old occupation of their ancestor.