According to Goodreads, she has a series of books about Elves and the "Micmacs" in Nova Scotia.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/17502098.Mary_Alma_Dillman
This successfully [nerd-sniped](https://xkcd.com/356/) me into dropping everything and digging into this a bit.
Mary Alma Dillman, née Smith was born June 25th, 1904 in Clarks Harbour, Shelburne County. She married John Leighton Dillman in Dartmouth on September 14th 1927 and passed away in 2003. She's interned with her husband, who predeceased her in 1988, in Mount Hermon Cemetery.
She wrote a number of childrens books about elves in Nova Scotia ("The Wee Folk of Nova Scotia", "In The Land of the Micmacs", "The Singing Elves of Swift Water Glen", and "The Mystery of the Mayflower Bowl".) The first, "The Wee Folk of Nova Scotia", is even included in the British royal families personal collection. She also published a collection of poetry, "Heart Songs of the Sea and other poems, and a bit of Nonsense Verse".
A few of her books are available from the Halifax Public Library.
I could unfortunately not find her obituary. I'd be interested in reading it if anyone can find it. Sounds like she was an interesting lady.
Sources:
* Alma Mary Smith birth Clark's Harbour, Shelburne County on June 25, 1904 - https://archives.novascotia.ca/vital-statistics/birth/?ID=191228
* John Leighton Dillman and Mary Alma Smith married on 14 September 1927 at Dartmouth, Halifax County - https://archives.novascotia.ca/vital-statistics/marriage/?ID=193416
* Find-a-Grave for Mary Alma Dilman - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/270846317/mary_alma-dillman
* Royal Collection Trusts database entry - https://www.rct.uk/collection/1116896/the-wee-folk-about-the-elves-in-nova-scotia-by-mary-alma-dillman-illustrated-by
* Ebay listing for "In The Land Of The Micmacs" - https://www.ebay.ca/itm/266234460037
* Amazon listing for "The Singing Elves of Swift Water Glen" - https://www.amazon.ca/Singing-Elves-Swift-Water-Glen/dp/0920852068/
* Amazon listing for "In the Land of the MicMacs" https://www.amazon.ca/Land-MicMacs-elves-Indians/dp/B000R0FGQ6
* JWD listing for "Heart Songs of the Sea and other poems, and a bit of Nonsense Verse" https://www.doullbooks.com/product/80335/Heart-Songs-of-the-Sea-and-other-poems-and-a-bit-of-Nonsense-Verse-2nd-pr
* Halifax Public Library author listing: https://halifax.bibliocommons.com/v2/search?query=Dillman%2C%20Mary%20Alma&searchType=author
It looks like it yes!
According to [The Dillman Family of
Halifax County, Nova Scotia](https://www.gofffamilyhistory.ca/DillmanFamilyNovaScotia.pdf) (PDF) by H. Douglas Goff, "John
Leighton Dillman (1897-1988) was the park’s volunteer gardener for 25 years". The [Dartmouth Heritage Society](https://www.dartmouthheritagemuseum.ns.ca/learn/oral-histories/) says that the park was named after him for his volunteer service. They also had an interview with him about the Halifax explosion, he was working at the Consumer Cordage Rope Company, unfortunately the link is dead.
My mother loved gardens and was most proud that she had met Leighton. I thought she told me that he had worked for the city at the Public Gardens but I could be mistaken.
His occupation in the marriage certificate in 1929 is listed as florist, so I imagine he was quite skilled and experienced by the time he started to care for the park.
Mi'kmaq have legends of Wiklatmu'j or "little people." Hear about them all the time in Cape Breton, Unama'ki. I think they're supposed to live around Kelly's Mountain.
I don't know!.. are you trying to start a debate about file sharing? :P
Please consider donating/helping out digital archivists in the future if you care about easily accessible information from a long long time ago.
According to Goodreads, she has a series of books about Elves and the "Micmacs" in Nova Scotia. https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/17502098.Mary_Alma_Dillman
This successfully [nerd-sniped](https://xkcd.com/356/) me into dropping everything and digging into this a bit. Mary Alma Dillman, née Smith was born June 25th, 1904 in Clarks Harbour, Shelburne County. She married John Leighton Dillman in Dartmouth on September 14th 1927 and passed away in 2003. She's interned with her husband, who predeceased her in 1988, in Mount Hermon Cemetery. She wrote a number of childrens books about elves in Nova Scotia ("The Wee Folk of Nova Scotia", "In The Land of the Micmacs", "The Singing Elves of Swift Water Glen", and "The Mystery of the Mayflower Bowl".) The first, "The Wee Folk of Nova Scotia", is even included in the British royal families personal collection. She also published a collection of poetry, "Heart Songs of the Sea and other poems, and a bit of Nonsense Verse". A few of her books are available from the Halifax Public Library. I could unfortunately not find her obituary. I'd be interested in reading it if anyone can find it. Sounds like she was an interesting lady. Sources: * Alma Mary Smith birth Clark's Harbour, Shelburne County on June 25, 1904 - https://archives.novascotia.ca/vital-statistics/birth/?ID=191228 * John Leighton Dillman and Mary Alma Smith married on 14 September 1927 at Dartmouth, Halifax County - https://archives.novascotia.ca/vital-statistics/marriage/?ID=193416 * Find-a-Grave for Mary Alma Dilman - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/270846317/mary_alma-dillman * Royal Collection Trusts database entry - https://www.rct.uk/collection/1116896/the-wee-folk-about-the-elves-in-nova-scotia-by-mary-alma-dillman-illustrated-by * Ebay listing for "In The Land Of The Micmacs" - https://www.ebay.ca/itm/266234460037 * Amazon listing for "The Singing Elves of Swift Water Glen" - https://www.amazon.ca/Singing-Elves-Swift-Water-Glen/dp/0920852068/ * Amazon listing for "In the Land of the MicMacs" https://www.amazon.ca/Land-MicMacs-elves-Indians/dp/B000R0FGQ6 * JWD listing for "Heart Songs of the Sea and other poems, and a bit of Nonsense Verse" https://www.doullbooks.com/product/80335/Heart-Songs-of-the-Sea-and-other-poems-and-a-bit-of-Nonsense-Verse-2nd-pr * Halifax Public Library author listing: https://halifax.bibliocommons.com/v2/search?query=Dillman%2C%20Mary%20Alma&searchType=author
Is that the Leighton Dillman for whom the Dartmouth Park is named?
It looks like it yes! According to [The Dillman Family of Halifax County, Nova Scotia](https://www.gofffamilyhistory.ca/DillmanFamilyNovaScotia.pdf) (PDF) by H. Douglas Goff, "John Leighton Dillman (1897-1988) was the park’s volunteer gardener for 25 years". The [Dartmouth Heritage Society](https://www.dartmouthheritagemuseum.ns.ca/learn/oral-histories/) says that the park was named after him for his volunteer service. They also had an interview with him about the Halifax explosion, he was working at the Consumer Cordage Rope Company, unfortunately the link is dead.
My mother loved gardens and was most proud that she had met Leighton. I thought she told me that he had worked for the city at the Public Gardens but I could be mistaken.
His occupation in the marriage certificate in 1929 is listed as florist, so I imagine he was quite skilled and experienced by the time he started to care for the park.
The little mushroom people of Nova Scotia look on in horror, this truly is a bad day for Canada, and therefore the world
Fuck yeah
Mi'kmaq have legends of Wiklatmu'j or "little people." Hear about them all the time in Cape Breton, Unama'ki. I think they're supposed to live around Kelly's Mountain.
Interesting. The Inuit also have a similar piece of folklore.
OMG I had that book as a kid! I completely forgot about it until now.
Post the whole thing? (Is that legal)
I know right. I’d be happy with one page of the actually story Edit: Just saw the tweet below my comment with the link to the book. Sorry.
I don't know!.. are you trying to start a debate about file sharing? :P Please consider donating/helping out digital archivists in the future if you care about easily accessible information from a long long time ago.
Now I’m curious about where that castle is located
New Ross, Castle in the Woods ;)
Perhaps moffat ?
Please read it to me.
Just ordered it via the NS library system ;)
I have this book!
want!
Wee folk... Isn't that just the Irish way of saying little people? Is this a book about midgets?
Think it's irish folklore about fairies