Abt 1860 Nathaniel married Catherine Hamm. Born abt 1838. Catherine died in Clearland, Lunenburg Co., Nova Scotia, Canada, bef 1901; she was 63.
Nathaniel and Catherine Ernst with a son resided in the Mahone Bay census district, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia according to the 1871 Canadian federal census. His widowed mother Catherine Ernst lived in the household. James Dalton, age 14 was lived in the household. Nathaniel Ernst was a farmer. The family were Lutherans. (RG 31-C-1, 1871, Nova Scotia, Lunenburg Co., ED 195-H1, Mahone Bay, p. 43)
The 1881 Canadian federal census states that Nathaniel and Catherine Ernst with an adult son and and an infant son resided in the Blockhouse census district, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. His widowed mother Catherine Ernst lived in the household. Louisa Wynock, age 37 lived inthe household. Nathaniel and Peter Ernst were farmers. The family were Lutherans. (RG 31-C-1, 1881, Nova Scotia, Lunenburg Co., ED 11-C2, Blockhouse, p. 66)
According to the 1891 Canadian federal census, Nathaniel and Catherine Ernst with an adult son and and an infant son resided in the Blockhouse census district, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. Minnie Slaughenwhite, age 17 was a lodger in the household. Nathaniel Ernst was a farmer. Peter Ernst was a fisherman. The family were Lutherans. (RG 31-C-1, 1891, Nova Scotia, Lunenburg Co., ED 38-B3, Blockhouse, p. 66)